Sherbrooke and Nanaimo Face Each Other in Playoffs August 13, 2000
This playoff series has the potential to be big, really big, because the
Sherbrooke-Nanaimo rivalry is one of the most heated rivalries in all of
baseball. Sherbrooke fell to 0-2 at home in the first round, but then
managed 3 straight wins (the last victory ended with a 4-3 score) in
Ensenda to advance. Despite the success of these two minor league teams,
their season has been tainted.
The Bars will most likely be playing their last season in Nanaimo after
learning that their flagship team, the Kamloops Blazers was sold and will
move to Albany, New York. Rumour has it they will be moving to Rome, New
York or Concord, New Hampshire.
In many ways, it was an unlikely season for the Bars. Out of nowhere,
righthander Joe Herring became the local hero after winning 10 games during
the regular season (equivalent to winning 20 games in the peppers). The
offense was a mix of seasoned veterans such as Jacob Brumfield, Kevin
Seitzer and Tim Naehring, along with a crew of blooming rookies such as
Chad Hermanson, Ryan George and Damon Buford. What is amazing is that there
were no real offensive stars, but 6 starting players racked 8 or more home
runs during the regular season.
The Sherbrooke Vert et Or were lifted into contention by future superstar
Trot Nixon, who hit .301 with 18 home runs through 76 regular season games.
But the Sherbrooke community, who came to embrace the young player, was
shocked after learning he was sent to the Deadwood franchise in exchange
for ace pitcher Ben McDonald. Fortunately, Nixon was traded in August,
meaning he will be able continue to play for the Vert et Or in the
playoffs.
Trot Nixon was the hero in the first round. In the final 4 games, Nixon
went 11-for-19 (.579 BA) with 4 stolen bases and 1 home run.
Despite his declining career, Tim Raines put on a show for the Sherbrooke
fans, socking 11 home runs this season. Danny Tartabull, the "pinch-hit
wonder", hit 10 home runs in only 99 at bats. That's 1 home run every 10
at-bats. (He had an .818 slugging percentage.) Tartbull somehow managed to
get a hit in all of his 5 plate appearances in the 5-game series against
Ensenda, including 1 home run.
There were few standouts on the pitching staff, but every starting pitcher
had a solid season. Santo Skinner, Melvin Lowry, Steve Cooke, Bill
Garibaldi and Harvey Alley made up one of the most consistent and reliable
rotations in the league.
