Without question, the evening of 7/28/11 will go down as one of the most dramatic and hard fought wins in Shattered Dreams history. In the blink of an eye, this franchise has played together for a decade, and in those ten years we have created montage of dramatic and unforgettable moments that have gone on to define this team.
- The Miracle on 210 / Collins Catch- The Vinegar Game: Cliebo’s 2 HR performance to defeat the Twinkies 2-1 in our first run to the Championship Game
- The Legendary Pour Some Sugar On Me Skybox Celebration
- 2009’s Client #9 Playoff Victory and march to the Title Game
There are many more – too numerous to mention, but add to that list last week’s extra inning playoff win, as a 6-6 SD squad upset the undefeated Jets. The #1 seeded Blue Star was 11-1, with their only loss coming as a forfeit….until they faced Shattered Dreams for the right to play for the title). Eight innings, 23 runs, 5 lead changes and another chance at a championship. Perhaps, the biggest win in Shattered Dreams’ storied history.
All weekend, I’ve thought about last Thursday night. I’ve written and re-written the recap and still have not found the right words for this epic game. So here are some thoughts. No funny theme or captions – just some memories of a tremendous game with one final test on the horizon. There are just too many highlights to recount, and, while - to a man - SD showed tremendous fight and tenacity throughout this epic battle, here are the 3 stars of the game that are deserving of a shout out on the eve of greatness.
- Jerry Miller: Jerry was one of 9 Dreams to reach base twice and added a run and an RBI; but our backstop’s heroics were most impactful behind the plate, rather than alongside it. Playing the best defense of his career, Jerry picked off an aggressive Jet at second base in the 5th inning to end a potentially game changing rally for our opponents. This was a critical play to stave off that “one bad Inning” that has often led to our demise. In the seventh, Jerry once again saw that the game would remain tied with a goal line stand and swipe tag for the ages…..- Hansen: Hold onto your pants, because Robbie just saved the season. As the winning run scurried home in the bottom of the 7th, we faced yet another walkoff playoff loss, but the SD Swiss Army Knife recovered from a ball hitting the foliage overhang in RF and fired a rocket to Jerry at home cutting down the winning run. I still don’t know how he got to this ball and made that throw. Truly amazing. I will never forget that moment.
- Steady Ed: Jeff played solid at 3B and brought home the go-ahead run to send the Dreams to the Championship game, in one of the most clutch hits in franchise history. With one out in the eighth, a bloop over the shortstop and a throwing error landed me at second. After a sacrifice fly by Cliebo, the winning run stood at third with two out and our Dreams in the balance. And with his 3rd hit of the game, Jeff put us on top for good. Clutch hitting all game with a gaudy line of 3/5, with 3 RBI and a run, and the Grand Slam that wasn’t (officially a 2RBI extra base hit that kept the game close).
Collins and Hans played solid OF all night, with CC playing the key role of vocal leader in the field. Walk-on Lenny provided some great infield leadership throughout, as well as 2 big hits. I reached base 4 times – even notching a few hits to go along with a pair of walks, 2 RBI and 2 runs. All in all, the team showed patience, drawing 10 free passes against a wild Blue Star hurler. Last but certainly not least, BP battled all night with a gutty 8 innings, He buckled down late, throwing 3 scoreless frames, including a 1-2-3 eighth to send us to the Championship Game..
What a win! I've never been prouder to be a Shattered Dream. But this story is not over...
Tonight is our 3rd trip to the Title Game. We wait all season to get to this point and the day has arrived. Gentlemen - let's leave it all out on the field tonight, and leave the field as champions.
SD4L
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