Hey guys! Its been a week since the Albany Caps returned home from a grueling Fall Classic Tournament. The last day was 85 degrees, sunny and we all knew what the weather was in NY. Anyway, the team that beat us 2-1 during the week, the Puerto Rico Royals, won the American division title. We eventually got seeded into the Central division (consolation tournament) and faced the number one seeded Atlanta Braves. We headed into the bottom of the 8th inning with a 12-9 lead and couldn't hold it. The Atlanta Braves eventually won the Central division tournament. I had a great group of guys that never quit. A few honorable mentions of guys that really brought "their stuff" every day during the week: Our offense: 1. Pat Alston that went 10 for 21 with a double, scoring 6 runs, 2 RBI's, a batting average of 0.476 and on base percentage of 0.571. 2. Timmy Burns completed the week with 8 for 16, scoring 2 runs, 1 RBI, helping behind the plate, a batting average of 0.500!! and on base percentage of 0.555. Our pitching: 1. Curt Tucker pitching 14 innings during the week, walking only 3, and giving us the memorable 9 inning performance against the Puerto Rico team when we lost 2-1 with 0 earned runs. 2. Chris Abrams was my fall guy for relief, pitching in 5 games during the week, totaling 10 innings and giving up zero walks. Our Defense honorable mentions include: 1. Our rookie Dennis Newell... a new guy to the team that saw fly balls in left field that made you realize that we weren't in Albany anymore. 2. And our outspoken, can we wear tank tops, I have to make friends with all the umpires Tony Parella.... Tony played first base, right field, left field, 3rd base and even pitched the last out. I would like to also thank Mike Cleary for letting us use his warehouse for practice during the last few weeks leading to the tournament. AND to congratulate the Lex's Albany Yankees and Mike's Albany Cubs for being so successful. When I arrived at the tournament meeting, Gary D'ambrisi said that it was really nice seeing an Albany team in the finals. He said it was long overdue. Maybe it'll be our turn next year. Thanks! Mike Surin Albany Caps 50+
It is perhaps the hardest thing to do when you take mostly a locally derived team to play in these national tourneys when almost every opponent has built squads by recruiting outside their own leagues and over the course of man years. It is a credit to us that we make ventures like this with rosters of almost entirely CDMSBL players. (Not that I would knock the individuals going on their own or recruited by other leagues.) Our three teams entered in Florida this year sought to represent Albany. I am proud of that.
I know from years of entering it is downright hard to win, much less put together a string of wins. it was years before a CDMSBL team even made the playoffs. And we sent teams of all ilk. Perhaps a freakish year when in 2008 two teams from CDMSBL fought in the 45 + finals . But still a huge statement of the quality of our league.
And some go and encounter immediate bad luck, sponsored teams with ex pro pitchers, injuries, a tough schedule; and still fight it out. Still others seek only baseball in the sun on great major league fields with the comraderie of their teammates on and off the field. Perhaps as important as the struggle met is the sportsmanship displayed, not to mention the friendships made or cemented . I know we meet both challenges and I am proud of our reputation earned from all these 3 teams and those preceding them and from all the individuals going in the pool or recruited nationally who fill roles and help their teams.
Finally I would like to thank Mike Surin, Jim McQuade, and Lex Herrlett for their efforts leading these teams . Its more than a lineup card and perhaps the weight of the job is unknown by many. its like a season compressed into a week and that's only after you get there. Thank you guys and all who assisted.
