All photos of South Division Playoffs Game 2 available on Flickr.
The Mallards fell one game short in their bid for the franchise's 2nd Northwoods League title on Sunday, as the Thunder Bay Border Cats defeated them in Game 3 of the series. A costly error by Madison's shortstop in the 8th was the deciding play. Thunder Bay's closer Jimmy Stanley struck out the final batter of the game to nail down Canada's second Northwoods League title - the Border Cats also defeated the Mallards for the title in 2005.
I attended Game #2 of the South Division playoffs against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (coached by Jim Gantner) at Warner Park on Wednesday, which the Mallards won handily 14-5 behind a strong pitching performance by Matt Jansen. The player(s) of the game was pretty much the entire Madison offense. The Malllards had 15 hits, and scored in every inning but the first and last, including a 6-run 6th. Madison's leadoff hitter had a 4-hit night, and Luke Stewart and Drew Martin each chipped in with towering home runs. My new favorite Mallard with one of the top 5 sweetest baseball names of all time, Joe Bonadonna, also had 2 hits and played 3 positions in the game - all 5'5" of him. The attendance was only about 2600, but it was one of the more entertaining games I've seen at the Duck Pond and I was glad I went for many reasons, not the least of which was a free souvenir pint glass upon entry.
With the 2008 NWL season in the books, Erik and I are already tentatively planning a Tour 2009 trip to Minnesota next year to watch a couple of Northwoods League games, and a couple Twins games in the last year of the Metrodome as well. I can't wait to watch more Northwoods League action next year!
I attended Game #2 of the South Division playoffs against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (coached by Jim Gantner) at Warner Park on Wednesday, which the Mallards won handily 14-5 behind a strong pitching performance by Matt Jansen. The player(s) of the game was pretty much the entire Madison offense. The Malllards had 15 hits, and scored in every inning but the first and last, including a 6-run 6th. Madison's leadoff hitter had a 4-hit night, and Luke Stewart and Drew Martin each chipped in with towering home runs. My new favorite Mallard with one of the top 5 sweetest baseball names of all time, Joe Bonadonna, also had 2 hits and played 3 positions in the game - all 5'5" of him. The attendance was only about 2600, but it was one of the more entertaining games I've seen at the Duck Pond and I was glad I went for many reasons, not the least of which was a free souvenir pint glass upon entry.With the 2008 NWL season in the books, Erik and I are already tentatively planning a Tour 2009 trip to Minnesota next year to watch a couple of Northwoods League games, and a couple Twins games in the last year of the Metrodome as well. I can't wait to watch more Northwoods League action next year!
STANDINGS AND UPCOMING SERIES AS OF 08.18:
Brewers 71-54, -5.5 (3 v. Astros, 3 v. Pirates)
Reds 55-70, -21.5 (3 @ Cubs, 3 @ Rockies)
Twins 70-53, -- (3 v. Athletics, 4 @ Angels)
RACE FOR 2008 "MOST GAMES ATTENDED" TITLE:
Erik - 21
Peter - 41
touch with baseball when his childhood heroes Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, and Jim Gantner retired but the Great Home Run Chase of 1998 reignited his passion. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Erik became involved with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. With this group Erik traveled to Portland, OR and Baltimore, MD to work on construction projects and help the group raise $25,000 to partially sponsor a house in Milwaukee. Also at UWM, Erik met Peter Nagel. The two attended their first Brewers game together during Opening Weekend 2003. Despite their failure to ignite the coals at their first tailgate, the two had a blast and were soon making weekly trips to the ballpark. Erik has gone on to several colleges and changed careers several times, and has moved all the way out to New Hampshire, but has always stayed true to his baseball roots by holding part-time stadium usher jobs. To this day he looks back fondly on his incredible cross-country journey.
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