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Westheim · 11-26-2023, 04:29 AM

2057 ABL PLAYOFFS

24 entered the ring, four were left standing.

The 106-56 Crusaders were the defending champions and had by far posted the best record in the league, besting every other team by 12 games and their division by 19 games. They had the #1 offense in the Continental League, the #1 pitching in the Continental League, and there wasn’t any major weakness about their roster whatsoever … when they were healthy, and they weren’t. Star shortstop Zach Suggs (.322, 14 HR, 53 RBI) had fallen by the wayside, as had an entire outfield worth of Oscar Caballero, Chris Kirkwood, and Chad Williams; starting pitcher David Concha, too. Concha and Kirkwood were on the playoff roster, but it was not sure when they would be ready for action. They still had a formidable 1-2 punch with Ben Seiter (21-8, 2.79 ERA) and Kennedy Adkins (20-8, 2.20 ERA), but the offense had taken a beating. Raul Sevilla (.255, 19 HR, 105 RBI) looked like the most dangerous producer now, batting behind Omar Sanchez (.331, 0 HR, 41 RBI), who came second in the stolen base table.

Their CLCS pairing with the 91-71 Falcons was a rematch from the previous season. The Falcons finished third in runs scored, second in runs allowed, and eight games up on their division. Their rotation had been *much* better than their bullpen, beating the relief corps by a full run of ERA, which seemed out of the ordinary, and they played more of an on-base than a power game offensively. They, too, were battling injuries, having lost infielders Bobby Anderson (.257, 8 HR, 80 RBI) and Travis Edwards (.284, 12 HR, 66 RBI) in September. Art Schaeffer (18-7, 2.59 ERA) led the rotation, while the lineup still had a dangerous middle of the order with Danny Ceballos (.341, 18 HR, 84 RBI), Jason Schaack (.237, 16 HR, 96 RBI), and Luis Miranda (.255, 14 HR, 73 RBI). The Falcons had an all-righty rotation for the playoffs, and the Crusaders’ lineup also figured to be mostly right-handed, so maybe that was an advantage for Charlotte.

In the Federal League, the Pacifics had homefield advantage after winning the FL West with a 94-68 record, five games clear of the competition, but the pattern of crippling injuries continued here as well. Third in runs scored and fourth in runs allowed, the Pacifics had shed staters Ivan Torres (11-8, 3.91 ERA), Chad Shultz (7-4, 2.98 ERA), and Jesus Hinojosa, closer Jason Posey (2-1, 0.89 ERA, 7 SV), and regular shortstop Jesse Sweeney (.277, 6 HR, 42 RBI). Only Sweeney had hope of perhaps returning for the World Series. Their remaining rotation dropped off behind Jim Reynolds (14-7, 2.73 ERA) and Austin Wilcox (12-9, 2.89 ERA), but the veteran mashers in the lineup were at least still standing: Matt Diskin (.344, 18 HR, 71 RBI), Chris Rice (.322, 15 HR, 74 RBI), and Randy Wilken (.250, 27 HR, 92 RBI) were all dangerous despite being well past 30.

The 93-67 Blue Sox won the FL East by 13 games and for the first time in even more years, scoring the most runs in the Federal League, but giving up the eighth-most. They relied heavily on the longball – Nick Nye (.337, 32 HR, 110 RBI), Andy Metz (.248, 28 HR, 105 RBI), and David Johnson (.243, 23 HR, 78 RBI) all feasted on pitchers’ tears professionally – but nobody was free of injuries, and the Blue Sox had lost James Powell (2-3, 3.15 ERA) to Tommy John surgery in May, and Malik Crumble (.289, 14 HR, 34 RBI) to a flayed shoulder in August. Their rotation was perhaps the most mediocre, with the best ERA being Richard Castillo’s (15-11, 3.27 ERA), but at least their four chosen guys all ranged in the 3’s. Like the Falcons, their bullpen had been an abhorrence, though, with an ERA over four and more than half a run worse than the starters’.

The Pacifics led the field in playoff appearances with 18, followed by the Blue Sox (15), Crusaders (14), and Falcons (13). In titles, New York held court though with eight collected rings, ahead of L.A. (6), Nashville (4), and Charlotte (1).

(Tops in playoff appearances? The Raccoons (23). Tops in rings? Titans (10).)

The Crusaders and Falcons had previously met in the CLCS in 1978, 2007, 2008, and 2056 – the Crusaders being 4-0 in those meetings and 3-for-4 in finishing up with a World Series title. In the FL however, this was a first-time matchup, the Blue Sox and Pacifics having made it an art form to never be good at the same time before.

For previous World Series meetings of these teams, there was 2005 when the Falcons won their only championship against the Blue Sox, 2011 with the Pacifics beating the Crusaders, and that was that; none of the two CL contenders had won the pennant in the 40-year span between the Crusaders’ 2015 and 2056 championships.

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LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

NAS @ LAP … 1-6 … (Pacifics lead 1-0) … LAP Chris Rice 3-3, BB, HR, RBI; LAP Randy Wilken 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI;

NAS @ LAP … 2-4 … (Pacifics lead 2-0) … LAP Andy Overy 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, W (1-0)
CHA @ NYC … 4-6 (11) … (Crusaders lead 1-0) … CHA Ian Woodrome 3-4; NYC Dan Nork 3-6, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI;

Raul Sevilla (.167, 1 HR, 2 RBI) gives New York a 1-0 series lead with his walkoff home run against Mario de Anda (0-1, 27.00 ERA).

CHA @ NYC … 1-3 … (Crusaders lead 2-0) … NYC Alex Adame 3-4, HR, RBI; NYC Raul Sevilla 2-4, HR, 2 RBI;

Another day, another walkoff home run for Raul Sevilla (.300, 2 HR, 4 RBI), this time in regulation and off Charlotte’s Joe Gowin (0-1, 13.50 ERA), who had already been bombed by Adame in the bottom of that ninth inning to tie the game.

LAP @ NAS … 1-3 … (Pacifics lead 2-1) … LAP Jesus Espinoza 3-4; LAP Matt Diskin 3-4, 2B; NAS Marquise Saulsberry (PH) 1-1, HR, RBI;

As the day before in the CLCS, the Pacifics hold a 1-0 lead late and surrender it on two bombs off their starter Austin Wilcox (0-1, 3.38 ERA), who is taken deep by John Webler (.364, 1 HR, 2 RBI) and the rookie Saulsberry, who makes his first playoff appearance off the bench.

LAP @ NAS … 0-7 … (series tied 2-2) … NAS Tony Ontiveroz 3-3, 2 BB; NAS Andy Metz 3-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI; NAS Dave Gonzalez 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI; NAS Mike Chartrand 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K, W (1-1);
NYC @ CHA … 13-9 … (Crusaders lead 3-0) … NYC Omar Sanchez 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI; NYC Aaron Kissler 3-5; NYC Chris Kirkwood 2-5, HR, 3 RBI; NYC Jose Ortega 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K; NYC Ross Mitchell 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, SV (1); CHA Mitch Sivertson 0-1, 4 BB; CHA Danny Ceballos 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI; CHA Luis Miranda 3-5, HR, 3 RBI;

The lead changes hands in Charlotte no fewer than five times, in five consecutive half-innings between the fourth and sixth after Charlotte takes an early 3-0 lead, but is then considerably out-hit by New York.

LAP @ NAS … 2-4 … (Blue Sox lead 3-2)
NYC @ CHA … 5-6 … (Crusaders lead 3-1) … NYC Alex Adame 2-3, BB; NYC Omar Sanchez 3-4; CHA Jason Schaack 3-4;

Kyle Fisher (.167, 0 HR, 1 RBI) keeps the Falcons’ season alive with a walkoff RBI double off Ryan Sullivan (0-1, 4.50 ERA) in the ninth inning.

NYC @ CHA … 2-7 … (Crusaders lead 3-2) … NYC Dan Nork 2-4, 2 2B, BB; NYC Omar Sanchez 4-5, RBI; CHA Luis Miranda 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI;

The Crusaders out-hit the Falcons 12-6, but strand batters left and right and have the series sent back to New York.

NAS @ LAP … 5-2 … (Blue Sox win 4-2) … NAS John Webler 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; LAP Chris Rice 2-3, BB, HR, 2 RBI;

CHA @ NYC … 5-9 … (Crusaders win 4-2) … CHA Kyle Fisher 2-3, 2 BB; CHA Jason Schaack 2-4, RBI; CHA Luis Miranda 3-5, 2B; NYC Raul Sevilla 2-5, 2B, RBI; NYC Aaron Kissler 2-4, BB, RBI; NYC Chad Williams 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI; NYC Chris Kirkwood 2-4, BB, 3 RBI; NYC Shane Larsen 3-5, 2 RBI;

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2057 WORLD SERIES

In an all-new World Series matchup, the Crusaders would meet the Blue Sox for the 2057 crown. While the Crusaders had regained some injured or ailing personnel, they also had to remove primary catcher Raul Salas from the roster after he failed concussion protocol following a hit on the head in Game 4 of the CLCS. Aaron Kissler for sure had the better batting average between the two, though. Apart from that, this was still the #1 offense and #1 pitching in the CL, and it perhaps was now better than heading into the CLCS, where their +182 run differential from the regular season had made an impression on the Falcons.

The Sox suffered no injuries in the FLCS, but also didn’t get their missing players back. Their +113 run differential couldn’t compete with the Crusaders’, but they had momentum on their side after winning four straight games to erase an 0-2 deficit against Los Angeles. Besides, everybody loves the underdog.

There were no significant differences in roster construction between these teams; the Sox had brought a balanced lineup from the start, and the changed injury situation also made New York’s lineup a lot more balanced for the World Series. Both teams were expected to send three right-handed and one left-handed starting pitcher, so it was hard to make out a favorite on these grounds.

New York was still trying to defend their 2056 title, while the Sox had on one hand not been to the playoffs in 17 years, but were 2-for-2 for their last two October outings in 2037 and 2039.

The Crusaders were still the odds-on favorites with the bookies.

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NAS @ NYC … 3-2 … (Blue Sox lead 1-0) … NAS Jacob Bratlien 3-5, 3B, 2B; NAS John Webler 3-4, 2B, RBI; NAS Richard Castillo 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, W (2-0); NYC Shane Larsen 2-2, BB;

NAS @ NYC … 3-2 … (Blue Sox lead 2-0) … NAS Jacob Bratlien 3-5, 2 2B; NYC Shane Larsen 3-4, 2B, RBI; NAS Mike Chartrand 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, W (2-1);

Viewers were confused for most of Game 2, why the National Sports Channel (NSC) would show a repeat of Game 1, but Chartrand’s mighty moustache eventually gave it away that it was not, even though the games played out largely the same.

NYC @ NAS … 4-0 … (Blue Sox lead 2-1) … NYC Joel Luera 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, W (2-0) and 1-4, 2 RBI;

NYC @ NAS … 6-12 … (Blue Sox lead 3-1) … NYC Dan Nork 3-6, RBI; NYC Alex Adame 2-5, 2B, RBI; NYC Chad Williams 2-4, BB, 2 2B; NYC Chris Kirkwood 2-4, BB, RBI; NYC Shane Larsen 3-4, BB, RBI; NAS Jacob Bratlien 3-4, BB; NAS Tony Ontiveroz 2-4, BB, 2B, 2 RBI; NAS Nick Nye 4-5, RBI; NAS John Webler 4-4, HR, 3B, 2B, 7 RBI;

John Webler (.486, 2 HR, 13 RBI), heretofore rather unheralded third-year third baseman for the Blue Sox, chucks the first ABL postseason cycle in history in a takedown of the Crusaders that gives the Blue Sox multiple matchballs to win their first title in 18 years.

NYC @ NAS … 2-3 … (Blue Sox win 4-1) … NYC Alex Adame 2-4, 2B, RBI; NYC Shane Larsen 2-3; NAS Nick Nye 3-4; NAS Richard Castillo 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, W (3-0);

Blue Sox closer Kevin Hitchcock (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 6 SV) entered the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead, but gave up a leadoff jack to Aaron Kissler to narrow the score to 3-2. Chad Williams and Chris Kirkwood flew out, Shane Larsen singled, and then it was old venerable Mario Villa to drag his 36-year-old body off the bench. He was 0-for-5 in pinch-hitting appearances in the postseason, and after he swung under a 3-2 fastball at neck level, he was 0-for-6 and the Crusaders and their 106-win season crumbled to ashes.

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2057 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
Nashville Blue Sox
(5th title)

11-26-2023, 04:29 AM	#4326
Westheim Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 13,910	2057 ABL PLAYOFFS 24 entered the ring, four were left standing. The 106-56 Crusaders were the defending champions and had by far posted the best record in the league, besting every other team by 12 games and their division by 19 games. They had the #1 offense in the Continental League, the #1 pitching in the Continental League, and there wasn’t any major weakness about their roster whatsoever … when they were healthy, and they weren’t. Star shortstop Zach Suggs (.322, 14 HR, 53 RBI) had fallen by the wayside, as had an entire outfield worth of Oscar Caballero, Chris Kirkwood, and Chad Williams; starting pitcher David Concha, too. Concha and Kirkwood were on the playoff roster, but it was not sure when they would be ready for action. They still had a formidable 1-2 punch with Ben Seiter (21-8, 2.79 ERA) and Kennedy Adkins (20-8, 2.20 ERA), but the offense had taken a beating. Raul Sevilla (.255, 19 HR, 105 RBI) looked like the most dangerous producer now, batting behind Omar Sanchez (.331, 0 HR, 41 RBI), who came second in the stolen base table. Their CLCS pairing with the 91-71 Falcons was a rematch from the previous season. The Falcons finished third in runs scored, second in runs allowed, and eight games up on their division. Their rotation had been much better than their bullpen, beating the relief corps by a full run of ERA, which seemed out of the ordinary, and they played more of an on-base than a power game offensively. They, too, were battling injuries, having lost infielders Bobby Anderson (.257, 8 HR, 80 RBI) and Travis Edwards (.284, 12 HR, 66 RBI) in September. Art Schaeffer (18-7, 2.59 ERA) led the rotation, while the lineup still had a dangerous middle of the order with Danny Ceballos (.341, 18 HR, 84 RBI), Jason Schaack (.237, 16 HR, 96 RBI), and Luis Miranda (.255, 14 HR, 73 RBI). The Falcons had an all-righty rotation for the playoffs, and the Crusaders’ lineup also figured to be mostly right-handed, so maybe that was an advantage for Charlotte. In the Federal League, the Pacifics had homefield advantage after winning the FL West with a 94-68 record, five games clear of the competition, but the pattern of crippling injuries continued here as well. Third in runs scored and fourth in runs allowed, the Pacifics had shed staters Ivan Torres (11-8, 3.91 ERA), Chad Shultz (7-4, 2.98 ERA), and Jesus Hinojosa, closer Jason Posey (2-1, 0.89 ERA, 7 SV), and regular shortstop Jesse Sweeney (.277, 6 HR, 42 RBI). Only Sweeney had hope of perhaps returning for the World Series. Their remaining rotation dropped off behind Jim Reynolds (14-7, 2.73 ERA) and Austin Wilcox (12-9, 2.89 ERA), but the veteran mashers in the lineup were at least still standing: Matt Diskin (.344, 18 HR, 71 RBI), Chris Rice (.322, 15 HR, 74 RBI), and Randy Wilken (.250, 27 HR, 92 RBI) were all dangerous despite being well past 30. The 93-67 Blue Sox won the FL East by 13 games and for the first time in even more years, scoring the most runs in the Federal League, but giving up the eighth-most. They relied heavily on the longball – Nick Nye (.337, 32 HR, 110 RBI), Andy Metz (.248, 28 HR, 105 RBI), and David Johnson (.243, 23 HR, 78 RBI) all feasted on pitchers’ tears professionally – but nobody was free of injuries, and the Blue Sox had lost James Powell (2-3, 3.15 ERA) to Tommy John surgery in May, and Malik Crumble (.289, 14 HR, 34 RBI) to a flayed shoulder in August. Their rotation was perhaps the most mediocre, with the best ERA being Richard Castillo’s (15-11, 3.27 ERA), but at least their four chosen guys all ranged in the 3’s. Like the Falcons, their bullpen had been an abhorrence, though, with an ERA over four and more than half a run worse than the starters’. The Pacifics led the field in playoff appearances with 18, followed by the Blue Sox (15), Crusaders (14), and Falcons (13). In titles, New York held court though with eight collected rings, ahead of L.A. (6), Nashville (4), and Charlotte (1). (Tops in playoff appearances? The Raccoons (23). Tops in rings? Titans (10).) The Crusaders and Falcons had previously met in the CLCS in 1978, 2007, 2008, and 2056 – the Crusaders being 4-0 in those meetings and 3-for-4 in finishing up with a World Series title. In the FL however, this was a first-time matchup, the Blue Sox and Pacifics having made it an art form to never be good at the same time before. For previous World Series meetings of these teams, there was 2005 when the Falcons won their only championship against the Blue Sox, 2011 with the Pacifics beating the Crusaders, and that was that; none of the two CL contenders had won the pennant in the 40-year span between the Crusaders’ 2015 and 2056 championships. +++ LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES NAS @ LAP … 1-6 … (Pacifics lead 1-0) … LAP Chris Rice 3-3, BB, HR, RBI; LAP Randy Wilken 2-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI; NAS @ LAP … 2-4 … (Pacifics lead 2-0) … LAP Andy Overy 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, W (1-0) CHA @ NYC … 4-6 (11) … (Crusaders lead 1-0) … CHA Ian Woodrome 3-4; NYC Dan Nork 3-6, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI; Raul Sevilla (.167, 1 HR, 2 RBI) gives New York a 1-0 series lead with his walkoff home run against Mario de Anda (0-1, 27.00 ERA). CHA @ NYC … 1-3 … (Crusaders lead 2-0) … NYC Alex Adame 3-4, HR, RBI; NYC Raul Sevilla 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Another day, another walkoff home run for Raul Sevilla (.300, 2 HR, 4 RBI), this time in regulation and off Charlotte’s Joe Gowin (0-1, 13.50 ERA), who had already been bombed by Adame in the bottom of that ninth inning to tie the game. LAP @ NAS … 1-3 … (Pacifics lead 2-1) … LAP Jesus Espinoza 3-4; LAP Matt Diskin 3-4, 2B; NAS Marquise Saulsberry (PH) 1-1, HR, RBI; As the day before in the CLCS, the Pacifics hold a 1-0 lead late and surrender it on two bombs off their starter Austin Wilcox (0-1, 3.38 ERA), who is taken deep by John Webler (.364, 1 HR, 2 RBI) and the rookie Saulsberry, who makes his first playoff appearance off the bench. LAP @ NAS … 0-7 … (series tied 2-2) … NAS Tony Ontiveroz 3-3, 2 BB; NAS Andy Metz 3-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI; NAS Dave Gonzalez 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI; NAS Mike Chartrand 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K, W (1-1); NYC @ CHA … 13-9 … (Crusaders lead 3-0) … NYC Omar Sanchez 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI; NYC Aaron Kissler 3-5; NYC Chris Kirkwood 2-5, HR, 3 RBI; NYC Jose Ortega 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K; NYC Ross Mitchell 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, SV (1); CHA Mitch Sivertson 0-1, 4 BB; CHA Danny Ceballos 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI; CHA Luis Miranda 3-5, HR, 3 RBI; The lead changes hands in Charlotte no fewer than five times, in five consecutive half-innings between the fourth and sixth after Charlotte takes an early 3-0 lead, but is then considerably out-hit by New York. LAP @ NAS … 2-4 … (Blue Sox lead 3-2) NYC @ CHA … 5-6 … (Crusaders lead 3-1) … NYC Alex Adame 2-3, BB; NYC Omar Sanchez 3-4; CHA Jason Schaack 3-4; Kyle Fisher (.167, 0 HR, 1 RBI) keeps the Falcons’ season alive with a walkoff RBI double off Ryan Sullivan (0-1, 4.50 ERA) in the ninth inning. NYC @ CHA … 2-7 … (Crusaders lead 3-2) … NYC Dan Nork 2-4, 2 2B, BB; NYC Omar Sanchez 4-5, RBI; CHA Luis Miranda 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI; The Crusaders out-hit the Falcons 12-6, but strand batters left and right and have the series sent back to New York. NAS @ LAP … 5-2 … (Blue Sox win 4-2) … NAS John Webler 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI; LAP Chris Rice 2-3, BB, HR, 2 RBI; CHA @ NYC … 5-9 … (Crusaders win 4-2) … CHA Kyle Fisher 2-3, 2 BB; CHA Jason Schaack 2-4, RBI; CHA Luis Miranda 3-5, 2B; NYC Raul Sevilla 2-5, 2B, RBI; NYC Aaron Kissler 2-4, BB, RBI; NYC Chad Williams 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI; NYC Chris Kirkwood 2-4, BB, 3 RBI; NYC Shane Larsen 3-5, 2 RBI; +++ 2057 WORLD SERIES In an all-new World Series matchup, the Crusaders would meet the Blue Sox for the 2057 crown. While the Crusaders had regained some injured or ailing personnel, they also had to remove primary catcher Raul Salas from the roster after he failed concussion protocol following a hit on the head in Game 4 of the CLCS. Aaron Kissler for sure had the better batting average between the two, though. Apart from that, this was still the #1 offense and #1 pitching in the CL, and it perhaps was now better than heading into the CLCS, where their +182 run differential from the regular season had made an impression on the Falcons. The Sox suffered no injuries in the FLCS, but also didn’t get their missing players back. Their +113 run differential couldn’t compete with the Crusaders’, but they had momentum on their side after winning four straight games to erase an 0-2 deficit against Los Angeles. Besides, everybody loves the underdog. There were no significant differences in roster construction between these teams; the Sox had brought a balanced lineup from the start, and the changed injury situation also made New York’s lineup a lot more balanced for the World Series. Both teams were expected to send three right-handed and one left-handed starting pitcher, so it was hard to make out a favorite on these grounds. New York was still trying to defend their 2056 title, while the Sox had on one hand not been to the playoffs in 17 years, but were 2-for-2 for their last two October outings in 2037 and 2039. The Crusaders were still the odds-on favorites with the bookies. +++ NAS @ NYC … 3-2 … (Blue Sox lead 1-0) … NAS Jacob Bratlien 3-5, 3B, 2B; NAS John Webler 3-4, 2B, RBI; NAS Richard Castillo 8.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, W (2-0); NYC Shane Larsen 2-2, BB; NAS @ NYC … 3-2 … (Blue Sox lead 2-0) … NAS Jacob Bratlien 3-5, 2 2B; NYC Shane Larsen 3-4, 2B, RBI; NAS Mike Chartrand 8.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, W (2-1); Viewers were confused for most of Game 2, why the National Sports Channel (NSC) would show a repeat of Game 1, but Chartrand’s mighty moustache eventually gave it away that it was not, even though the games played out largely the same. NYC @ NAS … 4-0 … (Blue Sox lead 2-1) … NYC Joel Luera 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, W (2-0) and 1-4, 2 RBI; NYC @ NAS … 6-12 … (Blue Sox lead 3-1) … NYC Dan Nork 3-6, RBI; NYC Alex Adame 2-5, 2B, RBI; NYC Chad Williams 2-4, BB, 2 2B; NYC Chris Kirkwood 2-4, BB, RBI; NYC Shane Larsen 3-4, BB, RBI; NAS Jacob Bratlien 3-4, BB; NAS Tony Ontiveroz 2-4, BB, 2B, 2 RBI; NAS Nick Nye 4-5, RBI; NAS John Webler 4-4, HR, 3B, 2B, 7 RBI; John Webler (.486, 2 HR, 13 RBI), heretofore rather unheralded third-year third baseman for the Blue Sox, chucks the first ABL postseason cycle in history in a takedown of the Crusaders that gives the Blue Sox multiple matchballs to win their first title in 18 years. NYC @ NAS … 2-3 … (Blue Sox win 4-1) … NYC Alex Adame 2-4, 2B, RBI; NYC Shane Larsen 2-3; NAS Nick Nye 3-4; NAS Richard Castillo 8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, W (3-0); Blue Sox closer Kevin Hitchcock (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 6 SV) entered the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead, but gave up a leadoff jack to Aaron Kissler to narrow the score to 3-2. Chad Williams and Chris Kirkwood flew out, Shane Larsen singled, and then it was old venerable Mario Villa to drag his 36-year-old body off the bench. He was 0-for-5 in pinch-hitting appearances in the postseason, and after he swung under a 3-2 fastball at neck level, he was 0-for-6 and the Crusaders and their 106-win season crumbled to ashes. +++ 2057 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS Nashville Blue Sox (5th title) Attached Images __________________ Portland Raccoons, 94 years of excell-.... of baseball: Furballs here! 1983 * 1989 * 1991 * 1992 * 1993 * 1995 * 1996 * 2010 * 2017 * 2018 * 2019 * 2026 * 2028 * 2035 * 2037 * 2044 * 2045 * 2046 * 2047 * 2048 * 2051 * 2054 * 2055 * 2061 1 OSANAI : 2 POWELL : 7 NOMURA \| RAMOS : 8 REECE : 10 BROWN : 15 HALL : 27 FERNANDEZ : 28 CASAS : 31 CARMONA : 32 WEST : 39 TONER : 46 SAITO Resident Mets Cynic - The Mets from 1962 onwards, here.