Goldeyes reel in American Association championship

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This article was published 19/09/2016 (3618 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WICHITA, Kan. — It may sound like an elaborate fish tale. But the resilient Winnipeg Goldeyes have truly reeled in the big one — clinching a wildcard playoff spot on the final day of the regular season, repeatedly staving off elimination and battling their way to the top of the American Association.

Winnipeg captured the league championship in dominating fashion Monday night in Kansas, destroying the Wichita Wingnuts 11-4 to win their best-of-five series 3-2. It’s the third-ever title for the Goldeyes, following victories in 1994 and 2012.

Monday’s game also marked the fourth time in these playoffs where the Goldeyes faced a must-win situation, then went out and did just that. They rallied for two straight victories in the opening series against St. Paul, then repeated the feat against Wichita.

“It never gets old. It’s really hard to do this. It’s really hard to field a competitive team. It’s very tough to make the playoffs. You gotta be good, you gotta be fortunate to win championships,” an emotional Goldeyes manager Rick Forney said during a raucous on-field celebration. “Tip your caps to my kids, man. They never quit. 4-0 in elimination, that tells you all you need to know about that.”

The Goldeyes had plenty of support at the same stadium where they captured the 2012 crown — including a handful of fans who made the trip 1,500 kilometres south, along with several team staff members who were present.

“They perservered. They were resilient. They never gave up. They did it the hard way,” said Goldeyes owner Sam Katz as he was doused with beer by several players. “That’s the only thing that’s really missing from a really sweet victory is that it wasn’t in Winnipeg and our fans would get to see it. This team’s got more heart than any I’ve ever seen and they won’t quit. The pitching came together. The hitting came together. It was just something else. I never would have expected what I saw today. They just crushed them.”

Reggie Abercrombie — the league’s reigning “Man Of The Year” — had the game of the year. He crushed a pair of two-run homers, added a two-run double and also brought a run home with a bases-loaded walk. His seven RBI’s matches the Goldeyes single-game playoff record.

“It’s a helluva day,” said Forney. “Guy came through big time. You can’t ask for a better performance.”

Abercrombie was near tears as he spoke of the win moments after raising the championship trophy with his teammates. The 36-year former major leaguer said this could be his last season.

“These guys, they’ll never give up. Today shows it. These boys deserve everything they get,” he said. “We’ve been fighting our whole season. To have it end like this, it’s a blessing. If I go out like this, it’s great going out. If I don’t, I’m blessed to keep going.”

Adam Heisler wasted no time getting the Goldeyes offence in gear, ripping the first pitch of the game into left field for a single. Willie Cabrera followed with his own single, and then Abercrombie hit a two-run double.

Casio Grider jumped all over Wichita starter Alex Boshers to begin the second, cubing one down the right field line for a double. He would then score when Heisler lined a two-out double to make it 3-0. After a walk to Maikol Gonzalez, Cabrera singled to bring Heisler home for a 4-0 lead.

Winnipeg extended their lead in the fourth. Carlton Tanabe singled with one out, followed by a Heisler double and Gonzalez walk to load the bases. That was the end of the night for Boshers, who gave way to relief pitcher Gage Smith. The side-armer got Cabrera on a swinging strikeout, but then walked Abercrombie to make it 5-0 Goldeyes. A Josh Romanski grounder ended the inning.

Winnipeg iced it in the seventh. After Cabrera opened with a single, Abercrombie hit a two-run homer to make it 7-0. Wes Darvill also singled home a run before the frame was over.

Wichita would chase McGovern from the game in their half of the seventh, scoring a pair of runs. But Abercrombie snuffed out any hopes of a Wingnuts comeback with yet another long bomb to make it 10-2.

Wichita would plate another two meaningless runs in the eighth to finish off their scoring — and their season. Tanabe put the icing on the celebratory cake with an RBI single in the ninth.

Winston Abreu got the final three outs of the game — the final one coming on a strikeout — as the Goldeyes poured out of the dugout to celebrate their accomplishment.

The Goldeyes rise to the top is truly impressive, considering they began the season a middling 21-22 before going 43-24 over the final 67 including playoffs. The success came despite playing what Forney calls the “toughest schedule in the league.” That included only 19 of their first 50 games at home, and playing 83 of their 110 total games against teams with winning records.

This was the 33rd playoff elimination game the Goldeyes have played in their history. They are now 18-15 overall — including 4-0 this postseason. This was also the 12th winner-take-all game for the franchise. They are now 6-6 — including 2-0 this postseason.

The winner-take-all game took place on a sweltering, humid 33 C night — with only a few hundred fans in attendance despite the fact all tickets were slashed to just $5.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

More on-field celebration for the @Wpg_Goldeyes. #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/cJjmA153Xm

— Mike McIntyre (@mikeoncrime) September 20, 2016

More @Wpg_Goldeyes celebration. #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/4hv0g0J5No

— Mike McIntyre (@mikeoncrime) September 20, 2016

VIDEO of final out as @Wpg_Goldeyes capture league championship. #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/wwWd1idrUD

— Mike McIntyre (@mikeoncrime) September 20, 2016

The owner of the @Wpg_Goldeyes, Sam Katz, gets a celebratory championship beer bath. #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/y9tN0F0cPQ

— Mike McIntyre (@mikeoncrime) September 20, 2016