Rob Moore presents the championship award to Nick Tegeler (right)
Nick Tegeler pretty much swept the Illowa APBA League in 2016. Coming into the IAL weekend last Friday, Nick’s Iowa Oinkers had already won first place with a formidable 111-51 record. The Oinkers second baseman Jose Altuve was voted IAL MVP and Oinker hurler Wie-Yin Chen took Cy Young honors. Nick himself shared Manager of the Year award with Mike Bunch and Don Smith with a three-way tie.
All that had to be done was to win the IAL World Series.
Don Smith vs Chuck Lucas in the playoffs
The playoffs were Friday night, Chuck Lucas’ Northside Hitmen defeated Don Smith’s Molly Putts Marauaders and Nick’s Oinkers beat Mike Bunch’s Green Rock Bombers in the first round of the playoffs. In five games, Nick made short work of defeating the Hitmen in the IAL World Series.
Nick Tegeler taking on Chuck Lucas in the World Series
Congratulations to Nick Tegeler on a fantastic year by his Iowa Oinkers!
Did I mention that my buddy John Brandeberry flew in from Montana for the weekend? Todd Ventresca and I drove to O’Hare to pick him up on Friday afternoon. Todd dropped me off to go find him and he circled round and round till Brando got his luggage. It’s been over a year since I’ve seen Brando so it was great to see him.
Don Smith announces a draft pick in the IAL rookie draft
After the postseason, the IAL conducted our annual draft Friday night. More on that here. You would think that having the playoffs, the World Series AND the draft would be enough for one day but no, most of us actually got in one series of the new 2016 season late Friday night. One highlight (well, not for me), Clayton Kershaw of Mark Bunch’s Moline Upperdeckers threw a late night no-hitter against my Thunderchickens.
By Saturday morning, we were ready to continue the new season. We had a total of 30 games to play for the weekend. Six games to play against five teams.
Scott Fennessy (right) helps out by taking on Keith Smith
Scott Fennessy stopped by on Saturday afternoon. Scott has been a regular fixture at our weekends and has fit in well with dynamics of our league. When a manager is absent or needs a break, he fills in. Scott pinch-managed for Don Smith against me and went 2-1. We had one doozy of a game where Longoria tied it with a grand slam and Starlin Castro won it on a solo homer. Thanks a bunch, Scott!
There were three no-hitters pitched this past weekend! In addition to Kershaw’s gem, Gerrit Cole threw one for Rob Moore’s Chicago Highlanders and J. A. “Happ-Happ-Happy” Happ doled one out for Don Smith’s Molly Putts Mauraders. Speaking of Molly Putts, Don was anxious to meet Scott’s Uber driver when he heard that her name was Molly. Has his Molly been moonlighting as an Uber driver now?
I’m sure I’m rolling another 65 in this photo (thanks to Brando for the photo)
As for my Thunderchickens. well, we’re already looking towards next year again. We went 2-4 against every team except Mark Bunch’s Upperdeckers who we spilt against and Brando’s Missoula Rattlesnakes who took five of six from us. Total damage… a 10-20 record and last place again.
More photos from the 2016 IAL Draft weekend here.
As always, a great time. I feel I had my best draft in a long time but it may be a year or so before I get to reap rewards. Thanks to everyone especially league president Mike Bunch and vice-president Rob Moore.
Don Smith, is that you picking Casali? :)