Growing up, my mom and dad instilled in me a strong work ethic and a high standard of customer service.
My parents always worked tirelessly for many long hours. As a mechanic, my dad, Scott Sr., turned a wrench for a while before moving through managerial jobs at gas stations and garages. When I was about 5 years old, he bought his first Standard Oil full service gas station. He named it Scott’s Standard. (I'm pretty sure that's when my alliteration affection arose.)
At that business, my dad worked 7 days a week, starting at 5:30am every morning and returning home by 6:00pm on weekdays and mid-afternoon on weekends. He even worked every Christmas, making sure he was home by 9:00am so we could open gifts.
In 1977, my work career began at just 8 years old. I had a load of energy, and caused an overload of trouble. At that time, my mom cared for my 4 year-old sister and a 2-year old Li’l Rads. Because I was such a rambunctious kid, I went to work with my dad on most weekends. It gave my mom a break, and it was a good opportunity for me to spend time with him.
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| My oil career started early... |
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| ...in fact, it's even listed on the hospital receipt from when I was born! |
During the summer of 1977, I watched and learned how to fill a gas tank, wash a windshield, and check oil and tire pressure. I loved wearing the coin changer on my belt and carrying an oil rag in my back pocket. I loved all the gas station sights, smells, sounds, and tastes.
Tastes? Well, I also learned how to fill a pop vending machine. I consumed countless bottles and cans of flavored Fanta and Nehi. (Shhh, when the pop machine was open, I may have also pocketed a few quarters for the video arcade.)
As we entered the 1980’s, Li’l Rads entered elementary school, my dad bought more gas stations, and my mom was now side-by-side with my dad full-time running the business.
I was a pre-teen and worked longer hours and more days, especially in the summer months. Most summer days, I went to work with my dad in the early morning, and in the late afternoon, he would drop me at baseball practice in his very cool tow truck.
Over the years, my parents won multiple awards for service and cleanliness. Here are just a few.
Li'l Rads and family have a Standard Oil showcase.
I took special pride in the service I provided and treated it like a fast and friendly pit stop. I hustled to greet customers by asking, “Fill ‘er up?” before pumping their gas, washing their windows, and sending them on their way.
I also took great pride in my cleanliness – it was my duty to clean the bathrooms from top to bottom. Now, you all know how disgusting some gas station bathrooms can be. Not at our gas stations. I cleaned the bathrooms first thing in the morning, and I would clean again many times throughout the day so that my work was not polluted.
I took great satisfaction and found deep fulfillment in my work, and I achieved the high standards set by my parents.
Over the last 17 years, I have tried to bring that same thoughtfulness and thoroughness to the Cougars.
While it's been a while since we last clinched a championship, the Cougars consistently lead the league in hustle and teamwork, as we proved in our battle on Tuesday.
1st Inning
The Cougars were in the driver's seat with the first at-bats. However, The Muffies were short a player, so we showed them our great service. Pastor Ted, renowned for his church services and mechanic services, stationed himself at catcher to fix their problem. Our first batter, Kev, put us into first gear by leading off with a walk. Charley was a spark plug and hit a hard single to the right side. Andy was jacked up and jump started us with a three-run homer to left center. Goose broke the speed limit with a racer down the third base line, and Martini had a smooth ride to first with a walk. We ran out of gas and stranded them on base.
The Muffies pulled up to the pump for their at bats. Kev secured the first out with his patented catch, sliding on his back to get under the ball. He looks just like a mechanic using a creeper to get under a car.
Martini struck out the next batter looking. Our foe followed up with back-to-back singles, which actually worked out for us. Why?
Well, you are supposed to rotate your car wheels every so often, and the Cougars have a history of running the Wheel Play every so often. We never tire of it. Typically, the wheel is set in motion by the pitcher, but Joker proposed to run Wheel Play from the catcher spot. After Martini pitched the Clincher, Joker fired it and overthrew first base. Both runners took off, and we tagged the bag for a third out. Afterwards, Brad the umpire gave the opponent a driving lesson on the basepaths so they would avoid future fender benders. (Read the fine print at the end of the blog to learn about the Wheel Play.)
Cougars 3 The Muffies 0
2nd Inning
Boom and Crawdaddy each watched four balls and were in cruise control on the bases. Like a good car thief, Boom stole third base right in front of their eyes. However, we had some engine trouble and left the runners idling on base.
Our defense was in overdrive. Charley handled a line shot and fired to JD at first, Kev caught out number two, and Andy handled out number three. The Muffies hit a speedbump.
Cougars 3 The Muffies 0
3rd Inning
Joker, Kev, and Charley were all in alignment with consecutive infield singles to load the bases. High-octane Andy came up and hit the ball to the police station in right center. He put the pedal to the metal, hit the left hand turn signal, and motored around the bases like Burt Reynolds outrunning the cops in a Trans Am for a Grand Slam. Cougars score 4, and Andy had a clutch performance with all 7 ribbies so far.
On defense, we learned that Captain Cougar is not the only one who loves pop. It was a 1-2-3 inning with three pop outs caught by Goose, Boom, and Crawdaddy.
Cougars 7 The Muffies 0
4th Inning
Martini was in the fast lane with an infield hit. JD had a full throttle shot to left. Big Ball Jimmy burned rubber with a single to the right side for a score. Eddy shifted gears quickly and had an infield hit for a RBI. Boom, with piston power, punched the pitch with perfect placement to tally another. Crawdaddy walked and took a Sunday Tuesday drive to load them up. Joker fueled up and hit a sacrifice fly to notch another. Four runs.
Captain Cougar’s body is still being overhauled but was backed out of the garage and onto the mound for his season debut. The first out was a fielder’s choice from Charley to Fort, followed by a fly out to Kev for two. Fort grabbed a grounder and touched two for three outs. Our defense was on autopilot, muffling The Muffies through 4.
Cougars 11 The Muffies 0
5th Inning
Kev was greased lightning with an infield single. After Andy’s two homers, the outfielders moved far back. This strategy backfired, as Andy hit a ball with a little less air pressure for a single to center. Fort turbocharged a double down third base line for a run, and Martini hit a fuel-injected ball to score two more. Cougars grab three from the vending machine.
The first two outs were to Kev, who had ball bearing defense. Captain Cougar caught the last out, and you can hear an excited Li’l Rads yell “Way to go Scott!” to end the game.
It’s not hard to get the Cougars engine revved up: you just need a Rad Key.
Our opponent ran out of gas. Because the differential was more than 10, Umpire Brad called a well-tuned suspension so that we could ride out in comfort.
Cougars 14 The Muffies 1
Just like at the gas station, we had Diamond service on the scorebook and all the Philthy language made our work more fun.
With all the cheering noise in the stands, you can tell our fans have no muffler.
Cougar Nation has more than a high standard because we have Scott’s Standard.
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| Li'l Rads, Mom Rads, Rads, Dad Rads |
Keep scrolling ... the top-notch service continues ...
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HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
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TEAM PICTURE
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We had many active and social Cougars at the game so we took our annual team picture. Can you figure out who was cropped in?
Here is the link for 17 years of team photos and our first team photo in 2008.
https://bit.ly/CougarsTeamPhotos
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POSTGAME
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HIGHLIGHT VIDEO II
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Basically, with runners on first and second, if we make a pick-off play on the runner at first base, he can't advance because the base he is advancing to is occupied. The runner on second base can't advance because a play was not made on him.
So the Cougars throw to pick-off the runner at first base and the ball intentionally gets away. The opposing team runners then sprint around the bases and each advance past the next base. Because they have advanced to the next base, they are automatically out. We tag each base out of an abundance of caution and have execute the oldest trick in the history of Howard Park.
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SCOREBOOK
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STANDINGS
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RESULTS
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SCHEDULE
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FULL GAME VIDEO
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