Gil Thorp by Henry Barajas and Rachel Merrill for June 28, 2010

I don’t know what state they are in,k but it isn’t Illinois. Conference championships have nothing to do with the play-off, sudden death format, which i prefer.

For all we know, the state Jack Berrill had in mind for Milford’s location doesn’t work that way any more either. Who still uses the term “playdowns,” for instance?

This poses a real test of the Gilfather’s managerial skills. Does he go with Derek Chance on Friday to improve his chances of making the “playdowns” or does he throw a variety of arms against Valley Tech, hoping to save The Music Man for Saturday? Who will he look to for managerial guidance? Ozzie Guillen? Sparky Anderson? Or one of the notorious “arm killer” manager/coaches from the Cubs?

Gil’s no Dusty Baker, thank goodness. I don’t think I could handle the wristbands, toothpick and Ward Cleaver Saturday morning attire.

It’s not Michigan since every team is in the state playoffs.

The term “playdowns” drives me nuts. The only place you ever hear it is here.

Gil Thorp wouldn’t be Gil Thorp without “The Playdowns”. On to the Playdowns!

This is great! There’s nothing like ‘playdown time’ in Milford!

I am confused to what I’m reading here so I thought I’d join the gang and make a comment. Gil clearly says “Playoff” and no where in this strip does he say “playdown”. I know he’s used that term in the past but here he does not.

tch. newbies…

Good point flashirb – I think us old Thorpians are just so used to playdowns we automatically think that way. My guess is that this current writing crew will probably phase out the term.

There is a Milford in SE New York state. Also the names of some of the teams they play are in that area.

And just five months until the Turkey Turney!

Also a Milford in Michigan, and some of the characters in the strip share names with some well known people in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The current writer Neil Rubin is based in Michigan.

What the heck is a “playoff” game? And a “state tournament” for that matter?

Playdowns or nuthin for me!!!

I hate to be the spoiler but Slim is going to be on the road doing a weekend tour with the Longshots and won’t play.

Seriously, they can’t recycle the same “key player abandons team in crucial game” scenario that they just finished with Cassie, can they?

P2 – what’s up with those motion lines? Is the VT player not the master of his domain?

He’ll play baseball and Tuck will go postal!

Jack Berrill lived in Connecticut. Many of the names of the teams are areas in Connecticut. Look at a map of CT and you will find New Thayer, Milford, Oakwood, etc.

I was in CT last year and stopped at NEW MILFORD high school. That was the school that was supposed to be the inspiration for Milford high. I spoke with the principal and the athletic director. They never even heard of Jack Berrill of Gil Thorp. That’s unfortunate.

I wanted to get a sweat shirt, but all they had were “hoodies” and I need a real sweat shirt. So I’ll wait.

Incidentally, their school colors are Green and White and their team is the Green Wave.

Conventional wisdom / fan lore says Milford colors are Red and White. However, in a Jack Berrill comic published in the 1960’s, the Milford colors were Green and White.

I’ve always wondered about the uniform colors – in my mind’s eye, I always saw them as a dark blue and white.

You’d think there’d be a splash of brown in there, seeing as they are the Mudlarks.

The game on Friday is more properly called a play-in game.

Maybe in Milford that’d be a play-out?