The Golden Marlins rode the right arm of Phil Gadomski and got just enough offense to beat the defending champion Giants 4-2 on Sunday. Phil Gadomski held the Giants scoreless through six innings while giving up just two singles and a walk, while allowing the Marlins to build a 4-0 lead entering the final frame.
The Marlins jumped out to 2-0 lead in the first. With one out, Tim Brown singled and stole second base. Mike Girard followed with a long triple to right center field to score Brown. Ron Lochner, then singled in Girard to stake Gadomski to an early 2-0 lead. Gadomski would then set the Giants down in order for the next 3 innings in a row. The Marlins would push the lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Tim Brown would again start the rally with a single and a stolen base. Girard would again deliver Brown, this time with a RBI single. After Girard stole second base, Mike Ferraro would drive him home with a RBI single.
Phil Gadomski made that lead seem unsurmountable until the top of the seventh, when the Giants would make their final rally at keeping the championship trophy. Paul Scuteri worked a lead off walk and Steve Lounello followed with a loud single. Wayne Phillips drove home Scuteri with a soft liner to left. That brought the tying run to the plate in the person of Doug Reisinger. The Marlins countered with bringing Mike Girard on in relief of Gadomski. Doug Reisinger singled to right to plate the Giants second run and bring up Mark Dabney with the tying run on first with nobody out. Girard got Dabney to pop out to short, and then got Bob Bolt to fly out to shallow left. Jim McQuade made a great catch after fighting the sun to find the ball. With two outs and Jim Whitford at the plate, Girard reached back for a little extra and got a strike out for the final out of the game.
Marlins win! Marlins win!
The Championship was the seventh for the Marlins in the 10 years that the division has been in existence. Mike Ferraro was voted Playoff MVP by the Marlins. Mike was 6 for 9 in the 3 games of the finals with 3 doubles, 3 singles, 2 walks, a HBP, 2 runs scored, and 4 RBI's. He also caught every inning of every game during the semi-finals and finals. It was a tough vote only because this was such a team victory. Every player on the roster contributed to the championship effort! It was great to be a part of this TEAM all year!
It was a great cooler session sharing this victory with each other!!!
I must mention that Jimmy K's Giants take on his personality on and off the field. They were tenacious in defense of their crown until the final pitch, and were gracious and classy in defeat. True gentlemen that even came over to the Marlins celebration after the game to offer their congratulations and enjoy a beer. Congrats on your final season as manager of the Giants, Jimmy. The boys did you proud!!!
Yep, definitely congrats to the Marlins ~ on the Championship AND the Dynasty... Congrats to Mike Ferraro also as he is is an absolutely awesome catcher and great player and deservedly won the MVP award... Though yeah, I was thinking it must have been a tight vote as "the other Mike" had BIG-TIME saves in games 2 and 3 just as the Giants were threatening... Plus he hit a ton, as usual... Entertaining baseball for sure...
And I am extremely sad to see Jimmy K going from the 45's as he is an asset to to league in so many ways, including being a big part of the 45's... Kinda wish he had won one more, but he is always a winner from where I stand...
And yeah, why isn't Mash in the HOF anyways??? I have a feeling he will be soon enough!
And is Jimmy K in it yet??? I hope his ticket is punched soon too...
After game one against the Giants, you guys looked like a defeated squad. Looks can be deceiving. You guys re grouped as a team and took the next game than, went into Sun. and took the flag from a team with a pretty potent line-up. Shows a lot of character to look at defeat and ultimately come out on top. Must feel great. Congratulations Teal!
Thanks guys! I am really proud of this team!!! We all had to share time with 15 - 16 guys showing up on a regular basis. Not a single gripe was heard, and when the batting order was shortened for the playoffs, still no griping?! The subs just pitched in and played defense and coached the bases . . . whatever they could to help the team! Oh yeah, and did I mention that I had Tom Maney and Jim McQuade (Hall of Famers) running the platoon in the outfield; and Randy Craft, Tim Brown, and TJ Scorsone (maybe the 3 best defensive players in the league) sharing time at two spots in the middle infield. Oh yeah, and when I had questions on the managing thing, there was John Reel (manager of the first 6 Golden Marlins Champions) and the aforementioned McQuade ready to offer their wisdom! It was a managers dream to be at the helm of this group. I can't wait to defend in 2013!!!
