Mad Men lose Playoff account; Dreams are Agency of Record

June 29, 2009. That was the last time Shattered Dreams emerged victorious from under the lights at Harlem River. It was a Duff grand slam and a late night victory with a walk-on pitcher against Client #9. Ironic that one of our advertising moguls was instrumental in that win, with the Mad Men looming. If you could storyboard this one, who would be the hero?

sorry - you'll have to watch the playoffs on DVD

Last night's victory was critical for the franchise. Since our Yorkville debut, SD has not looked as bad as it has in this 10th Anniversary season. Sleepwalking to a 5-5 record, we hit a low point last week, getting embarrassed by our new nemesis, the Citi Ballers. With sloppy play in the field, awful communication, no energy and lifeless bats, we sat on the brink of disaster. Was last year's playoff loss the beginning of the end for this team? Collins equated the Dreams to a junkie hitting his low point.

Sometimes you have to bottom out before you can climb back to the top.
Last night was rehab...

The ad men from Mad Men took the field looking to hand us another loss on the turf of 128th street and effectively bounce us from the post-season. If we could salvage a win, we could do the same to them. The playoffs began last night.

After an inauspicious start to the game, we fell behind 6-0. However, the Dreams of yesteryear were summoned, bringing with them a comeback to send us into the second season. Good bye and good luck to our Madison Avenue opponents. Hello to a 3 martini lunch today for Shattered Dreams.

BP made his pitch for team MVP, buckling down to throw scoreless frames through the bulk of the game. He also earned the virtual gator for outstanding play in the field and 2 clutch RBI hits - both times driving in a hyped up Coach Dubs.

Coach was so amped, he could've run home from Harlem.

Jeff started things off by pulling out a scorecard from our dominating 2010 season. A return to the lineup that led Yorkville in runs, he seemed to push the right buttons. Offensively Jeff went 2/3 with 3 runs and a big RBI, as we clawed back in the 2nd frame. Moreover, his energy was contagious and sparked the team to respond with 12 runs. I'll take our captain over Jeter any day but if I do catch his 300th(?) hit, you can be sure I am asking for more than a signed Clincher, a game-worn Shaft jersey and bench seats for the SD 2020 season.

Offensively, a deep SD lineup put up consistent numbers. Aside from the aforementioned BOL, Collins, Hans and Jerry also reached base twice and I continued to see more pitches than Donnie Deutsche

Am I being pitched around? 6 BBs in last 7 plate appearances for me = double meatloaf for Jerry

Mad Men made their best presentation, but in the end we wanted it more. We showed the passion and fight that has been missing for most of this season. While our offense was opportunistic and scored a dozen for only the second time this year, our defense was key. After letting a ball sail overhead in LF in the first, the team settled in and played some solid D. Hitting cut offs, preventing extra bases, throwing on a line and a communicating, we were ON. Most importantly - when our infield plays their best, we win games. Period. Sparkling play last night around the horn with Seltzer flashing the leather and Flat making another outstanding play at the hot corner (seems he has a web gem every week!).

Boys - pour yourself a whiskey, smoke a stogie in your office and sleep with your secretary today - you deserve it. 

Finally - the Ad Age Star of the Game goes to our own Don Draper - Mr. Ian Rohin. Fix this man an Old Fashioned for his 6 RBI, 2 Home Run performance last night. Hitting out of the 7th spot, the McCann Masher blasted a huge grand slam in the 3rd inning to give us the lead for good and provided some handi- glovework in the field. Sterling performance all around. Well done. May a young media planner treat you to a custom pair of jeans and lunch at Nobu today.

Big win last night, but we are not completely back to where we need to be. We beat a fringe team and need to step it up to take what has eluded us for a decade. This feels like a team again and I am looking forward to facing the league's elite in our next 3 games. It starts Wednesday with a tone-setter vs a Weitz and Luxemberg team that embarrassed us a few weeks ago. Let's build some momentum and our confidence. Not believing we can win it is the only thing that will prevent us from the glory we deserve.

once again, proud SD4L