June 18, 1921
As we approach the All-Star break, the Roosters and Elephants played a game that kept everyone guessing right to the end with Elephant 1B Vladik Zavalin proving some critical hits at the right time.
The two teams went into the 9th tied at 3-all -- a Vladik Zavalin run tying the game up in the 8th -- but the Roosters started to apply the pressure with three runs to go up to 6-3 when the game switched around to the bottom of the 9th. The Elephants had their answer though, they picked up a run in the inning before Zavalin came in with two outs and runners on 1st and 3rd. He hit the first pitch foul, and then watched the next go inside for a ball. Then hit the ball in a sweet spot between CF and RF to get the two runners home and Zavalin himself to 3rd -- his second triple of the season -- the other hitters couldn't get him home so the game went to extras.
The 10th passed without incident but LF Odin Bendig hit a 2-run dinger out to left field to put the pressure back on the Elephants but the will go toe-for-toe. Vladik Zavalin again playing his part with a double and eventually getting home to tie the game up after a hit and two walks from his fellow Elephants.
The Roosters will be easily dismissed in the top of the 12th and guess who's up to smack the winning home run with two outs on the board for the Elephants? Vladik Zavalin.
In the end Zavalin is 5-7 with singles in the 1st and 8th, a double in the 11th, a triple in the 9th, and the home run in the 12th. Ladies and gentlemen, COBRA has it's first cycle.
June 19, 1921
Naturally, the day after Zavalin completes the cycle he is named the most popular vote getter for the All-Star vote. Here's the top 25.
And the two teams.
New all-stars in the East are: SP Tony Coles (NOR), SP Rory Miller (NOR), 2B Alex Barath (NOR), 2B Glenn Reinhard (SF), 3B Jaden Tenneh (SF), 3B Gavin Utter (SD), SS Gaby Williams (CF), LF Zach Hauptmann (SF), and CF Augie Hanson (CF).
New all-stars in the West are: SP Fred Kimmerly (SQ), SP Peyton Kramer (DUS), SP Denny Wiesner (AC), CL Camden Combs (DUS), 1B Zeke Reynolds (SAF), 3B Emmett Miles (SAF), LF Spike Evener (SAF), and CF Sid van Kranenburg (DUS).
The Sugar Factory Elephants send the most reps to the game with 7!
Sugar Factory Elephants: 7
Dustland Sharks: 6
Northlands Polar Bears: 6
Salt Quarter Penguins: 5
Saffron Turtles: 4
Spice District Roosters: 4
Amelia City Metropolitans: 3
Crimson Forest Falcons: 2
Hadestown Broncos: 2
Port Magnolia Dolphins: 2
Unicorn Point Athletic Club: 2
Whiskeytown Ducks: 2
June 20, 1921
The Home Run Challenge is won by Roman Karabanov, who had to take on teammate Odin Bendig in the final.
June 21, 1921
The East Division All-Stars completely destroy the West Division, game MVP goes to Vladilk Zavalin who played the entire game and got two home runs including a grand slam in the 8th to finish the scoring.
Here's where the standings sit at the All-Star break. The Sharks and Roosters both have opened up significant leads in their divisions. The Saffron Turtles have also started to open up a fair bit of daylight between them and the pack in the wildcard race with the Polar Bears and Elephants currently fighting it out for the final spot.
