Pitch-out: AJ Tate 5/29/08 by Michael Raber
This Memorial Day Weekend gave me ample time to sit down with my pal AJ "Tater Salad" and conserve about life and the blooming KWL season. Once we surpassed the first tin of Kodiak and the second six-pack of Bud Light, we got down to the nitty-gritty and the stories to life, much like your bladders!
Before moving on up to the metropolis of Kalamazoo, AJ had some humble beginnings in the town of Sturgis. Not the famed destination for overweight bikers but the rural farm town, a stone throw away form the Indiana border. Basic childhood, just like everyone's, but who doesn't remember kickball and the days of old when children often farted on their cheeseburgers and then ate them? After He grew out of pranks like the "poop wallet" Tate blossomed into a three-sport stud in high school. Involved in every season: Wrestling-with "left arm Floozie", Football-where kleptomaniacs were incorporated, and Baseball-the birthplace of his Wiffleball skills. Baseball quickly became his favorite sport and He grew into the biggest fan this side of Windsor of the now extinct Montreal Expos. Who can blame him? Many of those teams in the 90's had higher dry cleaning bills from the afro juices than their annual contracts paid. (See pics of Pedro and Denny Martinez and Vlad, for proof!)
	After proving to the league that he can carve up more batters than shrubs at work, AJ begins his second season in the top three pitchers in the league! Unlike his fellow famous townie, Tom Bodett of Motel 6, AJ will NOT leave the light on for you!(can you believe that dood is from Sturgis!?!) A true threat on both sides of the vented ball and a great person to play a little yellow stick with.
What is your most memorable moment from the KWL? The infamous 'hot dog' incidence. Last Year's All-Star were Commish Meyers decided (since the NL was getting spanked) to bring a touch of the Fun Star game into the picture and literally throw a delicious hot dog for a strike! Favorite WWF wrestler? Junkyard Dog and Jake the Snake! (Brillant choices I might add.) When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say? Queso, if it is Pepper Jack!! If a turtle is born without a shell is it naked or homeless? It's Fuct!! (LOL!!) Finish this sentence, Never underestimate the power of__________? Jennings! (Good choice after the walk-off Homer against the Itchers in Week One.) I must personally thank AJ for his time and I look forward to him for the rest of the season. Good Luck!