This year the Sam Moran Club is looking to repeat as they return to the finals with nearly all of last year’s players. The exception being veteran pitcher Tommy Greene and outfielder Marty Jiminez. To fill the vacancies, the Moran Club brought back fireball pitcher Charlie Joyce and added lefty power-hitter Jim Fitzpatrick, who was the co-winner in this year’s home run derby. With these two additions many league observers argue that this years team is more talented and has more depth than last years championship team. In any case, the Moran Club will be tough to beat as they will look towards pitcher John Gregorio and outfielders, Brendan Flynn, Billy Macdonald, Jamie Mastro, and Dorsey Connolly to lead the way as they have done so many times in the past.

After coming so close last year, the Sidewalk Café knew they were only a player or two short from winning it all. But after losing players Joe Pano (Quencher Tavern), John Young (Corner Tavern), and Danny Flaherty to other teams, and with the retirement of veteran pitcher Don Senna, some serious rebuilding had to be done in the off season. The team did just that as they made plenty of moves adding utility player Rich Mahoney, center fielder Tommy Connolly, second baseman Eric Neubart, third baseman Bernie Goodman, and pitchers Larry Lucas and Steve Lannon. They were now stronger in every position and had plenty of depth as they looked forward to a return trip to the finals. However, during the season and through the early playoff rounds several Sidewalk players were lost to injuries and unpredictable events that would put the team through a trying test. Fortunately, they persevered and are now looking to revenge last year's heartbreaking loss to the Moran Club.

Sidewalk reached the finals Tuesday when they knocked off rival Seapoint Restaurant, 5-2, to win the best of five game series in four games. The deciding game wasn't won without a challenge as Seapoint, who trailed by three, loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning. After trading an out for a run the Sidewalk defense ended any hopes of a comeback as they recorded the next two batters and held on for the series ending victory.

Unlike last year, the Sam Moran Club also experienced a bumpy ride to the finals. In their way were pitchers Jose Bonilla of the Olde Time Hardware, and Larry Lucas of Molly Darcy's. These two pitchers are two of the best that the league has to offer and they fought the Moran Club with every last drop of sweat and energy that they had. But Bonilla and Olde Time bowed out after just two games as the Moran Club proved to be too tough and experienced. Moran then faced Lucas and Molly Darcy's in a best of five game series. After Molly's won the opener behind Lucas' masterful performance, Moran bounced back in game two with a 9-1 win which set the stage for game three. Lucas returned to the mound in game three, which was played last Tuesday, and again he gave it his all. It would not be enough as Molly's defensive took the night off and fell 5-2. The two teams then played game four on Wednesday and the final outcome was identical to that of the previous game, Moran 5-2. It was more of the same as Lucas kept the score close but only to see John Gregorio mow down his batters. The win gave the Moran Club another return trip to the finals to face second place finisher, Sidewalk Café.

As of this writing the Sidewalk-Moran series was tied as Moran won the first game behind Charlie Joyce and John Gregorio's combined 6-0 shutout. Sidewalk Café then squeaked out an emotional 4-2 win last Friday that evened the series at a one game apiece. The series was set to resume on Monday (Game 3) and play through the week until necessary. If needed, game six will be played tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 PM. I hope to see you at the park cheering on the locals as they compete for the championship.