SoSG Fest 2014 - At Last, The Story Can Be Told

We came. We saw. We conquered.

Beer was drank.
Grub was eaten.
Money wasn't paid by this person (who do I owe, btw?)
Beer was drank.
Getting together the SoSG crew is like a family reunion you crash of a much more level-headed family than your own. Flame wars are put aside for the greater good.

As SoSG continues to morph

... one thing brings us all back together. THE BOYS IN BLUE. And free food and drinks (seriously, did I skip out on a check? I do that sometimes.)
Please note: to protect the identities of our Sons and loyal athletic supporters, no heads were captured by this roving photog.

REAL DELINO stands guard to keep the ruffians, free loaders and SoSG Lasorda out. 

Some men and a lady.

This guy

That Guy

Ooo... Look at me.  I've got some foreign shirt.  (Ed Note: SOSG Sax did change into Dodgers gear, but continued wearing his kilt)

I don't know what the F this game is... or why it took half of the SoSG contingency to play it.  The line between the Fest and D&D got perilously thin. 

REAL DELINO.  REAL CHEAP DEAL ON EBAY.

Three of the Original Sons crammed into the PhotoBooth. 

And one REAL DELINO 

Hot ticket item at the Dodgers Chachki Exchange:  ARMLESS MATTINGLY.  

Everyone went home a winner.  Except those who didn't get anything. 

Cruel, cruel irony.  A Cardinals Tattoo in the Cracker Jack box.   And why is it so hard to find the peanuts in those boxes.  When I was a young lad, Cracker Jack meant more than just popcorn.  It meant you'd get peanuts.  Oh so many peanuts.  Why do these things change?  How does Arnold get turned into frikkin Colin Farrell in the Total Recall remake...  I digress. 

The biggest winner of all.  SOSG Orel.  With TWO signed DELINO cards. 

There was much rejoicing as Kershaw picked up his 19th and SOSG Fest proved to be a stirring success! 

There was a celebratory bubble just a second before I took this photo.

As SoSG lumbers into its 43rd season, we want to thank our loyal readers, the Dodgers organization, our Moms, the former SoSG Sons who are still stuck behind enemy lines and, of course, Jason Grabowski.

Here's to more Fests. More Threads. And maybe some day, the return of Dodgers Baseball to our actual f'ing televisions. #ineedmydodgers

Game 149 Thread: Sept. 14 @ Giants, 1p

Clayton Kershaw (18-3, 1.67) vs. Yusmeiro Petit (5-3, 3.62).

Rubber match time against our arch-rival, late in the season with a narrow division lead. It's a time when nerves are tense, anxiety is high, and...beers are flowing! That's right, it's time for Dodger Baseball...and it's time for SoSG Fest 2014, the annual tradition where Sons and SoSG diehards come together and watch the game, maybe with a pint or twelve of alcohol nearby. Never again will you see snark and alcohol flow in such mass, and this year's Fest aims for six of the seven Sons in attendance (and if you understood how challenging it was to get those six in the same place at once, you'd raise a toast, believe me).

Let's go, Dodgers!

SoSG Fest 2014 Preparation

I just stopped by the liquor store and picked up a few last minute items. Anything else you need me to bring?

Gnomes was admittedly taken by surprise when I arrived a little early to pick him up this morning.

Post-Game 146 Thread: Who's Your Crawdaddy

This photo does not scream, "sweet stroke, Carl!". But hey, if it works, it works.

DODGERS 4, PADRES 0

Carl Crawford had a field day in the rubber match of this series, going 4-for-4 with three doubles and 2 RBI, leading the Dodgers to a 4-0 victory. Crawford went 9-for-12 in the series and has lifted his average from .230 to .289 by batting .434 the past month. Those hits and RBI make up for a lot of noodle-armed throws from left field, which makes Crawford a premium over Juan Pierre.

Also contributing RBI were Hanley Ramirez (who was sadly picked off first right thereafter) and Juan Uribe. Yasiel Puig batted leadoff tonight in Don Mattingly's attempt to jumpstart the slumping player; Puig went 0-for-4 with 5 LOB.

Dan Haren also continued his late-season rejuvenation: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, with 1 BB and 5 Ks. J.P. Howell and Kenley Jansen had a scoreless inning each.

With the Dodgers' victory, the magic number shrinks to 15 to win the NL West, as we retain a 2.5 game lead. Off-day tomorrow means we get to watch the Giants (who will likely sweep the Snakes tomorrow, and drop the lead to two games, with 16 to play), before heading into Phone Park for a key weekend series. Remember, Sunday is SoSG Fest 2014! Check the sidebar for details.

photo swiped from mlb.com

Announcing SoSG Fest 2013...er, 2014!

Just when you loyal readers feared the Sons had taken their laziness to a whole new level, we're thrilled to announce that the SoSG Board of Directors has officially approved SoSG Fest 2014 and that it has now been scheduled.

Those of you who have been around this space for more than a few years know what holy hell is unleashed when Sons and loyal SoSG readers/commenters get together to watch a game together at an undisclosed location. Those of you who are newer will need to start training (here are some links to background on past SoSG Fests).

As in years past, we have a limit on space/participation/UN Security Council clearance for this event, so we ask that if you are interested in attending and available on Sunday, September 14, please send an email to our main email address and include your SoSG screen name with a brief paragraph on what you think you have to add to SoSG Fest 2014. First priority as always will again be given to readers who frequently comment and regularly take part in the SoSG diaspora. And true to form, Scotch and cigars as bribes will also score extra points. After we fill out our roster, we'll send emails to invitees with the event location and time.

It's been too long since we've seen some of you (and since some of the Sons have seen each other!), so we're looking forward to it. Hope to see you there!

Until then, here is a photographic look back at good times with the SoSG crew over the years.

SoSG Alex Cora Led Us in a Prayer before We Began SoSG Fest III

Karina and Karen Hosted a Make-Your-Own-Synthetic Drug Tutorial During SoSG Fest II

Neeebs Always Has Trouble Loosening Up at First

SoSG Dusty Baker Discusses Third World Debt at SoSG Fest I

"One Big Misunderstanding" at SoSG Fest III