Artie Cramer liked it.

Ok... I've held my tongue long enough... I just gotta say it...

2002: I get banned by the Milwuakee Rampage from attending their games.
2003: The Milwuakee Rampage go belly up and drop from the USL.
2009: I retire from the Minnesota Thunder.
2010: The whole team goes into the crapper.

I'm not sayin... I'm just sayin.

Hope everyone is well.

Artie Kramer gave us quite an interesting recount of the incident ... assuming that's what you are referring to ... see image above for our meeting with Artie in the post MISL team party in Ol' Milwaukee.

The Artie incident? Naw - that had nothing to do with it. And very frankly, have heard the recount of the incident change about four times. Here's the "incident" exactly as it happened.

After a hard fought Thunder win, the announcement for where to line up to wait to be let on the field for autographs was going. I, as usual, pointed to the south end of the field in big mascot fashion. Unfortunately, Artie was approaching me from behind heading for the locker rooms and I inadvertently clotheslined/clocked him pretty good. Seeing he wasn't too happy with the loss, he took it as a deliberate slap. Later, I called him to set the record straight and apologized.

That's what happened, but that's not what got me banned in Milwuakee. I was just better than Rocky the Rampage Dog and fans were more entertained by my antics. People started calling the Rampage asking for me to be invited back to other games to entertain the masses. The Rampage became insulted and said bye bye to me.

Then, we said bye bye to the Rampage.

Thank, you, Thor, for all the great memories, and your fervent support. Even during the incredible heat at the Jimmy.

No he won't - it won't go any further than Dale Weiler FC.


Thor - good to see you back here. I remember that roadtrip to Milwaukee. I remember hearing a couple kids saying along the lines of, "Oh, man. They've got a REAL mascot."

I have the Artie Kramer version of the story on tape recorder somewhere. He asked me not to post it to the internet and I will respect that.

...

I am liking NSC Minnesota more and more everyday.

We can nickname the team the "Nessies"

"NSC Minnesota"? Really? Please tell me this is just rookie being rookie...

Welcome back to life. The USL 1st Division lives on.
Wouldn't wish anyone to lose their team.

It will be interesting if the NASL league can get off the ground next year without a kick from the USSF like this year. Either way time will tell. At least you are watching soccer for another year.

I don't understand some of your concerns about the NSC. The NSC at least is a good soccer venue even with above complaints about tailgate area/beer/whatever else there was. The high school football field you were at most of the time was embarrassing. By far the worst stadium in the league.

Good news, AJ!

I just got off the phone with my inside guy at the NSC and he assures me that not only will there be beer available at the stadium, but it will be marketed to all, including Youth Soccer and Babies!

Eagerly anticipating some interesting new styles of play being displayed during the upcoming NSA Youth Tournaments as the the next generation of Garrinchas, George Bests and Paul Gascoignes emerge, I remain

That little old jersey collector

Me