1997 USBA Championship

LivnLegend · 06-18-2005, 08:54 PM

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<div align="center"><font face="verdana" size="1" color="#000000">Detroit
eliminated Houston</font></div>
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<div align="center"><b><font size="6" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font size="7">VS.</font></font></b></div>
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<div align="center"><font face="verdana" size="1" color="#000000">Seattle
dispatched New York</font></div>
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<div align="center"><b><font size="2">USBA CHAMPIONSHIP</font></b><br>
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The 1997 United States Baseball Association Championship is the 13th annual clash between the Liberty League and the Freedom League champs. This year it features two teams which have each won a title in the last few years. Detroit won in 1994. Seattle won the following season. Both teams lost in the League Championship Series last season. Who will become the USBA's third 2-time Champion?
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<b>Game 1 @ Seattle</b>
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Freddy "The Maestro" Cello (16-10, 2.89 ERA) vs. Javier Garcia (10-11, 2.94 ERA) <br>
Cello looked sharp early while going for his third straight playoff win. He did not give up a hit to Detroit until Scott Costa's double in the 5th inning. Meanwhile Seattle got to Garcia early, scoring five big runs in the first inning. Kenneth Sharp's 2-run double was followed by a 2-run homer from Greg Ford. Brett Giovacchini added another 2-run blast in the 2nd inning. With the game wide open, "The Maestro" was able to calmly go about his work. He ended up shutting out the Liberty League champs on 4 hits and 1 walk. Cello struck out 8 batter in his complete game effort.<br>
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<b>Game 2 @ Seattle</b>

Ted Robertson (10-7, 2.75 ERA) vs. Roger Fetters (15-9, 4.11 ERA)

Seattle struck first when they hit back-to-back doubles in the 2nd inning for a 1-0 lead. However, Robertson soon gave it back after an error and two walks led to Scott Costa's 2-RBI single with two outs in the 4th. The 5th inning was Robertson's undoing as he gave up three doubles in the inning in falling behind 5-1. The Stingrays used four singles in the 6th inning to narrow the gap to 5-3 against Fetters. That was as close as they got. Three Sparkplugs relievers combined to shutout Seattle on one hit over the final three frames as Detroit evened up the series at one game each.
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<b>Game 3 @ Detroit</b>

Forrest Coogan (17-10, 3.00 ERA) vs. Jarvis Turnbow (16-6, 2.35 ERA)

Detroit took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning on Jeremy Ellis' 7th career postseason home run with Ron Buckwalter aboard. This was after Turnbow survived a bases loaded, one out jam in the top of the inning. He escaped unscathed by striking out Coogan and inducing a fly ball out from Austin Leaf. Tommy Pew did get Seattle on the board with his 7th inning solo shot to deep center. It was the only run Turnbow allowed in 7 innings pitched. In the top of the 9th inning pinch hitter Rudy Cox stunned the Plugs and the home crowd with a solo shot off of Detroit closer Colin Boyer to tie the score 2-2. However, Seattle's own closer, John Miltenberger, got into trouble in the bottom of the 9th. Jeremy Ellis singled and was replaced by pinch runner Ed Williams, who stole second base. Catcher Raymundo Garcia's single to left gave Leaf a chance to nail the runner at the pate but his throw sailed wide and Detroit came away with a 3-2 win.
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<b>Game 4 @ Detroit</b>

William Pratt (17-6. 3.07 ERA) vs. Maurice DeHaven (1-9, 5.88 ERA)

In a surprising move, Detroit manager Bob Uecker went with DeHaven, who won only one game all regular season, over 15-game winner Randall Zellmer in game four. The move looked like a good one through the first three innings as DeHaven shut out the Stingrays. <br>
Detroit meanwhile rallied for a run in the 1st and another in the 3rd. back-to-back doubles by Seattle put their first run on the board in the 4th. In the 5th, 3 singles, a walk, and an error led to 4 more Detroit runs against Pratt. He gave way to the bullpen while down 6-1.

Mike Giovachinni hit a homer in the 6th but that was the last of the offense for the Freedom League champs in this game as Detroit rolled the Rays 9-2. <br>
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<b>Game 5 @ Detroit</b>

Freddy Cello (16-10, 2.89 ERA) vs. Javier Garcia (10-11, 2.94 ERA)

Detroit had a chance to close out the Series with a rematch of game one. Both teams scored early and the tally was 2-2 after three innings. Garza homered for Detroit while Gary Bostick went deep for Seattle.

Garza led off the 4th with a double. One out later, Costa doubled, giving Detroit a 3-2 lead. In the 6th, Seattle tied it up once again. Bostick and G-Man singled. Mike Luthardt brought in Bostick with the third single of the inning, making it 3-3.

In the 7th, Seattle manager Ryne Sandberg went to veteran Donald Utt out of the pen. Eucker allowed his pitcher to stay in the game and bat and Garcia rewarded his team and tried to help himself with a single. Morris Briggs took advantage and tripled home his teammate to give the Plugs the 4-3 lead. Once again Seattle came back. In the 8th Giovachinni's slugged his 3rd homer of the series and again the score was tied.

Both teams went quietly in the 9th. In the 10th, Seattle scratched out just an infield hit against Boyer. Seattle's Miltenberger entered the 10th to try and complete his second inning of work. Briggs led off with a single and Ellis followed with the same, Briggs advancing to third. This brought up right fielder Jeff Eilerman who punched a Miltenberger fastball into the gap in right-center. Giovacchini never had a chance at the runner and as Briggs crossed the plate the stadium, and no doubt the city of Detroit, erupted. In one of the best final games of a Championship Series ever, Detroit laid claim to its second USBA title, winning 5-4 in extra innings.

Congrats to owner Herb DeSpain and the 1997 Champion Detroit Sparkplugs!

The Professor · 06-18-2005, 09:36 PM

Great write-up, LL. Thanks for sharing! That final game must have been quite a doozy

Congrats to Herb, one of the good guys in the OOTP-universe and a first-rate GM.

Cooleyvol · 06-19-2005, 09:52 AM

Boys, this is easily one of, if not the, best fictional on the OOTP universe that we rarely hear about.

I invite you to check it out, Legend does an incredible job with this league!

HerbD · 06-19-2005, 10:43 AM

Thanks for the publicity Scott. I expected to win in '94 but this was a total surprise.

Thanks for the kind words Nathan. It means a lot coming from you.

Cooley is correct. USBA is the best fictional league around. If not for the USBA I wouldn't even be buying OOTP. I'll have to add that for my money, the SO49 is the best historical league around. Scott and Nathan both do outstanding work and it's my pleasure to be associated with both of them.

Delgadodawg · 06-19-2005, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooleyvol

Boys, this is easily one of, if not the, best fictional on the OOTP universe that we rarely hear about.

I invite you to check it out, Legend does an incredible job with this league!

Couldn't agree more. It is best online league that I have been in.

Congrats and welcome to the 2 championship club Herb. You are the odds on favorite to be the first to get to 3!

MikeSlugga · 06-19-2005, 05:52 PM

Any openings? looks great.

Delgadodawg · 06-20-2005, 01:21 PM

What other other league can you see articles from people likeTim Kurkjian, Charley Steiner , Peter Gammons , Rob Dibble and even Mr. Nosey!!!

Ex players like Owen Powers are known to stop by once in a while, as well as other writers like Jayson Stark, Jim Caple , Frank Lee , Murray Chass and a few others.

phenom · 06-20-2005, 01:30 PM

excellent write-up. There's something rather... nostalgic about a guy named Briggs playing for a Detroit team.

hurryinhawks · 06-21-2005, 06:05 PM

Way to go Herb, next season Briggs does not get a ball to hit.

Glad to see Ellis back as well!

Go Wizards!

06-18-2005, 08:54 PM	#1
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	1997 USBA Championship <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" dwcopytype="CopyTableRow" height="113"> <br> <tr> <br> <td width="33%" height="115"> <div align="center"><img src="http://usba.ootp-online.com/images/detroit.gif" width="113" height="113" border="0" align="absmiddle"><b><font size="4" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> </font></b></div> <div align="center"><font face="verdana" size="1" color="#000000">Detroit eliminated Houston</font></div> </td> <td width="20%" height="115"> <div align="center"><b><font size="6" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><font size="7">VS.</font></font></b></div> </td> <td width="33%" height="113"> <div align="center"><img src="http://usba.ootp-online.com/images/stingrays.gif" width="113" height="113" border="0" align="absmiddle"></div> <div align="center"><font face="verdana" size="1" color="#000000">Seattle dispatched New York</font></div> </td> </tr> </table> <br> <div align="center"><b><font size="2">USBA CHAMPIONSHIP</font></b><br> </div> <div align="left"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#000000"> The 1997 United States Baseball Association Championship is the 13th annual clash between the Liberty League and the Freedom League champs. This year it features two teams which have each won a title in the last few years. Detroit won in 1994. Seattle won the following season. Both teams lost in the League Championship Series last season. Who will become the USBA's third 2-time Champion? <br> <br> <b>Game 1 @ Seattle</b> <br> Freddy "The Maestro" Cello (16-10, 2.89 ERA) vs. Javier Garcia (10-11, 2.94 ERA) <br> Cello looked sharp early while going for his third straight playoff win. He did not give up a hit to Detroit until Scott Costa's double in the 5th inning. Meanwhile Seattle got to Garcia early, scoring five big runs in the first inning. Kenneth Sharp's 2-run double was followed by a 2-run homer from Greg Ford. Brett Giovacchini added another 2-run blast in the 2nd inning. With the game wide open, "The Maestro" was able to calmly go about his work. He ended up shutting out the Liberty League champs on 4 hits and 1 walk. Cello struck out 8 batter in his complete game effort.<br> <br> <b>Game 2 @ Seattle</b> Ted Robertson (10-7, 2.75 ERA) vs. Roger Fetters (15-9, 4.11 ERA) Seattle struck first when they hit back-to-back doubles in the 2nd inning for a 1-0 lead. However, Robertson soon gave it back after an error and two walks led to Scott Costa's 2-RBI single with two outs in the 4th. The 5th inning was Robertson's undoing as he gave up three doubles in the inning in falling behind 5-1. The Stingrays used four singles in the 6th inning to narrow the gap to 5-3 against Fetters. That was as close as they got. Three Sparkplugs relievers combined to shutout Seattle on one hit over the final three frames as Detroit evened up the series at one game each. <br> <br> <b>Game 3 @ Detroit</b> Forrest Coogan (17-10, 3.00 ERA) vs. Jarvis Turnbow (16-6, 2.35 ERA) Detroit took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning on Jeremy Ellis' 7th career postseason home run with Ron Buckwalter aboard. This was after Turnbow survived a bases loaded, one out jam in the top of the inning. He escaped unscathed by striking out Coogan and inducing a fly ball out from Austin Leaf. Tommy Pew did get Seattle on the board with his 7th inning solo shot to deep center. It was the only run Turnbow allowed in 7 innings pitched. In the top of the 9th inning pinch hitter Rudy Cox stunned the Plugs and the home crowd with a solo shot off of Detroit closer Colin Boyer to tie the score 2-2. However, Seattle's own closer, John Miltenberger, got into trouble in the bottom of the 9th. Jeremy Ellis singled and was replaced by pinch runner Ed Williams, who stole second base. Catcher Raymundo Garcia's single to left gave Leaf a chance to nail the runner at the pate but his throw sailed wide and Detroit came away with a 3-2 win. <br><br> <b>Game 4 @ Detroit</b> William Pratt (17-6. 3.07 ERA) vs. Maurice DeHaven (1-9, 5.88 ERA) In a surprising move, Detroit manager Bob Uecker went with DeHaven, who won only one game all regular season, over 15-game winner Randall Zellmer in game four. The move looked like a good one through the first three innings as DeHaven shut out the Stingrays. <br> Detroit meanwhile rallied for a run in the 1st and another in the 3rd. back-to-back doubles by Seattle put their first run on the board in the 4th. In the 5th, 3 singles, a walk, and an error led to 4 more Detroit runs against Pratt. He gave way to the bullpen while down 6-1. Mike Giovachinni hit a homer in the 6th but that was the last of the offense for the Freedom League champs in this game as Detroit rolled the Rays 9-2. <br> <br> <b>Game 5 @ Detroit</b> Freddy Cello (16-10, 2.89 ERA) vs. Javier Garcia (10-11, 2.94 ERA) Detroit had a chance to close out the Series with a rematch of game one. Both teams scored early and the tally was 2-2 after three innings. Garza homered for Detroit while Gary Bostick went deep for Seattle. Garza led off the 4th with a double. One out later, Costa doubled, giving Detroit a 3-2 lead. In the 6th, Seattle tied it up once again. Bostick and G-Man singled. Mike Luthardt brought in Bostick with the third single of the inning, making it 3-3. In the 7th, Seattle manager Ryne Sandberg went to veteran Donald Utt out of the pen. Eucker allowed his pitcher to stay in the game and bat and Garcia rewarded his team and tried to help himself with a single. Morris Briggs took advantage and tripled home his teammate to give the Plugs the 4-3 lead. Once again Seattle came back. In the 8th Giovachinni's slugged his 3rd homer of the series and again the score was tied. Both teams went quietly in the 9th. In the 10th, Seattle scratched out just an infield hit against Boyer. Seattle's Miltenberger entered the 10th to try and complete his second inning of work. Briggs led off with a single and Ellis followed with the same, Briggs advancing to third. This brought up right fielder Jeff Eilerman who punched a Miltenberger fastball into the gap in right-center. Giovacchini never had a chance at the runner and as Briggs crossed the plate the stadium, and no doubt the city of Detroit, erupted. In one of the best final games of a Championship Series ever, Detroit laid claim to its second USBA title, winning 5-4 in extra innings. Congrats to owner Herb DeSpain and the 1997 Champion Detroit Sparkplugs! __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

06-18-2005, 09:36 PM	#2
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	Great write-up, LL. Thanks for sharing! That final game must have been quite a doozy Congrats to Herb, one of the good guys in the OOTP-universe and a first-rate GM. __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

06-19-2005, 10:43 AM	#4
HerbD All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 981	Thanks for the publicity Scott. I expected to win in '94 but this was a total surprise. Thanks for the kind words Nathan. It means a lot coming from you. Cooley is correct. USBA is the best fictional league around. If not for the USBA I wouldn't even be buying OOTP. I'll have to add that for my money, the SO49 is the best historical league around. Scott and Nathan both do outstanding work and it's my pleasure to be associated with both of them. __________________

06-20-2005, 01:21 PM	#7
Delgadodawg All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Vancouver Posts: 800	What other other league can you see articles from people likeTim Kurkjian, Charley Steiner , Peter Gammons , Rob Dibble and even Mr. Nosey!!! Ex players like Owen Powers are known to stop by once in a while, as well as other writers like Jayson Stark, Jim Caple , Frank Lee , Murray Chass and a few others. Last edited by Delgadodawg; 06-20-2005 at 01:23 PM.

06-21-2005, 06:05 PM	#9
hurryinhawks Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 21	Way to go Herb, next season Briggs does not get a ball to hit. Glad to see Ellis back as well! Go Wizards! __________________ "I'm not fat, I'm big-boned" Fort Wayne Wizards/ USBA

06-19-2005, 09:52 AM	#3
Cooleyvol Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Union City, TN Posts: 6,383	Boys, this is easily one of, if not the, best fictional on the OOTP universe that we rarely hear about. I invite you to check it out, Legend does an incredible job with this league!

06-19-2005, 05:52 PM	#6
MikeSlugga Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 131	Any openings? looks great.

06-20-2005, 01:30 PM	#8
phenom Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Near the Great Wall. On the GOOD side. Posts: 3,774	excellent write-up. There's something rather... nostalgic about a guy named Briggs playing for a Detroit team.