Sad but true, Alex Karras passed away this week. In fact, the same day that Sunshine roared back from an 11-6 deficit through four innings to overwhelm Jolly Rogers 17-13 and clinch a playoff spot in the process. That's right, we have clinched a playoff spot with a 6-3 record to date, and we can finish third with a win next week.
The reason I bring up Alex Karras is, of course, that he famously played a character named Mongo in Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles, which had to be one of the funniest movies of all time. Personally, when I saw it, it was the only movie where I literally fell off my seat from laughing too hard - I kid you not. Karras had a hall-of-fame caliber career as a lineman in the NFL, and was in a starring role in a sitcom - but that was his defining moment.
Mongo the character was a member of the bad guy gang and he was a complete dumbass. In fact, if you look up Mongo in the Urban Dictionary, the fourth meaning is complete idiot, moron, or dumbass.
And we have our own Mongo - Steve A. I don't know where Steve got his nickname, one can only wonder. I have never seen him in the same place as a horse - Alex famously slugged a horse in the movie and knocked him out with one punch. I have never seen our Mongo near a horse, so I can't say anything about who would win that fight.
Take a look at the other meanings for Mongo: 2. Derogatory. Someone who suffers from Down's Syndrome (i.e. short for Mongoloid). Well, Steve, I can't comment on that either, wouldn't be PC.
Our Mongo can hit the ball. "Mongo see ball. Mongo hit ball. Mongo run to first. Mongo run to second. Mongo run to third." You see, Mongo the character always referred to himself in the third person. Steve, though, takes to heart the first and third definition of Mongo - something about always leading with the wrong foot while riding a skateboard."Mongo is a skateboard pushing style. Mainly used by tools who can't figure out how to skateboard. You push with your front foot instead of your back foot."
With his sore Achilles, this is how Steve is running. And he pushed a beautiful shot down the right field line to start the sixth, and pushed his way all the way to third. When Darrell pounded the next ball to the fence in left, we had our first lead and one we would not give up.
These heroics were set up by some memorable performances. Reggie hit a three run blast in the previous inning that brought us into the game at 11-9. And after a couple of hits by Mark W and Heffe, Sir Guy just crushed a ball over the drawn in outfield (no respect) that plated our fifth run and we were tied.
Tom and Mark stayed hot with perfect 4-4 nights - they are both hitting over .800 this season. Three more from Reggie, Larry and Heffe, and everyone contributed. Winning is still about a lot of little things and one of the best at bats was by Bob, who drew a leadoff walk in the third. We hadn't scored to that point and when Larry brought him around it changed the whole outlook of the game.
One more to go and the bonus is we won't be through no matter what happens. This will be especially fun for Sir Guy and me - our longtime teammate and shortstop Doc has been pitching of late for Bad Seed. So let's keep the MOmeNtum GOing - channel our collective Mongo.
The reason I bring up Alex Karras is, of course, that he famously played a character named Mongo in Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles, which had to be one of the funniest movies of all time. Personally, when I saw it, it was the only movie where I literally fell off my seat from laughing too hard - I kid you not. Karras had a hall-of-fame caliber career as a lineman in the NFL, and was in a starring role in a sitcom - but that was his defining moment.
Mongo the character was a member of the bad guy gang and he was a complete dumbass. In fact, if you look up Mongo in the Urban Dictionary, the fourth meaning is complete idiot, moron, or dumbass.
And we have our own Mongo - Steve A. I don't know where Steve got his nickname, one can only wonder. I have never seen him in the same place as a horse - Alex famously slugged a horse in the movie and knocked him out with one punch. I have never seen our Mongo near a horse, so I can't say anything about who would win that fight.
Take a look at the other meanings for Mongo: 2. Derogatory. Someone who suffers from Down's Syndrome (i.e. short for Mongoloid). Well, Steve, I can't comment on that either, wouldn't be PC.
Our Mongo can hit the ball. "Mongo see ball. Mongo hit ball. Mongo run to first. Mongo run to second. Mongo run to third." You see, Mongo the character always referred to himself in the third person. Steve, though, takes to heart the first and third definition of Mongo - something about always leading with the wrong foot while riding a skateboard."Mongo is a skateboard pushing style. Mainly used by tools who can't figure out how to skateboard. You push with your front foot instead of your back foot."
With his sore Achilles, this is how Steve is running. And he pushed a beautiful shot down the right field line to start the sixth, and pushed his way all the way to third. When Darrell pounded the next ball to the fence in left, we had our first lead and one we would not give up.
These heroics were set up by some memorable performances. Reggie hit a three run blast in the previous inning that brought us into the game at 11-9. And after a couple of hits by Mark W and Heffe, Sir Guy just crushed a ball over the drawn in outfield (no respect) that plated our fifth run and we were tied.
Tom and Mark stayed hot with perfect 4-4 nights - they are both hitting over .800 this season. Three more from Reggie, Larry and Heffe, and everyone contributed. Winning is still about a lot of little things and one of the best at bats was by Bob, who drew a leadoff walk in the third. We hadn't scored to that point and when Larry brought him around it changed the whole outlook of the game.
One more to go and the bonus is we won't be through no matter what happens. This will be especially fun for Sir Guy and me - our longtime teammate and shortstop Doc has been pitching of late for Bad Seed. So let's keep the MOmeNtum GOing - channel our collective Mongo.
Mongo like hit ball. Everybody do the Mongo, hit ball.
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