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AZTarHeel · 02-28-2007, 12:25 PM

1912 Division Playoffs

The Northern League

Payson drills Miners, 4-2

This one looked to be a tight series from the get-go. Jerome won a back-and-forth opener 5-4. Payson bounced back with a 6-1 decision in Game Two. The Longhorns then took command, earning a 4-2 triumph in Game Three.

In the pivotal Game Four, the 'Horns Bill Burns pitched a two-hit gem, lifting Payson to a 1-0 victory (Tris Speaker had the winning RBI, hitting a double in the fifth). But Jerome's Barney Wolfe answered with a three-hitter in Game Five, giving the Miners a 7-0 shutout and keeping the (turquoise) blue-collar boys alive.

It was at this point that Speaker and the Longhorns invoked some of Jake Stahl's comments made before the series started.

"We're a lot tougher than they are," the Jerome first baseman had said. "They'll crumble when they get in here around our fans. And we know we can win on the road."

Those statements were posted all over the Payson clubhouse before the start of Game Six. Players made sure to remind fans just what Stahl had said during chats with reporters in the lead up to the game (hoping they would be printed in the newspaper). The Longhorns ultimately made Stahl eat his words, drilling the Miners 11-0 to move on to the Cactus Champions Cup.

Everyone, it seemed, crushed the ball when they were at the plate.

Catcher Ted Easterly, CF Tris Speaker, 1B Jack Daubert and 2B Jimmy Williams each had two hits. Easterly recorded three RBIs. Daubert had a two-out triple in the opening inning that set the tone, putting a charge into the Payson dugout and the home fans.

Case Patten, Payson's 36-year-old right-hander, was near flawless from the mound, getting his second win of the series. He surrendered four harmless hits and struck out six. It was the ninth start in a row where he was named Player of the Game. Stahl did get one of the hits but it didn't amount to anything. Patten stared Stahl down after striking him out late in the game, and umpires had to break the two up.

"I guess the tougher team won," Patten said. "And the weaker team crumbled under the pressure. I don't see anyone stopping us now. We'll win the Cactus Cup."

Stahl rushed out of the stadium before reporters could get to him after the loss...

The Southern League

Yuma's heartbeat returns in 4-1 win over Tucson

Many had left the Prisoners for dead after their fade act at the end of the regular season. "These guys are just too old," some muttered. "They have nothing left for the post-season."

Wrong.

Tucson's only sterling performance came in Game Two, a 6-1 win. Young 1B Hap Myers had two hits and two RBIs and CF Ty Cobb had a key hit, much to the delight of the hometown Saguaro fans. But the momentum would be short-lived.

Building off a 5-3 win in the opening game, Yuma went back home and closed out the series with three straight victories in Jailbird Stadium.

Game Five featured a dramatic ending. Yuma trailed 5-4 going into the bottom of the ninth, facing the prospect of going back to Tucson with a loss. The Saguaros had scored all of their runs in the top of the second, and the Prisoners spent the rest of the night fighting to get back into contention. Finally in the ninth, Yuma caught and overtook the cactus kids.

One of Yuma's "Lifers" — 37-year-old LF John Dobbs — led off the ninth with a double. Shortstop Freddy Parent (who is 36) then drew a walk off pitcher George McQuillan. A wild pitch moved Dobbs and Parent into scoring position, and 2B Charlie French french-kissed a bad curve ball into the right-center field gap, scoring both teammates for the victory.

Cobb, who couldn't chase down the hard-hit shot by French, just sat there on his knees in the outfield for several minutes after the game. He couldn't believe the Saguaros had let their big chance at winning a championship slip away yet again. He had a pretty good series overall despite the losses, batting .333. But for the third year in a row, Tucson was stopped short of reaching the Cactus Champions Cup in the division series. (And fans weren't going to see two of the best centerfielders in the game, Cobb and Speaker, duke it out).

French had a great series overall, batting .412. 3B Harry Lord, who is a youngster at 30 compared to some of the Lifers on the team, batted .500 from the No. 8 hole. He was 3-for-3 in Game Four. Not bad for a career .196 hitter. Pitcher Addie Joss, likely headed to the AZL Hall of Fame, won two games for Yuma during the series. That gave him 223 victories for his career...

It's on to the Cactus Cup. Will there be a Longhorn roundup or will the Prisoners break out and seize the trophy?

02-28-2007, 12:25 PM	#146 (permalink)
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,488 Thanks: 9 Thanked 9x in 8 posts	1912 Division Playoffs The Northern League Payson drills Miners, 4-2 This one looked to be a tight series from the get-go. Jerome won a back-and-forth opener 5-4. Payson bounced back with a 6-1 decision in Game Two. The Longhorns then took command, earning a 4-2 triumph in Game Three. In the pivotal Game Four, the 'Horns Bill Burns pitched a two-hit gem, lifting Payson to a 1-0 victory (Tris Speaker had the winning RBI, hitting a double in the fifth). But Jerome's Barney Wolfe answered with a three-hitter in Game Five, giving the Miners a 7-0 shutout and keeping the (turquoise) blue-collar boys alive. It was at this point that Speaker and the Longhorns invoked some of Jake Stahl's comments made before the series started. "We're a lot tougher than they are," the Jerome first baseman had said. "They'll crumble when they get in here around our fans. And we know we can win on the road." Those statements were posted all over the Payson clubhouse before the start of Game Six. Players made sure to remind fans just what Stahl had said during chats with reporters in the lead up to the game (hoping they would be printed in the newspaper). The Longhorns ultimately made Stahl eat his words, drilling the Miners 11-0 to move on to the Cactus Champions Cup. Everyone, it seemed, crushed the ball when they were at the plate. Catcher Ted Easterly, CF Tris Speaker, 1B Jack Daubert and 2B Jimmy Williams each had two hits. Easterly recorded three RBIs. Daubert had a two-out triple in the opening inning that set the tone, putting a charge into the Payson dugout and the home fans. Case Patten, Payson's 36-year-old right-hander, was near flawless from the mound, getting his second win of the series. He surrendered four harmless hits and struck out six. It was the ninth start in a row where he was named Player of the Game. Stahl did get one of the hits but it didn't amount to anything. Patten stared Stahl down after striking him out late in the game, and umpires had to break the two up. "I guess the tougher team won," Patten said. "And the weaker team crumbled under the pressure. I don't see anyone stopping us now. We'll win the Cactus Cup." Stahl rushed out of the stadium before reporters could get to him after the loss... The Southern League Yuma's heartbeat returns in 4-1 win over Tucson Many had left the Prisoners for dead after their fade act at the end of the regular season. "These guys are just too old," some muttered. "They have nothing left for the post-season." Wrong. Tucson's only sterling performance came in Game Two, a 6-1 win. Young 1B Hap Myers had two hits and two RBIs and CF Ty Cobb had a key hit, much to the delight of the hometown Saguaro fans. But the momentum would be short-lived. Building off a 5-3 win in the opening game, Yuma went back home and closed out the series with three straight victories in Jailbird Stadium. Game Five featured a dramatic ending. Yuma trailed 5-4 going into the bottom of the ninth, facing the prospect of going back to Tucson with a loss. The Saguaros had scored all of their runs in the top of the second, and the Prisoners spent the rest of the night fighting to get back into contention. Finally in the ninth, Yuma caught and overtook the cactus kids. One of Yuma's "Lifers" — 37-year-old LF John Dobbs — led off the ninth with a double. Shortstop Freddy Parent (who is 36) then drew a walk off pitcher George McQuillan. A wild pitch moved Dobbs and Parent into scoring position, and 2B Charlie French french-kissed a bad curve ball into the right-center field gap, scoring both teammates for the victory. Cobb, who couldn't chase down the hard-hit shot by French, just sat there on his knees in the outfield for several minutes after the game. He couldn't believe the Saguaros had let their big chance at winning a championship slip away yet again. He had a pretty good series overall despite the losses, batting .333. But for the third year in a row, Tucson was stopped short of reaching the Cactus Champions Cup in the division series. (And fans weren't going to see two of the best centerfielders in the game, Cobb and Speaker, duke it out). French had a great series overall, batting .412. 3B Harry Lord, who is a youngster at 30 compared to some of the Lifers on the team, batted .500 from the No. 8 hole. He was 3-for-3 in Game Four. Not bad for a career .196 hitter. Pitcher Addie Joss, likely headed to the AZL Hall of Fame, won two games for Yuma during the series. That gave him 223 victories for his career... It's on to the Cactus Cup. Will there be a Longhorn roundup or will the Prisoners break out and seize the trophy? __________________ AzTarHeel's dynasty works: The Arizona League 3.0: Historical players in the Grand Canyon state Tall Tales: The Andrew Zarzour Story Baseball In The Tar Heel State: A Fictional Experience Win At All Costs: The 2004 Boston Red Sox The Arizona League: Real Players. Fictional Teams Last edited by AZTarHeel; 02-28-2007 at 12:28 PM.