61.35 Déjà Vu: Blazers Swept by Bluebirds in Brewster Series

[Bob Breum]

After their Cinderella run through the Johnson League playoffs, the Blazers storybook season came to an abrupt halt as the Nashville Bluebirds sent them home without so much as a kiss goodnight.

Nashville had their way with Montreal in every phase of the game. After outscoring its Johnson League postseason opponents, Montreal's bats went cold in the Brewster Series. Despite averaging eight runs per game in the Geoghegan Round, Montreal only scored eight runs total while getting swept by Nashville. Montreal's pitching, normally a team strength, was abused by the bats of the Bluebirds. With the exception of game four starter Peter Ramsey, who turned in a fine seven inning shutout effort, none of the Blazers' starting pitchers lasted three innings.

After game four, Montreal GM Bob Breum addressed the media.

"First, let me express my admiration for the Nashville Bluebirds and the organization that they have built. It wasn't a coincidence that we faced them again. I expect that they'll be returning to the Brewster Series many times in the coming seasons. This week, we got to witness the very best up close and personal, and it was a painful lesson for us. We have a long way to go, but it is our intention to continue to build our organization such that one day people will be saying the same thing about us.

"I am very proud of our team. No one expected them to make the postseason. Then no one expected them to advance in the postseason. Give credit where credit is due. This is a gritty bunch who didn't listen to the doubters. Led by manager Paul Scholes and team captain Dan Wilkinson, they rose to the challenge in the season's last months, battling their way to a wild card berth. They never gave up.

"We'll be back. This is a young team that we've built for the long haul. They'll learn from this experience and will be better for it."

[Dington]

Was disappointed I couldn’t watch more of the live sim, but it was quick anyway. Helluva season