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The Title, the Savior and the King
Rockets gear up for the home stretch
By Aviator McShadeless / Rakeville Times
Is this the greatest week in Rakeville History? That is question many will be asking themselves in the coming days as the EHCC’s leading club revs up for the final month of the season.
On the heels of a dramatic, ninth-inning win over blood rival Bridgewater that may have clinched the Eastern Division, Rivertown fans found out that Nomar Garciaparra would be returning to the Rockets after a three month stay on the disabled list. The preseason savior pulled his groin running out of the batter’s box in April, and has been in Stackerville rehabbing since. While utility-man Felipe Lopez has stepped in and played at an elite level, team officials will be glad to have Garciaparra back in the lineup.
“We don’t have to rush him back,” said Jack Reed. “[Lopez] has played so well this season, that there is really no need to put Nomar into the lineup until we feel he is ready to contribute. The offense, as a whole, has been excellent this year and Nomar is one of those added bonuses come playoff time that can put us over the top.”
To add to the excitement, Reed also announce that Rakeville’s top minor league prospect Felix Hernandez would be starting Thursday in the MLB, and his arrival with the Rockets could happen as soon as next week.
“Ideally, we would like to have him in the rotation for our game against Quebec City,” said Pitching Coach Justin Fuller. “It will allow us to finally kill Sidney Ponson. That being said, we may just go with what we have until we can see him for a few starts. I think we are all concerned about his ability to handle EHCC batters and how well he was recovered from his recent shoulder injury.”
These two activations could cause roster problems for the Rockets, but with five closers on the roster (most among all EHCC teams) and their decision to kill Sidney Ponson, Reed should find it easy to accommodate them.
“It is almost hard to breath here,” said Hannaford Griffen, a shop owner on Daulson Street. “The team is on such a good roll we don’t know what to do. I don’t want to jinx it by getting overly excited. I am just nervous all the time.”
Those sentiments are being felt all around Rakeville, knowing that even with a bye in the first round, the EHCC playoffs have never been kind to the Rockets.
“One bad week can fuck it all up,” said Pedro Martinez, one of two players that have suffered with Rakeville fans since 2001. “The regular season means nothing. All of my pitching means nothing. We just sit in the clubhouse with nothing to do.”
Team Notes
-- Team officials announced the signing of Lance Armstrong as the team’s condition coach. He has also been named to the Rakeville Cycling commission, which looks to expand the number of bike paths and routes through the Ville region.
-- Miguel Cabrera was rated the 5th most available bachelor in the City by Rakeville Today, with Actor Thor Welshski taking top honors.
Aviator McShadeless is a reporter for the Rakeville Times. Lately, he has gotten more flat tires than a fat man on a mini bike.
