June 7, 2008 - It was hot. That's the first fact to put down for posterity.
More importantly, the Unions showed a resilience that made me proud to wear the uniform. In the first game against the fine gentlemen from Milwaukee, we were down two runs heading into our last at-bat but didn't let that stop us from playing protoypical (atypical?) Unions base ball. We knotted it at six and then played clockwork defense to secure a tie.
Roughly three hours later, the second game got off to a horrendous start -- the Cincinnati Red Stockings put up a five-spot in the top of the first (with more than a little help from the same defense that had performed so capably in the first game). You could feel the deflation as you walked back to the bench. A perfunctory bottom of the first didn't bode any better for our chances. But we chipped away at the lead before putting up a five-spot of our own (with help from two conscripted Perfectos, Wheels and Danger). We held on for a 10-8 victory to conclude a day that very easily could have produced two discouraging losses.
Even if we'd lost, it would have been a fun day. I got the opportunity to talk to some Milwaukee-ans who wowed me with stories of non-oppressively-hot summers, and it's always a privilege to watch the Red Stockings' Ice Wagon take his cuts (although standing at third base while he does so gets kind of dicey). Special thanks to "Little Huck" for his flawless batboy services.
Grounded Squirrels
HOME SWEEP HOME FOR THE UNIONS
6-8 4 doubles 5 runs 4 rbi
Match 1
Unions 12 aGround Squirrels 1
Florrisant MO - (July 19,2008) It's the middle of July and the Unions finally got to enjoy the creature comforts of home. With the teams first 20 Matches on the road, the Unions were still able to enjoy a 12-7-1 record. The home opener saw their good friends from up north, Decatur, after getting swept at their home earlier this season.
The Squirrels bats were quiet most of the day, aided by steller Union defense generally all across the board. Ironically the only Decatur tally was the result from a shortstop overthrow.
Unions offensive Highlights included Huck's 3 doubles 3 runs and 3 rbi, and Ricochet's 4 hits
Match 2
Unions 6 aGround Squirrels 1
Maybe it was the delicious zucchini cake Hucks wife brought that gave the club that extra zing to help them complete the sweep.
For sure it was a mixture of Beans and Buttermilk. Dave "Beans" Hiem contiuned where he left off in Milwaukee to drive in half the run total. Eric "Buttermilk" Fergson scored twice and triples. Pitcher Knapsack caught a runner Knapping at second with the first pick off of the season.
8 1/2 IS ENOUGH
UNIONS BATS BREW IN MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee WI- (July 12-13,2008)aThe Unions took an under manned club to the 4th Annual Cream Citys Festival in Trimborn Park. Gone were team leaders Huck, Buttermilk and Scoops and in there place were unfamilar faces like Doc and Beans. They carried a half a player, Knapsack, who couldn't run more then 5 feet due to an knee injury. Despite these set backs, these band of brothers got some positive results.
The best fifth Beatle any vintage team has a right to have. The man steps off the bus and goes 11-18 with stellar defense at third. Many Thanks, Beansy! - "Mayhem"
11 -18 2 doubles 4 runs 3 rbi
Match 1
Union Slammers 5 aEagle Diamonds 4
Unfortunately, the day began with just 4 Unions on hand for the first pitch as the remaining 5 were off completing a journey which suffered from bus delays (Damn you Mega Bus!). Luckily, the Sharon (Wisc.) Slammers offered the services of five greatly needed players and the game was afoot. Trailing early, Slappy drove in the product of his overflowing seed as Doc scored the first run of the game. Two more aces would follow and the Union Slammers took a 3-2 lead. Trailing again in the sixth, the Slammer's Dandy tied the game at 4 with a home run into the woods.
The game required an extra frame as Mayhem led off the bottom of the eighth. The physically imposing but psychologically vulnerable first baseman was hitless on the day. A combination of poor at bats and poor luck as a searing line drive thwarted by a tree in right field would attest. Pushing that aside, Mayhem took a deep breath and with one swing produced the first walk off homer in the history of the St. Louis Unions.
Match 2aaSlammers 16 aaaUnions 7
Reinforcements arrived for the second game, but the Union Nine dug themselves an early hole and were on the wrong end of a 9-1 score after two innings. Rabbit scored three of the Union's seven runs but that fell far short of the Slammer's Sweet Sixteen Party. The only good news was that our boys still had one more game to play that day.
Match 3a
Unions 22 aaMilwaukee Cream Citys 14
The third game of the day began with the Milwaukee Cream City's plating their first five batters. However, the Unions erupted like in the bottom half of the first and scored 9. Knapsack and Mayhem each contributed two run doubles and Flash got the first hit of a very impressive six hit day. The game undeniably turned in the top of the fourth when a no doubt grand slam caromed off the biggest oak in the wood and bounded into the outstretched hands of an airborne Bulldog. Mayhem put the matter to rest with two more home runs to the magical conveniently placed forest.
Match 4aaSt.Croix 8 Unions 3
The Unions began the sabbath with a 9:30 am tilt on the alternate diamond located 500 yards away due east. Resorting back to ninety foot bases was definitely a wake up call and runs proved difficult to come by. The fifth frame saw the Unions claw back to a 5-3 deficit and had the bases loaded and waiting for a strike off of Mayhem's bat. Unfortunately, the result was a shallow fly to centerfield and the final out was recorded only after two St. Croix ballists narrowly avoided a collision in pursuit of the sphere.
Match 5d Unions 15 Milwaukee Grays 14
An absolute classic. While the match was in process, the refrain of, “This is a great game” was heard over and over again. The Grays won the toss and elected to be the home club. The Unions quickly surrendered nine tallys in the first, making it look like a day at the beach for the Grays. But the tide turned as the Unions scored nine in the second, supplied by many two out hits, to take a one run lead. The Grays continued to match the Unions run for run. If not for some heads up defensive plays by the Unions, which included two Grays getting thrown out at home, the game would not have ended tied.
The two captains decided that, “Kissing your sister” would not do and decided to play the match out till we had a winner. With the Milwaukees meat of their lineup due up next, the Unions had to score to open extra innings. Flash and Rabbit drove in the 14th and 15th runs to give them a slight edge going into the bottom of the inning.
The Grays would not go down without a fight. The club from Milwaukee kicked and scratched their way to a 14th run with the tying run at third and two hands down. Unions pitcher Bulldog coaxed a foul tip which was caught in the diving hands of Knapsack, from the behind position, to preserve the win.
After the match, Unions Captain "Mayhem", told the crowd it was a game which both clubs deserved to win. Slappy and Bulldog each score three runs. Also, Knapsack and Flash combine for nine hits. Unions pitcher Bulldog did a fine job keeping the Grays lefties from feeding off the short rightfield porch.
