Sometimes in life you realize that the next moment or day will live forever in yours and those close to you memories. It's rare that you can see it coming but when you do it's more special than anything that can be written or scripted by Hollywood. For this article I wasn't sure how to approach the moment. Should I remain a sports writer only? Do I allow my managerial side to shine? Or can I allow my proud Daddy mindset to win out? Well, the reality is I am all three, so all three must be part of the telling of the greatness that was this season in Little League.
The story of the 2024 fall baseball North Shore Minor league baseball season has been written and what a great story it truly is. A championship team that faced adversity, but also overcame all obstacles to stand at the top of the mountain would make any sports writer jealous. As with many youth teams the season was riddled with players missing time for prior engagements and there were some bumps in the road. This Yankees team was not unique in that fashion but how they overcame it speaks to the depth of their character. The Yankees lost only two games all year and even those two losses came by one run. One of those games the pinstripes had to play with just 8 players, the other was lost late using worn down pitching because of the relentless schedule. They beat the #1 seed three different times and by an overall score of 33 to 12. Through all of it the Yankees looked unstoppable and as the season went on they only got stronger.
Heading into the playoffs as a coach what I watched was a team growing before our eyes. Myself, Coach Jimmy and Coach Pops started to see that this team was special, dare we say championship caliber. The Yankees went into the playoffs with three straight wins by the score of 38-7, including beating the top seed in the final game of the season. As the playoffs began they smoked the Cubs 18-0 in what many would call a perfectly played game.
The second round of the playoffs brought the Cardinals to the field. The Cardinals were known to be a stop at nothing to win squad and proved to be just that as the battle for a right to go to the World Series was on. The Yankees were down 6-1 after 3 innings and with some bad calls going against them it looked like all was lost. Down 7-3 with two outs in the last inning, somehow the Yankees fought back. This resilient team fought all the way back and tied the game at 7. Despite some outstanding pitching from Chase the Cards scored one run to take an 8-7 lead but their rally was nullified when Chase struck out the clean up batter after the intentional walk to load the bases and get the force play.
As the bottom of the inning came with a key at bat from Aiden, who then stole second and Tommy, Mason was then pitched to very carefully and walked. Lefty slugger Mike came up in a clutch spot and didn't blink, smoking a single past the first baseman to score two and win the game. The crowd erupted and the team that never quit had it's moment in the sun. But, that was just a stepping stone in the incredible season for the Yankees.
The World Series saw the Yankees down one of their better arms when Aiden pitched in game 2, but Mason was on the mound which gave everyone confidence. Mason was probably the best pitcher in the league and someone who had thrown a no hitter this season and flirted with another. Early on Mason pitched well but the Yanks were down 2-0. At that point the dugout began cheering and singing 'comeback season'. This team was not just the dominant force, but they knew how to come back from behind as well. As they started to hit the starter for the Rays, Tommy scored the first run and then they tacked on another in that inning and quickly tied it at 2. That didn't last long as the Rays went up 4-2 in the bottom half. When the Yankees came back up to bat they knocked the starter out after he gave up his 3rd run, as again they responded in the bottom of the inning to make it 4-4. That's when the bats took over. After a key walk by Tommy the Yankees then put 4 up on the board and it was suddenly 8-4, and the team that dominated their opponents all season started to show their grit. The #1 seed tried to mount a comeback but outstanding plays by Ryan, Jayden, Landon and Mike G. made sure that would not happen. The flood gates opened when they had key at bats from both Gio's, Thomas, and in that inning 7 different players scored to hang a 7 spot on them. Chase closed the game out despite having to face an imposing middle of the order and the Yankees won another dominating game 15-6. As the dugouts emptied with Ben a key member of the team leading the way, you could see the moment was not lost on them. Water was thrown, smiles were wide and they were champions.
As a sports writer it was great to watch the growth of some very good character kids develop into great players. A season of dominating opponents is rarely also combined with overcoming adversity. As a manager it was the culmination of 7 years of coaching finally getting to the mountain top. The passion from the kids was only matched by the coaching staff and fans and it makes all the free time given to the team worth it. How can us coaches explain that we are enjoying the win as much as they are? But, as a father there could never be a better moment. The kids might not understand how precious it is to be on the field with your best friends and raise a trophy that you worked so hard for, but we can see it from our angle and through teary eyes just smile ear to ear.
In a generation where travel baseball and pushing athletes to grow up too fast has become the norm there is a certain pureness in watching kids that may never get a shot at a championship again raise that trophy. Many of the minors players won't move up to majors and as sad as it is, many have have played for the last time. There might have been a sudden outbreak of hay fever or allergies in the stands that day because it wasn't just the supportive and fantastic baseball mom's who were teary eyed, the men in the audience knew what this meant and how much it meant. Emotions ran high from the field to the stands and everyone who was watching.
As a father watching my son with a trophy was a moment I'll cherish forever, his smile and the fact he said "we did it" is the reason why you have children in the first place. But, the true magic of baseball was that after the drama of the day. The stress of winning a championship, the months of work paying off, the pressure, the pictures and applause all washed away after the game. As all of us parents stood around and talked about the season and what was in store for the next steps we looked over our shoulder and with no coaches, no umpires, and no organization the kids were well, just playing. They were on the field laughing and just playing another pickup game because they were having fun. The days of sandlot baseball may be behind us but don't tell that to the World Champion Minor League Yankees, who just wanted to keep playing. As all champions often do, they were having fun.