BISON NEWSIt'll End by the Dirty Water
September 28, 2012...For the first time in a long time, the MSESL championship will be decided on a field other than Boston Common. Game 3 of the finals which started on Thursday September 20th at the Common will be completed on Wednesday night October 3rd at Ebersol Field at 7:00 PM. The decisive third game was suspended after three innings when the lights at the Common failed to come on. Parsons Brinckerhoff had the upper hand on the Bisons, holding a 9-4 lead. The series thus far has been about comebacks. PB won the series opener 18-15 after trailing 8-0 while the Bisons stayed alive in game two with a 20-17 win after trailing early by a score of 9-4. Loosian's Boys of Summer will have to come back once more if they are to win their second straight title and 7th championship overall while Parsons will be in the driver's seat with a 5-run lead with just four innings to play as they seek their first ever MSESL championship.
Game 3 Suspended After 3
September 21, 2012...In what will more likely go down as the longest MSESL playoff series ever, last night's decisive game three at the Common was suspended after three innings after the lights failed to come on with PB leading the Bisons 9-4. The game, already off to a rocky start when no umpire showed, will be continued at a later date and will pick up in the top of the fourth with PB leading 9-4. Parsons wasted little time getting command of this one after they rocked the Bisons with 6 runs in the top of the first inning. The Renegades got their four runs on RBI singles in the first from James Arredondo and Paul Lamarre and a 2-run triple in the second from Matt Norian. Game three is likely to be continued at Ebersol Field, however no date has been set as yet.
2012 Title on the Line Tonight at the Common
September 20, 2012...The 2012 MSESL title will be decided tonight at the Common. Not since October of 2001 when Highway Structures defeated Motor Pool 11-2 has there been a deciding Game 3 in the MSESL Finals. The Motor Pool Renegades will be looking for their 2nd straight title and 7th overall while Parsons Brinckerhoff will be attempting to win their first ever league title. The series has been evenly matched thus far. Parsons overcame an early 8-0 deficit in the series opener to defeat the Bisons 18-15 but the Renegades bounced back with a comeback of their own in game two as they rallied from a 9-4 deficit to defeat Parsons 20-17 and extend the series to a third and deciding game. The Common has been kind to the Bisons throughout their playoff history. The Renegades have won all six of their previous titles there. Larry Keegan is expected on the mound for Parsons while post season veteran Al "The Natural" Miller will be on the hill for the Bisons.
Bisons Lose Game 1 After Blowing 8-Run Lead But Stay Alive With Gritty Game 2 Win
September 14, 2012...It was a long night at the Common and when the dust finally settled, there would be no champion to be crowned. After a disappointing game one loss, the Renegades rallied in the nightcap for a 20-17 win to force a third and deciding game next Thursday back at the Common. The Bisons blew an 8-0 lead in the opener as PB rallied and went on to defeat the Renegades 18-15. Parsons, looking for their first ever MSESL title, appeared poised to raise the trophy for the first time after jumping out to a 9-4 lead after two in the second game. However, Bison bats awoke just in time and Loosian's Boys of Summer executed their own comeback and gutted out a gritty 20-17 win in the nightcap to set up a winner take all game three next Thursday night back at the Common. Down 10-6 after three, the Renegades got back in the swing of things rallying for 6 runs in the top of the 4th inning to take a 12-10 lead. Mike Roberts came through in a big way for the Bisons smacking three homers, including two bombs in the nightcap to lead the Renegade comeback. Once the Bisons took the lead, their offense kept the pressure on PB as they extended their lead to 20-11 entering the bottom of the 7th. PB put a bit of scare into the Bisons after they rallied with six runs in the bottom of the 7th, but the Renegades hung on for the 20-17 win to force a deciding game three next Thursday night.
Finals Open Tonight at the Common
September 13, 2012...The 2012 MSESL Finals will open tonight at the Common. The best of three series will open with a doubleheader since dates are limited for the rest of September. This year will mark the 4th straight season the Bisons will be in the finals and 11th time in the past 15 years. The Renegades will be gunning for their 7th league title while Parsons Brinckerhoff, who entered the league in 2007 is in the finals for the first time. The Renegades made their first finals appearance in 1998 and are 6-4 all time with the title on the line. In that first finals series in '98, the Bisons were swept by Highway Structures in two games. In the first game of that series, the underdog Bisons carried a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the 6th against heavily favored Structures before Highways rallied with 6 in the bottom of the 6th and one more in the seventh to defeat Loosian's Boys of Summer 7-6 in a heartbreaker. The Renegades got back to the finals in 2001 but lost again to Highways, this time in 3 games. Motor Pool finally broke through and won their first league title in 2002 when they defeated FHWA in two straight. Since then, Loosian's Boys of Summer have added five more titles and will be looking for a 7th beginning tonight at the Common.
Renegades Eliminate Rats
September 6, 2012...The Renegades have reached the MSESL Finals for the 4th straight season and the 11th time in the past 15 years after defeating the scrappy Allston Rats 19-13 last night at the Common. The Bisons will now take on the winner of the PB/Dark Horse game to to be played tomorrow night at the Common. Early on it appeared the Bisons would win this one going away after they posted 16 runs over the game's first two innings for a 16-5 lead. The Rats, however, settled down nicely, holding the Renegades to just three runs the rest of the way, but in the end were unable to overcome the early Renegade offensive. The Rats did close within 16-10 after scoring five runs in the top of the third, but the Bisons answered with two of their own in the bottom of the inning for an 18-10 lead. From that point, pitching and defense took over as both teams combined for just four more runs. Scott Brown led another balanced Renegade attack with 4 hits while Paulo DaCosta and John Roche had three hits apiece.
First Place to Bisons
August 29, 2012...The Renegades capped off another successful season, albeit a shortened one with a convincing 20-11 win over the Dark Horses last night at Ebersol Field. The win clinched first place for the Bisons as they finished the 2012 season with a 12-2 record. The Bisons will await the winner of the game between the Allston Rats and Maintenance play-in game to determine who they will face in the semifinals. The Bisons easily outraced the Horses in this one, galloping to a 13-0 lead after three and a half before the Horses got on board with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Renegades were once again led by a balanced offense as they banged out 31 hits in the rout. Seven Bisons had three hits or more and nine Renegades had at least 1 RBI. Mike Roberts had the only homer of the night as he connected for his second long ball of the season with a long towering 3-run blast in the seventh. Al Miller went the distance to pick up his 4th win of the season.
On
the Lookout Once More
August 22, 2012...The Renegades announced after the game that rookie Paulo DaCosta will remain a Renegade. DaCosta had been tearing it up in the Southern League with the Chattanooga Lookouts but long time Lookout skipper Roger Norian has proclaimed him ready for the Bisons. DaCosta will replace Cory Burrall who announced last week that he is taking his talents to Vermont.
Bisons Defeat Maintenance 20-7
August 22, 2012...The Renegades improved to 11-2 after blasting Maintenance 20-7 last night at Ebersol Field. Al Miller led a well balanced Renegade offense with a 4 for 4 night while, Matt Norian, John Roche, James Arredondo and Paulo DaCosta all had 3 hits apiece.
It's Getting Close to Miller Time
August 22, 2012...You know the leaves are about to change and cool, crisp nights on the Common are just around the corner when "The Natural" brings out the side arm fosh ball. The Nat had a bit of a jump in his step last night as playoff time approaches. In the final two innings of last night's game against Maintenance Miller dusted off his sidearm tosses resulting in some rather befuddled looks from Maintenance batters.
Bisons Drop Into Second
August 8, 2012...The Renegades fell into 2nd place after dropping a 20-13 decision to PB last Monday night at the Common. The undermanned Bisons played with just 8 players but jumped out to an early 7-1 lead and still led 10-9 after three before PB got their bats going and outscored the Bisons 11-3 over the game's final 4 innings. Al "The Natural" Miller was back on the hill for the Bisons and pitched well despite the loss. Mike Roberts' 3-run inside the park homer in the first got the Bisons off to a quick 3-0 lead and after PB scored one in the bottom of the first, the Renegades increased their lead to 7-1 in the 2nd on a Roberts SAC fly, a 2-run Lamarre double and an RBI double from John Roche. After Parsons took an 8-7 lead with 7 runs in the bottom of 2nd, the Bisons took their final lead of the night with 3 in the top of the 3rd on a Roberts run scoring single and a 2-run Lamarre triple. But the Bison offense stalled over the next three innings and would not score again until the 7th when Lamarre doubled in Roberts for his 5th RBI of the night and Roche followed Lamarre's two bagger with his second homer of the year. The Boys of Bison will be back on the diamond next on Tuesday August 21st when they face Maintenance at Ebersol Field.
Bisons Hang On
August 1, 2012...Ben Gunther's outstanding backhanded over the shoulder catch for the game's final out ended an Allston Rats 7th inning comeback bid in the mist at Ebersol Field last night. Gunther's grab helped preserve an 18-16 Bison win as the Renegades improved to 10-1 and pulled into a first place tie with Parsons Brinckerhoff. The Renegades faced a much different Allston Rats team than the one they saw back on opening night in May when they exterminated the Rats 46-15 at Smith Field.
The Boys of Bison took an 18-11 lead into the top of the seventh before the Rats of Allston made things very interesting. Five Rats scampered across the plate cutting the Renegade lead to 18-16 and with two outs, and the tying runs on base, came within inches of tying the game before Gunther dashed their hopes with his clutch snare in deep left center. James Arredondo cranked his second grand slam of the season. Arredondo’s blast was his team leading 5th homer of the year. Paul Lamarre hit his 2nd homer of the year while John Roche went deep for his first of the season.
Down 8; Bisons Score 9 in 7th for Comeback Win
July 21, 2012...You can add this one to the collection of improbable Renegade comeback wins. The Bisons trailed 19-11 to undefeated Parsons Brinckerhoff entering the bottom of the 7th last night at Marine but rallied with 9 runs to stun Parsons for a 20-19 win. The comeback was capped off with a 2-out walk off grand slam by James Arredondo. Arredondo's blast was a no doubter as he rocketed a frozen rope to deep left center off PB hurler Larry Keegan who kept the Bisons in check until faltering in the seventh.
PB appeared to have the game won a batter earlier when PB's shortstop made a terrific backhand stab of a Paul Lamarre grounder deep in the shortstop hole but his errant throw to force Maria Batista at third base kept the rally alive and set up Arredondo's dramatic game winning blast. The win puts the Bisons in sole possession of first place. Barring any further schedule changes, the Renegades will next play on Wednesday August 1st at the Common against the Allston Rats.
Denim Dave Gets a Workout
July 10, 2012...Wide left, wide right, too high, too low, balls were flying all over the place at the first base bag last night as Bison defenders had a rather difficult time throwing out Maintenance base runners. The unfortunate recipient of those wayward tosses was Bison first baseman "Denim" Dave Blodgett. Blodgett, a long time MSESL veteran with previous stints as a member of Highway Structures and Maintenance, was inked to an emergency 3-hour contract with the Bisons yesterday morning. Blodgett showed up at Smith gloveless, seemingly expecting a rocking chair kind of a night as a new Renegade. But much to the chagrin of Denim Dave, a rocking chair night it wasn't. Blodgett spent most of the night sprawled on the dry, parched, dusty Smith infield trying to get a glove on several throws that were nowhere close to the veteran softballer. Blodgett did chip in with a single and an RBI in four plate appearances and was named the team's defensive star of the night for his gallant efforts. Bison treasurer Tom DiPaolo will attempt to fund the cleanup of Blodgett's crisp new denims once a cleaning bill is presented.
Ebersol Back in Play
June 25, 2012...After a 15-year absence, the MSESL will return to Ebersol Field. The league last played scheduled games there in 1997 when the park was known as Lederman Field at Charles Park. Tomorrow night, one of the league's oldest teams, Maintenance will take on the Greenway, one of three new teams to debut in the MSESL this season. The park has undergone a multi million dollar renovation that includes a new drainage system, new sod and a state of the art lighting system. For those players still in the league who once played there, the new field will bear little to no resemblance to what it looked like 15 years ago.
The Renegades will play at Ebersol on Tuesday August 14th also against the Greenway and will finish their season there against the Dark Horses on Tuesday August 28th.
Bisons Hand Horses First Loss of Season
June 22, 2012...The Renegades climbed into sole possession of first place after defeating the previously undefeated Dark Horses 17-10 Wednesday night at the Common. James Arredondo hit his 3rd homer of the year and Cory Burrall hit his second long ball of the season to lead a 22-hit Bison attack. The ageless Al "The Natural" Miller went the distance on a hot, steamy night to pick up his second win of the season.
The Bisons broke open a 12-7 game with a 5-run 5th inning rally to put away a very competitive Dark Horse team which is led by former Renegade Scott Manning. The Renegades will next take the field when they take on another MSESL newcomer Greenway next Friday night at Foss Park in Somerville.
New Look to Bisons
May 20, 2012...Unfortunately time marches on and with the passage of time does come changes. Long time Bison player-manager Brett "Jimy" Loosian will be missed after announcing his retirement during last year's break-up party. Also recently learned that because of work requirements, John Megan, one of the best hitters in Bison history is doubtful for the 2012 season. All of Bison Nation extends their best wishes to both Brett and Meegs.
Marine and Ebersol in the fold; New teams possible
March 24, 2012....The league recently learned that permits have been granted once again for Marine Park in South Boston for the upcoming season. The big news however is that the MSESL will be returning to Ebersol Field (Charlesbank Park) for the first time in 15 years. The City of Boston permits were filed early and the City normally lets the league know sometime in early to mid April how many dates and fields were granted. League commissioner Maria Batista has also reported that at least one new team is quite possible for the 2012 season and another has expressed interest as well.
Loosian wins 2011 Besotted Bison; Hangs up spikes
November 1, 2011...Brett Loosian won his second
Besotted Bison Award
and then announced shortly after that he was calling it a career.
Loosian won the award during last Friday's team break-up party at
Sweetwater.
Loosian’s steady hand has guided the Renegades to championship glory
with 6 titles in the past 10 years. There was nobody more unselfish and
more of a team player than Brett during his Renegade career which often
saw him sacrificing at bats and playing time for others. A solid player,
Brett played several positions including catcher, second base and
pitcher. He was no slouch at the plate as well as he contributed his
fair share of clutch hits during many a Bison rally. However, the grind
and pressure of managing the high profile Bisons has finally taken its
toll. Expect no shortage of candidates for the highly coveted position.
Loosian will take part in the interview process and said he expects to
begin narrowing the field of job seekers by Thanksgiving.
Break-Up
Party Planned for October 28th
October 19, 2011...The 2011 championship party at Sweetwater over two weeks ago was not quite enough. Team management announced today that the Bisons will have a break-up party next Friday night October 28th back at Sweetwater. If you didn't quite get the joy of the 2011 championship celebration out of your system on the night of October 3rd, then head over to Sweetwater a week from this Friday night to celebrate a return to Bison glory.
The Tradition Resumes
October 7, 2011...As far as championship celebrations go, last Monday's Bison Octoberfest at Sweetwater ranks right up there with any of the previous 5 title parties. The Bisons, after a 4-year absence have reclaimed the top of the MSESL heap and did so in style by knocking off their arch rival and 2-time defending champion Bridge Rebels. For some long time Bisons, the feeling was especially sweet as the celebration brought back memories of past Bison glory. End of the year championship gatherings were the norm for the Renegades between 2002-2007 when they claimed the title 5 times in a 6 year period. Click here for the 2011 Motor Pool Renegade team photo
Bisons
win 6th MSESL Title
October 3, 2011.....The Motor Pool Renegades won their 6th league title and first since 2007. A scrappy bunch of Bisons scored runs in every inning on their way to a championship clinching 15-13 win over the 2-time defending champion Rebels. It was the first title for the Renegades since 2007 and they celebrated the 2011 championship season once more with a break-up party back at Sweetwater last Friday night.
One For the Aged
October
4, 2011....With over 70 years of combined experience in the MSESL, this
title was especially sweet for long time Bisons Al Miller, Brett Loosian,
John Roche and John Megan. Hoping for at least one more Sweetwater
blowout after their last title in 2007, the Bisons got their wish last
night with another nail biter of a win over the 2-time defending
champion Bridge Rebels.
MEEGS Grinds it Out
October
4, 2011...Manager Brett Loosian was hoping to play Bison slugger John
Megan in the outfield last night but after completing a marathon in New
Hampshire over the weekend, Meegs was having a difficult time just
walking. But in true Bison form, he sucked it up, played second where he
made a couple of terrific defensive plays and had quite a night at the
plate going 3 for 4 with 2 homers. Meegs' over the shoulder running
catch in short right for the game's final out came after a 2-run blast
pulled the Rebels to within just 2 runs.
Bisons edge Rebels 12-10 in Finals Opener
September 28, 2011 The Motor Pool Renegades won their first MSESL final game since 2007 after defeating the Bridge Rebels 12-10 last night at the Common. The Bisons gained control early, taking a 6-1 lead after plating 6 runs in the bottom of the first inning. They increased their lead to 10-2 but watched as the Rebels tallied 8 runs in the top of the 5th to knot the score at 10-10. The Renegades quickly regained the lead,scoring twice in the bottom of the inning and then held on, shutting down the Rebels over the final two innings with some flashy glove work. The Rebels put runners on in the top of the 7th, but saw the game end in dramatic fashion, when with one out, John Roche snagged a liner at second and then threw to first baseman Scott Brown to double off a Rebel runner who wandered just a bit too far off the bag.
Bison Belly Dancers?
September
28, 2011...Mike Clements has long lobbied the Bison front office for
cheerleaders. Unfortunately, the front office has never warmed to the
idea. But could the immediate future bring Bison belly dancers? A few
Renegades liked the idea so much that they decided to hold their own
tryouts on Monday night following the Bisons' 11-3 win over Maintenance.
Thankfully the tryouts did not last long because what was put on display
was not only not too pretty but rather quite disturbing.
Archie Joins the Post Game Show
September 28, 2011...Scott
"Archie" Manning made his maiden voyage into the deceit, deception and
debauchery that is the Bison post game experience following Monday's
semi final win over Maintenance. Archie held up quite well before waning
as the Boys headed for the Water. Manning found himself on the receiving
end of several direct verbal hits from "The Storm", but soon went on the
offensive with some pointed verbal shots of his own. Remarkably, some of
those shots "quieted The Storm even for just a few brief moments of
glorious tranquility.