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The drama in the NCS was intense, and it came down to a close game 7, and somehow the OOTP series found a way to top that. Game four of the series found me down 3 games to 1, and looking up at an epic sized hill to climb. We came out angry and won 12-0 in game 5 to try to salvage some dignity at home, and give the Homestead Grey's a chance to celebrate on their home field. We eked out a 4-2 win in game 6, by jumping on Dolf Luque over the first few innings, and managed to hold on to that for awhile, and setting up a winner take all, game 7. This time though, we hoped our momentum would help overcome the home field advantage the Grey's had earned.
Game 7 set up with Rube Waddell facing off against Satchel Paige. Waddell had a great season for the Express, we are familiar with Paige, because he's been part of our staff for 16 years now. We know he is wicked tough, but not likely to give more than 5-6 IP. Paige only went 4.1, and gave up 1 run, but Waddell was spent after 5 shutout innings. In the 6th we brought in Rivera, and of course he gave up a run, and the score was tied 1-1 headed to the 7th. Leading off the inning, late season addition Alex Bregman led off against Lee Smith, and picked a pitch and deposited it 373 feet into the LF bleachers. I'd gone to the "1-man rotation" with everyone in the pen for game 7, and the AI brought in a weary Walter Johnson, and closed out the last 3 innings, allowing 2 hits, and not using many pitches.
Game, set, and match, PL Championship number 4!! Bregman was named Series MVP.
Awards were slim, a couple of great bats, but the "top player" rewards rightfully went to Maine Gems (who absolutely deserved it.) and a lot of Dallas Renegades. Truth be told, they both had far better regular seasons than I did, and I just happened to get hot, and lucky right when I needed it, and survived two straight 4-3 series.
Look forward to the 2049 season this coming week!
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