Aug

15

Harwich Mariners: Number One

Posted by Andrew | Filed Under News | 

The Harwich Mariners are the 2008 Cape Cod Baseball League champions. They are number 1, with their first playoff appearance in 11 years, and their first championship in 21 years. I think that it is safe to say that no one predicted this.

This morning on WCAI-FM (Cape and Island NPR), CodBall’s Greg Shaw mentioned that if there is one team you always forget when naming the 10 teams of the CCBL, it’s Harwich. It’s hard to disagree with that. Fittingly, the team won the championship with a modest record in the standings (24-20). The winning runs in Game 2 were driven in by a player with a batting average below the team’s .257 average (Mark Fleury, UNC, .238). The Co-Playoff MVP batted .155 on the season (Jason Stidham, Florida State). If you look at regular season attendance reports, you’ll also notice (or not notice) Harwich right in the middle.

Fleury, an All-Star, probably deserves a separate award for Top Clutch Performer, with his walk-off hit and game-winning All-Star Game home run. He’s made a name for himself.

It’s hard to believe the Mariners have waited this long to strike Cape League gold again. Many future MLB players have come and gone since Harwich last earned a spot in the playoffs:

  • Jason Bartlett (Tampa Bay) ‘00
  • Tim Lincecum (San Francisco) ‘05
  • Mitch Maier (Kansas City) ‘02
  • Shaun Marcum (Toronto) ‘02
  • Joe Saunders (Los Angeles-Anaheim) ‘01
  • Kelly Shoppach (Cleveland) ‘00
  • Adam Stern (currently a free agent, but playing for Team Canada in the Olympics) ‘00
  • and many others who are working their way up the ranks…

Congratulations, Harwich. You finally did it.

(Photo courtesy of CapeHomepage.com)

Comments

5 Responses to “Harwich Mariners: Number One”

  1. Joshua on August 17th, 2008 7:05 am

    CodBall crew,

    Thank you for walking me through the 2008 season. It was great reading your blog this year. Since I only got to come down for a week during the season, your blog helped me figure out what was going on!! Hope to see the blog up and running in ‘09!!

    Congratulations Harwich Mariners!!

    –Joshua

  2. Andrew Wirtanen on August 17th, 2008 7:00 pm

    Thanks Joshua! The season may be over, but CodBall updates year around. So stick with us, and let us know if there’s anything you think we can do better.

  3. Kevin Wilson on August 18th, 2008 1:04 am

    Even though my Kettleers lost in the Championship, I am proud of what Mike Roberts and the boys did this season. Having spent all of last year with Cotuit, I understand all that they go through to perform day-in and day-out. I check in with CodBall on a regular basis and thank everyone for their hard work and updates. I wish everyone a safe and happy off-season and look forward to following the Cape League in 2009.

  4. The Wicker Man on August 18th, 2008 9:50 am

    Harwich is a very worthy champion. When they lost Ackley, I thought they were done. Shows what I know.

  5. The Wicker Man on August 20th, 2008 10:26 am

    Saw that Ackley had Tommy John surgery. Too bad for him, hopefully he can get well. He’s a tremendous talent.

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