In-N-Out The 64/60: Not The Same Old Status Quo

For the last month the 41129 has been a buzz in regards to the swing and swim. The buzz surrounding the event generated the amount of hype equal to only that of a Super Bowl, National Championship, Game 7 of the World Series, or any Saturday Night cruising Grayson in Burt's baby blue Tracker back in the day with a woman, more than willing to turn a boy into a man. Unlike these events the Swing and Swim not only exceeded the hype it became a epic moment in time. A moment that will be revisited time and time again, from one 64/60 generation to another. It had everything you could hope for in sports. You had Jesse and his hand picked trio serving as the Evil Empire. You had little Matty McClung who showed everyone that the athletic gap between a 11 year old and 30+ year old drunks is minimal. You had Lefty who used this stage as his platform for why athletes should not be drug tested. Josh Coleman who' s resiliency and hustle took him from worst to first all in one day. Mike McClung who despite being out shined by not one but two of his own and striking out in 5 consecutive AB's, never lost his smile or his love for the game. Butch Lemaster who took criticism and for the first time I can remember used it for motivation in one of the days finer performances. Josh Gilbert who time and time and time again reminded us all that it was indeed just a game. Scooter Quillen who became the 64/60's David Tyree a undrafted free agent who's star shined the brightest in the darkest of times. Jonathan Barker who's complete disregard for self over team could only be matched by a certain mutton-chopped number 14 who's game Barkers is molded from. Chris Lee who's severe ankle sprain reminded us all of how quickly the game can be taken from you. Once again Chris Lee who like Lance Harbor on Varsity Blues did not let his life as a gimp keep him from his true calling which in Bopps case is as a puppeteer who should be as far away from the playing field as possible. And finally Ashley Coleman who despite being booted in favor of better talent did not turn her back on her team and it's leader. While others laughed and mocked the Gelled One it was Ash who searched and searched for the perfect pillow. Sports at it's best is when multiple parts merge together in the pursuit of a common goal. 64/60 Swing and Swim 2011 was just that.

The format was simple three teams of five participating in a double elimination tournament.

Team One: Jesse Ward, James Hardy, Butch Lemaster, Brandon McClung, Matthew McClung. The team created from back room deals was the only unit that remained intact. The McClung's figured to be the weakest links to start but quickly out shined most of the elder statesmen and lead the Majesticals in dominating the competition the first go around. Of the original teams the Majesticals depth made them the strongest unit.

Team 2: Josh Coleman, Josh Gilbert, Ziti Marshall (5 X RWA Champ), Todd Whitley, Cody Morrison, Landon Bowe (replacement for Morrison in Game 2. Two Games two double digit losses one owner near depression. I can't pinpoint exactly what happened but poor team speed sketchy defense and no hitting to speak of was likely the culprit.

Team 3: Chris Lee, Ashley Coleman, Scooter Quillen, Dave Hobson, K McClung, Jonathan Barker (replaced Ashley in Game 2), Josh Coleman (heroically put his fued with Bopp aside to grant what was thought to be his dying wish)
Harsh ownership and injury infused this roster with unmatched chemistry and talent. Barker gave the team some spunk. Dave matched Butch for perhaps the best stick throughout the tournament. Mike was Mike. Scooter surpassed Jack Morris's 1991 Game 7, as the best pitching performance that I have ever seen. And finally the Commish, who became nothing short of God-like during those final two games leading Bopp's troops to victory.

For the second consecutive year a non-64/60ian walked away with the MVP award as Scooter Quillen was the unanimous winner. Scooter performed well in the field throughout the tournament. Did enough damage at the plate to not be a liability. And after Chris's injury he grabbed the ball and told everyone that it was now his moment just setback and enjoy and what a show it was. As for Chris the injury was real. Severe ankle sprain was the ruling, 7 days with minimal weight is the first step in recovery. He returns to the specialist this Friday for follow up. Without the Sprain Heard Around the World I am very confident that the Majesticals would have hoisted the Championship Trophy on that day. Chris's vanity would not have let him hand the ball over to Scooter and the lineup would have a automatic 6-1 putout every 5th AB. What's amazing is that I think Chris realizes this. For the first time ever Chris had come face to face with the Gods of Baseball and listened to what they had to say. His place in the game is two feet away from a computer screen finding the newest Free Agent phenom not crossing the lines of the playing field preparing for battle it's just unfortunate it took a severe ankle sprain and a change in relationship status on F******k for him to realize this.

BCFP 9 vs. Komodo Dog 3. The Factory revenge one of it's two Head to Head losses on the season and inch closer to their rightful spot in the standings.

Fancy Lads 6 vs. B'Ville Stars 6. Coming off the victory of the Factory this was certainly a emotional letdown contest for the Stars. New name same middle of the road production from Bopp.

9irons 7 vs. Emanski 4. Let it be known that not only did GRC3 miss the Swing and Swim event but he also mocked the idea in front of his special lady friend.

Walls Of Jericho 11 vs. Hendo Colonels 1. My fears of Walls Of Jericho being a force to reckon with are coming true. No team has been better over the last month.

tdb 8 vs. Majesticals 3. On your My Team page in the bottom left hand corner there is a box that has the IP minimum for the week in it. Mr. Ward please make a note of this or continue to bless your opposition with 6 Wins each week.

Militia 8 vs. M.R.O.T.A.4. This season certainly has plenty of time left but take note of the separation occurring between team 7 and the Militia at 6. With the deadline looming what moves will Lemaster make this week be sure to check your inbox daily.


* TRADE DEADLINE IN THIS SUNDAY JULY 31ST*



Highs and Low's and the Best Of The Willie's and Joe's

Runs- 9irons/tbd 47, Fancy Lads 34
HR- Walls 16, Fancy Lads 6
RBI- Walls 53, Majesticals 27
SB- Fancy Lads/M.R.O.T.A. 13, Walls 0
AVG- Walls .294, 9irons .233
OPS- Walls .849, Fancy Lads .650
SV- Walls 7, Majesticals NA
K- Fancy Lads 64, Majesticals NA
ERA- Fancy Lads 2.15, Majesticals NA
WHIP- M.R.O.T.A. .97, Majesticals NA
K/9- Stars 8.95, Majesticals NA
QS- Komodo/Fancy Lads

BCFP vs. Komodo- Ryan Braun .421/4/4/6/0/1.608
FANCY LADS vs. Stars- Justin Masterson 2/12/.61/.61/7.36
9irons vs. Emanski- Jacoby Ellsbury .462/3/9/7/0/1.329
Colonels vs. Walls- Craig Kimbrel 3/7/0.00/.67/21.00
tbd vs. Majesticals- Jimmy Rollins .269/3/9/4/2/1.014
Militia vs. M.R.O.T.A- Cameron Maybin .538/1/8/6/8/1.248




Pick Up Of The Week: Tom Emanski's Deathsquad drops Marco Scutaro for Jason Kipnis. The easiest way to improve your team outside of a trade is to pick up a player with upside. With solid across the board production at a weak position Kipnis is the posterchild for what you are hoping for in a late season callup. In reality Kipnis will likely at best match Scutaro's potential output but there is that chance that Kipnis hits the ground running and immediately is the power and speed threat at the Keystone that many are certain he will be.

Head Scratcher Of The Week: Tom Emanski's Deathsquad drops Vlad for Chris Denofria. Vlad has been rather pedestrian all season and at the time he was on the DL so the issue isn't in dropping Vlad but rather in picking up a marginal Denofria with no upside who is in a timeshare situation with 5 OF's battling for 3 OF spots. Fenney continues the seemingly weekly tradition of owners taking both awards during the same week.

Trade Analysis

Komodo Dog send BJ Upton to Majesticals for David Price

No issue with the deal but given the overall lack of offense around baseball it's hard for me to give away even a incomplete offensive player such as Upton for a potential Ace such as Price.



LeMaestro's Milita send Shane Victorino back to Majesticals for Dan Haren

Simply a mulligan from a previous deal. Given the makeup of the Militia the trade makes sense, however given Haren's recent struggles and my previous statement I would have kept the added offense.



M.R.O.T.A. send Jay Bruce and Brian Wilson to LeMaestro's Militia for Jason Heyward, Drew Stubbs and Cameron Maybin

The Riders get the best player in the deal with Bruce and Wilson is hands down one of the coolest dudes around and a perfect fit for the Riders image. After a hot start Stubbs has cooled down of late, Heyward has yet to see a a good stretch this season and Cameron Maybin can currently not be stopped. A classic example of a win win for both squads. Gilbert gets the most explosive player and a solid pitching option. Butch easily gets the most across the board production with Maybin and Stubbs while Heyward gives Butch the "Roll Of The Dice" player he covets.