verdugo288

You think we hit that fat-bitch hard last time? This was the HARDEST we hit any one pitcher in all of 1992. And every single hitter in our lineup bitch-slapped him. HARD.

Fielder sent him packing in the top-of-the-fourth inning (yes we were the visiting team even though this game was played at Glendale High) with an absolute bullet. And yet again, we had the pleasure of watching him make “the walk of shame” when Les came out and pulled him.

And for every step he took when he walked off that mound there were about seven rags from the Verdugo dugout absolutely RAINING DOWN on that bitch!!!!

Four of the HARDEST HIT SHOTS came from the bottom three slots in the lineup. Yves got him TWICE for two doubles.

Calf …and absolute fricking SEED in the second inning.

GABE….a line shot bullet in the third.

Dan Bir clubbed him in the first….driving in Hack Workman ….who had already blistered a base-hit to lead off the game.

I’m talking this dude was getting abused!!!!

Haggs ripped one that about went through his legs.

Canale drove one damn near into the street for a solo-SHOT off him in the third.

Turner TRIPLED DEEP.

All in all we POUNDED 11 hits off his sorry ass by the time Riley pulled him!!!!

After four innings we led 4-3…but the momentum was majorly in our favor with how HARD we were hitting the ball.

I’m not kidding ….it was awe-inspiring.

Les Riley was up to his usual tactics with his runners on the base-paths. We were back-picking when they made overly aggressive turns that resulted in textbook rundowns executed by the pantherlike defense we were playing.

Thunder blew down THREE of ’em who tried running on us. Those dudes just never learn.

And a composed and determined Vo was quietly picking their hitters apart. They did some damage, sure…they’re a good team. But Jim Parque was absolutely magnificent for us tonight.

We added two more runs in the fifth

Yves singled again….his third hit of the night. Kasey drew a walk….and Hack ripped another base hit.

Up steps Robb Turner. Base hit. CLUTCH. Driving in two. Huge. This gave us some breathing room because you know Sun Valley will never stop battling.

We loaded the bases in the sixth but couldn’t get anyone across to score.

It’s still 6-3 Verdugo

Both dugouts LOUD. Both sides of the big crowd were getting into it. It’s still a game. Sun Valley still is within grand-slam reach.

Jim shut them down in the sixth. He had thrown 89 pitches and he was done as far as I was concerned. Gabe had been up and down a few times over in the pen area throughout the game so I had him ready….but Gabe wasn’t expecting the ball. There was only ONE WAY I was gonna pull Parque from this game after what he had just done. I told Gabe he was throwing the last inning but to keep it between him and me. He did.

We added another run in the 7th. Hack triples deep! His THIRD HIT of the game.

Robb Turner…..

Robb Turner …..

Robb Turner…..what a warrior!!!!

He steps in and RIPS his FOURTH HIT of the night to drive in Hack!!!!

7-3 Verdugo

That’s all we got that inning but it was a huge run.

In all …..we POUNDED OUT 17 hits in this one. CLUTCH!!!!

I sent Jim out to pitch the 7th. Why? I thought you were pulling him Gee. I was. But I had something to say to him and I wanted three things. I wanted to tell him what I wanted to say to him on that mound. Because that was now HIS TERRITORY. To let him know how fucking PUMPED I was with what he just did and I wanted him to get the ovation from the crowd when I pulled him as he walked to the dugout.

David has just slayed Goliath in every manner. With confidence, poise, control.

This kid had just pitched us into the playoffs. A rookie….in the biggest game we had played thus far.

Even though we still needed three outs…..I KNEW this game was over.

Yeah…..Verdugo indeed had proven that we had another miracle in us.

I got out to the mound and it must have looked like I was going off on him. I was out there “fuck yeah!!! Fuck yeah!! You stuck their bats right up their asses!!! Among other things….I was just very very proud of our team and what he had done. I wanted some of you guys to hear it too, and to see how pumped I was and how much I wanted you guys to finish it.

He just kinda stood there and looked at me….as only Jim can do….and made the walk to the dugout to a HUGE ovation. An ovation he deserved.

Gabe came on. And ya gotta remember…this was Gabe’s first inning for us all season long.

But a precedent had been set. You take the ball for Verdugo it’s a known fact you have a job to do. I think that’s why Wiley pitched such a great game in Lancaster when we needed it.

Gabe knew what he had to do….and he did it.

It took Gabe just eight pitches to get three outs.

Ground ball to Haggs….he fires to Turner for the final out….and Verdugo Hills had just clinched!!!!

I remember with this one I didn’t join you guys in the celebration on the field. I just watched. Watching how happy you guys were and what you all had accomplished.

Our entire history kinda flashed before me as I watched you guys celebrate.

I remembered the tough losses and heartbreaks we had the first couple of seasons. I was happy for Bull and for Turner especially. And Henry and The Weapon. The General and I hugged. It was an emotional moment for me that’s for sure.

But we still got a lotta work to do…..Tomorrow MORNING!!!!

But I was going to savor this moment until game time tomorrow and for the rest of tonight ….it was time to Party!!!!

We gotta party …..you know why????because VERDUGO JUST CLINCHED!!!!

Verdugo-Sun Valley Friday evening at Glendale High. Somehow I got Les Riley to agree to switch a nine-inning game at his yard to playing us in a seven-inning match here at Glendale High.

I made this deal before we beat ’em at Stengel. Had I tried to get him to agree to this after that game….I’m not so sure I would have got what I wanted.

He was reluctant even before then. But like many managers around the League (at that time anyways) he didn’t take me….or our ball club too seriously.

I bet he did now….

Their backs were against the wall and in danger of not even making the post-season Tournament. They had to win this game.

And so did we. Not so much for the playoff picture because even if we lost I knew we would clinch a spot tomorrow against Panorama City. This game….we had to win to knock their asses down and step on their necks.

We needed to show them who was boss. We were still in the hunt to win the Division. We needed to show them that it was no fluke we beat them a couple of weeks ago.

And if I’m gonna clinch a playoff spot….I’d love clinching against Sun Valley.

He was throwing a guy against us we had just torched. That was his best guy. That guy wanted us bad. He was about 6-3 and 230 pounds. He threw in the low 90’s….maybe even more.

He had just finished an entire season at the Junior College level (Valley College I think) and threw a lot of innings and led the Conference in ERA.

Riley was hoping to ride that dudes arm as far as he could. And like I said before….Sun Valley always had a damn good team.

Their pitcher had major motivation coming into this one. Revenge factor. Like I said before we may have hit him two weeks ago harder than he had ever been hit in his life.

Again….he wanted us bad….

Verdugo was throwing a 5 foot, 5 inch 110 pound left-handed rookie at him. Just like a couple weeks ago ….this is David versus Goliath.

Jim had thrown well against them last time but at times they got to him. This was gonna be a gut-check for all of us. And you know Riley with his wild-ass baserunners would be applying pressure on us to make throws all night long.

Both teams knew what was at stake. Huge crowd at Glendale for this one.

Both Cowsill and Moreno couldn’t make this game.

Here was the starting lineup we threw at ’em

1.). Workman/CF

2.). Turner/3B

3.). Fielder/C

4.) J. Canale/LF

5.). Bir/1B

6.). Hagge/SS

7.). Gabrielson/DH

8.). Brancheau/2B

9.) K. Canale/RF

Parque-P

Wiley and Evans were on the bench. Lance was in uniform but unable to play.

If there was a line in Vegas on this one….you would have to favor them. They had all their horses in the stable and their big gun on the mound.

We had defied all the odds all season long up to this point.

But I had a feeling we had another miracle in us…..

We beat these guys earlier in the season 17-11. After almost three seasons managing Legion games…I had a love-hate relationship with the Antelope Valley and the 14 Freeway. Anything could happen up there.

I gave this one a lot of thought. And you know what? It was time to unleash him. He had been waiting in the wings all year for the call.

That’s right….on the mound for Verdugo?

“The Wiley Jackson”

That’s right! Wiley!!!!

Wiley didn’t disappoint. He went all the way, giving up 6 hits….3 earned runs….zero walks….and struck out six. And he did it on just 82 pitches.

Masterful!!!!

CLUTCH!!!!

Instrumental !!!!

We had a lot of games this week. A lotta innings to cover.

Wiley’s performance gave a lot of guys on our staff the rest they needed.

Offensively…..we punished. 15 hits.

Dave Fielder and Josh Canale had three hits apiece. Canale with two doubles and two RBI…and Thunder doubling in a run for us in the 5th.

Rookie Dan Bir hit today in the five-hole and singled twice and drove in two runs. Clutch game by Bir.

Kirk Hagge and Kasey Canale both picked up two hits….with calf roaming the tundra for us out in right field and playing the entire game.

Wiley doubled in the sixth inning…..and Robb Turner and Yves Brancheau both singled.

We played an errorless game defensively and made it look easy.

Jackson really stepped up.

I didn’t report this game to the papers after the win. I let the local papers know of course, and they may have even written a story on the victory. Of course I reported our win to Mel Swerdling the Commissioner. All he wanted to know was “who won?” thats all he ever cared about.

But I didn’t contact the LA Times or Daily News. I had my reasons….I just had a feeling…..and later in the week my feeling proved to be correct. I think I made the right move. Questionable for sure….but I covered my tracks and we dodged a big bullet. I did what I had to do….

The magic number is down to ONE.

Next up? Sun Valley at Glendale High.

And yes-sir-ree….I’m giving the ball to Vo!!!!

This may have been the longest seven inning game I’ve ever seen in my life. The Umpire behind the plate had a strike-zone about the size of a coke can.

Then …out of the blue he wasn’t shy about calling a guy out on strikes outside that coke-can sized strike zone.

He was …. consistently inconsistent? Haha

Am I complaining about the umpires because we lost? No

Well c’mon Gee…you complained about the opposition having illegal players last time we lost …who are you gonna blame this time Gee?

Honestly….I’m not complaining. It is what it is.

We’ve all had issues with umps. Haven’t we? I’ve always felt that with an umpire’s strike-zone (and it does change a little from umpire to umpire) that I really didn’t care what it was….I just expect the Umpire to be consistent with whatever it was.

That’s a reasonable and fair expectation….

I have to say….this guy was consistent. He was pinching the pitchers on both sides in this game.

There were 19 walks in this game for crying out loud.

The two teams playing in this game had the two best records in the 20th District. I was throwing my number one guy…and so were they.

You’re telling me the pitching is that bad for the two top teams?

Really? 19 walks?!?!?!

Again….the umpire was consistent. He had a strike zone about the size of a coke can and he enforced it for both sides. So I can’t really complain about the guy…..

But….

Really?!?!?

Notre Dame has three hits total.

Verdugo Hills had three hits total.

We gave up five unearned runs. We got down 4-0 early and didn’t score until the bottom-of-the-seventh. Even though this game was played at Jody’s yard….we were still the home team.

Maybe we should have played these fools at Stengel. But I really don’t think it would have mattered. All I can ask for as a Manager (at least from the umpires) is that whatever they call….they call it the same for both teams. And this guy did execute that basic principle.

But both teams agreed….and both coaches agreed after the game. Dang that dude sucked!!!’

This was still a great game and I think Josh threw a great game. And I think he threw well enough for us to win.

They tried stealing three bases against us….and Dave Fielder threw out two of them. He caught a great game.

I mentioned in the last post that even if we lost to Notre Dame we could still win the Division outright. This was in the back of my mind this whole night while we were down. I didn’t say anything….but there was still something we needed to do to keep us in the hunt. And I know Jody was thinking about it, too.

With the loss…..that hurt our chances. If Jody wins all of his remaining games then he wins the Division and we tip our caps to him for doing so and move on.

But what if he LOST one of his remaining games? What if both teams end up 20-3? Who would win the Division?

Well….they would then look at the “tie breaker” categories to determine who wins the Division.

Which team had the best record against teams in their own division?

Guess what? If we beat Sun Valley on Friday…that would give Notre Dame and Verdugo Hills IDENTICAL records in that category.

Oh really?

So what’s the next “tie-breaker” category?

Head-to-head.

Ok….

Verdugo beat Jody the first time we played.

Then Jody beat Verdugo.

IDENTICAL RECORDS again….

Oh really?

So what’s the next “tie-breaker” Category?

Haha it’s getting interesting, huh?

Well….let me put it to you this way. We went into the bottom-of-the-seventh down 6-0. Not only were we down 6-0 we were still in the ears all night. The rags were bruuuuutal….

Notre Dame had to be thinking….”god damn we’re up on them 6-0 and they’re still all over us”

Dan Bir reached base on an error.

Up came Hack..,

He rips a base-hit.

Whoa now we’re making a little noise here.

Up steps Robb Turner. Turner was fucking FURIOUS. He had been called out on strikes Twice already.

Once there were two strikes on him…he just started swinging at every pitch. He didn’t care where it was he just kept fouling them off till he got something he could handle.

And he kept fouling ’em off….

And he kept fouling ’em off….

Until he got something he could handle.

He REFUSED to allow the umpire to be a factor.

And when he finally got something he could handle on the 11th pitch of the at-bat he deposited and ABSOLUTE SHOT to almost dead center.

What I remember most about this HOME RUN was THE SOUND OF IT.

You could hear it rattling around after it bounced and banged into the football stands way out beyond the lights.

As he rounded the bases he was getting in verbal shots on all their infielders and their pitcher….sending a message that yeah….you guys have the lead but we STILL OWN YOU.

It was quite a TITANIC BLAST.

I had been thinking about this all night long.

And Turner’s MASSIVE HOME RUN had just put us in a position to still win the Division.

What were you thinking about Gee?

The third “tie-breaker” category.

What is it?

Margin of victory/run-differential in head-to-head games.

We beat Jody by four runs the first time we faced him.

Even if we lose this game now 6-3….that means Jody only beat us by three.

In margin of victory category ….Verdugo would now win the tie-breaker and the division if we both finished 20-3.

This home run kept the pressure on Jody. Now….he had to win his four remaining games. This home run would now factor in on every string Jody had to pull for the rest of the week.

When Turner hit it….and was rounding the bases I looked over at Jody. His reaction to the home run was almost how one would react if they lost the game.

He did one of those “ahhhh shit are you fucking kidding me?” Reactions

He knew exactly what that three-run homer just meant….and he wasn’t real happy about it.

As a coach….I’m not going to go into a game and tell my players….”ok whatever you do don’t lose by any more than three runs.”

I don’t even like using the word “lose” around my players.

So I never even mentioned it.

But Jody and I knew. We never discussed it…..but we both knew. And even if he won the game tonight….Jody knew I had just “kinda” won as well.

But yeah….this was in the back of my mind the whole night.

When Turner hit it out I was chuckling.

Verdugo…..even in defeat continues to frustrate and cause nightmares for Jody.

We got beat. It isn’t the end of the world…..because it’s already tomorrow in China.

We’re still in this thing!!!!

We got a game in Lancaster coming up and a playoff spot still to clinch!!!!

We’re down to the final week of the season.

We got FIVE games to play.

We’re either a half game ahead or we’re tied with Notre Dame for first place….I didn’t know and I didn’t care that much about that.

The fact that we were 16-2 at this stage was nothing short of heroic….

And we weren’t the only team playing five games this week. Just about everybody who was in the playoff hunt had to as well.

Here’s the schedule….

Monday: Notre Dame at Notre Dame (7)

Wednesday: Road game in Lancaster (7)

Friday: Sun Valley at Glendale High (7)

Saturday: Panorama City at Glendale High (9) *but I’m expecting to mercy rule them

Sunday: Newhall-Saugus at Saugus High (7) *the other coach and I agreed to play 7 instead of 9 innings on a Sunday. All weekend games (not including double-headers) are supposed to be NINE inning games. Both coaches cleared to play 7 through Mel Swerdling the Commissioner.

You guys are probably thinking “Gee what are you doing?”

It’s all right gentlemen…everything is gonna be just fine.

I love all the plate appearances our hitters are gonna get this week. If we get into the playoffs it will pay huge dividends.

The goal right now….and the number one goal for sure is getting us IN to the playoffs.

We needed two wins to do it. I felt VERY CONFIDENT we would beat both Lancaster and Panorama City….I could still throw Cowsill or Wiley or Gabe at either of those teams…..

I had Vo penciled in for Friday night against Sun Valley….but with five games in seven days ….anything could happen.

We still could Win the Division Outright. But I felt we would need to run the table to do it. And as it turned out, that’s what we would have had to do.

Even if we lost to Notre Dame though….we could have still won the division and I will discuss HOW we could have done that later.

My goal was this: Get us IN…and juggle the pitching so that Bull would be throwing game one of the playoffs on one week’s rest. That was the MAIN GOAL.

Anything that happened over and above that obviously we would take. But I wasn’t going to blow out all our arms trying to be the number one seed in the tournament, or to win the division.

Did I want to win the division?

HELL YEAH I did….

But it wasn’t that important.

If we were at full-strength and had Evans I would have played things differently….but he was out….and it was looking like he was going to be out for ALL the playoff’s as well.

I felt we could play with anybody at this stage anyways, regardless of our seeding in the playoff tournament.

This was a fun, fun week.

So Bull’s getting the ball Monday against Jody. His last appearance was against Glendale. He will be throwing on nine days rest.

We’re good….

I got Bull chuckin’ against Jody. Then we got four more games where EVERYBODY will be throwing their number one at us and I still don’t know who the hell is getting the ball for us in any of the other games.

But that’s what ya want? Right?

If everybody’s throwing their top dog at you….that’s gotta mean something.

Some people might call it respect….in my book….I think it’s FEAR.

But with all the uncertainty, I’m feeling good. We’re all starting to figure out it doesn’t matter WHO they throw at us….

Because somehow….this magical group of players ….they always seem to find a way….

Another BIG game. Another BIG WIN. They threw the same guy at us who beat us last time. He was tough again. This was a nine-inning game.

We had four hits….yeah….count ’em! Two from Hack Workman and two from Robb Turner. We made it work. Vo stepped up big time and we played some great defense and beat ’em 6-2.

They scored one earned run against Jim. He scattered five hits, a couple of walks, and struck out seven. And he did it all on 115 pitches.

Bull Oxen was ejected in the fourth-inning and Wiley Jackson got tossed in the eighth….but with that 13-man Roster we’ve got (and everybody was at this one) we’re DEEEEEEEP!!!! Right?

Hack led off the first with a base hit and a stolen base and eventually scored when Ivan Moreno reached base on an error.

1-0 Verdugo.

We added two more in the second. Thunder took a dose….Gabe drew a walk and Yves sacrificed them up 90 feet.

Wiley Jackson drove in Fielder with a sac fly making it 2-0. Hack came up and tripled and it was 3-0. Hack scored when Robb Turner reached base on an error and it was 4-0.

Yves led off the fourth with a walk. Hack drew a walk and Robb Turner singled in Brancheau ….

5-0 Verdugo…..

We added our final run in the eighth when We led 5-2. Yves took a dose…got to second base on a wild pitch….was BALKED to third and he scored on a clutch base hit by Robb Turner.

6-2 Verdugo!!!!

Yves played a great game. He was hitless, but drew two walks and laid down a great sacrifice bunt which set the stage for Wiley’s sacrifice fly back in the second inning. He also took the dose.

In four plate appearances Yves was 0-0 and still scored twice! Gotta love it!!!!

The big story for sure though…. was Vo.

Vo picked up his fifth win of the year. He retired 14 of the last 16 hitters he faced. Gave the rest of the staff some much needed rest, and avenged the defeat To Burbank earlier in the year.

We frustrated Burbank today offensively big time. They had some speed, and liked to run. They tried earlier in the game back in the third inning and Dave Fielder mowed down another baserunner at second base from behind the plate.

They didn’t try again after that.

Another BIG win.

This game was a nail-biter. We never put the game out of grand slam reach. But Vo really stepped up.

The All-Star game was coming up the following day. On Sunday.

We were scheduled to play Notre Dame at Stengel Sunday night. Jody and I had already discussed it and decided to push the game back to Monday the next week. This was MY idea not Jody’s. He was good with it.

It made sense. We both wanted to lock horns when everybody was fresh and no other games in the same day. We also both liked the idea of playing seven innings instead of nine….especially this late in the year when some arms were hanging.

Jody probably wanted to play that game at his yard, too. We always played well there so as far as I was concerned, it wouldn’t matter. We were going to be sending five guys to the All-Star game and I just didn’t want them worn out after that game and then having to come play another nine at Stengel in the same day.

I talked to our guys before and they agreed as well.

Next Up? Notre Dame

Even the local paper was counting it down!!!

A lot of people were asking me “are you guys gonna do it? Are you gonna make it?

This was my answer:

We came into this one at 14-2 and Notre Dame was 14-1. Verdugo never wins the BIG GAMES? Well this one was about as BIG as it gets. We took them DOWN, short-handed nonetheless, at THEIR YARD….and took over sole possession of first place in the Eastern Division.

One of the proudest moments of my ten-year coaching career.

Ivan had football commitments and was unable to be at this one. They threw a lefty at us anyways so it wasn’t the end of the world….but we had to move some guys around defensively in this one.

Kasey started and played the entire game at second base.

Dan Bir started and played the entire game in right field.

Yves played the entire game at third base.

And out roaming the tundra for us in Center? Cowsill……

Brendan hauled-in back-to-back fly balls for us in the second and also the fourth innings. These were not routine plays either. To make matters worse (and I don’t know if Jody arranged for this intentionally or not) but the outfield grass was about ankle deep. That’s a nice field. They usually wouldn’t allow the outfield grass to be that neglected. The infield grass was cut nice and short.

Maybe Jody was anticipating some Verdugo gappers off the Verdugo bats that some ultra long grass out there just might slow down? Hmmmm …I wouldn’t put it past him.

But he had the home field advantage that day and he can do what he wants. It didn’t matter.

Cowsill was making some long runs with some big loping strides through that deep grass to flag down some tough plays.

Even Jody mentioned it from the third-base coaching box in the 4th after “B” had flagged down another and made a great play. A frustrated Jody turned and shook his head and fired over at me “c’mon coach what’s that guy doing out there?” Insinuating “B” was being played out of position (which he was) …..

I calmly fired back “what’s he doing out there coach? From what I can see it looks like he’s killing ya!”

Our dugout erupted as Jody kept shaking his head but I wasn’t done…

“You know what that is out there Jody? That’s just a great athlete!”

Jody didn’t have a comeback for that one…..

Again….we continued to frustrate him.

Hack Workman went all the way. He picked up his 4th win of the year. It was a little rickety …we survived eight walks….but Hack kept pitching his way out of JAM after JAM after JAM. CLUTCH!!!!

We played brilliantly defensively. We played an errorless game. Turner made an incredible DIVING catch at first base on a line drive in the 5th.

The very next play Dave Fielder made one of the most athletic plays I’ve ever seen in my life when he got out in front of the plate to get a bunt and threw the runner out at first when his body was basically horizontal to the ground.

It was everything I loved seeing defensively. A lotta bodies flying around out there. Everybody giving it up and picking each other up. Bir hauled in a fly ball in right and Calf making a clutch play to end a bases/loaded threat on a ground ball in the third inning.

QUICK!!!! – PANTHER-LIKE!!!!

Offensively, they had held us to two hits after five innings. Calf singled in the third, and Fielder with a base-hit in the 4th.

We came to the plate in the top of the 6th in a scoreless tie.

Robb Turner turned on one and doubled down the third base line and into the left field corner. Haggs singled him to third, and Bull Oxen drove in Turner with a clutch base-hit.

1-0 Verdugo.

Thunder stepped in with one out and rocked one up the gap into right center and cleared the bases.

3-0 Verdugo.

Absolutely fucking CLUTCH.

Glenn Carson tripled for them leading off the inning in the bottom-of-the-6th. He later tried to score from third on a wild pitch but Thunder retrieved….flicked to Hack covering the plate….who layed a sweep tag on Carson.

The call could have gone either way. I’m just being honest here. But the umpire wound up and rang-him up!!!!

You can bet that right around this time there were a few guys including myself barkin’ out the words “Now that’s what I’m tawkin’ bout” from the Verdugo dugout.

Right????

Carson argued….Jody argued…..and about ten seconds later Carson was launched!!!!

They eventually scored ONE run that inning but left the bases loaded as Hack again got out of the jam.

We picked it up in the top of the 7th right where we left off. Hack doubled into right center. Turner doubled into right center.

4-1 Verdugo.

Canale drills a base hit and pretty much breaks it open.

5-1 Verdugo.

It didn’t matter how long the grass was in the outfield that day…..all those gappers we hit made it all the way TO THE WALL.

They loaded the bases again in the bottom-of-the-seventh with two out.

Their shortstop Ryan Stromsberg grounded out…..Haggs to Turner on a 3-2 pitch.

Verdugo ….that’s right ….VERDUGO HILLS was now in sole possession of first-place in the Eastern Division.

Let’s take a little inventory here. We just played a brilliant weekend of baseball. Possibly the weekend that defined us. We also just lost a guy who was leading the team in Home runs and RBI. Our 14 man roster was now 13.

We were 14-2….thus far putting together what many would consider at this point of the season to be a “masterful” year….yet we were still in SECOND PLACE.

I remember writing in this blog I was kind of annoyed they moved us back into this Division before the season began. The Eastern Division is without a doubt the toughest Division in the 20th District.

So put it in perspective. Not only were we doing well…..we were doing it in a vicious Division. Our backs were going to be a little bit against the wall though as we made this final run without Evans in the lineup.

But still…there were some silver-linings to Evans’ injury.

What? Wait a minute here Gee are you saying it was good that Evans went down?

HELL NO!!!! that’s not what I’m saying.

It flat-out sucked he went down.

But hear me out….

We had two guys that I juggled around all season up to the point of Lance’s injury. And when I say I “juggled them around”….I mean defensively. I had them in the starting lineup. I wanted their bats in there.

But I was playing them out of position. And I knew it. And they knew it. Hell….everybody knew it. But no one complained. I think everybody understood why….

Kirk Hagge is a shortstop. And a damn good one. And Dave Fielder is a catcher. And a damn good one, too.

When Evans went down, Haggs went to short. And Fielder went back behind the plate. Done.

Now…I had two guys who were playing in the positions on the field they were comfortable playing. This allowed those two guys to just “do what they do”….it freed them up.

And I think in a lot of ways it solidified us….especially defensively.

Losing a bat like the bat of Lance Evans hurt. Who was gonna hit third? Well, we mixed it up down the stretch. Lots of guys stepped into that 3-hole and did a great job.

Our 14 man roster just went to 13. One of the 13 guys is 14 years old.

We easily could have fallen apart….

But as we just saw over this last weekend, we pulled together. And it seemed no matter what was thrown at us…we continued to do so.

You’re gonna see as we go down the stretch how Hack, Turner, and Canale (who were already dominating) picked it up another notch. Our rookies stepped up big time. Guys like Wiley and Gabe were instrumental. Everybody participated in this. Everybody took it up a notch.

This is what was so magical about 1992.

Evans was hurt. He continued coming to every game. Sure , we all wanted to know “when” he could play again. It was looking like “maybe” if we made the playoffs…

That was something we had never done before.

We were now going through some unchartered waters. We had a hole in the boat. We patched it up and sailed forward.

As far as I was concerned …it only made the BIG games we were about to play in …and win…just that much BIGGER.

I know in the last post I mentioned the next game coming up was against FAT JODY.

It is….

But I’m also reading a story on us in the LA Times (which I will post at some point as well) that had us at 15-2 after we beat him.

So we went into the game against Jody at 14-2…..not 13-2.

I knew that somewhere during our schedule up to this point that we did take a game from Sunland-Tujunga on a forfeit. I just didn’t know exactly when it happened….so I’m adding in the “W” now….

And if I’m not mistaken….Sunland-Tujunga didn’t even finish their season. They disbanded at some point and handed over several games to whomever was scheduled to play them from that point forward on their schedule.

So we were not the only recipients of a free victory from these guys….

I’m sure Jody, Glendale, and Sun Valley also picked up a freebie from these guys.

I am just making this correction here regarding our won-loss record going into the upcoming game with Notre Dame.