On behalf of #JPP I would like to thank the Academy for having the ingenuity and the creativity to construct a league they said couldn’t be created and wouldn’t stick. The development of a forum where Mostly Out Of Shape Athletes (MOOSA’s) can, at an advanced age, still compete in a meaningful, sometimes contentious, but always half-intoxicated manner is a stroke of genius and a necessary addition to any summer. Look out baseball; there’s a new meaning to the term “Boys of Summer”!
I would also like applaud Jerome’s conciliatory writeup. You are a credit to OMB, the MTL, and all of our fans (aka: awkward onlookers of an over 40, drunken wiffle ball game). Well done. If you set aside all of the losing, you might not be such a bad manager after all... I’d also like to congratulate OMB on providing the Dennis Eckersley to our Kirk Gibson… The Stan Belinda to our Francisco Cabrera… The Jean Vandevelde to our Paul Lawrie… The Houston Oilers to our Frank Reich… The Chris Weber to our North Carolina… Without your general ineptitude and lack of intestinal fortitude, our improbable come back and headline making triumph wouldn’t have been as savory.
This was truly a team effort from the members of #JPP. From top to bottom our line up performed like champions. The unselfish, courageous leadership of our captain Mark Bunting, whose innovative drafting style, bold new look (see photo below) and magnanimous courage to step aside when the team needed a change of direction, embodies the true spirit of #JPP. First round draft pick PT’s early dedication, lengthy weekly travel, and unexplainable inability to consume 16 ounces of liquid in under 17 minutes, inspired us all to not suck. And to the gutsy role playing efforts of Pat, Ron, Dave, Crazy Pete, and Fredo whose nonchalant attitude become part of the #JPP squad again, inspired us not to suck; even when we were sucking.
The midseason take-over of the leadership reigns and amassing a STAGGERING 5-2 managerial record to close the season and bring the trophy to its rightful owners wasn’t MY accomplishment. It was a TEAM accomplishment (done by me). I am humbled and awed at my ability to be the penultimate manager in this league.
Every team has leaders. This team was lead by co-MVP Rat’s dedication, perfect attendance and odd penchant for exciting closeted homosexuals with hints of peeks at his “guitar”. It wasn’t easy on the cool June 23rd evening at Furminger’s house, facing a 1-3 deficit to muster up the fortitude to stick an arrow in the heart of the target… TWICE! But that is what leaders do. And co-MVP Kuf came through in the clutch over and over and over and over again for #JPP. From the unhittable junk tossed from the cardboard bump, to the uncanny ability to deposit a softball into a portable geriatric commode from great distances, Kuf’s unique and quirky attributes inspired us to be idiosyncratic champions.
Congratulations to OMB on a well fought campaign. We look forward to competing, and ultimately humiliating you again next season. #JPP will savor this victory for the long offseason and be back next year to defend our crown.
Good day, and may whatever deity you believe in bless you in whatever way you feel is appropriate to be blessed.
The Entire #JPP Team (but mostly V)