'cuz i'm a thug -or- There once was a man from Nantucket.....

Michael J Parkman 1994-1997(ish)

Random softball groupie: "Is that Jason Terry playing shortstop?"

Devout Bayside Tiger/Paul's Boutique fan: "That's Parkman."

Before Wes Johann there was Mike. Although their personalities differed (atlho' not as much as one would think) and Mike was a bit more "tan" than Wes, it was their attire that connected them. Black socks pulled to the knees, black shorts hanging loosely covering the top half of the knee and topped off w/ a bright red shirt and a matching headband (optional). Though the colors varied from night-to-night the flow to the ensemble remained. Socks always matching (exactly) w/ either the shorts or shirt and a head dress partnering w/ the "other" article of clothing solidifying a strong two-tone style.

Mike knew most of the players on the newly formed Bayside Tigers, the prequel to the Gashaus Gorillaz, add in natural athleticism (something lacking in the majority of our roster) he was a perfect fit. Mike was also one of only 15 guys we could find that was able to be around Fleming for more than an hour w/out escalating into a physical altercation.

Mike, although athletic, didn't have much experience playing baseball/softball so he was a natural fit to be our starting shortstop. In fairness he wasn't thrust into the starting role on opening day but gradually took over the day-to-day operations at the #6 hole after "trying out" approximately 10 other candidates.

Mike's career in softball wasn't a long one. He left the Gorilla organization after a 3 year stint (approximate). I have not heard from Mike in several years and have heard rumors of him getting fired from Office Depot, threatening to kill a pizza delivery guy, and going back to work at Office Depot.

Famous Quotes:
"That dude was in one of my classes at USI. He wore shorts and sandals in January." -- referring to HoF Gorilla Rodney Bultman.

'Rilla-pedia -or- Where Have You Gone, Tyrone Taylor?

Tyrone Taylor ('94-'98)

Softball
Taylor was an orginal Gorilla, and the founder of the '96 team name "Paul's Botique" (a Beastie Boys album.) He was a slick fielding 1st baseman with the ability to play 2nd and a penchant for hitting oppo-handed at any time. But most importantly he was the "Mayor" (Sean Casey-esque) of the pre-gorillas.

1994-'98 were some lean years for the team. A three win season was considered a success. The constant losing made some players dickheads... and yah, I'm lookin at you Snyder! Oh, shit I'm writing this! Correction: I'm lookin at you Baumgart! Taylor, who by the way looks like Tony Parker (Eva!!), was the calming influence in the dugout. Everyone liked him. When certain left-center fielders short-stops would start acting like an ass he would break it down Zen style. "D Jeff, It's just a game and no matter what we're going to drink some beer afterwards." Those kind of calming quotes kept this team from imploding.

Personal
Taylor was the x factor in the infancy of the RILLAS. He started at Northside BuyLow when it opened. Stokes, Baumgart, Bultman, Perigo, Fleming, (Daniel) North, McGrew, and Baggett (all future Gorillas) worked there and he was my best friend so we all connected. (An aside: Taylor was a damn near genius. He has a 154 IQ! I've known him since I was 5 and we took some test in the 6th grade. I'm sure his year as a Pre-rilla dropped some points, but the dude was smart.)

Today
Taylor is married with a couple of kids and is a Buy Low manager. I saw him at a wiffle ball reunion in June. There had to be over 100 people in attendance and once again Taylor was the genius (that never changes), the mayor (everyone loved him), and my best friend. Tyrone Taylor was a true Gorilla!