The Next Dynasty

Roman Empire 27 BC - 395 AD

Ottoman Empire 1299-1923

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644

Hofbrau Softball 2004-

Team Hofbrau has done it again, winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive Quincy Merchant League title with, you guessed it, another comeback. Hoffy capped a 30-1* season with Bill Wysocki's 2-run single in the bottom of the seventh to beat arch-rival Malachy's 8-7 and take the series 4-1.

The full game report and stats will follow, along with pictures from the championship. I just want to take a second an reflect on this team and the season.

Hoffy went into the season truly feeling like the Evil Empire. We had scouts at our games to make sure our players had enough games played to qualify for the playoffs (an issue we have never complained about). Our bats were checked. You name it. But Hoffy persevered with, as The Game says, "believe it or not, maturity" (hey, we are the oldest team in the league, even with the Bosse youth movement).

Taking a closer look at the team:

Pitching: This is truly what sets Hofbrau apart. Most teams are lucky to have one solid pitcher. Hoffy boasts arguably the most formidable 1-2 combo the league has ever seen with fireballing Steve Lannan and knuckleball specialist Greg Harper. Gutsy performances throughout the season from these two. Stevie ordered new parts for his shoulder and elbow in the off season, which apparently came just in time. Word spread throughout the league of a surgical clean up of Steve's shoulder. Everyone nearly shit a brick when Stevie showed up in week 1 throwing his usual gas.

Harper pitched a complete game key victory in mid-season despite having an abcessed tooth that had him doubled over in pain (gotta chew those Doritos carefully) and was dominant throughout the year.

And this just in from The Rich Get Richer Department: newcomer Nick Escoto can pitch too! In addition to finally getting a pair of cleats, Escoto stepped up big time and gave Hoffy a key win in a shorthanded situation. He is still the only undefeated Hoffy pitcher (1-0).

Defense: Another area of distinction. While there are a lot of talented defensive players in the league (Mal, Nick, Charlie, Earler and Billy Mac from Malachy's, the shortstop from Paddy Barry's, etc), no team has the complete package that Hoffy does. Led by Nelly and T-Frat in the outfield and The Game (playing with a surgically repaired shoulder), Ramon, JD and Bill Wysocki in the infield, Hoffy featured the kind of defense that killed rallies and always gave them a chance to win. Just hearing opposing batters yell "fuck!" when they saw the ball they hit go anywhere near center field warms my heart to this day. Another entry from The Rich Get Richer Department: Glenny can play second base too!

Hitting: Anyone who has seen this team play knows there is not a single easy out in the entire lineup. From Nelly and Harper leading off, to .700+ hitters like Jimmy D and Steve and Mike Yocco, to sluggers like The Game, Glenny, Ramon and Wysocki, to the table-setters at the bottom of the lineup, Dave Brolin, Joe Bosse, Jon Bosse and Keith, Hoffy was a threat to put up runs every inning of every game.

Depth: Hoffy has a distinct advantage of having a great farm system in the Houghs Neck league. Having proven ball players like Kyle, Neil Plante, Kano and McNeice available is a luxury almost too good to be true.

Chemistry: Depsite replacing seven starters from the 2006 championship team, Hoffy always plays like a champion and (most of the time) has fun doing it. A lot of guys on the team have been playing on the same teams or in the same leagues for over 20 years and been friends for that long as well. It says a lot that we have guys who would rather be a DH, backup or role player on this team than start and/or bat higher in the lineup on another team.

All in all, this was an incredible season that this league will never forget. I'm already looking forward to next year when, you heard it here first, I WILL HIT A HOME RUN.

* The one loss came in game 3 of the championship series where Hoffy was forced to play with 9 guys (missing six starters) and only two guys playing their normal positions.

With Deepest Sympathy

Let's keep the Bosse family in our thoughts and prayers as they grieve the sudden loss of Glen and Doug's brother Roland. One of the things that makes our team great is that we're a family and when one of our brothers is hurting, we feel it too.

Roland J. "Butch" Bosse Jr.
BOSSE, Roland J. "Butch" Jr. age 58, of Medway, suddenly, September 20. Beloved husband of Lily (Pawlowski) Bosse. Father of Keith Bosse and his wife Dawn of Medway, Edward Bosse and his wife Kate of Medway. Son of Beverly (Hazelton) Bosse-Howland of N. Weymouth and the late Roland J. Bosse. Brother of Wayne of Milton, David of Woonsocket RI, Douglas of Dorchester, Glenn of Whitman and the late Kenneth and Greggary Bosse. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home 3 Barber St., MEDWAY, Wednesday at 9:15, followed by a funeral mass in St. Joseph Church at 10:00. Relatives and friends invited Calling hours Tuesday 4-8. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in his honor to the DAV State House, Room 546, Boston MA 02133 or the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham Ma 01701. Ginley Crowley Funeral Home Medway www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com

Hoffy Back In The Saddle With Game 4 Win

Team Hoffy took another giant step toward a 4th consecutive QML title last night with a 13-8 win over Malachy's.

Big Green was brimming with optimism before the game. Rumblings about winning four straight and taking Hoffy down in six games peppered the pregame warmups.

Hofbrau quickly silenced such banter as the first six batters reached and scored in the first inning. True to the team's veteran form, the Hoffy batters were patient, taking advantage of control problems by Malachy's starting pitcher, who walked four in the first and eight throughout the game.

Hoffy put up three more runs in the second on key hits from Jim Dennis and Steve Yocco to take a 9-1 lead. The game almost took a disastrous turn in the third inning when fireballing Hoffy pitcher Steve Lannan got hit in the shin with a scorching line drive by Malachy's Billy MacDougal. Lannan stayed in and completed the game to add yet another in a long list of post season victories.

Malachy's rallied back in the middle innings, posting 5 runs in the fourth inning and 2 more in the fifth to pull within one run at 9-8. Web Gem specialist Nellie Feliciano helped stop the bleeding with an incredible all-out diving catch in the fifth.

The game was eerily looking like a repeat of game 3 with Hoffy slumping and Malachy's surging. But the three time defending champs put the game away for good in the sixth inning. Glen Bosse walked after Scott Logan's single to put runners on first and second. First baseman Jim Dennis, not shaken by the David Ortiz-style shift put on by the infield, fired a single to center to score Logan. With two on and two out, Yocco delivered the crucial blow for Hoffy with a 2-run double to make it 12-8. Logan drove in the final run for Hoffy in the seventh with two on. Catcher Greg Harper scored easily on the play.

In the bottom of the seventh, Hoffy's defense squashed any hope of a Malachy's comeback. Shortstop Bill Wysocki took the wind out of Malachy's sails snatching up a grounder and starting a 6-3 double play. Two batters later, Hoffy recorded the final out to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

"This was a total team win tonight," Logan said. "Everyone pitched in." The numbers bear that sentiment out as every Hoffy batter reached base at least once.

GAME 5 TUESDAY NIGHT, 8:00 AT KINCAIDE

Hoffy Less Than Perfect in Game 3

"Drago's cut!"

After an outstanding 29-game winning streak, Team Hoffy fell victim to a shorthanded lineup and timely hitting by Malachy's, losing 20-13 to cut its series lead to 2-1.

Hoffy started out on fire, posting five runs in the first inning on seven hits. The three time defending champs tacked on three more runs in the second led off by first baseman Jim Dennis beating out an infield hit showing the kind of speed that made him a Salem State legend in the late 80's. Hoffy led 8-2 after the 2nd.

Never a team that backs down, Malachy's launched a powerful offensive attack, scoring 18 runs over the next four innings. Team Hoffy got three runs back in the bottom of the 5th . Neil Plante complimented his stellar defense with a lead off single. Scott Logan then got the home team charged up by legging out a double and scored easily when Glen Bosse launched a triple down the right field line.

Despite missing six starters, Hofbrau made no excuses. "We had them on the ropes early, but they're a very good team and they executed when they had to," Keith McCray said. "We didn't have the answer tonight, but we'll be back to work in game 4."

GAME 4 FRIDAY NIGHT, 7:00 (What time Jon?) at KINCAIDE.

Game 3 washed out

"I'd keep playing. I don't think the hard stuff's gonna come down for quite a while"

Carl Spackler - Caddyshack

Yep. The rain held off all day Friday and came just in time to postpone game 3 of the QML championship series.

GAME 3 TUESDAY, 8:00 P.M. - KINCAIDE

STEELER FANS SUCK!

Loser:

/ˈluzər/ Pronunciation - [loo-zer] Pronunciation –noun
1. a person, team, nation, etc., that loses: The visiting team was the loser in the series.
2. a person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor or, esp., a felony: a two-time loser.
b. a person who has failed at a particular activity: a loser at marriage.
c. someone or something that is marked by consistently or thoroughly bad quality, performance, etc.: Don't bother to see that film, it's a real loser.
3.
Slang. a misfit, esp. someone who has never or seldom been successful at a job, personal relationship, etc.

I'm hoping this chant catches on and becomes ten times more popular than old favorite Yankees Suck.

Coming into the season, Steeler fans were only a couple of games behind Raider Nation on the douche-meter. Now they have swept the series and taken a commanding lead with this latest move.

Hey Bitchburgh, if you have to pray that the league MVP goes down with a horrifying injury to feel good about your chances, that's as lame as it gets. I got November 30 circled on my calendar. I've already told the wife she is on full time baby duty until the end of the game when Matt Cassel (or maybe Jeff Garcia) wipes his ass with one of those shirts at midfield celebrating yet another Patriots victory over the Steelers.

VOTE NO ON QUESTION 1

We interrupt this program for an important announcement....

Taking a quick break from the Hoffy Softball world to urge all within the sound of my voice to VOTE NO ON QUESTION 1.

Question 1 is a binding referedum that would eliminate the state income tax (instantly cutting 40% from the current state budget). While that may sound great for a second or two, the reality is that eliminating the state income tax only helps you if you own no property, do not own a car or use public transportation, or use any government services. Basically, hermits and shut-ins are all for it.

If passed, virtually every fee will go up (car registration, license renewal, inspection sticker, gun license, etc.) The average town will lose about $8 million is local aid (think closed fire stations, potholes not getting filled for years, no plows in the winter, having to pay for your fourth graders text books at a public school). I don't know about you, but my checkbook doesn't know the difference between a fee and a tax.

Still think Question 1 is a good idea? Call someone you know who lives in New Hampshire and compare real estate tax bills.

Lastly, Question 1 is being spearheaded by Carla Howell, a Libertarian who is probably independently wealthy and doesn't have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck like the rest of us.

Find out more at http://www.votenoquestion1.com/

Rules are rules....well....sort of.

By all means break the rules, and break them beautifully, deliberately and well. That is one of the ends for which they exist.
—Robert Bringhurst[1]

So it looks like Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:00. Why 8:00 when a third of our team can't make it. Because the Greenies whined about it (just like they whined about our bats and about the fact that we don't have an all-caucasian team like they do). I guess the rules only apply when used to screw us.

As long as I can remember, the rule has been the higher seed picks the time of playoff games.

Message to Billy: Either enforce the rules, or write up the playoff schedule yourself.

And Now For My Next Trick

Harry Houdini

Stop me when this starts to get ridiculous.

Team Hoffy has done it again, staging yet another improbable comeback Friday night to beat Malachy's 13-11 and take a 2-0 lead in the best of 7 Quincy Merchant League championship.

Held to just four hits and two walks through the first five innings, Hofbrau faced a 6-2 deficit heading on the sixth. The Hoffy bats then woke up as the undefeated three time defending champs came alive with 7 of the first 8 batters reaching safely. Ramon led off with a hard hit single to left. Nelly followed with a base hit up the middle. After a Jim Dennis walk, Scott Logan drove in the first run of the inning with a deep sac fly to left. Glen Bosse, Bill Wysocki, Steve Yocco and Mike Yocco ripped consecutive base hits to erase the deficit and give Hoffy a 7-6 lead.

Malachy's answered the Hoffy onslaught with three runs of their own in the bottom of the 6th to retake the lead.

Trailing 9-7 after 6 innings, and inspired by friends and family, including fans from Stop and Shop's corporate office, Team Hoffy dug down one more time. A heads-up walk by Dave Brolin got things started. Hoffy then retook the lead for good with back to back doubles by Ramon and Nelly. Dennis started the insurance runs with a single to knock in Nelly, who toughed it out to score depsite injuring a hamstring in the second inning. Scott Logan kept the inning going with a single. Glen Bosse's third hit of the night, a line drive double to left center, and a sac fly by Wysocki gave Hofbrau a 13-9 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

Malachy's looked as if they might come back to win in the bottom of the seventh with the heart of the batting order coming up, but conservative base running left the bases loaded. Big green plated two runs in the inning, but stellar defense saved the day again for Hofbrau. With a man on first and the tying run at the plate, Ramon turned in the defensive play of the night when he snagged a hard grounder in the hole at second and fired to second for the second out. Wysocki almost turned it into a game ending double play, but the Malachy's batter just beat the throw. Hofbrau ace Steve Lannan put the final nail in the coffin as the next batter grounded to third to end the game and close the book on another Hofbrau comeback.

"Deep down I knew we were going to win," Jim Dennis said after the game, "but I can't believe what we just did." "This is what we do," Tom Fratalillo added, "it's another classic Hoffy comeback."

GAME 3 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 AT KINCAIDE. TIME TBA

Bosse's Bombs Deliver First Strike For Hoffy

Felix the Cat,
The wonderful, wonderful cat!
Whenever he gets in a fix,
He reaches into his bag of tricks!

Team Hoffy came from behind once again to win its 26th consecutive contest with a 19-5 win over arch-rival Malachy's to take the first game of the QML best of seven finals.

Playing without Nelly, Steve Yocco, Mike Yocco and Keith McCray, the three-time defending champs came out flat, mustering only 3 hits in the first three innings and trailing 5-2. But in true Hoffy style, they reached into their bag of tricks and came alive in the 4th inning, sending 14 batters to the plate, charged by a grand slam from Jon Bosse (wearing someone's #25 as opposed to his usual 17), the first of two home runs on the night for Bosse. After Bosse's slam, Dave Brolin, Greg Harper and Ramon hit consecutive singles before The Game knocked in 2 with a double. Glen Bosse kept the inning going with a walk, which set up a 2-run triple by Jim Dennis.

Ramon and The Game fought through injuries to provide the offensive and defensive stability that Hoffy relied as part of its arsenal.

Fireballing pitcher Steve Lannan shut Malachy's down the rest of the way. Hoffy put up 7 insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th on nine more hits, including a 2-run bomb from Jon Bosse. In all, five Hoffy starters had at least three hits, including a 4-4, 4 rbi night from Jim Dennis and a 3-4, 6 rbi performance from Jon Bosse.

"That's what this team is all about," McCray said. "The minute you think you have us...you don't."

NOTE: For those wondering, the Felix insignia above is the U.S. Navy insignia for the VF-31 Tomcatters squadron from 1948. The squadron motto is "We get ours at night".

GAME 2 FRIDAY NIGHT, 6:30 P.M. KINCAIDE FIELD