Commish Corner – Week 10 - Finals!
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FanCam!
Nats and Expos Win! End the reign of the Hurricanes (2-peat) and Padres (3-peat) Defending Champs!
Winning Manager Reports
19+ Champion Nats’ Perspective
Champion Nats!
MVP Bob Schwier!
It was a great day in Legends Baseball. Two teams that know one another very well and always produce great baseball! The Championship game matched up the current two-time winning Hurricanes vs. another former Legends Champion Nationals. This day was not going to disappoint any fan watching, because this was one heck of a hard fought baseball game. No one should have hung their heads after this clash of baseball giants!
The game started off with hot bats immediately, as the Nationals jumped to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first, on 4 hits and a walk. However, like I said earlier the Hurricanes would not be outdone in the first, scoring four runs also, on 5 hits. Both pitchers started scratching their heads, trying to figure out a strategy. Who would come out victorious in this battle?
Manager Goad!
The second inning was went quietly for the Nationals with only one hit and no runs, however the mighty Hurricanes scored one run on an error by the usually steady defense of the Nationals (taking over the lead 5-4).
The third inning tied up the game again with the Nationals scoring one run on 1 hit, 1 walk and an error on the Hurricanes. The Nationals pitcher finally found his groove and shut the Hurricanes down with only one hit in the third, leaving the game tied 5-5.
In the fourth inning the Nationals had a double and single, but stranded two runners. The Hurricanes had one runner reach on an error, but was also stranded, leaving the game tied at 5.
The Nationals started off the fifth inning with a couple of hits and a double to take the lead by one, but stranded two more runners. The Hurricanes went quietly with 3 up and 3 down, giving the Nationals the lead 6-5.
It was hot!
The Nationals once again had a couple of hits in the sixth, however good defense by the Hurricanes quickly stopped the rally. The Hurricanes had no answers once pitching ace Bobby S. took over from the veteran Rich G. on the mound. Bobby quickly struck out the side in the sixth.
The seventh started off with a bang (literally Wayne S. was plunked with a high tight fastball), which fired up the Nationals bats. The next three batters all singled and drove in two runs, giving the Nationals an 8-5 lead, while stranding three runners. The Hurricanes still couldn't find the bats against Bobby, retiring three in a row.
As the game headed to the eighth, the Nationals bats went cold and were quickly back in the field after just three batters. The Hurricanes had a spark by Manager Eric when he started the bottom of the eighth with a triple and then scored on a wild pitch, however Bobby then fanned two more ending the inning with the Nationals winning 8-6.
In the past, the Hurricanes and Nationals have had some interesting ninth innings played against each other and this one, well, was the same. You never know what is going to happen when these two teams play, but you can count on some great baseball (stated Hurricanes General Manager Greg B.). The Nationals, not known for their speed, surprised the Hurricanes with a speedy young gun (Andrew G.) with an infield single. With a quick swipe of second, the Nationals had a runner in scoring position. A walk and then base hit set the table for Andrew to score, giving the Nationals an extra run as a cushion (would they need it --- wait and see). The bottom of the ninth turned out to be very interesting, but heck, I'll give you a play by play! The first batter was fanned by ace Bobby, however the next two batters both caught up to the speed and singled. They both moved up when the next batter grounded out to the pitcher for the second out. The next play put some fear into the Nationals, as a quick pick off attempt at third resulted in the ball tipping off the glove of the third baseman and sailing into left field. With the left fielder shading towards center field and a long run to get the ball, the Hurricanes scored both runners. The three run lead of the Nationals was quickly disappeared and was only one run up, however the Hurricanes were down to their last out and Stud General Manger Greg B was stepping to the plate. He quickly announced this is what he plays the game for, the excitement of the bottom of the ninth, playing against a great team, pitching and smelling the pine tar. Ok, he might not have said all that, but he did say some of it, you figure that one out! The count was 2 balls and 2 strikes when the mighty Budnik approached the plate, Bobby stared at the signal and drew back and fired a beautiful curve ball in the dirt which completely fooled the mighty Budman who swung and missed! But a game cannot end like this for a Huge matchup can it?! --- Of course not! The ball skipped past the catcher and bounced off the fence. Budnik ran as fast as his old legs could carry him and he was ------Safe, Safe at first!! Something must have crawled into Budnik's legs this day, because he was swift, even stealing second base while the catcher was still in shock on the next pitch. Bobby looked to be getting tired on the mound, walking the next batter and throwing a wild pitch on ball four, putting the tying run just 90 feet away! The table was set for the next hitter, with a man on first and third, would he be the hero or the last out of the season? The count grew to two balls and two strikes again, what would happen. The pitcher threw a hard fastball down the pike and the batter smashed the ball up the middle, however the quick handed Bobby snagged the ball and ran over to first for the final out. The Nationals did it, upset the two time defending Champion Hurricanes! Al T. was exhausted and laid down at shortstop, but quickly regained his footing and jumped for joy. It was an amazing game and no one should hang their heads, because this was one of the closest Legends Championship's ever (9-8).
After the game, Wayne S. said after getting plunked by almost every pitcher in the league for many seasons, he was happy to finally get a Championship. It was his first and he has been a Legend since the beginning of this league. Congrats Wayne. Then Andrew G. said he couldn't believe it, it was his first Championship ever in any sport (way to go Son, I'm sure you will win more to come). Way to go Bud.
This win was a true team effort as manager Rich G. stated after the game. We have fought through a lot of injuries throughout the season, missing key players for several games, but in the end, it was the heart of everyone young and old, also speed that scored that one run that we needed. Not to mention the MVP of the year, Bob S. showed his Son some skills this season. Leading the team in RBIs and clutch hits all season long. Great Season Bob and to all the Nationals! We could not have done it without everyone. Also, hats off to the Hurricanes, who gave us the game of the year!Don't forgot to register quick for the upcoming Fall Season, because the Nationals are ready to play.
See you all in the Fall, and we expect to be repeating this time!
Box scores for the Nationals:
Al T. 2 for 5, 2 runs, 1 SB
Rich G. 3 for 3, 2 BBs and 3 SBs
Bob S. 3 for 5, 1 run, 4 RBIs
Chris H. 1 for 5 and amazing catches in center
Bobby S. 2 for 3, 1 run, 1 BB and 1 RBI
Tim W. 2 for 4 and 1 RBI
Steve P. 1 for 4 and 1 RBI
Kevin M. 2 for 4
DJ P. 1 for 4 and 1 SB
Andrew G. 1 for 4, 1 run and 1 SB
Wayne S. 0 for 2, 1 run, 1 BB and 1 HBP (Yes, he is a ball magnet)
30+ Champion Expos’ Perspective
It took a 9 strikeout effort by Expos southpaw ace (named 30+ MVP), Chris Weaver, followed up by a 4 strikeout effort by Dave Bonser to keep the fine hitting Padres in check to secure our 11-2 victory in the Legends Championship game. The Padres were held to 4 clean hits and just 2 base on balls. The win featured a balance hitting attack led by manager Ed Confino's 3 hits and RBI's by Rich Mather (triple), Britt Dennis, Kerry McConnon, and Ed Wang. The defense played nearly perfect ball with only 3 meaningless errors. With only 2 extra base hits and no passed balls allowed by catcher, Jesse Bussey, the Expos gave up the only 2 Padre runsin the ninth inning.
Champion Expos!
MVP Weaver!
Padres’ Perspective – enough said!
Other Pics!
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Game reports by the managers. Pictures courtesy “The Commish”.