Champs Or Chumps

Busy day today, but I wanted to update everyone who cared on the fate of the "Gray team". The other night's payoff game was a rout. "Daughter" and the rest of the team took it to the "Green Team" and sent them crying to their mommies by a score of 10-1. I was only able to witness the first half of the first inning,due to a previous engagement, but I stayed in constant communication with "Wife" for the duration of the contest.

I won't bore you with a recap except to say that "Daughter" went two for three including a two out, bases loaded, two strike smash to left that drove in another two runs. According to "Wife" her defense was good, even after being taken out during a collision at the plate. Every time I think she's soft, "Daughter" muscles up and shows her inner tough guy. In a startling development, the other team that was expected to meet "Daughter's" team in the championship was upset the other night. Some claim they were looking ahead to tonight, some blame the ill advised pizza party that the team held before the game. Said pizza crippled their starting pitcher causing her to spend the first hour of the game in the WC cursing Montezuma, Poppa John and pepperoni in general. I say it serves them right. Who holds a pizza party before the game? I'm not allowing "Daughter" to eat any non-approved food all day. In fact, I suggested that the team be sequestered to ensure that no harm, stomach cramps or otherwise, could come to them. The idea was roundly dismissed. I hope I'm proven wrong. We'll see.

It's good for "Daughter" that I have a WGN appearance this afternoon. I'll be out of the house and unable to make her more nervous about the big game. Somehow my Knute Rockne pep talks and Al Davis chides of "Just win baby!" don't seem to have the motivating effect I was hoping for. Perhaps my repeated chanting of "Champs or Chumps" and "If you're not a winner you get no dinner" are too much for the fragile psyche of a ten year old girl. Do you think I went overboard when I said that no matter how nice she thought the second place trophy was, it's still the first place trophy for losers? It's all said in fun, but really, we all know that's true. In all honesty, I haven't mentioned the game once today. "Daughter" is already nervous, and I am not going to add to her anxiety. She knows what to do and is capable of doing it. I want this to be a fun night for her. Playing for a championship doesn't happen all the time, and I don't want my nervousness to affect her special night. I told her last night to have fun, but then reminded her that winning would be more fun. Seriously, I think I should attend the game in a Hannibal Lechter mask and straight jacket. I'm around the bend.

Here's the shameless plug portion of the festivities. If you're looking for a place to watch the "Crosstown Classic" this afternoon, I will be appearing at Crossroads on Irving Park Road in Wood Dale, Il. as part of the "Cubs Guest Commentator Contest". I'll be there after 3pm, so come by, grab an Old Style, be part of the contest or just say hi. Don't forget to stay up late tomorrow night and catch the big show from 1-5 am on WGN. It should be fun. Have a great weekend. Go Gray Team! Later...Brian