"I've got a guy."
C'mon, when you are in a bind, those are the words you want to hear from a buddy. The only other great phrase that saves is "I've got a tool for that."
I've got a guy.
Sweet words when you are in a tight spot.
Those of you that enjoyed last week's Know Your Cougar quiz know that the team has had spotty attendance this year leaving Captain Cougar scrambling for a full squad every game. Yesterday, I thought we were all set for our big match against the Tappers and then in the late afternoon things went sideways. I needed a guy.
I've got a guy.
Flannery let me know that if I was ever in a pickle, he knew a great person that he worked with, who lives in Wilmette and would like to give 16-inch softball a try.
I've got a guy.
I figured if Tim can pick players like he picks equities he may follow the Forbes magazine article about him and his hedge fund with a Softball Prospectus feature.
I fired off my electronic distress signal at 3:51pm. Knowing that Tim is laser focused at work and might miss the note, I also emailed Stephanie, who truly runs the shop over at Copia Capital. Nine minutes later my prayers were answered.
"Dan Bookstaber will play" is what Stephanie's message read.
Bookstaber is young, handsome, smart and athletic. The Cougars have a shallow reservoir of these traits. Bookstaber is Martin 20 years ago. Heck, he is Melchiorre 30 years ago.
The trustworthy and dependable Stephanie once again demonstrated her hustle and we now had a complete team. Even though the VIX has surged 57% in May, Copia Capital keeps cool and cares for the Cougars!
The Cougars/Tappers matchup was highly anticipated. Both teams are made up of McKenzie dads and both tend to be basement dwellers in the standings. To give the game a bit of spice, losers were buying the pizza.
Your blogger was excited because this was potentially the first game this season in which the game could actually be a topic of the recap.
The Cougars came out strong and touched the dish five times in the top of the first. We followed with a couple more in the second inning.
The Tappers followed suit and crossed home plate a few times in the middle innings. The Cougars were able to limit the runs and stop the rallies with a couple of inning-ending double plays. Melchiorre started the first key DP and the second twin killing was a beautiful Fortier - Flannery - Danielsen that got us out of a jam.
In the top of the sixth inning the Cougars led by two. You don't need to be a quant jock or a hedgie to know that is not enough cushion. Well, in the dugout, the Copia Capital boys ran a little technical analysis and determined that what was necessary in this situation was a type of hit that would enable a batter to step on all four bases.
So Bookstaber gracefully walks up to to the plate in his third at bat - ever - and proceeds to crush the ball to the right center gap and gracefully rounds every base to become tied for the top position on the Cougar all-time home run leaderboard.
"Dan Bookstaber will play" is what Stephanie's message read.
Bookstaber is young, handsome, smart and athletic. The Cougars have a shallow reservoir of these traits. Bookstaber is Martin 20 years ago. Heck, he is Melchiorre 30 years ago.
The trustworthy and dependable Stephanie once again demonstrated her hustle and we now had a complete team. Even though the VIX has surged 57% in May, Copia Capital keeps cool and cares for the Cougars!
The Cougars/Tappers matchup was highly anticipated. Both teams are made up of McKenzie dads and both tend to be basement dwellers in the standings. To give the game a bit of spice, losers were buying the pizza.
Your blogger was excited because this was potentially the first game this season in which the game could actually be a topic of the recap.
The Cougars came out strong and touched the dish five times in the top of the first. We followed with a couple more in the second inning.
The Tappers followed suit and crossed home plate a few times in the middle innings. The Cougars were able to limit the runs and stop the rallies with a couple of inning-ending double plays. Melchiorre started the first key DP and the second twin killing was a beautiful Fortier - Flannery - Danielsen that got us out of a jam.
In the top of the sixth inning the Cougars led by two. You don't need to be a quant jock or a hedgie to know that is not enough cushion. Well, in the dugout, the Copia Capital boys ran a little technical analysis and determined that what was necessary in this situation was a type of hit that would enable a batter to step on all four bases.
So Bookstaber gracefully walks up to to the plate in his third at bat - ever - and proceeds to crush the ball to the right center gap and gracefully rounds every base to become tied for the top position on the Cougar all-time home run leaderboard.
Sharing the HR leaderboard honors with Bookstaber is Lipsey. Our man Lipsey hit a grand slam two years ago to fuel the Cougars to victory.
In the top of the seventh, although leading, the Cougars wanted a few more insurance runs. Lipsey, feeling like he needed some insurance not to lose his HR King status, knew he needed to come up with something special to show the new guy, (who is 20 years his junior) that the old man still has it in him. Not joking around, Pete stepped up to the plate and with every muscle in his 48.5 year body pounded the ball and whipped around the bases to cap a productive seventh inning and to retake the HR title.
In the bottom of the 7th, Bookstaber knew that unless the Tappers tied the game, he would not have a chance to show up Lipsey on offense. Instead, he decided he would show off on the other side of the ball. With one out, a line shot was hit to his left, he snatched it out of the air, turned 180 degrees and fired the ball to first base for a game ending double play.
Wearing his Cougar green Copia Capital jersey, The Stabber shows his postgame elation. He is an undefeated star!
In the top of the seventh, although leading, the Cougars wanted a few more insurance runs. Lipsey, feeling like he needed some insurance not to lose his HR King status, knew he needed to come up with something special to show the new guy, (who is 20 years his junior) that the old man still has it in him. Not joking around, Pete stepped up to the plate and with every muscle in his 48.5 year body pounded the ball and whipped around the bases to cap a productive seventh inning and to retake the HR title.
In the bottom of the 7th, Bookstaber knew that unless the Tappers tied the game, he would not have a chance to show up Lipsey on offense. Instead, he decided he would show off on the other side of the ball. With one out, a line shot was hit to his left, he snatched it out of the air, turned 180 degrees and fired the ball to first base for a game ending double play.
Wearing his Cougar green Copia Capital jersey, The Stabber shows his postgame elation. He is an undefeated star!
It was a competitive, well-played and truly enjoyable game for both sides. After the game, both teams headed to the postgame to celebrate the gifts of summer and friendship. We even had a number of the Hitmen partying with us later in the night.
Even though it was a school night, it was outstanding to see so many families out at the game and the postgame. There had to be 30 adults and even more kids before they had to go to bed.
It was a great night and it will be even better next year if Josh and I can talk the park district into creating competitive and recreational divisions so that we can play each other twice a year.
The Cougars have a bye next week but plan to come out and root for the Tappers.
Here are a few of shots of last night's game.
Even though it was a school night, it was outstanding to see so many families out at the game and the postgame. There had to be 30 adults and even more kids before they had to go to bed.
It was a great night and it will be even better next year if Josh and I can talk the park district into creating competitive and recreational divisions so that we can play each other twice a year.
The Cougars have a bye next week but plan to come out and root for the Tappers.
Here are a few of shots of last night's game.
And a few shots of the postgame.
He may need a new hip, but I still think Martin is young, handsome, smart, and athletic. (Dave, too!) :)
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