Tarczewski is the real deal

The Arizona Wildcats won their exhibition game against Humboldt State tonight, handily. With freshman center Kaleb Tarczewski leading the way, the Wildcats win by 41 at McKale by a score of 108-67. The 7-0 center, scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and had his way underneath the bucket tonight as the visiting Lumberjacks just couldn't match up with big No. 35. Coach Sean Miller ushered in ten players tonight and all of them contributed as the Wildcats led at the half 46-35 and then  added another 62 in the second half. They flew by the century mark with just under two minutes left on the clock. Grant Jerrett looked impressive as well, putting up nine points, three assists, five rebounds and three blocks, while Brandon Ashley got into the act as well, plugging in 12 points to go along with his eight rebounds. Mark Lyons hit four of seven from three-point land, dished out five assists and scored 15 points. Soloman Hill and Nick Johnson quietly went about their business with 15 and 14 points, respectively. An announced crowd of around 12,000 enjoyed themselves as Miller made sure to showcase his top-10 players -- the other four being Keven Parrom (8 points), Jordin Mayes (6 points) Angelo Chol (5 points) and Gabe York (6 points). Of course, there's room for improvement, especially at the charity stripe as Arizona misses 13 of 32 attempts, but all in all, I'm a happy camper. I enjoyed myself and foresee good things from this group of young men. Go, Wildcats!

Tucson 60s team likely to get top seed for MSBL World Series playoffs

The Tucson Cool Arrows, the 60-and-over team, will more than likely receive the top seed for the playoffs at the MSBL/MABL World Series. The playoffs begin on Friday and as of tonight the only team out of 13 teams in the 60-and-over Central Division without a loss is the Tucson Cool Arrows. Tucson sports a 4-0-1 record after five round robin games this week -- including two big wins today, a 15-5 victory over the Fresno Grizzlies and a 6-4 win over the Hollywood Stars. The Arrows are in good shape on the mound as they have three hurlers -- Arnold Mares, Joe Jimenez and Al Dalgado, all fresh and ready to roll in the two playoff games on Friday and, hopefully, the championship game on Saturday.  Eight of the 13 teams will advance to Friday's round of play. According to assistant coach Joe Banner, the Arrows did receive a scare today against the Hollywood Stars. "We were down early, but rallied late and got a huge three-run double from Hector Castillo to seal the deal. Hector has had some key hits for us through out the tournament." Tucson finished second last year in the 60-and-over division to El Paso, but it looks like the Tucson club is right on track this year to win it all. There's still a lot of work to do, but I certainly like their chances. Good luck, guys!

More photos from 2012 MSBL World Series

Great photos from the 2012 MSBL World Series

Howard and Bernie Fetz -- Howard the player and Bernie the photographer, turned in some beautiful shots of the Arizona Scorpions during their first week of play in the 70-and-over division at the 25th   MSBL/MABL World Series, held earlier this month in Phoenix. The Scorpions opened the series with two wins before falling on hard times and losing three straight in the round robin tournament. The Scorpions made the playoffs and lost a hard-fought game in the first round, 5-3. Fun was had by all, including yours truly. Can't wait till next year.

Photos: 1) World Series patch. (2 and 3) Yours truly 4) Rubber arm, Chico Bigham 5) Jerry Hamelin and Doc Thompson all smiles after first win. 6) Team photo

Freshman runner gets it done

Trevor Crain (above photo) is a freshman at Empire High School, the son of Lydia and Danny Crain and the grandson of my better half, Sue Crain. Trevor left his junior high school days behind last year and left Rincon Vista Middle School in Vail as the school's top miler, consistently putting in times near the five-minute mark.

Small in stature but with a big heart, Trevor continues to run and is the top freshman runner on the Empire High School boy's varsity cross country team. He consistently placed in regular season meets the entire season and capped his season off with the 21st best qualifying time at last week's sectionals.

The top 25 runners qualified for the state meet, which is scheduled for Saturday morning at the Cave Creek Course in Phoenix. The experience at the state meet will give the young runner a taste of what running against the state's "cream of the crop" will be like as he will undoubtedly return for his sophomore, junior and senior season. Trevor has made giant strides in just his first year of high school competition. It'll be interesting to see how he puts it all together as he journeys toward his senior year. But first things first, Trevor is just hours away from his first state meet.

Congrats, Trevor.

Humboldt State 1-0

Less than 400 fans showed up for Humboldt State University's first basketball game last week in Arcata, Calif., but the fans did witness an 87-45 win as the Lumberjacks trounced Pacific Union College. Aaron Chamberlain, a 6-7 senior forward -- and no relation to WILT, scored 13 points as the Lumberjacks -- no relation to NAU, tuned up for their exhibition matchup with our own Arizona Wildcats.

It'll be a different story when the Lumberjacks show up at McKale tonight. But then again, they already know that. The Wildcats should be able to showcase all their players tonight. I'll be at McKale tonight and for the first time this year will get to see our 2012-13 Wildcats up close and personal.

60-and-over Tucson team 2-0-1 at MSBL World Series

2012 MSBL World Series Update

60-and-over division


The 60-and-over Tucson Cool Arrows are 2-0-1 at the mid point of their pool play schedule at the MSBL World Series in Phoenix. Tucson won its opener on Monday over the Chicago Grays 10-5 and today faced its first of two straight days of doubleheaders, battling the Kansas City Cubs to an 11-11 tie this morning and winning the afternoon game against the Arizona Scorpions 11-4. Tucson will play another doubleheader tomorrow against the Fresno Grizzlies and the Hollywood Stars. Both games will be played in Goodyear at the Cincinnati Reds Spring Training Complex. Tucson will complete pool play on Thursday in Maryvale against Team America. Thirteen teams are competing in the 60-and-over Central Division and the only two teams yet to lose are the Sacramento Patriots at 3-0 and the Tucson Cool Arrows. Playoffs begin on Friday and the championship game is to be held Saturday on Tempe Field #1, which is located just to the west of Tempe Diablo Stadium. The 25th MSBL/MABL World Series will end this weekend after three weeks of competition involving teams of all ages, from 18-and-over all the way up to 70-and-over. The 70-and-over Tucson team played the first week and finished 2-3 in pool play and then bowed out in the first-round of the playoffs. The Tucson 65-and-over team played the second week, finishing 2-3 and missed qualifying for the playoffs.

MSBL World Series footnote: The Tucson 60s team is managed by Mike Morales, a member of the Tucson Old Pueblo Baseball Club. The top two players on the Tucson squad are Arnold Mares and Joe Jimenez, both are members of the Tucson MSBL Hall of Fame.

Wildcats ranked 22nd BCS Poll, 24th AP

The Arizona Wildcats are back in the national football polls. After their big win over USC Saturday at the Arizona Stadium, the Wildcats are now ranked 22nd in the current BCS Poll and 24th in the AP Poll. Congrats, Arizona. You deserve it.

Wildcats footnote: Ka'Deem Carey (13th nationally) needs just 39 yards against UCLA to reach the 1,000 yard mark for the season, while Matt Scott (3rd nationally) needs just 276 passing yards to eclipse 3,000. Let's hope both Wildcats tally that and more against the Bruins.

Minnesota's disregard for defense cost Team Priceless a win

My Fantasy Football League

The Minnesota Vikings total disregard for defense cost my Team Priceless a win in Week 8 of the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League and a victory over the top dog in the league,  Mega Powers. The Vikings score a minus-3 in fantasy points! If that wasn't bad enough a reversal on a TD Pass from Dallas QB Tony Romo to Dez Bryant at the end of the Cowboys-Giants game didn't help. Romo was my quarterback and despite his four pass interceptions picked up 35 fantasy points. At any rate, Team Priceless loses to Mega Powers 122-111 and falls to 3-5 in league play, while Mega Powers moves to 8-0 and a secure lock on first place.

The Giants brush away the Tigers with a clean sweep

The San Francisco Giants brushed away the Detroit Tigers with one final swoop with the broom and for some reason that awful commercial that's on TV constantly with the witch flying around a broom factory enters my mind.

There were no tricks or treats in this World Series this time as the Giants win Game 4 in Detroit, 4-3.  Triple Crown Winner Miguel Cabrera strikes out to end the misery for the Tigers. It's not even November yet and the 2012 World Series is over!

Detroit Tigers down to their last gasp!

The Detroit Tigers are down to their last gasp.

Down 3-0, the Tigers will turn to a former Diamondback to stop the bleeding. After a 2-0 loss to San Francisco in Game 3 of the World Series, Max Scherzer will get the call tonight. Max has had a good season with 16 wins and seven losses, but can he get the Tigers back on the winning track? I like Max, but I foresee the Tigers going down in four!

Reading the Sunday paper this morning was downright fun!

Reading the Sunday paper this morning was downright fun!

After all, how many times in recent years has the Arizona Wildcats beaten the powerful USC Trojans.

I predicted a 42-40 win for my Wildcats. Well, I wasn't too far off. The final: Arizona 39, USC 36. Let me type that one more time. Arizona 39, USC 36. As for the Wildcats' quarterbacks, well we've had Willie, and Nick, and the list goes on, but have we had a warrior like Matt Scott. Great Scott! That's what I'll call him for now on.

Scott leads his team back from a 28-13 deficit, ends up with 369 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, completes 27 of 50 passes, rushes for a TD and throws three TD passes, the last one the most important one -- a 7-yard pass to David Richards, which puts the 'Cats up, 39-28. And did I mention Scott threw the go-ahead TD just moments after he took a hit, helmet to helmet, and vomited on the field of play. Scott is a warrior and I hope he's back on the field at UCLA, at home against Colorado, on the road at Utah and home for the finale, against those guys from Tempe.

I think I'll take a break from writing and go back and read the Sunday paper again. Congrats, Wildcats!

Arizona 42 USC 40...we can only hope

Prediction: Arizona 42, USC 40.

We can only hope. The Trojans are stronger, bigger and ranked high in the national rankings. But maybe, just maybe for just one day in October. On a warm, bright blue sky day on a Saturday afternoon, just maybe the Wildcats will prevail.

Go, Wildcats!

Tucson 65s eliminated at MSBL World Series

2012 MSBL Word Series Update

65-and-over division

The Tucson 65s lost 18-5 today at the MSBL World Series to the Sacramento Solons and failed to make the playoffs. Tucson used three pitchers -- Brad Buchan (Fairpoint, New York), Vic Acuna (Tucson) and George Gafner (Tucson) but couldn't keep the Sacramento team off the base paths. Tucson finished 2-3 in pool play and finished tied with St. Thomas (Virgin Islands), but their head-to-head battle earlier in the week, a 13-7 win by St. Thomas, gave the team from the Virgin Islands the final playoff spot. The 60-and-over Tucson team will begin play on Monday as the MSBL World Series enters its third week of play.

Photo: Tucson 65s

Giants do it again!

The San Francisco Giants did it again.

This time a 2-0 shutout in Game 2 of the World Series. The Detroit Tigers get just two hits off Madison Bumgarner today in San Francisco and play small ball offensively with a run in the seventh as a result of a double play and a run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly.

Bumgarner goes seven innings. He strikes out eight and walks two. The Tigers head back to Detroit for some home cooking. Down 2-0 in the series, the Tigers need a lot more than a plate of food -- they need some hits!

Tucson 65s pull even at MSBL World Series

2012 MSBL World Series Update

65-and-over division

The Tucson 65-and-over team has a shot to make the playoffs at the 2012 MSBL World Series.

After opening with two straight losses, the Tucson squad bounced back with a 12-4 win on Wednesday over the California Bears and a 10-4 win today over the Tri Valley Giants.

With a 2-2 record, Tucson needs a victory in Goodyear on Friday against the 65-and-over Sacramento Solons to qualify for the playoffs on Saturday. Bob Daliege, a member of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS), finally got a chance for some at bats today and he made the most out of his opportunity. Daliege had an infield single and an RBI-double in three trips to the plate. He also walked once and scored a run. Tucson received two outstanding pitching performances as Joe Jimenez pitched a complete game on Wednesday and Hector Zapata followed with another complete-game performance today.

Top 2 State Boys' Soccer teams headed for a showdown

It's that time of year again. It's time for the Division 4A state boys' soccer tournament. The perennial power Lakeside Blue Ridge at 17-1-2 finds themselves ranked second in the state this year and is on a collision course to face Tucson Desert Christian, currently ranked number one in the state with a 19-1 record, their lone loss coming at the hands of the Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets, 1-0,  earlier this season in a tournament held in Chino Valley.

On the other hand, Blue Ridge came to town in September and dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision at Tucson Udall Park to the Eagles from Desert Christian. Blue Ridge is coached by Bryon Crain and his team won it all last year at the state tournament in Gilbert, but this year he has lost the services of star midfielder Trey Cavanaugh, who graduated last May. Desert Christian is coached by Steve Lord and is assisted by Mike Steele. Bryon is the son of my better half Sue Crain and this year is smiling from ear to ear as his son, Sue's grandson, Clayton, is a junior at Blue  Ridge and leads the team in assists (21) this season and recently broke the school record for career assists. The top point-getter for Blue Ridge is senior striker Knoah Brosemann who leads the team with 32 goals and 19 assists.

On the other hand, Desert Christian has a couple of players who have an eye for the net and they are seniors Aaron Bradley and Ben Brandon with 23 and 20 goals, respectively. The two teams have a lot of work to do this weekend. Desert Christian will tangle with either Benson or Willcox on Saturday for the right to head for the state tournament in Gilbert on Nov 2-3, while Blue Ridge will play host on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Pinetop against the winner of tonight's contest between Snowflake and Show Low. If Blue Ridge and Desert Christian win Saturday and survive the semi finals in Gilbert the following Friday, the two could go head-to-head for the state title on Nov. 3.

Note: Mike Steele is a teammate of mine on the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball team and two years ago, his son Caleb Steele was a star midfielder for Desert Christian. Caleb is now playing soccer for Trinity College, located near Chicago. Also, Coach Crain lost his top goalie from 2011. Konnor Smith graduated last May and is now playing soccer for Chandler-Gilbert Community College in the Phoenix area.

Photo below: Clayton Crain (#8) all-time assists leader at Blue Ridge.

Soccer Update (Friday, Oct 26, 2012): Willcox beats Benson 6-1 and will take on Desert Christian on Saturday at St. Gregory's field. Show Low edges Snowflake 3-1 and will take on Blue Ridge in Pinetop on Saturday.

Soccer Update (Saturday, Oct 27, 2012): Blue Ridge 5 Show Low 1, Blue Ridge advances to state tournament to face Chino Valley in semi final on Friday, Nov. 2. Desert Christian edges Willcox 2-1 and advances to other semi final and will take on Payson. Both games at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert. Blue Ridge-Chino Valley match at 5 pm, Desert Christian-Payson matchup to follow at 7 pm. Winners to play for title on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2 pm.

Pablo! Pablo! Pablo!

We have a new Mr. October.

The Giants' Pablo Sandoval hits three home runs tonight as San Francisco takes Game 1 of the 2012 World Series, 8-3. Sandoval joins Babe Ruth (1926 and 1928), Reggie Jackson (1977) and Albert Pujols (2011) as the only four players to hit three postseason home runs in one game.

Once again the San Francisco fans had a lot to cheer about as the top three in the Giants' lineup (Angel Pagan, Marco Scutaro and Sandoval) collect eight of San Francisco's 11 hits. Sandoval adds a single and goes 4 for 4, while Pagan and Scutaro grab two hits apiece. Shockingly, the Detroit ace Justin Verlander goes just four innings and surrenders six hits and five runs. Two of Sandoval's homers came off Verlander, the other off of Al Alburquerque. Surprisingly, Barry Zito gets the win, allowing just six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Game 2 is set for tomorrow night in San Francisco.

Seeing your name on the scoreboard at the MSBL World Series

One of the perks that go along with playing in the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series this month is seeing your name on the Tempe Diablo Stadium center field scoreboard when you step to the plate -- much like the professionals see when they enter the box at major league stadiums throughout the country.

The stadium announcer even calls out your name. "Now batting for the Arizona Scorpions, third-baseman Dan Price." What a kick! The only difference is in the Majors there's 40,000 fans in the stands. When you step to the plate in an MSBL World Series game, you might have 100 fans looking on -- mostly the players' wives. And chances are, they are looking at their watch, waiting for the game to end so they can go shopping in Scottsdale. Hats off to the fans who sit through a three-hour old timers' World Series game.

Photos: Scenes from Tempe Diablo Stadium and yours truly, waiting for my three-seconds of glory.

Tucson 65-and-over team finding the going rough at MSBL World Series

2012 MSBL World Series Update

Four players on the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) are currently playing in the 65-and-over division at the MSBL World Series in Phoenix. Bob Daliege, Dave Rhoades, Pete Peters and Arnie White are on the roster of the Tucson 65s and the local team finds themselves winless after a loss on Monday to the Detroit Express, 11-2, and today fall to the team from the Virgin Islands, the St. Thomas Suns, 13-7.

 According to Daliege, it has been a combination of errors plus a lack of hitting that has kept them out of the win column. "Today we scored seven runs early and then just stopped hitting the ball," said Daliege, following the St. Thomas game, which was held at the Arizona Diamondbacks-Colorado Rockies spring training complex in Scottsdale. "We  need to get back on the winning track to have a shot at the playoffs."

As for yours truly, I'm home recovering after playing six games last week in the 70-and-over division. I've played for the Tucson 65s team three of the last four years and miss playing with them this week, but I pushed my injured right foot to its limits and feel blessed to have played six games in six days last week.

Good luck the rest of the way, guys. The 65-and-over Tucson team will take on the winless California Bears tomorrow morning at Scottsdale Stadium. Game time is set for 8:30. Next week the 60-and-over team from Tucson will be in action. The 60-and-over team, coached by Mike Morales, finished runner up at the 2011 MSBL World Series and will be one of the favorites this year to collect a World Series ring.

Teammate buys Batters Box

I always wanted to own my own batting cage.

You know the indoor type where you could walk in, turn on a few lights and enjoy America's  favorite pastime -- baseball. What a kick it would be to sit back and witness the young, and the old alike, take a cut at a blazing fastball...again...and again...and again. What a kick it would be to watch a young ball player, knee-high to a grasshopper, take his swings and every now and then get a hold of one -- and WHACK IT!

What a kick to see a young boy, or girl, smile from ear to ear as they discover what it feels like to successfully swat a baseball (or a softball) to the far corners of the backing cage. Or see a young boy, or girl, sign up for lessons and start their journey to become the best they can be in a sport I love and can never seem to get enough of.

Well, I have a teammate who is doing just that. Allen F. Gillespie, a teammate of mine on the Tucson MSBL 38-and-over Mountain Division Blackbirds, recently purchased the Batters Box, the indoor Batting facility at 7620 N Hartman Lane in Marana, Arizona. Allen and his co-workers are now taking teams and individuals. Give Allen a call at 520-251-2098 or stop in and say hello.

The last out

The St. Louis Cardinals must have felt drained in more ways than one as the final out in the top of the ninth was recorded in San Francisco last night.

A long season had come to an end. The finality of it all. In the dugout the Cardinals took a collective breath and eyed the scoreboard. It was hard to see past the infield, much less the scoreboard, as a driving rainstorm exploded above the stadium --- sending hard-hitting raindrops onto the faces of the Cardinals -- at least the one's who ventured out of the dugout to catch the finality of it all as 43,000 Giant's fans roared their approval on the outcome of Game 7 in the NLCS -- a 9-0 blanking that sent the Giants into another World Series.

It occurred to me what the final out -- the end of it all, so to speak, really means inside the heart, the gut, of an athlete who watches an opponent's celebration as he, and his team, relive a long season of ups and downs, there attainable goal always looming on the horizon, now coming to a crashing halt.

I felt the same way last Saturday as I sat in the dugout and watched the final out in our elimination game at the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series in Phoenix, Arizona. After months of preparation, once gain, the final out of our Arizona Scorpions-San Diego Mudcats game was recorded, and there I sat, for the fourth year in a row, with out a World Series ring, ousted from the playoffs -- two wins shy of the championship game. It is hard to win it all, whether its the Senior World Series or the "big one, the one the professionals play in every year in late-October. If there's any consolation, chances are the Cardinals will be back soon and find themselves in postseason play once again. And chances are, as I creep closer to the age of 70, I'll be back in 2013 looking for that allusive World Series ring.     

Mega Powers 7-0 in fantasy league

My Fantasy Football League

Mega Powers moves to 7-0 in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League after beating the A-Team 116-79 this week. Minnesota's Adrian Peterson tallied 21 fantasy points to lead Mega Powers, while A-Team did get 31 fantasy points from Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers but received very little help from the rest of the lineup. Green Bay's wide receiver  Greg Jennings, Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant and Seattle wide receiver Sidney Rice scored a collective four fantasy points for the A-Team (2-5). Other winners this week included Team Arps over Nut Rub, 109-93, Blitz over suh-nami, 105-70, trojan girl over Assassins, 88-82, and Three Feet Right over my team, Team Priceless, 136-131. I needed Detroit to score some points on Monday Night Football and I needed the Lions' kicker Jason Hanson to kick three field goals and some extra points. The Lions lost to Chicago, 13-7. Detroit's only score came late in the fourth quarter. Hanson booted one extra point for one fantasy point! Not quite enough to beat Three Feet Right.

The standings:  1) Mega Powers, 7-0. 2) Blitz, 5-2. 3) Nut Rub, 4-3. 4) Three Feet Right, 3-4. 5) Team Arps, 3-4. 6. Team Priceless, 3-4. 7) trojan girl, 3-4. 8) suh-nami, 3-4. 9) A-Team, 2-5. 10) Assassins, 2-5.

A GIANT victory for San Francisco!

It was a  GIANT victory in front of the home crowd in San Francisco tonight. A blanking of the St. Louis Cardinals 9-0 as Matt Cain throws 102 pitches, allows five hits and pitches into the sixth inning as he leads the San Francisco Giants into the 2012 World Series and a date with the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday.

The Giants score one run in the first inning, another run in the second and then add five runs in the third -- the big blow coming from a two-run double by Hunter Pence, to take a commanding lead. San Francisco added an insurance run in the seventh inning and then capped the evening off with a solo shot in the eighth inning by Brandon Belt. Marco Scutaro went 3 for 4 as the Giants banged out 14 hits and end up winning three straight to wrap up the NLCS title.

70-and-over Padres win MSBL World Series title

The San Diego Padres, led by 77-year-old pitcher Dick Fitzgerald, won the 70-and-over division at the 2012  MSBL World Series Saturday with an 8-3 win over the South Dakota Rushmores.

The championship game was held at the Maryvale Stadium in Glendale, Arizona -- the spring training site for the Milwaukee Brewers. As it turns out, the Padres' toughest encounter during the week-long tournament was against our own Arizona Scorpions, who battled Fitzgerald in the second game of a double header last Wednesday. The Scorpions lost 3-0 to the Padres despite four innings of tough relief pitching from 74-year-old Chico Bigham.

Bigham, a member of the Tucson TOTS, shutdown the hard-hitting Padres, but it was Fitzgerald who went the distance for the win. The Scorpions actually brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning of that game, but with two-out Fitzgerald ending the game with a strike out. The Padres, the team to beat over the last 15 years of the MSBL World Series, have a pool of players to choose from the Southern California area and a handful of players from the Denver, Colorado area -- including 75-year-old Alan "The Rabbi" Bucholtz, the Padres' top reliever.  Fitzgerald is from Issaquah, Washington. The Padres were co-champions with the Rushmores in 2011.

There will be a 7th game

There will be a seventh game in the NLCS.

Ryan Vogelsong goes seven innings, allows just four hits before turning to the bullpen as San Francisco defeats St. Louis 6-1 tonight to even the series at 3-3. The San Francisco fans were treated to another gem by Vogelsong. The Giants right-hander struck out nine and walked only one batter. So it comes down to a Game 7 to decide which team will move on to the World Series and a showdown with the Detroit Tigers.

San Diego Padres, South Dakota Rushmores to battle in MSBL World Series title game

After a long week of action in the 70-and-over division at the MSBL World Series in Phoenix, it has come down to the San Diego Padres and the South Dakota Rushmores for the title.

The two teams will meet at the Maryvale Stadium in Glendale this morning. Game time is set for 9 AM. The Arizona Scorpions (my team) were eliminated yesterday, but played their best game against the Padres. The Padres prevailed last Wednesday 3-0 behind a shutout performance from their ace pitcher,  Dick Fitzgerald. The Padres finished 4-1 during pool play this week, while the Rushmores ran the table and finished 5-0. Congrats, to both teams.

Ka'Deem Carey high-steps the Wildcats to win over Washington

Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey high-stepped his way to 172 yards rushing as he led the Wildcats to a lopsided 52-17 Pac-12 Conference win over the Washington Huskies tonight at the Arizona Stadium.

Carey carried the ball 29 times and scored one touchdown. Quarterback Matt Scott passed for 256 yards and four touchdowns before giving way late in the fourth quarter to B.J. Denker. The win was the first Pac-12 victory of the season for the Wildcats as they move to 1-3 in conference play and 4-3 overall. Next up the USC Trojans.

 Come on over USC, the Wildcats are waiting for you.

San Diego Mudcats 5 Arizona Scorpions 3

2012 MSBL World Series

70-and-over division


The San Diego Mudcats eliminated the Arizona Scorpions 5-3 today at Fitch Park in Mesa, Arizona in the first round of the 2012 MSBL World Series playoffs. The Mudcats and the Scorpions were the fourth and fifth seeds, respectively, and met for the second time this week. Earlier in the week, the Mudcats knocked off the Scorpions, 17-5, but today the game was a little tighter. Unfortunately, the Scorpions continued their hitting woes and couldn't come up with the key hits when they needed them the most.

The Scorpions made it interesting in the top of the seventh inning. With two runners on, Allen Sandberg, the Scorpions left fielder, stepped into the batter's box, representing the go-ahead run.  Sandberg hit a slow roller to the shortstop and the throw to first was in time to nip the runner for the third and final out of the game.  "My left foot hit the bag just before the ball went into the mitt," said Sandberg, on his way back to the dugout. Unfortunately, the umpire didn't see it that way. It was the final out of the MSBL World Series for the Scorpions. The Scorpions, whose roster included players from Tucson, from Southern California, from Oregon and from Virgina, played six games in six days at the MSBL World Series, winning two games and losing four. Oh, well. We will try it again in 2013.

Price Watch: As for me, it was an unproductive day at the plate as I go 0 for 3 with my first, and only, strike out at the World Series. I took a called third strike. The ball was outside and high. Unfortunately, the umpire didn't see it that way. I finished the week with a .428 batting average (6 for 14). I walked twice and recorded two sacrifice bunts.

Zito zings!

The San Francisco Giants lefty Barry Zito has had his ups and downs the last few years, but in St. Louis last night he got the job done. Zito scattered 11 hits and recorded six strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings to lead the Giants to a  5-0 win over St. Louis to keep San Francisco alive in the NLCS.

The Giants' victory in Game 5 cuts the series lead for the Cardinals to, 3-2. Pablo Sandoval hit a solo home run in the eighth inning.

Scorpions qualify for MSBL WS playoffs

The good news first. The Arizona Scorpions reached the playoffs at the 2012 MSBL World Series and will play Saturday at 9 AM at Fitch Park in Mesa against the fourth-seeded San Diego Mudcats.

Now the bad news. We lost today 14-1 to the Sacramento Solons and will go into the playoffs as the fifth-seed. One of our losses was to the Mudcats on Wednesday, a 17-5 drubbing. The South Dakota Rushmores (5-0) are the top seed and the San Diego Padres (4-1) grabbed the second-seed. Both of those teams receive first-round byes on Saturday. The Sacramento Solons (3-2) will be the third-seed and will take on the Tri Valley Giants  (2-3), the sixth-seed.

With our pitching depleted -- our top pitcher Doc Thompson returned to Tucson for personal reasons and the third hurler in our rotation is under the age of 70 and is on a waiver and not allowed to pitch in the playoffs. Our back is up against the wall, to say the least, as the Scorpions will be forced to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Mudcats on Saturday. It will take two wins on Saturday to reach the finals on Sunday. Another loss and we can pack our bags and go home.

Wish us luck!

Today is moving day at the MSBL World Series

Today is moving day at the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series. The Arizona Scorpions (2-2) take on the Sacramento Solons (2-2) in the 70-and-over division at Fitch Park in Mesa, Arizona. Game time is set for 12:30 PM.

The winner will move on to the playoffs on Saturday, while the loser will have to wait for the results of the round-robin standings to see if they survive for another day via the tiebreaker rules. If it comes down to most-runs-allowed, the Scorpions are in pretty good shape. We have allowed 31 runs in four games which puts us second overall of the nine teams. But things could take a nasty turn by the end of all the games today. The best scenario is WIN today, score big and keep the runs-allowed total in single digits. The following is the standings (overall record and runs allowed) as of Friday morning, October 18. The top six survive. The top two receive byes in the first round of playoffs on Saturday. The two survivors will meet Sunday at Maryvale Park in Glendale for the MSBL World Series title.

1. San Diego Padres (4-0), 15 runs allowed

2. South Dakota Rushmores (4-0), 34 runs allowed

3. Arizona Scorpions (2-2), 31 runs allowed

4. San Diego Mudcats (2-2), 39 runs allowed

5. Sacramento Solons (2-2), 40 runs allowed

6. Tri Valley Giants (2-2), 52 runs allowed

7. Dodgertown West (1-3), 51 runs allowed

8. Ohio Classics (1-3), 54 runs allowed

9. New England Red Sox (0-4), 80 runs allowed

Yankees done, Cards need one more

Not much drama in Game 4 of the ALCS.

The Detroit Tigers win easily 8-1 behind a strong pitching performance from Max Scherzer tonight in Detroit. The former Diamondbacks' right-hander pitched 5 2/3 innings and struck out 10, while allowing the Yankees just two hits.

The Yankees are done and the Tigers await their World Series opponent -- the St. Louis Cardinals or the San Francisco Giants. The Cardinals took a 3-1 lead in the NLCS tonight with a 3-1 victory over the Giants thanks in part to a splendid pitching performance from Adam Wainwright. The Cardinals' right-hander threw seven innings of shutout ball and allowed just four hits. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Cardinals will try to close out the series tomorrow night in St. Louis when they send Lance Lynn to the mound to face the Giants' Barry Zito.

Cardinals win rain-delayed Game 3

The St. Louis Cardinals won the rain-delayed Game 3 of the NLCS in St. Louis tonight 3-1 to take a 2-1 advantage over the San Francisco Giants in the best-of-seven series. Carlos Beltran strained his left knee during the game and Matt Carpenter, his replacement, hits a two-run homer to provide the big blow for the Cardinals.

Kyle Lohse gets the win and Matt Cain is saddled with the loss. Game 4 is set for tomorrow night in St. Louis. As for the ALCS, a rain out today in Detroit. The New York Yankees and Tigers will go at it tomorrow night, weather permitting, in Game 4 of their series with Detroit holding a 3-0 advantage and needing just one more win to advance to the 2012 World Series.

Scorpions lose their sting

2012 MSBL Update

70-and-over division


The 70-and-over Arizona Scorpions lost a doubleheader today at the 2012 MSBL World Series, falling to the San Diego Mudcats, 17-5, and to the San Diego Padres, 3-0. The two losses leaves the Scorpions with a  2-2 record and currently puts us in fifth place in pool play.

With a win Friday over the Sacramento Solons, we should qualify for the playoffs this weekend. Even with another loss, there is a chance we can still qualify as four teams (as of Wednesday night) have under .500 overall records. We play the Sacramento Solons at Fitch Park in Mesa on Friday at 12:30 PM.  Today just wasn't a good day for the Arizona Scorpions. We jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but our pitching didn't hold up in the later innings and we found ourselves in a big hole.

In the second game, the Padres' top pitcher Dick Fitzgerald, 77, shutout the Scorpions. Down 3-0, the Scorpions' Chico Bigham, from Tucson, came on in the third inning in relief of Bill Stott and shutdown the Padres the rest of the way. Catcher Tony Contreras went 3 for 3 in the opener today as did yours truly. In the second game, Fitzgerald gave up just three singles to Arnie White, Jerry Hamelin and Contreras. The Scorpions loaded the bases in the last inning, but Fitzgerald struck out the final two batters to preserve the win for the Padres.

Price Watch: With my three hits today, I now have six in the MSBL World Series in nine official plate appearances. I have also walked twice, knocked in two runs and scored three runs.

Green to pitch for Scorpions

MSBL World Series Update

70-and-over division


Sixty-eight-year old Harry Green of Phoenix will get the starting nod in the first game of the Arizona Scorpions' doubleheader today at Maryvale Park in Glendale.

The Scorpions received an outstanding pitching effort in their opening win on Monday over Dodgertown at the MSBL World Series from 70-year-old Doc Thompson and got another gem from 74-year-old Chico Bigham yesterday as the Scorpions made it two in a row with a victory over the Ohio Classics.

Green, one of three players with an under-70 waiver on the Scorpions (the other two are yours truly and catcher Tony Contreras), can pitch only four innings today against the San Diego Mudcats. A special rule at the MSBL World Series states a pitcher with an under-70 waiver can go only four innings in the qualifying rounds and cannot pitch in the playoffs, which are scheduled for this weekend. The starting pitcher assignment for the second game today is still up in the air as Scorpions' manager Dohrman Sinclair has a tough decision to make. The Scorpions take on the San Diego Padres in the second game. The Padres are 2-0 and are in a first-place tie with the Scorpions, heading into today's MSBL action. Thompson says he is ready to go with only two days rest, but Sinclair has other options and could get a few innings out of two Tucson pitchers -- Tom Barrow and Arnie White. Two wins today by the Scorpions would more than likely garner the top seed for the playoffs.

Price Watch: As for me, I'm doing okay. My right foot seems to be okay and I'm running well. I'm 3 for  4 and two walks in six plate appearances, scored a couple of runs and have knocked in a couple of runs. My mobility at third base is good. Needless to say, I'm enjoying myself at the MSBL World Series. The MSBL/MABL is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month and the players from all 300-plus teams who are participating are enjoying themselves.

Verlander, Tigers go up 3-0 in ALCS

Justin Verlander (photo above) pitched 8 1/3 innings and the Tigers held on to beat the New York Yankees 2-1 in Game 3 of the ALCS tonight in Detroit. The Tigers are now within one win of reaching the 2012 World Series. Ishiro Suzuki had two hits for the Yankees, both off Verlander. The Tigers' righthander gave up a run in the top of the ninth when Eduardo Nunez homered. Delmon Young homered in the fourth inning for the Tigers and Miguel Cabrera doubled in a run in the fifth. But it was Verlander who turned in another masterful performance. He threw 132 pitches and did not walk a batter, while striking out three and allowing the three hits.

Arizona Scorpions make it two in a row at MSBL World Series

MSBL World Series Update

70-and-over division


The Arizona Scorpions made it two in a row at the MSBL World Series today in Scottsdale with a 12-2 win over the Ohio Classics. Fresh off a 20-9 win on Monday over Dodgertown West, the Scorpions continued to put runs on the board, while right-hander Chico Bigham from Tucson allowed just nine hits over nine innings of work as the Classics had to settle for just two runs in the first inning.

Bigham used his fastball and an occasional breaking pitch to keep the Ohio team scoreless for eight innings. Dohrman Sinclair, the Scorpions' centerfielder and manager, had a couple of run-producing hits today, while the Tucson contingent of Doc Thompson, Jerry Hamelin, Danny Price, Tom Barrow, Arnie White, Dan Kershaw and Bigham all hit safely again today.

The Arizona Scorpions (2-0) will have their work cut out for them tomorrow as they play a doubleheader against the San Diego Padres (2-0) and the San Diego Mudcats (1-1). Both games will be at Maryvale Park in Glendale. The first game gets underway at 9AM and the second game has a 1PM starting time.

A Bronco fan calls me at midnight

Many Denver fans were up late last night celebrating, including my son, Danny Brian, who lives outside of Grand Junction, Colorado. Needless to say he had stored away a couple of cold ones as he watched Peyton Manning and the Broncos come back from a 24-0 deficit to beat San Diego, 35-24. It tied for the fourth-best regular season comeback in NFL history. Thirty-five unanswered points! Wow! No wonder my son was a happy camper. By the way, I missed the entire second half. I have a baseball game to be played this morning at the MSBL World Series. We, the Arizona Scorpions, go after win No. 2 today as we take on the Ohio Classics at 10AM at the Arizona Diamondbacks-Colorado Rockies spring training site in Scottsdale.

Photo: Peyton Manning engineers a second-half comeback.

Giants pull even with St. Louis

It was the Giants turn to flex their muscles last night as they knocked off the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-1, to even the NLCS at 1-1.

The hometown crowd in San Francisco had a lot to cheer about last night, including a good effort from Angel Pagan who went 2 for 4, scored twice, walked once and hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Vogelsong pitched seven strong innings, allowing just four hits, while striking out four and walking only two batters.

The series shifts to St. Louis on Wednesday.

Mega Powers top dog in fantasy league

Mega Powers moved to 6-0 in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League this week with a victory over trojan girl. Other winners this week include  A-Team, Assassins, Nut Rub and Team Priceless. The big blowout in Week 6 turned out to be the A-Team as they buried Three Feet Right, 136-60. A-Team received 50 fantasy points from quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Packers 42-24 thrashing of Houston.  As for Team Priceless, I had a 19-point fantasy effort from Philadelphia's wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and a 16-point effort from Detroit's place-kicker Jason Hanson as Team Priceless edged Team Arps, 101-72.

Arizona Scorpions 20 Dodgertown West 9

MSBL World Series Update

70-and-over division


Doc Thompson allowed four hits in six innings of work and banged out three hits -- including two doubles, as the Arizona Scorpions won their opener at the MSBL World Series 20-9 today over Dodgertown West.

Playing inside the confines of the spacious Tempe Diablo Stadium, the Scorpions roughed up the Dodgertown pitchers in the early innings and led 10-0 when Thompson was pulled and gave way to relievers Larry Grey and Tom Barrow. The seven players from the Tucson area Jerry Hamelin, Danny Price, Chico Bigham, Arnie White, Dan Kershaw, Barrow and Thompson collected 13 hits as the Arizona Scorpions now head into Game 2 on Tuesday against the Ohio Classics.

Bigham, a right-hander, gets the start tomorrow against the Classics.

Up early and ready to play

Men's Senior Baseball League Update

The time has come and as expected I'm up early and ready to roll. The first game of the 2012 MSBL World Series is just three hours away. In all my years of playing ball, I still get exciting about each and every important game. I did it as a Little Leaguer and a still go through the same ritual some 60 years later. We have 20 players from all over the country on our Arizona Scorpions' roster -- all with one goal in mind: WIN THIS DARN THING! We take on a team called Dodgertown West out of Southern California this morning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Let's play baseball!

Photo: The old man in uniform.

Tigers in the driver's seat

The Detroit Tigers are in the driver's seat and the St. Louis Cardinals are up to their old bag of tricks.

The Tigers beat the Yankees 3-0 yesterday in New York and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series. The Yankees, without their star shortstop Derek Jeter, were held scoreless by Aribal Sanchez, who pitched seven innings and allowed just three hits. Phil Coke relieved Sanchez in the eighth inning and finished the job, allowing the Yankees just one more hit. The Yankees are reeling.

As for the Cardinals, they scored two in the second and four more in the top of the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. St. Louis sent seven pitchers to the mound and held on for a 6-4 win over the Giants in San Francisco to go 1-up in the National League Championship Series. Carlos Beltran and David Freese hit two-run homers for the Cardinals.

Cardinals shock Nationals in Game 5

The Washington Nationals blew a 6-0 lead and lost Game 5 tonight in Washington to the St. Louis Cardinals, 9-7, in the division series. The Cardinals will travel to San Francisco Sunday for the first game of the NLCS against the Giants.

Yankees survive!

The New York Yankees eliminated the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 tonight and will advance to the ALCS. The Yankees got a superb effort from  C.C. Sabathia. The hard-throwing lefty pitched a complete game and allowed just four hits while striking out nine.  Curtis Granderson hit a solo shot for the Yankees in the seventh inning. New York will host the Detroit Tigers in the first game of the ALCS on Saturday.

TOTS' roster full of youngsters

As most of my readers know, I became a member of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club back in April of 2008 -- just three months after bypass surgery. I've been a member ever since and I'm nearing the five-year mark with the organization -- the oldest baseball team in the country. I was in shock the other day as I checked out the latest roster, which now has 50 active members.

When I joined the club, I was 62 years old and the youngest member. Not so, anymore! A total of 17 players are younger than me! The two rookies on the club are Tim Tolson and Jeff Rein-- both just 60 years old. The oldest is 87-year-old Floyd Lance. The other 15 young men, all born in the 1950s or close to it, include Lloyd Barzell (62), Joel Blutfield (63), Ron Carlson (65), Dennis Crowley (63), Bob Daliege (64), Ted Davis (61), Dan Hughes (64), John Misiaszek (63), Jesse Ochoa (61), Pete Peters (63), Chuck Sabalos (62), Arnold Segovia (61), Jim Pagels (63), David Villasenor (66) and Mike Steele (64).

Wow! Now,  I know I'm getting old! It's no wonder the TOTS' roster is expanding. Where else could you have so much fun playing baseball for $5.00 a month? The second oldest baseball player on our club is 85-year-old Jack Glickman, a member since 1991. Two other members have played over 20 years with the club and they include Jerry Smarik (age 80, years on the club, 21 years) and Archie Burke (age 80, years on the club, 21 years). Talk about longevity!

I'm packing my bags

I'm packing my bags. It's time to head for Phoenix and the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series. It's been exactly five months since my foot operation and I've recovered enough to give  it  a go.

I'll head for Udall Park this morning and a final tune-up game with the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS), take tomorrow off, and then head for Phoenix early Sunday morning. I've seen some good signs on my recovery this week. In a TOTS' game on Wednesday, I scored twice, had two hits and went from first to third twice -- running. I'll be taking my trusty laptop and hope to report daily on the Arizona Scorpions' journey to a Senior World Series title.

Daily results can also be found by connecting from my blog to the link: msblnational.com.

Titans' Johnson finally earns some fantasy points

For those fantasy football owners (including me!) who own the rights to Tennessee Titans' running back Chris Johnson, it's been a downright disappointing when it comes to getting positive results from the heralded back.

But Johnson did come through last night in the Titans' 26-23 win over Pittsburgh as he rushed for 91 yards and picked up 23 receiving yards, good enough for 11 fantasy points in my UPC Hood Fantasy League. Johnson now has 301 rushing yards and 107 receiving yards in six games. He has yet to score this season and has fumbled the ball on one occasion. His effort last night gives me an 11-1 lead over my opponent this week. Thanks, Mr. Johnson. I needed that.

Nationals, Cardinals to battle it out in Game 5

It'll be a hot time in Washington Friday night as the Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals collide in Game 5 of the division series. Thanks to Jayson Werth's leadoff ninth-inning home run, the Nationals tied the series tonight in Washington with a dramatic 2-1 win.

Six teams remain in postseason -- the New York Yankees,  the Baltimore Orioles, the Cardinals, the Nationals, the Detroit Tigers and the San Francisco Giants.

Tigers, Verlander eliminate Oakland

Justin Verlander tossed a complete game and allowed just four hits as the Detroit Tigers eliminated the surprising Oakland A's 6-0 tonight in Oakland. The Tigers move on in postseason play and will take on the New York Yankees or the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series. Verlander struck out 11 and walked just one batter as the Tigers ended Oakland's magical season.

The Orioles, another surprising team which gained a postseason playoff berth, knocked off the Yankees 2-1 tonight in New York to even their series at two games apiece.  The game took 13 innings and the game-winner came from Tucson-product and former Sabino High School standout J.J. Hardy (above photo) who doubled in Manny Machado in the top of the ninth inning to even the series.

Posey hits grand slam

San Francisco's Buster Posey hits a grand slam homer in the fifth inning today as the Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 and move on to the National League Championship Series.

The Reds can pack their bags and head home. First it was the Atlanta Braves, then the Texas Rangers and now the Reds are gone. Which team will be the next to go?

Mega Powers 5-0 in fantasy league

Mega Powers is the only unbeaten team in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League after recording a lopsided win this week to move to 5-0, thanks to a little luck, or should I say Andrew Luck, the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts. Luck scores 43 fantasy points as he throws for 362 yards and three touchdowns  -- two by air and one on the ground- to lead the Colts to a 30-27 upset win over Green Bay. Mega Powers kept its second quarterback Michael Vick on the bench and went with Luck and it turned out to be the move of the season. Other winners this week include Blitz, trojan girl, Team Arps and Nut Rub. As for my Team Priceless, it was a terrible week as my players score just 66 fantasy points and I fall to 2-3. Only Minnesota's wide receiver Percy Harvin came through as he scored 22 fantasy  points with 108 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Vikings win over Tennessee. The standings:  1. Mega Powers (5-0), 2. Nut Rub (4-1), 3. Blitz (3-2), 4. suh-nami (3-2), 5. Three Feet Right (2-3),  6. Team Arps (2-3), 7. trojan girl (2-3), 8. Team Priceless (2-3), 9. A-Team (1-4), 10. Assassins (1-4).

Just 1 week away from MSBL World Series

It's just one week away from the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series.

I'll head for Phoenix on Sunday for an early-morning practice session at Tempe Diablo Stadium as my Arizona Scorpions team will have its final workout before the series' opener on Monday against Dodgertown West. The first pitch of the World Series is set for Monday morning at 9 AM inside the confines of  Diablo Stadium, the spring-training home of the Los Angeles Angels. The Tempe Diablo Stadium complex was founded in 1968 and underwent an extensive renovation in 2005.  The dimensions of the stadium are 340 feet down the left field line, 360 down the right field line. It is 400 feet to the power alleys and 420 feet to center field. I doubt I'll be hitting any home runs. I'll settle for a couple of singles up the middle. 

Wildcats let one get away at Stanford

Do I have this right?

The quarterback engineers his team up and down the field for at least three quarters and then some. He connects to eight different receivers for a total of 45 receptions for 500 yards (actually 491) and throws three touchdown passes and sees to it that his team puts up 48 points on the board.

If that isn't enough, he hands off to his star running back who rushes 29 times for 132 yards, while catching seven key passes for 68 yards. And his team loses!

The Stanford Cardinal, with a little luck in overtime, win their homecoming game 54-48 despite all the above heroics from Arizona Wildcats' quarterback Matt Scott and running back Ka'Deem Carey.

Down two touchdowns with 6 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation, the 18th-ranked Cardinal found a way to beat the Wildcats by scoring three consecutive rushing touchdowns -- one of which was the game winner in overtime when Stephan Taylor scampered to the end zone from 21 yards out. The Wildcats fall to 3-3 on the season and 0-3 in the Pac-12 and let this one get away despite Scott coming within 19 yards of the school record, set back in 2007 when Willie Tuitama threw for 510 yards.

It's all over for the D'backs

The Arizona Diamondbacks lost their final game of the season tonight at Chase Field as the Colorado Rockies win 2-1 despite another outstanding pitching effort from Ian Kennedy. Kennedy goes seven innings and allows no earned runs. Both of the Rockies runs were unearned and came in the fourth inning. Jeff Francis gets the win for the Rockies as the Diamondbacks collect just seven hits and finish the season with 81 wins and 81 losses.

Better luck next year, D'backs.

The division winners include the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Oakland A's, Washington Nationals, the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants. The wild card winners include the Baltimore Orioles, the Texas Rangers, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves.

Hats off to the Detroit Tigers'  Miguel Cabrera who became the first player to win the Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967. Cabrera hit 44 home runs this season, knocked in 139 runs and maintained a .330 batting average. In 1967, Boston's Yastrzemski hit 44 homers, knocked in 121 runs and batted .326. My all-time favorite player, Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees, won the triple crown in 1956. Mantle hit 52 home runs that year, collected 130 RBI and registered a batting average of .353. The Triple Crown has been accomplished 16 times. Roger Hornsby did it twice -- once in 1922 and again in 1925 and Ted Williams did it twice -- once in 1942 and again in 1947.

Wilson JHS finishes 6-0

The Wilson Junior High School Wranglers completed an undefeated season tonight with a 44-12 victory over Coronado at the Wilson Field. The Wranglers, with quarterback Jadon Price (#7) running the offense, jumped out to a 30-0 lead at the half and coasted the rest of the way en route to their sixth win of the season. Wilson ran the table this year with consecutive wins over Cross Middle School (13-6), Amphi (46-0), La Cima (50-6), Tortolita (14-0), Marana (36-6) and Coronado. The Wranglers scored 203 points, while allowing their opponents just 30! Way to go, Jadon and the Wranglers!

Photos: My grandson, Jadon Price, looking down field for his receivers as the Wilson Wranglers rolled over Coronado tonight and became the first Wranglers' team, in any sport, to go undefeated.

AL West, AL East titles to be decided on final day

The Oakland A's beat Texas 3-1 tonight and both teams are now deadlocked at 93-68 with one game remaining in the regular season.

The Rangers and the A's square off tomorrow afternoon in Oakland  to decide the AL West division title, while the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are still trying to settle things in the AL East. The Yankees (94-67) beat Boston 4-3 tonight in New York and hold a one-game lead in the division over the Orioles (93-68), who won at Tampa Bay tonight 1-0.  It can't get any closer than that!

Oh, what a feelin'

Oh, what a feelin' it must be like to step to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning of a Major League baseball game with your team trailing be one run. With the hometown crowd cheering, you await the first pitch, swing, and hit a three-run homer over the left field fence. Well, that's exactly what happened to the Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill tonight as he ripped the first offering from  Colorado Rockies' Rafael Bentancourt into the left field seats at Chase Field, giving Arizona a 5-3 win. It was Arizona's 81st win with one more game remaining in the season.

The Diamondbacks can finish the 2012 season at 82-80 with a victory over the Rockies tomorrow at 4:10 p.m. Hill's homer was his 26th of  the year. Ian Kennedy (15-11) will take the mound in the finale.

Come on, D'backs, close it out in style!

Flacco's performance against Browns secures fantasy win

Baltimore's Joe Flacco threw for 356 yards and a touchdown to begin NFL Week 4 as the Ravens beat the Cleveland Brown, 23-16. Flacco's 35-point fantasy performance ignited my fantasy team, Team Priceless, to a 106-83 win over the Assassins (1-3) as I move to 2-2 in the UPC Hood Fantasy Football League.

I also got a little help from the former University of Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowki, who garnered 14 fantasy points with five receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown in New England's blowout win on Sunday over Buffalo. I also got a boost from Tennessee running back Chris Johnson who finally got his act together and rushed for 141 yards during the Titans' 38-14 loss to Houston. Johnson picked up 15 much-needed fantasy points for me, while DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia's wide receiver, added another 15 points as he collected 99 receiving yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 19-17 victory over the New York Giants.

Team Priceless will take on the Blitz (2-2) in Week 5. Just one team remains unbeaten in the UPC Hood League as Mega Powers moves to 4-0 this week with a 127-119 win over Team Arps. Mega Powers salvaged a hard-fought win over Team Arps (1-3) thanks to the Chicago Bears' defense, which intercepted Dallas quarterback Tony Romo five times during Monday Night Football. Mega Powers picked up 24 fantasy points as the Bears rolled over the Cowboys tonight, 34-18. In a real squeaker this week, previously unbeaten Nut Rub (3-1) lost to suh-nami (3-1) by a score of 111-110. Three Feet Right (2-2) recorded the biggest blowout this week with a 168-98 win over trojan girl, while the previously winless A-Team (1-3) picked up its first victory with a 128-95 win over Blitz. The top fantasy-point producer this week came from New Orleans' quarterback Drew Brees who garnered 45 points for Richard Hockenbury,  the owner of  Three Feet Right.