1913 Cactus Champions Cup
Antelopes still kings of the Arizona League
A much-anticipated showdown between pitching-savvy Prescott and hitting powerhouse Tucson in the AZL championship series turned into a one-sided affair.
Prescott never really looked back after winning Game One at home 4-3 in 12 innings. The 'Lopes won Game Two by a 5-2 score and took Game Three 9-6 in Tucson. The Saguaros staved off elimination in Game Four, holding off a late rally for a 7-5 win. But Prescott proved too much in Game Five, clinching its fifth AZL title in 13 years with a 4-1 decision.
Give Prescott pitcher
Russ Ford the MVP trophy of the post-season. He had two of the Antelopes' wins from the mound, including pitching a stellar four-hitter in Game Five. He surrendered just six hits in Game Two. The 30-year-old right-hander went 4-0 in the post-season with a 0.75 ERA. He struck out 22, walked just three and had only three earned runs charged against him.
Ford helped himself at the plate, driving home seven runs in the playoffs. (Don't forget, he pitched a no-hitter in 1912 against Cottonwood).
There was controversy, though, when Tucson stadium officials claimed they saw Ford "preparing" baseballs using emery paper before his outings. They produced some scuffed balls, but Ford denied any wrong-doing. "I've just got some nasty stuff they can't hit," he said. "The scuff marks come from the bats and such, not anything I'm doing..."
1B
Tim Jordan helped power Prescott's offense, earning nine hits with seven RBIs in the five-game set. OF
George "Hickory" Jackson, who scored the winning run in Prescott's Game One victory -- after getting on with a leadoff double -- had a stellar post-season as well. He batted .308 with three doubles and stole six bases.
Ty Cobb did his part for Tucson, getting two hits in each of the first three Cactus Cup games. But the standout CF had little help from teammates on the offensive end. SS/DH
Eddie Grant went 3-for-4 for the Saguaros in Game One but Tucson didn't really use him much the rest of the series.
That move, plus some others, had Tucson fans shaking their heads and wondering if the team will ever get over the hump and win a championship.
For Prescott, the big question seems to be just how many the Antelopes are capable of piling up. The one concern in the background, though, seems to be the age of the Antelopes' squad. Like Yuma, Prescott could be in for a rude awakening in the next few years with several key components getting "up there" in years... And what will become of the Russ Ford emery paper scandal?