Well, it’s all over. At times it was great this year. At others it was a struggle. I think if we had ALL the guys I thought we’d have going into the playoffs, no one would beat us, and we’d march through like we did in 2007. That didn’t happen. We showed up to the playoffs down a bunch of our best hitters and we had to play a bunch of guys in what is not their optimal position. It was very disappointing. only a week earlier at Muzzy Field we had most guys, and looked like a powerhouse taking down top seed Glastonbury and then the Expos who just knocked us out. It sucks. I know lots of people that weren’t there all had reasons that were important to them… I understand that. Unfortunately the time conflicted with the only game (s) of the year that really mattered… and we were 1 and done.

I want to thank EVERYONE that played this year. I love you guys… all of you. You took the time to come out and play some ball with us. There isn’t a guy on the team this year I didn’t like. I also think we didn’t have any scrubs at all this year. Maybe everyone didn’t excel in all areas, but everybody did at least 1 or 2 things very well. We had the seeds of a very good team if we ever put ALL those parts together.

This year we gained a bunch of young and new guys that revitalized us a bunch. Brian LaRochelle, Julio Ortiz-Rivera, Luke Palma, Mike Scanlon, Walter Klimczak, Devin Zeller, Sean Cameron, Glenn Hyatt, Charlie Hulme, Sean Lopata, and Joey Tonan all brought a lot of energy, youth, and fun to the team… along with a lot of talent. Luke Palma threw great in ever increasing innings over the course of the year, and is a strong candidate for our Cy Young. Julio came in and gave us the best real center fielder we ever had along with some speed and a good bat. Brian brought a ton of experience, knowledge, talent, and a fantastic bat and made us better right away, and I think he’s a very strong candidate for our MVP. Mike brought a quiet can do attitude, another solid bat and another was a very good first basemen (too bad we never made you catch). Walter brought some life to the team with his don’t take any $hit talk attitude, and brought a solid glove, speed, and bat. Devin was a great team player and a great defensive outfielder. This year with Julio, Devin, and Walter out there, I think we had the strongest outfield we’ve had in years (Blais, did pretty well too). Sean filled in nicely when we needed it the most, with more time I think he could have been a very good player for us. Glenn, I feel like we barely got to know you. You showed a lot of promise, and I hope you can join us in the future.  Chalie and Sean L, we found you at the end of our season, too late to qualify… but you really bolstered our pitching staff down the stretch… and I’m looking forward to having you on the team next year Sean (Charlie just took a job in NYC for ESPN working on the Olbermann show). Joey, thanks for coming out and bringing another solid outfielder for us and a good attitude.

Returning guys had some fantastic years too. Rick Barrett had an all around great year, in the infield he’s solid, at the plate always a threat, and was a solid pitcher whenever called upon. Rick would be my other candidate for MVP this year. Earl Oakes really shined for us this year. With the exception of 1 game, he was money on the mound. He may say he never had his best stuff, but he threw great. Earl also was a huge threat at the plate this year. You should have 1 homerun too if the base umpire understood the BEHS HR rule correctly (Kilker probably too). Eddie Dickman cleaned up at the plate when around. He is our best hitter we’ve had because year in year out he just puts up ridiculous numbers, and is clutch. I only wish we could have had more of you… you are a difference make. Justin Kilker is another difference maker. When healthy he’d be one of our best all around guys, get your back and arm better for next year (No more softball, or folding chairs). Kilker still had what should have been our biggest hit of the season, if they only called the game and didn’t play the 7th. Jay Gilbert had a down year compared to last year when you were up over .400 most of the year… but hey, that happens to everyone (myself this year too)… you still brought the fun and laughs. Lucas Nickerson also had an off year. He’s a workaholic that spends like 80 hours a week at ESPN, and is great at it. Unfortunately for us this year it was at the expense of joining us. I hope you can play at least one more year and bounce back before you think about hanging up the cleats. I know you have a bunch more solid starts on the mound in you. Rick Blais was pretty money all year on the mound again. Without being overpowering or throwing a bunch of different pitches, he just gets it done. We have to play solid d and not give him 4-5 outs an inning… but Rick you had a great year. Phil Dauria played some solid ball again this year, and continued being the “best teammate” as voted in 2012, while still being a positive influence around the team. Phil struggled at the plate, but made some fantastic plays on defense, including one he himself called the play of the year. Drew Gallagher… when around you continued to show us why you are such a good hitter and call a great game behind the plate. Hope to see you at more next year if possible. Rex Cone, Shawn Fergusson, and Erik Michael… we missed you guys more than many of you new guys know. Rex has been our biggest offensive threat and best pitcher in recent years, Fergie was the best/smoothest infielder we ever had and a great leadoff guy, and Erik was simply Mr. Utility and our last year’s golden glove. These three guys only making 2 or 3 games a piece sucked for us. I always hoped they’d somehow fit in the games and qualify for the playoffs. I knew it’d be tough for all of you, and it was. We missed ya. Hopefully your schedule next year opens up more, or if not… I’m happy we had you the years we did, because you we great guys/player to have on the team. Same goes for Kyle Faust, who only played 1 game this year… the scrimmage. Kyle you could have been a key pitcher  for us in spot starts, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Next year things HAVE to be different. I need someone to step up and either manage the team or CO-manage the team. I can step back and be the GM, do the paperwork stuff, etc. Now that I have a baby at home, I need to have another person out there to lean on some. This year was too tough. Brian LaRochelle has potentially thrown his name in the ring for this, and I’d love him to be our manager or co-manager next year. I don’t think its shut off for anyone else though. If someone else… maybe veterans Earl, Barrett, or someone else would want to too? Let me know. Like I said, if I have to do it all, there won’t be a team… but I know that won’t be the case. Also, we have to have more realistic expectations on how much guys think they can play. This year I was too optimistic about what people told me they thought they could play. Also, we’ll need some more solid new blood to come in. I’m sure not everyone will return, and some of us older guys (especially me, will play less). We will likely need 5-8 new guys next year. We already have a lead on a couple solid players that Brian has coached in Sean Lopata, Sam Leonardo, maybe Brian Finnegan, and a couple others. Plus I have a lead on at lead 1 new solid ESPN guy and Kilker has a guy he thinks would mash in our league… So we have a potential for a very good team next year.

Good luck in whatever else you play/do in the off-season. Good Luck to Mike and Luke playing college ball up at Rivier. I’m sure I’ll see or talk to most of you soon.

I plan on either posting a poll to pick the team awards (or if I think they are obvious, I might just pick some myself).

LASTLY, we are planning on having a team party. It would likely be a Saturday in one of the upcoming weekends. Rick Barret has volunteered his place. He’s got a firepit, pool, hot tub, outdoor sound system, grill, etc. I think we should try that this year. Kilker who did it last year also offered, but it is a bit of a pain in the a$$, so lets spread the wealth and let Rick to it.

VOTE BELOW ON ALL THE DATES YOU ARE AVAILABLE… not just your favorite.

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Thanks for everything this season fellas… your Manager and teammate, Scott Dickens.