Playoffs Day One Can Be Found Here ====> DAY 1
Playoffs Day Two Can Be Found Here ====> DAY 2
Playoffs Day Three Can Be Found Here ====> DAY 3
Playoffs Day Four Can Be Found Here ====> DAY 4
Playoffs Day Five Can Be Found Here ====> DAY 5
Playoffs Final Stats ====> STATs
Playoffs Day Six Can Be Found Here ====> Day 6
THE SPEECH
The final speech of the year is always the same. Its lame, but it doesn't matter. This is kids game played by men and this is kind a little reminder of the little boy playing in a grown up body. 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."
Intro
A few words about this final match up before recounting the tale of the tape. I will come clean with my predictions of teams to make the Quarter Finals. I know my prediction inspired one team to the final as they burned pictures of me in effigy. That okay. Its fodder.
The thing with my level of engagement in stats and general interest is that you get the odd interesting nugget. A little insight that others may miss. For instance, in the pre-season predictions I was the only person to have the Brew Jays in the top six. I like to think there was some logic in that pick. The flip side is that you can be a little myopic and miss the team behind the numbers. I was also the only one not to have the Draft Kings. Go Figure.
It gets better. In the playoff predictions I had the Tap Masters going home after the round robin. Hey, that's okay. I put myself out there with these predictions to start conversation and keep the interest high. It would be boring if I picked 1-8 every year. Regardless. The two teams in the final were the league winners who I predicted wouldn't be in the top 6 against a team I predicted wouldn't even see an elimination games.
Kreskin has nothing to worry about.
The Tap Masters started the round robin on Tuesday night playing the wicked offense of the Dog Catchers and held a 9-7 lead going into the bottom of the 7th. They withstood the onslaught to earn a hard fought 9-9 tie. The next night was another mashing team, the Hurtin' Units. They trailed this one 9-1 before serving notice that they were contenders. They would wind up winning this one 19-15 on the strength of two doubles and homer by Neil Pendlebury. On Friday the run of tough teams continued when they matched up with the Blues Brothers. Another close one, but they would pull out 18-14.
That win guaranteed no worse than 2nd in the pool and a quarter final berth. They would lose their last game to the Brew Jays and found out they'd be facing a rematch with the Dog Catchers in the quarters. These clubs would find themselves tied a 9's again before the Tap Masters put the peddle down cashing 6 in the 7th to win 15-9 and earn the right to play the Red Dogs in the semis.
It would be a mistake to look at the 17-8 win by the Tap Masters in the semis and think this was easy. The Red Dogs scored first and only trailed by 2 (10-8) heading to the bottom of the 6th. But in what was becoming a regular script for the Tap Masters, they turned it on late led by Cliff Joseph's 3/3 afternoon and pulled out the big win to go to the finals.
The road for the Draft Kings was a little different. A lot of people left the draft this year saying that their team was loaded. Granted, they finished 1st overall. But they beat 2nd a point, 3rd by 2 points, 4th by 4 points and 5th by 5 points. They hardly ran away with it. They played close games all year with exceptional defense and enough offense to take care of business.
Playing as the favourite comes with a bit pressure and their character was challenged right off the hop against the Rusty Rebels. The Rebels scored the 1st 6 runs of the game and held a 17-16 lead heading to the bottom of 6, but the Draft Kings would score 4 in each of the last two innings to pull it out and go 1-0. Next up they had the 15th seeded Grisslies. It was a 17 run beat down and the Grisslies never threatened in the game. Their 3rd game was against the Hot Tub Woody's and they rode Jerry Muirhead's 5/5 night with 4 runs to a dominant 22-17 win.
At 3-0 and only the 2-1 Beer Bros. left to play, they looked good to go 4-0 and continue as the #1 seed. Not so fast. A surprise Grisslie win against the Woody's gave the Beer Bros the automatic berth to Sunday and allowed the team to relax against the Draft Kings. In one of the better games of the entire tournament, the Draft Kings fell by 5 to the Beer Bros which gave them 2nd place in the pool and 2nd seed overall heading to the quarters.
In the Quarters they would match up with the Dislocated Joints. The #1 & #2 teams from the regular season. The game was somewhat anticlimactic as the Joints didn't have their best game and were hampered by injuries. The Draft Kings seemed to bounce back nicely from their loss to the Beer Bros. and their defense was once again on display, winning this one 15-8.
The semis saw a match up with the Dodge City Rounders. The Draft Kings may have had their most complete game in this one with shining defense and balance offense. The team was lead by Cragg's 4/4/4 afternoon and won 18-8 for a trip to the final.
It was gloomy for the start of this one, even a bit of a threat of rain.
Perfect.
1st Inning
The game started with the Tap Masters up. Neil Pendlebury led off and for at least the 4th time in these playoffs he started the game with a triple. Instant offense. That was immediately followed by a Tim Schrank RBI triple and while people were still lined up for beer, the score was 1-0 for the underdog Tap Masters. After a Kevin Clouthier out, Mark Butler would drive in Schrank with a single. The inning would end with Butler stranded at 1st base on outs by Rob Rumboldt and Cliff Joseph.
The Draft Kings lead off hitter had done as much damage as Pendlebury during the playoffs and the start of this one was no different as Jerry Muirhead lead off with a single. However Jim Rouleau would hit into a Butler to Clouthier to Rumboldt double play leaving the bases empty and 2 out. Jeff Handley would double but be left stranded with the 3rd out was made by Chuck Cragg.
SCORE: Tap Masters 2; Draft Kings 0, end of 1.
2nd Inning
Dennis Pendlebury on a hard hit ball and Jason Bowers on a fly out were quickly erased to start the inning. Bill Clouthier then delivered a single that was followed by a Paul Koolhaas slicing double to left that barely stayed in play. With runners on second and third and two out, the Draft Kings were able to get Bill Jonkman to end the inning.
The Draft Kings, buoyed by getting out of a tough jam were looking for runs. The Tap Masters were able to get Stike on a ground out, but that was followed by a Steve Brooks double to right center. Brooks would advance to 3rd on a Routledge ground out but would be stranded on a Sandy Bell line out to left center.
SCORE: Tap Masters 2; Draft Kings 0, end of 2.
The thing with my level of engagement in stats and general interest is that you get the odd interesting nugget. A little insight that others may miss. For instance, in the pre-season predictions I was the only person to have the Brew Jays in the top six. I like to think there was some logic in that pick. The flip side is that you can be a little myopic and miss the team behind the numbers. I was also the only one not to have the Draft Kings. Go Figure.
It gets better. In the playoff predictions I had the Tap Masters going home after the round robin. Hey, that's okay. I put myself out there with these predictions to start conversation and keep the interest high. It would be boring if I picked 1-8 every year. Regardless. The two teams in the final were the league winners who I predicted wouldn't be in the top 6 against a team I predicted wouldn't even see an elimination games.
Kreskin has nothing to worry about.
Pictures courtesy James Taylor
The Tap Masters started the round robin on Tuesday night playing the wicked offense of the Dog Catchers and held a 9-7 lead going into the bottom of the 7th. They withstood the onslaught to earn a hard fought 9-9 tie. The next night was another mashing team, the Hurtin' Units. They trailed this one 9-1 before serving notice that they were contenders. They would wind up winning this one 19-15 on the strength of two doubles and homer by Neil Pendlebury. On Friday the run of tough teams continued when they matched up with the Blues Brothers. Another close one, but they would pull out 18-14.
That win guaranteed no worse than 2nd in the pool and a quarter final berth. They would lose their last game to the Brew Jays and found out they'd be facing a rematch with the Dog Catchers in the quarters. These clubs would find themselves tied a 9's again before the Tap Masters put the peddle down cashing 6 in the 7th to win 15-9 and earn the right to play the Red Dogs in the semis.
It would be a mistake to look at the 17-8 win by the Tap Masters in the semis and think this was easy. The Red Dogs scored first and only trailed by 2 (10-8) heading to the bottom of the 6th. But in what was becoming a regular script for the Tap Masters, they turned it on late led by Cliff Joseph's 3/3 afternoon and pulled out the big win to go to the finals.
Pictures courtesy James Taylor
The road for the Draft Kings was a little different. A lot of people left the draft this year saying that their team was loaded. Granted, they finished 1st overall. But they beat 2nd a point, 3rd by 2 points, 4th by 4 points and 5th by 5 points. They hardly ran away with it. They played close games all year with exceptional defense and enough offense to take care of business.
Playing as the favourite comes with a bit pressure and their character was challenged right off the hop against the Rusty Rebels. The Rebels scored the 1st 6 runs of the game and held a 17-16 lead heading to the bottom of 6, but the Draft Kings would score 4 in each of the last two innings to pull it out and go 1-0. Next up they had the 15th seeded Grisslies. It was a 17 run beat down and the Grisslies never threatened in the game. Their 3rd game was against the Hot Tub Woody's and they rode Jerry Muirhead's 5/5 night with 4 runs to a dominant 22-17 win.
At 3-0 and only the 2-1 Beer Bros. left to play, they looked good to go 4-0 and continue as the #1 seed. Not so fast. A surprise Grisslie win against the Woody's gave the Beer Bros the automatic berth to Sunday and allowed the team to relax against the Draft Kings. In one of the better games of the entire tournament, the Draft Kings fell by 5 to the Beer Bros which gave them 2nd place in the pool and 2nd seed overall heading to the quarters.
In the Quarters they would match up with the Dislocated Joints. The #1 & #2 teams from the regular season. The game was somewhat anticlimactic as the Joints didn't have their best game and were hampered by injuries. The Draft Kings seemed to bounce back nicely from their loss to the Beer Bros. and their defense was once again on display, winning this one 15-8.
The semis saw a match up with the Dodge City Rounders. The Draft Kings may have had their most complete game in this one with shining defense and balance offense. The team was lead by Cragg's 4/4/4 afternoon and won 18-8 for a trip to the final.
THE GAME
It was gloomy for the start of this one, even a bit of a threat of rain.
Perfect.
1st Inning
The game started with the Tap Masters up. Neil Pendlebury led off and for at least the 4th time in these playoffs he started the game with a triple. Instant offense. That was immediately followed by a Tim Schrank RBI triple and while people were still lined up for beer, the score was 1-0 for the underdog Tap Masters. After a Kevin Clouthier out, Mark Butler would drive in Schrank with a single. The inning would end with Butler stranded at 1st base on outs by Rob Rumboldt and Cliff Joseph.
The Draft Kings lead off hitter had done as much damage as Pendlebury during the playoffs and the start of this one was no different as Jerry Muirhead lead off with a single. However Jim Rouleau would hit into a Butler to Clouthier to Rumboldt double play leaving the bases empty and 2 out. Jeff Handley would double but be left stranded with the 3rd out was made by Chuck Cragg.
SCORE: Tap Masters 2; Draft Kings 0, end of 1.
2nd Inning
Dennis Pendlebury on a hard hit ball and Jason Bowers on a fly out were quickly erased to start the inning. Bill Clouthier then delivered a single that was followed by a Paul Koolhaas slicing double to left that barely stayed in play. With runners on second and third and two out, the Draft Kings were able to get Bill Jonkman to end the inning.
The Draft Kings, buoyed by getting out of a tough jam were looking for runs. The Tap Masters were able to get Stike on a ground out, but that was followed by a Steve Brooks double to right center. Brooks would advance to 3rd on a Routledge ground out but would be stranded on a Sandy Bell line out to left center.
SCORE: Tap Masters 2; Draft Kings 0, end of 2.
3rd Inning
Cliff Tucker started the Tap Masters third with a single. He would move to 3rd on a Neil Pendlebury single. Schrank would deliver his second RBI on the afternoon with a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Tucker. Neil would advance to 2nd on the play, making it one out, one in and a runner on second. Next up was Kevin Clouthier who would deliver an RBI double. Clouthier would move to 3rd on Butler's out and score when Rob Rumboldt singled infield for the RBI. The inning would end on a Joseph out, but the Tap Masters had broken through for 3 more.
Coming up were players that had caused misery for many teams in the playoffs. Bones, Smith, Caldwell and DeLand. They always seemed to be in the middle of big moments and trialing 5-0 in the third inning was a big moment. Bones and Simon Smith made quick outs and the Draft Kings again found themselves with no base runners and 2 out. But Caldwell came to the plate to give them life singling and bringing Doug DeLand to the plate. DeLand did what he'd done repeatedly this year; hit the ball hard and burned people. He would double passed the outfield. Caldwell was off at the crack of the bat with two down and had 3rd base before the ball made it to Clouthier at short. He gambled for home. When Clouthier got the ball, everyone, team mates and fans were hollering for him to throw home, he threw a laser to Clouthier senior for the inning's final out.
SCORE: Tap Masters 5; Draft Kings 0, end of 3.
4th Inning
Denis Pendlebury was out to start the 4th, but that was followed by a Jason Bowers single. Bill Clouthier's out would advance Jason to second and he would score on the RBI double off of the bat of Koolhaas. The innings wound end on a Jonkman out, but he Tap Masters were still ticking away, a run at a time, closer to the prize.
We were getting dangerously close to gut check time for the Draft Kings. Through three innings they hadn't more than a single base runner in any inning. That would change. Muirhead would lead off with a double and he would move to 3rd on Rouleau's ground out. The Draft Kings would finally break through on Jeff Handley's RBI single. That was followed by a Cragg double moving Handley to 3rd and Stike's infield single to load the bases with one out. Another one of those moments. Bases loaded, one out, Steve Brooks at the plate. Brooks delivered a 2 run double scoring Cragg and Handely and moving Stike to 3rd. Routledge would cash Stike with his single and move Brooks to 3rd. Still only one out and runners on the corners. It was going from total control for the Tap Masters to looking like it was skidding wildly out of control. Then they caught some good fortune from the baseball gods when Sandy Bell's line drive was hit right at Kevin Clouthier who doubled up Routledge at first before he could even react.
SCORE: Tap Masters 6; Draft Kings 4, end of 4.
Denis Pendlebury was out to start the 4th, but that was followed by a Jason Bowers single. Bill Clouthier's out would advance Jason to second and he would score on the RBI double off of the bat of Koolhaas. The innings wound end on a Jonkman out, but he Tap Masters were still ticking away, a run at a time, closer to the prize.
We were getting dangerously close to gut check time for the Draft Kings. Through three innings they hadn't more than a single base runner in any inning. That would change. Muirhead would lead off with a double and he would move to 3rd on Rouleau's ground out. The Draft Kings would finally break through on Jeff Handley's RBI single. That was followed by a Cragg double moving Handley to 3rd and Stike's infield single to load the bases with one out. Another one of those moments. Bases loaded, one out, Steve Brooks at the plate. Brooks delivered a 2 run double scoring Cragg and Handely and moving Stike to 3rd. Routledge would cash Stike with his single and move Brooks to 3rd. Still only one out and runners on the corners. It was going from total control for the Tap Masters to looking like it was skidding wildly out of control. Then they caught some good fortune from the baseball gods when Sandy Bell's line drive was hit right at Kevin Clouthier who doubled up Routledge at first before he could even react.
SCORE: Tap Masters 6; Draft Kings 4, end of 4.
5th Inning
Those Tap Masters just kept with the winning formula in the 5th. After Tucker was out to start it off, Neil Pendlebury hit a one out triple bringing Schrank to the plate for the 3rd time. He had delivered RBIs in his previous two at bats and was looking to make it 3. Tim would deliver an RBI single for the Tap Masters seventh run before the inning ended on Butler and Clouthier outs.
The Draft Kings wanted to pile on and show that the 4th inning wasn't a fluke, but it wasn't meant to be. Bones would lead of the 5th a single, but this time Simon Smith would line out to Kevin Clouthier who doubled Bones off at 1st. 2 down on the Tap Masters 3rd double play of the afternoon. Caldwell would deliver his second hit on the day as would DeLand, but the inning would end on a Jerry Muirhead fielders choice.
SCORE: Tap Masters 7; Draft Kings 4, end of 5.
Those Tap Masters just kept with the winning formula in the 5th. After Tucker was out to start it off, Neil Pendlebury hit a one out triple bringing Schrank to the plate for the 3rd time. He had delivered RBIs in his previous two at bats and was looking to make it 3. Tim would deliver an RBI single for the Tap Masters seventh run before the inning ended on Butler and Clouthier outs.
The Draft Kings wanted to pile on and show that the 4th inning wasn't a fluke, but it wasn't meant to be. Bones would lead of the 5th a single, but this time Simon Smith would line out to Kevin Clouthier who doubled Bones off at 1st. 2 down on the Tap Masters 3rd double play of the afternoon. Caldwell would deliver his second hit on the day as would DeLand, but the inning would end on a Jerry Muirhead fielders choice.
SCORE: Tap Masters 7; Draft Kings 4, end of 5.
6th Inning
The Tap Masters were looking to reassert their lead in the sixth as the finish line was sight and a little buffer would be nice. Rob Rumboldt was out to start the inning but Joseph gutted out an infield single, he would move to second on an Dennis Pendlebury ground out and score score on Jason Bowers clutch, 2 out double. Bill Clouthier would single up the gut putting runners on the corners with two out and Paul Koolhaas would cash in Bowers with another single. The inning would end on a Jonkman fielders choice, but the Tap Masters had taken care of business getting 2 more.
Trailing 9-4 isn't typically a great place to be. If that bothered the Draft Kings they didn't show it. Rouleau would lead off the the 6th with a single and would be followed by Handley's single and Cragg's single, as the Draft Kings played station - to - station ball and loaded the bases for Stike. Stike would clear the bases with a triple to the gap. 3 runs in, runner at 3rd and no one out. This was the second time that it looked like the Kings could maybe score seven, but the Tap Masters remained calm. Brooks would get the RBI sac fly for a run and an out. Bases empty. The Tap Masters would retire Routledge and Bones around a Bell single to escape the inning holding the lead.
SCORE: Tap Masters 9; Draft Kings 8, end of 6.
The Tap Masters were looking to reassert their lead in the sixth as the finish line was sight and a little buffer would be nice. Rob Rumboldt was out to start the inning but Joseph gutted out an infield single, he would move to second on an Dennis Pendlebury ground out and score score on Jason Bowers clutch, 2 out double. Bill Clouthier would single up the gut putting runners on the corners with two out and Paul Koolhaas would cash in Bowers with another single. The inning would end on a Jonkman fielders choice, but the Tap Masters had taken care of business getting 2 more.
Trailing 9-4 isn't typically a great place to be. If that bothered the Draft Kings they didn't show it. Rouleau would lead off the the 6th with a single and would be followed by Handley's single and Cragg's single, as the Draft Kings played station - to - station ball and loaded the bases for Stike. Stike would clear the bases with a triple to the gap. 3 runs in, runner at 3rd and no one out. This was the second time that it looked like the Kings could maybe score seven, but the Tap Masters remained calm. Brooks would get the RBI sac fly for a run and an out. Bases empty. The Tap Masters would retire Routledge and Bones around a Bell single to escape the inning holding the lead.
SCORE: Tap Masters 9; Draft Kings 8, end of 6.
7th Inning
For only the second inning in the game, the Tap Masters would fail to score. The Draft Kings would get Tucker and Pendlebury before Schrank reached on a liner off of Rouleau's glove. Clouthier's fly out would end the inning and set the bottom of the inning drama.
That Draft Kings bottom of the order always seemed to be in the middle of things, didn't they?
Simon Smith, lead off single.
Wayne Caldwell, gets his 3rd hit, a single to centre, Simon doesn't hesitate around second. Runners on the corners no one out.
Doug DeLand, gets his 3rd hit, a single to right, RBI as Simon Smith Scores the game tying run. Caldwell to 2nd. game tied.
Jerry Muirhead would fly out advancing Caldwell to 3rd.
Jim Rouleau singles, scores Caldwell with the winning hit.
SCORE: Tap Masters 9; Draft Kings 10, end of game!
For only the second inning in the game, the Tap Masters would fail to score. The Draft Kings would get Tucker and Pendlebury before Schrank reached on a liner off of Rouleau's glove. Clouthier's fly out would end the inning and set the bottom of the inning drama.
That Draft Kings bottom of the order always seemed to be in the middle of things, didn't they?
Simon Smith, lead off single.
Wayne Caldwell, gets his 3rd hit, a single to centre, Simon doesn't hesitate around second. Runners on the corners no one out.
Doug DeLand, gets his 3rd hit, a single to right, RBI as Simon Smith Scores the game tying run. Caldwell to 2nd. game tied.
Jerry Muirhead would fly out advancing Caldwell to 3rd.
Jim Rouleau singles, scores Caldwell with the winning hit.
SCORE: Tap Masters 9; Draft Kings 10, end of game!
Rouleau's game winning hit ball.
Pictures courtesy James Taylor
GOING HOME
A fantastic run by the Tap Masters. They did a terrific job navigating through their pool with everyone contributing to getting to Sunday. On Sunday, they willed themselves through the quarter finals and the semi's, using big innings as the end of the games to pull through. There is no shame in the one run loss in this one. Quite the opposite. It was quite possibly the best final I've seen played. Well done. The Tap Masters big bats were supplied by Kevin Clouthier, Neil Pendlebury, Rob Rumboldt and Tim Schrank who all hit over .600. Their runs leader with also Neil with 15.
The Aftermath
There were a number of teams and players that had great tournaments, but only 12 men get to call each other "Champ" for the next 12 months. And that would be Messrs Bell, Black, Brooks, Caldwell, Cragg, DeLand, Handley, Muirhead, Nicholl, Rouleau, Routledge and Smith. Congratulations gentlemen!
Despite teams changing at next years draft, these 12 guys will always be the 2013 Draft Kings. The first rookie team to win the championship since the 1994 A's (Thank you Steve Ross). The first rookie team to win the league since the 2010 Hurtin' Units. The First team to win the league and the championship in the same season since the 2009 Wild. And quite possibly the first rookie team ever to turn the trick.
Some time in early May of 2014, these teams are going to square off again. This will be the 3rd year that we start that the season with the finals rematch. The last two times, the champs prevailed, so the pressure is already on the Draft Kings and revenge on the mind of the Tap Masters.
Hail to the Draft Kings!
Staying Out
The Draft Kings, last ones standings. Stike, Cragg, Caldwell, Muirhead and Handley all hit over .700. Every player had over 12 hits. Everyone had at least 2 runs scored and Cragg led the way with 18. They were balanced and efficient and champions.
6 comments:
Congrats on another great tournament wrapup, Doug.
For the record, the A's in 1994 were first year champs, captained by some guy named McClean.
McClean????? Yippie - ki - yo - ki - ya? Well, 19 years between first year teams winning. Better not start another team until 2032. Thanks for the kind words & info Steve!
McClean????? Yippie - ki - yo - ki - ya? Well, 19 years between first year teams winning. Better not start another team until 2032. Thanks for the kind words & info Steve!
Great write up on the finals Doug....Thank God because I forgot half of it. I agree it was the best finals in along time.
Marky Mark
Thanks Mark!
Excellent recap of the whole week Doug! I know I wasn't the only one watching the final game torn between who to cheer for. Both teams were deserving. Congratulations to the Draft Kings for squeaking out the victory in a very entertaining match!
Scott P.
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