Well, all good things must come to an end. And for the 55 Division Giants, they did.
Much of the second half of the season, Cubs Manager Mike Girard had questioned his team's defense. Wasn't afraid to put it out there, either. That can go one of two ways.
For the 2019 Cubs, well, they responded when it counted most: in the division's final game of the year. The Cubs showcased as good as defensive effort as you will see anywhere in the country at this level, playing error-less ball in a 3-1 victory to unseat the 5-time defending champion Giants Friday evening at the Central Park "A" Diamond in Schenectady.
Girard took the bump against the Giants' Darrell Duncan in what was expected to be a low-scoring thriller after these two titans beat up on each other the last two times they met. Each team had scored 14 runs with the Cubs winning 12-3 and the Giants turning the tables 11-2. This exceptional evening for baseball would be different. The pitchers lived up to the billing. Girard tossing a 3-hitter and Duncan a 5-hitter.
Out of the gate, Girard and the Cubs defense made this a 4-inning game, holding the Giants potent lineup without a base-runner the first three innings. During the span, Ron Lochner made a diving stab off the bat of a red-hot Pete Geannelis to end the first. That was not the last we'd see of this perennial gold-glove 3rd-sacker.
Duncan matched the first inning with a 3-up, 3-down effort, but the Cubs would mount a two-out, none-on rally with a deuce in the second inning. What appeared to be a harmless walk to Andy Hoyle proved to be the rally-starter. He stole second then came home on a Jerry Rosen single. Al Williams, running for Rosen in a shared spot, stole second and scored on a Jonny Martin single before Ralph Caputo skied to center to end the inning. The Cubs would get just three hits the rest of the way as Duncan used his fastball, curve and knuckle ball to frustrate the Cubbies.
In the 4th, Will Ferguson, who was sensational at first-base all game long, lined a single to right to break the snide and become the first Giants runner leading off the inning. But Girard got the next three hitters. Duncan matched goose eggs with Girard until the visiting 6th when Hoyle lined a shot to the fence in deep center and sprinted around the bases for an inside-the-park homer, the only base-runner of the inning for the Cubs. In fact, it was the only base-runner for the Cubs in their final three innings.
Girard, who struck out just one, continued to benefit from some great defensive play. Geannelis led off the 5th with a single before hard-hitting catcher Ron Smacka lined a wicked shot headed toward left. That Lochner guy again, making a diving stop and nailing Geannelis at second for the force. Two batters later, the inning was over. Another goose egg.
Trailing 3-0 entering the 6th and the Giants facing their first-ever shutout, Tony Nardacci drew a one-out walk and stole second. After the second out, Ferguson lined another shot, this time to left-center to plate Nardacci and the Giants' bats appeared to wake up. After a walk to Steve Lounello, Bob Bolt lashed another grounder the opposite way, again snared by Lochner who turned in the force at second to end the threat.
Meanwhile, the Giants defense matched the Cubs all game long as well. Geannelis at 3B; Ron Massaroni at SS, Nardacci at 2B and Ferguson at first, made play-after-play to keep the Giants in it. Ferguson displayed some gold-glove qualities, picking balls off the turf to save low throws. Lounello, Bolt and Mark Massaroni patrolled the OF with grace and great effectiveness while Smaka called yet another great game behind the dish.
The Cubs' hard-hitting Dave Mitchell, who was kept in check in this series, did it with his glove at first base as well. In the second and third innings, Mitch ranged far to his right to snare grounders heading to right field and tossed strikes to Girard covering. Textbook defense.
The 7th started for the Giants as the champions they are. Duncan lined a single to right-center to start the inning. After Geannelis flied to deep center, Smaka ripped a shot that appeared headed for a base hit, but Paul Miles ran it down in right-center. Girard got the final hitter on a come-backer and the Cubs celebrated as they should have in ending the Giants' run.
I couldn't be any more proud of our players. We exuded character and class throughout this run and made no excuses in defeat. We got beat by a better team this year. Hats off to Girard and the Cubs. They played with character and respect to the game. If you told me we'd throw out Scott Ross trying to steal and keep him off the bases in his other 3 at-bats, and that we'd still lose, I'd think it would be impossible. In fact, their first five hitters - Ross, Miles, Girard, Lochner and Mitchell, went 2-for-17 with Ross getting an infield single before being thrown out trying to steal and Girard a harmless 2-out single in the third.
These games against the Cubs are so much fun. Wish it was a best-of-7!
Hats off, too, to the Whiz Kids, Yankees, Dodgers and Cardinals for making this a highly competitive, fun and memorable double-elimination finals.
Next up, many Cubs and Giants play together in Florida with a few others trying to win that coveted ring in the MSBL National 55 Division Fall Classic. In the past three years, we have lost in the finals to Las Vegas in 2016 (two outs from winning the title), lost to a sponsored team in the semis in 2017 with that team winning the title, then lost in the finals to Puerto Rico last year after ousting the defending champs in the semis.
What a great write up Jimmy K. Not much too add, but wanted to mention the great play of our 60 plus shortstop Ralph Caputo; the great game called by catcher PJ Martone; and the inspiration provided by Kevin Jackson and Skip Treece. Kevin Jackson, who was injured earlier in the playoffs, and lost a close friend days before, was there for his teammates coaching third, keeping the book, and giving encouragement. It was Kevins first CDMSBL championship in his 26 years in the league. What a thrill it was to be a part of that! Skip Treece who was unable to be there because he was out of town, announced before he left that this was his final season. Well nobody on the Cubs wanted to send him out as anything but a champion, because that is what this Hall of Farmer deserves! We all love you and will miss you Skip! It really took a total team effort to get past these great champions. I mean Darrell Duncan had a ridiculous knuckle ball last night . . . freakin ridiculous!!! If it danced any more I was gonna put a dollar in it. He had the Cubs hitters frustrated all night. His effort was worthy of a championship win, but my teammates would not let us lose. PJ Martone, who will be moving to Phoenix before next season, was part mind reader and part psychologist, getting me through the tough spots. Paul Miles and Scott Ross running down fly balls that most outfielders in this age group wouldnt have gotten close to. Lochner doing his best Nolan Arenado impersonation at 3rd all night long. Dave Mitchell playing a great game at first, ranging into the hole 2 or 3 times to get balls and making perfect feeds to the pitcher covering first. Andy Hoyle scoring two of our three runs and Jerry Rosen driving one in, and his shared player, Al Williams, stealing second and scoring the eventual winning run on a Jonny Martin clutch single. Jim McQuade singling in his only at bat of the night made this a win that virtually every team member had a hand in. Maybe the most satisfying win of my life. Thanks to all of the Giants for the complete class that they showed throughout their reign as champs, and again last night as the reign came to an end. Lastly I want to thank all of those that turned out last night to watch the game. It was an absolute thrill to play that historic game in front of so many family and friends, former team mates and respected adversaries! The atmosphere was electric! I will take memories from this game with me long into that good night.
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Saturday 24th of August 2019 08:13:04 AM
Mike, I just woke up (in more ways than one) and realized I didn't put enough emphasis on Lochner's left-side-of-the-infield mate and former Giant Ralph Caputo. He snared one-hop liner off the bat of Tony Nardacci that surely would have plated a run and threw him out to end the inning.He went into the hole deep between short and third and fired a strike to first to nail another runner, a play not made would have put our leadoff hitter on to start the inning. Someone said he is now 65. Hard to believe. His arm is 25!
PJ called a great game as well and has a strong arm that kept our few runners at bay as we chased the lead all night. And speak of class acts, he will be missed dearly by teammates and foes alike and I'm sure he will play some ball in the Phoenix chapter and meet us for tournaments just as Dean Little is now doing from Chicago.
Yes, a hearty congrats to Kevin Jackson as well. I was floored hearing that he had never won a title in 26 years.
Not enough accolades for Skip Treece. He's a CDMSBL Hall of Famer and a Hall of Fame person as well.
While it's never fun losing, I'm happy for the Cubbies, especially KJ and Skipper.
Congrats to the Cubs, its a great feeling winning a championship. hearing that lineup sounds as if they could contend in the 30s! A whole line up of HOFs.
Congrats Cubbies! Sounds like the the Giants/ Cubbies matchup lived up to the billing. What else is new! Great couple of teams leaving on the field. Wish I was there for that one, If for nothing else than to watch Loc and Ralph on the left side and of course, steal a couple of Loc's beers!! Who loves ya buddy. Skip, great teammate and friend. Congrats on going out a champion. That's the way it should be. KJ, if you were anything like you were after winning the ring in 06, you must have been a hoot after this one. Now it's time to combine forces and put a ring on your fingers. There's another playing level that each and every one of you have. You've been the class of the tournament every year. Elevate your game boys and bring it home in Nov.!! Crafty
Congrats to the Cubs! Team of quality veterans who peaked at the right time. Giants - always a powerhouse who will be seeking revenge next season. Hard to believe the 55 season is over!
