With their 3-0 sweep of the Punxatawney Groundhogs, the Vero Beach Bums
awaited the determination of their second-round playoff opponent. That
opponent will be the Washington Sea Dogs, the upstart wild-card team who
defeated their own division-winning Phoenix Gila Monsters in the first
round. They capped their win with a seemingly easy 5-0 shutout of the
Monsters at a stage set to look like Phoenix that was actually in Chicago,
Illinois.
"They [the Sea Dogs] are probably the hottest team in all of baseball,"
said Bums manager Phil Garner. "We were not looking forward to the
possibility of facing them, but here we are. Despite that, we do feel we
match up well against them."
The Sea Dogs have vastly improved their team over the last year, mostly
through shrewd trading by GM Aaron Weiner. Weiner has provided manager
Aaron Weiner with a speedy lineup and a strong pitching staff. The most
significant deal brought CF Lance Johnson, one of the best leadoff hitters
in the PVBL, to the Defiant League. Washington sent slumping RF Gary
Sheffield and backup CF F.P. Santangelo to the new Anchorage Abominations
of the EL.
The Sea Dogs also feature two of the best young left-handed starting
pitchers in the game today. "Big Mak" Makenzee Leefenhaufenhauz and
former Bum Shawn Estes shared double-figure wins and high walk totals this
year for the Sea Dogs.
The Bums, in contrast, are basically the same team that went to the World
Series last season -- except without any injuries to speak of. Offensive
powerhouse Jeff King, the Bums' first baseman, missed the entire second
half of last season, but has been phenomenal in his return. Pitcher Kevin
Ritz, a reliable fourth starter, also missed the playoffs last season.
The Bums did make one addition, trading a future starting pitcher and a
draft pick for 24-year-old third baseman Phil Nevin, like Lance Johnson a
former Abomination. Nevin, despite having an off-season at the plate, has
taken over Dave Hollins' 3rd base job. Hollins, who is rumored to be
somewhat disgruntled in a Bums uniform, has moved to the DH spot. Nevin
is a prototypical Bum, with the potential to contribute at the plate any
time and good ability in the field.
What else do the Bums have? One of the most balanced teams in the league.
The Bums have an excellent leadoff hitter of their own, aging two-time
all-star 2B Rex Hudler, who led the team in extra-base hits. They also
have three right-handed starting pitchers 24 years of age or younger who
make up the nucleus of this team: quiet star Albie Lopez, who won 15
games before the all-star break and only 6 in the second half; sinker-ball
control pitcher Ismael Valdes; and the oft-injured (former Sea Dog) Willie
Adams, who still managed double figures in wins this year and had the
best winning percentage among Bums starters.
One of the more interesting aspects of the series is the relatively large
number of players who have played for both of these teams. "It's kind of
a family affair," said CF Marquis Grissom, who came to Vero Beach last
season from the Sea Dogs. "Make no mistake, we're coming to the ballpark
to win, regardless of the fact that we know these guys pretty well."
The Sea Dogs sport three former Bums on their roster: OF Ernie Young,
Estes, and C Eddie Perez, who was picked up off waivers this season.
"This series is going to be won by the team that makes the fewest
mistakes," said RF Brian Jordan, whose bat has been on fire of late. "We
have to play error-free baseball and jump on their pitching right away.
This is going to be a true Championship Series, and whoever wins this one
deserves to go on to the World Series."
