Batting Average Record Holder

Today we put the lid on record holders week.  We have basically worked our way around the bases and through all the major statistical categories and even heard from each record holder about thier accomplishments.  There is only one record remaining.... the crown jewel of all stats.  Batting Average.  One player has dominated this category almost every season, here's what he has to say...

Batting Average Record Holder
Scott Hofmeister 

.831 Average
(SUMMER 2010)

"When I found out I am the all time batting champ I was not blown away, but what really suprised me is that someone else actually snuck into the top 5. I figured since we have played 5 seasons I would be the top 5 spots, but I guess that boredom of always being on top got the best of me.

I started out this past summer with a different mindset. I knew Wunder was out, Fosmo couldn't do anything but pop out, and the team couldn't rely on poeple like Nelly for power. So I decided to take you guys on my back and try to hit some home runs. Little did I know, I am one of the few poeple in this world who can dominate the longball and the average. I had .900 in my sights for a while, but no protection behind me in the lineup allowed the other teams to pitch around me and throw me junk (and I kept swinging because I hate walking). It even got to the point where one pitcher said he was never gonna throw me a strike again. Even with all the heckling from Nelly trying to bring me down, I still coasted to the triple crown with relative ease.

Its doubtful you see this type of season again as my legs and the freak are getting older, but I will still be your fearless leader who you guys all look up to (not literally). I know you are all honored that they get to play on the same field as me, and I am honored that you will one day be telling your grandkids about my awe-inspiring summer."

RBI and Home Run Record Holder

Only 1 guy in team history holds more than one record, and today is his day to pay him the respect he so richly deserves.  The season was 2008, the player was Brent Wunderlich.  This is his long and somewhat rambling story...

RBI's Record Holder
Home Run Record Holder
Brent Wunderlich
21 Home Runs
70 RBI's(SUMMER 2008)

"Wow I don't know what to say, I would like to start like every rapper does with his Grammy speech and thank God. The physical talent he has given me has allowed me to become the softball player I am today.

2008 was a very average season for the Dirty Grizzlies. It was our first year and no one had any idea of what really to expect. The Dirty Grizzlies' 2008 season just further showed that a team cannot be carried to excellence by just one person. But it would have been great to see what would have happened had I not excelled the way I did. My bet would have been in the cellar at a Kansas City Royal's like record of 3-16.

However, I do have a lot of people to thank for the records that I hold (and unless I personally break them will continue on for many years). First of all I need to thank Derek for all of the "hits" he got in the 2008 season. His ability to continually get the guy ahead of him out without being turned into a double play allowed innings to continue resulting in people being on base when I came up.

Second I need to thank two people for their lack of ability to hit home runs. Scott, the fact that you refused to work out prior to the 2008 season allowed you to only hit the ball to the warning track (with a roll) but couldn't ever put the ball over the fence. Fosmo, thank you for using "heavy bats" prior to starting that year out. I just knew after that spectacular showing of power at the first batting practice that, I would be able to use up all three home runs in a game if I wanted to. You two personally allowed me to relax and drive the ball consistently over the fence.

Then there are the other people that were on the team in 2008 that are still on the team today that I need to thank...thanks Brad.  For the rest of the teammates that have come and gone over the last two years good riddance, we're better without you.

2008 left us with a lot of good memories:
- Me breaking a Dirty Grizzlies Sub's (Creglow's?) back window of his car with a home run (there were 19 home runs others but I will limit it to this one)
- Nelly's first attempt at showing us his hustle with his head first slide into 3rd base
- Nick catching a ball with his eye
- I am sure Brad and Derek fought sometime during the season

I am glad to be in the Dirty Grizzlies Record Book, I am proud of my accomplishments and promise no asterisk is required.  So to sum it up...you're welcome."

Triples Record Holder

Today we are honoring Joey, who holds the record for triples in a season.  Even though he decided to no longer play with the team, we just can't forget about him and his achievments  Out of all the records, triples and doubles seem like the mostly likely to fall in the coming years, so we need to honor these guys while we can...

Triples Record Holder
Joey Lewis 
5 Triples
(SUMMER 2008)
"I can remember all five triples from that season like they happened yesterday.  I still get goosebumps thinking about them.  There is no feeling in the world like running 3 bases at full speed after crushing a round piece of leather to the gap.  For those of you who have never done such a thing, I would say its feels somewhere between scoring a touchdown on a kickoff return with only 1 shoe on, and being the captain of the space shuttle.  Maybe that's why they say that triples are the most exciting play in softball.  And since I lead the team in triples, well then it's safe to say that I am the most exciting player in Dirty Grizzlies history."

Doubles Record Holder

I really did try to find a decent picture of Fosmo... one where he wasn't wasted and falling over himself.  Needless to say it was a tough job, but I did eventually find this one, were it looks as though he has only had a few drinks to this point.  Congrat Fos... why don't you have a drink to celebrate.

Doubles Record Holder
Eric Fosmo 
10 Doubles
(SUMMER 2009)
"There once was a season in which I hit 10 doubles; if I was as fast as Scott I surely would be talking about triples. But good thing I have more speed than Berube, so first base wasn’t the only thing for me."

Hits Record Holder

Today we are recognizing Derek, the all time leader in hits... Due to the significance of this accomplishment, Derek was apparently able to convince the Twins beat writer for fish wrap factory west side of the river to do a article....

Hits Record Holder
Derek Berube 
55 Hits
(SUMMER 2008)
The phrase, "chick's dig the long ball" is as out as acid washed jeans. Everyone knows that every team needs a table setter....and I feel that is where Derek Berube lands. When remembering back to the 2008 season he remembers the ups and downs of sub 500 softball. Throughout the year one thing was constant, a lead-off man that got on base. With a combination of skill and speed, Berube was able to make a difference in a season that was as exciting as a New Ulm State Hockey Match-up. 

After a game Brent Wunderlich said, "without the top hit man in the league my records wouldnt be what they are" he continued, "without a guy on base, my RBI's would be way down."

The grizzlies #3 hitter, Scott Hofmeister, often praised Berube saying, "If I had speed like him, I would use it to my advantage....the kid knows how to play ball and his speed is what sets him apart"

"Every game Derek brought what was needed to this team. Heart, Skill and Speed." Coach Brad Neuerburg said. "Filling out the lineup card is very easy when you combine those three characteristics, all in one player"

What is more impressive is that Berube was able to gather all of those hits without hitting a single homerun. "Singles, doubles and triples are my calling card....I am trying to be part of a team" said the humble Berube. "if everyone does their part, this team can go far" he added.

With what may go down as the best hitting season of all-time all Berube could say was, "I would trade every hit for a win, that's what this is all about....winning" That attitude makes Berube not only very likeable, but a role-model for children of all ages.

We can all stand to learn a thing or two from Derek Berube.
Lavelle E Neil III - Star Tribune

Record Holders Week! (Runs Scored)

All this week we will be recognizing the members of an elite club...Dirty Grizzlies Record Holders.  Our team has finally been in existence long enough to establish "meaningful records", and since it looks like it will be weeks and weeks until we are actually able to step foot onto a softball field without winter boots, lets reminisce about these historic seasons...  I have asked them to send in there thoughts about there accomplish ment.  Lets start with Runs Scored and work our way up...  Here we go, in thier own words....

Runs Scored Record Holder
Tim Erickson 
41 Runs Scored
(SUMMER 2010)
"It’s hard to put such a great individual accomplishment into words. I mean when you have somebody hitting behind you with a horrific batting average it’s pretty incredible to score that many runs.

 I am very happy my leading off and steals could add to my record. This may be one that never gets beat unless someone is taking performance enhancing drugs and in that case I would like an asterisk by their name and my name to remain in the record book. Most of all I would like to thank my critics who didn’t think I’d ever score this many times, it really was my driving force…"  - Tim

Early Season Tournament

Burnsville Tournament
Saturday April 23rd (Saturday before Easter)
3 game minimum

Here is who is in so far...
Brad
Tom
Jon
Joran
Brian
Cary
Wunder (maybe)
http://www.ci.burnsville.mn.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2125
Reply back to my email if you are interested in playing....

Out
Miller
Derek
Kluge
Fos
Hof

Past Season Info Now Available

Well, here you go Miller...
All-time stats, standings, schedules/results and even the old postseason brackets are online now.  Check out the "past season info" section on the right side of the page...

Note: When going through this I realized that the last 2 games of 2009 were never put into the online speadsheet (must have been hung-over from the champagne)...I found the old scorebook and added the stats in.... as a result some of the all time records adjusted a bit.... example...Fosmo went from 11 HR's to 13, but his batting average went down slightly.  Nobody was moved out of the top 5 in any category though.

Website Updated

As you may have noticed, I have updated the 'ol website...

• Updated Top Section including the new logo and championship banner section
• Added Team Records area showing our previous seasons win/loss records
• Added Individual Stats area.... shows the stats of top 5 guys in each category since we started the team (Congrats to all of you who made the list)  For the rest of us, should give us some goals (how is the slowest guy on the team top 5 in triples??) :)
• Since Dead Money and Wild Turkeys are gone... I thought I would search for some more reading material... At the bottom right you will see that Doublewide started a blog as well as Amish Donkey Mob (who are apparently looking for a sponsor if you are interested).
• Updated link on championship poster...
• Last but not least, I added a page views counter to keep track of what is soon to be (no doubt because of these improvements) an extremly high volume of visitors.  I just hope Google can handle the traffic...

Hope you like the changes...  If you have any suggestions or anything else you would like to see on here, feel free to go suck it.  Just kidding, just let me know and I will see what I can do.  Later.

Look good play good right?

Everyones votes are in and the designer just got finished.  He had to make some tweaks to make it fit between the buttons on the front, but I think it looks awesome.  Thanks for everyones input the last few days!  Should arrive in 2 weeks or less....

Jersey Voting

If you haven't voted yet, be sure to send me an email.  So far two of the options are pulling ahead...  Still waiting for quite a few votes though.