Awesome update Jonny, thanks! I was wondering how things went up there for you guys... And yep, no question that Mr G is indeed among the finest of the gentlemen in our league... Along with the good Mr. Brown... Must be a Vermont thing...
-- Edited by Marcus Aurelius on Monday 2nd of July 2012 10:01:56 PM
Combo Albany/Maine group fell short in the semi-finals of the 15th annual Downeast Classic in South Portland over the weekend.
After finishing 1 - 1 -1 in the three game round robin portion, the mutts, led by manager Donnie Dunham, fell to a very tough Medford,Ma squad in the semi's.
Albany was represented, impressively, by HOF's Tommy Maney and Ralph Caputto, MGR DD, Kevin Jackson, Al Luciano, Ricky Carusso,myself, and the best gentleman in our league, Pete Geanellis.
Familiar foes/friends like Lenny Fox, Cowboy Murphy, Doc Proctor, Michael Wentworth, Micah, and one of the best competitors their is in Eddie Simmons, helped round out the roster.
A great tourney with a long tradition...J. Reel will appreciate the cooler sessions, the past Albany Championships...George Raftery walk - off,, Teddy Martin grabbing MVP after winning both semi- and final game,aided by a John Kalinski dinger.
Hard to believe I started playing this tourney before my daughter Ava, who is now 11, was born.
Yesterday, before we played the semis @ the beautiful "ballpark" in Old Orchard Beach, my girls were heading up to the island of Macmahon, where I would catch up with them after the game. I said "sorry you won't get to see me pitch this one Ava. :(" To put all this in prospective Ava replied, " Dad, to be honest, I never watch you anyway, I'm too busy playing with my friends at the game" .
Oooey vay..all these injuries for nothing !!!
PS. Skipper McQuade...Simmons on Florida roster would be huge!!
It was a great time, and a super bunch of teammates! Thanks Donnie for putting it all together.
Really love playing with the Maine guys, and it was sweet playing with, not against my Albany teammates. I was again reminded how good you guys are.
Ditto Jonny; Pete Geanellis and Edddie Simmons are studs, and leaders that would make any team better. Hookem up if you can Skipper!
We had a nice gathering of groupies (wives and girlfriends) following us around. I know Beth really enjoyed the team dinners and talking with the gals at the ballpark.
Real glad to have a chance to weigh in on this one.
It was a real thrill for me last weekend to be asked to play ball with the Mutts. Having played in the last two Labor Day tourneys in Albany, I've played against some dedicated athletes and fine ballplayers. It was nice to have them on my team for a change.
Enjoyed being behind the plate and working with Jonny Martin. Medford had brought their sticks, that's for sure, but they beat up everybody they faced that day in the two games.
Kinda inspiring watching veteran guys like Tom Maney and Ralph Caputo go out there inning after inning in spite of the temps in the high 90's, and Rick Caruso beating out bunts while hobbling on bone spurs.
Totally agree with the sentiments on Pete Geannelis. Guy is a total leader, swings a mean bat and is a nice guy to boot.
My wife came to a couple of the games and commented that the Mutts acted like a real team and treated each other like we'd been playing together for 10 years. Kinda felt like that too. I'd play with this bunch anytime.
Thanks again for asking me to play, and we'll see you Labor Day.
-- Edited by hardball24 on Wednesday 4th of July 2012 01:17:31 PM
