For my teammates…I’ve played a lot of baseball over the years and I’ve coached a ton of games over the past few. Doing both simultaneously is challenging! Thanks for sticking with me, putting me in my place when necessary, and making sacrifices to follow through on your commitment to the team. It’s a pleasure taking the field alongside each one of you. So many of you put together unbelievable playoff performances over the past couple weeks. Many of you carried us at various points during the regular season, and all of you are part of the reason we finished with 19 wins and a league championship after a rather inauspicious 1-6 start. I am already looking forward to the 2015 campaign, and I know our paths will cross during the cold months that will soon be upon us. I wanted to take a brief moment to thank each of you individually and highlight/recap some of the positives from our 2014 season.

Rick Barrett – I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed such a sustained unbelievable offensive performance. You just spent three months putting up metal bat numbers in a very solid wood bat league–.475 with a 1.123 OPS, 21 R and 22 RBI in 99 at bats! I am sure that you’re disappointed that only 10 of your 47(!) hits went for extra bases. You carried us with a 15-27 binge in the playoffs. You turned it on defensively over the second half of the season and solidified the middle of our infield from your shortstop spot. You selflessly gave up innings on the bump for the good of the team.
Do it again next year!
Earl Oakes – You transitioned from lockdown closer to ace starting pitcher with ease. After saving three regular season games, you threw 20 innings and won an additional three playoff games as a starting pitcher. Your 56/9 K/BB ratio over the course of 34.2 innings demonstrates how dominant you were. You came on strong with the bat at the end of the year, finishing second on the team with six doubles and tied for second with 12 RBI. You also solidified our defense on the corners, even volunteering to make throws from third base a day removed from a complete game effort–on two days rest–against East Hartford in the championship series.
Eddie Dickman – You’re one of the best pure hitters I’ve ever been able to call a teammate. You “slumped” to a .393 line this season, managing to post a .927 OPS, 4 XBH, and a 6/2 BB/K ratio. You made us a better team by willingly moving to the top of the batting order during our playoff run, hitting the ball hard during nearly every single at bat. Your relief performance against Portland was spectacular, as was your defense behind the plate. You also harmonize well.
Julio Ortiz-Rivera – You were a difference maker down the stretch, serving as a catalyst for our offense during our most important games. Your speed and arm served you well while playing all three outfield positions, and you found a way to contribute at multiple spots in the batting order: .326 AVG and .918 OPS with 4 XBH, 12 walks and 14 runs in only 19 games. Your 13 stolen bases easily paced our squad…I look forward to seeing how many you steal next year.
Rex Cone – .344 with 5 XBH and 6 RBI in 34 plate appearances doesn’t begin to describe your contribution this year. Your gutsy pitching performances against the Indians (save) and Portland (a quality start against a tough lineup) kept us alive at a time when things weren’t looking too good. You brought levity to the dugout and more left-handed pop to the middle of the lineup. Your RBI base hit on one leg against Portland in your final playoff game encapsulates you nicely. Here’s to a healthy 2015.
Sean Shanley – Great rookie year, including two playoff game saving playoff hits. You showed patience and pop at the plate (.875 OPS, 12 RBI – tied for second on the team, 4 XBH) and helped make our 2014 infield defense much better than it was in 2013. You fit right in and made us better right away.
Sean Cameron – You’re another huge reason our 2014 defense was vastly improved. Your range and accurate throws from third base earned the confidence of our pitchers and kept us in many games where our bats weren’t carrying the day. Well done!
Chris McGrath – Not bad…join a team in the middle of the season…then fast forward a few short weeks and hurl seven innings win the championship game of the playoffs on two days rest shortly after throwing yet another complete game to defeat the defending champions. Your start before that – a third complete game win (over Moodus) helped us avoid the loser’s bracket in the MTL tournament. Your overall numbers (3-1 with a 1.75 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and a 34/5 K/BB ratio in 32 innings) speak to your dominance. Save some for the Devils, please.
Justin Tokarz – Another midseason acquisition, another huge reason why we avoided the single elimination bracket. You earned wins in two late season starts against the Orioles, keeping them off balance and trusting your defense to make the plays behind you. You demonstrated your versatility in the playoffs, holding down first base when Earl was on the mound and playing the outfield when he wasn’t. Though you had limited plate appearances, your .375 OBP speaks to what a tough out you are. It’s a pleasure playing ball with you. Hopefully you return in 2015!
Brian LaRochelle – I can’t write about myself in the second person. I tried; it sounded awkward. I was the only Knight to appear in all 34 games; I definitely got my fill of baseball this summer. I finished the season hitting .287 with a .368 OBP (12/3 BB/K ratio), finishing second on the team with 21 runs, driving home 11 more, and stealing five bases. It was a pleasure working with and getting to know the pitchers from my position behind the plate this year, and I plugged the holes in the infield to the best of my ability when I wasn’t behind the dish. I’m looking forward to a better 2015 with the bat, but had a great time with each of you this year.
Scott Dickens – You started the year with a bang, getting three base hits in the opening game. You then decided to renounce swinging, drawing a league high (and probably record…do those exist?) 25 walks. You worked pitchers to the tune of a .404 OBP, setting up the top of the lineup for the vast majority of the regular season. You moved up in the order during the playoffs in order to create more opportunities for your teammates…yet another selfless move on your part. You do an incredible job running the finances, Instagram account, webpage, league webpage, sending 5 full-team e-mails per day, responding to my 20 inquiries, serving as equipment manager, and running the outfield taxi on a biweekly basis. We can’t thank you enough for your contributions.
Rick Blais – Another guy without whom this team wouldn’t function. Rick attended nearly every game for the entire season, often carrying a good amount of gear (thankfully the bats returned after that early season snafu) and showing up early to make sure the field was in condition. Rick, you’re also the rubber arm of our pitching staff…you led a championship squad in innings pitched (43), walking only 10 batters along the way. Each of your three victories was big. It’s a shame we couldn’t hit for you early in the season and the beard had to go. You turned it on offensively at the end of the season, adding pop (5 XBH) to the bottom of our batting order and earning regular starts at EH in the playoffs. You never said no to taking the ball all season. Thanks for being such a gamer.
Sean Lopata – As a rookie, you were our ace (4-4 2.21 ERA with a 42/12 K/BB ratio in 38 innings through early July). Unfortunately for us and for you, you were hurt for our stretch run. You still came to a ton of games, though, which we really appreciate. We look forward to having you at the top of our rotation in 2015, and know that we’re a better team when you are on the mound.
Sam Leonardo – Another high impact rookie, you were in position to win a batting title at the time of your injury in July. You still finished the year with stellar numbers – .422 with 13 runs and 8 stolen bases in 16 games. There were nights when it seemed like you and Julio could cover the whole outfield yourselves. We look forward to having you back in the outfield and at the top of the order in 2015.
Mike Scanlon – You’re an excellent teammate and make us better when you’re in the lineup. You started off the summer on a hot streak. You continued to make solid contact as the summer progressed, even though not as many as you would’ve liked fell in. You selflessly contributed anywhere we needed you to in the infield, and you did a good job behind the plate when we called your number. Your ability to consistently put the bat on the ball kept many innings alive. Your trash can episode was one of the funniest moments of the summer. I hope you join us again next year.
Phil Dauria – You’re a great teammate. You did an excellent job plugging a variety of defensive positions during our late season and playoff run, demonstrating an ability to play anywhere up the middle. You were unwaveringly supportive of your teammates and just wanted to win. It’s a pleasure playing with you.
Drew Gallagher – You made us better whenever you were around. You have a competitive at bat each time you step in the left-handed batter’s box, and you do an excellent job at blocking and receiving behind the plate. You give our pitchers confidence to throw their best breaking stuff. It’s fun playing with such a baseball savvy teammate.
Luke Palma – I should be using synonyms for selfless by now, but alas selfless is the perfect word to describe your 2014. You were our ace pitcher and one of the top guys in the league statistically in 2013. This summer, we used you in a role that didn’t maximize your abilities and you struggled a bit out of the gate. You still showed up whenever you were able and were engaged and ready down the stretch, even when I wasn’t calling your number. I have every confidence that you will be a lock-down reliever for us in 2015, and I truly enjoy being your teammate. Keep hunting that perfect fastball…
Josh Kyle – Thanks for coming out and getting back into baseball with us in 2014. It was fun hearing your stories and hanging out pre and post-game. You put together a lot of good at bats in the middle of the season…hopefully your schedule permits more time for you to swing it in the future.
Walter Klimczak – I don’t think anybody missed Gilbert more in 2014. I know you didn’t swing the bat the way you can and that you expect from yourself, but you still found ways to contribute. You stole five bases, made our outfield much more athletic, and threw a lockdown inning of middle relief during one of the Muzzy doubleheaders. I hope you return in 2015…you make us a much better team, and 2013 is more representative of your hitting.
Nate Corriveau – You were diligent in attending games over the course of the season, and you always made hustle plays from your position in the outfield.
Justin Kilker – One of our best hitters and athletic defenders, you battled through injury in 2014. Your opposite field RBI single in the first playoff game against the Indians was huge, and you showed flashes of your speed and power even when you weren’t feeling your best. Here’s hoping everything comes together next year.
Shawn Ferguson – You have a great glove and a quick release from shortstop, and your on-base skills and pop are obvious at the plate even in small spurts. You make us a much better team when you’re able to attend games, and it’s fun having you around the club.
Paul Francheschi – Thanks for coming out and playing with us this year…I know that Scott misses having you around!
Sean Allaire – 5 hits, including 4 for extra bases, in two games. Not bad. Hopefully your schedule permits more games in 2015.
Kyle Dean – Thanks for chipping in and contributing during an important late season ballgame.
Steve LaRochelle – Hopefully this year’s one appearance won’t be your last.
Scott Matthews – Thanks for chipping in with a base hit in a mid-season pinch.
Cesar Lopez – Thanks for picking us up and making the long trek to Willimantic.
Kyle Gravlin – 9 K’s and 100-plus pitches on a half-decade of rest. Not bad. Hopefully your vacation coincides with another game (or 5) next year.
Mike Wentland – Thanks for chipping in and helping our staff during a mid-season game.
By Brian