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August, 2005
Commissioner's
Column Congratulations to the Orleans Cardinals who won the Arnold Mycock Trophy, emblematic of the 2005 Cape Cod Baseball League Playoff Championship. The Cardinals defeated the Bourne Braves 2 games to 1 in the best of three series. It was the second championship in the last three years for Orleans.
Playoff MVP’s Manny Burriss and Brad Meyers spearheaded the final game victory with 4 hits and 6 superb innings of pitching, respectively. Bourne had defeated the Cotuit Kettleers in the Western Division playoffs to earn their trip to the Championship Series while the Cardinals battled the Chatham A’s in the Eastern Division. The Orleans Cardinals sported the best record throughout the regular season and that momentum carried over into the playoffs. The parity of our ten teams remains intact as all four playoff teams this year were not involved in last year’s playoffs So as we turn back the hands of time and look at our season in review, we are delighted by what was accomplished. We again provided wholesome, family entertainment for free to over 300,000 spectators. The Hyannis Mets hosted the United States Armed Forces team in mid-June who played an exhibition game against a contingent of CCBL players at McKeon Field in Hyannis. Several thousand fans witnessed a competitive game which displayed a great sense of admiration toward these modern day patriots. Later in the season in late July, the Hyannis Mets again stepped up to host our annual All-Star Game. The record breaking crowd was treated to an afternoon of pitching excellence as the East pushed across a run in the top of the ninth to squeak out a 1-0 victory over the West. The game was preceded by a home run hitting contest which including some titanic blasts. As we came down the stretch heading into the playoffs, the Western Division did not decide who was playoff-worthy until the last day of the season. Both Wareham and Falmouth battled right down to the last out before Cotuit was able to clinch the final playoff spot behind Bourne. The Orleans Cardinals and Chatham A’s clinched playoff spots earlier on and then they geared up for their epic playoff battle. Our season was again hugely successful because of the volunteers and the fans. The dedication and support that we receive to make the Cape Cod Baseball League what it is borders on incredible. Simply put, we could not deliver the quality of baseball to you, our fans and friends, without the unabashed dedication that is directed toward the league. We observe it, we recognize it, and we could not be more humbled by it. On behalf of the ten franchises, the CCBL Board of Directors, our incredibly generous sponsors and friends, THANK YOU for another outstanding season as we close the door on 2005!! We could not be more touched by your unconditional support and encouragement and we, like you, can not wait until the first pitch of 2006! All the best !!!
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