Oxford Wins Game 1, 16-4

Game 1: Oxford Blues 16, Shem 4
Randall's Island
June 11, 2013

The Oxford Blues (1-0) won the first game of the season by the score of 16-4. It was A) raining, played on a field on Randall's Island which was B) difficult to find, and then C) difficult to leave.

As we were standing at the bus stop going on 45 minutes, Elyse Turr noticed a map that indicated there was a psychiatric hospital nearby.

"Imagine visiting every psychiatric hospital within a 50 miles radius," I said breathlessly.

"I'd rather go on the Girls tour of Brooklyn," Elyse said. "Or the Stark tour of Westeros. No offense!"

Josh Landon, who arrived to the game wearing jeans, went 2/2, with two runs scored, and 1RBI.

"Good job, Jeans," Coach Repino said. "You might be the rookie of year on the softball field just like you were in higher ed."

"I don't work in higher ed, Rob."

"Oh that's right, Max Sinsheimer is in higher ed."

"I'm not in higher ed either, Rob. I work around the corner from you."

"Guys. Listen. I don't have time to keep track of where you work. We're playing softball here."

Notable offensive performances included Sarah McNamara who went 2/2 with 2 runs scored. Blake Ratcliffe made a diving stop at 3rd and then threw out a runner, so he was awarded the game ball.

 -- NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE!
Rob 1/1 2R, 1 RBI
Sarah 2/2 2R
Dave 1/1, 2R
Max 0/2, 2R
Blake 1/2, 2R
Miles 1/2, 3R
Josh 2/2, 2R, 1 RBI
Tim 1/2, 1R
Jeremy 1/2, 1R
Jenny  0/2
Elyse 0/2

ING Lions 14, Oxford Blues 7

Game file not found.

Alliance Bernstein: 10, Blues: 7

(This week's recap brought to you by Michelle Lipinski)

It was a sunny, temperate day when the Blues took home field at Central Park’s Great Lawn to battle Alliance Bernstein. This Alliance was an unknown entity, other than a 1-3 record and a fairly innocuous team name. Apparently, they are research-driven financial advisors.

The Alliance bats wasted no time and the Blues allowed two runs in the first inning, but came back quickly with three bottom-inning runs from the top of the order. That seemed to set the tone for the rest of the game—a back and forth battle with no end in sight. As usual, the Blues defense was strong, with some great plays by the Gator, David, and Brian, all of whom made it look easy in the infield, and some great outfield catches by Taylor and Coach Ozzi, among others.

The Alliance had a strong top of the line-up with some seriously scary hitters, and scored one or two runs every inning up until the end of the 5^th. By then, the score was 7-4, Alliance, and it looked like the Blues might not be able to recover. But the Blues mounted their attack at the top of the sixth, with two defensive innings of three-up, three-down. The Blues’ bats also came alive, starting with an impressive homerun by Taylor which caused the Alliance to run into another field’s outfield, and brought the Blues dugout to their feet. This Alliance was not impenetrable. The Blues bats gained back those three runs, and the game was tied in an exciting bottom of the 7^th rally.

The Blues kept pressuring the Alliance through a scoreless 8^th inning. Then stuff got real in the 9^th. The Alliance bats could not be silenced, and three runs were scored. Despite a valiant effort during the Blues’ last turn at the plate, including some impressive rips from Jessica and Alina, those three extra runs proved to be too much, and the final score went to the Alliance, 10-7.

And so the Blues fought hard, yet victory was denied—very much like the game preceding it. Things could have been worse. The Coaches, though not overjoyed, expressed pride in the team’s efforts. No one could walk from the field away feeling very much like a loser.

After the game, the Blues retired for their first visit to Jake’s for the season. On their way from Central Park West, a few Blues ran into a living legend. (Perhaps, after this chance meeting, we should question the innocuousness of a team that uses the word “Alliance” in its name.) The Legend’s words to us were studied, if brief: “May your bats live long and prosper, Oxford Blues.”

If you want to check out some pictures from the game, Coach Repino posted some here. They’re especially good if you happen to have a foot fetish. Of course, that’s a personal matter.

Debevoise & Plimpton: 15, Blues: 14

After last year's shellacking in Morningside Park, D&P were hungry for a rematch against the Blues. They clearly wanted a win. But the Blues made them work for it. With several Blues players absent and some showing up late/leaving early, it wasn't the easiest game to manage. Players were asked to go outside their comfort zone in the field. Alina held it down at 1st base while Hurley moved back to his old stomping grounds in left field. And Jessica Chesnutt earned her rookie stripes behind the plate.

D&P got off to an early lead which had the Blues trailing 9-2 early in the game. But unlike your mom, the Blues do not go down easy. Battling back with smart hitting and hustle on the basepaths, a pair of 2-out rallies gave the Blues an 11-10 lead in the 5th.

D&P battled back with a few runs in the late innings, leaving the Blues with a 3-run deficit in the last inning. The Blues were able to make it interesting in the bottom of the 7th and brought the score to 15-14 with 2 outs and the tying run on base. There was no one the Blues would rather have at the plate than Joe "The Gator" Cognard, but alas, this one was not meant to be. But we all agreed that on the upside, we shot Osama right in his fucking eye.

After the game, there was a lot of talk about moral victory. And if such a thing exists (it doesn't), the Blues definitely earned it. Knowing they'd have to work extra hard to fill in for missing teammates, the Blues were all heart, making the smart plays and hustling for every single out.

Afterwards, the Blues headed over to the Bull Moose for some Cinco de Mayo/We Killed Osama celebrating. Seems like it was just a few days ago we were there showing this guy a good time in New York. (Seriously, who comes to NY for a weekend and spends it in a dive bar?)

Sharks: 8, Blues: 15

How does one top a season like last year's 7-5 record? Now I know what you're thinking: With an 8-4 record. Well, smart guy, we're in publishing and we're not "good with numbers" and we "lack basic math skills". But one thing you don't need your fancy quadratic equation for is this: The Blues will lead the league in wins this year. Period. And they started that quest off right in Wednesday night's win against the Sharks.

Traveling to the unfamiliar territory of Harlem River Park, the Blues took the field as the lights came on. It took an inning or two to get back into the swing of things, but luckily (game ball recipient) Dave D'Addona hadn't lost a step and came through with the Blues' first hit of the season and made the first several outs on the field. Many attribute to this to his pre-season meal plan. But the Blues soon caught up, slugging their way to double digit runs off some speedy running by Coach Repino, the season's first homer by Taylor Pilkington (who also scored a soccer goal in right field), and smart baserunning all around.

After five straight innings of tight D by the Blues, Ninell caught the last out behind the plate. At which point, the Blues had technically mercied the Sharks, 15-3. But being the gracious competitors they are (plus it takes forever to get to Harlem), the Blues decided to finish the game out and spot the Sharks a few dignity runs. Final score: Sharks: 8, Blues 15, the first win for the new coaches, Ozzi and Repino.

Afterwards, the Blues promptly got the hell out of Harlem and headed to Gael Pub and with Ben Keene all the way in Asia, were allowed to leave at their own leisure.

Blues Blotter

Blues Offseason News Blotter: November 06, 2010

Good times.

Blues name new Coaches:

Dan Ozzi and Robert Repino were named the new managers of the Oxford Blues, replacing Ben Keene and Tanya Laplante. When asked about the upcoming season, Ozzi simply screamed “LET THE REIGN OF TERROR BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!”

Former Blues Manager Flees Country:

Erstwhile Blues coach Ben Keene has fled the country for Asia under mysterious circumstances—his rumored destination is Thailand, known for its sex tourism industry (this is purely contextual information—draw your own conclusions).

Jeter tries out with Blues:
Derek Jeter was seen exiting Blues training facility Jake’s Dilemma Saturday night, after a tryout with new team managers Dan Ozzi and Robert Repino. Though the current Yankees captain declined to comment, sources within the Blues Organization say that as of yet, no decision has been reached. Reports had placed Jeter’s potential contract with the Blues in the range of $85 million over four years, plus free drinks after games.
Update: Jeter will not join Blues this season:
Said manager Dan Ozzi: “Unfortunately, Derek failed a portion of our physical exam which required him to eat a minimum of three chili bacon burgers within a half hour. Extra points would have been awarded if he also added fried eggs.” More news to follow.

Update: Jeter re-signs with Yankees, calls it “consolation prize:”

Said Jeter: “It would have been awesome to play beer pong with someone good for a change. A-Rod sucks.” Blues member Andy Fargnoli upon hearing the news: “It’s for the best. Everyone knows Minka Kelly and I had an on-again, off-again thing when I played high school football in Texas, and being on the same team would have just been too much for Derek to handle. There’s just too much history.”

Repino bitten by Radioactive Cliff Lee:

Mild-mannered Blues coach and pitcher Rob “R-Train” Repino was touring a Columbia University laboratory yesterday when a radioactive Cliff Lee which had escaped from its tank bit his hand, raising a suspiciously red, throbbing lump (that’s what she said?). This is probably nothing, but we’ll follow this story as it develops.

Update: Repino gains Super-Human Pitching Abilities:

“The Pocket Rocket” was seen throwing 130 mph softballs through a brick wall this morning. Dr. Curt Connors, a genetic specialist from the science lab Repino visited yesterday, said it probably has something to do with the radioactive Cliff Lee bite.

Update: Repino Vows Revenge on all Blues’ Foes:

After watching his “Uncle Ben”—Repino’s nickname for a former Blues coach (who has since fled the country for sex tourism related reasons and will remain unnamed)—lose a softball game because of Repino’s refusal to pitch after he was unpaid for the previous game, Repino has vowed revenge upon all batters, everywhere. Reportedly, Uncle Ben’s last words in America were: “Rob, with great pitching, comes a better chance to win games. Also, your infield is pretty good, so actually, don’t worry about it that much. But remember what I said about the pitching. Ok, my plane is about to take off.”

The Best of the Best

This week's post was by Dan "And Another Burger for my Friend" Ozzi. —The Editors.
 

For whatever reason, the Blues have never been invited to play in The Yorkville Sports Association’s All Star Game. Perhaps it’s because there has never before been one. Or perhaps there has been and the Blues’ record was not good enough to qualify. Kind of like when you were 9 and weren't invited to that awesome birthday party at Discovery Zone that all your friends went to. (By the way, if you’re reading this, Eugene Peleshi, I still have not forgiven you!)

But 2010 being the Year of the Blues (and according to the Chinese Zodiac, the Housecat), the All Star game had Oxford representation from 3B Joe C. and 2B Michelle. Under the sage guidance of the EBGBs’ coach, Lipinski and Joe batted back to back in the lineup, going a combined 4 for 4 and touching the plate each time.

Down a few runs in the last inning, Michelle and Joe brought the Blues’ can-drink attitude to their all star team which came back to gain the lead. Not wanting to take any chances on a blown save, this prompted the manager to call in the Mariano Rivera of 3B closers, Joe C., to close out the game at 3rd. With one out to go, a grounder down the line allowed Joe to use his gator-like gatoring to gator the ball and gator it down to first base, ending the game in a win. 

Their team was largely a sea of black and yellow, with players from EBGBs and Debevoise and Plimpton. But the Blues provided a much-needed touch of blue and white. All the league’s favorites were there, including… you know… That Large Guy on EBGBs, um… First Basewoman Repino Has A Crush On, uh… Big Calf Asian Guy. Well ok, we don’t know their names, but by the end of the game they knew ours! Several players even remarked at what an amazing rookie team the Blues are. After learning that we’ve been in the league for six seasons, there were awkward silences… and then fireworks. Maybe.