The final Illowa APBA League newsletter came out today. And I can’t go another any further without congratulating my co-blogger, fellow manager and good friend Teddy Ballgame. His Chicago Champions placed first in the IAL after a grueling (ok, it was grueling for me, for him it was probably a cakewalk) 2008 season. For the year, the Champions were 98-64. Not only that, he skippered the Chicago Division to victory in our annual All-Star game (seen above) in September.
| 2008 ILLOWA LEAGUE | W | L | PCT | GB | |
| 1 | Chicago Champions | 98 | 64 | .605 | 0 |
| 2 | Three Rivers Gamblers | 93 | 69 | .574 | 5 |
| 3 | Molly Putts Marauders | 89 | 73 | .549 | 9 |
| 4 | Northside Hitmen | 88 | 74 | .543 | 10 |
| 5 | Moline Upperdeckers | 86 | 76 | .531 | 12 |
| 6 | State Street Sluggers | 85 | 77 | .525 | 13 |
| 7 | Rising Bamm Beano’s | 75 | 87 | .463 | 23 |
| 8 | Green Rock Bombers | 69 | 93 | .426 | 29 |
| 9 | Twin Cities Thunderchickens | 65 | 97 | .401 | 33 |
| 10 | Chicago Highlanders | 62 | 100 | .383 | 36 |
I’d like to say my Thunderchickens did our part to stem the Champions’ tide. Yes, I’d like to say that but it wouldn’t be true. Unfortunately, we went 4-14 against them including an embarrassing 0-6 sweep in May. We did sorta get back at them during the All-Star weekend with a 3-3 split.
It’s off to the playoffs for Tedd who will face the best of IAL in March. As for me, I just take consolation in my second pick in the draft. In June, I was in last place nine games behind any other team in the league. Since then, we went on a decent streak and managed to dig ourselves out of the cellar.
Congrats Teddy!
Had a shot, still haven’t done it, never won 100 games in a season. Haven’t won the league championship in a decade, but will be shooting for my eleventh championship.