The Shaskys first season in this league came to a close today as they beat the Blue Jays in their first-ever playoff game 5-3 before getting bested by the Pirates 16-1 in the second round. In the first game, Rich Cooney was very effective on the mound, closing The Blue Jays down for 5 innings. The Jays got one run in the 6th, and then in the bottom of the 7th they started getting some hits and before you know it they had two runs in and the bases were loaded with two outs, and the score at 5-3. The tying run was on second base and the winning run was on first! I was playing third base. On a 3-2 pitch with the runners going, Mitchell hit a grounder to my left, and I ranged over and in a bit in order to get a good short hop. Just as I'm reaching down and the ball ker-plunks into my glove, the guy running from second plows into me with his striding knee landing right in my ribs and lays me out, the wind knocked right out of me. Well, that play turned out to be the Jays undoing, because it was runner's interference, it was called by the ump, and the game was over! While the Blue Jays all ran out to argue the call, I was rolling around and flailing around without any oxygen getting to my brain, thinking I was going to die right there on the field. But I heard the ump's call, so I thought if I died I would be content with the fact that the game was over and we had won. But I still wasn't getting any of that precious oxygen into my system. And then, just as I saw Babe Ruth and Shoeless Joe Jackson calling me from the white light "Come to the light, Tony - play baseball with us, come to the light", somebody shook my shoulders a little and it started the process of finally getting some air into my lungs a little at at a time. Game over. Since I'm the guy that cant stand up, sit down, move or breathe without a whole lot of pain tonight, I dont feel shy about saying that I think the umps got this call totally right. MLB rules state: 7.09 It is interference by a runner when (j) He fails to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field a batted ball PENALTY FOR INTERFERENCE: The runner is out and the ball is dead.
So it didnt even matter that the ball went into my glove the moment that I got blind-sided, my attempt at the ball was enough, since he was running right at me and saw me, and could have avoided me. I never saw him coming.
Anyway, enough about me. The Pirates whipped us good in the second game, and with a lot of class while doing it. Good luck to Bob and his Bucs, they are a class act. They were all watching the end of our game with the Jays and all had kind words for me when I went over before the game with the line-up about the collision and my injury. And later after the game Bob and Jimmy came over and again had kind words about how they thought we had improved a lot over the course of our first season. Again, a class act if ever there was one.
We'll be back next year, thanks so much to all of you for being good winners whenever you beat us in a game. And thanks also to the Blue Jays today, it was a fun, well-played game. At least for me - right up until the end. I know the runner didn't mean to hurt me, but I just wish at the last moment he had pulled up just a bit...
Excellent writeup of the game and very accurate as to what I witnessed awaiting our game with you guys or the Jays. One question remains however, did you have time to get Babe's or Shoeless Joe's autograph? If so, I'd love to see em.
Tony - You and your entire team played a great baseball game against us Jays - all the way around - pitching, hitting and defense. Congratulations on winning that game. The Shasky's are a good additon to our league - thanks for joining. I agree with Jim Preller and Bob Yakatan - you guys improved throughout the season and I know you will come back even stronger next year. I hope you are feeling better after taking that hit. As you mentioned, the runner did not try to hurt you.
Rich Cooney was a huge addition for you guys. I played with him on the 28+ Senators and he is a great teammate. He always took the ball in the toughest of situations and gave it his all. It was no surprise to me that he gave the Blue Jays a hard time. Congrats on the win! All you need to do is find two or three more Rich Cooneys for next year and you will be alright!
Thanks for the update on Tony, Kevin, our prayers for a speedy recovery are with him. It's good to know how he is, albeit very serious injuries.
I concur with you guys, Tony and his guys were a great addition to the league as most of the new teams have been. I know he is a class act by playing with him on the 47 Dodgers and he will be missed during our playoff drive.
