THE BIRTH OF THE "NAT"

In retrospect, there did seem to be something very different in the air at The Common on the night of July 7, 2000. He was already a legend, the softball gods having seen fit to bless the MSESL with someone who could only be from that famous place called parts unknown. Why the MSESL and no other softball league? To this day that remains one of modern times most troubling and deepest mysteries. But on this night the softball gods would strike again, as this legend, this old, grizzled  veteran, this sage who possessed wisdom and knowledge far beyond his years would join the Motor Pool Renegades and proclaim that it was he who was delivered to lead this downtrodden, wayward and rudderless ship to MSESL immortality. And on that very first night after several years in softball mothballs, Miller, as he was still known at the time, went 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored, a homer and 5 rbi, sold popcorn, took tickets, pitched 3 scoreless innings and finished the night signing autographs for his adoring fans. But it was on this night that the legend was truly born. For it was after his towering shot into the right field bleachers as Miller was rounding third that flummoxed Bison manager Brett Loosian looked toward Rochie and asked; "What's up with that?" And without hesitation, Rochie turned toward the rest of his stunned teammates and said, "that my friends must be "The Natural." And since that fateful night, "The Natural" has both amazed and sometimes befuddled us with his on and off field exploits. Below are some of "The Nat's more eloquent and touching musings.

 MILLER'S MUSINGS

"The Natural's" ode to the 2006 Motor Pool Renegades

Once upon a time, in Mudville, there did exist a group of men who
had a dream of willing themselves to the top of the heap.

With a laidback smile, the always accommodating coach, maintained
their focus, their drive and their destiny.  He would always say, "Alright
now, take your time, let's not throw it away..." and other awe inspiring
snippets of unrelenting motivation.  Of course, all great ball clubs
start from the top down, so it was with Coach Loosian, this pundit's
nomination for coach of the year, heck, coach of the decade, awe, wtf,
coach of the century, 'nuff said.

This band of merry men had their way with the softball goddesses, and
now she has the trophy and most likely is polishing it right now!  As
Mr. Jackie Gleason would espouse, "How Sweet (water) it is!"
Memories of a horizontal Ko, a towering shot by Bags, a fire plug
named Clemmie and an Iron man on the rail, Rochie.

Then there was that catch in RF on the top of the seventh that snuffed
the surging H&S and of course the walk off Granny.

The outfield was made up of various stallions, cheetahs and pumas,
leaping and running down fly balls and tossing out not-so-fleet footed
base runners.  From Chopper, Meegs, Vince, Mahoney, Gordy and Tom H.,
and a host of rotating fielders, all helped the cause.

The infield had similar like minded individuals with leather that
leaped and bounded, blocking holes and turning DP's.  Bags, Ko, 'Tastemaster'
Cheney, Clemmie, Rochie and the stalwart, Brownie, this years best of the Bison!

And the surprise of the season was the man, the gorilla, who stepped
up, to the mound, when others couldn't (or wouldn't) Whitey, hat's off to
all, those who would play catcher, then outfield, then second, it just didn't matter.

To all of the senior members of the notorious Renegades, from Gendall,
"Everetts Mind" Norian, Adam and Chuck, to Carol, Murph and Rico, the
mentors like Brian, Gill and Leung, to those who have gone to other
pastures to graze in Renegade Retirement such as McInerney, Splaine,
Hoyer, Dempsey, Deverix, Gerber and Vallis, and to those who added
their skills on a part time basis such as DelVecchio, Huchabee, Mrs. G.,
Ditrovich, Fickett, Schlenker, Isaac, Rabito, Ramirez, Romeo, Taylor,
MacDonald and Rozanne Compercchio, also Kate Clemmie, Dave Commerford,
Scott Bessler and even Larry Cash, and those we'd like to forget,
Flynnie, all have contributed to the ever expanding legacy, known in
Mudville, as the Renegades, and their destiny, as Champions.

Congratulations to one and all, let's do it again next year,
Yours in Mudville, Al "The Nat" Miller

(my apologies to any I've left out (intentionally, or not)

Highway Structures in 2005:

Many years ago in a galaxy far, far away, there once existed an alien race of Neanderthal, feared by most, but ultimately tamed by an equally feared race of man- beast, known to interstellar travelers as Renegades but reveled as heroes  amongst the Bison seen roaming the galaxies and alleys of forlorn planets. Now it has come to pass that the once powerful Neanderthals , having hobbled back from their crushing loss of the mighty Highlander, are determined to sidetrack the Bisons from their destiny, which is of course, 3 in 4 years! To that end we carry on to our Destiny...and to victory over the aging aliens.

On playing against Highway Structures:

Missing another game:

I'm sorry that I can't make tonight's game, however, Ellis Burks and need to continue our rehab, I hope to make a Bill Muellar-esque type return soon, good luck, Al.

Nightmares of Highland and family jewels:

My last appointment at the clinic with my Doctor is this evening, and I might add that the prognosis looks good!  My recurring nightmare of Hyland returning to pinch hit for Fitzy in the final game of the championship series, and hitting me in the family jewels, has subsided.  Playing poker with Betty and Johnny has been relaxing, however, when Rochie suggested that we play strip poker, I had to leave the table, Betty was all too game for that!

I saw Jackson the other day, he looked sleepy. I heard that Chris was eating the profits, which slowed his reflexes down a
tad while playing infield during that last loss...Was that Clements I saw in the background of that episode of "This Old
House".  It looked like he was standing in a bucket of paint, or was it spackle?

The news that Johnny Gendall has stopped working at the Comedy Connection and is back on the bench to do his sit down routine was great news here at the clinic, he has a large following here, in fact, people here just about follow anyone who doesn't dribble when they speak.

Well, my return to the lineup will be postponed one more game, I had hoped to make my '04 debut this Thursday, however, once I leave the clinic, I will be going to New Hampshire for some pre-release indoctrination.  Next week I should be able to rejoin the population and the following week, I'll be seen
at the Common, under supervision, of course.

On opening night:

Good job, Brett with the opening of Spring Training.  Unfortunately, prior commitment for tonight, I'll miss the second game of Spring Training.  Would love to tee off against the Creator of the Renegades, Mr. Mike "Serve 'em up" Fitzgerald.  No history lessons today, but the Bridge team has been spotted getting their knees dirty on the diamond over on Boston Common! Rumor has it that they discovered the secret of the Arc, desire.  Too bad, they still have the same group of wannabes...

With Brett on the mound, Jackson threatening to show and Team Landry in the wings, you would think it was already the 4th of July on the Esplanade.  All we'll need is a Norian fly by...

As it stands now, I'll catch up with y'all on the 15th.

Best of Luck, Nat..