A Weekly Dispatch from Gertie, Live from My Fold-Out Chair on the Front Lawn of Shotz Stadium
Oh, Wolves fans… I’ve written a lot of things over the years. I’ve sung ballads about walk-off wins, I’ve cried over long rain delays and even longer rebuilds. But today? Today I write you from emotional shrapnel. Our beloved Madison Wolves just wrapped up Week 6 of the season with a 2-5 record, and to call it “rough” would be like calling the Mississippi River a little damp.
Two Wins, Five Losses, One HeartacheThe week started with a sliver of sunshine:
* On May 7, we handled Nashville 9-5, with Frank Ostrom delivering a win that still had me singing into my thermos.
* The next night, Clint Thomas snagged a nail-biting 7-6 win against Louisville. Wolves win two straight? Was this momentum?
It was not momentum. It was a mirage.
We dropped the next five straight, including a sweep at the hands of Chicago so thorough I’ve filed a missing person's report for our bullpen. We were outscored 26-10 in the Windy City, and yes, I did scream into a soft pretzel on Saturday.
And now? We are in the middle of a 14-game road trip which looms like a tax audit. We started in Chicago, now we are in Des Moines, and let me just say—if you’ve never road-tripped through Iowa with only vending machine cheese curds to sustain you, count your blessings.
Who’s Hot?Gary Keller is putting on a clinic and I want everyone in the BBA to attend. The man hit .417 with 5 stolen bases this week. He’s making baserunning an art form. I saw a dove weep in center field after his third swipe.
Gary Fellers is quietly heating up like a cast-iron skillet, batting .353 with a .979 OPS. The 2062 acquisition is finally finding rhythm—less “Fellers” and more “Fellers, Please Stay Forever.”
Chris Stout, in his lone start, tossed 6 scoreless innings, allowed only 3 hits, and made batters look like they were swinging pool noodles. His ERA for the week? 0.00. That’s lower than my faith in the BBA schedule makers.
Who’s Not?Our bullpen this week felt more like a bullpen of suggestion.
* Frank Ostrom, fresh off a win, followed up with 5 ER in 5.1 IP.
* Takahiro Fujii and Jugnu Sampath combined for a 5.40 ERA.
* Wesley Turner, supposed innings-eater, walked 5 in 4 innings. That’s not a nibble—that’s a full buffet.
Meanwhile, Kensaku Kato continues to spin like a record on the old stereo: .167 batting average, and a .488 OPS that’s giving me minor league flashbacks.
Down on the FarmManobu Shimizu is clearly ticked about being in AAA. He hit .375 with 2 bombs, and I'm pretty sure one of them dented a passing train car.
Paul Kinney and jose Carlos Deleon are also knocking loudly on the clubhouse door, hitting .381 and .375, respectively.
And shoutout to Chong-yee Sung, who threw 5.1 no-hit innings. That’s not pitching—that’s artistry. Someone give this man a paintbrush.
🛣 What’s Next?
Here comes the 14-game road trip from the 9th Circle of the Schedule Maker’s Hell. We started in Chicago, then on to Des Moines, then swing through Portland, and then a long flight to Bikini. Rookie Juan Cruz is set to make his BBA debut—he’s got a cannon for an arm and a glare that could curdle milk.
I’ve packed three coolers, one cassette player (because vibes), and a laminated copy of the 2045 box score when we beat Yellow Springs 21-3. It helps.
Final Thought from Gertie:You don’t choose the Wolves because it’s easy.
You choose the Wolves because hope is irrational and love is eternal.
Stay strong, pack snacks, and for the love of Shotz, someone bubble-wrap Keller.
—
Gertie
Wolves Forever. Road Trip or Bust.
