RMJ 52 April 7

courtesy statscrew.com

MONDAY, APRIL 7 ● Jackson, Mississippi exhibition game

The team bus for the airport was to leave at 2 p.m., so I had time for a leisurely morning.         

Ryan was still sick with a stomach virus, so I spent some time talking to him. He hasn’t missed much school in his life; this three-day stint is the longest ever for him.

I know he is tired of daytime TV, but he can’t stay on his feet long without getting nauseous. What makes it worse, he still has a sore shoulder. It has been bothering him for a month, and I finally had him checked by Dave Labossiere. Dave gave Ryan some exercises to do, but Ryan can’t stay up long enough to do them.

I got two commercial calls today. One is for the clothier that is supplying my wardrobe, and the other the car dealership that is loaning me a car to drive. Both want to shoot the commercials during the next homestand, which consists of two games and half-a-day off. There won’t be much family time — more like another stop on a long road trip.

Cubby came over and we rode to the Dome together. We talked a little more about infield practice, and I told him about Berry and Johnson. Cubby liked Johnson a lot at spring training. I think if it were up to him, he would play Bogar at short and Johnson at third.

           

The trip to Jackson went smoothly. Team owner Con Maloney rolled out the red carpet for former Generals players. He sent a limousine to the airport for them, and he had the PA announcer mention “former Jackson General” every time one of them came up.

Con gave everyone in our party a nice travel cooler. I know he enjoys a cold beer now and then; I’ve seen him in action at The Big Bamboo.  Now he has inadvertently abetted the players’ beer-smuggling operation. I feel sure those coolers will be put to use this very night.

The game with the Generals went well. The pitchers threw strikes, and the hitters came up swinging. 

In his first at-bat, Johnson popped up with men on base. When he got back to the dugout, I said loudly, so everyone could hear: “I changed my mind, Russ. We’re sending you back to New Orleans.” Everyone laughed, and we scored the runs anyway.

I started taking the regulars out midway through the seven-inning game. In the sixth, Gonzo came out with a towel around his waist and his fake dong hanging down almost to his knees. Again the dugout erupted with laughter as everyone crowded around to see.

We won the game 7-2 in less than two hours. All that was left was to ice down the beer, secret it aboard, and fly to Atlanta.

My preference is red wine, Cabernet, Merlot, or Syrah. I found a bottle of Cabernet on the coffee table in my suite, along with a basket of fruits, cheeses, and crackers. I was too tired to enjoy this bountiful spread.

 

Tomorrow is another day. Perhaps it will be a day for celebration.