... Thanx Mike Girard and Mark Marshall for the kind words and to the Marlins, who, to a man, offered their congrats and well-wishes after Sunday's disappointing loss.
But most of all, thanx to the guys who decided to join the Hornets/Giants franchise over the years. There is not one person who I was not proud to call my teammate - and friend - since I started the franchise in 2006 in the then-38 Division.
In looking back from when the Hornets franchise was started by Don "Hondo'' Hudson, it's been an amazing run.
We lost to the Marlins in the finals that first year of the 48 Division. I believe it was 2003 when we had just 4 teams. That was my 5th year in CDMSBL, having started with Jim Kidd's Yankees then going to the Cardinals, Pirates and Jim Dalton's Knights/Fordians teams before they became the White Sox and eventually today's 35 Division Dodgers. We again lost to the Marlins in the 2004 finals before taking a bit of a nose dive.
The Yankees won the 35 title in 2005, then folded because several of the players decided not to play again. Mike Aiello approached me about taking over the team and rebuilding. It was a difficult decision because Jim Dalton had given me the opportunity to pitch again for the first time since high school. In telling "JD'' of the Yankees' opportunity, I still told him I'd stay if I didn't get his sincere support to leave. After all, managing wasn't on my CDMSBL bucket list whatsoever!
So, with JD's blessing, the Giants franchise began.
In 2006, we made it to the quarterfinals; in 2007, the semis. Then the "fun'' began.
So, while starting this franchise, I was also suddenly handed the reigns of the 48 Division Hornets as its founder Don "Hondo'' Hudson thought it best to protect our country than hit a baseball around Capital Region baseball fields. So, off to D.C. he went.
What a year 2008 turned out to be. Both teams made it to the finals. Despite losing to the 38 Cubs and 48 Marlins, it became more clear to me that managing was even harder than hitting said baseball around Capital Region baseball fields.
While I'm proud of my pitching success, what's more rewarding was to bring a bunch of strangers together to become friends and also enjoy success on the field. But burnout from that 2008 season also made it an easy decision to give Dick Stark the reigns as manager of the 48 Hornets and hand over the 38 Giants to Carlos Llera so I could take a needed year off and just play. While I remained GM of the Hornets, Dick guided the team on the field to its first championship in 2009. Carlos changed the name of the 38 team to the Outlaws.
Then Dick's job took him to North Carolina and so it was back at the helm of the Hornets in 2010.
We changed the franchise name to the Giants and reunited many of the players who advanced to the 45 Division when the divisions became realigned age-wise over a three-year span.
Again, the Giants made it to the finals, but lost to the Marlins.
Then came 2011, and, in my perhaps biased opinion, as good as any CDMSBL team ever for one single season. While the Giants didn't win the regular-season title, they won their second championship in three years - and in grand fashion.
During that 2011 regular season, the Marlins beat the Giants in 2 of 3 games and the Reds beat the Giants both times they faced each other, and both times by 3-2 scores. Giants also lost to the Blue Thunder.
Then came the playoffs - and payback: - Giants went 7-0 in the playoffs to end season 18-5 overall.
- Giants outscored their opponents, 41-3, including five shutouts. And one of the runs was unearned.
- Giants gave up just 26 hits. The 26 hits actually came in 6 games; Steve Lounello tossed a no-hitter aganst the Reds. For the 7 games, Giants pitchers gave up fewer than 4 hits a game!!!
- Jim Whitford shutout the Vets, 6-0, to start the run.
- Bob Bolt and Steve Lounello each followed with consecutive shutouts, including the no-no.
- The Blue Thunder was the only team to score on the Giants, who won 4-1 and 7-2 in the semifinals.
- The Giants then blanked the Yankees twice, 6-0 and 2-0, to sweep the finals en route to their second title in three years.
Despite losing two finals this year as well - to the Marlins and to the Cardinals in the 55 Divsion as a member of Jim Porter's Whiz Kids team - as I said, an amazing run - not to mention lots of free baseball !!!
So, to be a part of 9 finals overall in 12 years and seven in the past 5 years is a credit to the talent and personalities I've been blessed to have been associated with. As we all know, a player or manager is only as successful as his teammates.
I leave the managerial ranks with no regrets and only the fondest of memories. Steve Lounello is now the Giants manager. He may rename it Team Rake, for which he would have my blessing. At Steve's request, I will remain on the roster.
And I will look forward to playing for Jim Porter's Whiz Kids again in 2013.
In closing, to my teammates - past and present - thank you!
JK, you've have only scratched the surface when it comes to mentioning everything that you have done for CDMSBL! I'm sure that you remember taking on the responsibilties of being commissioner of the 48 division too. You were very instrumental in helping a new team, the WhizKids, join the ranks 10 years ago. When you signed that life-long contract a few years ago to be a member of that team, it was the WhizKids that benefitted from your enthusiasm, talent, recruiting, but most of all your friendship. Thanks for all you've done, and for everything that you will continue to do, for all of us in the CDMSBL! Jim Porter WhizKids
Jimmy K is one of the nicest, easy going guys you could possibly hope to play for. Even when he gets upset on the field all you have to do is give him a look and he starts laughing.
The games were always fun but the thing I remember the most is the ball busting. No one was off limits and no quirk too small to make a joke about. You had to have thick skin and the ability to laugh at yourself to play on Jimmy's team. The personality of the team was definitely Jimmy all the way. Sure we wanted to win but the comaraderie and sportmanship were the most important things to Jimmy. He sure taught a lot of guys how to be gracious in defeat and humble in victory.
Great run Jimmy. I look forward to your visit next month and getting on the field to take some BP with you. Bring the swim suit, still warm and sunny in Charlotte. On second thought (a visual just flashed through my mind;) leave it at home, the pool is closed!
I first met Jim at Sand Creek field way back in 2004 I beleive. I responded to a newspaper ad in the Times Union news paper. Explained to Jim I have not played baseball in over 25 years. He asked me to show up for a try out and to my surprise he took me on the Hornets. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed playing for Jimmy, he was a very good and fair manager.
I have to thank him for giving me a chance to play baseball again, because if I did not make his team I wouldn't be playing today. You couldn't ask for a better manager to play for than Jim. If I had a vote I would be voting for Jim for the Hall of Fame. As has been stated before Jim does more than just play baseball, he has worn many different hats in his career.
JK - thanks for the props in your synopsis. Was great to have been a teammate, opponent and fellow blue. Your participation in CDMSBL, wearing many hats, and working tirelessly for the league is what makes this league so successful!
