"The great champions have all come back from defeat."
--Sam Snead
It has been said that "revenge is a dish best served cold" which is exactly what HMA/RAMSA served up in the form of a sweep on Friday evening in the cold.
For the past three seasons, HMA/RAMSA has entered the SLAM playoffs as the #1 seed but fallen short the past two, including a year ago when SSC picked off HMA/RAMSA in the finals ruining another stellar 10-1 regular season. Following that game the renowned SLAM blogger Scott Habjan proclaimed that "Solomon and the perennial bridesmaids of HMA/RAMSA would ultimately fail to live up to the dream and their hype." And therein lies the motivation and the boulder-like chip on the collective shoulders of the team for the 2010 season. Just as Jordan and the Bulls had to figure out a way to get past the Bad Boys of Detroit in the late 80's so too did the Mighty Orange have to figure out a way past the Bad Boys of SSC. (And that dynasty in Chicago turned out pretty well once they did)
For the past three seasons, HMA/RAMSA has entered the SLAM playoffs as the #1 seed but fallen short the past two, including a year ago when SSC picked off HMA/RAMSA in the finals ruining another stellar 10-1 regular season. Following that game the renowned SLAM blogger Scott Habjan proclaimed that "Solomon and the perennial bridesmaids of HMA/RAMSA would ultimately fail to live up to the dream and their hype." And therein lies the motivation and the boulder-like chip on the collective shoulders of the team for the 2010 season. Just as Jordan and the Bulls had to figure out a way to get past the Bad Boys of Detroit in the late 80's so too did the Mighty Orange have to figure out a way past the Bad Boys of SSC. (And that dynasty in Chicago turned out pretty well once they did)
"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."
--John Madden
--John Madden
On a balmy 48 degree Friday evening in late October, both teams came to the East River Park fields to conclude another season of SLAM. After several weeks of rainouts (and mysterious issues with the Parks Department) neither team was very sharp on this night particularly on defensive; but in the end, HMA/RAMSA would not and could not be denied their first ever championship.
Once again sporting their orange playoff bracelets embossed with the mantra "LEAVE NO DOUBT", it was only fitting that (Deputy Commissioner elect) Doug Neri got things started in the first inning. Those close to the team will recall that it was Neri's plea to the team in an August email as the playoffs soon approached to leave no doubt this season who is the best team in SLAM. And with one on and one out in the first, Neri roped a 2-run homerun to right centerfield for an early lead. SCC rallied back in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs to tie the game. Both teams exchanged runs in the 2nd inning as they entered the third inning knotted at 3.
As he had all season long, leadoff man extraordinaire Pete Garofalo (1-4, 2 runs) led off the third by reaching on an error which was followed by a Dan Sykes' (2-4, 2 runs) single to set the pace. Both men came home on Brian "New Daddy" Barney's (2-4, 2 RBI) double down the left field line as HMA/RAMSA took a lead they would never relinquish. The hits, walks and errors continued as HMA/RAMSA plated 5 runs in the inning. The fat lady began to clear her throat as HMA/RAMSA took a 9-4 lead into the seventh inning.
As he had all season long, leadoff man extraordinaire Pete Garofalo (1-4, 2 runs) led off the third by reaching on an error which was followed by a Dan Sykes' (2-4, 2 runs) single to set the pace. Both men came home on Brian "New Daddy" Barney's (2-4, 2 RBI) double down the left field line as HMA/RAMSA took a lead they would never relinquish. The hits, walks and errors continued as HMA/RAMSA plated 5 runs in the inning. The fat lady began to clear her throat as HMA/RAMSA took a 9-4 lead into the seventh inning.
"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision."
--Muhammad Ali
--Muhammad Ali
Showing there was no quit in the defending champs, SSC mounted a threat in their final at bat at the bottom of the order got on base to start the inning. With one run already home, and two runners on base, 2009 Big Bat and Playoff MVP Steve Vargas stepped to the plate with two outs. Echoes of the 2009 Finals which saw HMA/RAMSA stumble only 12 outs away from winning the title began to resonate from the East River. It was only fitting that (Commissioner-elect) Solomon would have to exorcise his team's 2009 demons against the man that thwarted their season a year ago. And as Steve's ball floated deep into right field, the winds of change blew in from the east just enough for Matt Kirshner to run under the ball and secure it for the final out of the game.
HMA/RAMSA's victory completes a brilliant season capped off by a perfect 4-0 post season. In addition, the victory marks the end of the seven year SLAM-dominance of SSC and Gensler, as the dawn of a new SLAM era could be in the making. Leave No Doubt."Great moments are born of great opportunity--and that’s what we have earned here tonight. Tonight, we are the best team out there. This team we are playing tonight is a good team; but we are better. Know this when you step on that field tonight, and they will know it when they step off of it. This is our time ladies and gentlemen. Leave No Doubt."
--Doug Neri's email to the team 3 hours before first pitch
