Patrick's Softball:

As a preface to this week's Post Game Wrap, please see the following letter to the Editor concerning the late posting of the July 22nd Wrap.

Patrick’s Softball Team & Affiliates

Dear Post Game Wrapper:

Major events have transpired in 2009 and yet we’ve only dipped our toe into August. The long struggle for universal health care is converging to a vote and perhaps a miracle will occur in our national dance hall and the common good will be served. The financial market is tightening the tourniquet while Bernie Madoff paces introspectively in the huscow [sic] [hoosegow]. Sonia Sotomayor is poised to become the first Supreme Court Hispanic justice. North Korea released two prisoners, distracting international attention to a ballistic missile shot over Hawaii . And yet…. there is more.

Somethangg should be said about those double dingers on July 22^nd. No, it wasn’t the 4^th of July, but a pair of cannons went off in the same month. The 12-8 win blew out the Flame and secured a .500 mark for the year-end tournament. Wunderground.com shows that the wind was actually blowing in that night at 4 mph with probably gusts of 18 mph. Average humidity was 74 with a dew point of 55^o F (off a 9 inch Lily). I’m not saying a batting average of 1.000 and a slugging percentage of 2.750 was completely responsible for winning that game, but somebody should… dammit. Update that post game wrap or I’ll drive over there and do it for ya.

Disgruntled Slugger,

Steve Becker

Patrick's Post Game Wrap - July 22nd, 2009
-Submitted by Gary Schmiesing

Game Summary

Lets Hope Some Things Never Change

As we were all bombarded with political ads prior to the 2008 elections, one theme or message was constant: CHANGE! A vote for Obama was a vote for change. A vote for McCain was a vote for change. People everyday say that change is good and necessary. But when it comes to The Patrick's Softball Team, I will take the same ol' same ol' everyday over change.

Steve Becker decided that he needed a change and decided to move out west to Montana where men are men and the women blah, blah, blah. The change was good for Becker and Co., but bad for Patrick's Softball. We lost the best player to ever put on the green and white and grey and black of this storied franchise. The likes of King Kong Gundy, Homey, Pesta, Ruen, and Phillips, are just a few that have worn our colors. While each one of those guys was great in his own right, or not, none ever have or ever will compare to Becker.

His greatness was once again proven Wednesday night on the fields in St. Peter. After not having played ball for a year, he stepped onto the field and delivered an amazing performance that will be remembered for generations. First at bat: Homerun. Second at bat: Homerun. Third at Bat: single (only because we were out of homeruns). Fourth at bat: Double. It was as if he never left. Some might say lucky, some have claimed a juiced ball and even others have mentioned steroids. But deep down inside we all know the truth. He's just that damn good. Thanks to Steve's incredible night and the resurgance of Schmeze, this night will go down in the books as a victory for The Patrick's Softball Team and just another day at the park for Mr. Becker.

But for our benefit and enjoyment, Becker isn't the only Becker that hasn't changed. Steve's sister Amy once again honored us with her presence and charm. While many of us, as we get older, lose a step, add a few pounds, or lose hair that we want and gain it back where we don't, the Becker DNA is obviously different. While Steve's ability to make the softball field his canvas gets better with age, sister Amy is as beautiful today as the first day we all laid eyes on her all those year's ago.

People tell me that change is good and necessary. While that might be true, I'll just hang on to the same ol' same ol'.

Key Stat
Becker's pair of home runs puts him in a tie for the team lead for the regular season for home runs . . . and he only played one game.

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