I recall last year saying I don't know how we do it. Injuries, work, showing up with 10 players ...

This year, I thought the same thing. But I believe I have found the answers.

Two reason the Giants were able to win another championship: Heart and comaraderie.

Those two traits helped the Giants to their 4th straight 55 Division title with a 10-5 victory over the Whiz Kids Wednesday night at Town of New Scotland Park. I realize people think we are stacked, but the division gets stronger every year. After all, we didn't end up with the best regular-season record this year. Yet, we managed to go 5-0 in the playoffs bringing our overall playoff record to 20-0 in four years of existence. But again ...

... Consider the Giants were without Will Ferguson, Doug O'Brey and Tom Maguire, who are among our best hitters, for the entire playoffs except for Doug's brief 2-inning stint on the mound in Game 1, plus Game 2 starter Bob Bolt unexpectedly got called to work several hours before the game ... As the game ended, Bolt was in Prague - yes Czechoslovakia - texting me for a result.

Consider O'Brey and Maguire showed up to coach the bases, hit infield, throw BP and do whatever they could to get us ready for every game.

Maguire, who is out because he pulled a hammie on perhaps the best play I have ever seen by a 2nd-baseman in my 19 years in the league, still came in full uni and coached first. Doug took over the reigns at 3rd so the Giants pitcher who usually flashes the signs, could sit and rest between innings - a luxury seldom realized.

Consider, Pete Geannelis played a great 1B and smacked the ball hard all tournament long while gimping around on a bad leg, from heel to groin including the hip!

Consider Mark Massaroni patrolling CF and leading off in a Giants lineup like no one else in the league - on a knee barking like a puppy left out in the cold.

Ron Smaka caught every game but one when I was hoping we could find relief once in awhile. He gladly did it - even with nagging injuries. In fact, he wouldn't let anyone else catch. And speaking of hitting machines, Ron has been one throughout his CDMSBL career and hasn't let up yet. A big clutch hitter as well.

Jerry Solomon. Started Game 1, but just as he was finding a rhythm, he turned toward CF after a pitch and pulled a hammie. Sol was the stud pitcher he has always been during the regular season. He didn't get many starts because he pitches in three divisions - even at age 65! And he's effective in all three. But when he did take the ball, we won.

And then the "healthy.''

Who is a better all-around player in the league than Darrell Duncan? He's our version of HOFers Mike Girard and Steve Lounello in the 45s. Darrell hits, pitches, plays SS, CF and anywhere you need him. He sacrificed himself on the mound to anchor our defense and he was all-world at SS in the clincher - going out to catch pop-ups and charging slow rollers. Oh yeah, and he closed out the 7th innings of both games! A little over a year later, his dad is still smiling down.

Jim Whitford. Players across the division don't even know who he is. You'll know now. He and Wayne Phillips of the 45 Giants are the best 3B-men I have ever had the privilege of taking the field with. Whit doesn't miss very many pitches either and he hits them so hard the ball fears him.

Tony Nardacci. Another versatlie player who took to LF for Game 2 when he normally is a 2B, 3B or SS. And he plays all those position at All-Star calibre. In fact, after 20 years in the league, the way he still performs and the way he keeps himself in shape, he belongs in the HOF - hands down. Oh yeah, and not only a high-percentage hitter, but one of the best in the clutch you will ever see. And he still steals bases, too.

Bob Murphy. The Whiz Kids did not know who our No. 7 hitter was entering the finals. In fact, since he is a "rookie,'' no one really knows of him. Well, the Whiz found out quickly in Game 1 as he powered the ball all over the field for extra-base hits off Whiz ace Mike Kane. He doubled to right-center, left-center then down the left-field line. All shots that drove in key runs to help the Giants to a 7-2 lead. We then held on for dear life in a 7-6 win in that at Game 1. In Game 2, the Whiz wanted nothing to do with him, walking him twice and hitting him with a pitch (totally unintentional).

Kevin Carpenter. Wish this guy didn't work so much. The lefty-hitting OFer barely qualified for the playoffs, but he still managed to drive in a key run in Game 1. He missed Game 2, yeah, for work. A solid LFer, too.

Fred Pidgeon. A feared hitter for sure, but didn't play in Game 1 because of his history with facing Mike Kane. He was not happy, but he still kept the book as he always does and rooted us on all game long. He then broke into the lineup for Game 2 against Whiz lefty Jim Preller and blooped in two singles to drive in runs. He then hit an absolute rocket to CF that was caught but turned into a sacrifice fly. Funny game, this game of baseball. This guy can still flat out hit at age 68 or, um, 90, or something like that.

Bob Bolt. Came out of retirement and had a very solid season in a limited number of games. This guy is a 4-time finals MVP in the 45 Division. WOW! He pitched effectively and is still a great OFer. Solid hitter, too. Wish he was healthier this year and didn't have to work so much. This dude is one intense player and a very positive influence. The guys love him.

Tom Maney. Probably not much needs to be said here, but ... A CDMSB HOFer and a MSBL National HOFer, Tommy is the ultimate warrior. He no longer can throw righty, but trained himself to throw lefty adequately enough that he can still play 1B or in the OF. He still swings an aggressive bat and is as clutch a hitter as we have. His legs work fine, thnx. More importantly, his positive attitude and his desire to win are second to none. He keeps us loose and yet focused. Not a better teammate in America. And once in awhile, he talks me off the ledge!

Finally, Mike Lannon. Mike played just 3 games this year and did not qualify for the playoffs. But I'd be remiss if I left him off this thread. Mike has been one of my closest friends since LL. He has been through so much recently and it breaks my heart. You won't know it to talk to him. He's as positive a person and as religious a man you can possibly meet. Mike is a cancer survivor himself, and his plight with his oldest daughter has been well-chronicled, but now his youngest daughter just had a mass of cancer removed and is now recovering at home. Chemo will be a 6-month long process with a 70% chance of a full recovery. His daughters are an extension of Mike and his wife Kathy. If you know Mike, you know them all. Michele and all of you - Mike, Kathy and Lisa - are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Comaraderie: We led, 3-0, before giving up that lead as the Whiz scored 5 in the 4th. We never panicked. No one. We continued to pull for one another and pick up each other. We just kept up the pressure all game long and finally broke through with 4 in the 5th and 3 more in the 6th to take the wind out of their sails. Positive things happen when you stay positive. Everyone stuck around for the post-game and Will, via cell phone from Florida, and Petey were arguing on who will plan the championship party.

Back to baseball:
In Game 2, the Giants took that 3-0 lead on RBI singles by Maney and Pidgeon in the second and an RBI single by Tony Nardacci in the third.

The Whiz went without a base-runner in the first three innings, but erupted for 5 in the 4th when the first 5 hitters of the inning opened with singles. Then a throwing error allowed the final two runs to score.

The Whiz got just two more hits the rest of the way with Darrell coming on in the 7th to close it out.

I want to congratulate some notables on the Whiz Kids. Their 1B-man Reggie Flansburg is one potent slugger. His 3-run homer in Game 1 brought the Whiz from down 7-3 to 7-6. He had a key single in the 5-run uprising in Game 2 as well.

John Cortese is as solid a CFer as you will find in all of CDMSBL. A solid hitter who also singled in that 5-run 4th. He hits to all fields and is one helluva fierce competitor. A great guy as well.

Blaise Agnew has rebuilt his hips/knees/legs (not sure) into a superb 3B-man and hitter. While he still limps around, this guy is one of the most under-recognized player in the division. Another fierce competitor. Simply, a standout baseball player. Would love to have seen him play at 100%.

Greg Manzione came over from the Twins. His play at 2B in Game 1 was nothing short of spectacular. Class person and one helluva pickup for the Whiz.

I just thought those guys deserved some recognition. They are not afterthoughts of their more publicized players like Kane, Preller, etc.

I did miss seeing Jesse Braverman and Ed Draves. Happy to have seen Anthony Torre and Ed Klopfer again. Fond memories of being their teammates back in the day.

On to Arizona!

jimk
Giants

-- Edited by sfgiants on Friday 25th of August 2017 11:37:42 AM