Things to Note While the Ghetto All-Stars Do the Twist With Wendy:
- WORST. GAME.
-The 11th Annual End of Summer Classic was won by the Ghetto All-Stars by a score of 17-7. The game was very close until GAS blew it open with a 9-run outburst in the bottom of the 8th.
-It is the first ESC victory for the Ghetto All-Stars since ESC VIII (won 14-7) and sixth overall in the storied eleven year history of the End of Summer Classic.
-MVP Jason Blair had an excellent weekend. He hit two homeruns, including a grand slam that sealed the victory, drove in 6 runs, stole 3 bases, and found out that he and his wife Tiffany are expecting a Baby Blair next spring.
-For the first time since ESC VIII. a pitcher recorded a complete game. Wilson went the distance in that game as well.
-Wilson's career ESC pitching stats: 5-2, 9 G, 7 GS, 5 CG, 64.1 ip, 66 r, 36 er, 91 h, 87 k, 38 bb, 5.05 ERA, 9.26 RA
-This was the first End of Summer Classic played at NIGHT or at Hellgate Field in Astoria.
-This was Alvin's first End of Summer Classic victory after four previous consecutive attempts ended in defeat. The Yellow Knight Rises!
-This was Pepe's 3rd ESC victory in as many tries, going back to ESC VIII; his 2nd as a member of GAS.
-This was Sergio's 2nd ESC victory in 3 attempts; his first victory as a member of GAS.
-This was Jimmy's 3rd ESC victory in 4 attempts, all as a member of the Ghetto All-Stars.
-This was Flynn's 3rd consecutive ESC victory and, amazingly, EIGHTH End of Summer Classic victory overall. This is true, my jaw dropped upon looking this up.
-After a 15-20 minute delay, the lights--all of the lights—turned on and play was resumed for the top of the 3rd.
-This was Brian's 2nd consecutive ESC loss after having won 4 consecutive from 2006-09. He received the losing decision in both years.
-There were 13 steals in this game and only one caught stealing.
-Five players made their End of Summer Classic debut: John B, Joe Matero, Carlos Moreno, Jaysian and Cunning Crush Chris Coleman.
-Matero and Chris made their Townsville debuts.
-John B, Carlos and Jaysian made their GAS debuts.
-ESC XI took place on September 10th (9/10) and the 9th and 10th place hitters for both teams performed magnificently. For GAS, Flynn and Pepe combined for ten (10) plate appearances. They reached base EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. They went 3-for-3 with 4 runs, 6 walks and a hit by pitch. Townsville's 9-10 hitters weren't too shabby either, combining to go 3-for-6 with 2 runs and two walks.
-To date, this was the latest in the year that the End of Summer Classic has ever been played. It's almost as though we're playing at the end of the summer.
-Piro's uncle (and honorary Ghetto All-Star) Nick umped home plate while Brian Jackson umped the base paths. Uncle Nick had a particularly small strike zone for the pitchers as the teams combined for 19 walks and only one (1!) called strike three all game (and that was in the first inning).
-Uncle Nick and Jackson joined the renowned ESCUA (ESC Umpires' Association); its members include Mike Stern, Brian Mangan, Jimmy's dad, some dude named Mike, some dude named Francis, Chris Rodriguez, Vicki Siesta, another Chris and Bryan Harris. Exalted company, indeed.
-Jackson wore a Ghetto All-Stars uni prior to the game. To remove all doubt of partiality, he removed the shirt prior to the start of the game.
-Townsville made four (4) outs at 3rd base, all in the later stages of the game: In the 6th, Brian was thrown out trying to steal 3rd. In the 7th, Materrorist was thrown out at 3rd by The Blair. In the 8th, Mark was doubled off of 3rd by Jimmy after he caught a liner hit by Matero. And, in the 9th, Chris C was tagged out by Jaysian while attempting to go to 3rd on a non-force play.
-Mark Rubin made the final out of the ESC for the 3rd time in the last five years. All three times, Wilson was the pitcher facing him. In ESC VII, Mark grounded out to the pitcher. In ESC VIII, he popped out to the pitcher. And, in ESC XI, he...grounded out to the shortstop, Jimmy. Sorry, Mark.
-In the bottom of the 5th, GAS recorded three (3) hits w/o plating a single run. In the bottom of the 8th, GAS recorded three (3) hits and plated nine (9) runs.
-Neither team scored more than two runs in an inning until GAS erupted (haha) in the bottom of the 8th.
-Townsville did not score in consecutive innings.
-Mike homered to deep center in the 1st inning, his second in his ESC career and the 10th home run allowed by Wilson in his ESC career.
-There were SO many fans and supporters! The girlfriends of Wilson, Sergio, Carlos, Kevin, Mike, Jose, Jackson and Alejandro (HE WAS THERE, WHAT A TWIST!), the fiancees of Pepe and Stephan, and the wives of Mark, Uncle Nick and Big Poppa Blair were all in attendance. Stuy alum and friend of the league, Karen was in attendance as well. Also, longtime regular and all-around good guy, Reese, came to the game as did Jill Marie, Michelle, a bunch of kids from the neighorHOOD, the old guy who always comes to our Hellgate games, and THE Blair's friend who had a bunch of kids and a ridiculously cute puppy. Packed house, friends, packed house.
-Our sound system was messed up as the battery clip was not functioning. While we were without our personal at-bat music, we were not without sound: a neighborHOOD block party was going on nearby and they provided background music throughout the game.
-Kevin, Townsville's CF, ranged VERY far to his left twice in the 6th inning to rob Sergio and Wilson of extra-bases. He also gunned out Jaysian at home to end the bottom of the 5th.
-Stephan was humorously hit by a pitch in the top of the 8th. The ball went straight at his shoulder/back and he did not move or flinch as the ball came toward him. Christos shouted, “LET IT HIT...oh ok, cool.”
-For the first time since 2007, the after-party was held at a place other than Pat O'Brien's (RIP). It was instead held at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria. Great outdoor place to drink beer and celebrate a victory or grieve a loss.
-Ghetto All-Star captain, Wilson Ramirez, collected on the annual “mayor's bet” as Roger had to wear a GAS uni to the after-party, buy Wilson a drink, cede control of his facebook status for a week (ha) and have Wilson's ESC-related picture of choice as his profile pic.
-Gambling is fun!
-If anyone has any comments/corrections/additions, feel free to let me know on the email string or on the facebook note and I'll edit them in.
-Long live the Brotherhood of the Ghetto All-Stars; Wendy's home.
Top 1
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Roger Cormier reaches first on an error (E6).
Kevin Chau reaches on a fielder's choice, Roger Cormier out at second (4U).
Kevin Chau steals second.
Kevin Chau steals third.
Mike Fusilli homers (unearned), Kevin Chau scores.
Mark Rubin strikes out.
Brian Mangan strikes out.
Bottom 1
Pitching: Brian Mangan.
Wilson De La Cruz strikes out, advances to first.
Sergio Herrera singles, Wilson De La Cruz to second.
Jason Bentley Blair grounds into a fielder's choice, Sergio Herrera to second, Wilson De La Cruz out at third (5U).
- Sergio Herrera to third (E5).
Jimmy Esatto reaches first on an error (E5), Jason Bentley Blair to second, Sergio Herrera scores (unearned).
Jason Bentley Blair steals third.
- Jimmy Esatto to second (E2).
HJ Kwon walks.
John B. grounds into a fielder's choice, HJ Kwon to second, Jimmy Esatto out at third (5U), Jason Bentley Blair scores (unearned).
Carlos Moreno strikes out.
Top 2
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Christos Plakas pops out (P-4).
Stephan Fenty grounds out (6-3).
Joe Materrorist pops out (P-1).
Bottom 2
Pitching: Brian Mangan.
Alvin Law strikes out.
Jason Flynn singles.
Pepe Moreno hit by pitch, Jason Flynn to second.
Wilson De La Cruz grounds into a fielder's choice, Pepe Moreno to second, Jason Flynn to third.
Sergio Herrera grounds into a fielder's choice, Wilson De La Cruz out at second (4U), Pepe Moreno to third, Jason Flynn scores.
Jason Bentley Blair pops out (P-5).
Top 3
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Chris Coleman singles.
Jose Cornier walks, Chris Coleman to second.
Roger Cormier grounds into a fielder's choice, Jose Cornier out at second (6-4), Chris Coleman to third.
Kevin Chau grounds out (4-3), Roger Cormier to second, Chris Coleman scores.
Roger Cormier to third on a pickoff attempt (E1).
Mike Fusilli strikes out.
Bottom 3
Pitching: Brian Mangan.
Jimmy Esatto singles.
HJ Kwon flies out (F-8).
John B. strikes out.
Carlos Moreno grounds into a fielder's choice, Jimmy Esatto out at second (6-4).
Top 4
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Mark Rubin walks.
Brian Mangan grounds out (5-3), Mark Rubin to second.
Christos Plakas flies out (F-8).
Stephan Fenty strikes out.
Bottom 4
Pitching: Brian Mangan.
Alvin Law walks.
Jason Flynn walks, Alvin Law to second.
Pepe Moreno walks, Jason Flynn to second, Alvin Law to third.
Wilson De La Cruz walks, Pepe Moreno to second, Jason Flynn to third, Alvin Law scores.
Sergio Herrera pops out (P-5).
Jason Bentley Blair pops out (P-5).
Jimmy Esatto flies out (F-8).
Top 5
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Joe Materrorist walks.
Chris Coleman pops out (P-6).
Jose Cornier walks, Joe Materrorist to second.
Roger Cormier walks, Jose Cornier to second, Joe Materrorist to third.
Kevin Chau singles, Roger Cormier to second, Jose Cornier to third, Joe Materrorist scores.
Mike Fusilli strikes out.
Mark Rubin grounds into a fielder's choice, Kevin Chau out at second (6-4).
Bottom 5
Pitching: Brian Mangan.
HJ Kwon singles.
John B. singles, HJ Kwon to second.
Carlos Moreno strikes out.
Alvin Law strikes out.
Jason Flynn singles, John B. to second, HJ Kwon out at home.
Top 6
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Brian Mangan singles.
Brian Mangan steals second.
Christos Plakas strikes out.
Brian Mangan caught stealing third.
Stephan Fenty grounds out (6-3).
Bottom 6
Pitching: Brian Mangan.
Pepe Moreno walks.
Wilson De La Cruz flies out (F-8).
Sergio Herrera flies out (F-8).
Pepe Moreno steals second.
Jason Bentley Blair homers, Pepe Moreno scores.
Jimmy Esatto singles.
HJ Kwon grounds out (6-3).
Top 7
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Joe Materrorist singles.
Chris Coleman doubles, Joe Materrorist out at third.
Jose Cornier grounds out (4-3), Chris Coleman to third.
Roger Cormier reaches first on an error (E5), Chris Coleman scores (unearned).
Kevin Chau hit by pitch, Roger Cormier to second.
Mike Fusilli strikes out.
Bottom 7
Pitching: Brian Mangan.
John B. strikes out (E2), advances to first.
John B. steals second.
Carlos Moreno strikes out.
Alvin Law walks.
Jason Flynn singles, Alvin Law to second, John B. to third.
Pepe Moreno walks, Jason Flynn to second, Alvin Law to third, John B. scores (unearned).
Wilson De La Cruz grounds out (4-3), Pepe Moreno to second, Jason Flynn to third, Alvin Law scores (unearned).
Sergio Herrera grounds out (4-3).
Top 8
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Mark Rubin walks.
Brian Mangan singles, Mark Rubin to second.
Christos Plakas flies out (F-8).
Stephan Fenty hit by pitch, Brian Mangan to second, Mark Rubin to third.
Joe Materrorist lines out (L-6), Mark Rubin picked off at third.
Bottom 8
Pitching: Christos Plakas relieves Brian Mangan.
Jason Bentley Blair reaches first on an error (E6).
Jason Bentley Blair steals second.
Jason Bentley Blair steals third.
Jimmy Esatto walks.
- Jimmy Esatto to second on the throw.
HJ Kwon reaches first on an error (E5), Jimmy Esatto to third, Jason Bentley Blair scores (unearned).
John B. singles, HJ Kwon to second (bunt).
Carlos Moreno grounds out (3U), John B. to second, HJ Kwon to third, Jimmy Esatto scores (unearned).
Alvin Law grounds into a fielder's choice, John B. to third, HJ Kwon scores (unearned).
Alvin Law steals second.
Jason Flynn walks.
Pepe Moreno walks, Jason Flynn to second, Alvin Law to third, John B. scores (unearned).
Wilson De La Cruz walks, Pepe Moreno to second, Jason Flynn to third, Alvin Law scores (unearned).
Sergio Herrera singles, Wilson De La Cruz to second, Pepe Moreno to third, Jason Flynn scores (unearned).
Jason Bentley Blair homers (unearned) (unearned), Sergio Herrera scores (unearned), Wilson De La Cruz scores (unearned), Pepe Moreno scores (unearned).
Pitching: Kevin Chau relieves Christos Plakas.
Jimmy Esatto walks.
HJ Kwon flies out (F-5).
John B. reaches first on an error (E5), Jimmy Esatto to third.
Carlos Moreno grounds out (6-3).
Top 9
Pitching: Wilson De La Cruz.
Chris Coleman singles.
Jose Cornier grounds out (4-3), Chris Coleman to second.
Roger Cormier grounds into a fielder's choice, Chris Coleman out at third (5U).
Kevin Chau singles, Roger Cormier to second.
Kevin Chau steals second, Roger Cormier steals third.
- Kevin Chau to third, Roger Cormier scores (unearned) (E2).
- Kevin Chau scores (unearned) (E7).
Mike Fusilli walks.
Mike Fusilli steals second.
Mark Rubin grounds out (6-3).
