Rambone Title Defense Game IV - Sweet to Repeat

Our final game of the 2008 season was nearly a perfect microcosm of the season. Started slow, scratched and battled our way back, and in the end came up with enough clutch hitting and solid defense to prevail.

A second title in as many seasons certainly wasn't a foregone conclusion, with the title tilt coming against the high-scoring JT Rockets, a team that had pretty much mowed every opponent down with a high-powered offensive attack. Early in the season we had split with the Rockets in one doubleheader and been swept in another. Round 2 of the playoffs brought a slaughter for the mighty Bone, but we were rightfully wary of a letdown. A serene confidence enveloped the Rambone squad before the game; not cocky, but certain in our abilities.

Then we fell behind 11-4 after three innings.

Then 12-5 after four.

But with a steely reserve seen only in the bravest of warriors (we're talking those insane Greeks in that 300 movie), the Boners merely gritted their teeth, knuckled down, and went to work. Although the Green and Yellow had produced some prodigious innings in recent games, the bread and butter of our heroes was a slow and steady pace emphasizing getting runners on base and advancing them a step at a time. Each inning Rambone chipped into the lead at the plate, while holding steady in the field. It wasn't our best defensive effort, but we were able to hold strong when it mattered, limiting damage.

Having regained the lead after the top of the 7th, the mission became to record three outs before the Rockets could score three runs. The scarlet-clad enemy was able to tally a single run, but with a soft liner to shortstop, the game was ended and a champion was crowned.

It was Rambone. Again.

This season was difficult at times. Motivation wavered throughout, and it was a struggle to establish any sort of offensive consistency. But, like the veteran and playoff-tested squad we were, when the games truly mattered, we came through. I'm reminded of the 2006 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals who had a difficult regular season but were able to put it together at the right time to hoist the trophy at the end.

So, what's next for the Rambone squad? There's been talk of playing fall ball, but nothing's set in stone. Next year will probably require a jump to the Competitive League after two straight Rec League championships. That will be a definite challenge, and one for another captain. The time and effort required to be "in charge" of Rambone is a luxury I will no longer have next summer, so the torch must be passed.

Special thanks to:

- Bri for keeping accurate and legible stats

- DJ for risking life and limb to fulfill the requirement that every team field a pitcher

- Chad for being my go-to guy when we needed players to fill in

- Said fill-in players, especially Jeremy

- Our loyal and ravenous fans: Mrs. J, the lovely and rapidly-expanding Marie, Darcy, Pete, Nice Guy Eddie and Kristin(en), the Sharlows, the Lipsetts, Esteemed Rambone Alumni Dave, whatever parolees Murda dragged to the game, and those I'm forgetting. You make Rambone all Rambone-y.

Great job guys. It was a blast. And a circus.

Final 2008 stats (career stats will be updated this weekend):



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