Nine Twenty Nine

Has a nice sound doesn't it?

The quiet in the House of SoulSlam since OSSS went off to college is deafening. He was certainly the loudest person in the house. And we miss him greatly, but he's doing what we always wanted for him. College boy!

About 4 days left in the MLB regular season and the Mets are in the Wild Card pole position in the NL. I have zero idea how far they can get with the makeshift pitching staff but after years of no playoffs ever, Mets fans will take whatever October excitement they bring.

YSSS is having a great fall season with this new team. One young man who's the team cheerleader (as well as speedster) started calling YSSS "Hibachi". SoulSlam asked why. The kid responded, cause he's as hot as it gets at the plate. Nice to hear and see.

Tonight is back to school at YSSS' HS. I'll try to stay under control but I have some questions for some of these educators.

The Clown Apocalypse has begun. #ItWontBeZombies

Fall Baseball

YSSS is playing on a 16U team this fall in a town about 20 minutes from us. There are kids from a few towns but this is hardly a club team. I would call this a town-travel team. If I was starting a team, there are about 5 kids I'd let play for me (we have a 14 player roster). Some of these kids look like they've never played sometimes. Remember, it's 16U. YSSS is 15. And he is without a doubt better than everybody else by a longshot. That's not a brag, just so.

How we got here? Over the last year or so I've been seeing a kid that used to play with OSSS (he was a little younger but B-I-G) and his dad at the gym I go to. Small talk and at that time, he told me he wasn't playing baseball anymore, just wrestling for his HS. Cool. Then around May-June he told me he was playing for a team. And they needed players. At that time, YSSS wasn't too interested. He had a summer job and was playing on the local American Legion team (what an experience). But with autumn approaching and the need to find a team to play with in the fall, this seemed ok. HC is aguy I've seen at the gym. Nice guy. And on day 1 of practice I got roped into being an asst. coach. Which is good because watching these guys hit fungoes or explain the finer points is ponderous.

So we practice a bit. First game was last weekend, YSSS went 2-3 (also reached on an error) with a double, stolen base and 3 RBIs. He's batting cleanup. Started game in CF but played 1B for last 5 innings. Yesterday we had a DH. First game was a mercy killing on us, I SYN (shit you not) the score was like 23-2. We won the second game 7-6. YSSS was 3-5 with a triple, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. So far he's ripping the cover off the ball.

So I was asked (by a club team coach) why is YSSS playing with this team. They are a good bunch, so that's a plus. But the goal of fall baseball isn't to win some mythical championship, it's to get in the work. And I can't see paying hundreds or thousnads of dollars for what amounts to 10 weeks when the leaves turn. So if he wants we'l explore the club option for next summer so he can do the tourneys, etc. But right now he is working hard and succeeeding. All you could ask for.

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PS: In OSSS at college news he squatted 405 over the weekend. He's a beast.

Wow September

Anyhoo it's the anniversary of Mrs. SoulSlam and SoulSlam. 19 years. She's still hot!

Off the Grid

SoulSlam decided that during this years vacation, it was PC off for the duration. Since I have one of them new-fangled iPhone thingies I could check my personal e-mail that way but I stayed off the internet and lived like the Amish.

OSSS aka Jack is now a college student. Living away. The House of SoulSlam is pretty quiet. This is one of those bittersweet moments in life I think.

24 Hours to Go

Until the House of SoulSlam is on a flight to Turks & Caicos. Then we get back early next week and take OSSS to college. Wow.

The End of a Ridiculous Career

Today is the day. Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez retires from the NY Yankees (BOO!) and MLB. It's been quite a ride.

SoulSlam uses ridiculous not as a derogatory term. This may be one of the most talented guys to ever play baseball. He has the numbers for Cooperstown, but he will most likely never get there unless he's a paying guest. He was the greatest SS during a period of great shortstops (he was better than Jeter, Garciaparra, Tejada). He's dated Madonna (well banged anyway). He dated big movie stars. He dated ex-wresting chicks. He's been MVP (3x!). He's done steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. He's lied about steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. He's cried on TV. He's eaten Jason Varitek's catchers mitt. He baby slapped a ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove. He called Bronson Arroyo "Brandon". He hated on Jeter. He came to the NYY and changed positions for Jeter. He had a no-doubt man-crush on Jeter. He was suspended a year. He finishes not in a fury, but a little whimper.

I will miss A-Rod*. There, I said it.

Yup