So here we go ~ not nearly as touching or as motivating as last year's heartfelt story line perhaps, but just as final and just as well...
The story of game one was pitching, pitching, and more pitching... The pitching of Joe Burns for the Giants and Dave Smitherman (Smitty) to be exact... I first just want to say that Joe has shut us and our big bats down so many times now that we have no real solution to his stuff... But we got the breaks ~ including the big one...
It was 0-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning with both pitchers clearly having their good stuff on this rainy, cold last day of September 2017... Jan Friedman (Bomber rookie and former Champion Giant) reached on a rare Giant error as he hustled down the line and just beat a throw after a bobble to start the inning... An out later Carlos Espada got one of the few hits we had in game one and we had guys on first and second with the top of the order coming back up... So after another out, up to the bat stepped the mighty Casey (uh, or maybe it was me???)... First pitch swinging at a grooved fastball and a liner into the gap that got through left the Giants trying to make a play at the plate and as Carlos scored and the ball got by giant catcher Joe DeMarco, the Bomber took off for third and the Giants threw the ball over the third baseman's head into left field for a 3-run little league type HR that was either officially a single with 2 errors or perhaps a double with only one error on the play but again, it followed Jan's incredible hustle down the line and beating out the earlier bobbled ball as well... So yah, no way I should have even been up to bat that inning... And now it was instantly 3-0 Bombers instead of a 0-0 pitchers duel...
And it stayed that way... And stayed that way... And stayed that way some more...
Casey (cough, cough ) also had a blooper that fell into CF and was our only other hit all day and even after stealing second base and having the big guys up was stranded there by Burns... There was also a BIG defensive play made by Lex in CF and a game changing perfect throw to home which cut down a run by Mr Ryno himself as Mike Kane singled following a Jimmy Hicksie double to the gap and of not for Ryan's strike from deep RF the whole complexion of the game would have been different...
And then came the drama... On the BIG stage...
Top of the 7th and Wayne Phillips led off with a little dribbler down the third base line for an infield single and was followed by Ronnie Smacka doing what he does ~ smacking the ball hard and lining it into the left centerfield gap for a double and the Giants were in business! Especially with Hall of Famer Mark "Dabs" Dabney who is clearly a VERrrryyyy serious long ball threat and the tying run stepping to the plate (the real Casey perhaps)... And sooooooo, uh yeah, we walked him intentionally... Seemed obvious enough... And the drama was in FULLL swing!
Here's where Smitty earns his paycheck as the highest (and lowest) paid pitcher in the league! Mario steps to the plate and hits a sharp grounder just out of Smitty's reach on the mound but after it bounces off his glove, Dave recovers in time to get the force out at home for out number one... With the tying run still on first base and one out now, there was a slow grounder to third base and our all-purpose, do everything all-star Carlos Espada made a nice play to field the ball and step on third for out number two as the lead runner scored to make it 3-1 with two outs and runners still on first and second... As the Giants have one stud hitter after another in their line up as well, up stepped another potential threat with the game on the line...
And well... Whewwwwww... A nice little lazy fly ball to left field and the Bombers could breathe easy with the 3-1 game one victory in hand!
And on to game Two we went...
As we were the visitors in this one and which featured Lex Lothar Herrlett hurling against Jay Day for the G-men, The Lexter also led the game off with a nice single and stolen base to get himself in scoring position before even taking his turn on the bump... The Bombers ended up loading the bases with two outs and just a Jay Day was about to get out of trouble, Mike "The Big Dog" Reutter came through with a scorcher down the line which got two runs home and was followed by Smitty then promptly helping his fellow teammate and pitching compadre with another 2-run single and just like that the Bombers had scored more runs in the top of the first of game two then we managed in the whole of game One... And well, not for nothing, but not much in the way of drama from that point onward...
After Lex pitched an easy 1-2-3 bottom of the first, we scored four more in the 2nd, or maybe even 5 actually as yeah, the book is in my car and I am too lazy to go look up that specific, but you get the picture... I think the final score ended up 17-5 as while the giants have always been worthy opponents and are true Champions through and through, this was BY FAR the most talented and chemistry driven team we have had as the Bombers and we were not "just" the defending Champs ~ but a MUCH better, cleaner, more attuned, harmonious version...
For all of the tumult we have been through over the years, I am proud to have finally gotten the group of guys together that all excel and build each other up to be our best and yeah, this one was for real in so many more ways... I know it's just adult little league, but it means a lot to a lot of us, and I am certainly in that said group... And as I sit here unsure of where our future lie as a league, as a division, and as a group of teams >>> I do know that this was a special year and we had a special team... And that we are 100% standing pat to see what the others can bring to the table next year as nobody else Lex and I want to stand with us except the guys we have... There is NO single MVP, No Cy Young, No batting Champ on our team ~~~ we are just a group of guys who go out there and get it done the best way we know how... No individual accolades, just this... THE Championship... As a TEAM... WE won it... Again...
Have a great off-season fella's and looking forward to seeing you between the lines again as fate has in store...
Well reported Mark and well-stated about your teammates.
What I really like about your team is the fact that you and Lex worked extremely hard to put this team together. No one handed you good players and you didn't "raid'' other teams. You did your due-diligence, recruited accordingly and, after several years, it finally paid off. Perseverance usually gets rewarded.
Your defense was outstanding as mentioned. But while your play in CF and 2B has been chronicled here, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention your 1B-man Rich Royka. This guy saved you a few runs, and possibly longer innings, with incredible scoops from some weak throws from (cough, cough :) ) Casey and a couple of others as well. He was outstanding. Not to mention he took a double from Carlos Llera who hit an absolute rocket that was headed down the line in right. He also knocked down another hard shot to his right and tossed to the pitcher covering to end an inning.
The champion 55 Giants, too, didn't pick an MVP for the same reasons you speak of. One team, one mission and EVERYONE played at MVP caliber. Everyone contributed and that's what TEAMS do.
Yes, our Giants are the same in that regard; you were simply better than us. So, congrats to another fine season. You all deserve it and, like I said, it will take a special team to unseat you guys.
Don't worry Richie, you will be the highest paid first baseman in the league no matter what and sheesh, we may even match Smitty's contract as yes, couldn't have done ANY of it without you through the years...
I also want to mention Bob Altobelli as he is not only our most feared hitter (or should be if he isn't), the two of you are our gentlemanly guys on the team and keep us grounded...
We would be in disarray without you guys... Glad Jimmy mentioned his HR as he hots them so regularly we almost start taking them for granted, and doing it in 40-something, wet conditions too, in the Championship is impressive even for him...
I don;t want to leave anyone out as Mike Clary and jim Bradley were valuable additions this year as well as both not only often made our 9th guy during the regular season, they do EVERYTHING behind the scenes to keep the ship sailing smoothly, not to mention would be starting and batting mid-order for any number of other teams in the league...
Lance was in there too, lest we not forget him as well...
And then theres the Big Dog himself, #99, Mike Reutter! We came into the league together and have stayed steadily by each others side even through our losing years (yes, we considered second placing losing)... His dad Mr Big Dog Daddy Jerry is also a very special part of team and is not without deserving of some of the credit too as he is our biggest (and really only) fan! Lol... He is also part of the Bomber family and a big part of it at that... Not to mention he takes care of Mr Bailey at games for me as sheesh, what a genuine honor to have him at all our games on so many levels... So a special thanks to him for not just having Mikey, but supporting us through the years as he always has...
They too are sure to be in contract negotiations and will also be the highest paid at their positions!
Eric Duemler was rock steady at 2nd base in game one also btw as he must have had 6-7 grounders hit to him and he made them ALL! Including a nice one on a sharp grounder to his left with runners on to end a potential threat...
So yeah, it wasn't all Smitty's brilliance on the mound although there's obviously that too...
Always gotta make the plays...
And we couldn;t do that w/out Richie scooping over there as he does and Smitty and Lex on the hill like they do...
Carlos is the gold glove winner at EVERY position except SS if because he never gets to play there!!!
JJ Janetsky is arguably the most talented all around player in the league and also our friend of years as well... What an addition he was, eh? Add THAT bat to the line-up??? And his gun!
So uh yah, there's that MAJOR element as well in the field...
And Jan catching TWO games ~ and the hustle he does it with???
Wowwwwww...
Ryno is THE MAN!
Scares everyone when he steps in too!
Who else, did I forget anyone???
I think that covers it as yeah, ALL a team effort ALL the way around...
Oh yeah, Lex...
And me...
We are still going steady even though I know lots of guys never thought we could co-exist...
And facts are, we do a LOT more than simply co-exist...
We are brothers...
Till the end...
Which will come one day...
But today ~ today we enjoy this Championship and get ourselves geared up for Florida as that's next!
And then we'll see what happens for next year as the contract negotiations around the league are sure to fly as they do every year...
Just with a lil different twist...
Best to all and hope to see everyone out between the lines again as time allows...
Peace and love fellow ballers...
MM
-- Edited by Marcus Aurelius on Monday 2nd of October 2017 07:23:18 AM
-- Edited by Marcus Aurelius on Monday 2nd of October 2017 09:50:58 AM
also had a blooper that fell into CF and was our only other hit all day and even after stealing second base and having the big guys up was stranded there by Burns... There was also a BIG defensive play made by Lex in CF and a game changing perfect throw to home which cut down a run by Mr Ryno himself as Mike Kane singled following a Jimmy Hicksie double to the gap and of not for Ryan's strike from deep RF the whole complexion of the game would have been different... 
