by Craig on August 30, 2009
Park View Little Leaguers dogpile after the final out of the World Series/(AP Photo)
The whirlwind ride which has captivated San Diego for the past three weeks has ended with the Park View Little League All-Stars of Chula Vista delivering a world championship to their hometown. In another thriller from Robert J. Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, PA, Chula Vista overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat Chinese Taipei 6-3 and claim the Little League World Series Championship. Bulla Graft’s go-ahead RBI single in the 4th put Park View up for good, while Andy Rios continued his dominant World Series with three hits, an RBI, and a dazzling defensive play at shortstop. It’s the first Little League World Series championship for San Diego County since El Cajon/La Mesa Northern won in 1961.
“It’s been unbelievable,” said PVLL president Rod Roberto in postgame comments to KGTV, ”I pulled back and watched as the kids dogpiled on the mound. What a feeling.”
With a packed crowd of over 32,000 jamming the hillsides above Lamade Stadium, and vice president Joe Biden watching from the stands, Chinese Taipei and Chula Vista lived up to their billing as the top two teams in Little League baseball. Taipei lefty pitcher Chin Ou baffled the Park View sluggers early in the game with a tough changeup and breaking ball. Isaiah Armenta got off to a good start on the mound for Park View, striking out five in the first two innings. Continue Reading →
by Craig on July 27, 2009
As a lifelong baseball fan, one of the highlights of my sports broadcasting career was the opportunity to cover the 2001 Padres on a daily basis, as part of the pregame and postgame team on KOGO. It was Tony Gwynn’s last year, and Tony was hobbled all season long by bad knees, reduced to a pinch hitter. Ryan Klesko and Phil Nevin had All-Star seasons and were both slugging in their prime. Bubba Trammell had his one good power hitting year in the outfield. But 2001, to me, belonged to Rickey Henderson.
He was 42 and presumed washed up for the umpteenth time when Rickey called Kevin Towers in March of that year, the “Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey” call. Continue Reading →
CHAMPIONS!!! Chula Vista Wins Little League World Series
by Craig on August 30, 2009
Park View Little Leaguers dogpile after the final out of the World Series/(AP Photo)
The whirlwind ride which has captivated San Diego for the past three weeks has ended with the Park View Little League All-Stars of Chula Vista delivering a world championship to their hometown. In another thriller from Robert J. Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, PA, Chula Vista overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat Chinese Taipei 6-3 and claim the Little League World Series Championship. Bulla Graft’s go-ahead RBI single in the 4th put Park View up for good, while Andy Rios continued his dominant World Series with three hits, an RBI, and a dazzling defensive play at shortstop. It’s the first Little League World Series championship for San Diego County since El Cajon/La Mesa Northern won in 1961.
“It’s been unbelievable,” said PVLL president Rod Roberto in postgame comments to KGTV, ”I pulled back and watched as the kids dogpiled on the mound. What a feeling.”
With a packed crowd of over 32,000 jamming the hillsides above Lamade Stadium, and vice president Joe Biden watching from the stands, Chinese Taipei and Chula Vista lived up to their billing as the top two teams in Little League baseball. Taipei lefty pitcher Chin Ou baffled the Park View sluggers early in the game with a tough changeup and breaking ball. Isaiah Armenta got off to a good start on the mound for Park View, striking out five in the first two innings. Continue Reading →
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