Munch Musings from E. 53rd and Hamm Avenue

Hope you are beating the heat! I was at the West Side Market today speaking with a gent at the D.W. Whitaker Meats stand and he had an all-time classic line. When we were talking about the obnoxious temperatures he noted “I have never had cabin fever in the Summer before.” He’s right…too dang hot to do anything outside!

I have waxed poetic about Tom Hamilton many times and Saturday evening at Progressive Field was a special night for an extraordinary human being and broadcaster as Tom was celebrated pregame for being inducted into Cooperstown but also as a surprise, a first class organization also named him as the newest member of the Cleveland Guardians Distinguished Hall of Fame! CONGRATS HAMMY…truly along with your sidekick Jim Rosenhaus, our #SoundtrackOfSummer! Wait, there’s more as 20,000 fans received a Tom Hamilton bobblehead!

We all know that #BaseballIsTheBest! I have seen thousands of games in my lifetime and last week alone I saw 4 of the best, exciting ball games I have ever witnessed. Start it out with the BIG RIG, Gavin Williams, one hitter vs the New York Mets in NY and to add whipped cream to the sundae, the game cemented the Guards SWEEP of the Metropolitans!

The next three involved the Lake Erie Crushers and they came down to the wire! Here are how those games shook out:

* 8/725 1The Crushers were down 6-2 going into the bottom of the 9th and this happened with one out: walk, single, walk then a grand slam off the bat of Kenen Irizarry tied the game at 6. It gets better…in the bottom of the 10th still tied at 6-6 Whiffle Ball rules runner at 2nd (home boy from Mayfield Hts) Sebastian Alexander, advanced to 3rd via 2 walks (one intentional) and scored the winning run on strike out where the ball kicked up the first base line. Lake Erie Crushers win in 10 7-6.

* 8/8/25 – the team went into the bottom of the 9th down 3-1 and here’s what transpired: a leadoff walk (YOU KNOW THE MUNCH LAW on that…You NEVER walk the lead off guy), an FC, a single, a K, a walk then two singles and BOOM…Crushers win 4-3!

* 8/9/25 – the Crushers go into the bottom of the 9th ties 6-6 and win 7-6! How? A leadoff double, the dreaded walk then a game winning single!

Yes indeed, Gavin’s ONE HITTER and three walk-off wins were so special. The proof is there…#BaseballIsTheBest!

Friend read more of my musings and other thoughts in words on NEO Sports Insiders. Munch Bishop is powered by the Ken Ganley Automotive Group and Ken Ganley Chevy Of Aurora.

Please take care of each other and remember, it’s YOUR world. PAY ATTENTION. Enjoy every sandwich and for now ADIOS AMIGO, long may you run!