"Titan, you're a basketball referee's worst nightmare - and you do it on the tennis court," chuckled Gene ' once a King' Slattery upon completion of play at the Yonkers Tennis Center this date. 'Once a King' and Bill 'EBL' Tully paired for sets against the tandems of TennisTitan (1-6) with Vic 'not a Free' Mason, and then Max 'Tutor' Tuchman (1-6) with 'not a Free' Mason. The 'Energizer Bunny Legs' was returning after recent knee surgery and shoulder repair showed modest flashes of his once dominance. 'EBL' and the 'deposed despot' far outplayed their opponents despite 'not a Free' Mason's attempt to keep the games competitive. "Titan, I'd call 'a walk' on you every time the ball was hit to your side" quipped amateur basketball referee Slattery. "The pea would wear out in my whistle every time I worked a game you were in." "Wait a second" interrupted the 'Tutor.' "Titan likes to travel. As a matter of fact he's heading for Florida next week. He only played one set so he could sit comfortably on the plane." EBL rejoined, "Max with the Titan you don't wait a second. It's a three second violation he commits when he attempts to react to a ball out of his reach." Mason added "I'd like to call a 'block' on any future plans of me being his partner." "No, no Vic do what I do. When the 'bombastic blowhard' is my partner I yell that's a 'charge' and I make him pay my $17.38 fee for my playing time.
"Come on now George, give me some credit, at least for effort if not for ability" Titan whined as he reached for his camera. "You can't even tie your sneakers without my help" exclaimed the 'deli man' George Hauss as a perplexed Victor 'not a Free' Mason looked on. "And now you expect me to win every point as you stand there as a not so innocent bystander." Vic Mason, a newbie to the Thursday afternoon group, received his baptism of TT bullshit as TennisTitan and 'deli man' rallied from a 2-5 deficit to steal the only set played this date in a tie breaker (7-6,[1]). The 'hobbling hobo' did his part in extending rallies and lasering an occasional winner past Stuart 'not Espn' Scott and his befuddled partner. "George, you were supposed to be here at 2 PM for the start of play, not 2:30" critiqued the 'bombastic blowhard. Don't screw up again!" "Me? Screw up!?! With you as my partner: impossible. I expended ninety minutes of energy playing an hour as your partner." To wit 'not Free' Mason turned to 'not Espn' and said, "is he always like this? And he brings his dog too?"
"You're no Jim McKay" commented Gene 'King' Slattery alluding to the agony of today's (4-6, 3-6)
defeat. Hell, you needed Barry MacKay to gain the thrill of victory against 'Tutor' and me" interjected Frank 'Slats' Slattery. TennisTitan was in no mood for humor as he tried to squat his fat ass on the bench without bending his hip at the conclusion of play at the Yonkers Tennis Center. Titan was/had the ultimate pain in the ass this date as his play could only be generously described between pathetic and abominable. Titan returned to the tennis wars after a month's absence hoping that his ailing joint wouldn't disappoint. It did, but not as much as his chosen partner. "You're as much of a 'king,' Gene, as that Charles, Prince of Wales over in England who has been waiting for his mother to croak over 40 years and become 'King' of the Limeys" offered the 'hobbling hobo.' "Titan, your game is as ugly as his sour puss" retorted my Liege. "Fellas, fellas, this day is supposed to be all about my wonderful play at net" interjected Max 'Tutor' Tuchman "let's not dwell on the fact Gene couldn't make a volley all day and that Frankie severely outplayed him from the front and back court." "Yeah, Titan doesn't care much about who's king as long as it is from the 'House of Slattery.' He just picked the wrong partner" said the smiling 'coddling counselor.'
Titan paired with Bob 'Kraut' Kluge for a disappointing loss (6-7 [4]) to George 'deli man' Hauss and Frank 'Slats' Slattery this date at Andrus Park in Yonkers in his final match before leaving town. In the opening set the 'Coddling Counselor' came up short as TT's partner in a (4-6) loss at the hands of Joe 'Gimpy Knees' Cruz and 'Der Klugemeister.' At picture time the 'bombastic blowhard' remarked "now I know how Willie Mays felt when he played for the Mets in '73."
"It's alright Titan. I'm allowed one carry on bag in each trip I make" chuckled 'Der Klugemeister' at picture time. "You fit snugly into the overhead compartment even if your jabbering drowns out my dispatcher." TT/'Kraut' managed a (6-4) victory against Joe 'Gimpy Knees' Cruz and 'Happy Jack' Carey this ideal weather morning at Kinsley Park. "Titan, you should sit in the handicapped seat on Bob Kluge's bus the way you waddle around the court nowadays" observed 'Happy Jack.' "I wouldn't put any more money on your Metro Card" exclaimed 'Gimpy Knees.' Your ability to play competitive tennis is about to expire."
After waiting around too damn long to get into the next doubles match (which never did materialize) TennisTitan and Rich 'dozin' docent Gerchak opted for a set of singles. As in most sports the superior athlete will win out, and this was no exception. Titan opened a 2-love, 40-love lead only to drop the set (3-6). The 'dozin' docent' awoke in the third game to realize that all that was needed was an extended rally and the 'blogging bullshitter' would be unable to retrieve even the easiest of returns out of his strike zone. At picture time a 'gracious Gerchak' reminded the Titan, "remember back in our high school days we called our Principal 'The Gimp' he was so hobbled. How about you adopting a new moniker: 'gregarious gimp.'
TennisTitan returned to the courts after more than a two week absence in deference to his ailing left hip. He could not have been happier to find at Kinsley 'El Prezidente' Rich Prezioso making a rare appearance. "I hear drums" announced the Titan as he and the retired health educator squared off for the umpteenth time in another singles match that goes back twenty years to their days at Lincoln High School together. "I now know what it takes to beat you" retorted the emboldened maven of Briarcliff Manor who, with Bob 'Kraut' Kluge won the opening doubles match (3-6) against TT and Stuart 'not ESPN' Scott. "Even I can win a doubles match against a superior duo when 'Der Klugemeister' is at my side. This is mano y mano, hombre." Titan raced to a 4-love lead and eased to a (6-2) victory that led to Prez observing, "anytime that a loss to you doesn't cost me a post match luncheon bill is a win for me, boisterous blowhard.' The fact that you didn't even suggest we do our usual bet shows that my game intimidated you." "No Prezzie, it wasn't that. I was trying to determine which drum to use. I beat you like a kettle drum when we played at Lincoln, like a bass drum when we play at Law Park in Briarcliff, but given the changing demographics here at Kinsley I decided that congas would be best" crowed the 'acerbic asshole' as he reached for his camera.
"Yeah, I know that is not the spelling you expected 'Slats,' but it wasn't the results (6-4) you and George 'deli man' Hauss had anticipated either. TennisTitan was strutting and preening after his decisive first set win with Bob 'Kraut Kluge this afternoon at Andrus Park. "I don't even have a sister" exclaimed 'Der Klugemeister' but if I did I'd pick the Titan. He was not weak today, but clutch on the big points. 'Deli man' was caught several times leaving the alley open for the 'crafty charlatan' and you 'coddling counselor' could not out rally the 'boisterous blowhard.' "This has to go down as our 'terrible Tuesday' lamented the lame laggard,' Frank Slattery who with the 'deli man' sustained another (6-4) loss at the hands of the 'Kraut' and Jose 'Spin Master' Guzman, subbing admirably for the aching 'pusillanimous prevaricator' who rested on his laurels on the side lines. TennisTitan paired with the 'Spin Master' in a truncated third set (3-3 partial) against the tandem of 'Kraut'/'deli man.' Guzman, a Black Belt, paid Titan due homage at the conclusion of play noting that TennisTitan is a master at spinning in his blog. "Phew" interjected 'Slats,' I was afraid you'd call him 'Sensei' and we all know that if TT had any sense he wouldn't play with a deteriorating hip."
"I see I must baby sit you now, Titan" chuckled Joe the 'flying friar' Polchinski at the conclusion of his first appearance at Kinsley Park this morning. "Twenty-five years ago you couldn't get enough of me when you needed a sitter for Russell. Now you should pay me that same $5/hr. to be an opponent you can beat" continued the Providence College grad. And so it was, TennisTitan salvaged what was a painful morning, literally and figuratively, with a (6- 1) victory over the 'flying friar' and Mike 'not so stellar' Stella with the aid of 'Der Klugemeister.' It was another story in the first set when the all court play of the formidable tandem of George 'deli man' Hauss and Frank 'Slats' Slattery proved too much for TT/'Kraut' (3-6). "I can run for you 'hobbling hobo' commented the 'testy Teuton' but I haven't figured out how to keep it in the court for you." "You are an albatross to my game - you, my 'bloated behemoth' friend are truly 'Big Al.'
"Titan, no one wants a history lesson from you anymore than they would want a tennis lesson" snapped a disgruntled George 'teacher' Febles. He and Rockin' Rick Ricci had been spanked (6-1) by TennisTitan and Bob 'Kraut' Kluge. "Yeah, interjected fellow 'acerbic Aryan' Carl the anonymous Gas Man' we Germans are still sensitive about the aftermath of World War I. You quoting Warren G. Harding is only appropriate because you'll likely be voted worst tennis player in Yonkers as he has been thought of as our worst president." Der Klugemeister came quickly to the Titan's defense. "Titan was on fire this morning. That 'bad boy' undressed Stuart 'not ESPN' Scott and 'the anonymous Gas Man' (6-1) with a fusillade of cross court winners and the occasional laser down the alley." "Nice of you to remind them Bobby" giggled the 'gaudy gargantuan.' Especially since these four 'lame losers' likely voted Democrat both times and have given us truly the worst president ever." "But that doesn't change your status 'bloviating behemoth.' Somehow you get the most success out of the least talent," quipped 'Rockin' Rick.
TennisTitan returned to the courts this day joining mates Joe 'Gimpy Knees' Cruz, Bob 'Kraut' Kluge and Frank 'Slats' Slattery in three sets at Andrus Park in Yonkers. Titan paired with the 'testy Teuton' for the first two sets and was spanked (0-6, 4-6) as he tried to shake off seven weeks of court inactivity and a balky left hip. Der Klugemeister performed far below his usual level, further exposing Titan's inability to carry his part of the load. Greater success was attained in the finale with 'Slats' doing yeoman work (4-6) bringing a modicum of respectability to the 'bloated behemoth's game. At picture time the affable group acknowledged that neither the Saturday Kinsley group nor the midweek sessions at Andrus had the intensity that TT's aggravating and aggrandizing comments add to the game. 'Slats' opined, "yeah Titan, with you back in the fold, I no longer have to worry that I am the weakest link in this chain of tennis players."
TennisTitan and Rich 'Dozin' Docent again paired together for doubles against 'Happy Jack' Carey and Carl the 'anonymous gas man.' In two evenly played contests TT/'DD' managed a (6-4) victory in the only set played to completion. Set two ended (5-6 partial) when the 'anon. gas man' bailed Cinderella like at noon. As the harried husband hustled off the court to meet his wife's expectations, a haughty TennisTitan reminded the putative victors, "I only blog complete sets, and Carl. 'Cinderella had to be home at 12 midnight, not 12 noon." To wit, his partner, 'Happy Jack' remarked, "Titan, you can't weave Rapunzel into the story line because Carl's almost bald."
Rick 'dozin' docent Gerchak was welcomed back to the tennis world in style as TennisTitan's partner today at the Yonkers Tennis Center. The pair of Manhattan Prep ('64) and Manhattan College ('68) alums routed Vladimir 'Russkie' Kartsev and Max 'Tutor' Tuchman (6-2) in the first set and held on for a (6-4) victory in the second. 'Dozin' docent' displayed his exceptional court coverage and fine defensive ability to effectively compliment Titan's game. The level of play of the Jaspers dropped in the second set enabling 'Tutor'/'Russkie to erase a 1-5 deficit to make things interesting. At picture time 'Tutor' remarked, 'you guys play well together. Have you ever thought of going to a tennis academy together?"The 'Russian Bear' added, "that's one school they'd never graduate from."
"Sometimes we just shouldn't get out of bed" lamented the 'loathsome loud mouth.' That's about all TennisTitan could muster after he got his comeuppance along with partner 'Rockin' Rick Ricci. The pair of (3-6,3-6) defeats administered by George 'Deli man' Hauss and 'Happy Jack' Carey put a damper on what had already been a damp day at Kinsley Park. Overnight rains had the six players expend precious energy (in Titan's case at least) preparing the courts for play. 'Happy Jack' while dragging on his post match cigarette as if it was fine champagne observed, "Titan, as soon as I saw you walking Tully and your laborious efforts picking up his dog crap, I knew you'd play like shit yourself." An inquisitive 'RRR' pressed 'HJ' for an explanation. "Rock, when the Titan has to use the frame of his racket to steady himself to bend over because he can't flex his knees, George and I knew that there was no way he'd get to a ball at his feet or out of his strike zone." "Did you ever think Jack that I was conserving my energy so I could enjoy my 50th High School reunion tonight" retorted the 'immobile Minotaur.'
"Max, last week was a nightmare for me against these guys" beamed the TennisTitan at the conclusion of play at the Yonkers Tennis Center. "I played so poorly." "You'll have sweet dreams tonight Titan" countered an ebullient 'Tutor' Tuchman. "Our (6-3, 6-3, 3-2 partial) victories over Vladimir 'Russkie' Kartsev and Stuart 'not Espn' Scott was as impressive as our defeat at their hands last week was disappointing" continued the 'maven of mayhem.' Titan had his "A game" on display, featuring pop and placement on his serves, effective control of his ground strokes, and precision in his passing shots down the line. At picture time the 'Russian Bear' bellowed, "You were like Putin and we were your Obama; we gave you no resistance as you pushed us all over the court. Your mouth is Obama - like, many flowery words but with no substance to it." "And the blog" interjected 'not Espn,' "is all lies, lies, lies." "Tutor' giggled and said "Stuart, you can keep your partner next week too."
