OAKLAND A’s & SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS FANTASY
2005 BASEBALL
LEAGUE
FROM THE STANDS
MAY 22, 2005
Jim Realini
This week the venue shifted to the south bay at beautiful Wilcox High School in Santa Clara . . . warm with a slight breeze and the pungent aroma of a well-kept infield.
San Jose Giants 9 San Francisco Giants 8 in Game #1
The morning game was really two games with a lot of missed chances in the middle while “mom” won the game for the NY Giants. “Sugar Ray” Miailovich (the new CIF/CSS baseball commissioner) pitched an artful game through six innings leading the SF Giants to 8-4 lead after six. Carl Vargas hurled the last three and took a tough loss. Mike Simon and Heath Keller, a pair of crafty pitchers picked up Tom Sanfilippo and shut down the “Junior” Giants (beefed up with 6 pool players) over the last six innings to set the stage for that most famous fantasy celebrity’s mom (Alex Simon!!! Any of you guys on the front page of the Sporting Green?) Angie Simon. Angie lashed a two out, 3-2 count, base-loaded double down the left field line to cap a furious bottom of the ninth 5-run rally started by Doug Rusch’s perfect bunt single.
The SF Giants tried some magic of their own trying to fool the veteran umpire crew of Chris & Bob, but they were wise to the legerdemain. You have to touch second base on your way home (right Keith?)! You have to touch second on a double play (right Matt?)! And you have to touch home plate even if the dastardly catcher “deaks” you into diving home (right Steve?). Oh well, at least Keith DaCosta, Matt Schmuck and Jim Realini could smile for awhile after nailing the fleet-footed Michael Simon at home plate on a single up the middle. The Junior “Pool” Giants did give the ball a Royal Crowning with DeCruz leading the way on a triple with two singles, the Count had a three-hit day (Schmuck legging out one for an infield squibber), Sugar Ray had a big double turned single by DaCosta's misstep at second, Carl Vargas had two hits while Doc Nye, Jim Realini, and the ageless wonder “Ray” Doherty each ripped a single each.
The New York Giants were led by Steve Bennett’s three hits with Mike Simon contributing two. Heath Keller, Dennis Sanfilippo, and Rob Weber each chipped in a bingle each. The big hits were the first and last of the ninth with Doug Rusch’s perfect bunt to lead-off and Angie Simon’s clutch (must have been a nice ride home in the Simon bus) two-out game winning double.
New York Giants 10 Oakland A's 7
in Game #2
This game saw a new attendance record with nine, non-player fans watching the game which beat last years eight (including Brian Sabean walking by on the way to his son’s little league game) at Wilcox.
The afternoon game can be summed up in on word: CHILLY. Dave Chilcote struck out 11 Oakland A’s over the last six innings to lock out any threat the A’s might have mustered. Mike Shaffer started off for the Gigantes giving up two unearned runs. Gary Hopper pitched 5.2 strong innings to get the A’s started with Gordy Yost (1.3) and Al Henderson finishing up.
Mike Shaffer led his team with a double and two singles while Mike Marks had a two-hit day, too! Chilly, Parsons, Hughey, Haines “57” and Realini slapped the sphere for singles while Dennis Horn delivered another clutch 2 RBI single in the 6th to cap a wild rally that knocked out starter Gary Hopper. Gordy Yost robbed Greg Terra with a deft snatch of a high-liner to third and stopped Terra’s five game hit streak.
The A’s bats kept the Giant’s awake in between Chilly’s K’s but only got credit for a Double by Purcell Hall, and singles by Al Henderson, Gary Hopper, and Mike Mello. The A’s were robbed of several hits by the Giant third basemen who turned several hits into errors. On the other hand, Chris Dorn did keep many Giants hitless on the day with his fine play at first base.
Reminder to all regular players, do not forget to tell your coach by Thursday morning, before NOON if you are going to play or you will stand a good chance of losing your spot on the team for the weekend to a pool player.