Season Recap Part 2

Well, apparently when I committed to posting Part 2 of the Season Recap a week after posting Part 1, I was being overly optimistic. It's now 5 weeks later, and my memory of the events of the week of July 25th are a bit hazy, so please forgive any historical inaccuracies.

Where were we...let's see. I think we left off with SPTR capturing the Regular Season championship for the 2nd year in a row. And coincidentally, for the 2nd year in a row the Taproom's first round playoff opponent would be Bishops Collar. The Collar jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on the back of several SPTR defensive miscues. The damage could have been much worse had it not been for a key defensive play by Brian W and Jules. With 2 outs, a BC batter knocked a single into left field scoring 1 run. A 2nd BC runner tried to score from 2nd base, but was cut down by a nice Brian W relay to home plate, and an even nicer snag and tag by Jules. The momentum of the game, and the entire playoffs changed as a result of that play, I have no doubt about that. The Taproom settled down on the defensive side of the ball for the rest game, allowing only 2 additional runs, and scored a respectable 10 runs against a tough BC defense to close the game out with a 10-8 victory. For the 3rd time in 5 seasons, it would be a SPTR vs Franklin final.

The Taproom was going into game # 1 at a slight disadvantage, with starting pitcher and Chief Franklin Antagonizer John Benson out of town. Coach Al turned to the crafty veteran lefty Dennis to hold down the fort in Benson's absence. That move paid dividends, as Dennis held the typically powerful Franklin lineup in check for most of the game, including forcing the painfully consistent Ryan Whitmarsh into an 0-3 performance. The Taprooms bats knocked the ball around pretty well all game, and the defense was solid all around. Due to the weather, the game was suspended in the 6th inning with the Taproom leading by a couple of runs. The remainder of the game would be played the following Monday as part of a twilight double header.

A week later, the Taproom picked up right where they left off, stymieing the Franklin on offense and taking advantage of several uncharacteristic defensive lapses to close out game # 1 by the score of 13-10. Going into game # 2 on that same night, you could sense the frustration in the other dugout. Game # 2 played out similar to game # 1, with the Taprooms' superior defense and hitting leading to a convincing 9-4 victory. There were some tense moments throughout the game, but as Robin caught the relay throw at 2nd base for the final out of the night, 6 years of frustration were magically erased as the The Taproom captured the title.

What I liked best about this team is the fact that we never panicked when we fell behind. There was always this calm sense of assurance that we would comeback, no matter how big the deficit, and we typically dealt with adversity in a positive way. Everyone played a part in this success, but most notably:

Aaron - A last second fill in during an early season game, Aaron became a top of the order dynamo who basically batted 1000 everytime he hit the ball on the ground. It's a tough field this year for Rookie of the Year honors (Aaron, Ryan, Elmer, Jules), but Aaron should definitely be in the running for the Okeechobee Memorial Cup.

Al - Al coached a great season. He put the right people in the right positions to be successful. He stayed positive, and didn't micromanage the team. From a playing perspective, Al played a stellar shortstop, and had a much improved season at the plate. Also, Al wins the Iron Man award for taking a line drive off his face (yes, his face) and returning to play 3 innings later in a meaningless game against either the Zoo or PTM

Brian W - Tag Teamed with Jules on the previously described put-out from left field in the BC playoff game. Also, Brian came up with a key 2 out 2 RBI single against the Franklin in the Finals to put the game away. (I can't remember if it was game # 1 # 2). I think there were a few other top notch defensive plays Brian made throughout the season and playoffs, and if I could remember them I would certainly write about them.

Carol - Carol played a key role this year as a utility infielder and had an overall calming influence on a team full of interesting personalities. Carol's mere presence on the SPTR squad brings our score on the 'League Wide Likability Scale' from 'Horribly Annoying' to 'Somewhat Tolerable'.

Dennis - Dennis played most of the season at first base, but came up huge in game # 1 of the finals as a spot starter. Dennis shut down the typically consistent Franklin offense and fielded the position like a pro.

Elmer - After a slow start, Elmer absolutely murdered the ball in the playoffs. It didn't really matter how deep the opposing defense played, Elmer still hit it over their heads. Defensively, Elmer made one of the key defensive plays of the finals during the late innings of a close game, catching a crucial tailing line drive that twisted him around. If that ball drops, we might be talking about how we squandered yet another chance to win the CCSL championship.

Good Brian - Brian played a solid first base all season, and even managed to cut down on his patented tomahawk chop swings. Badger also had a good year, only running onto the field and interrupting play once or twice.

Jeremy - Despite a lingering shoulder injury, Jeremy played an outstanding outfield in the playoffs, even putting his body on the line to make a diving catch in the Finals. At the plate, Jeremy crushed the ball (especially in the playoffs) and returned to his 2008 MVP form. Jeremy credits removing himself as Team Manager as the driver of his improved 2011 performance and his Zen like demeanor.

Joe Kenney - After being inserted into game # 1 of the Finals in the 5th inning, Joe made a huge catch on a hot line drive to left field. It was one of those 50/50 balls, and coming into the game cold probably drops the odds of making the catch to about 20/80. Joe twisted around and did his typical 'one handed glove stab' and calmly hauled it in for a key out with men on base. If he drops that ball, game # 1 might have ended differently.

John Benson - John has my vote for team MVP. He had a great year at the plate, with clutch hits more times than I can remember. More importantly , he dominated as a pitcher and fielded his position extremely well. I'll give him a pass for missing game # 1 of the finals.

Jules - Newcomer Jules played most of the season as catcher and made one of the key plays of the playoffs described in the paragraphs above. What I didn't mention above was the tricky hop the ball took when it hit the infield dirt. Jules casually leaned to her left to take the ball on one quick hop and leaned back towards home plate to tag out the sliding runner. Without the catch and tag, who knows if we would have been able to come back and beat BC.

Me - I didn't blog very well this year, but I made up for it with an uncharacteristic hitting performance in the finals, knocking 2 HR's and a triple in some key spots. I like to think of it as my 'Cody Ross Moment', and I'm sure I will return to my consistent level of mediocrity next season. I can assure you that rumors of HGH usage are without merit.

Pam - Pam didn't play much this year, but she always brings a lot of passion and enthusiasm to the dugout when she is able to come out.

Robin - Robin was just flat out awesome this year. She knocked the ball around on offense, and was the best defensive 2nd baseman in the league. Against the heavily left handed Franklin in the finals, Robin made several difficult plays look routine on sharply hit ground balls and line drives.

Ryan - Ryan played a great 1st base, and hit the cover off the ball every time he came up. All of this while probably averaging 2 hours of sleep a night thanks to his new arrival at home. Again, another strong candidate for Rookie of the Year honors.

Swede - Swede had another great year on the mound and at the plate. You can always count on Swede to pitch a solid game, get a couple of hits, and show up with a cooler of Miller Light. (even on nights when he's not the beer guy)

The Franklin's Point of View:

Below is an excerpt of the Franklin Blog describing the SPTR victory:

"We lost the first game 13-10 in a rain delayed (by a week) game. Story of the game, of their 13 runs, at least 7 were unearned. And by unearned, I mean UNEARNED. Not you typical, oh, the infielder made an error on an Edgely 4 ground ball and they scored 1. Nope. Dropped fly balls led to 7 runs. Dropped. Yes, I was 0-3 with a sac fly and sucked. But we did score 10 runs and still should have won that game. The bounces went their way and not ours. This is the nature of the game. Pete catches the diving ball in left field down the line instead of having it pop out and they don't score another 3. Meanwhile, they made 2 spectacular catches to save runs in this game. If it were one game, eh, so what. But it carried over into the second game, which we had no chance in. Again, dropped fly balls and other errors led to 2 out runs for them while Elmer catches an over shoulder fly ball diving backwards to rob at least 1 run. Silly. It's Elmer! Ugh. So disappointed, not with the loss so much, but with the way we lost."

So according to this, SPTR didn't really win the League Championship as much as Franklin lost it. It was really a fluke. There's no possible way that the has-beens of SPTR should have been able to hold the jocks of the superior Franklin Institute warriors.

Sorry, I really don't see it that way. I think we were the better team this year top to bottom. I couldn't say that in prior years, but this year I have no problem saying that. If you look at the rosters of both teams, you could argue Franklin has the two best players out of the entire bunch, but I think the next six or seven slots would be held down by the Taproom.

Season Ending Reflections:

1. I'm glad Brian W gets to go out on top in his last game in Taproom Blue. (formerly red)

2. Speaking of Brian W, The Franklin Blog was highly critical of the picture of him holding the Championship trophy with his middle finger extended. The Franklin Blogger took the opportunity to accuse the SPTR squad of lacking class. While I can't excuse Brian's middle finger antics, being called classless by the Franklin is a bit of a pot calling the kettle black situation....right? Isn't this the team who's outfielder urinated on the Dairy 4 infield in mixed company after an early season game. I'm pretty sure the Emily Post guide for etiquette would view public urination as a bigger violation than flipping someone the bird on camera.

3. Looking back at my at my ho hum athletic career, I can't say there are many times where I was part of a team that won a championship. There are 4 that come to mind. 1) The 2011 Taproom, which has been discussed ad nauseum. 2) The 1993 JCC of South Jersey Boys Basketball squad that went on to win the Pittsburgh Macabbi Games Gold Medal (yes, we defeated the hometown team in the finals, much to the chagrin of the 50 or so onlookers). 3) The 1986 Leopards who won the Claremont, California Little League championship, defeating the overhyped Bulldogs (despite the Bulldogs pitching the previously unhittable 9 year old John Downer on 5 days rest). 4) The 1984 HJ Heinz Tee Ball Team that took home the Claremont, CA Tee Ball League championship.

Thats four Championships in 34 years. I think I'll enjoy this one. Who knows when the next one might roll around.