Keeping it Leal and then some

By Ray Bloggo
Ah, the signs of spring: fresh grass, warmth in the air - unless, of course, you're at Willow Pass Park at 9:30 p.m. in early April - and the Muckrakers scrapping and scrapping and showing promise only to come up short. But dropping a 22 spot on a playoff-caliber team? And not only that, but coming away with a W? What in the name of Bob Leal is going on with this squad that promises to keep it Leal all year? Our 'Rakers promptly went about their business and started the season with a 1-0 mark while possibly serving notice to the rest of the league. All this while keeping it Leal with an Old Milwaukee postgame winning celebration.
Of course, we're talking about one game. And, to a man, the Muckrakers will serve you up the Mantra that it's a marathon, not a sprint, and one game does not a season make.
But let's analyze the first step of the marathon and see if we can gleam anything at all from this improbable start. There was the first inning, our 'Rakers drew first blood. There was the 13-spot when our Rakers took control. There were the you-score-three, we'll-score-four answers against a determined foe that wasn't without it's own share of offensive prowess. Our 'Rakers showed speed, showed power, showed timely hitting, showed defense and with cagy veteran Dave 'Tax' Taxier gutting one out on the mound, the 'Rakers have a deep pitching staff with Tax and lefty Matt 'Go Sharkies' Peterson. Youthful enthusiasm and veteran savy coupled with all the aforementioned and that, Sally, is what constitutes a contender.
But, of course, we'd be remiss to wonder if we aren't getting ahead of ourselves. After all, haven't we seen flashes of Muckraker brilliance before, only to be followed up with a multi-error, four-run we've-got-a-lot-to-work-on-but-who-brought-beers outing?
So, as far as we can tell, our 'Rakers are off to a good start, and, really, nothing else.
But there is a swagger about this team that can be an indication of where this season is headed. But the pitfalls remain. One, there is the pressure of the new corporate backing and the possibility of alienating the hardcore fans. Two, the little business of the questionable schedule imposed on our Rakers and the specter that at some time, at the worst possible moment, the Concord D League's version of the 'Tuck Rule' can bite our Muckrakers in the collective backsides.
But here we are at an early bye week with a 1-0 mark and a bright future. Provided none of our 'Rackers were serious about 'Making it rain' during the bye week, we expcet them to swagger back onto the field next week, take their hacks and take their chances.
Here's hoping the Concord D League Tuck Rule isn't innacted.
Ray Bloggo is a bitter sports columnist who graces the blog with his 'insight' from time to time.