| The Southern Yankees down 2-0 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth pulled some late inning heroics in a very exciting finish. more to follow...... Hall of famer Rogers Hornsby once said People ask me what I do in the Winter when theres no baseball. I tell you what I do- I stare out the window and wait for the Spring! Well as everyone in most parts of the country were staring out of their windows looking at the snow, the Southern Yankees & Broward Indians were playing competitive baseball. On a beautiful crisp 68 degree day at meticulous venue Sugar Sand Park,we had the luxury of playing a South Florida Baseball League game that ended in a 3-2 Southern Yankees walk off victory. Both pitchers Chris Holmes from the Indians and ERic Judd from the Yankees were dealing. Most batters were hitting infield rollers to the left side all day. The Indians scored an unearned run in the 3rd and added an insurance run in the 6th and that would be all the scoring they would get off Judd. The Yankees defense was playing great except for some early miscues it was tremendous especially by super smooth and slick Reidy Oliva who manned left and later on made all the plays at shortstop. Now back to the offense - well theres not much to talk about as the Yankees were held in check and going into the bottom of the 9th it was 2- Zip- the Tribe on top. With one out Miggy Franquiz one of the top hitters in the SFBL at this juncture roped his second hit of the game and was on first. Joe D'Arelli then smoked and I mean smoked a liner right down the line that one hopped into first baseman Orlando Cepedas glove. He made a fabulous play and touched first unassisted to record the second out. Miggy Franquiz alertLy scooted to second on the bang -bang play as he had to initially freeze thinking he may get doubled up if the ball hadn't skipped. So with 2 out and the score 2-0 the Yankees had clutch MVP Sam Bartoletta at the dish. He proceeded to smack a CLUTCH Reggie- like single up the middle and the Yankee had runners on the corners But then the play of the game would occur. Indian pitcher Chris made his only mistake of the day after trying to pick off Bartoletta at first base assuming correctly he was going to steal second and get the tying run in scoring position. But the pickoff move sailed over the first baseman's outreached glove. Miggy scored and Sam scOOted all the way to third. So the scenario now was 2-1 Indians ahead with a man on third two outs and cleanup hitter Pete Fricker due up. Fricker would have definately delivered as he always does but didn't get the chance as he was curiously intentionally walked. A new pitcher young fire baller Ramon Rodriguez took the mound looking to close it out. But he continued the bizzare ending with a badly timed balk sending Sam and the tying run home and Fricker to second. Reidy Oliva then deleivered the walk off blow with a long fly in the right center gap that was almost caught. That clutch shot plated Pete Fricker and the Yankees celebrated their first walkoff of 2018 with a 3-2 victory. What a game I am so proud of our team and the way we battled to the end. You all know that as I always mention in this column of getting in the batters box of life and taking your cuts good things will eventually happen ON and off the field. Reidy Oliva & Miggy Franquiz led the team with 2 hits apiece. Eric Judd went the distance giving up only 1 earned run and striking out 7 Tribesman. It was his best game ever making quick work as he scattered 6 hits and induced many ground balls. Hats off to the Indians and manager Miguel Peralta and his talented squad. Good seeing Vinnie Dipint, Roberto Esquenazi & all-star Dan Lozinsky again. The Southern Yankees wish you much success the rest of the SFBL season along with the rest of the talented players who give it their all for their respective SFBL teams. So in closing we hope your team is dancing and celebrating in the end zone come Super Bowl game day. I don't think many will be looking out their windows like Rogers Hornsby but instead that you are staring at the big screen TV ,enjoying the game. Super Bowl Sunday is, as you all know this coming week with many teams off the SFBL schedule. We hope you have a blast with family friends and loved ones watching the game and going to the parties. In keeping with tradition as we have correctly prognosticated in previous years here is a little extended color commentary. It concerns the big game & how it plays out and possibly unfolds. This year we return to offering some advice that you can use or throw out depending on your viewpoint. Although this author has made correct forecasts of the 2016 Peyton Manning Super Bowl Denver Broncos upset , Kentucky Derby top two finishers along with the HUUGE Trump early Presidential prediction my crystal ball instincts signal this: If you look at New England's experience alone they should blow out the Eagles but the game is won on execution not only experience. As a longtime Giants & Yankees fan it is hard to root for the Patriots but you have to respect their dynasty. Look back at the Boston Celtics, LA Lakers, San Francisco 49ers, Cowboys, Steelers, New York Yankees ,Montreal Canadiens & Pittsburgh Penguins- they all were dynasties we have seen over the past few decades. Well the Patriots are no different and you have to respect what they have accomplished . With heady Patriots OC Josh Mcdaniels and DC Matt Patricia keeping the defense playing tough over all these years you may be seeing this dynasty for the last time to relish & admire.. Mcdaniels and Patricia will likely become head coaches elsewhere and the coaching tree under Belichick will be dismantled. I believe this will lead to an all out aggressive defensive package and many offensive tricks as both especially by the offense pull out all the stops and empty the playbook. 4th down punting? I don't think so much, as both teams will be going for it many times. You should look for a high scoring PINBALL like game as both teams will move the ball perhaps after an early feeling out process. Look for a lot of double moves by both teams wide receivers and lots of big plays. The Eagles can score with the best of them and both the Birds and Pats have many playmakers. DILLY DILLY BRING ON PHILLY. Well you got the matchup you wanted and it should be an exciting ending. And most of you know my love for all those inspirational Rocky movies and Yo Adrienne screams. So enjoy the game and hope you go OVER before its over and that your team wins! I look for a very high scoring perhaps 38-36 type game. Remember the wheel of life is always turning and soon its about to turn in your direction as the Southern Yankees saw happen in the bottom of the ninth after 8 innings of relative calm. Lets hope the SUPER BOWL has a fantastic finish also! As always its a pleasure writing the color commentary and hope you decipher the message and symbolism being sent. Thank you for your time this time until next and ALWAYS remember to' Stay Thirsty My Friends!' submitted by Ray Asmar Southern Yankees PLAYER /MANAGER |
