Got milk? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’ for North Brooklyn kickballers after rookie phenoms Milk Believe stunned perennial kickball titans the John Cougar Mellencamps in a thrilling 6–5 victory at opening day for the Brooklyn Kickball League’s 10th season on Sunday in McCarren Park.
The dynastic Mellencamps, who appeared in last year’s finals and won the Chuck D championship trophy twice before that, called it a night in the fifth inning when Milk Believe center fielder Mike “Baby Jesus” Scott kicked in the winning run with an RBI single against his former teammates.
Scott boasted last week that his team of former college athletes and former Pony Boy Priest “Bad Religion” Fontaine, would crush the Mellencamps — and his prophesy was fulfilled. On Monday, Scott was more magnanimous.
“It was a great first win for a rookie team,” said Scott. “To beat such a veteran squad in walk-off fashion is huge — I hope the JCMs can figure things out, they didn’t look that good.”
Earlier in the day, the shorthanded Mellencamps dropped a decision to American Blood en route to a messy 0–2 record in the first week of league play.
League Commissioner Kevin Dailey said the Milk Dud’s strong play is not surprising.
“They have Priest and Mike Scott and that’s a good way to start,” he said. “Priest also had people from his hometown in Kansas who can play kickball and they seem like a decent crew.”
In other play, the Mathletes won both of their games, taming the Pony Boys, 4–0, and scaring off The Creeps, another new team, which impressed kickball observers.
The Boys, who played shorthanded after a scheduling conflict kept star infielder Jesse “Sportz” Alexander out of the action, could be in the midst of a difficult rebuilding season.
American Blood, another possible contender, mercy-fried the Bacon Bits with a score of 13–3, serving a harsh defeat to a team that is just a shell of its former championship-winning self.
And the plaid-clad New Frontiersmen cleaned up Hot Mess before securing a 3–1 victory in a defensive struggle with People’s Court.
Earlier in the day, People’s Court ruled 6–3 against Booze on First, who split their opening day games, flooding Recession Aggression in afternoon match play.
But opening day wasn’t just fierce competition — Councilman Steve Levin (D–Greenpoint) kicked off the festivities by taking the plate ceremonially for Rev. Ann Kansfield’s Living on a Prayer team, but he booted an infield pop-up that was easily playable by the first baseman.
“It was an impromptu thing, he didn’t have any time to stretch,” said Dailey. “I’m sure his jeans weren’t accommodating to having a full kick, but it was nice to have him there.”
A Levin spokesman explained the pop-out by noting that the councilman is “always swinging for the fences.”
Reach reporter Aaron Short at ashort@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2547.
