While we were swept in two straight by the defending champs, there were some notable performances by MY FRIENDS!
Game one saw Billy Smith (with a very sore throwing elbow) toughing out six innings behind the dish. Randy Craft again displayed his considerable talent at shortstop, with no less than 3 web gems. Jim McQuade made a terrific catch in left field and Tom Maney and Mike Ferraro contributed two hits each.
The story of game one was that Bob Bolt was able to scatter the 9 hits, 3 walks, and 1 HBP that he surrendered to the Fish; while the Giants were able to group together 4 of their 9 hits in succession in the 4 run 4th inning, and that made the difference. Joe Burns led the way with 3 singles. Tony Nardacci had a big double and a single, and Steve Lounello added two singles. The Giants won game one 8-2.
Game two saw Mike Ferraro jump behind the dish (with his surgically repaired throwing shoulder) for 7 innings. Mike even threw out a runner at second in the top of the seventh inning. Amazing! He also called a great game behind the plate, walking an under-experienced pitcher through seven innings giving up just 4 hits to the Giants murderous line up. Again, the Marlins line-up was able to amass 9 hits against the Giants starter, but were not able to get the key hit when they needed it, as Joe Burns wriggled out of bases loaded jams in the 5th and 6th innings, and a 1st and 3rd situation in the bottom of the 7th. A tip of the cap to Joey from a guy who knows just how hard that is to do.
The Giants runs were both earned with clutch two out at bats. They got the key hit they needed from Wayne Phillips in the first, with two outs and a runner on 3rd. The only other run to cross the plate in the game was produced on a walk to Mark Dabney, a stolen base, an error, and a sacrifice fly by Doug Reisinger, in the 4th inning. The 2-0 victory gave the Giants a sweep of the series, and passage to the finals against the Bombers.
While things didn't turn out as planned for the Fish, in game two, there were also some other notable performances in the field. Tom Maney, Skip Treece, and Shawn Maney all made great catches in the outfield, and Randy Craft and Jim McQuade made great plays on the left side of the infield. It was not a hang your head day for the Golden Marlin's even though their season came to an end!!! I am proud to have been the Marlins manager for the past 3 seasons, and thank all of those players who were there for me, game in and game out! I look forward to a very different end to the 2015 season, when the Cubs reunite in the 45+ division!
God bless and good luck to all of those still in the hunt for the championship.
Michael, you should be extremely proud of the Marlins under your leadership. You kept it together through some difficult injuries to great players and competed at the highest level till the very end.
We played you 6 times this year. Three were 1-run thrillers and another the 2-0 game you spoke of.
Plus, for you to start pitching with regularity just a year or two ago is no surprise to at least this guy that you became one of the elite in the 45 Division. It is a true testament to your skills as an overall baseball player. There isn't anything you can't do on a baseball field - except maybe umpire :)
Since 2007, when the Giants became somewhat relevant in the 45 Division, we have had some very competitive games, followed by some great cooler sessions. Time is so damn fleeting. I, for one, hate to see it end. Hopefully John Reel can save the franchise.
One thing I will always regret is not having played for the Teel at least one year. Something I've never said before, but very true. From the Maneys to Mash, from Craft to Girard to Clarybird to Ferraro to Lochner to Skipper to Mitch to Jimmy Mac to John Reel to John and Jim LaTorre ... on and on and on, you and your franchise over the years were my inspiration to build a franchise of class acts who could also play some ball and enjoy each other's company on and off the field - a team we can call family. I hope we have done you proud. I know we did that in part because you took former 45 Giants Billy Smith and Jerry Solomon this year, something you wouldn't have done if they didn't fit the Marlin mold. Same with former Blue Thunder player Tim Brown. Talk about talent and class!
Your Cubs team in 2015 will be no different, just different jerseys with some new faces.
So, I thank you for the privilege of being on the same field with you guys and for the respect you have shown over those Golden Marlin years!
Jimk
-- Edited by sfgiants on Monday 8th of September 2014 12:59:34 PM
Thanks for the kind words, Jimmy. The Giants are the team to beat in the division, and have been for 3-4 years now. The reconstruction of the Marlins under the Cubs flag is a testament to what we feel like we need to do to be competitive with you guys again. I was sad to hear from Bobby Bolt that he is planning on this being his last year. I was hoping that you guys could "keep the band together" so we could go on having these great games for years and years. We will be rooting hard for you guys to take the championship again this year. If we can't win it ourselves, then there is nobody we would rather have hold the crown. Got get'em boyz!
I have to echo Jimmy K.'s words on the Marlins. I have great respect for their organization and players. Always put up a fight and you knew you had to be your best to have a chance to beat them.
