The Gilliam Blog - All the Blog While Its Blog

The Gilliam Blog - All the Blog While Its Blog
GILLIAM BROTHERS CARRY BIG STICKS FOR MARTIN TEAMS

In Fridays early game at the Martin, TN Baseball Complex, Cooper Moss Gilliam lead his General Supply team with 3 RBI's in an exciting 9-8 loss. Gilliam, a magnificiant utility player, performed well behind the plate even though his technique of crouching to the side of the plate and holding his mitt in a horizantal position was ususual at best. It is suspected that this was due to a previous game in which Gilliam caught a bad bounce in an unprotected area and, as told to this reporter by his father, he slowly toppled over like a statue. This is probably why this utility player prefers his pitching position on the team. In spite of his lack of enthusium for his role as catcher, his coaches were very complimentary of his quickness in getting rid of his helmet to prepare for plays at the plate. In his first at bat, Gilliam topped the ball which bounced in front of the plate and exploding toward first base beat out the throw with a step to spare driving in one run. In the third inning, facing a full count, Gilliam dug in, cocked his bat, and ripped a hard line drive between the first and second basemen which made it to the fence. Running like the wind, Gilliam sped around the bases and having missed third base and going back for the tag he still rambled in for his first inside the park home run of the season bringing in two more runs for his team. For his third at bat, which was temporarily delayed while he tied his shoestring at home plate----bringing back memories of his Uncle Mike who often experienced this problem in his younger playing days--- "Coop", as he is known in baseball circles, scorched a hard grounder to first and due to his speed was narrowly put out on a close play. In an interview after the game his grandfather, Ralph "Crazylegs" Gilliam was practically speechless. The senior Gilliam remarked that he never played the sport but always felt that "If you can't be an athlete--be an athletic supporter."

In a nightcap game in Dresden, home of former Governor Ned McWherter, formerly Ned Ray McWherter, and site of the area's annual Iris Festival which has been attended by those globe trotting Mike & Lisa Gilliam's, Sumner Cultra Gilliam picked up where his younger brother left off in an earlier skirmish and helped lead his Martin Farm Credit team to a 11-5 win with 4 RBI's with good hitting and excellent baserunning. Gilliam's first at bat was a slow roller which never made it out of the infield but due to his lightning speed, he beat it out safely and drove in his first run of the night. In the top of the third, Gilliam ripped a hard hit grounder to the first baseman which he narrowly missed beating out but drove in his second run in the process. In the fifth inning with the home team trying to muster a comeback, Gilliam lofted a nice high hit over the shortstop's headwhich brought in 2 more runs. While the late Pee Wee Reese of the Brooklyn Dodgers who later was co-announcer with Dizzy Dean would have referred to this type hit as " a little Texas Leaguer" , this reporter saw it more as "a big Alaskan Leaguer." His grandfather was so impressed with his sterling play that he "sprung" for a Big Mac Combo on their way home.

Above: Contemplating the $7.25 Budweiser

We had a great, emotionally and spiritually charged visit to the new crib of the Redbirds. We saw a 1-0 loss to the Reds, in what was the ultimate pitcher's duel.
The Ballpark has a great feel already and the skyline view is fabulous. Note to Mike: St Louis is still filled with ugly women.
We started the evening off with the obligatory pregame meal at Charlie Gitto's.....the Linguine Sciliatta was exceptional. Alas, Charlie was in the building for our early dinner...scuttlebutt has it that he may be in Chi town for a mob boss meeting.
Stayed at the Millenium Riverfront where I scored a $69 rate...plus $16 to park - but the rooms were very nice and had a great view of the Tums building.
Saturday morning we visited "The Hill" in search of Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiolo's birthplace...no luck. However, we ran across a quaint little Italian bakery where canoli and ricotta puffs were available....this is a must stop from now on.
Mike Shannon's new restaraunt is in the building due west of the old Marriott..now a Hilton...looks pretty neat and they have an outdoor bar as well.
We still need to get a date for the family trip....tickets will be tough but yours truly is now a member of the Prime Seat Club....a very august group with very high standards for membership-----a $35 contribution!

Sumner and the Jets?
Boys Gone Wild?
Spring Break 2012 Preview?
...........

With the announcement by Russ and Jacqueline of an expectant fifth child -- a modern-day Gilliam family record -- there has been some obvious talk of how the growing family's transportation needs will be met during the next few years. Any of the family's current roster of three minivans will be unable to provide comfortable ridership. So brands like Dodge, Ford, and Chrysler are being replaced by names like International Harvester, Peterbilt, and Carpenter Bus as Russ and Jac ponder their vehicular options for the next couple of decades. While Jac is content for a late model "short bus" from Laidlaw, Russ has dared to dream of more unique options. Herein lies the Top Ten Vehicles on Russ' Wish List For His Growing Family . . .

Number 10: Stretch Hummer - Nothing screams Republican like a Hummer. And Russ will be able to mix his political platform with a vehicle that will accommodate his ever growing family as well as a few of their closest friends.

Number 9: Stretch IROC-Z - With only four short years until he obtains his driver's license, Sumner envisions himself at the helm of this 1980s classic. Cruising the Sonic will never be the same.

Number 8: Stretch Mini-Cooper - Russ' number two son is lobbying hard for consideration of this roadster being added to the family's stable of cars.

Number 7: Stretch PT Cruiser - A possible selection as a tribute to Mama Nan who always fancied herself in a PT Cruiser. She may get that chance with 5 others in tow.

Number 6: 4-Wheel Drive Stretch Lincoln - Ever the thoughtful husband, Russ is considering this vehicle for his wife to drive. . . .wayward deer along Templeton Road will be able to scamper through underneath the car unscathed.

Number 5: Stretch Corvette - As Russ rapidly approaches the big 4-0, he will be looking for some new sexy machinery to replace his rapidly failing one.

Number 4: Stretch VW Bus - This will fulfill Pop's lifelong quest, fueled by numerous trips to Dyersburg, of driving a VW Bus with the added bonus of taxiing his grandkids around greater Weakley County.

Number 3: Stretch Mustang - A favorite of Sydney Gilliam, but panned by her aunt Lisa and uncle Chris as desecrating an automotive institution.

Number 2: Stretch Pacer - This futuristic 1970s behemoth could be in Russ' future some 30 years after a slightly shorter DL model was unattained and substituted with a yellow Sunbird.

The Wienermobile. While the thought of Russ toting his family around in a Wienermobile is somewhat, well, a stretch, Russ sees this mode of transportation as a way for folks to stop taking him so seriously.