The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES REVIEW

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Sacramento Stingers (92-70) vs New Orleans Knights (94-68)

Game Three: Lost in the fact that Mark Prior went down with an injury in Game Two is the fact that Joe Coleman's injury in the SLCS left the Knights down two pitchers to begin with, since Doc McJames went down for the season in August.

Enter Tom Underwood (1-1, 4.91), named to take Coleman's spot on the PBL Championship Series roster despite not having pitched since July 28, and having made only one start this season. He would do battle with 20-game winner Rube Marquard.

The Knights would get Underwood, playing with a degree of house money with the Knights leading 2-0 in the series, a three spot in the first. Jake Beckley hit a one-out triple to score Pete Rose and Ross Barnes. Then Bob Horner doubled to score Beckley to make it 3-0.

The Stingers stranded two in the first, and escaping the jam seemed to embolden Underwood, who needed only 7 pitches to work through the second.

He would need 41 pitches to get through the third, by the end of which Sacramento had plated three to tie it. Ed Konetchy scored on a wild pitch and Garret Atkins hit a two-run single.

After six, we were tied at three, and Underwood had held his own against Marquard, which was more than New Orleans could have asked for.

In the top of the 7th, Joe Kelley hit a two-out single. Marquard would throw wild on a pickoff attempt to move Kelley to second. Rose would then chop one to third but Atkins would make an error that let Kelley come in to score, putting New Orleans up 4-3. Barnes would then double to score Rose and put the Knights up 5-3, and six outs away from a 3-0 series lead.

With Underwood still pitching and Manny Mota on second with two outs in the bottom of the 7th, Roy White singled to center. Mota would turn third and Kelley would make a strong throw home to gun him down at the plate.

Six was more than New Orleans could have asked for from Underwood. They asked for seven and got away with it. They would ask for eight as well.

Jack Clark and Atkins would each single to start the innnig, and Underwood's day was over. Bruce Sutter came on and surrendered an RBI single to Gary Carter, making it a 5-4 game. Juan Pierre would run for Atkins at second, move to third on a Justin Morneau groundout and then score on Wayne Gross' groundout to tie it up and bring the crowd back from the dead.

Marquard went 8 2/3, with Bronson Arroyo retiring Beckley to end the top of the 9th. Sutter and Ewell Blackwell worked through the bottom of the 9th.

Arroyo worked a scoreless top of the 10th, and Blackwell stayed on for New Orleans. Carter grounded out to start the inning...Morneau then blasted a homer - his 4th of the postseason - to end the inning, end the game and get Sacramento believing they weren't done yet.

Sacramento 6, New Orleans 5 (10 innings): New Orleans leads series 2-1

[EMSoccerCoach]

PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES REVIEW

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Sacramento Stingers (92-70) vs New Orleans Knights (94-68)

Game Four: New Orleans got away with starting Tom Underwood in Game Three - their error was leaving him in too long, not Underwood himself, who was stronger than they could have hoped. Now they send Josh Towers (2-0, 3.50) out against the reigning - and likely repeating - Northern League Outstanding Pitcher Bob Veale.

But the Knights spotted Towers a 3-0 lead. Joe Kelley hit an RBI single to score Norm Miller in the third, and got two more in the fourth on a Bob Horner SAC Fly and a run scoring on a throwing error by Gary Carter.

To that point, Towers hadn't allowed a hit. Nerves hadn't been a problem. Then he allowed a leadoff single to Art Fletcher, and hit the next two batters in succession. But Jack Clark scalded a ball to second for a double play, though a run scored, and Towers got Al Zarilla to pop up to end the inning with the score 3-1.

Veale locked in from there on, putting the pressure on Towers. And in the sixth, Justin Morneau hit his 5th homer of the postseason, a line drive into the stand in right to knot the game at 3 apiece.

Towers made it through 8 innings, but not before allowing an RBI single to Harry Walker that gave the Stingers a 4-3 lead.

Joe Benz allowed a two-out walk to Kelley in the top of the ninth before getting Pete Rose to ground out to end it, evening the series.

Sacramento 4, New Orleans 3: Series tied 2-2

[PhillieFever]

The Knights have made one of the most fundamental errors of sport, they were 6 outs away from a commanding 3-0 series lead and they let Sac-Town back in it. Now they're fighting for their lives and face a virtual must win game 5.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

The Knights have made one of the most fundamental errors of sport, they were 6 outs away from a commanding 3-0 series lead and they let Sac-Town back in it. Now they're fighting for their lives and face a virtual must win game 5.

Yeah, they tried to squeeze too much out of Underwood. Should've let Sutter start the 8th. Game Five will be up shortly.

[EMSoccerCoach]

PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES REVIEW

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Sacramento Stingers (92-70) vs New Orleans Knights (94-68)

Game Five: Dontrelle Willis went 7 2/3 innings, allowed 10 hits...and no runs. Carlos Marmol went 6 2/3, allowed four hits, walked four...and no runs.

The two teams each left 11 on base, and neither starter figured in the decision.

There was only one run...off the bat of Roger Repoz, who took Sacramento's Bronson Arroyo deep with one out in the top of the 9th to give New Orleans a 1-0 lead that Ewell Blackwell would close out.

Knowing Bob Veale would start a Game 7 if necessary, this win means New Orleans can go home and just have to split to be champions yet again.

New Orleans 1, Sacramento 0: New Orleans leads series 3-2

[PhillieFever]

One thing came to my mind after reading this. Resiliency Of A Champion. If Sacramento is going to win a world championship, they are no doubt going to earn it.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

One thing came to my mind after reading this. Resiliency Of A Champion. If Sacramento is going to win a world championship, they are no doubt going to earn it.

Absolutely. But what would you expect playing a team that has won 3 of the PBL's 6 championships to date?

Roger Repoz, who hit that homer, is one of the interesting tales in the PBL's short history. He went undrafted in the November 2012 draft. That December, the Wichita Brigade signed him to a 2-year deal as a free agent. He hit .276 with 23 homers and 77 RBI and was an All-Star that season. Injuries took away most of his 2014 season and he was hitting .213 off the bench this season when he was traded to New Orleans on June 25. In basically half a season with the Knights, he hit 9 homers and drove in 42.

On to Game 6. Can Sacramento get Veale the ball one more time?

[EMSoccerCoach]

PBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES REVIEW

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Sacramento Stingers (92-70) vs New Orleans Knights (94-68)

Game Six: We return to New Orleans, which leads 3-2 but is really becoming victimized by their pitching injuries. Tom Underwood goes on three days rest against 20-game-winner Rube Marquard. Underwood's task...beat Marquard to avoid a Josh Towers/Bob Veale matchup in Game 7.

The Knights strike first in the bottom of the first, as Joe Kelley doubled to lead off, moved to third on a Pete Rose groundout and scored on a Ross Barnes groundout.

Two singles and walk in the third loaded the bases for the Knights, who added another when Julio Lugo muffed a grounder, giving Underwood and the Knights a 2-0 lead.

Underwood walked Roy White to lead off the fourth, and two batters later surrendered an RBI double to Ed Konetchy, cutting the margin in half. A groundout moved Konetchy to third, and Underwood uncorked a wild pitch to score him and tie the game at 2.

But the Knights answered, getting a leadoff triple from Fred Carroll in the bottom of the 4th, and an RBI groundout from Chad Tracy to put the Knights up 3-2.

That's how it stayed until the top of the sixth, when Jack Clark doubled and Konetchy picked up another RBI with a single, tying the game again.

Knotted at 3 after six, the question was how long Walter Alston was going to try and keep Underwood in there. He got greedy in Game Three, trying to squeeze an eighth inning from him, and said he wouldn't do so again. And so, after Underwood retired Don Buford and Manny Mota to start the 7th, a single from Harry Walker ended his night.

Roy Patterson came on in relief, and promptly surrendered an RBI double to Justin Morneau, making it a 4-3 game. Al Zarilla then singled Morneau home to make it a 5-3 Sacramento lead.

Marquard stayed in for the bottom of the 7th, and started the inning by hitting Norm Miller. Ozzie Smith sacrificed him to second, and Kelley doubled Miller home to make it 5-4. After Rose grounded out to third, Ross Barnes doubled as well, scoring Kelley and - as New Orleans has so many times over the last seven years - the Knights answered a blow immediately, knotting the game at 5 after 7.

Patterson worked a scoreless 8th, and Marquard remained in - manager Bobby Cox determined to ride his best horses. Marquard needed six pitches to retire the side in the 8th.

Patterson retired the first two to face him in the 9th. Juan Pierre then singled. Al Zarilla then hit a 1-0 fastball over the rightfield fence to put Sacramento up 7-5, which is how it would go to the bottom of the 9th.

Joe Benz came on to relieve Marquard, as cameras found Bob Veale in the Sacramento dugout, commentators discussing the advantage the Stingers would have the next day.

As they spoke, Miller hit a leadoff double. A wild pitch from Benz moved Miller to third. Roger Repoz then hit an RBI single to score Miller and make it 7-6. Repoz came out as Jimmy Rollins came on to run for him. Commentators and cameramen alike returned their focus to this Game Six that was not yet complete.

Kelley hit the first pitch deep into the gap in right-center. But Walker tracked it down on the track for the second out. Rollins contemplated tagging to get into scoring position, but didn't chance making the last out in such a fashion.

It took one pitch from Benz to Rose to end it...and it ended with a lined shot over the rightfield wall...a two-run walkoff homer from Pete Rose that caused chaos at home, devastation among the Stingers and jubilation in the stands of Bayou Ballpark, where the New Orleans Knights were once again PBL Champions.

New Orleans 8, Sacramento 7: New Orleans wins series 4-2

[PhillieFever]

This is the greatest sports game ever created. 'Nuff Said.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PhillieFever

This is the greatest sports game ever created. 'Nuff Said.

No argument here. Sorry the last month and postseason took so long...been absolutely swamped with work and house stuff. Hoping to get the pace going again.

[kenyan_cheena]

Haven't checked in here much lately but that looks like it was an incredible championship series. Gonna have to read through the last couple of pages, for sure.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Ruth Staying Put
Slugger inks 5-year deal to stay with Chicago, won't test free agency

CHICAGO -- Rest easy Chicago fans...the Babe isn't going anywhere.

Despite much speculation slugging outfielder Babe Ruth was going to test the free agency waters, the Chicago Hitmen reached a five-year, $32 million deal, placing him in the top 10 of salaries in the PBL.

Many thought Ruth, who is still only 25, would command a higher figure. But what he really wanted, it seems, is to stay where he is.

The deal was actually done a little more than a week ago, but Chicago management decided to wait to announce the contract until after the playoffs were completed.

Now Chicago hopes Ruth, who hit .271 with 33 homers and 107 RBI this season, can get them back to the postseason in 2016.

[PhillieFever]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

No argument here. Sorry the last month and postseason took so long...been absolutely swamped with work and house stuff. Hoping to get the pace going again.

LOL, I know all about it buddy, I have 4 kids, a job with crazy hours, and a wife who actually wants me to pay attention to her once in a while so I know crazy.

[EMSoccerCoach]

SEASON-ENDING AWARDS




OUTSTANDING HITTER

Adam Dunn (LF/1B, Boston Riders) - 70.59% of vote

Batting	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	TAVG	ISO	VORP
Overall	162	589	161	26	1	48	121	100	96	89	.273	.378	.565	.944	.993	.292	58.2

OUTSTANDING PITCHER

Bob Veale (Sacramento Stingers) - 93.3% of vote

G	GS	Rec	SV	ERA	IP	HA	HR	BB	K	WHIP
33	33	21-8	0	2.48	250.0	203	11	75	176	1.11

[EMSoccerCoach]

SEASON-ENDING AWARDS





OUTSTANDING HITTER

Jake Beckley (1B, New Orleans Knights) - 53.3% of vote

Batting	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	TAVG	ISO	VORP
Overall	161	671	216	38	2	23	119	111	39	101	.322	.355	.487	.842	.776	.165	44.9

OUTSTANDING PITCHER

Ted Trent (San Antonio Sheriffs) - 92.9% of vote

G	GS	Rec	SV	ERA	IP	HA	HR	BB	K	WHIP
33	33	19-9	0	2.08	247.0	180	10	73	220	1.02

[PWillisTheMan]

Charley Hustle with a walk off! I'm 41 now, so Pete was one of my favorites in my youth. When I started little league I used to sprint on walks and head first slide.

Hopefully LA and Eddie can do something next year.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by PWillisTheMan

Charley Hustle with a walk off! I'm 41 now, so Pete was one of my favorites in my youth. When I started little league I used to sprint on walks and head first slide.

Hopefully LA and Eddie can do something next year.

It wasn't a Game 7, but the last thing New Orleans wanted was to go against Veale in a Game 7 with their own pitching staff in the shape it was in.

As for Eddie, what he really needs is to be made the DH or for the Idols to make Brouthers the DH and give him the job. Eddie should produce better than Benjamin Boyd, the current DH. But he's a free agent in two years, so if he doesn't get playing time I'm sure he'll walk.

[EMSoccerCoach]

SEASON-ENDING AWARDS




OUTSTANDING ROOKIE

Ken Griffey (RF, Wichita Brigade)

Batting	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	TAVG	ISO	VORP
Overall	125	483	159	24	9	9	58	90	48	41	.329	.388	.472	.860	.819	.143	36.3

GOLD GLOVES
Pitcher: Bill Hands (Louisville Racers)
Catcher: Geovany Soto (Chicago Hitmen)
First Baseman: Keith Hernandez (Boston Riders)
Second Baseman: U L Washington (Chicago Hitmen)
Third Baseman: David Wright (Charlotte Cougars)
Shortstop: Ned Williamson (Philadelphia Ringers)
Left Fielder: Pete Hill (Milwaukee Bangers)
Center Fielder: Harry Walker (Sacramento Stingers)
Right Fielder: Babe Ruth (Chicago Hitmen)

[EMSoccerCoach]

SEASON-ENDING AWARDS





OUTSTANDING ROOKIE

Mike Hargrove (OF/1B, Arizona Sandmen)

Batting	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	TAVG	ISO	VORP
Overall	151	575	179	22	2	4	72	75	80	50	.311	.398	.377	.776	.732	.066	39.1

GOLD GLOVES
Pitcher: Ed Summers (Orlando Orcas)
Catcher: Quincy Trouppe (Memphis Strummers)
First Baseman: Buck O'Neill (Las Vegas Bosses)
Second Baseman: Johnny Evers (St. Louis Tides)
Third Baseman: Jimmy Williams (Oklahoma City Scorpions)
Shortstop: Honus Wagner (Oklahoma City Scorpions)
Left Fielder: Curtis Granderson (St. Louis Tides)
Center Fielder: Ruppert Jones (Arizona Sandmen)
Right Fielder: Chick Stahl (San Antonio Sheriffs)

[EMSoccerCoach]

AROUND THE PBL

Managerial Moves: The Whitey Herzog era is over in Wichita. The skipper behind the PBL's first champion and three-time division winner did not get an extension, and is now free to listen to other offers. Though Herzog could re-sign with Wichita, most believe that with no extension completed, the decision to move on is a mutual one.

An interesting possible destination for Herzog is Chicago, where Pat Moran was fired after the Hitmen's disappointing 80-82 season. Moran, who was let go by New York after three division crowns, came to Chicago and went 365-283 including a division crown in 2014. Still, his success wasn't enough to please yet another employer.

Also out is Ned Hanlon, whose Philadelphia Ringers squad has slipped each of the last three seasons. Hanlon managed the Ringers to a second place finish his first year there, as he did Louisville the three seasons prior - which is what led to him losing that job, too.

After four years, going 325-323, Jimy Williams is out in Louisville.

Seybold Stays in Sacramento: Stingers RF Socks Seybold signed a three-year deal for roughly $8.5 million to stay in town. Seybold, 36, a career .249 hitter, stroked a career-best 24 homers and tied a high with 79 RBI this season.

Robinson Moving Up Draft Chart: Once again having the top pick is this year's amateur draft, the Milwaukee Bangers are said to be growing increasingly fond of second baseman Jackie Robinson. On a team with myriad holes, Robinson's versatility - he plays second, third, first and outfield - could give him an edge over catching prospects Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella, and outfielders Ralph Kiner, Turkey Stearnes and Duke Snider.