P-Nats' Kenney Announces Free Agency

The Potomac Nationals' Bill Kenney announced today that he will be testing the free agent market, effective immediately. "It's a sad day for me," Kenney said in a press release. "But I have decided that I have to find a team that is closer to my family, although it pains me to leave my P-Nats family." Some stats from Kenney's only year with the Potomac franchise:

69 games
47 tarp pulls
105 hours sleep lost
21,345 hot dogs sold
1 mascot appearance
countless memories

Stay tuned to this blog for Kenney's next destination...

Our Wedding Vows

Thank you to all who requested to see the words that Staci and I spoke to each other on Sunday afternoon. It truly touches us that we were able to pull a heartstring or two. I am also including the first of our wedding pictures (thanks to Aunt Ricki for being the first to get pictures to us). I will be posting more pictures as they come in. So without further ado:

Staci's Vows To Bill:

Bill-

On our wedding day, I want you to know that you have given me the most important gift anyone could ever give another person. You have given me many gifts over the years: love, trust, devotion & your great sense of humor, to name a few. But the most important gift you have given me is the gift of self-discovery. Your love and support have helped me discover who I am as a person. Some of the discoveries have been joyous. Who knew I could enjoy a baseball game that the Yankees aren't playing in? Who knew I loved to travel so much? I guess I just needed someone I love to travel with.

Other discoveries have been heart-breaking. When I have received such crushing setbacks, you have never let me feel sorry for myself. You have always made me pick myself back up and try again. While that may not have been the reaction I wanted from you, it has always been exactly what I needed. In short, you have helped me become the best I can be.

So my vow to you on our wedding day is to give you as great a gift as you have given me. I promise to love you everyday as much as I do today. I promise to be your best friend & confidant. I promise to always be honest with you, even when the truth may not be what you want to hear. I promise to trust you. I promise to support your dreams. And while I cannot promise to obey, I can promise to be faithful to you and love you to the end of our lives.





Bill's Vows To Staci:

Staci-

I had been awaiting your arrival my whole life. I didn't know when or where I would meet you, I just knew that you would eventually get here, and I would know you when I saw you. I searched everywhere for you- who knew that you be at a Chili's Bar & Grill? I sometimes waited patiently for you; most times I did not. But when you finally did arrive in my life, I was so glad that you did.

You have brightened and bettered my life in ways you cannot even imagine. You're an incredible and giving woman who amazes me more with each passing day. You are my twin flame, the mirror of my soul, my best friend. You have the keys that fit my locks, & the locks that fit my keys. You love me unconditionally, as I do you. I love who you are & I love that you make me a better person. I love what we are and what we will be, together. I love you forever, and I am honored to start the rest of my life with you here today.

Final Pfitzner Game- 8/31/07

The beginning of a hectic but wonderful weekend, which would culminate in our wedding, began at Pfitzner Stadium on Friday night. 10 of our "group" that came down early got to see my fianl game here in Woodbridge. I even played a mascot for the first time in my life, as we dug out all the old suits from past incarnation of the Potomac team. I got to be "Prince Willie," a frightening looking thing, to be sure. I'm second from the left.


The highlight of the evening was the Famous Chicken. I am not a big mascot fan, as most people know, but the Chicken is definitely an exception. The skits he put on between innings were priceless. And we got a great photo of most of the front office and coaching staff afterwards. And the P-Nats won their 11th game in a row, a new Nationals franchise record. The only sad thing was being elimated from playoff contention this same evening. 69 games in the books for my first season in baseball, and what a season it was.

And On The 11th Day...

...he rested? Wow, two of the most emotional and brain-draining events in my recent history took place in the last 4 days, as mentioned in earlier posts. Within the next few days, I will be posting both wedding and final P-Nats game pictues and stories. But for today, just a quick word and thank you to all those who made Sunday's wedding such a memorable day. From beginning to end, Staci's and my wedding day was tremendous. We were surrounded by the best people in the world, from our wedding party to our family and friends, everything about the day was a blessing and success. And that's all we could have ever hoped for.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to sleepwalk through the next 7 hours of work, take a nap, and take my WIFE out for a nice dinner. Please stay tuned to this blog for the pictures and stories that are to follow...

Wait, What's Going On This Weekend?

Is Monday here yet? No rest for the wicked, as we head into the homestretch of both the wedding and the P-Nats' schedule. It has been a brutal homestand, with tarp pulls, VERY early mornings, and even longer days. But we're almost there. One tonight, one tomorrow, and then goodnight Irene.

Then there's the wedding of the century, as Staci and I tie the knot on Sunday. I'm very excited about the actual event(and reception), it's just getting to that point and dealing with all the anticpation and attention. Thank God for Staci, who has done 99 44/100ths of this crap herself, because I probably would have jumped into the Potomac River by now.

So now, I am going to try, exhausted as I am, to enjoy the rush of two emotional moments and look forward to a nice after-wedding day Labor Day at RFK. And watch the "Pickle Girl" clip over and over again. Hee hee:

Abigail at 10

Tomorrow is the actual 10th birthday of the beautiful Abigail Elizabeth, but since I won't be near a computer all day, and today celebrates the events leading up to the wonderful result of Abby's birth, I figured, no time like the present to wax poetic. :)

It was right around 6PM that Jen called me at Friendly's in Eynon to tell me that it looked like Abby was about to join the world. I was prepared for this call, but that didn't make me any calmer. She told me there was plenty of time and to not rush. Of course, I did anyway. I was working my normal 10-8 shift, so I asked my manager if I could take off early. I jumped in my new Ford Escort and drove to my Dad's(where I was staying for summer break). As I packed my duffel bag, the range of emotions was incredible. It's a rare moment in life when you are aware that everything is about to change forever. I told my Dad the news, stopped at a gas station and headed on the 64 mile drive to Easton.

I arrived in Easton around 10PM, ready for what the night was about to bring. We sat at Jen's parents' house for awhile, until it was time to head to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem. Things slowed down, as Abby took her time, but I've never had the hours go by so quickly. After a night of pushing and breathing, Abby joined us all early on Saturday morning, August 23rd, 1997. It truly is an emotion you cannot describe, watching someone you helped to create start their life.

Now, ten years later, Abigail is a beautiful, healthy and intelligent young lady with the world at her feet. And while I take no credit with her being those things, it is truly a pleasure to see her turning out in such a magnificent way.

Great Pitching Rules Weekend At The Pfitz

A pitching trifecta of the past, present and future aligned here at the Pfitz this weekend. First up was Friday night's Carolina League debut of Ross Detwiler. This has been eagerly anticipated since he was chosen 6th overall in the draft just 2 months ago. He is incredibly talented and looks like he could be the real deal.

Saturday was a complete surprise, as Justin Jones carried a perfect game into the 9th inning for the P-Nats(see scoreboard above). Buzz started to build as the game went into the 5th inning and still nothing on the board for the Warthogs. With one out in the ninth, he gave up a single and the chance for a perfecto was gone. Great effort by a guy who has shown flashes of brilliance.


I was excited as Sunday approached, as former All-Star Detroit Tiger and Washington Senator Denny McClain was here to sign autographs and promote his new book. McClain was the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season, which will most likely never happen again. I was able to speak with him for a few minutes, and for all his past post-baseball troubles(tax evasion, federal prison time, etc), he was a very friendly and charismatic person.

It's rare to see former greatness and potential all in the same place, especially in Woodbridge, VA. It definitely makes an extremely long day/week seems a little less so.

Last of "The Triplets" Enters The Hall

Amid the continued and painful chase of the HR record by Big Head, there was a much better, and dare I say, beautiful moment in sports this weekend. Michael Irvin, 3-time Super Bowl champ with the Cowboys, was finally inducted in the Football Hall Of Fame. This is a well-deserved honor, but took longer than it should have because of a checkered and drug-riddled past. He is the last of the "Triplets" (Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, and Irvin) to make it in, and Irvin did something on Saturday no one expected- he was humble. The cocky and brash receiver was truly honored to stand on that stage, and even admitted that he knew he was not the same kind of person (off the field) as some of the other greats. Irving broke down and cried for many parts of the speech, and that was truly touching as well. In a sports world seemingly devoid of good guys, and filled with guys like Bonds and Vick, here is a man who has finally faced his demons and could not have been more appreciative of this honor bestowed upon him. Irvin was never my favorite Cowboy, but for one day at least, he stood among the greats- and for the first time, he did so off the field.

The * Is Close

The pit in my stomach continues to linger as Big Head (or * as I also like to call him)continues his illegitimate run at Hank Aaron's 755 home runs. He is now only 2 away, and it surely seems inevitable that he will break this record, and soon. What are the only things that can stop him? Well, at this point, only three things:
- an injury, which is always a possibility given his age and crappy knees;
- a federal jury indictment for perjury, which is also still possible but unlikely to happen in time;
- or the baseball gods finally right this wrong and send Big Head up in a puff of smoke (or a UFO), not to be seen again until his autograph table OUTSIDE of Cooperstown is set up 5 or 6 years from now, right next to Sammy "No Habla Englais" Sosa and Rafael "Finger-Waggin'" Palmiero.

None of these seem likely to happen in time to stop 756* to sail into the stands. As an amateur baseball historian, it makes me cringe to even think of it. I have heard others say in recent weeks that they will watch to see history, even though they believe strongly that Big Head cheated. I cannot and will not EVER watch that highlight or listen to the unfortunate announcer's call of it. It's not a real number, folks! I have also heard people say that "well, gee, he still would have 600 or more home runs if he didn't take steroids, so he's still great and I will watch it." 600 is not the same as 756! It is inarguably the most-recognized record in sports. I will not support a fake record, and I will not be remiss to have seen the highlight. I will watch, however, when Alex Rodriguez or Albert Pujols breaks Big Head's sham record in 2011 or 2012. Then the baseball world will be right again. Until then, remember Hank Aaron and his 755 steroid-free and hard-earned home runs.

Let's Jump In The Way-Back Machine..

Please excuse me while I wallow in a moment of self-pity...

The day was July 20, 1993. SWV had the number-one song in the country with "Weak." A mediocre Dodgers team lost to the Phillies, 8-2, but had an emerging superstar named Mike Piazza went 1-for-4 on his way to one of the best rookie campaigns in MLB history.






And I was working on my 20th birthday at the Dunmore Pizza Hut. It was miserable, and I swore I would never work on my birthday again.

I've stayed true to my promise for 14 years, until now. I have no choice but to work, as the P-Nats start a homestand tonight and I have to be here. But at least I get to be at a ballpark, right? That's what I had convinced myself of until the very first thing we did this morning was..that's right, pulled the tarp. Here's an example of what that is like:



Oh, well, no worries. Tonight will still be fun, and maybe next year there won't be a home game, and I can be drunk by noon on the beach like I normally am.