I’m a fan of the Roberto Clemente Memorial Baseball Association from afar. They are a long standing 15-team APBA league which has a fun website. I’ve been in contact with their commissioner, John Briggs for many years.
The league that I am in and the RCMBA share a bond. We are both finishing our 49th year of existence this season. And that means, next year will be special for both leagues. Nifty 50!
John has some extra special incentive to share the news about the RCMBA championship. Here it is in his words…
RCMBA CHAMPION
The 49th Championship has been claimed by the Syracuse PD Blue! The Blue received a first round bye after posting the second best regular season record. In round two they moved into the Championship round by sweeping Ottawa 8-5, 7-1, 9-5, 8-2 on 26 extra base hits (14 HR). Aaron Judge led the offense with 4 bombs. The other half of the Championship bracket was Knob Noster. The Knuckleheads had the best regular season record and had a first round bye. In round two they beat Albuquerque in five games.
In the Championship round Knob Noster home for the first two games. Syracuse took the opener 5-3 scoring all five runs on 4 homers, one of them from Judge. Game two also went to Syracuse 7-1. They hammered 3 homers in this one with Judge getting one of them. Moving on to Syracuse for Game3. The Blue wins 3-2 on a walk off error. Once again Judge was in the middle of things. He homered early in the game and then in bottom of the 9th, with the game tied at 2-2, he led off with a walk, moved up to 2nd on an Ohtani’s groundout. He then steals third when Erik Swanson wasn’t really paying attention to him. We then have a grounder to short, Judge running on the “contact” play breaks for home and the throw is dropped! Ball Game!
On to Game four and this time Knob Noster carries a 4-2 lead into the bottom of 8th. After one out, Freddie Freeman doubles. Judge walks. Ohtani loads ‘em up with an infield single. David Price comes in for Knob Noster and whiffs Chris Morel for two out. Edmundo Sosa, yeah the Correa backup, then gets a hanger driving into the gap scoring all three on a triple. Syracuse up now 5-4, Helsley closes it out for the sweep!!Syracuse stat line was 19r/23h/17xbh/11HR (Judge 4HR/5rbi) and the Knuckleheads posted 12r/23h/15xbh/4HR.
During the clubhouse celebration reporters approached Syracuse owner John Briggs (left) and tried to get his feelings about the title and all they got was him pulling off a pretty good Freddie Mercury imitation “We are the Champions. No time for losers for WE ARE THE….”, well enough of that. Moving on, right next to him you see Knob Noster boss Ken Brand not exactly thrilled with all this and refused any comment.
The reporters did find Blues Manager Buck Showalter who said “These guys won 8 straight games and every one of them played a role in this title and boy that Sosa kid doesn’t play everyday but his hit was huge! The staff shut down all of their big hitters. We hit 11 homers. Ohtani! Freddie! The big #99 guy, whew! What’s left to say about him?”. On the right you see World Series MVP Aaron Judge (6 for 14, 4 HR, 2 walks, 1 steal, 5 rbi/7 runs) after being drenched by his teammates. When asked about the award, he said “I got good pitches to hit because with Shohei next, no one wanted to face him and I barreled up some of them. Oh man it feels good to return the Clarkie to us!”
I’m excited for John, my longtime contact for RCMBA who won the 2023 league championship. Also, I know this league has gone through a lot in its 49 years. The stats and stories are well-documented on its website. John, I appreciate your enthusiastic and humorous update. Your sense of humor would fit in well at our league weekends!
Our league is looking forward to turning 50 years old along with you, RCMBA!!
