Battle in Ezeiza

Another epic battle between the Buenos Aires Shankees and the Cubans of Almendares unfolded this Saturday afternoon at the Estadio Nacional de Beisbol in Ezeiza. However, this meeting versus their long time rivals was different, because not since the original 2008 Shankees, has the team faced the Cubans with an all-American squad.  Both teams arrived dwindled in numbers, but both were equally eager to tack-on a win in a dually trying season. Evenly matched in each of their encounters, those on hand were guaranteed a good old fashioned baseball showdown, which included awesome defensive plays, a great pitching performance, and even a bench clearing incident. In 2008, it was lefty ace pitcher Andrew Terry shutting down the Cuban bats, with a solid defense behind him in names like, RJ Fox,  John Harris, Dave Beaton, and Jason Hermes, just to name a few. Today, it was David Mickelsen, Ben Atkins, Alex Ulhs, and an entirely different cast of characters facing off against the beefy hard hitting Cubans. Back to life: After giving up four runs off several sharply hit balls in the top of the first, the Shankees loaded the bases and manufactured three runs to come within one.  Starting right-fielder, Pete Mitchell, led the way with a casual bloop into shallow center for a two-run RBI. Alex Ulhs, who hit a dinger last week batting ninth, struggled all day long in the non-coveted nine-hole. The Shankees batted around the order before the Cubans were forced to make a pitching change. They put their big boy in and that´s when things got a little tougher for the Shankee hitters. Defensively, it was a day of revelation. Never has the infield clicked so well as on this day, with a deuce of double plays and stupendous diving catches and great throws. Newcomer, Seth Kreielsheimer shined on his debut at third base and played phenomenally. Nick Howe, starting in left field after missing several weeks with a pulled hamstring, made two incredible diving catches to help keep the Cuban powerhouse hitters in check. Liam Glover, starting at second, had productive at bats, but missed an easy pop-up which led to a Cuban three run two-out rally. The Shankees loaded the bases in the third inning but failed to capitalize on the tiring Cuban pitcher and the shaky defense behind him.  With Mickelsen also tiring, starting center fielder Andrew Hidalgo took over on the mound in the fifth. With two runs already across and a man on second with no outs, Andrew was able to put out the fire. The promising Shankee Ace shut down the Cuban the rest of the way with a menacing change-up and dizzying curveball. Nandrin Louis, who started behind the plate, had to leave the game early due to back pains, and gave way to the veteran catcher from Mexico, Fernando Ventura. Lorenzo De La Riega entered the game in the fifth for extra power at the plate. After drawing a walk and eventually reaching third, Lorenzo got caught in a run-down on his way home, which caused the benches to clear after he tried to knock-down the portly Cuban catcher. The Shankees chipped away at the Cuban lead, which got as high as 9 at one point. However, the best they could manage was to come within 5; no matter how hard they swung the bat. Regardless of the final score, the truth is that it took all of nine innings for the Cubans to hail victory on this day, and both teams should consider themselves lucky to be playing baseball in Buenos Aires on a beautiful autumn afternoon. Buttermaker Game Ball: Left Fielder, Nick Howe, for his truly phenomenal catches and absolute Buena onda.  THE SHANKEE PRESS. Jack Green Fantasy score Cubans 11-Shankees 9

The start to the new season could very well be the start to any classic baseball movie; Major League, the Bad News Bears, Bull Durham, you name it, as new faces blend with the old for another chapter in this the fifth year of the Buenos Aires Shankees . For what makes a baseball movie great? Drama, comedy, the sweet taste of victory or the bitter after taste of defeat. Well, there is no better place for all of this than any given time when the Shankees take the field for another Saturday of baseball.

Although last season ended on a sour note; after having to forfeit their last three games, it would seem that the Shankee Skipper, Paul Perry, would be throwing in the towel. This has taken place to some extent, clearly evident on today’s outing versus the much improved Koreans of Dokdo, as Perry was spotted in the stands, sitting under a beach umbrella, enjoying a cold beer and rooting on his beloved Shankees. And the former skipper couldn’t be happier watching lead-off hitter Humberto “Go-Che” Goyenchenea reach first base on a grounder, then steal second as Ruben Bravo, making his return after a long absence, draws a walk. Clean-up hitter, and one of the three new Shankee skippers, loads the bases by drawing another walk off the shaky Dokdo pitcher. That´s where the fun stops as the next Shankee batter, Jorge Gutierrez pops out to the pitcher. Starting right fielder, Pete Mitchell, who missed last game but rocked a mutli-RBI double in the Shankee home opener against La Plata (22-8 loss), strikes out to end the threat.

Last season’s team MVP, David Mickelsen was back on the mound and looking for his much deserved first win. Mickelsen gets the first batter to pop up to Shankee short stop Alex “The Limber Lion” Uhls. Unfortunately, the next batter hits a sharp grounder to Uhls, who fields it with class but fails to hit his trusty first baseman Alex “The Big Daddy” Fumero. Uhls redeems himself on the next play by making a handling a tricky chopper up the middle and throwing out the Dokdo runner. Mickelsen, pitching consistently, has a pitch bobbled at the plate as the runner sneaks in from third to score the first run of the game. Ulhs leads off the second inning with the Shankees down a run and gets his long awaited hit. He then steals two consecutive bases as The Big Daddy Fumero tries to beat out a dribbler down the third base line. Fortunately, for some reason it was ruled a foul ball. Fumero then draws a walk to put Shankees at the corners. David Mickelsen helps his own cause by hitting one over the shortstop to score Ulhs from third and move the Big Daddy up to second. Humberto Go-Che hits a shallow ball into center, leading Fumero to tag up for the go-ahead run. Dokdo rallies back in the bottom second but a 6-4-3 double play ends their chance of a lead change.

It was a good game till the sixth inning, when the Shankees fell apart. Scott “The Hurler” Weaver came into the game to try to stop the bleeding, but it was too late, Dokdo took a 12-2 lead and the game ended in the 7th on a mercy rule. The Shankees are now 0-3, and it’s tough to imagine a winning season if they continue to improvise a baseball team come game time. They are in desperate need of pitching and practice, two things hard to come-by this far south of the equator.

They did however receive beautiful new team caps courtesy of Scott Weaver. This is Jack Green reporting for the Shankee Press.

12/31/2012 

Buenos Aires - Monday, January 31st, 2012 - It’s not quite sure when the season ended or which team finished at the top of the A2 division, but one thing is for sure, it was a rainy and complicated season.

The Shankees, who forfeited their last three remaining games due to a lack of players, did two things well this season: 1) field a solid team three times and 2) make history by finally defeating a Japanese team. What the future holds for this always changing ball club is uncertain, so we’ll just have to wait and see what surprises 2013 brings. Till then, it´s been an interesting ride.

Reporting for the Shankee Press, Jack Green

11/6/2012 

Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 – Estadio Nacional de Beisbol – Hot & Muggy – Mosquitos Abound – The Buenos Aires Shankees traveled to the National Stadium to take on the Tiburones of Velez in their first ever night game.

The Shankees, who defeated the Tiburones four weeks ago 10-4 for their first win of the season, jumped out to an early lead and dominated throughout seven innings of play. However, this wasn’t the same Tiburones team, cause lurking in the dugout were some of their A1 players, and a few other ringers looking to mar this night of Shankee history. Ben Atkins out of Wako, Texas, got things started for the Shankees by drawing a walk, followed by another walk by Shankee slugger, Humberto “GoChe” Goicochenea, who got the start in left-field in place of Atkins starting on the mound. Alejandro “The Big Daddy” Fumero was back at the third spot and met all the Shankee Skipper´s expectations, as he was overheard telling Luis “Captain Crutch” Mijares before the game, “I love the Big Daddy batting third.”Fumero put the ball in play allowing Atkins to score for the first of the many runs the Shankees would score under the stadium lights.

Shankee catcher Julio “The Bison” Briceño drew another walk as the Shankee third baseman Ruben Bravo, drove a single into the outfield to score Humberto GoChe from third. Bravo then stole second and ended up scoring after a throwing error from the catcher. Nandrin “Nanslaughter” Louis, starting in right field, also drew a walk and reached third on another throwing error by the Velez catcher as Nandrin stole second base. Adam “Canadian Wonder” Webb, starting at second base, struck out to end the inning. Webb would later make way for new Shankee Sam Delisio, who made a couple nice defensive plays but sadly struck out twice and popped out.

Pete Mitchell was also quiet at the plate and somewhat lackadaisical in center field. He is expected to improve as the season progresses. Which given all the rainy weekends, might stretch into the summer. Anyway, back to the game. The Tiburones quickly battled back and tacked on three runs of their own, courtesy of a few sharply hits balls and a pair of fielding flaws by the Shankee defense. However, Atkins got his second wind and struck out the 7 and 9 hitters to end the inning tied at three.

The Shankees then scored 7 runs in the third, thanks to excellent at bats by the entire line-up, including Alex Ulhs, who seems to have put that 6 month slump buried way in the past. Ulhs reached base three times on the night, proving he is a threat at the plate, as well as on the bags for any opposing pitcher. After the game Ulhs was quoted as stating, “This was an epic moment in Shankee baseball!” Leading the offensive bombardment were Humberto GoChe and Julio Briceño, both rocking doubles deep into the immense outfield. Ruben Bravo, who cleared the bases with an awesome triple also showed why he belongs among the league´s best. However, Bravo did have a few bobbled balls and a throwing error, which fortanately the Shankees were able to shake off.

Velez chipped-away but were down 11-5 by the time the bottom of the fifth came around. However, Velez made a few changes and filtering their A1 players onto the diamond. Velez scored two runs in their at bat, three runs in the sixth, and another three runs in the seventh as the Shankees watched their 13-7 lead slip into the past. A weary Atkins, who had already struck out 10 batters, gave way to last season’s MVP David “The Smooth Criminal” Mickelsen in the bottom sixth.

The Boston native quickly struck the third out, bringing a sigh of relief to a heat exhausted, mosquito bitten Shankee squad. Down by one to start the eighth, the Shankees showed they weren’t going down without a fight, and quickly tacked on another four runs, perplexing the hard throwing Velez pitcher, as well as the 20 plus Tiburones on hand. The highlight of the inning came when Alejandro “Big Daddy” Fumero dug out a single to advance lead off hitter Atkins to third base. With one out, Briceño hit a single into the outfield as the Bid Daddy rounded second, past third and slid into home to put the Shankees up by one run. Two more runs crossed the plate before the inning finally ended for the Tiburones.

Battled and bruised, the Shankee team took the field in the bottom eighth as the Tiburones quickly put a runner on third after a hit and a couple stolen bases. With one out and up by three runs, an unexpected turn of events unfolded; the lights went out and darkness fell on a Tiburones possible come-back. What will happen to the remaining inning and a half is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure, if you ever expect to play baseball at night in the stadium, bring lots of bug spray, and at least 300 liters of diesel fuel!

Reporting for the Shankee Press, Jack Green.—Buttermaker Gameball, Ben Atkins, who struck out 10 batters in six innings of play, as well as drawing three walks, getting HBP, roping a single and scoring 3 runs. —Shot of Bourbon: The Big Daddy Alejandro Fumero, who is hustling his way into the hearts of the Shankee Nation.

Next game: Saturday -Shankees vs. The not so Koreans of Dokdo.

11/3/2012 

Saturday, Nov 3, 2012 - Parque Roca Park – The Shankees played host to the Japanese Association Baseball Club this Saturday in what would be a nail biter throughout nine full innings of play. Despite the two weeks of inactivity due to rainstorms and a bye-week, the local Expats, were ready to avenge that one-run loss in April 2012 when the Shankees slow roasted under a hot La Plata sun.

“We’ve never beaten a Japanese team,” stated the Shankee Skipper, Paul Perry, “Perhaps today is that day.” However, with only eight Shankees in the ranks 30 minutes before game time, things looked somewhat bleak. But alas, Fred from SilverStar Transport pulled up with the Shankees high flying ace, Scott “The Hurler” Weaver. “Put me in coach, I’m ready to pitch three or four innings,” he was overheard telling Perry, as a taxi with starting Shortstop Alex Ulhs and the all purpose player Nandrin “Come in Nandy” Louis arrived. Suddenly, there was a team! The pitching duo of Scott “The Dream” Weaver and David “Smooth Criminal” Mickelsen, combined with a solid defensive performance to overpower their young rivals, which consisted of several Argentine players. Offensively, the Shankees hit the ball real hard, with Julio Briceño leading the way with a six-inning double and an eighth inning two-run dinger over the center field fence. Humbero Goicochena, Ben Atkins and Alejandro Fumero also had good plate appearances, and were vital in keeping the Shanks with the entire game. Weaver pitched a solid four innings and recorded 7 Ks, allowing only one run off a misplayed pop-up in left field.

David Mickelsen, who has pitched phenomenally ever since taking the mound in early 2012, kept things under control by putting the ball over the dish as the defense responded. Alex Ulhs was solid at short and made some spectacular plays, including a bare handed grab and rocket throw to first for a crucial out. The Shankees took a two-run lead into the top of the ninth. However, a minor defensive breakdown and some well hit balls allowed the La Plata team to tie the game at six. Nevertheless, the Shankees stood their ground and got their last turn at bat with the top of the order due up to face the young La Plata pitcher. Ben Atkins, solid as usual, drew a walk. As did slugger Humberto Goicoche and Alex Fumero. With no outs, Mickelsen waited for a strike. However, the La Plata pitcher struggled and walked in the Shankees winning run. The Shankees continue to play better every thime they take the field. If they keep it up, they’ll make the playoffs, and perhaps go all the way.

Reporting for the Shankee Press, Jack Green. Final Score: 7-6. -Buttermaker Gameball: Julio Briceño, who caught all day and still had the energy to drive one deep over the center field fence. Shot of Bourbon: Scott Weaver, for the winning spirit he brings to the team every time he flies into town for a ball game.

-Next match-up: Shankees vs. Tiburones - Tuesday Night at El Estadio Nacional de Beisbol in Ezeiza.

10/19/2012

Friday morning - Buenos Aires -Rainy - cloudy - sunny.—- Two months have passed since the Shankees unveiled their spring 2012 team before a semi-talented Club Communicaciones team, who made them look silly on the baseball field. This Saturday, weather permitting, The Shankees will be looking to avenge that ridiculous outing and could easily beat the crap out of them given the much improved performance of their talented players.

David Mickelsen, last season’s MVP, is set to take the mound for the Shankees, with battery Mate Julio Briceño looking to gun down would-be base stealers. Ruben “Breadbasket” Bravo will be at the hot corner and looking to rock the Comu pitchers with his red hot bat. Alex Ulhs, who is finally out of the three month slump that started almost 6 months ago in La Plata after eating a red pepper like an apple, will be at Short and looking to stop anything that comes his way. Jorge “Jungle George” Guttierrez, who is finally swinging like a man, will be at second base waiting for his turn at bat, to prove girls don’t make you weak. Alex Fumero, who has established himself as the Shankees first baseman, will be looking to rock the ball hard so he can take his time around the bases. Ben “Wako” Atkins will patrol left field, as Humberto “Go Che” Goicoechea will be in centerfield with Nandrin Louis taking stage right. T

he outfield has become both a defensive and offensive powerhouse and responsible for much of the Shankees recent success. Newcomers Pete Mitch, Danny Piccolo, and veterans Oswald Parks, Pablo Exxon Valdez, and Mariano Villar are also expected to lend a hand in a most certain victory. It is no doubt that they have improved considerably, “We get better with each game, because this is when we practice, and brings us a little closer to becoming a real baseball team,” states the Shankee Skipper. Let’s wait and see if they win, lose, or if it rains.

Reporting for the Shankee Press- Jack Green