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TARPONS FINISH AMAZING TURNAROUND WITH WILDCARD CLINCHING WIN IN SEASONS FINAL GAME
Some things you just cannot dream up. Last winter the baseball world was abuzz as Tarpons GM Gehrig Schilling had just made a blockbuster trade, acquiring star centerfielder Mike Haupt in what many said was a gross overpayment of 'assets'.
Today Mike Haupt lined a 3-0 fastball from Punishers starter Griff Honeyford into the centerfield bleachers for what would end up being a game winning 2 run home run.
The massive throng of traveling 'Fisherman' at Punishers ballpark made it sound like a home game in front of the packed house instead of the 21614 fans who showed up.
The Tarpons were coming off an ABA record 114 loss season and while many expected a furious winter of moves to result in a much improved team, no one in any publication anywhere had them close, much less making the ABA post season.
Their 42 game turnaround is the largest, by a wide margin, in ABA history. Based on Alaska's season edge in their matchup the Tarpon club will head to Anchorage from New York tonight for the off day tomorrow.
No word yet on who manager Kevin Jackson will give the ball to but it appears the choice will come down to Jeff Chase (14-11 4.56) and youngster Nate Ramirez (16-5 3.81). Both will have ample rest.
The most pressing concern is actually on the other end of the pitching staff where Rookie Sam Ginn is not eligible for the post season roster. It appears Juan Madrid will take on the job of closing, which he'd held until his September “demotion” to the setup role.
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