Top 10 Most Memorable Titan Moments:

[Rich24]

10. 2005 Championship series tied one game a piece. With the Titans leading the Cardinals 12-9 going into the final inning, the Cards go on to score 4 to win 13-12.

9. Game 1 2006, Colby Phelps officially becomes a Titan.

8. 2005 Xmas party and 2006 Superbowl party at K-Lew’s house. Good stuff, tight team!

7. 2005 Titan All Stars: Kenton Lewis, Seth Caillat, Joe Vitali, myself.

6. Anytime JB takes the mound.

5. 2005 2nd game against the Classics. The score is 1-0 in the 6th inning with 2 outs and a runner on 3rd. The batter hits a sinking line drive to right center field. I make a diving catch, and as I slide across the grass I look towards the infield and I see Seth Caillat leaping off the mound, both arms raised with a smile spread ear to ear.

4. 2005 game 1 vs. the Mets. Joe Vitali hits the first pitch he sees over the right field wall in his first ever REBL left handed at bat!

3. 2005 Awards Banquet. Titan players and women close down the show…

2. 2005 Championship Series game 3. Seth Caillat takes the mound the day after gutting out 9 tough innings in Game 2. He then goes on to pitch 6 2/3 strong innings and left the game leading 12-5!

And my number 1 most memorable Titan moment…. 2005 game 2 vs. the Cardinals. Seth Caillat pitches 10 2/3 innings allowing just 2 runs but finds himself in a 2 out bases loaded jam. Tony Bulleri who had caught every inning at that point enters the game and strikes out the final batter on three pitches!

[Pretty Boy]

I love this thread. LOVE IT.

[13]

Can't say I've posted before, but let's see if I can figure this out....here's the top 10 Titan memories for me.

Honorable Mention. Steve Hillman's ground rule double at Pac Bell Park. I wasn't there to see it, but it sure is something that I'll never forget! But his foul homer crush today probably felt almost as good. Nice rip Steve....5 more feet to the right brother!

10. I'm going with Ed. We've had some changes this year and with the adaptation of the "Once a Titan, Always a Titan" policy, we went up to 15 guys. I pick Ed, because he shared 2B with me a lot in 05', but he's playing a lot of outfield now. He has done nothing less then be very complimentary and supportive to me. He is a class act, wonderful teammate and seems to share my sick sense of humor! Thanks Ed, it doesn't go unnoticed by me brother.

9. My first practice game last year and specifically meeting Colby. I hit the best ball I've hit for the Titans that day and Colby was just great to talk about it and baseball in general with. I honestly couldn't believe he was on a different team when the season started. Thanks Rich and Tre' for the justice done by making Colby a Titan as he should be. I love you too Colb!

8. Off the field activities such as going to A's & Giants games, post game pizza & beers, the parties, getting photo texts from Rich with a gorgeous blond sacrificial offer to me of sorts, the blackmail photos and my favorite of all......going fishing with Salty and Chummer. Thanks for teaching me the fine art of fishing and standing up while buzzed and peeing off a rocking boat!

7. Playing defense behind the best pitchers I've been teammates with in my life. Seth, John & Tony....there's nothing better than making a good play, the routine play and the head's up play to nail a napping base runner for you guys. Plus, you three are just the greatest people to be around. As good as you are on the bump, you're all even better people to be around and associated with.

6. Even though it was an error (which I hate more than going o-for by the way), the day after Kenton's and my 20 year H.S. reunion. We were so hammered the next day still and of course I got a routine grounder to me, Kenton covered first and I promptly through it to the guy standing on deck! SCOOOOOOOOPPPPP!!!!"

5. Getting the once in a lifetime, well, a couple times in our lives, experience of playing on a major league baseball field! People still are so in awe of that......we essentially are playing for all the minions who love the game, dream of playing there and never get the chance to.

4. Playing baseball, on a team, with my best friend for the first time in my life. Thank you Kenton for introducing me to this league. I can't even image a spring/summer Sunday without this team. Thank you Rich for making it happen, you sometimes don't get enough credit but I'll always be thankful to you and Tony for this.

3. Becoming a Titan. Nuff said.

2. Standing in the church and delivering my dad's eulogy. While doing so and trying to hold it together, I spotted the Titans sitting together. I know that all of you couldn't make it that day, but there was enough there to make me feel like you all were. Thank you guys for helping me through the worst time of my life. My dad loved coming to our games and really liked our team and the players. Thank you guys so very much for letting me get back into baseball and sharing that last season with my dad.

and no doubt about #1 for me.....

1. Tre' and the rest of the team who backed the idea of making a uniform in honor of my dad. That is something that goes far beyond baseball and is the classiest act any teammates of mine have ever done for me. My dad is still very much with me/us and is still at the games for sure. He just has a better seat.

Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart.

#13

[Pretty Boy]

Nicely done buddy! You rule Steve.

[johnb]

Ok, here goes.

10) Being able to pitch pain-free.
9) Enjoying the team chemistry. I've played on a lot of teams and this one ranks #1 in friendship both on and off the field. It's a pleasure to play with you guys.
8) Kenton's Christmas party. Thank you to all for making my family feel so welcomed. They are everything to me and I try to include them in all my adventures.
7) Being able to pitch pain-free!!!
6) Sitting next to Henry in the dugout. The man can flat out entertain.
5) Talking baseball with Colby. A veritable encyclopedia of information.
4) Strapping on the uniform. Always makes me feel like a kid again. Who else has problems sleeping the day before a game?
3) Working out with Seth over the winter. I think we pushed each other to newer highs.
1) Tie Watching Seth mow down another team. It never gets old.
1) Tie Pitching pain-@$#*%-free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd sell my soul.

[I am Titan]

Damn...there are so many memorable moments so far that it's hard to limit it to just 10. And we've only been a team for two years!!!

A lot of them have already been said, that were favorites of mine, but I'll throw up a few more:

• The Classics game last year when Rich bunted like four times, all for hits, and scored two RBI's off of one bunt for the go ahead run. Who the fuck does that? #24, baby.
  
• The sparkle in Kenton's eye at the awards banquet two years ago after he'd won Rookie of the Year. Like a true entrepreneur, he thought past what he could accomplish individually and helped create one of the best teams in the history of all sports. Yeah, I said it. Prove me wrong!
  
• Some of the greatest highlights during my Titans tenure would be being approached by different people on several different occassions asking if I played for the Titans. Wearing just my Titans hat and no jersey, I'd ask how they knew of the Titans. The response I get everytime, "Oh my god...I'd watch you guys play just in passing and you make the games enjoyable to watch. Not only are you guys decent ballplayers, but the energy you guys have for the game is unmatched."
  
  I get goosebumps anytime someone recognizes my hat. I feel like a superstar.
  

[Pretty Boy]

What a great post Tony. I love this...here's mine:

10) Odly enough, my 1st moment I treasured was playing against the Titans for the 1st time. Tony put my jersey up in the dugout and it was in plain sight! The SilverSox DID NOT like that. And I even got ticked, remember?? But knowing that I was headed to the Titans lit a fire in my belly and I went off that day. You guys shook your head after the game and were like "Damn, hurry up and get on our side, fucker". I felt important - and I was truly excited for the first time knowing that someday I was going to be wearing the Titans blue - and I wanted it BADLY.

9) Watching the Titans beat the Classics last year. Richie was amazing. His clutch bunt late in the game that turned the tide in a tight game was pure beauty. Everybody in the park knew Rich was going to bunt. It was a beautiful push bunt..it was perfect. And the Classics went DOWN baby.

8) Opening day 2006 against the Nationals. It was so great JUST WARMING UP with the guys. We were laughing, we were loose, we were cracking each other up. And then we stretched together like we always do, and I looked over and the Nationals were staring at us like "Hey, how come we don't do that?" And then we beat them.

7) Kenton & Juliane's Xmas party. We are so lucky to have such a fabulous group. I appreciate it more than you guys know.

6) Everytime Joe is on the bases. I always watch him. He is my favorite player in the league.

5) Against the Brewers, about a month ago. It turned into a lackluster game right away, but we still had fun and we were loose. (by the way, being loose is HUGE. No wonder we're undefeated) Anyway, I'm out in Left and I was predicting where the ball would be hit to Richie, who was next to me in Center. I called it exactly, and afterwards Joe turns around and tells me "NO WAY!" right after I told him to move in a several steps because the hitter was fast and I knew he was going to dink one to Joe at short. Sure enough thats what happened and Joe got him by a step. The look on Joe's face was classic. But best of all, you guys listen to me. I felt like a million thousand dollars after that play. But the best part about that day, was a weird ass spin ball that was cracked to Reichardt at 2nd. He moved to his right to get in front of the ball, and as he was moving the ball took off to the left right towards the middle on a CRAZY bounce - and Steve barehanded it, just speared it right out of the air, and then threw a strike to 1st, see ya later innings over. Rich and I couldn't believe it, and we talked about it on the way into the dugout. I was so happy - we have great players on this team!

4) That same game, Hank the Tank is on the mound & I'm behind the plate and the 1st hitter to face him is this black guy on the Brewers...big beefy guy batting cleanup. He has all this stuff going on, not talking to me, adjusting his batting gloves, calling timeout with his hand while he takes 35 seconds to settle in to his crappy stance in the box. This guys act was TIRED. And when he stepped in to face Henry, it was the same shit. Well Hank starts him off with a blazing fastball that zips right by him with big movement, and finally homey says something to me. He turns and looks at me and goes "What the fuck was THAT??" And I said "Oh that's his changeup, chauncey. Good luck with the fastball." Next pitch? Changeup. Essay was 5 feet in front of it with his swing. He almost fell over. Strike 2. Now the big guys is talking to the ump "Was that a strike?" Of course the ump was a tard, so I answered for him "It sure was, try hitting the ball this time slugger." He looks at me, but then forgets about me and drops a stink eye death ray on Henry, and takes about 1:35 minutes getting into the box this time. Henry throws him that scary slider, and cleanup swung and missed like a fool. Homey looks back at me to see if I caught it, I've got a huge smile on my face, and I winged the ball to 3rd to throw it around after the K. He goes "MotherF$IU#%@&^%*@.." and stomps off to the safety of the dugout. It was fantastic. I look out at Henry, and he's not smiling. He's got ugly written all over his face. He wants more strikeouts. In a boring ass game, Henry wants to smoke these guys. I loved it, and decided right there that Henry is a GAMER.


3) Meeting John and Seth. JB & Seth are great baseball players - they do everything the right way, like Isaac. Fierce on the field, gentleman off the field. I've gotten to know JB's family, and I love them. I could tallk baseball with those two for days. Playing on the team with them makes me feel great about myself.

2) Steve Hillman going deep at Sonoma State. THAT was exciting. We were in the dugout, and then *crack*, it was loud. We all go "OHHH!!" and all of us lean forward and look down the line...it was gone. Can't believe it went foul. THAT was a bomb.

1) Moment that's coming: facing my old team - and I'm looking forward to feeling the love & support that I've come to count on. You guys treat me great, and I'm going to need it that day.

Let's play hard, play well, and look sexy in our baseball pants!

Love,
C

[Rich24]

This is great! I love all these posts. But I got to say, Colby, I'm pretty sure you're taking over as Titan Shit Talker. I love it!

This is pumping me up. I can't wait for Sunday, I'm gonna to something special, something worthy of these posts, an instant classic.

BTW I want to add to more memories to my list:

- Colby's unbelievable diving catch behind the plate last Sunday. That was golden!

- John Holmes running catch in left center, and then doubling up B. Adams at 2nd base after he fell asleep on the play. Awesome throw Holms!

[johnb]

Add to that Seth's pick-off at first. The runner didn't even move he was so surprised. That ball got there in about 1/2 a second.

[Isaac]

10. Winning
9. Winning
8. Winning
7. Winning
6. Winning
5. Winning
4. Winning
3. Winning
2. Winning
1. Winning with Class.

[Pretty Boy]

Nice Isaac.

[Eric]

10: Year 2000, Coaching my kid for the first time. Farm League..Coach Pitch, I serve a fat one to my 55lb little boy...SMACK...his firat AB...a standup double!..That day was the day he poured baseball back into me!

9: My first AB with the seals in 2000. I struck out ..I sucked ass...but I loved it..I was back...just needed work

8: My first AB with my A's team in 2001 in woodland, with my old Seals team watching...they did not want me back...Al Rubalcaba is on second, 1 and 1 count, fat ball served! FAT BALL OUT OF HERE! First official dinger, (with my OLD TEAM Watching - classic)

7: 2001 - Playing on the Classics with Joe Nichelini..I knew no one. It was a Playoff game against the Sox. Some OLD guy with glasses was pitching who always liked to bend over and touch the dirt (Larry H). Winning run is on third base, Larry Forman tells me, "Hey Eric, you ready to be a hero?..." I AM SCARED TO DEATH...Larry H. works me hard, like a cheap French whore..I am sure I am going down, but I turn on an inside heater and it just goes over the Shortstops head...We win, game over, "Yes for a few seconds I was a hero"..Joe Nichelini even picked me up...That was a first.

6: Aug 2002, Playing in Tri-Valley. I hit my first wood bat homerun. I could not believe it!

5: 2003 - Bringing my A's team from Woodland to the REBL. We made the Playoffs first time out - got our asses handed to us. By the way, I played in out playoff games with a pin in my leg and 2 days out of my cast. Remember guys..I busted my leg in August 2003 playing in Sac

4: Playing at Raley Field with you guys, Playing at SBC Park with all you guys...Playing at PETCO Park in San Diego.

3: Hitting a Homerun off a new pitcher on the classics at Napa Valley WITH MY KID WATCHING! I hit it right between the Scoreboard and the Ecalyptus (sp) tree. Eric jr. talked about it all the way home! "Dad, that was cool!"

2: Being Part of the FIRST Titans Team...Not too many guys get to claim that..."Once a Titan - always a Titan!" I still have my jersey and I wear it in the batting cages up here in Idaho and guys ask me about it...I tell them to go to the REBL website...So see..I am even pushing you clowns here in Idaho! I loved playing with you guys...Rich does not know it, but Had I not moved, I would have given up my A's team to play with you guys! He almost HAD me one time! Phucker!

1: Winning the Championship and being honored with the MVP...

Thanks guys!

You bunch of clowns!

Go dodgers!: www.spokanedodgers.net/stats1z.msql?season=S2006&division=MSBL&team=Dodgers

[Rich24]

Eric that was great! Thanks for your top 10. You know we would have loved to see you in Titan blue this year. Yes you are an OT (Original Tit) and will always be one. Once a Titan always a Titan. Coming back anytime soon?

[KLew]

OK here it goes...I've been thinking about this for awhile now...
This is a bit historical, and it’s long as hell. I have 11…oh well. So grab a beer or your favorite beverage, sit back, and enjoy… ;D

Going 3-4 my first day in REBL against the Silver Sox at a Place to Play. I hadn’t played in 10 years, was not drafted, and was FREAKED OUT that I might have actually lost my abilities. I ripped the crap outta the ball – during my fourth at bat I ripped the ball off the right-center fence…a stand up triple. Juliane and Kaden were watching from their car, and she laid on the horn about 7 times (cool). Set the tone for the season.

Going 7-8 against the Federal team last year – everything slowed down about 10 times that day. I saw the seams of the ball again, hit wherever I wanted (the SS yelled out that I was going to pull it, and just for fun I waited on it and hit a liner over his head…). Pretty easy when the pitching is 10x slower, of course.

The phone call with Seth when he told me he’s going to play. Not all of you know that Seth crushed his hip in a work accident a few years ago. I think if the league knew this last year, he would have been a shoe-in for Rookie of the Year. Seth and I played together at Sonoma High in 1984 – his Senior Year and my Junior year. For obvious reasons, he was that player I always looked up to, was in awe about his abilities, and HOLY CRAP he’s gonna come back and play ball with me again 20 years later.

My first step onto SBC Park in 2004. Wow…what a rush. Standing in the revered spot where Bonds does it, and getting a base hit my first AB, was classic. That day with Isaac and Hillman will always be remembered (and yes, Steve, I DID see how far your double went…!). Playing at SBC with Mike Stone at 2B (he played with me at Sonoma in 1985 when we were league champs), Keith Wolff at SS ( best friends and we never had the chance to play ball together – BTW Keith played one year at UOP), and Steve at 3rd. Took me back in time…

Coordinating the event and playing at the Coliseum. That was amazing – incredible fun and freedom as Reichardt and I messed around in the Umpire’s room, stuck our heads where they didn’t belong inside the hallowed confines of the players’ digs, and generally went WHEREVER we wanted at the Park. Seeing the smiles on the REBL players’ faces made me happy – it was well worth all the hard work and preparation.

Scoring the winning run in the All-Star game from second when Colby crushed his liner into CF. Colb, that was so classic – I loved that moment. Juliane said that your dad jumped up and screamed “THAT’S MY SON!! THAT’S MY SON!!” Way to represent the REBL league, my friend. And that pitcher against us was NASTY…

Becoming REBL Rookie of the Year in 2004 – hitting .588 was the best I have ever done at the plate. In a NL season in Arizona I hit .500 (YES, better pitching and better defense, but I was 27 years old and still thought I had a chance for the Pros…stupid, I know), but ’04 required consistency every game.

The last Championship game, 8th inning and I’m up with bases loaded. I had a major bulge in my belly where my intestine had broken through my stomach lining (AKA hernia), and I was in massive pain. I didn’t give a SH*T how I felt, I was going to make it happen. Rico threw me a meaty, juicy one about belt high, and I didn’t even feel it hit the bat – watching the ball hook into the RF corner and slam against the fence to clear the bases will always be a great memory.

Playing REAL baseball together with Steve Reichardt. OK guys – this bozo knows more about the sport than anyone I know. He was cut from the JV squad his sophomore year because the coach was a JERK (really – there’s no other reason. They just didn’t get along), and hadn’t played since Little League. BUT I’ve played ball together with Steve more than any of my friends – catch, softball, whatever…he loves playing. He came to the SSU Red Sox vs. Cards game in 2004. Manny de la O was pitching and Steve’s eyes lit up when he realized that he could actually do this. He’s not a spontaneous type of guy (lots of lists, planning, thought-process, etc…), but he immediately looked at me as said “y’know, I really want to play in this league”. Awesome….AWESOME!

Being the other link of the Titans formation at the Awards Banquet. Here’s the scoop – Tony touched on it in his top ten (sorry, this is long): I’m floating around the banquet with a good buzz, trophy in hand, and am the ONLY Red Sox player there (That Sucked). Isaac and I have already agreed that we’re going to put a new team together or join either the NL (Rick) or the A’s (Eric), and I’ve already contacted Seth and Reichardt to play the next year. I’m talking to a Silver Sox player about the year, and next to me I hear Rich and Tony pleading their case to Rick for a new AL team. Rich says to him “we only have six players, but we can find more”. I look over and see that one of them is Tony Bulleri – I’d seen his name but never met him. The light bulb went off immediately – I cut into the conversation, introduced myself, and told them I had at least four and most likely six who’d come over if we get approval. I then cornered Rick and convinced him to agree to our exodus because 1) the Red Sox were a team formed from those not picked during the draft or who came after the draft (like Isaac), and a few of us really wanted to go elsewhere. Rick agreed and the rest is history. Isaac, Hillman, Seth, Steve, and I were the five who made it over (Mike Abbadessa was the sixth – he was nixed because the Sox needed a pitcher to stay).

Playing with the Titans. This team is magic – PURE MAGIC! I’ve made 14 great friends, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Realizing what we had after Game One last year…chilling. When Colby and Henry came over this year...well, my life is now complete and I can die a happy man. I bleed Titan Blue, baby!