The Cubs swept their third straight playoff series last night at Clifton Commons to win their second championship in their three years in the division. It was the sixth overall championship for the Cubs, when you add in the 4 trophies they have collected from their time in the 25+ division. It is no wonder manager, Jim McQuade, is in the CDMSBL Hall of Fame! Game two was decided in the first three innings. The Cubs struck quickly in the top of the first. Bryce Cutler led off with a walk and Randy Craft sent him 270 feet for the first run of the game on a long double to left center. Ron Lochner advanced Craft to third on an infield single, and was advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mike Girard then worked a walk to load the bases. Andy Hoyle grounded a ball into the hole. The only play for the O's shortstop was to get Lochner at third. That forced in the Cubs second run and gave the Orioles their first out. Tom Maney followed with a single. An Oriole error on Shawn Maney's grounder made it 3-0. John Martin then blooped a ball to center that fell in, but forced the runner at second. The fielder's choice was good for a RBI and a 4-0 lead for the Cubs. Great start for the Cubs. The Cubs would make it 5-0, in the top of the second, on a lead off double by Jim McQuade, a sacrafice bunt by Cutler, and a sacrafice fly by Craft. The Orioles kept the game in reach by plating a pair of runs, in the bottom of the second inning, on a Mark Dabney walk, a RBI double by Jim Becker, and a two-out RBI single by John Pologa. With the lead at 5-2 going into the top of the third, the attitude on the Cubs bench was to win each inning the rest of the way and the trophy is ours. Andy Hoyle got the third inning rally going with a one-out double over the center fielders head. After another Orioles' error allowed Tom Maney to reach first, Shawn Maney singled home Hoyle to make it 6-2. Orioles starter, Bob Bolt, then drilled Jon Martin with a pitch to load the bases. TJ Scorsone followed with a fielder's choice that scored a run and extended the lead to 7-2. The third Orioles error, in as many innings, reloaded the bases and extended the inning, bringing Bryce Cutler to the plate. Bryce promptly cleared the bases with a long double over the center fielders head, making the score 10-2, and for all intents and purposes, decided the game. The Orioles would make it 10-3 in the 4th on a RBI single by Bob Bolt, but the Cubs put the lead back to eight (11-3), in the top of the 5th, with a run on a RBI single by Jim McQuade. Cubs starter, Phil Gadomski, would yield to Tom Shepardson, in the sixth inning, after 5 solid innings, giving up 3 runs on just 4 hits and a walk. Mr. Shepardson, having not pitched for about 5 or 6 weeks, struggled with his command. He walked two Orioles batters and gave up singles to Paul Scuteri and Jim Becker, but limitted the damage to just two runs. In his one inning of work, he showed some filthy stuff. The stuff that will make the Cubs even stronger next year, by adding Tom to a staff that is already one of the deepest in the league. The seventh inning again saw the Cubs extend the lead. This time, the run came on a TJ Scorsone single and stolen base, followed by a single by Jim McQuade. This made the score 12-5, and would provide the final margin. In a classy move by the Cubs' manager, Jon Martin was given the ball to pitch the final frame for the Cubbies. Jon induced two weak grounders and a pop out to short. That final pop out landed in a very fitting spot: The glove of Randy Craft. Randy was spectacluar at shortstop all playoffs long, making plays that men half his age (hell -- a third of his age) just can't make. He was blessed with an incredible talent to play that position like no other CDMSBL'er ever has, and he continues to show that talent off every time he steps on the diamond. I, for one, can't wait to see what he will do next! On this night it was two balls, deep in the hole (sure singles against any other SS), that were back handed on the dead run and thrown off-balance to first for strikes that nailed the runners by a half step. We shouldn't take what we have seen this year for granted. Not only should the league give the defensive player of the year trophy to Randy, but they should name the damn thing in his honor! After the game, the Cubs took their celebration to Ravens Wood (a local tavern) and a great time was had by all. During the celebration, it was pointed out that this championship was Tom Maney's 19th such championship in this league. Are you kidding me?!!! Congratulations Tommy. That is a mark that may never be broken . . .except by you, as you add some more trophies! Way to go Cubbies!!! I am thrilled to be back home!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Thursday 26th of August 2010 07:25:32 AM
I WAS REALLY SAD WHEN RON DECIDED TO "GIVE UP WITH THE 35 MARLINS" BUT I AM HAPPY THAT HE IS PLAYING WITH SUCH A NICE BUNCH OF GUYS. THEY ALL ARE TRULY AMAZING BASEBALL PLAYERS. AND WITH RANDY AT SS, AKA DEREK JETER, AND MY HUBBY AT THIRD, AKA AROD, AND MIKE AT FIRST, AKA TEIXEIRA, AND SO ON, WHAT MORE COULD A FAN ASK FOR:) CONGRATS TO EVERYONE!!!!! AND A SPECIAL THANK TO MR. MCQUADE FOR ALL HIS SUPPORT. HE TRULY IS AN AMAZING "FAN"!
Great way to end the season beating the always tough Orioles, one of the premier teams in the history of this league, after they knocked off both the #4 and #1 seeds on the way to the finals....another great job by manager Paul Scuteri!
We got hot at the right time and our pitching and defense carried us to another title. Ron Massaroni was stellar as he finishes undefeated in 2010 with three more huge wins for us in each of our series openers. Phil Gadomski who was outstanding all year picks up the win in the clincher and Tom Sheperdson and Jonny Martin round out the staff....no worries when those two are in your pen! The defense was amazing with Randy Craft making great plays (you have to see them to appreciate how good they are) throughout the playoffs, TJ Scorsone was rock solid as always, Mike Girard at his best at first, and our tandem at third with MVP contenders Ron Lochner and Andy Hoyle....how about that duo. Bryce Culter is as outstanding behind the plate as he is in the leadoff spot and makes our team so much better. The Maney Brothers, Tom and Shawn who were red-hot in the playoffs and myself patrolled the outfield, and Dave Mitchell was a major force in the lineup throughout the entire year and all through the playoffs. Joe Ciccarelli also contributed to our success this year in his rookie season.
Special Thanks to my Assistant Coach Mike Girard who does stats, field prep, game reports and is an overall great motivator. Also our Pitching Coach Jonny Martin who travels from Mass. for our games and is as clutch as they get. Thanks also to Tommy Smith who is a great communicator and handles the thankless job of Commissioner. Nice Job Tom! See you all next year!
Congratulations to the 35 Cubs on a great year culminating their second championship in this division in just 3 years. The Cubs have a great team strengthened by some excellent acquisitions in the off season by Jim McQuade and his superb leadership as a manager. The Pirates look forward to playing against you guys again next year.
What a great run by both finals teams. these 35 playoffs take strategy and depth and individual endurance. and then attendance weighs in. Paul and Jim are masters at maneuvering thru 3 series, and lining up pitching and defenses. Seems these 35 finals are often close and tense then things just let go. (last year aside). Here the Cubs just busted out with hitting. A lot just over the infield but and equal amount hit deep. mix in some errors and the game was determined fairly early. And knowing both squads well this bust out could have gone either way. Alas the season is over and the Cubs are 2010 CDMSBL 35 Division champs and my hats off to them. good job boys. Many thanks to Tom Smith for his work in running this division. To Pres. Jensen for his support to this the largest division of our league. and my gratitude to all the managers who toil so the games go on. Hey , Only 7 months till next season. Jreel board member 1991-2010.
Congratulation Cubs!!! Congrats to the Orioles for their second in a row finals appearrance. Two first class teams and individuals facing each other . Way to go men.
Congratulation Cubs!!!
