Baseball Adventures visits Shankee Town BA

Baseball Adventures, BA bound. The Buenos Aires baseball scene is in for a real treat come April 12th, when the Baseball Adventures Team flies into town for a six game tournament against some of the Liga Metro’s most charismatic teams; among which the Buenos Aires Shankees stand out. Set to square-off at the beautiful Estadio Nacional de Beisbol on Thursday, April 19th, This will be the first time the Shankees will face another American team, and this is an event that Buenos Aires baseball fans cannot miss. Leading the way for Baseball Adventures is their veteran manager, pitcher, and DH, Dennis “Rocket” McCroskey, who has played in various countries around the globe and has over 25 years of adult baseball experience. McCroskey currently plays for the Greenwood Ridge Dragons in the Redwood Empire Baseball League in Northern California and has been a member of the Southere Calfornia Dodgertown West League since 1987. Joining him on their first ever trip to Buenos Aires, is long time teammate and coach, John “El Doctor” Stalberg. The oldest member of the Baseball Adventures Team, he hails from Beverly Hills, California where he coaches baseball and makes his living as a witch-doctor (psychiatrist). This will be El Doctor’s 14th trip with Baseball Adventures. Next up is Paul Raymond, who has been to six trips to Cuba and is no stranger to late inning heroics, having hit a 9th inning homerun to defeat a tough Cuban female team in La Habana. He is a tax attorney who enjoys playing infield and whacking the ball into a higher tax bracket. Damian Perkins, or Perkie, comes from frigid Indiana, and has played in countries including the Dominican Republic and Cuba. He is a solid all around player who can dominate in the outfield and lend a solid hand at the catching position. Devil Boy, or El Niño, as he is often referred to, is the youngest of the group and is known for his stylish attire both on and off the field. Another player eager to get out of the cold, is Michigan native Mark Foerster, who has spent many an inning playing in the always sunny and warm Central America. Foerster, a fine pitcher with gentle ways, plays in his local MSBL league and will be on the mound and patrolling the left side on the infield for this version of the Baseball Adventures Team. Next up, second baseman and outfielder, Sid Rosenblatt from Scottsdale, Arizona. Also known as “El Sid”, he plays with his local team the Scorpions, and after having recently retired from his medical practice, he is eager to see the world and play baseball everywhere. He is also expected to keep the team loose with his doctor jokes. Tim Urban, from the icy state of Wisconsin, plays 1B and OF for his local MSBL team. Urban has been on two trips to Cuba, and this is a new adventure for him. Considered a good addition to his team by McCroskey, Urban says that he is ready to rock and roll. Steve Wolf, or El Lobo, hails from the Boston MSBL and was president of the local league. “El Lobo” was quoted as saying that he will never let a fly ball drop in the outfield, and McCroskey feels good about Wolf pairing up with Perkie to patrol the outfield. Another player from the northeastern part of USA, Russell Ward out of New Hampshire area, is expected to help solidify the defense and perplex batters with his pitching. Two years ago, Ward set a Cuban record by giving up 3 straight homers on four pitches. We’ll have to wait and see how the local boys treat the MSBL hall of famer. Steve Zolotas, or "Zolo", will be on his second trip as a member of the Baseball Adventures team, although he has played on several Cuban trips and on one to China. Zolo is the president of the Ventura Country NABA league and plays first base and sometimes pitches. Last but not least, Rogelio Lara, an accountant from Miami who is a steady and multi-talented player. Lara can play infield or outfield, can pitch or catch, and can speak fluent Spanish, which makes him a vital asset to the team in Spanish speaking Buenos Aires. With the cast of characters and players from all walks of life, it surely promises to be a week of baseball like no other. Fans will be able to meet the players at the Sugar Bar, the official hangout of the Buenos Aires Shankees. Stay tuned for Baseball Adventures full schedule. Reporting for the Shankee Press, Jack Green.

train ride through the suburbs

Paul Perry is a poet, writer, actor, teacher and Shankees Baseball empressario. He shares his poetry with us from his home in Buenos Aires.

riding on a run down train.
seats torn,
floors covered in grime,
and the smell of stale sweat and piss reek from the walls.

I’m heading deep into the southern suburbs.
seemingly on route to no man’s land.
nevertheless, one simple fact still remains;
you can always find a beautiful woman on board.

it is one day after having suffered a concussion
from falling off the hammock in my living room,
and here I am,
drinking the local beer from a tall can,
and traveling on a run-down train.

I pass the rotted Riachuelo river,
as the conductor comes around collecting tickets,
punching two small holes to verify that I paid my seventy cents to ride this train. between the first and second stop the train fills up with smoke.
people from the villas are burning leaves,
garbage,
and other elements which make the inside of the train smell even worse.

my destination is a lab that makes drugs for animals.
there I must meet someone whose English level is quite good.
it is my job to verify this.
meanwhile, the train ride continues.

I see a dead chicken by the side of the tracks as I pass more villas
as I finish my first can of beer
and pull out another from my backpack.

third stop.

there is a beautiful girl sitting in front of me.
she is the one that lent me the pen to get all this down.
two cops pass by and look at me suspiciously; ME!
I can only see the back of the girl’s head
and gaze at the beauty of the color of her hair.

I smell more rotted odors.
as I pass a playground with no playing children.
the train’s whistle blows loud.
I hear a thump under the train and on the rails.
meanwhile, I look for some beauty in the back of the girl’s head.

I can only see one quarter of her face,
notice her right ear,
a small red mole,
a dark blond eyebrow and a couple of eyelashes
as she turns to look out the window.
her thin shoulder and her arm rest on the window ledge.
she looks really good.

I am a writer,
an English teacher,
a drunk and hunter of hidden beauty.
I live off what I say,
drinking from what I make,
and thriving off great shitty train rides like this.

Babe on the subway

Paul Perry is a poet, writer, actor, teacher and Shankees Baseball empressario. He shares his poetry with us from his home in Buenos Aires.

a babe on the subway

she has the hottest legs

skin golden brown

a body that seems to have been truly molded by god himself

and she stands about 2 feet from where i placidly sit.

she stands reading an instruction manual of some sort

and she wears a short blue skirt and matching high heel pumps.

her toes are perfectly proportioned so that every toe descends in perfection

and every now and then

she turns slightly to show me some more of what she has to offer some lucky guy.

i sit,

trying to read my bukowski book

but i can not concentrate

(sorry charles).

meanwhile

the subway gets more and more crowded

so i lose sight of the only beautiful thing to look at down here.

i spot her

standing behind a small mass of hanging bodies,

as miraculously

the seat next to me clears

and somehow,

as if out of a dream,

she appeared from behind the wall of drawn fabric

and sat down by my side.

she sits next to me for a couple of stations

as i think of something cool to say before it's too late.

finally

i get up the nerve to say something to her.

i turn and say;

"you got great legs"

she gives me a strange look,

gets up,

and walks away.

i never did know what to say to women.

paul perry

Baseball and BBQ this Saturday!

The Shankees are on a winning streak and 
El Tejano is stepping up to the BBQ bat.

This Saturday is guaranteed to be a beeyoutiful day for baseball in the friendly confines of Shankee Stadium in lovely Parque Roca.  Bring your favorite squeeze and mom and the kids!

WATCH THIS SPACE for info on round-trip transportation on the Shankee Shuttle from Plaza Italia ...all for your baseball pleasure an convenience!

Cheer our US expat boys of summer on to ANOTHER big win withing Buenos Aires' famed La Liga Metro ...and enjoy the full service concession stand.  Cold beer and sodas and snacks galore.

And before, during, and after the game; belly up to the parrilla and watch that Texas wildman, El Tejano, do his stuff with bbq chicken and a pork bondiola slathered in his NEW hot sauce: Locoto Ahumado!

Fans, if you haven´t tasted this award-worthy addition to the El Tejano hot sauce line-up, lemme tell ya ...you are striking-out!  It knocks pork out of the park!

So keep Saturday open for a great day at the ballpark ...and save some room for great eats and drinks.

Gooooo... SHANKEES!

Shanks turn up the heat!

Sunday, December 4^th - Parque Roca --- Clear blue skies, wings on the grill, beer, donuts, baseball, and much more on tap as the red-hot 7-5 Shankees hosted Dokdo Baseball Club at Shankee Stadium. Coming off their fourth straight win, the Shankees are looking to make team history by winning five in a row, and also achieving the most ever wins in a season with eight. The original 2008 Shankee Squad, made up of: John Harris, Jason Hermes, Andrew Terry, Randall Bass, Dave Beaton, Adam Webb, Jon Polakoff, RJ Fox, Adam Iorfida, and Nick Nogrady, won 4 straight and finished that inaugural season 6-2 and in second place behind their nemesis the Cubans. Today, it was Jimmy ‘K’ Jr. taking the mound to face the soon to be perplexed Dokdo line-up, which batted quite well the last time these two teams met in a highly disputed game that ended in a Korean victory two months ago. But this was no friendly match turned official, this was an official match turned a vengeance, and the Shanks were there to play. Jimmy K quickly struck out the side as the Shankees scored two runs off a deep single by Jon “Take my time round the bases” Cantrell, who had RBIs in every at bat. The Shankee line up dropped bombs all day, in a manner similar to their previous four games; balls sailing over the shallow 300 foot fences. “It’s a beautiful site,” stated the Shankee Skipper as he watched his line-up tear away at the opposing pitchers and his ace dominate. However, a few well hit balls by the Dokdo batters and a homerun by their skipper rattled the young pitcher out of Williams College. Jimmy K came out in the fourth and gave way to his wingman Sam Brinkley, who this weekend flew in his parents for the game. Mr. and Mrs. Brinkley were thrilled to see their son on the mound for the Shankees. “This is wonderful. We arrived this morning and we can’t believe we’re watching a baseball game in Buenos Aires,” states Sam’s mom. Sam continued to lower the curtain on the Korean batters as the Shankee hitters continued to amass runs. David Mickelsen took over for Brinkley in the top seventh and looked sharp. The righty pitcher from Boston struck out two batters and displayed good command and speed. He retired the side and the game ended on a 15 run mercy rule. The Shankees are expected to field the same team this Thursday at Shankee Stadium. Their opponent is yet to be determined, but whoever it is better watch out, these Shankees mean business. Buttermaker gameball: Jimmy K Jr, for his eleven Ks in four innings of play. Shot of Bourbon: Jonathan Cantrell, for another RBI packed day. Final Score: Shankees 20 – Dokdo 4.

For complete box scores and stats, email Shankee Press - info@shankeesbaseball.com

Shankees vs. Dokdo

Shankee press coming to you live, Wednesday Evening - Cool like the other side of the pillow - The Shankees will be at home once again to host the used-to-be buena onda Koreans of Dokdo Baseball Club. The Koreans, known for having the nicest looking uniforms in the league, have yet to put their game where their uniforms are; as the hard hitting Shankees look to tack on their fifth straight victory and pound Dokdo silly with their big bats. Coming off a 25 run foray of the somewhat depleted Cardenals, the Shankees have amassed a whopping 69 runs in their last four games, and with Jimmy K Jr. expected to take the mound, offensively, the Koreans don't stand a chance of beating the wily Expats. North Carolina native out of Chapel Hill, Jon ''take my time around the bases" Cantrell, will surely be aiming for the fences once again, as will Ruben "Rio" Bravo, and Jorge "of the Jungle' Gutierrez. Julio “The Bison” Briceño is doubtful after leaving last game with back pains. Expected back among the ranks is Jonny "Doc Slider" who despite missing the entire season, bounced one off the center field fence last week, missing a dinger by two inches. Gabo "Gabba" Perdomo, who caught a fine game last Saturday is expected back behind the plate, but with Jimmy K's tremendous heat, it's not much he will endure. David "Sucker for Peer Pressure" Mickelsen and Tyson "I'm on two hours sleep" Boulais are also expected back for another dose of Shankee ball. Tyson made a pair of spectacular catches in center field for the Shankees despite his obvious hangover. Seattle party animal Nandrin Louis will be making a comeback and looking to patrol left field, along with local favorite Pablo "My sister's getting married" Valdez. College Shortstop Zack Karson, who closed out the game on the mound in two innings of relief for Buttermaker Perry is also expected back and with this star studded cast of characters, Dokdo should be toast in five on a 15 run mercy rule. “I think we’ll be done in seven, if not five,” Skipper Paul Perry told the Shankee Press, “This’ll give us more time to hang out after the game, before the sun sets over the rainbow,” he adds. - Reporting for the Shankee Press, Jack Green . Go Shankees!

Keep Entregando

keep "entregando" *

I was riding the subway into town,

reading a news magazine,

singing a tom waits tune in my head.

not much going on

but my usual turmoil.

there was not much to look at but the neon sign that signaled the stations

they were usually out of whack,

(just like a lot of things in the city.)

there was a steady silence that blended in well

with the hum of the tracks.

the air was thick and reeked of perfume

then he walked in from the next train,

he was “entregando”.

his voice immediately shattered all silence…

his appearance captured all attention.

and he said once again, “sigo entregando”.

he walked, he yelled, selling his pens, his coloring books, his guide to city streets,

which bus you have to take to get to....

his shoes were worn and his sweater did little to cover the huge lump in his throat.

I had seen him many times before and it seemed as if each time

it was harder and harder to make his sentences understood.

but still he tried to sell his one peso army knife,

his three pairs of socks for 2 pesos,

his 5 peso ginzu knife set.

he walks by not having sold anything.

on the next train he keeps “entregando”

*keep handing out

Paul Perry

Argentina - South American Champs!

The ten-day event at the legendary Estadio Nacional de Beisbol came to an end last Saturday as the Gauchos of Argentina defeated Ecuador 5-0 in front of a record-number crowd. Argentina put on a phenomenal display of baseball throughout the entire tournament by going undefeated and allowing only two opposing runs to cross the plate. Led by solid pitching, superb defense and a power-packed line-up, they outscored their opponents by 67 runs, and thus walked off the diamond as South American Champions. Final standings: Argentina 1st, Ecuador 2nd, Brazil 3rd, Chile 4th, Peru 5th, Bolivia 6th. For all box scores and stats, visit the Liga Metro page. Reporting for the Shankee Press - Jack Green

Tournament Update!

(Jack Green - The Shankee Press) The Shankee Press coming at you today with the latest in the events taking place at the Estadio Nacional de Ezeiza.

Never before, in my ten years through the Buenos Aires Baseball circuit, I have seen so many baseball enthusiasts gathered in one place for one purpose; to watch good baseball. Six South American teams began the ten day journey down the road to victory as the best in South American Baseball. Though powerhouse Venezuela chose not to take part, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and hometown Argentina have put on quite a phenomenal baseball performance. I’m not going to get into detail, as so much has taken place thus far, but I will give you a breakdown of the scores and tasty tidbits of news from this unique tournament.

Chile and Bolivia kicked things off with Chile winning 7-4. Peru and Argentina served up the second game with a 10 – 0 blowout by the heavily favored Argentine squad. Ecuador and Brazil played the first night game at El Estadio Nacional since the 70’s. No shit! According to Shankee Press sources, the old generator was so large, noisy, and so expensive to light up, that it’s probably been 30 years since it made a night game possible. It was a most memorable moment for the baseball fans on hand. “It was incredible, seeing the Stadium illuminated from the highway was wonderful,” states Aldo Favia, one of the men behind this landmark moment for Argentina.

In a really close game that got decided in the ninth, Ecuador beat Brazil 3 – 0. Day two: Bolivia once again played the morning game, and once again kicked off day with a loss. Peru looked to bounce back after getting crushed by the Local team, and smoked their Bolivian neighbors 16-1. Argentina and Ecuador squared off, but the Argies won easily 11-1 behind solid pitching from their Cordobes pitcher Federico Tanco and hard hitting line-up.

The Shankee Skipper made his presence known as he was spotted with his son Henry working the scoreboard along the Argentine version of the Green monster. Only that this green monster is in center field, at approx 450 ft. “Only Babe Ruth could hit a homerun in this park, dad,” stated Henry Perry while hanging up a rusty, old number 5 in the second inning. “This makes for good Shankee history,” says Skipper Perry, “Not too many father-son duos working old metal scoreboards at international baseball games. Not even Visa can buy a moment like this,” he adds.

The third game of the day had Brazil facing Chile as the Stadium lights went on. Unfortunately, it was a gloomy affair for the Andean team as they got crushed 15-0. That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more news as the days unfold with a lot more baseball ahead. Chau 4 now. --- For detailed info on the games, visit the Liga Metro homepage:  http://www.beisbolmetro.com.ar

Tango in the air

tango in the air

by Paul Perry

it was in a house
on Colodrero street
I used to sit in the yard and drink bourbon
while sitting under the large ficus tree.
and as the sun went down
the sounds of a Bandolion started echoing through the leaves
and the chirping birds even seemed to stop to listen.

there was a five story building next door
which was once a factory,
that an Italian man by the name of Carmelo
turned into makeshift apartments.
and from within one of those enclosed spaces,
there was a guy who played tango melodies like Libertella.

and during the hot summer months
when the cement sidewalks burned under the southern sun,
and poverty knocked on my door,
as the smell of liver and onions lingered from my walls,
the cubes in the glass seemed to dance
and the bourbon would glow
once the moonlight wrapped the urquiza sky.

my private concert would last about an hour
and during that time
all my thoughts seemed blend in perfect harmony
with the tantalizing sounds of the bandolion.
when it was over
I would walk back into my house
and fill up the ice cube tray once again
to come back and join him tomorrow
for my momentary escape from reality

No Damn Yankee

(Paul Perry, actor, baseball manager, and poet lives and works in Buenos Aires. His published works include 'Buenos Aires: A Train Ride over the Rainbow', 'Buenos Aires Chronicles - Poetically Porteño', 'Poetically Stoned', 'Philly Poems' and 'Tales, Poemas desde el fondo de la pecera'.)

no damn yankee

by paul perry (1994)

yeah,

i'm a Yankee

but at home i listen to the Redondos,

loud

real loud,

and then i'll put on some Sumo

and Charlie

and blend it in with a little Garcia of my own;

Jerry style.

yeah i´m a yankee,

and sometimes hit BK or Mickie Dees,

but at home call me porteño,

sparking up the parilla

and whipping up those asados and choris.

yeah i´m a yankee

and grew up drinking that Bud

but at home call me porteño

drinking that Quilmes ale

or uncorking a bottle of Vasco Viejo.

yeah i'm a yankee,

and my Philly nostalgia sometimes comes along

but it's this southern backward town

the place i call home.

South American Baseball hits BA

Reporting for The Shankee Press - Jack Green

The tenth edition of the South American Baseball Championship kicks off this Saturday at the Estadio Nacional de Beisbol in Ezeiza; with Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru all looking to win the title.

The event gathers each nation’s best players and coaches, some of which have MLB experience, in a week long competition. Brazil was the first to host this South American Championship back in 1957, and defeated Argentina and Peru in a two day tournament.

Argentina, one of the founding members of the South American Baseball Confederation, won in 2004 and look to repeat in front of the local crowd. Good food, cold drinks, and a week of baseball await at the legendary Estadio Nacional de Beisbol.

Opening Ceremony at Saturday 2:00 pm. / Argentina vs. Peru 3:00 pm. Check Liga Metro homepage (www.beisbolmetro.com.ar) for full program.

Shanks - Above 500!

Reporting for The Shankee Press - Paul Perry

The Shanks are above 500.  The once 3 and 5 Shankees have climbed above 500 after their third straight victory against an absent Ferro baseball club, and now pose a serious threat to the would-be contenders of the 2011 Humberto Koike tournament; the second of the Buenos Aires baseball season.

Led by their flame throwing righty out of Williams College, Jimmy ‘K’ Jr. and backed by a solid defense and red hot line-up, the wily cast of expats are now currently in third place, behind league leaders Ciudad Jardin and Jupiter; who the Shankees crushed 14-1 two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the Koreans of Dokdo are claiming that the friendly they played three weeks ago was an official game, despite no league umpire on hand and with Coach Roach volunteering to ump from behind the pitcher. If the league indeed rules it official, it would put the Shankee record at 6-6.

However, the Shankee front office is expected to appeal the decision at this Tuesday’s league meeting, and God help the Koreans when Jimmy K takes the mound in the real game. Shankee followers may recall that the Dokdo won that scrimmage game 12-5, but only because it was a practice game.

At 6-5 technically, the Shankees are expected to travel to La Plata this Saturday, but given the start of the South American Baseball Championship starting on the same day, all league tournament activities may take a rain-check. Regardless, there is a lot of baseball action left and the Shankees look pretty damn good entering the final stretch.

Trick or treat...Shankees on a winning streak!

Saturday 2:30 PM - Parque Roca

Windy and weird -The Shankees took on the always dangerous 6-3 Tiburones of Velez this Saturday at Shankee Stadium. Unfortunately for the Tiburones, Jimmy 'K' Jr. was back on the mound; as well as most of the players from last week's romping of first place Jupiter. Though some of the Shankees looked a little ghoulish from the previous nights Halloween festivities, it didn't stop them from crossing the plate 24 times in nine full innings of play.

The Shanks went to work immediately, scoring five runs in the first inning and five in the second inning and two in the third. Adam Canadian Wonder Webb was back in action at second base and did great batting at the top of the order. Jorge 'Jungle Fever' Gutierrez was at the hot corner and rocked two doubles on the day. As for his Venezuelan counterparts, Ruben "Rio" Bravo, Gabo "Yo Gabba Gabba" Perdomo, Julio "The Bison" Briceño, and Luis "Captain Crutch" Mijares all saw plenty of action. Bravo hit a two run blast, whereas, Captain Crutch took a blast in the ribs to start a 3 run rally in the sixth.

The Argie - German left-field combo of Pablo Valdez - David Raudonat, proved effective for the Shankee Skipper, as both were productive at the plate. Though there is one less menacing bird squawking about or nestling in the outfield grass, as a baseball to the head sent it to birdie heaven. Gringo expats, Sam "Wingman" Brinkley, also had a huge day. Apart from catching 6 innings of Jimmy K's heat, he caught two innings for Julio Briceño. The Wingman hit a double, went 2-5 with 3 runs scored, 1 rb, and then pitched the tow final innings, in which gave up no hits and struck out five. Unfortunately, Sam made two costly errors on the same play which led to a huge rally by the Tiburones as the Shanks then drew blanks offensively and the resilient Tiburones battled back despite being down 15- 2.

Jonathan "2 times" Cantrell had another Mr. October day and seemed to always be on base. He sent a rocket into the soccer fields and threw out a runner at home. Tyson "Build me a mound" Boulais had two key singles. Jimmy K had a huge day offensively and was a double away from the cycle. Defensively, he once again led the way for the Shankees. By the time he left the mound in the seventh inning, there were 13 K signs hanging on the fence by the Shankee dugout. However, the winds of change blew-in hard from the West and the Tiburones scored six unanswered runs in the bottom seventh. A string of costly errors and a couple hits had the Shankee Skipper suddenly looking concerned.

"Dude, get that dead bird out of here, it's gonna haunt us for Halloween," Skipper Perry told the baseball bird slayer. Luckily for the Shankees, it would prove to be all superstition and too little too late for Velez as their bullpen faltered and the Shanks showed their poise at the plate. Nine runs in the top of the ninth put the game out of reach and led to the Shankees straight dominating performance.

This season is far from over, so opposing teams better watch out, better not cry, when the Shankees come to town. Chau 4 now, Jack Green for the Shankee Press. Buttermaker gameball: Jimmy K Jr. for his 13 K, 3 hit day. Shot of bourbon: The baseball bird slayer - may he slay no more. Final Score: Shankees 24 - Tiburones 10.

The Flask

(Please welcome our newest columnist, Paul Perry of The Buenos Aires Shankees!)It was a cold, cold morning. I stepped outside and I could quickly feel the winter in my bones. It was then that I decided to step back into the house and get that little something that would warm me up while on route to work. I didn’t want to wake-up my wife and kids sleeping snuggly in their beds so I quietly unlocked the metal garage door and headed towards a tiny wooden cabinet where I kept everyday stuff such as keys, money, ids, pens, notepads, and most importantly, the object of my desire; my flask.

I quietly crept out just as quietly as I crept in. I became accustomed to that warm sensation of bourbon on cold winter mornings back in Philly back during the late eighties, while working at the navy yard. I used to stop at the Stadium Bar before boarding the subway on Snyder Avenue. My buddy Craig would order two shots of bourbon and a cup of coffee. He did one shot before the coffee, and the other shot after the coffee. I just did two shots and skipped the coffee. These thoughts went through my mind in the early morning silence of winter. I reached for the flask and stuck it in my jacket pocket, but not before shaking it to see if it contained an adequate amount, and then untwisting the cap for a quick shot. I walked out the door, ready to brave the frigid wind blowing in from the River Plate. I got to school and shortly after boarded bus, on route to the theater to rehearse for the annual concert.

There were around forty kids, most of which were either shouting at each other or out the window at someone walking down the street. Sometimes I would catch some of them giving pedestrians the finger; something quite common I’ve come to learn. I walked down the aisle making sure they all had their seatbelts properly fastened before taking off. My mood tended to be jovial on the school bus and I normally joked or tried to be funny. I would say things like: “Ladies and gentlemen, your on-board entertainment will begin shortly, but first your stewardess will come round with complimentary snacks and drinks. We hope you enjoy your ride on the magic bus.” Some of the kids laughed, others had no idea what I was talking about.

We arrived to our destination and I helped to escort the children off the bus and into the theater as rehearsal quickly got underway. I hung my jacket on the back of a seat and got on the stage to lend a hand, but not before securing my flask snuggly inside one of the side pockets of my blue Adidas jacket with the three representative white stripes running down each sleeve. Rehearsal lasted about three hours and by that time, I was quite tired and distracted. When it was time to go, I gathered the fourth graders and led them back onto the bus.

Twenty minutes later, we reached the school and disembarked. I entered the school and suddenly realized that I had left my jacket hanging on the theater seats. “My flask, “I said to myself as I quickly left and hurried home. I got my car keys and sped back to the theater, all the while hoping my jacket was still there; I loved that flask and could really give two shits about the jacket, which I had found on the bus three weeks before. But the flask was a gift from an old friend that had been to Germany and brought it back especially for me to fill with bourbon. I reached the theater and hurried to the stage where some stage hands were putting up some props and arranging some cables.

“Hola,” I shouted up to the stage, as the workers gave no response but just a glance.
“Did anyone find a jacket by any chance?” I asked in Spanish.
“Yes, blue with white stripes?” the worker replied.
“Yes, yes!” I replied enthusiastically.
“The principle took it,” he replied as the thought of the principle finding my flask sent my heart plummeting into the hollows of my stomach.

“Ok, gracias,” I replied as I quickly got back into my van and sped back to the school; all the while thinking of what I would tell the principle, my boss, about having a flask full of bourbon in my jacket pocket, and why I had brought it to school. The obvious excuse came to mind; it had been left in my pocket and unknowingly taken to school. The perfect excuse, I thought, plus it was no crime to carry a flask, especially during the frigid winter. I reached the school and parked my van at the door.

I rang the bell and the school secretary opened the door. “Paul, the principle found your jacket and she says you can have it back, but not the flask,” she said with a grim on her face. A sense of disturbed relief came over me, noticing the comical gestures which the secretary displayed in her words. I stepped into the school as the she told me to wait for the principle in her office. I walked into the principal’s office and stood waiting, thinking about what I would say to justify the need to carry a flask of bourbon in my pocket.

Suddenly, I heard heavy footsteps approaching down the ceramic corridor. Meanwhile, I got flashbacks of my high school days, and thought, “I can’t believe I’m 42 years old and waiting for the principle to scold me, just like in high school.” Just then, the principle walked in.

“Perry,” she said, “Don’t bring this to school anymore,” as she reached inside her purse. She handed me the flask as she looked into my eyes. “It’s quite good, what is it?” she asked, as relief swept through my soul. “Bourbon, Jim Beam,” I replied, while taking hold of my dear flask. She smiled and then I smiled, as I proceeded to exit her office. I put my jacket on and placed my flask securely back into my jacket, but not before realizing that it was not as full as it had been before I forgot it in the theater. A little bourbon never hurt no one.

Please donate to the Shankees' Bat Ball & Glove Fund

(Click to Donate $5 here)

Let me say it again: of all of the fine teams on the Buenos Aires Metro League ...the US expat team is the least funded.

You read that right.  The Cubans, The Japanese, The Koreans, The Dominicans are all well-equiped while our Buenos Aires Shankees are running out of everything.

Part of the explanation is that US citizens here are more transient than other groups.  We simply have fewer permanent immigrants than other nationalities.

The rest of the explanation is that everyone simply assumes that the team flying the stars and stripes has money.  That assumption causes people to forget that our boys of summer need support too.

The Shankee Skipper, Paul Perry, writes that the team is down to its last 3 bats and their spikes and gloves are unraveling.

In addition to giving us great outdoor entertainment and a reason to cheer our fellow Americans, The Shankees work with local kids on little league and come out to volunteer for other charitable activities.

Baseball equipment is expensive here Argentina ...and can be hard to find.  Please dig deep and give what you can.  The Shankees have made it easy for you with their safe and secure PayPal Button ...you don´t need to have a PayPal account to give, you can use that button to donate with any Visa, MC, Amex, Discover, or checking account.

Please give what you can ...and if you are coming to Buenos Aires ...please consider looking around your garage and basement for baseball equipment that deserves to see the summer sun again ...this time in Argentina!

Hot Baseball! Saturday, October 8th!

The Buenos Aires Shankees vs. the dreaded Cubans at Shankee Stadium in beautiful Parque Roca.  Round-Trip transportation on the famed Shankee Clipper at high noon from Plaza Italia only 20 pesos!  Beer, sodas, food at the concession stand.  Blue skies and beeyoutiful weather guaranteed!

Check in with the facebook invitation to reserve your transportation!  See ya there!

The Shankee Pennant is Flying!

Hot on the heels of last week's victory over Ferro, Our Boys of Summer are taking on the dreaded Japanese this Saturday!  So grab yer main squeeze and/or best drinking buddies and let´s go to the ballgame!

Catch the famous Shankee Clipper and ride in style to beautiful Parque Roca for only $15ARS r/t.  The big ship leaves at High Noon from Plaza Italia (on Sarmiento, almost at the zoo entrance.)  Check out this handy map.

Saturday´s gonna be a beautiful day for a baseball game so come on out to the friendly confines of Shankee Stadium!

Opening Day! Shankees v. Cubans

Get out to Shankee Stadium in beautiful Parque Roca for the first baseball game of the 2011 season. 

Get yer details at Facebook.  

$30 pesos gets you in the park, round-trip transportation on the Shankee Shuttle, and a free beer and choripan for your in-flight entertainment!

Just follow this handy map to catch the magic bus tomorrow at High Noon at convenient Plaza Italia!

The Buenos Aires Shankees Break A New Record Attendance!

It was great day to be a Buenos Aires Shankees fan!

Your Boys of Summer battled the talented Venzuelans of Los Cardinales to a cliff hanger in the 9th!  A great day at the ballpark, fans, and whadda finish!

Supporters were out in record force for beautiful fall weather and the new digs at Shankee Stadium were a hit.  Fan Laura C. brought the team a box of brand new baseballs all the way from from N. AMERICA ...reminding us all how important it is for US ALL to help the team with BADLY needed equipment.

Off the field, the star was El Tejano, himself!  The Buenos Aires Salsa Man was out in front of the fine concessions facilities, regaling fans from all over the world with tall-tales, history, lies, jokes, hilarious general commentary ...and fanning the flames of the finest example of Texas BBQ Argentina has seen since Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid split in 1905!

Your humble correspondent has eaten BBQ all around the world and the Gulf of Mexico ...but never have I eaten such perfectly grilled and sauced beef ribs ever in my life.  Truly, truly, truly.  El Tejano was on the scene 5 hours before chow time ...to ensure that good grass-fed Argentine beef was brought to the pinacle of perfection.  As they say, you had to be there!

What to do with all that beef?  Just pick it up and eat it! ...or grab an ice-cold beer and have the man pull it and mince it and sauce it and slap it on those indescribably luscious Tortillas de Pancho Villa.  Kilos of authentic corn tortillas from the original Aztec recipe vanished ...as many discovered them for the first time.

With bellies full, fans of all ages topped it off with Buenos Aires' very best cookies and brownies from Frank Almeida's Sugar & Spice.  What a hit with young and old of all nationalities!  Someone was kind enough to hide the last brownie so that I could report to you just how wonderful they are.  Wow, the best!

STAY TUNED FOR POST-SEASON PLAY AT BEAUTIFUL SHANKEE STADIUM ...AND DON´T FORGET TO DONATE EQUIPMENT AND COLD HARD CASH TO OUR BUENOS AIRES SHANKEES!

See ya there!