York Sweeps Colts to Claim Title

The York Diamonds showed why they were the class of the 2005 MSBL season by completing a three games to nothing sweep of their long-time rivals, the Mississauga Colt 45's, last night at Syntex Park. York picked it up its fifth title, but first since 1999.
The Diamonds only trailed for one inning during the entire series and won by scores of 11-9, 12-4, and 16-7.

Game 3 featured another standout performance by playoff MVP Eric Foley, who earned his SIXTH win of the playoffs, striking out 9, while adding 3 RBI to bring his series total to 10 and playoff total to 16. Troy Weston took the loss as he allowed 12 runs, with 9 of them being earned on 11 hits over 6 2/3 innings.

York scored 4 runs in the first inning with 3 coming on 2 Colts errors and one on a Pete Zakkak groundout. The Colts scored one in the bottom of the first after the red-hot Dexter Brozo (7-11 with 4 walks) led off with a single and later scored on a J.P. Fozo sacrifice fly. Foley then got of trouble by striking out Lou Vassos to end the inning.

In the second, York made it 6-1 on a back-to-back RBI singles by the Foley brothers. The Diamonds picked up single runs in the fourth and fifth on Eric Foley's RBI single and a Greg Shannon double.

The Colts made it interesting by trimming the lead to 8-4 after a Paul Hipolito home run and a Lou Vassos groundout in the sixth. However Rudy Naraine put the series away and ended Weston's evening with a grand slam to left.

A few innings later, when Rudy Naraine was thrown at and Don Cantwell was intentionally hit in the back, things could have escalated, but the Diamonds chose to be the classier team and not retaliate even though there was ample opportunity to do so in the bottom of the ninth as the boys in Silver and Blue decided to let the scoreboard do their talking for them. Steve Foley came on to close the deal with the last out being dug out of the dirt by Diamonds veteran Ken Dicken and the celebration was on.

In Game 2, Mike Rochon was magnificent on the mound, allowing only 4 hits over 6 innings. Eric Foley had 4 hits and 5 RBI's and Brent Sterling launched home run #2 as York coasted to an easy win.

In Game 1, Eric Foley got the win, striking out 12. Brent Sterling had 3 hits, and both Foleys, along with Don Cantwell and Neil Parekh had two hits apiece.

Diamonds media scribe Seymour Butts filed this postgame report after getting comments from many of the players. Butts compiled some York milestones from statsman Paul Freeman and lists the many accomplishments of the club below.
The team went 27-6 overall this season and outscored opponents 339-147. Steve Foley .548 avg. 14 HR 60 RBI, 1.144 slugging percentage (need we say anymore?).

Eric Foley .391 average, 41 RBI, 8-3 record with 101 strikeouts and registered his 800th York strikeout in the final game.

Mike Rochon went 8-1 in his first season with York and had 2 wins against the Colts and one each against the Cardinals and Thunderbirds.

John Raddi got his first hit with York since 1992 after returning to the team after a 13 year absence and also was the team's spiritual candle leader

Rudy Naraine had 3 homers 30 RBI and 32 stolen bases (216 SB for his career)

Bob Corn hit .367 with 36 RBI and earned his 11th MSBL championship

Brent Sterling hit 2 home runs and hit almost .500 in the playoffs

Neil Parekh hit .351 with 15 SB(154 for his career) and also stroked his 47th and 48th York HR

Ken Dicken won 2 games and had 4.05 ERA over 20 innings. The Hawk also snagged his fourth consecutive York winning game ball

Dan Fiorita hit .316 with 2 HR, 3 wins, a 1.64 ERA and an awesome attitude whenever he was at the park

Don Cantwell had 32 RBI (326 career), hit .330 with his 28th York HR and was still the emotional heart and soul of this team

Paul Freeman hit .293 with a career high 7 SB, one flyout to the warning track and one 0.00 breathalizer reading

Pete Zakkak played great at a new position, knocked in 18 runs (397 career) and maintained a beautiful playing field at Keelesdale

Frank MacIntyre hit .286 in his first year with the Diamonds

Rob Fraser provided his usual spark, a nice venue for the victory party and had 6 SB and hit .264

Greg Shannon had 11 RBI (204 career) and played well at multiple positions

Skipper Dave Quennell showed why he is one of the league's best, guided York to the title in his return

Rick Yez provided some timely hits and walks and played more than he had in a number of years. His clutch hit in the semifinals helped to start a key York rally.

John Bissylas was a fixture in the first base coaching box and provided valuable leadership in the locker room

Butts then got some comments from the players themselves

First off was the reclusive and shy Rudy Naraine who screamed:"2005 champs baby, 2005 champs...it doesn't get any f---ing sweeter than this"

Next up was John Raddi who came with a tray full of lemon scented candles and said "In all seriousness this was great fun, I had a blast and it was great to see a total team effort out there!"

Bammer Cantwell's voice cracked as he remarked "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see a guy blow a 0.00 into a Breathalizer...it's was extremely riveting and I thought that a--hole cop was going to swallow his tongue when he took that reading! Great effort boys...who's up for some bevvies?"

The wise mentor to many York pitchers, Hawk Dicken had this to say"It's was fun getting to be a part of this great season, the boys could have been a little neater when signing the game ball but who am I to complain?"

Grizz Fraser was so happy that he announced his retirement for the 14th consecutive season..we'll see you in the spring, Grizz!

Brent Sterling who was sizzling hot all playoffs long, spent a little too much time near Rudy Naraine and could be heard screaming "Champs baby, we're the champs baby!!"

Finally, demoted ex-skipper and backup utility leftfielder, Paul Freeman came out of seclusion and had these comments "The whole damn season was a magical ride...the attitude amongst the guys was unbelievably great all year. This team deserved to win this championship. This was for all the guys who stuck it out to make sure they got to feel the thrill of winning again, and all the new guys who played such a huge role in getting us here. Everybody played a part in this win and it was the sweetest one yet, beating the Colts and being able to enjoy it with the boys! I can't say enough about the way everyone raised their level of play in this season and the focus and determination this team showed. Dave did a great job running things and everyone did their part...what a great way to end the season! Taking the Breathalizer was quite the experience too..I tried to assure the cop that I hadn't had a drink in 35 years but I guess he didn't believe me. Oh well, that 0.00 reading should be enough proof for you, moron! Anyways, to all the boys, I have never enjoyed a season as much as this one, we've got 7 months to enjoy it...we're the champs, baby!"

Date: September 23, 2005     Time: 7:30pm      Venue: Syntex