Dojo goes the distance!

Hailing from his home base somewhere between Mount Rushmore, the spiritual waters of Lake Minnetonka, and the far east - Dojo broke through in 2014 for his first championship in the prestigious and highly lucrative NOLA FBA.  In the closest finish in league history, on the very last day, Craig Who and Clucker deftly maneuvered and muscled for rank, but it was Dojo who ripped a walleye out his back pocket, bitch slapped them both with it then dropped the mic on his fellow competitors and walked off the stage with the hardware.
Congrats to Dojo!  Will he become the first back-to-back champion in league history or succumb to the pressure and pitfalls of a reigning champ?
Let history unfold as it will and Play Ball!  Here's to 2015.

Throwback finishes it out like he was all year...In Command.

After five years in the league, and following up a second place finish from last year, the Throwbacker dominates 2013 with an almost wire-to-wire victory.
The NOLA FBA manager, who has met more sports stars than Kim Kardashian, complimented anchors Miggy and Trout with unheralded 2013 stars Matt Carpenter, Jason Grilli, and Chris Archer just to name a few.
He performed a Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka Backbreaker on The Matrix down the stretch, leaving the Clucker, Hatherly, Dojo and the rest of the league scratching their heads.  Well played sir! Just a reminder though - there has never been a back-to-back champion in the NOLA FBA.  Better start formulating the 2014 game plan.
Lastly, you might want to save some of that $600 prize money just in case you have to ship the trophy to Dojo in China next year.  $600 should just about cover it.

**Photo Courtesy of Throwback 34s.  All rights reserved.  Copyrighted all day**

Promising Prospects

Making two consecutive night trips to Zephyr Field with a 2 hour roundtrip commute was worth the time. I've read about Oscar Taveras and how talented a baseball player he was and have also seen some good things about Kolten Wong.  

I am nothing more than an avid baseball fan, but I can tell you this:  talent sticks out like a sore thumb.  I saw it when Cameron Maybin was there, I saw it when Logan Morrison was there.

Kolten Wong is deceptively fast even though he has a stout build.  He hits the ball with authority.  He drilled a triple to center and legged it out with no difficulty.  Although, I have to say, it is not nearly as entertaining as watching "The Fresh Prince" on his giddy up around the base baths.  Once he gets his MOJO moving, lookout!  The big man can hustle.

Oscar Taveras has incredible bat speed.  I really noticed this when I was able to get right up on the first row behind home plate and watch these guys on deck no more that 10 feet away from me.  Even his practice swings look head and shoulders above most of his peers. When taking warm up swings it just looks as if he is able to keep the bat in the strike zone longer than anyone else.  Maybe I need new glasses but I swear it looks like that up close.   Check out the video at the end of this post.  It was, by far, the hardest hit shot of anyone in the two nights I was there.  A rocket shot the opposite way about 380-400 feet and it got out in a hurry.  There was no doubt when it left the bat.  The crack of the bat sounded like a gun going off.

Scenes from Draftapalooza 2013

Well folks, it's officially in da books. The 2013 draft is done and the inaugural "Draftapalooza" was a big success.
The draft anticipation and hype reached a fever pitch around 8pm and that's when things got totally out of control:  We each had a 16oz Coors Light and some Popeye's spicy chicken strips.  After that, the Diet Coke flowed hot and heavy.  Extreme  - yes it is.   And to quote Little Nicky "Popeyes chicken is F&^*%n' awesome!"
Seated in the pic to the top left are "Bluff Court Blue Sox"  aka "Da Commish" forefront, "Triple Threat" middle right, and "Team Macaque" in the back.
Also in the collage are pics of Team Macaque's "NFL style" draft day playbook and playsheet.
As for the draft, it was pretty balanced.  After perusing the picks I feel like there are 8-9 teams with a legit shot starting out the year.  Injuries, trades, and pickups will change all that I'm sure. So we'll see, but 2013 shapes up to be a very competitive year.

Clucker does it again.

The torch was officially passed last night to the Clucker.  After very humble beginnings finishing 7th, 9th and 8th in his first three years, the Clucker has become a force in the league with 2 championships and two 3rd place finishes in the past 5 years.  So that he doesn't get too big for his britches though, I threw in a bonus gift for him.  A desk ornament with the trade he made in his rookie season that propelled Hatherly Hitters to his 2nd of 3 championships.  The Hitter got Beltran from the Clucker for Dontrelle Willis ..... and the rest as they say is history.  Willis sank faster than Bill Clinton's approval ratings after he and Monica were smoking cigars together in the oval office.
Stung by the devastating effects of this trade, Cluck steeled his resolve and vowed for better days.  Out of despair and defeat, came the genesis of the Matrix, a revolutionary and proprietary (says Cluck) new way to look at players for the draft.  I got a quick look at the Matrix a few times when Cluck left his laptop on at work, but my eyes burned for 2 days afterwards and I kept having the inclination to trade my top rated hitter for a 5th tier starter.  It's locked down, not for prying eyes, and has "The Curse of the Dontrelle" on it.  The Matrix/Cluck combo is strong and churning out championships.  We will see if the trend continues?  Congrats on a great season!

Hatherly Hitters hooks his big bro up!

On a recent trip to the Hatherly Hitters headquarters BCBS managment received a token of good will from HH.  A signed baseball from Nolan Ryan.  Thanks lil guy, it has a prime spot on the mission control desk.

The Macaque brands his team.

TBob has become the third member of the league to go logo.  Of note is the crown in the lower jaw.  It is a cryptic message to the entire league that Team Macaque is ready for the top spot.  Also, the Dojo might appreciate the lettering on top which pays homage and was derived from his beloved Twins.
If any of you guys are interested in the logo mania that has swept the league, let me know and I can put you in touch with the "logo man."  Under $40!
Congrats T Bob.

The Hitter meets a legend.

Hatherly and his new best friend..."The Ryan Express."
See his stats here.  Six years with over 300 strikeouts. Wow, you don't see that anymore.

I got an email from The Macaque last night.  Looks like he's all business this year boys!

                                        

New Season New Look

After coming in 2nd last season the Hatherly Hitters management has decided to change things up.
We are pleased to unveil our new logo, and color scheme. This may not help us win but damn we will look good!!!