2054-0008: Talons CF Jyri Kulmala Has Game of His Life After Spending 19 Years in Minor Leagues (Thanks, Media Guide!)

[jiminyhopkins]

Phoenix, AZ--

The Media Guide called it!

On page 42 of the always excellent BBA Media Guide, The 'BBA Superlatives' section highlighted various players in certain categories. One such honoree was Talons CF Jyri Kulmala, the Finnish defensive specialist that was signed by Phoenix as an international FA way back in 2035. The Guide stated: "...it's surprising Phoenix hasn't ever given him a chance as a bench player in the big leagues."

Welp, funny how things work out. With the Talons' only major league CF option Manoell Whanon sporting a woeful 7 rating at the position, the Talons decided to call up Kulmala as a defensive backup and late inning replacement. The first six weeks or so proceeded as expected, with Kulmala appearing in the 8th or 9th inning of ballgames, picking up a spare AB here and there. But so far, he had been unable to connect.

Then, on May 19th vs Edmonton, the 'Finnish Flash' got his big chance. Whanon was held out of the lineup on a routine rest day, and Kulmala was called to start the game against the 27-17 Jackrabbits. In the bottom of the 6th, Jyri led off the inning and recorded his first major league hit, his speed beating out a slow infield roller. The Talons dugout called for the game ball, and Kulmala received polite applause as the scoreboard at Denny's Paul D. Lunn Memorial Stadium Presented By Subaru announced the occasion. He later scored the tying run before the inning ended, and returned to the dugout to a series of fist bumps and butt taps.

Cool story, huh? But it doesn't end there.

After a Kulmala called strikeout in the bottom of the seventh, Phoenix later lost the lead on a Gonzalo Martinez home run off of Talons veteran stopper Tiernan O'Macken. Some fans began to make their way toward the exit, but most remained for the bottom of the ninth. That frame began disappointingly, with a quick strikeout and flyout at the hands of Jackrabbits closer Jim Conley.

Then, Talons catcher Ichizo Sugiyama drew a 9-pitch walk, and LF John Molyneaux reached on an error. Inexplicably, Jackrabbits lefty Jan Chmelyk was brought in to face the righty hitter DH Don Jaramillo, who was promptly hit by a 1-1 pitch to load the bases. So, dream scenario, right? No matter what happens, someone's gonna be the hero, be it either the man on the mound, or the next batter, Jyri Kulmala, in his first major league start. After what seemed like the quickest 5 pitches in history, the count was suddenly 3-2 and Kulmala stepped out of the box, clearly understanding that this is what every player daydreams about.

The home crowd was all over it, too, with the noise-o-meter reaching a fever pitch at this storybook bottom of ninth, down by two, bases loaded, full count situation. And wouldn't you know it? The next pitch, Kulmala connects on an absolute rocket (100.9mph off the bat) for a double, and all three runners score in a thrilling, come from behind 7-6 Talons victory as the stadium erupts into pandemonium. Yeah, it's a game in May that probably doen't mean much in the grand scheme of things for the 7th place Talons. But for one 35 year old Finland native, in his 20th season with the Talons organization, it was the best game of his life.

The stuff that dreams are made of.

Go talons!

[trmmilwwi]

The Finnish Flash! Love it. This is what makes the league so awesome!

[Dington]

Cool story. Good job

[recte44]

Caleca nominee!

[niles08]

This is awesome.

[Trebro]

Caleca nominee!

I'll second that!

[tylertoo]

Great stuff.

[neugey]

Untimely errors have been killing my Jackrabbits the last few sims.

[CTBrewCrew]

…its almost like OOTP has a mind of its own with these stories….