Incredible ending to an unbelievable season as the Cubs score three runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the title in our inaugural season in the 37+ division. Very special year for our club and to be so fortunate to win a Championship is beyond words. The parity in the division this year was remarkable and no team epitomized that more than the Giants as they came within two outs of the title as the number 10 seed. Everyone knew that team was better than their record and there is no scarier lineup in the division. Top to bottom that team is stacked with not only tremendous hitters but tremendous individuals who have a ton of class. It was a privilege to share the field with them. Congratulations to Jimmy K. and the Giants on a great season.
As far as our team goes we were led in the playoffs by Jonny Martin who won all three Game 3s for us, first against the Orioles, then the HumminBirds, and last night against the Giants. Jon had a bad arm this year and did not pitch for us during the regular season but came up big, as he always does in the playoffs. Jons brother Teddy also led us during the season and through most of the playoffs as he came up from Florida for an extended stay and stayed around as long as he could to get us our 5th Championship. It was also great to finally team up with rookies Joe Fitzgerald and Dan Ryan from the 25 Nationals after all the years competing against them. They were outstanding for us during the season and clutch throughout the playoffs, highlighted in the seventh last night when Fitz was intentionally walked and Ryan followed with the game-winning hit. TJ Scorsone was the last piece to the puzzle this year and played exceptionally well all year for us. I knew he was good when he came over to play with us, but I didnt know he was this good. We dont win without him. Newcomer Dave Van Wormer who was out of baseball for five years came back strong this year and was an integral part of our success all year and Vince Maine who hit over .400 in limited action rounded out the rookies.
Ron Massaroni and Tom Sheperdson, both former Twilight League stars are our aces on the mound who we have now relied on for several years to carry us to the playoffs. Both came up huge this year and we finally got them the title they deserved. Massaronis bat also was red-hot in the playoffs with several key hits in the finals. Bryce Cutler is the guy that gets our team going and last night was clutch with a game-tying two-run hit in the pivotal bottom of the seventh. After many years in the league it was great to celebrate his first Championship with him last night. Jim Walter also came up big for us during the year and had several multi-hit games during our playoff charge. Jim also had big hits switch-hitting in the playoffs. Andy Hoyle, a perennial All-Star was once again stellar for us at third base and his defense was exceptional in the playoffs, and along with Jon Martin was our playoff MVP. Big loss at the end of the year for us as Shawn Maney went down with a torn rotator and will have surgery next week. Shawn was one of the best players in the 28 league and will be an annual All Star in this division for many years to come. I still cant believe we could win it all without Shawn at the top of our lineup. And what can you say about the other Maney.playing-left handed is remarkable in itself but to play as well as Tommy did this year is unthinkable. I do not think there are many people in or out of this league that could do what he did this year as he added to his incredible number of Championships won in this league (somewhere around 15!) Tom remains the heart and soul of our team.
Also special to again share a title with my good friend Richie Garbarino who has been my teammate on the Cubs for the past 18 years. We have had many good times over the years and have contributed to the success of our team both on and off the field. Lastly a special thanks to our number one fans Jim Sr., Jen and my daughter Rachel, who before every playoff game gave me a special power handshake that brought us luck and propelled us to the Championship.
Thanks for the kind words, Jim. Even your dad shook my hand after the game. I saw Joe Fitz tonight at Labor Day headquarters and we just couldn't stop talking about what a great experience that was. As you and I said, if it were up to us, we would have played a best-of-7. You still would have won, but it was just too much for it to be over with - on and off the field.
Chills still run through me thinking of the series. And I have to say, most of it was because of the opponent. What a great group of guys you have as well. A series like this is what bonds total strangers together, makes the world smaller, and better. Losing stings, but only for a moment. Winning or losing is just a formality. One of us had to lose. But the money we pay to play can't buy what lies outside the game. What we shared on and off the field is what CDMSBL is all about.
The Giants thank you and the Cubs for the memories.
The Giants didn't lose this one, the Cubs won it. Timely hits, good execution, and smart baserunning led to the comeback. Very similar to a Cubs game 3 victory over the tough Tigers a few years back when we spotted them a 5-0 lead, before fighting back to win 6-5.
Total team effort from the Cubbies, with different guys stepping up night after night, either in the field, or at the plate. In the end, we had the deeper pitching, even with Teddy Martin on the shelf for the playoffs.
Great effort by the Giants. Next to ours, they have the deepest lineup in the league. Normally, I can look at an opposing lineup and see a few spots where I know I can get outs when I need them. From Carlos L. right on through to Billy Smith, very tough hitters, who wouldn't chase much out of the zone. The only out I saw over there was Coach K., and he never put himself in the lineup!! I know missing Dick Stark for game 3 hurt the Giants.
Congrats again to my Cubbie teammates, especially those who got their first taste of the Bubbly. So many of us played truly banged up down the stretch. This "ONE FOR THE THUMB" is especially sweet!!
Good luck to all those in the Labor Day tourney - this arm is on ice for awile.
Congrats to all my Cubbie buddies!!! Jim McQuade you are unbelievable! The ability to manage a team in a new age group with the kind of parity that was in the 35+ division and come out on top is just an incredible job. Helping John Reel with a lot of the managerial duties on the Silvers this year, I was reminded how special it was to be a Cubbie. Jim does all the organizational work so that his guys can just show up and play. Super job again Jim!!! I was lucky enough to be there on Thursday night and it was special! I sat about ten feet from the Cubs dugout from the fourth inning on. When I got there it was 5-0 Giants. The rally started almost immediately. They had gotten the game to 5-3 by the bottom of the seventh, but Jerry Solomon, on in relief with litte or no rest, was hitting his spots with a very heavy fastball. I noticed that Tom Sheperdson, who was coaching first, had put on his 1980 American Legion State Championship jacket for good luck. Just before the first batter, I suggested to Tom that he turn the jacket inside-out and wear it as a rally jacket. He was hesitant, so I convinced him that if he wore it that way, then the logo would be up against his Cubbies uniform and it would definitely work. He got the jacket turned around in time to see Jon Martin start the winning rally with a double to left center. The rest is history! The rally jacket is born! I just want to reiterate my congratulations to Bryce Cutler, who had been a great player on a bad team for most of his years in the 25+ division. He came to the Cubs just after their last championship, so this was his first title. It couldn't be more fitting that Bryce came up with the game on the line and delivered the two run single to tie the game. Again though, almost nobody noticed that Jim McQuade gave himself up with a perfect sacrafice bunt to set the stage for Bryce. That is just the kind of unselfish team player that Jim is. Finally, I was there to see Mr. McQuade (Super Fan) handed the game ball in the celebration after the game. I will always remember that!!! Congratulations again guys!!! It was great to be there to witness it all!!!
Posting late, just got in from Thursdays celebration!
I want to thank Jimmy K., and the entire Giant team, for 3 of the most exciting games I,ve ever been part of. There isn't one guy on that team, you wouldn,t love as your teammate! Their character is a reflection of their mgr., if they don,t talk you into coming back, you will be sorely missed JK.
The guy at the Cubbie helm is pretty good to. Jim McQuade was at his best this year. The pick-ups, the scheduling, the rain-outs, the phone calls and e-mails, managing the game, right down to packing the coolers. (were still waiting for him to take us to the drive-ins). Thank-you Jim, Jim sr., Jen, and my beloved Cubbie teamates for a very special season. Tom Maney
