Post Season awards are voted on before the playoffs. So it is time to select the best of each category for Transdyn's FIRST UNDEFEATED season in team history.
We came close in the fall, but now we have done it. Tonight we got a scare against perhaps the next best team. We had a 5-0 shutout through five, and Sir Guy was dealin', and our defense was solid - Hama made a leaping catch at SS, Rene made a running catch in shallow RC, and Pauly snared a very hot shot right at his head. But the two infield line drives were the only hard hits through five, that's how good Bill was. There were a couple of warning track fly balls as the Brews Brothers tried to hit five run home runs time and time again, but Timmy and Rams kept us out of trouble by tracking them down.
In the bottom of the sixth, the BB's suddenly discovered our secret - the long balls are good but so are grounders past the infield and line drives with runners on. They plated seven, and with our last chance looming and the Brewsers holding the hammer, it didn't look good. We just weren't hitting. But Rams and Heffe and Pauly set it up with three singles and up strode Mario, mired in a sort of season long slump (although as I told him he has gotten clutch RBIs all season - he is among the team leaders even though he hasn't hit for average as usual). He put the hurt on the Brews Brothers, clearing the bases with a drive over the right fielder's head, and then we added enough insurance that made a final comeback impossible for the Brothers. We led 11-7, and their lead-off hitter tried to hit a four run homer with no one on, and although he hit it out, they couldn't get another run, and the undefeated season is ours.
Dizzy D had a game with a towering home run and a laser double for an insurance run in the seventh. Hama couldn't let D overshadow him so he made it back to back after D's big blast. Rene proved he could lead off, getting on three times.Timmy had his usual three hits, and Pauly and Heffe two each.
There is only one vote for these awards so they are all unanimous. Some of the awards are easy: Rookie of the year: Rene. Comeback/Most Improved: Monty. Coach of the Year: Yours Truly. Cy Young: Of course Sir Guy. (Note, no competition in last two). Best Season derailed by injury: Jason.
Best Defense: hmmm, Tie, Nick and Rene. Nick still gets to balls no one else does, and has the best arm around. Rene has those young legs and has had chances to show off his speed and done so.
But MVP...you could make a case for Sir Guy. We just aren't where we are without his pitching, he has guys reaching all game just to hit cans of corn and weak grounders. You could say Timmy for his consistency at the plate and in LF. He actually caught a ball tonight without falling down or running into the fence, although he did the latter too. You could say Cage for his presence in LC - guys just don't run on him. And you could say Monty for his hot streak, 12 for 13 with two walks thrown in, and for making my mantra true - the bottom of the lineup hits, we win. Don't overlook the way he works with Bill behind the dish too - it's 'only slowpitch softball' but he and Bill have some chemistry as a battery. And he talks the other team and the umpire to death.
Jason was certainly on his way to an MVP season when he got derailed by injury. He finished the shortened season at .900. And then there are the two best hitters around any softball park anywhere. Hama hits the ball wherever he feels like in any situation. If you need a pooch single he's got that. Grounder through the 5-6 hole, got it. Home run over the fence, AOK. You don't hit .700 or better every season for no reason. And then there is Dizzy Heavy D. Guys lose sleep worrying about his swing. He almost never gets a pitch to hit, and when he does he hits these frozen ropes that have movement that causes good and great defensive players alike to lock up. That happened tonight on his double - if the RC fielder got a good read he might have been able to chase it down near the fence - but he just couldn't move. And it was hit so hard he probably had no hope anyway. D just completely ran away with the team RBI lead this season, tying Cage (last fall) for the best season ever with 34.
The rest of the team showed a lot of consistency this season, Pauly, Rams (who almost singlehandedly won last week's game and seems to never miss a fly ball), Heffe with his bloopers, Coop who always does what's asked, and of course Donnie Softball, who was a Great add for hitting and all around talent and his team first attitude (and by the way I have been opposite him enough times that it was sure great to be on the same side for once), and his patience and leadership.
Who did I leave out - just Rene, but he is already Rookie of the Year and his time will come.
So bottom line - my vote for MVP is divided into 14 pieces - everyone contributed - was patient, played defense, got their hits, and played unselfishly all season. That's how you go 12-0.
Enjoy the season ending stats but remember we still have something to prove next week - two more, double cotton and the rare undefeated season - we have half of it down, now let's do the rest.
We came close in the fall, but now we have done it. Tonight we got a scare against perhaps the next best team. We had a 5-0 shutout through five, and Sir Guy was dealin', and our defense was solid - Hama made a leaping catch at SS, Rene made a running catch in shallow RC, and Pauly snared a very hot shot right at his head. But the two infield line drives were the only hard hits through five, that's how good Bill was. There were a couple of warning track fly balls as the Brews Brothers tried to hit five run home runs time and time again, but Timmy and Rams kept us out of trouble by tracking them down.
In the bottom of the sixth, the BB's suddenly discovered our secret - the long balls are good but so are grounders past the infield and line drives with runners on. They plated seven, and with our last chance looming and the Brewsers holding the hammer, it didn't look good. We just weren't hitting. But Rams and Heffe and Pauly set it up with three singles and up strode Mario, mired in a sort of season long slump (although as I told him he has gotten clutch RBIs all season - he is among the team leaders even though he hasn't hit for average as usual). He put the hurt on the Brews Brothers, clearing the bases with a drive over the right fielder's head, and then we added enough insurance that made a final comeback impossible for the Brothers. We led 11-7, and their lead-off hitter tried to hit a four run homer with no one on, and although he hit it out, they couldn't get another run, and the undefeated season is ours.
Dizzy D had a game with a towering home run and a laser double for an insurance run in the seventh. Hama couldn't let D overshadow him so he made it back to back after D's big blast. Rene proved he could lead off, getting on three times.Timmy had his usual three hits, and Pauly and Heffe two each.
There is only one vote for these awards so they are all unanimous. Some of the awards are easy: Rookie of the year: Rene. Comeback/Most Improved: Monty. Coach of the Year: Yours Truly. Cy Young: Of course Sir Guy. (Note, no competition in last two). Best Season derailed by injury: Jason.
Best Defense: hmmm, Tie, Nick and Rene. Nick still gets to balls no one else does, and has the best arm around. Rene has those young legs and has had chances to show off his speed and done so.
But MVP...you could make a case for Sir Guy. We just aren't where we are without his pitching, he has guys reaching all game just to hit cans of corn and weak grounders. You could say Timmy for his consistency at the plate and in LF. He actually caught a ball tonight without falling down or running into the fence, although he did the latter too. You could say Cage for his presence in LC - guys just don't run on him. And you could say Monty for his hot streak, 12 for 13 with two walks thrown in, and for making my mantra true - the bottom of the lineup hits, we win. Don't overlook the way he works with Bill behind the dish too - it's 'only slowpitch softball' but he and Bill have some chemistry as a battery. And he talks the other team and the umpire to death.
Jason was certainly on his way to an MVP season when he got derailed by injury. He finished the shortened season at .900. And then there are the two best hitters around any softball park anywhere. Hama hits the ball wherever he feels like in any situation. If you need a pooch single he's got that. Grounder through the 5-6 hole, got it. Home run over the fence, AOK. You don't hit .700 or better every season for no reason. And then there is Dizzy Heavy D. Guys lose sleep worrying about his swing. He almost never gets a pitch to hit, and when he does he hits these frozen ropes that have movement that causes good and great defensive players alike to lock up. That happened tonight on his double - if the RC fielder got a good read he might have been able to chase it down near the fence - but he just couldn't move. And it was hit so hard he probably had no hope anyway. D just completely ran away with the team RBI lead this season, tying Cage (last fall) for the best season ever with 34.
The rest of the team showed a lot of consistency this season, Pauly, Rams (who almost singlehandedly won last week's game and seems to never miss a fly ball), Heffe with his bloopers, Coop who always does what's asked, and of course Donnie Softball, who was a Great add for hitting and all around talent and his team first attitude (and by the way I have been opposite him enough times that it was sure great to be on the same side for once), and his patience and leadership.
Who did I leave out - just Rene, but he is already Rookie of the Year and his time will come.
So bottom line - my vote for MVP is divided into 14 pieces - everyone contributed - was patient, played defense, got their hits, and played unselfishly all season. That's how you go 12-0.
Enjoy the season ending stats but remember we still have something to prove next week - two more, double cotton and the rare undefeated season - we have half of it down, now let's do the rest.
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