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| The solid-chocolate, life-sized bust of Bakers owner QCurl Sharif that was a gift from the Ukrainian people is temporarily on display at The Cherry Bomb Café (above). |
The Mainline Dope
NASHVILLE — In an emotional reunion two weekends ago at the Nashville airport, 12th Avenue Bakers owner QCurl Sharif and PR Director Faith Popcorn embraced and hurriedly made their way to an awaiting car. The owner had left his private box during the Bakers-Smackdaddies game Oct. 26 to meet Popcorn, and reportedly ushered her to his West End home, where an entire floor has been fitted to accommodate her recovery and rehab.
Popcorn was gravely wounded while fighting against the Russian-backed rebels with Sharif in eastern Ukraine this past summer. Though her exact medical condition has not been revealed, she is believed to have suffered injuries in a rocket attack on a government military convoy. Witnesses at the airport told The Dope that her head and face was covered entirely with bandages, and that she seemed to be speaking to Sharif through a voicebox.
The starcrossed franchise is enjoying its best record in several seasons, and Sharif had stated publicly, following the death of head coach Rob Bironas, that he wanted to "bring Faith home." Popcorn was accompanied by the Ukrainian honor guard, along with a life-sized bust of Sharif — a gift from the Ukrainian people — sculpted in solid chocolate, and a small white coffin, trimmed in Baker blue. It, too, was said to be a gift from the Ukrainian people, though no further explanation was given.
Popcorn, who has not been seen since, is considered to be the driving force in the crafting of the modern Bakers image, a far cry from the one haunted by tractors and weird science, as well as its revolving door with head coaches, circumstances synonymous with the Baker brand in the 1970s and early 1980s.
"Without God, there is no Faith," Sharif said. He hosted a small post-victory party Sunday night on the back lawn at his home, as she familiarized herself with her new surroundings in the residence. "Without Faith, there is no God."
The Bakers blowout win over the Smackdaddies, and an ensuing victory over the Village Green a week ago, has the team in the hunt for a playoff spot, but coach Snoop Lion reminded those gathered at Sharif's home that it was a long and uncertain road that laid ahead for the franchise.
"We've been in this position before, and crashed," Lion said. "And, I think that everyone needs to look out for Cambridge. Those honkys up there are burning it down. I'd say they are the best team in the league right now, and just knowing they are waking up scares me. This division is hardcore. I mean, the Black Dogs are the Black Dogs. And, the 'Bubbas and the Animals just busted some of that Corsair ass. I don't know what's in front of us. It looks bloody out there — and I've got no running back. No one is stepping up.
"But, I believe that with Faith back on the scene, we might get our groove on. But, more importantly we've got to get her walking again. I think QCurl would trade the rest of the season, just to see her walk across the floor up there. I know he thinks he's responsible for what happened to her, and what went down with Bironas. So, our record's not what's important here — it's the healing, baby. We got healing to do."
When asked about the small coffin that was carried into the house, Lion was circumspect.
"I don't know about that," he said. "I mean, I've seen packages and crates come and go around here. That thing might be packed with cash or dope, for all I know. Could be chocolate. I just know it's been up in the room with Faith every night."
Popcorn was gravely wounded while fighting against the Russian-backed rebels with Sharif in eastern Ukraine this past summer. Though her exact medical condition has not been revealed, she is believed to have suffered injuries in a rocket attack on a government military convoy. Witnesses at the airport told The Dope that her head and face was covered entirely with bandages, and that she seemed to be speaking to Sharif through a voicebox.
The starcrossed franchise is enjoying its best record in several seasons, and Sharif had stated publicly, following the death of head coach Rob Bironas, that he wanted to "bring Faith home." Popcorn was accompanied by the Ukrainian honor guard, along with a life-sized bust of Sharif — a gift from the Ukrainian people — sculpted in solid chocolate, and a small white coffin, trimmed in Baker blue. It, too, was said to be a gift from the Ukrainian people, though no further explanation was given.
Popcorn, who has not been seen since, is considered to be the driving force in the crafting of the modern Bakers image, a far cry from the one haunted by tractors and weird science, as well as its revolving door with head coaches, circumstances synonymous with the Baker brand in the 1970s and early 1980s.
"Without God, there is no Faith," Sharif said. He hosted a small post-victory party Sunday night on the back lawn at his home, as she familiarized herself with her new surroundings in the residence. "Without Faith, there is no God."
The Bakers blowout win over the Smackdaddies, and an ensuing victory over the Village Green a week ago, has the team in the hunt for a playoff spot, but coach Snoop Lion reminded those gathered at Sharif's home that it was a long and uncertain road that laid ahead for the franchise.
"We've been in this position before, and crashed," Lion said. "And, I think that everyone needs to look out for Cambridge. Those honkys up there are burning it down. I'd say they are the best team in the league right now, and just knowing they are waking up scares me. This division is hardcore. I mean, the Black Dogs are the Black Dogs. And, the 'Bubbas and the Animals just busted some of that Corsair ass. I don't know what's in front of us. It looks bloody out there — and I've got no running back. No one is stepping up.
"But, I believe that with Faith back on the scene, we might get our groove on. But, more importantly we've got to get her walking again. I think QCurl would trade the rest of the season, just to see her walk across the floor up there. I know he thinks he's responsible for what happened to her, and what went down with Bironas. So, our record's not what's important here — it's the healing, baby. We got healing to do."
When asked about the small coffin that was carried into the house, Lion was circumspect.
"I don't know about that," he said. "I mean, I've seen packages and crates come and go around here. That thing might be packed with cash or dope, for all I know. Could be chocolate. I just know it's been up in the room with Faith every night."
The Bakers square off with Fidalgo Island this weekend, in search of their sixth victory in the last eight games. More on this story as it develops.
