Patrick J. Sauer Online

BUSH LEAGUE WITH MATT BENDER

The Stangs are on a roll as they head into the Pioneer League playoffs this Friday.

Our man Matt Bender, assistant general manager of the Billings Mustangs, brings news of a ten-game winning streak, a Northern Division title, a DiMaggio-esque 32-game hitting tear and the prospect of a new stadium to replace the beloved -- but aged -- Cobb Field.

More importantly, Bender brings news of "Meth Night," a potential racial discrimination lawsuit, a near sno-cone riot, a guy in a bear suit taking batting practice and a bad-ass female usher who didn't bat a black eye when she got hit by a line drive (and we have the photographic evidence to prove it!)

For those of you who are new to Bush League, you can catch up with your 2006 Billings Mustangs, in parts one and two.

For the second summer in a row, I've penned an ode to barbecue, the greatest invention that incorporates sliced bread. Last August, it was a look at using cookouts to bolster your business for Inc., and this month it's an intro for local barbecue joints for Desert Living. 

Mmmmmmm poorrrrk.

Our writer makes the case for spices, marinade and good old-fashioned carnivorous activity. 

Bush League with Matt Bender

First off, I'd like to thank Deadspin and Red Reporter for helping to spread the gospel of the 'Stangs.

(If you missed it, Here is the first entry from Matt Bender, assistant general manger of the Billings Mustangs.)

In this edition, our man in the Magic City explains how he saves the day by protecting inflatable animals, honoring the American flag and locating much-needed underwear. 

As they say at Cobb Field:

Get a hit, get a hit, any ole' hit, just pooooooooooke it out there.

It's a historical day here at the site. Please allow me to introduce the maiden column from our maiden contributor:

Bush League with Matt Bender

He's a former reporter at The Billings Gazette turned assistant general manger of your Billings (Montana) Mustangs, the advanced rookie affialiate of the Cincinnati Reds. 

Bender is a smart, funny guy who wants to give you all a sense of what it's like running a minor league squad, the team that Gary Redus hit .462 for in 1978. 

Consider him our Roger Angell, except that Angell never had to clean up three-month-old chicken wings off the floor of a clubhouse. 

And away we go...