I know there's have been a lot of weird stuff on this blog and even some downright lies, but you're going to have to trust me on this

CONCORD -- The Muckrakers are in first place.

Got a nice ring to it, don't it?

Best of all, it's actually true. The much-maligned media-driven softball aggregation went out and won its first game of the season, in comeback style yet, downing Loaded 6-3.

Therefore, having played one game, and having won it, one takes on the status of undefeated, ergo, first place, top of the heap, cock of the walk, second to none. If you can make it here you can make it anywhere.

Not that we're getting carried away or anything.

As for the particulars, it was a cold and windy evening as the 'Rakers made their exalted return to Willow Pass Park. The weather made Candlestick feel as warming as the pits of hell. Therefore, offense was at a premium, especially early, as neither team scored through the first three innings.

Then in the top of the fourth, Loaded went and scored three runs to take what seemed like a commanding 3-0 lead.

But the Muckrakers were just warming up. Chris Wagnon started it off with a wind-tortured single, and Dave Taxier was safe on an error. Dwayne Giron kept things going with a hit. 'Raker rookie Todd Perlman forever endeared himself to his teammates by breaking the ice and driving in a pair of runs with his base hit. Mike Gale, Dave Alcorn and fellow Muckster rook Dre Thurston also followed with hits, resulting in a five-run splurge and a two-run lead.

The scrappy Mucksters even nailed it down in the sixth by adding one more run, as Alcorn walked, advanced on Thurston's third hit of the fray, then scored on Mat Petersen's base hit.

All in all, the opener couldn't have gone any better or been any colder. What can the league-leading (we'll never get tired of saying that) Muckrakers do for an encore -- forge a winning streak? Stay tuned.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME
Todd Perlman -- Donated his hamstring dashing to first base. Delivered a key blow in his initial outing with the squad.

Dre Thurston -- Probably had no idea how bad the team's record was last league when he agreed to join. Slugged three hits in his debut and made a key running catch of a Loaded drive when it looked like they were about to make their move.

Mat Petersen -- Fine pitching performance in near-hurricane conditions. Practically a one-man infield in playing flawless defense, stopping several Loaded grounders and comebackers.