Frankie Hejduk, Chemist. Adam Moffat, Charmer.

By: James | August 29th, 2008

Membership in the Crew Soccer Nation has its privileges. As a season ticket holder I was invited to a Chalk Talk with Sigi, Mark McCullers, and Brian Bliss before the FC Dallas game. Sigi took questions from a group of around 50 fans. There were a few questions about Pat Noonan and some talk about the rest of the season.

Sigi was asked if any of the players had any funny superstitions or rituals they followed before each game. Brian Bliss pointed at Sigi and mouthed “He does. He does.”

Sigi drew some laughs, saying that he rejected the term ritual, instead “It is really just consistent preparation.” He explained that each player does what he needs to in order to be mentally and physically ready for the game. Sigi said that some players listen to their favorite songs, some pay a visit to the trainers, some sit quietly, and several take care of “nutrition:” food, supplements, shakes, health drinks, etc. He singled out Frankie Hejduk for having a locker overflowing with vitamins and supplements which he mixes in complex, exotic formulas before each match. Sigi said that “you need a chemistry degree to follow what Frankie does.”

It was a very open and entertaining discussion. Also before that game I saw el Mellizo’s twin brother and his family enjoying a visit to Columbus. Gustavo Barros Schelotto was on the plaza snapping a photo of his young kids with Stinger, the Blue Jackets’ mascot. I hope they enjoyed themselves.

I wonder how he’d look in black & gold?

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This past Sunday was the Crew Summer Picnic at the Fort Rapids indoor waterpark, also a perk for season ticket holders. A few hundred fans turned up to meet and hang out with Crew players, coaches and fans in a fun setting. Most of the players were there. The older married guys were doing the family thing and the younger guys mostly hit the waterslides and the buffet.

I didn’t approach any of the players or coaches. Instead the kids and I tried to ring all the fun we could out of the last Sunday before school started. It’s hard to do better than a free waterpark.

But then Adam Moffat approached me. As I climbed the stairs with my six year old, Oor Wullie stopped me, “How’s it going? Are you having fun?”

I said, “Yeah, I am.” and quickly stepped aside. Stefani Miglioranzi was one level up with a bucket full of water ready to dump on the head of whoever Rab C. Nesbitt could stop at the top of the stairs. I kinda wish I would have played along. It’s funny for a middle-aged dad to have a footballer take the piss out of him, but I had seen Hen Broon do it to someone else minutes before.

A cute brunette in a bikini climbed that first flight of stairs and was stopped by a charming, athletic Scotsman in swim trunks. Sean Connery, 1962. Maybe she’d be Ursula Andress… She gives a head tilt… a hair flick… laughs… Bam! Migs dumps 3 gallons of cold water right on her head. They talk another minute, and she walks off. She looked more amused than upset. I was out of earshot, but it seemed like good fun.

It just proves that you can take the schemie off the estate, but you can’t take the Glesga out of the Ned. I just couldn’t believe he was out of his trackies. Next time I see him, I’ll buy a Merrydown for him and his senga. Maybe I’ll get to pet his dug.

Cheers Moffat. I can’t wait til you’re back in form, not just a bampot in baffies.