November 1, 2057
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
And here comes Miguel Martinez to the plate – the Blazers last hope. The pitch – off the plate called ball one. The Bluebirds need just one more out to wrap up this season as victors AND HERE IS A LAZY FLYBALL TO RIGHTFIELD. THIS SHOULD DO IT, FOLKS! THE BLUEBIRDS HAVE JUST WON THE 2057 MONTY BREWSTER MEMORIAL SERIES!!With a sweep of the Montreal Blazers, the Nashville Bluebirds are once again crowned champions of the Brewster Baseball Association. The team cruised through the season before getting a little complacent in September after having the division wrapped up securely, but they put the pedal back to the floor in October with Doubleday Series win over the San Fernando Bears followed by a sweep of the Long Beach Surfers in the Cartwright Cup. The team was well-rested heading into Monty despite star outfielder Juan Rivera tearing a knee ligament against the Bears. More on that later.
Nobody is a better candidate to take the mound in Game 1 than veteran Barney Lindsay. The southpaw pitched 5 solids innings before being taken out of the game despite only throwing 88 pitches. Perhaps it was a little over-managing, but the bullpen pitched well in relief. However, the Bluebirds trailed 3-1 going into the bottom of the 8th, largely in part of THREE Bluebirds runners being cut down at the plate. A leadoff homer by Wafid Bishr quickly cut the deficit in half and a few batters later, Alfonso Gonzáles hit an RBI double to tie the game and smartly advanced to third. This made it easier to score the go ahead run when Brooks Eliot came to the plate and laced a single into left field for his third hit of the game. Mark Lolololo came in and earned the save after shutting down the Blazers and clinching Game 1.
Jim Fleming was on the bump for Game 2 and started off strong before losing some of his command. Despite issuing five walks, Fleming only allowed one run in 6 IP. The game was less of a nail biter than the previous game and the Bluebirds would win easily by a scoe of 7-1 with Majd bin Nawaf delivering the punch to the gut with a 3 run HR in the 3rd inning.
Despite less than expected performance in the regular season, Billy Kelly pitched like his normal Nebraska-level self in Game 3, pitching 6 innings and allowing just 2 ER. Eliot and Colby Triska each had 3 hits and Gonzales added four of his own, but bin Nawaf’s run scoring single in 6th inning was the biggest of all. The slugger’s line drive scored Triska to break a 2-2 tie and Eric Stevens came into the game to pitch the final three innings and allowed just one hit, picking up the save and putting the Blazers on the brink of elimination.
With the second Monty of the decade within sight, the Bluebirds sent Steven Clayton to the mound. In yet another brilliant pitching performance, Fleming allowed two ER in 6.1 IP and striking out 6. Not that it mattered much as the Bluebirds offense came alive and scored 11 runs. Salvador Allende had 4 hits and C Tony Chappell had a game for the ages going 3-5 with 7 RBI. In fact, the 7-9 hitters in the lineup were a combined 9-14 with 10 RBI.
The Bluebirds pitching found its groove again and helped pitch this team to victory after the offense uncharacteristically only hit two homeruns in the series. However, it was enough for a sweep and fans won’t care how the Bluebirds won, but will be celebrating their first championship since 2050. Eliot was names MVP after batting .471 with 3 R and 4 RBI.
“Man, this feels amazing,” exclaimed Eliot as champagne showers doused the clubhouse. “I’ve always dreamed of being in this moment and was happy to watch Dad win it in 2050. I couldn’t wait to share that moment with him and I can’t wait to do it again. There’s just something different about baseball in the fall.”
SS Brooks Eliot
Nashville will take a moment to celebrate and then get focused on the offseason, where they don’t expect to have much turnover. This team is designed to win for several years and with such young talent and club-controlled players, the club Is well-poised to repeat in 2058.
