Jose Canseco, recreational softball player

"Before I die, I will hit 500 home runs. I don't care what's in my future -- broken leg, broken ankle ... more back surgery ... I'll play until I'm 45 if I have to." -— Jose Canseco

The Head Hunters defeated the two-time defending Santa Monica Friday night men's "C" league champion Bar Rats a bunch of runs to not so much in a showdown on Friday night.

The Head Hunters' victory was powered by Jose Canseco. Let's repeat that again for effect ... the Head Hunters' victory was powered by Jose Canseco.

Canseco made a much-ballyhooed Friday night softball debut, socking one long home run, lining for left for a single, and then popping out twice on long fly balls that were tracked down by the Bar Rats' skilled outfielders.

Canseco's line: 2-4, 1B, HR
My line: 2-3, 2 1B (including a hit when Canseco took the mound)

"I'm not letting Canseco walk me," I said to whoever would listen after the game. "He was obviously trying to pitch around me."

Actually, Canseco's softball pitching -- much like his ill-fated appearance on the mound at Fenway Park -- left more to be desired. He walked a couple Bar Rats and some of his pitches were better suited for fast-pitch softball. He also showed why he never won a Gold Glove while playing in the big leagues, making an errant throw to first that resulted in an error.

Canseco's 17-year major-league career ended after the 2001 season with 462 home runs, just 38 short of the 500-homer milestone many use as a barometer for induction into baseball's Hall of Fame (Complete stats). In 2007, he received just six Hall of Fame votes and failed to meet the threshold necessary to stay on the ballot for another year.

Despite the novelty factor of Canseco's appearance, the loss was particularly bitter for the Bar Rats, who failed to get a good inning going at the plate and made numerous fielding and baserunning errors.

"Tonight we let one guy get into our heads and we lost," team manager "Grim" said. "Now this game is in the past. Starting next game let's go out there and kick some (expletive)."

Below are some photos from Friday night's game ...

Canseco at the plate.

Canseco at the dish, ready to rake.

Me at the dish, ready to rake.

Canseco connects, blasting a home run over the head of the Bar Rats' speedy, talented, devilishly handsome left-center fielder.

Me connecting, hitting a single.

Being the nice guy that he is, Canseco poses for a photo with the Bar Rats softball club.

Photos taken by the girl I'm sorta kinda seeing.