The St. Petersburg Slugger | 59.01
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2024 9:38 am
Excitement is mounting today in Moscow with the announcement of the arrival of their new baseball team, the Moscow Thunder Bears. The arrival of baseball deep in the heart of Russia represents years of hard work to bring the western sport to Moscow, finally cementing the city's love affair with America's favorite pastime. The Thunder Bears introduced their first manager today, Brandon Tucker, 52, at their 1 p.m. press conference. Here is an excerpt from the press conference this afternoon:
...Good afternoon:Спасибо всем, кто приветствовал меня и мою семью в этом замечательном городе
My apologies for how that sounded; it took me half an hour to just learn that well enough to be able to say it. To reiterate in English, thank you all for welcoming me and my family to this great city. First things first, I know it is 1 p.m. in the afternoon here, but where I am from in Northern Georgia in the United States, it is only 6 a.m., so my apologies as I am still getting used to the time difference over here. My translator, Svetlana Volkorova, was kind enough to supply me with plenty of your Chernaya Karta, which I am told is the best coffee in Russia. I am not only very excited to be the first manager of the Thunder Bears, but I am greatly honored as well. It is not lost on me the hurdles that were overcome to make this all possible here in Moscow. I am looking forward to meeting the staff and the players this afternoon and getting to work on fielding a team that represents Moscow and makes the city proud. As we say back in the States, "It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work." With that, I'll open it up for questions...
Tucker went on to say that he plays no favorites. None. "This team will be identified by hustle and effort," Tucker said. Veterans and rookies alike will have to earn their roster spots. "The best players will play, period." When asked what he thinks about the brand new baseball stadium built known as Red Star (of the Solar Federation) Field, he stated he is looking forward to touring the stadium as well as seeing his team take the field for the very first time.
It's a new day here in Moscow, and as the popular saying goes in America, PLAY BALL!
...Good afternoon:Спасибо всем, кто приветствовал меня и мою семью в этом замечательном городе
My apologies for how that sounded; it took me half an hour to just learn that well enough to be able to say it. To reiterate in English, thank you all for welcoming me and my family to this great city. First things first, I know it is 1 p.m. in the afternoon here, but where I am from in Northern Georgia in the United States, it is only 6 a.m., so my apologies as I am still getting used to the time difference over here. My translator, Svetlana Volkorova, was kind enough to supply me with plenty of your Chernaya Karta, which I am told is the best coffee in Russia. I am not only very excited to be the first manager of the Thunder Bears, but I am greatly honored as well. It is not lost on me the hurdles that were overcome to make this all possible here in Moscow. I am looking forward to meeting the staff and the players this afternoon and getting to work on fielding a team that represents Moscow and makes the city proud. As we say back in the States, "It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work." With that, I'll open it up for questions...
Tucker went on to say that he plays no favorites. None. "This team will be identified by hustle and effort," Tucker said. Veterans and rookies alike will have to earn their roster spots. "The best players will play, period." When asked what he thinks about the brand new baseball stadium built known as Red Star (of the Solar Federation) Field, he stated he is looking forward to touring the stadium as well as seeing his team take the field for the very first time.
It's a new day here in Moscow, and as the popular saying goes in America, PLAY BALL!
