Champions League

That’s right, ladies, it’s true. The Hairys, as improbable as it seems, woke up this morning to find that they are still PTP champions. How long it takes for another team to man up and take the title from them remains to be seen, but if recent playptp.com activity is any indicator, the rest of the managers are content to remain curled in the fetal position whimpering for their mothers. And oh yes, I DID just say that.

ps. Manager Ockey urges ptp fans everywhere to check out Comissioner Utley’s recent blog post on his long and storied history with books. As you all know, Utley has a singular gift for writing - he manages to effortlessly and simply convey his thoughts and instill inspiration without even trying. I read that thing and I was scrambling for the nearest book just so I could start to try and be like Bri. Thank you Bri. Thank you Ted. For that 2021 Championship that you gave me.
Love,
Jerry

So I went through some old letters this weekend and found one that was really great. It was dated April 10th, 1994. Ted was in the MTC and wrote me a long letter about his struggles there, about my struggles wherever I was at (getting loose with Kim Morrey, from French class), complaining about Adrienne, wondering if he should come home, telling me to not take pills, talking about repentance, telling me how bad of an influence Adrienne thought I was, making plans to meet “on the south side by the new gym’s flags at 9:00am”, and much much more. It was quite touching and profound and I could tell that Ted was doing some real soul-searching and looking for answers. But I knew Ted was going to be fine. Because his envelope to me was sealed with the 4 words that I think have helped him more than anything else, and spoke volumes about just how right Ted is with the world in general and still rings just as true today, as it did 14 years ago.

4 Words On The Back Of An Envelope

Keep this in mind, moving into, or out of, the playoffs.

“Luck is the residue of design.”

Oh and in case you didn’t see, I’m 22-10.

Branch Rickey (The guy who signed Jackie)

So far in the young 2020 season, Brian, Jerry and Ted have played each other 5 times, including your guys’ barn-burner last night. In those 5 games, the losing team has still managed to bring the tying and/or winning run to the plate in every single game. That’s right - not a game has gone by between us yet where the outcome of the game was decided until the final batter was done. The last batter in each game had the opportunity to tie or win the game for his manager. Holy crap. What does this mean? In my case it means stock up on the rolaids and immodium because my digestive system is going to take a BEATING. This is ptp intensity. It owns you.

ps. who knew pedro martinez was an on-base machine?
pps. way to field your position, carlos lee.

I don’t have time for a full report of last night’s scintillating Knights/Hairys split, but just some interesting notes on Champion’s League happenings so far:

*Hairy starters so far this season have pitched 25.1 innings. Good news: 22.1 of those 25.1 innings have been scoreless baseball - they have only given up runs in 3 innings so far. Bad news: They have given up at least 2 runs in each of those 3 innings including Myers melting down for 5 against Bri - not good for a guy who is allegedly “tough” in jam situations. Giving up hit after hit with guys on base is not exactly tough in my book. Each Hairy starter also has had at least 8 K’s. Solid.

*Don’t look now, but the New Mexico 3-Wheelers, long-time doormats of the league, are 4-0 with a team ERA of TWO.

*Check out Carlos Zambrano’s first start of the year - he gives up EIGHT walks in like 5 innings, but also hits a two-run bomb. Weird.

*Mariano Rivera is NOT a good pinch-hitter. More on that later, but I really think Diamond Mind should add a confirmation screen if you accidentally send a pitcher in to pinch-hit - you know how like when you go to put a guy in at a position at which he is unrated, it essentially asks you “Are you serious? Do you really want to do this?” They should add a similar button if you accidentally bring in a pitcher in to pinch-hit when you meant for him to warm up. It’s a simple mis-click of the mouse that can be utterly tragic. And almost was for me….

He has hit 11. The Big Hurt and Delgado each have 9. Someone in the Diamond Mind programming department must have a boner the size of Texas for Jeter and secretly juiced up his power. How else is this possible?????????????????????????????????????????????????
Everytime I think about it, I become more flabbergasted, incredulous, and slightly bitter (considering he’s hit like 5 bombs against my righties). I just don’t get it. I really don’t. In fact, you know what? I give up. Derek Jeter 2019, you win. You are my white whale.

How many World Champions went wire-to-wire?

This manager is 4-0 in his last 4 elimination games.

(Stat found by Theo)

This player, over a 2 season span, hit safely in 24 straight games.

What FRANCHISE has the highest career batting average?

*Amazing fact: The Top 3 Career Franchise Batting Averages are separated by a mere FOUR points! The other 2 franchiises are a bit lower on the scale.