The
following are my observations and thoughts about this past weekend trip to the
"official" BCBL draft site.
I arrived
in Chicago 1/2 hour ahead of schedule, making it easier for Steve (designated
picker-upper) and Jed to pick me up (no waiting). As we walked outside to the
car, the realization hit me...Crap it's COLD
here!!! Went to the designated sports bar/ restaurant to wait for Rick
and was hit with the news that LaRoche tore up his
thumb/wrist/hand/something and was out for about 10 weeks. Discovered that Jed
likes appitizers and drinks usually found nowhere but
After
finishing the meal, it is decided that we need some exercise to stay in shape
and someone says BOWLING. We drop off our bags at Rick's house and head out to
BOWL. When we get to the bowling alley we find out it must be Middle school day
at the alley, as there are about a million 11-13 year old kids acting like
11-13 year old kids. We head out to a second establishment several miles down
the road, only to discover that they have no open lanes for another hour. So,
its back to Rick's for Wii Bowling.
After a
time, Bob Michal, Greg and Frank show up and after some small talk we take off
for the restaurant. During the walk from the parking lot to the restaurant I
think...crap, is it COLD here!!! At the restaurant there is a display case
showing the different steaks they provide. It looks like they took one steer
and divided it in quarters. "Jed, you take the front quarter and I'll have
the rear quarter". We order drinks and MEAT and it is here that everyone discovers
that Jed will drink anything that is colored,,,blue, pink, green, choclate,
whatever. These become known as "girlie drinks". Of course we have to
have appitizers. I'm still stuffed from lunch and
have a big steak to look forward to. The food arrives and it looks like they
had to kill three cows for the seven of us. The carrots, on several plates,
were almost as big as a hockey puck. After the meal, it was agreed that the
food was some of the worst we have experienced and Rick was taking home a large
portion to be used as a doorstop.
Back to
Rick's house for an evening of Home Run Derby, where The Michal girls showed
everyone how hit that horsehide. Steve spent time trying to help me with
downloading AIM to my antique laptop.
Saturday morning and DRAFT DAY. Rick, Jed and I go through McDonald's drive thru. No
appitizers, but Jed spys a
shamrock milk shake (or some kind of green drink) and gets one for breakfast.
Meet everyone at Rick's office building and head upstairs. First
comment...crap, is it HOT in here. The whole day is spent opening and closing a
window until just before we leave, Frank walks over the the
radiator (hadn't seen one of those in centuries) and turned down the valve.
DUH!!!
After many
minutes getting situated and connected to the chat room, a couple of us
were still having trouble. Finally we were set to go. How far
we've come since the early drafts. I looked around and everyone
there had a computer in front of them.
I had spent
a lot of time researching about 6 or so players who I though had a chance to
make it to #17. I just needed a couple of BALLS picks to make some of my
"really wants" to be available. But, the injury to LaRoche and Kouzmanoff and Saltalamacchia going right before me through me in a panic.
a quick discussionof the 7
of us came to the conclusion that Travis Buck was probably my best pick. So, I
made the pick of a player I had not even looked at previously.
Since I was
pretty set with the rest of my team, my plans for my final 5 picks (5th &
6th rounds) were to take high BA/ low PAs players to
be used as pinch hitters. This worked out well.
After the
draft we held a tournament. Six teams. I beat Devon
8-3 and faced
My flights
home were great. Felt sorry for Jed. He had planned to leave during the draft
to get home for a special eveny involving his
parents. His flight kept getting delayed and was
finally rescheduled for Sunday AM. It was then delayed until noon, then 4PM. I
still don't know if he made it back to NY.
That's
about it. Had a great time as one of The Chicago Seven.
Sorry that more of you couldn't make it.
Dr.Bob