Washington Clinches Pennant, Home Field Advantage September 23, 1999
(AP) MONCTON--The Washington Sea Dogs, admist revelrie and joy, clinched
their first division title in team history and home field advantage by
defeating the Richmond Panthers 2-1 in Richmond. The Sea Dogs, slightly
drunk and not particularly sharp, dropped the second game of their
doubleheader in Moncton 7-6.
"This is what we play for, this is what it's all about," Washington
Sea Dogs manager Weiner said. "It's hard to come into the season the
favorites, and it's great that we could finish the job."
The Sea Dogs mobbed John Wetteland as he struck out the last batter. Many
of the Sea Dogs have never seen postseason action, and most of those who
have never won a division title before.
"We came into the season with two goals," said captain Chuck Knoblauch,
"and that was to win the Data Division title and win the World Series.
We've got one of them."
Strangely, the Sea Dog that got the game-winning hit wasn't Knoblauch, and
it wasn't Larkin or Lance Johnson or any of the other long-time Sea Dogs.
Instead, Jim Eisenreich hit his twelfth homer in the top of the ninth
inning to put the game away.
"Listen, I had to start taking care of all these young guys," joked the
37-year old Eisenreich. "Seriously, though, we've been sort of flat
recently, and I thought we needed a boost."
Washington has backed into the playoffs and while they are still a lock to
break the record for most Defiant League wins, it is extremely unlikely
they will break the all-time record. However, this doesn't matter much to
the Sea Dogs.
"We're not much for breaking records," third baseman Ernie Young said.
"We're extremely happy to be in the playoffs."
Washington's pitching hero in the clincher was Mackenzee Leefenhaufenhauz,
who held the Panthers to just one run over eight innings.
"Listen, as we didn't score, I put in more and more effort,"
Leefenhaufenhauz said. "The fact is, I was kinda scared out there as the
game went on, I knew how much this meant."
Ironically, the game meant very little, as Phoenix lost for the first time
in eight games in the evening, meaning the Sea Dogs would have clinched
the pennant anyway. But Leefenhaufenhauz, who got his 17th win by
surrendering just six hits with no walks, spoke differently.
"We didn't really care if Phoenix lost; we wanted to clinch the thing with
a win," Leefenhaufenhauz said.
The Sea Dogs proceeded to lose the second half of the doubleheader, as
Ben McDonald looked shaky in his first start since July. McDonald allowed
ten hits and three walks in just six innings, and though he did not lose
the game contributed heavily to the loss.
"I didn't have my usual stuff today," McDonald said. "It's simply a
matter of this - I came off the bench for the first time in months, and
the fact that I can go six innings again is enough for me."
McDonald looked nothing like his midseason counterpart, who had 15 wins by
the All-Star Break. He threw only half his pitches for strikes, and
allowed six runs, a season high.
"Moncton has good hitting anyway," McDonald said. "This was a tough
return start, but hopefully, I'll be ready for the next one."
While McDonald did not look sharp, he did manage to get out of quite a few
jams. However, he ran into major trouble in the fifth inning, as Moncton
put up a five-spot, including catcher Marcus Jensen's 28th homer, to break
open a 6-3 lead.
Washington managed to tie the score at six, but reliever Mike Timlin blew
the game by allowing a ninth-inning homer to left fielder Juan Gonzalez.
"I think we were all a little tired and a little drunk," Weiner said.
"I'm not expecting a repeat performance down the stretch."
The Sea Dogs are now 102-49, and need to win just two games to break the
Defiant League's wins record. In a stretch, they need eight of their last
eleven to take the PVBL record.
"It's a wild ride right now," shortstop Barry Larkin said. "I hope it
doesn't come down until we're in November."
Notes and Quotes:
"This is a gift from heaven."
-Mickey Kelly, right before dumping Gatorade on Manager Weiner
"This is a gift from hell."
-Owner Aaron Weiner, on the Mets Militia
* * *
Washington owner Aaron Weiner, at the press conference following the
clincher, had very little to say about Jason Garnar's statement earlier
today concerning the Sea Dogs and the team's conduct.
"The Washington Sea Dogs have no part in the system of justice, but wish
to denounce the statements made by Mr. Garnar today," Weiner said. "Mr.
Garnar's support of the decision made by the judges demonstrates the lack
of interest he has for the livelihood of the Washington players."
Weiner did mention that Garnar had been supportive of the idea of
preventing further violence by moving the games to a neutral site, but
added that Garnar may have ulterior motives.
"I approached Mr. Garnar about the idea of a neutral site for playoff
games," Weiner said, "and he was very receptive. The fact that 81 percent
of gate receipts will be given to the Mets is true, but this was on the
condition that Washington would choose the site of the neutral games."
Weiner has made an official decision that will be released if and when the
Sea Dogs and Mets are scheduled to meet in the playoffs.
"I trust that we will be happy with the decision," Weiner said. "I will
say only that my decision is on the East Coast and is as far away from
Binghamton as possible."
Weiner added that he had talked directly to President Clinton, and that
while the claims of the New York National Guard's disinterest are true,
members of the CIA will now be present on every flight the Sea Dogs take.
Additionally, the National Guard of the state in which the games are to be
played has been contacted and is eager to help out.
"Neither I nor the President will allow terrorism on any level," Weiner
said. "This certainly includes charter flights. Each of the CIA members
have been thorougly checked, and none have any links to Binghamton nor the
Mets."
* * *
Washington has another milestone that's possible this year - largest
improvement in franchise history.
After the '97 season, Washington finished with a less-than-stellar 78-84
record. However, the Sea Dogs finished 92-70 the next year, making a
14-game turnaround.
Washington needs five wins in their last eleven games to achieve that
feat.
"It would be crazier if we finished 14 games ahead of this year next
year," Weiner said, chuckling.
* * *
Word is that Jim Eisenreich is re-considering his retirement plans.
"Well, when I came here, I was really angry to leave Richmond," Eisenreich
said. "But now, I'm starting to get used to this."
Eisenreich said that playing on a stable, veteran ballclub has made his
decision a difficult one.
"Well, if we win the title, I don't know. I know I can still play in this
league, and it'll be hard to say no if I get offered a solid contract by
this team next year," Eisenreich said.
Eisenreich is currently fourth in the league in batting, with a .330
average, and has 194 hits. He has been among the league's top 20 in
walks, on-base percentage, stolen bases and runs created for much of the
season.
