Dear Champs with Chutzpah,
So I get home after driving through that hurricane, pick up Ami from our friends, and put the kids to bed. I crash fast, at about 9:30, but at 2 am, I am wide awake - bad case of the shpielkas. I figure it's adrenaline that's still flowing through my body, so I accept this fact and ponder our time together this weekend.
Working backwards, I must ask, are we Jews the worst example of alcoholic imbibers ever? We win three kinds of beers as our prize, and we quickly give away a case to Downtown Brown. Fine, nice touch, a righteous act, some might say. From the remaining selection, a few of us take some sips, throw a bottle or two in our bag. Then the goyim we just vanquished come sniffing around, and we give them the rest due to our lack of interest. Any other team I've ever been on would have made that beer disappear as fast as you can say "gefilte fish." Oh well, we shouldn't know from such problems!
Back to the tournament - I'd say our team did as much kvetching, shvitzing, and nashing as ever. I love the way we can argue like we're at the family Passover seder, then get on the field and move the disc around the field like a rocket-powered latke. But what really made me proud was the conviction we all shared - we knew would win, we knew we'd beat Goliath in the semis, and we never doubted ourselves. That, mine friends, is a m'chayah (life at it's finest)!
So I want to say a few words about each one of our Matza Balls, because as you know, every one was spectacular.
Jason - Outran all comers, smooth as silk passing, and most reliable hands of the week-end. Calm, spiritual approach grounded the whole team. Being Brody's big buddy allowed Dad to be more present. Best Fools ever as an MB!
Craiger - Oldest member of this tribe, came once again fit and tan like he'd retired in Florida. Virtually no mistakes, great throws, and sage advice/words in key spots. This Yid can still move the lid.
Dennis - Stellar and consistent, constantly worked for the team, was willing to take on anybody (!!!). Joyous presence, Russian dancing supreme, and Judah Maccabbee leadership by example. Unstoppable.
Louis - Year two for this Jew with the well-known brother. After this week-end, not overshadowed. Solid, calm, confident, and apparently a big hit with the Catholic School Girls team - made a big impression. Foot block at critical moment - OY----VEY!!!.
Jacob - Gutsy, always confident, never doubting our ability to win. Classic team player with the heart of a WW2 resistance fighter. Sacrificed anything for the group - made the big gutsy throws when necessary. Always big when the pressure was on.
Josh - Blazing athletic superstar. Played with big beytsim and no fear. Anytime he started his engine, good things happened. Crushed club stars at will. Modesty , humility, what's not to like?
Tush - First big tourney for this new-to-ultimate athlete. Held his own, made plays, and covered impact players. Name alone makes Matza Ball legendry.
Jon - Tie for most improved from last year with Danny K. Shut down big bad club elite opponents with a grin. Merciless defense, rock solid O. Watch out for this man now that his Bar Mitzvah is complete.
Ezra - The quiet storm. Menschy college student with wicked skills. Went up with anyone, battled relentlessly on D, and shocked people with sweet throws. Ezra means help in Hebrew, and of that he brought plenty!
Danny K - Our youngest player, executed numerous athletic acts, filling in when everyone else was wheezing. Most notable was a 65 yard sprint on the pull ending in a lay-out craw catch in the end zone for a Callahan goal. A play basically the equivalent to the burning bush.
Marc - The Shochet. You know, the guy who works the slaughterhouse. What can you say, a man's got to eat, and somebody has to do the dirty work. That was Marc, hacking and wacking his way through the flesh. Sorry he said, I can show no mercy.
Steve - The original Jew team organizer, took his jukes and jives back to the field with success. Key strategist, disc controller, and team leader. Brought edge, fun, and winning know-how. Still has it.
Jeff - 11 straight April Fools for this loyal boychick. And the man still makes the plays, grabs the goals high and low, and brings Jewish pride and joy to every song, dance and huddle. A cornerstone of Matza Balls.
Mike - The go-to guy this week-end. Covered the goyishe studs with verve, attacked the disc like it was a brisket on Pesach. Smile on his face was permanent. By the end of the week-end, defined "Do the Jew".
Pete - Though he could only be there for Shabbas, solid and inspirational as always. A family man now, still brings big defense and unflinching disc control - very in-shape (does he go to the shvitz?). Was missed on Sunday.
Tal and Tank - Much like Elijah on Passover, their presence was felt but not exactly seen. B'shana haba'ah (next year).
Me - Not happy about injury, but happy to play at all after groin said "no". Leader of mishugas, team chutzpah, and general trouble making - if you can't play the game, play other games. Proud captain of stellar group.
Before I finish, just a few Matza Ball Facts:
• Up until this year - we've never won on Easter (I think we lost three times)
• We had not won since 2001
• We have now won 6 out of 11 April Fools West tourneys
• We have never lost a final game
• Our age range this year was between 19 and 48!
• This was Matza Balls 11, not 10.
In the meantime, remember what Theodor Bikel said about keeping that ornament on the shelf too long. Take it down, drink from it, eat off it, then shine it up and put it up within reach.
OK, I am signing off for now, but would like not to wait a year to reunite. More to come on that.
Mazal Tov again to our proud fathers, grooms to be, and successful young professionals. May you have a fantastic, healthy, fruitful year.
B'Shalom,
David Barkan
Oh yeah, most importantly, because we owe all the fun we have to our parents, we must honor Ezra's, Dennis/Danny's, and Jason's parents for supporting us with such care. The Rabbis of the future might, when reviewing the history of the Matza Balls, determine that it was the Seidler chicken soup, or the Karlinsky Hamentashen that made the difference. Or they might posit that it was simply the love of parents that gave us strength. We'll leave that up to the scholars and just say, once again, thanks...
|
