There was a power outage Monday night in Lafayette. It affected about 2000 customers, but only lasted about two hours. PG&E told us that it would last about four hours so we went out to dinner and happily came back to the lights already on. Then the lights went out again, but just for an hour or so. We crossed our fingers and toes that there was no third time.
Likewise there was a power outage last Saturday in Orinda, followed by another one Sunday morning, and each also lasted about two hours. Unfortunately, they only affected one customer, and their name was the Coneheads, and the outage area was just one dugout on the field. Seven runs Saturday afternoon and four Sunday morning. Not going to do it. After scoring 51 runs in the first two games of the tournament, we just went cold on a hot day and the day after.
The Coneheads have won many of these deals, so we know what it tastes like. We started the season thinking this would be our farewell tour. And then we scored 52 runs in the opening night doubleheader, and started out 5-0. We came down a notch the rest of the season, but managed to get in on the four way tie for first (three seed) with the three other serious contenders - old rivals the Old Scouts and Cal Broncos, and the new Bushwood youngsters.
At one point it looked like our prospects were grim for the playoffs. Charlie got hurt, Gene was going to be in Hawaii, Randy of course couldn't be on two teams, Raul and Derek were supposedly playing in other tournaments.
But reinforcements were on the way. Nic came back from a 15 year absence. Derek and Raul decided to stick with us. And then Raul brought the new secret weapon, Freddi, who started blasting shots all over the fields.
We were strong. The Broncos did us a favor by losing what was really the only upset of the tournament to Old Spice, and so we made mincemeat of St. Mo's and the Spice, 28-5 and 23-6 on the poor Orinda Sports Fields. It was time to get up to the Wilder fields and continue the journey.
And then - silence. No one can explain how all the sudden a team can go flat like that. Were we tired from all the running around in the first games? I doubt it, that should just give us momentum. Was a bad call or two really enough to knock us down and then out? I don't think so. It is one of the mysteries of this game, why does everything fall into place like it did for the Old Scouts in the championship game, and why do you sometimes fall hard off the pedestal like we did (and Cal Bronco did even harder). There is no explaining it. Which is why we keep coming back to play one more time.
There was poetic justice with Chauncey being named Mr. Conehead. He has been there throughout what may or may not be our swan song. And while he doesn't fit all the criteria (yes there is an official list of qualities), he certainly fills these:
-Been on the team a while
-Comes to play everyday on both sides (O&D)
-An inspiration to his teammates
-Fox Hole qualities
-Displays great sportsmanship
Pope, another MVP season, led the team in nearly every offensive category. And on a personal note, with his double in the playoffs he finally passed me in career doubles, the last category in which I led the team.
Hazel, ironically, while being the the outgoing Mr. Conehead, had a career year, hitting .688 and leading the team in triples and near the top in every category. And playing wherever I put him on defense well.
Bruce, coming back after a hiatus to take care of his family, never missing a beat and solidifying our lineup in the middle and the defense up the middle.
Ol' G, coming back from surgery with a solid season, and giving me enough shit to at least somewhat balance how much I give out.
Derek, Nic, Lefty, and Chopper, showing up when we needed them most and performing at a high level.
Raul, giving us the strong shortstop on offense and defense we have needed since the retirement of Conehead Hall of Famer Chuck.
Darren and Gene, solid in the outfield and in the batter's box, and despite Covid battles, making most of the games.
Larry good as ever on the mound.
Charlie and David, along with Raul and Darren showing that 'over the hill Creakers' can still compete with the 40 years olds.
Chauncey, see above.
Randy, who I know secretly really wishes he could come over from the Old Scouts, even if they have won four of the last five of these tournaments. Watching him make the diving stop and getting the force out for the last out in the top of the seventh and then getting the double that nearly clinched the walkoff Old Scout win was really fun.
and finally, Freddi - what a start to a Conehead career! He single handedly gave us high hopes for the playoffs, even though ultimately it wasn't enough.
So the Last Hurrah Last Hurrah has come to an end. There was some sentiment (maybe even a groundswell) to just do it again next year. It's a long way off, but we could just call it LH Reprise. I'm ok with that. We'll see what next spring brings.
Oh and special thanks to Don Braden for showing up to the first games and proving that once a Conehead, it is for life (although I blame him for the power outage since we stopped hitting when he left).
Wait til next year?
Milestones:
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