The Immaculate Grid

A couple years ago, my son Paul introduced me to a fun online baseball-related game. Since then, he and I have compared notes about our own pursuit of The Immaculate Grid.

The game is set up like a tic-tac-toe board (or Hollywood Squares/Brady Bunch intro if you prefer a tv reference). The objective of the game is to fill each square of the grid.

Down the left column features a team or category. Across the top, you will also see a team or category.  Your job is to think of a player to meets both criteria.

For instance, if your grid lined up Atlanta Braves with Los Angeles Dodgers you might list (painfully for Braves fans) former Brave Freddie Freeman as he has played for both teams. That would successfully fill the grid spot. Or, in the example that combines a team on the left with a category up top (or vice versa)...you might find St. Louis Cardinals and "All Star Team." There'd be many correct choices, including Stan "the man" Musial.

A second objective is to get the lowest score possible. So, in my example of Freddie Freeman, he's pretty well known - and a current player. So, lots of people might make that choice (driving your score higher). But folks may have forgotten that recent baseball Hall of Fame inductee Andruw Jones did a short stint with L.A. Thus, Andruw might get you a lower score. 

And in St. Louis, Stan the Man is beloved. He might get you a high score. But contestants might have forgotten that Hall of Fame closer Lee Smith pitched for St. Louis and was a member of the N.L. All Star team in 1992. So, he might get a lower score for you.

So, lots of fun and some strategy, too.

For the two of us, we enjoy comparing notes and learning a bit about this beloved game. 

Recently, Paul used Julio Franco as a choice to fill a square for Atlanta Braves-Philadelphia Phillies. 

If you read the blog years ago (before the break), you might remember the piece I wrote some years ago about Julio Franco tossing a ball to nine-year-old Paul during a game.

So, Julio has always been a family favorite for us. 

It is fun to be able to work in some personal favorites like Juli. Or the 1950s pitcher that shares a surname with Lisa's family. Or the MLB player who went to grade school with Paul. Or one who faced the Choppers.

Infinite possibilities. Lots of fun.

One note, before I close, Immaculate Grid is NOT to be confused with The Immaculate Reception. That is another topic for another time (and contains painful memories for a childhood Oakland Raiders fanatic!).

JG