November 1, 2060
by Banjo Jackson
Nashville, TN
Raise the banner! The Nashville Bluebirds emerged victorious over the Charlotte Flyers to claim their third title since 2050. The parade was made more amazing as GMs across the league came throwing boos and tomatoes as GM Chad Nason and team drove by the swarms of Bluebirds fans in the streets of Nashville.
“Nobody wanted to see us win,” said Monty MVP, Wafid Bishr. “Oops!”
The crowd’s noise was off the Richter scale throughout the parade as fans showed support for the Mighty Bluebirds. The journey to the Monty Brewster Memorial Cup was smooth sailing and Nashville didn’t find much resistance once they arrived to take their claim as the best behemoth in the land.
Eric Stevens took the mound in Game 1 and picked up the victory in a pitcher’s duel. Stevens pitched 6 IP allowing 1 ER with Giustino Modica and
David Molina pitching 3 IP of 1-it ball to finish the game. After scoring a run apiece to begin the game, offenses were slowed down until the 5th inning when Bishr delivered a sacrifice fly that proved to be all the support Nashville needed. The rain delayed game went in favor of the Bluebirds and they would look to leave Nashville with home field advantage intact.
Mark Lolololo assured his teammates they would be leaving Nashville with a 2-0 lead and he did not fail his team. The southpaw hurled 7 shutout IP and the offense scored 6 runs including a solo HR from Bishr as the Bluebirds went on for an easy victory.
The Bluebirds pitching strength continued in Game 3 with Phil Cole on the bump. The veteran pitched 6.1 IP allowing 1 ER and striking out 8 Flyers to edge a victory off former Bluebird, Jim Fleming. Crissy Tingle scored 2 runs and the Bluebirds sent Charlotte to the ropes with a 3-1 victory and a 3-0 series lead.
Longtime Bluebird, Barney Lindsay was sent out for Game 4 with a chance to clinch the title, in what could be his final game in a Bluebirds uniform. Unfortunately, his story in Nashville may not have had the happiest ending as the Flyers got to him for 5 ER in 3.2 IP. Bishr and Juan Rivera each hit a HR, but the Bluebirds fell 6-4.
Stevens would look to close the door on this season and the bullpen slammed it. Stevens allowed 2 ER in 6 IP and the Modica/Molina combo finished the game allowing just 2 hits. With game tied in the 9th, the unlikeliest of heroes emerged. With a team full of superstars, utility man Jose Ramos, was the hero. With two runners in scoring position and two outs, Ramos lined a single up the middle to score the go ahead runs. Modica faced the dangerous part of Charlotte’s lineup and was able to shut them down and Nashville lifted the trophy once more.
The victory is bittersweet although, mostly sweet. With new salary cap restrictions and several mouths to feed, Nashville could see the departure of several players. Bishr, Lindsay, and Todd ‘TNT’ Tatlock have player options, while Rivera’s contract is expiring. The loss of the veterans is irreplaceable, but Nashville currently has the top rated farm system in the BBA, so replacing the future Hall of Famers with serviceable players is doable, but not without sting. With 3 titles in the past decade, is this team now considered a dynasty? Better tack on another one in 2061 just to be sure.
