The 2006 baseball season for the Mendocino Cardinals was truly one to remember. For a team stacked with seniors, it was a fitting way to end their high school careers after collecting numerous team and individual accolades for their efforts on the field. As a player, you always dream of finishing on top. Well, that storybook ending came true after the Cardinals Baseball Team walked off Sunny Side Field as undisputed league champions.

The Cardinals could do no wrong after finishing the season undefeated in league play, capturing the NCL-II North League title, having six Cardinals honored with first team all- league selections, including Aaron Bauman being named the league's most valuable player, and Mendocino earning the top seed for the playoffs. The team accomplished all of this in just one season of play. What more could you ask for?

Mendocino's fortunes on the field were largely predicated on their actions off the field. This team was successful because each member put forth the effort and time that is necessary to succeed. In sports, as in many facets of life, it is very difficult to achieve success by simply showing up. The players practiced hard all season long with a very workman like attitude. They studied and performed in classes to ensure their eligibility. The coaches prepared to put the players into positions where they could excel on the field and the players executed game plans beautifully to come out on top.

One way to measure success in sports is to go straight to the numbers and look at a team's win-loss record. Reviewing the Cardinals' 2006 baseball season, you would first notice the team's impressive 14-3 record. The record looks terrific, but what that statistic does not detail is how dominant the team performed in those 17 ball games.

For instance, take a look at the total amount of runs scored for Mendocino versus the amount of runs given up. The Cardinals ended the season outscoring their opponents by a combined total of 209-54. That translates into an average score of 12-3, with Mendocino winning games by an average of nine runs. Some teams are unable to manufacture nine runs in a single game all season, but this group was able to win by that margin game in and game out.

Just as impressive is the fact that this year's team never lost back-to-back games. Coming off a tough loss, it becomes easy to let the next game slip away, but this team never allowed that to happen.

The Cardinals' pitching and defense was solid and gave up more than five runs on only three occasions. The most amount of runs given up in a game was just eight and that is a big reason why Mendocino enjoyed so much success. The Cardinals always kept themselves within striking distance and always had a chance to win it in the end.

When you put the season into perspective, you notice how well this unit performed from start to finish. The team's success was not based on just a couple of good performances because the Cardinals consistently executed at a high level all season long. So congratulations to all the players, coaches, and everyone who helped support Cardinals' baseball during their memorable 2006 championship season.