We're Back

September Newsletter

For all you Newsletter Diehards out there (Pete Campbell, Darrel Holmes, Chizzle) I would first like to apologize for my lack of newsletters this summer.  My philosophy is to make adjustments not excuses so I will not state any of the reasons why I was unable to write newsletters during the summer (lack of time, sanity, sleep, original thoughts, migraines, other more important things to do, stomach aches, dance routines, general interest).

But rest assured Grizzlies fans I am back with the nonsense that you have grown accustomed to.  First I would like to begin with some of the serious news and highlights from the 2008 season.  All of us with the Grizzlies would like to thank the fans for the support and making these records possible.

• The Grizzlies finished 17-10 at home with six dramatic finishes in the bottom of the 9th or in extra innings.
• The Grizzlies shattered the All-Time Attendance record with 29,310 fans in '08 breaking the 2002 record of 22,750. (The Grizzlies averaged 1,172 fans per game.)

Grizzlies Signings

Yes, it is true we have signed Bigfoot.  We feel that no matter what he does on the field he will be a distraction to the other team and could prove to be very intimidating.  If the benches clear again like they did against Edenton this past summer, the Grizzlies will have a much-needed advantage.

Yes, it is also true we have signed Eli Benefield to coach again in 2009.  We feel that no matter what he does on the field, he will provide a great photo of him and Bigfoot next to each other (Bigfoot is almost 3 times the size of Benefield).

Also, coming back in 2009 is PA Extraordinaire Brian Rushing.  Recently Brian was voted best PA announcer ever to hold a microphone in the history of Sims Legion Park (Voted by Grizzlies staff).  We expect even more ridiculous play-by-play of on field promotions as well as Wah-hoo’s in '09.  We are also planning some surprises with Brian this year that you do not want to miss.

Chizzle Update

Recently Chizzle took a much-needed vacation back to his hometown of Las Vegas.  After trying to use his Grizzly Bucks for food and gambling Chizzle resorted to the penny slots where he lost his entire life savings (623 pennies).  Completely broke, Chizzle took the streets and began dancing for money.  The response was tremendous and Chizzle has started his own dance crew of Mascots called the JabbaMascots.  Don’t worry fans if the JabbaMascots make it through the live auditions of America’s Best Dance Crew he will still be back in time for Opening Day.

Chris Kupillas Update

After an outstanding summer filled with dancing, singing Bye Bye Bye, posing for numerous pictures with female fans, signing countless autographs and mixing in some baseball, Chris too has jumped on the Entertainment circuit.  His first attempt was “Dancing with the Stars” where it took the producers 5 hours to explain to him that he was not a celebrity.  Next, Chris tried “So You Think You Can Dance” but the judges told him his dancing was not appropriate.  Last I heard Chris made the final cut in “A Shot of Love with Tila Tequila.”  We wish you best of luck and we all know you will be the next Reality TV superstar.

As for me…I just got back from vacation back in Boston.  It was a nice vacation filled with Red Sox games, beaches and some golf.  Overall, I was able to reflect on the crazy season that we had in 2008.

Now I am back in the office with Assistant GM Jamie Curtis and I am having serious withdrawals from the season.  Everyday I walk out and sit in the Dunk Tank for 20 minutes reminiscing about the 865 times I was dunked this summer.  Almost like clockwork as I am about to get out, Jamie runs over and dunks me for old time sake.

I am still on an “Only Concession Food Diet” consisting of Donut Burgers, Philly Cheese steaks, Burgers and dare I say, hot dogs.  Yes after the hot dog eating contest it took me a month to eat another hot dog but now I am back going strong with 3 dogs a day. 

I still do the Chizzle Shuffle on the field every afternoon and before I go home every night I play the Grizzlies winning song “Good Life” on our PA System. 

These next 275 days until Opening Day are going to be tough but I know I will make it.  The video for the 2008 season is almost done now and should help ease the pain but until then in the words of Brian Rushing “Lets Go Griz, Wahoo!”