The Finals - All The Marbles

NOTE:
For those of you asking, no the BLOG does not die tonight.  There will be at least 3 more editions.  1) a thank you BLOG (that's my therapy edition), 2) the banquet edition and 3) the AGM edition, although I reserve the right to bail on that one.

On to the show....

INTRO

Doug:  Wow, the finals!  I can't believe that we're already here.  It seems like we just had the draft! 

Rob:  I know!  Another great season.  I'll tell you what, as much as this year was different, a lot of things stayed the same.

Doug: Oh yeah, like what?

Rob:  Well one thing is that our Draft System was proven to be successful once again.

Doug: Really?  How do you figure that?

Rob:  You're supposed to be the stats guy, just look at the standings.  The #1 team had only 2 more wins than the second and third place teams.  The 13th place team only had 3 wins fewer than the number 5 team and the everyone was afraid of the number 15 team coming into the playoffs.  I'd say that's pretty balanced.

Doug: Holy!  Do you have a fever, I've never seen you delve into stats like that before. 

Rob:  There's lots of stuff you don't know about me.

Doug:  I thought I knew all of your stories.

Rob:  I've saved a few.  Like the one about my delirium.   

Doug: Seriously?  Is that diagnosed?

Rob:  By diagnosed, do you mean registered?

Doug:  No, I mean certified by a doctor.

Rob:  By certified to you mean enjoyed at a Saturday afternoon BBQ?

Doug: Are you trying to prove your delirium?

Rob: You don't even know what a delirium is.

Doug: "A" delirium?

Rob: Yeah, its a drink I invented with Donini, Eggnog, Lemon Liqueur and Rum.  D-E-Li-RUM.  Duh.

Doug:  I should have known.

Rob:Yeah, you probably should have, but I'm used to you being slow on the updraft. 

Doug:  Uptake?

Rob:  whatever. 

Doug: So, what do you say Robbie, one more song?

Rob:  Maybe I can think of one that's a haberdasher of the finals. 

Doug:  Haberdasher?  Are you trying to say harbinger?

Rob   Doubt it.  Harbinger sounds stupid.  Haberdasher sounds smart. I only use smart words like 'flummoxed', 'mollycoddle', 'wombat', 'lackadaisical', 'shenanigans' and 'haberdasher'. 

Doug: Those are tremendous words Robbie.  Its the context that's questionable.   

Rob: You know I've just been screwing around with words all year, I'm actually quite a linguist.  

Doug:  I know where you're headed with that one Rob, just move onto the song. 

Rob:  Okay....I'm using your favourite.

 

THE SPEECH

The final speech of the year is always my favourite.  This is the 4th year running with this song and it still sums up baseball for me.   The music from this song can be found HERE

Little boy, in a baseball hat,

Stands in a field, with his ball and bat,

says "I am the greatest, player of them all"

puts his bat on his shoulder, and tosses up his ball.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,

he swings his bat all the way around,

and the worlds so still you can hear the sound

as the baseball falls, to the ground.

Now the little boy, doesn't say a word,

picks up his ball, he is undeterred,

Says "I am the greatest, there has ever been,"

and he grits his teeth, and tries it again.

And the ball goes up, and the ball comes down,

he swings his bat all the way around,

and the worlds so still you can hear the sound

as the baseball falls, to the ground.

He makes no excuses, He shows no fear,

He just closes his eyes, and listens to the cheers.

Little boy, he adjusts his hat

picks up his ball, stares at his bat,

says "I am the greatest, the game is on the line,"

and he gives his all, one last time.

And the ball goes up, like the moon so bright,

Swings his bat, with all his might,

and the worlds as still, as still as can be,

and the baseball falls, and that's strike three.

Now its supper time, and his Mama calls,

little boy starts home, with his bat and ball,

says "I am the greatest, that is a fact,

but even I didn't know, I could pitch like that."

Says, "I am the greatest, that is understood,

but even I didn't know, I could pitch that good."

 

THE GAME

 

A few words about this final match up before recounting the tale of the tape.   I will come clean and admit that I had a side bet with a number of people on predicting the semi final teams.  We did this just after the final standings had been sorted out and before the first play off game had been played.  Oh, and by "a number of people" I mean precisely 11 representing a broad cross section of the league.  There were Grisslies, Woody's, Stiffs, Devils, and a few others. (I don't want to incriminate too many people here).  But the point here is this:  the two most frequently picked teams were the Brew Jays and the Beer Bros. 

 

Not that I advocate gambling, but we appear to have some pretty able handicappers in the league.

 

The visiting Brew Jays had gone through a wild playoff ride, dropping their opener to the Hurtin' Units 29-6 and then losing their next game 21-14 to the Dusty Cleats.  With their playoffs in Jeopardy, we then saw the real measure of the Brew Jays.  They won a close match to the Grisslies 13-6 and took care of the Gruesome Devils 16-8 to earn their way into an elimination game. 

 

In that game they faced the surprising Banshees and they played the bashing kind of game we've been used to this year winning 20-7 to fight there way to Sunday. 

 

In the Quarter finals they would play their first game against a team ranked better than 6th when they matched up against the Dislocated Joints.  The Joints were the league's best defensive team and a tough match up.  But the Brew Jays proved they could win playing little ball and with smart glove play in downing the Joints 5-1. 

 

In the semi's the Brew Jays came full circle playing the team that had got the best of them by 20 runs in the opener.  But they wouldn't let it happen twice, this time dispatching the Hurtin' Units by 14-8 count. 

 

The Beer Bros. path to final was a little more direct.  They opened the round robin portion with a 13-8 win over the Hot Tub Woody's and followed that up with another sound and low scoring game against the Tap Masters; winning that 13-6.  Things got tighter against a Banshees squad that had been playing very well, but they would prevail 9-5.  The round robin wound up against the Red Dogs and they had a more offensive game in that one, winning going away to a 17-10 count and earning a pass through to Sunday. 

 

The Quarter Final match up pitted the Beer Bros. in a match up against the Dog Catchers who had won an elimination game against the Gruesome Devils.  It took a little time for the Beer Bros. offense to get rolling but their defense never wavered and they won this game 9-4. 

 

In the Semi's they would face their stiffest test thus far in the playoffs.  The Beer Bros. and Dodge City Rounders promised to be an epic match and it did not disappoint!  The Beer Bros. won, 9-8 to earn their trip to the final. 

 

The visiting Brew Jays got a couple of runners on in the 1st inning but couldn't manage to push across a run. 

 

The Beer Bros. who had scored more than 9 runs only once in winning their last 4 games came to bat and had 10 batters reach, scoring 7 runs in the inning and not recording a single out.  Runner plating that inning were Gayle, Pendlebury (both), Piellusch, Holmann, Ross and Conforti.   

 

The Brew Jays gamely game to bat in the top of the second and were able to capitalize on a couple of two out hits to cash Polny and make the score 7-1. 

 

The Bottom of the second began with the the first of Al Bales 4 hits and was immediately followed by the 1st of Len Wercholoz 4 hits.  Before it ended, Wercholoz, Gayle, Pendlebury (Niel), Piellusch and Holmann would all score. 

 

With the score 12-1 after only 2 innings the Brew Jays needed something dramatic.  They got it.  Gaudet, Duggan, Niederhuber, Presenza, Polny and Fleming would all score to bring the Brew Jays right back into the game trailing 12-7.  Now they needed a stop defensively.  

 

For the first time in the game, it looked like there was a chance for a momentum change as the Beer Bros. went down in order. 

 

Trailing 12-1, narrowing to 12-7 and then getting the stop was what they needed.  Now the Brew Jays needed to tack on a couple.  They almost did.  They got one to inch a little closer, making the score 12-8 when Jamie McClean led off with a triple and scored on Gaudet sac.

 

But the Beer Bros. were far from panicking.  They had lots of game left and would answer with 5 of their own in the fourth to stretch out their lead.  Another 4 in the 5th put the game out of reach and 2 more in the 6th were window dressing.  They wouldn't need the 7th as the final score was Beer Bros. 23 - Brew Jays 9. 

 

Some people will remember a lop sided score. But what I'll remember is a game that looked like a blow out.  A game that would have been very easy for the Brew Jays to lie down in and say, "we're done". But those Brew Jays fought back and got themselves game into a game that they were trailing by 11 early. I'll also will remember a team in the Beer Bros. that found an identity with sound defense, superior outfield defense, excellent pitching and blazing speed.  They used all those elements to their full advantage. 

 

Bo and Rod, you guys did a tremendous job this year.  Finding everyone the right spot to play is challenging enough, but to get contributions from all those spots is excellent!  How you managed through injuries, new players, and more injuries was with the quite dignity we've come to expect from you.  Finally, how you kept your team together after losing the first two is amazing.  The Brew Jays won 5 consecutive elimination games in this tournament.  I know you wanted one more, that that's more than anyone else had and I hope you realize that you had a fantastic year.  Excellent work gentlemen!

 

Paul and Steve.  You both have contributed your time and energy to this league in so many ways.  I know that neither of you are the least bit interested in accolades; but know you make us all better.  I've been trying to find information on teams that "ran the table" an I have one example form 1997 (or so) that needs to be substantiated, but regardless, it obvious that the feat is rare indeed!  What made it special was that your 7-0 run was done without boasting or intimidation;  just quiet confidence and determination.  Fantastic season Gere & Starsky! 

 

225 days until May 1st when you begin your title defense.