Davis knocks in five runs for TOTS' Blue

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Ted Davis went 4 for 4 and knocked in five runs and hard-hitting lefty Tim Tolson knocked in four runs as Team Blue edged Team White 11-9 today at Udall Park in a 65-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Right-hander Lloyd Barzell picked up the win for Team Blue, while lefty Dennis Crowley was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday at Udall with a 10 a.m. start.

Photo: Ted Davis

Cubs survive Game 5

2016 MLB World Series

Chicago Cubs reliever Aroldis Chapman threw 2 2/3 innings, fired 42 pitches -- all over 100 mph -- to hold on to a 3-2 lead in Game 5 of the World Series tonight in the Windy City, sending the Fall Classic to Cleveland for Game 6 and maybe Game 7.

Kris Bryant hit a solo homer and David Ross followed with a sacrifice fly to highlight a three-run inning in the fourth. Jon Lester started for the Cubs and pitched six strong innings, giving them a chance to extend the series to Cleveland.

Wow! What a World Series!

Stanford 34 Arizona 10

Arizona Wildcats Football

The Arizona Wildcats could muster only one touchdown and a field goal tonight at Arizona Stadium.

The rest of the scoring belonged to the Cardinal as Stanford rolled to a 34-10 Pac-12 victory over the Wildcats. The only real bright spot for Arizona -- a touchdown pass from Brandon Dawkins to Trey Griffey.

Arizona falls to 0-5 in the Pac-12 South and 2-6 overall.

The dismal season continues.

Indians threatening to win the World Series in 5 games

2016 MLB World Series

The Cleveland Indians are threatening to run away with the World Series in five games.

The Indians shut down the Cubs in Chicago 7-2 tonight and coupled with their 1-0 win on Friday night now own a 3-1 advantage in the Fall Classic and can end it all with a win Sunday night.

Jason Kipnis hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and Corey Kluber was dominate once again, this time for six innings, as manager Terry Francona watched from the dugout as the Indians took one giant step forward for a World Series championship, their first title since 1948.

Photo: Terry Francona, former Arizona Wildcat and manager of the Cleveland Indians

Former Wildcat Francona has the Tribe within 2 wins of World Series title

MLB 2016 World Series


Way to go, Terry Francona!

Francona, the former Arizona Wildcat and the skipper of the Cleveland Indians has his team within two wins of the MLB World Series title.

The Tribe wins in Chicago last night 1-0 and will have a 2-1 edge in the series, heading into another barn burner today in the Windy City.

Salty Dragons win 65-and-over MSBL World Series title

MSBL World Series Final Update


It's all over at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series in the 65-and-over division.

As it turns out the Salty Dragons win it all with a 10-4 win over the Tucson Toros. Surprisingly, one of the closest games with the Dragons last week involved the Tucson Aces, a team with 15 members from the Tucson Old Timers. The Aces lost 7-2 to the Dragons.

Congrats to the Salty Dragons.

In the 70-and-over division, the Sacramento Solons won the MSBL title with a 8-7 win over Detroit. In the 73-and-over division, it was the South Dakota Rushmores taking the title with a 20-2 win over the San Diego Padres.

The 65-and-over Tucson Aces will be back next year. It'll be the 30th year in 2017 for the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

TOTS' Blue edges Team White 9-7 at Udall Park

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

65-and-over baseball

Game back on!

Fifteen members of the TOTS were away the past two weeks participating in the 2016 Men's Senior Baseball League World Series.

Now, the players are back in the groove with the rest of the TOTS and it was "game on" at Udall Park this morning.

Today, Team Blue won the game 9-7 as John Mathews and Jesse Ochoa provided most of the power at the plate, while right-handed pitcher Pete Maldonado went the distance on the mound and picked up the victory.

Mathews went 3 for 5, Ochoa went 3 for 4 and Maldonado went 2 for 3 -- and drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.

Righthander Arnie White was saddled with the loss, but led Team White with a couple of hits and three runs-batted-in.

The Catch of the Day: A line-drive snag at third base by Pigpen Price from a hard hit ball off the bat of Roger Beebe.

Photos: John Mathews, Jesse Ochoa and Pete Maldonado

World Series moves to Chicago all tied up at 1-1

2016 MLB World Series


The Chicago Cubs, after a 6-0 defeat in the opener, come back to beat the Indians in Cleveland, 5-1, to even the 2016 MLB World Series.

Baseball fans will take a break tomorrow and get ready for Game 3 as the World Series moves to Chicago.

On Tuesday night it was the magnificent pitching from Cleveland starter Corey Kluber, tonight it was Jake Arrieta, who put on the show as he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. He struck out six and walked three, while allowing one run on two hits.

The World Series is shaping up to be a good one.

The 65-and-over MSBL World Series team, the Tucson Aces

Men's Senior Baseball League Update

Photo of the 65-and-over Tucson Aces

Photo: Tucson Aces, L/R front row: Arnie White, Bill Mishler (the new Pigpen), Dennis Crowley, Ted Davis, Reese Wellman, Danny "Pigpen" Price, Bob Daliege, Lloyd Barzell and Pete Peters, manager. Back row L/R: Ernie Hernandez, Danny Boxberger, Don Kladstrup, Joe Opocensky, Tim Tolson, Doc Thompson, Chico Bigham and Dave Rhoades.

Tucson Aces finish 1-4 in the 65-and-over division at the MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League Update

65-and-over Tucson Aces

The Tucson Aces lost to the Fresno Grizzlies today at Scottsdale Stadium and finish 1-4 at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series. The Aces sent four pitchers to the mound -- Dennis Crowley, Pigpen Price, Arnie White and Ernie Hernandez, all to no avail as Fresno went on to win the game, 16-4.

The Aces had just six hits today, one each from TOTS' players Joe Opocensky, Tim Tolson and Arnie White. Doc Thompson was still nursing a groin injury and did not play, while Lloyd Barzell did not play in the field due to a foot injury. Ron Petersen was injured before the 2016 MSBL World Series and did not make the trip to Phoenix.

Still in was a fun week as manager Pete Peters saw to it that everyone got playing time -- a tall order when you have 17 players on the roster.

As they say, "there's always next year."

Photo: Pete Peters, who did a great job as manager of the 65-and-over Tucson Aces.

San Antonio Broncos edge Tucson Aces 11-7 with four-run 9th inning

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series Update

65-and-over Tucson Aces

The Tucson Aces battled the San Antonio Broncos for nine innings at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series today at the Tempe Diablo Complex, spring training home of the Angels.

The Aces, playing their fourth game this week,  jumped out to a 3-1 lead after four innings of play, but trailed 7-5 in the fifth inning. The Aces tied the game in the bottom of the eighth and then gave up four runs in the top of the ninth and the Broncos went on to win the game, 11-7.

Doc Thompson pitched the first four innings and gave way to reliever Bob Daliege, who allowed four runs in three innings of work. Ernie Hernandez relieved Daliege in the seventh and pitched the rest of the way.

Thompson, who pitched 19 1/3 innings this week, despite having a groin injury, helped his own cause with two hits today. Joe Opocensky kept up his hard hitting for the week with three more hits today -- including a booming triple. Daliege added two hits to the Aces cause and also scored three of the seven runs.

The Aces tied the game 7-7 in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Pigpen Price hit a slow roller to short. One run scored easily and the throw to first got away from the Broncos' first baseman, allowing the tying run to score.

Unfortunately for the Aces, the Broncos were able to plate the four runs in the top of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, Lloyd Barzell and Tim Tolson singled to put runners at the corners with two out, but Daliege bounced out to end the hard-fought game.

The Aces take on the Fresno Grizzlies tomorrow morning at Scottsdale Stadium, their final game of the 2016 MSBL World Series.

Photo: Doc Thompson. Doc pitched 19 1/3 innings this week, while starting in four games for the Aces at the MSBL World Series.

Aces fall to Salty Dragons 7-2 at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series Update

65-and-over Tucson Aces

The Tucson Aces lost 7-2 to the Salty Dragons at the MSBL World Series today in Maryvale.

Joe Opocensky was the top hitter for the Aces with two line-drive hits to right field.

Doc Thompson for the third day in a row started for the Aces and pitched 5 1/3 innings before leaving the game with a groin injury. Ernie Hernandez came on in relief.

Catcher Bob Daliege had a good day behind the plate for the Aces. He caught two pop ups and threw out a runner with a pinpoint throw to second baseman Pigpen Price.

The Aces take on the San Antonio Broncos tomorrow in their fourth game of the senior World Series.

Photo: Joe Opocensky

Aces fall to Canada team at the MSBL World Series

65-and-over MSBL World Series Update

The Tucson Aces lost to Canada (Red Deer) 13-2 today at Papago Park in Tempe in the second-round of the MSBL World Series.

Doc Thompson had the only RBI for the Aces with a single to left field in the second inning.

Thompson pitched six strong innings and Bob Daliege hurled the final two innings.

The Aces take on the Salty Dragons tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Maryvale, the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Photo: Doc Thompson

Cubs win! Cubs win!

MLB National League championship Series


The Cubs are in!

The Chicago Cubs win tonight 5-0 over the LA Dodgers and punch their ticket to the World Series.

The Cubs win the NLCS four games to two and set up a World Series between two historic baseball teams -- the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians.

Has a nice ring to it. Should be a great series.

65-and-over Tucson Aces pound Tri Valley at MSBL World Series

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

65-and-over division

Tucson Aces

The 65-and-over Tucson Aces walloped Tri Valley 24-10 this morning in the first round of the MSBL World Series at the Salt River Complex in Scottsdale, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

Tim Tolson and Arnie White supplied most of the power as Tolson had three doubles, a triple and a single and an intentional walk in six trips to the plate, while White ripped a ball down the third baseline, which rolled all the way to the 330 ft. sign in left field for a bases-loaded, grand slam, inside-the-park home run.

Everyone in the Aces lineup hit safely as hard-throwing right-hander Doc Thompson pitched the first four innings, Bob Daliege hurled three innings and Ernie Hernandez tossed the eighth inning. The Aces batted around in the seventh inning.

The Aces' manager Pete Peters decided to pull Thompson after four innings to save him for later games as Tucson prepares for their second-round game which is Sunday, 9:45 a.m. at Papago Park, spring training home of the Oakland A's.

Photos: (top) Tim Tolson, (bottom) Arnie White

One win away!

MLB National League Championship Series

One win away!

The Chicago Cubs, after their 8-4 victory Thursday in Los Angeles, could punch their ticket to the 2016 World Series with a win Saturday over the Dodgers. If the Cubs can't get it done on Saturday, then the National League Championship Series will move on to a seventh and deciding game on Sunday.

Chicago fans will cram into Wrigley Field and cheer on the best Cubs' team in decades. The Cubs collected 103 wins during the regular season, three more in the NLDS and three in the books against the Dodgers in the NLCS -- 109 wins and counting.

Go, Cubs!

Trio of players from the Tucson Old Timers collect 16 hits at the MSBL World Series

MSBL World Series Update

A trio of ball players from the Tucson Old Timers combined for 16 hits this week during the Men's  Senior Baseball League World Series in Phoenix.

Bob Daliege, Pigpen Price and Ed Eckert played five games with the San Antonio Texans (0-5) -- including today's loss to the Arizona Scorpions.

Daliege was the best of the Tucson trio with seven hits in 14 at bats. Eckert had five hits and Price collected four hits.

Indians heading for the World Series for the first time since 1997

MLB American League Championship Series


The Cleveland Indians win Game 5 today in Toronto to win the series four games to one and now await the survivor of what is looking more like a seven-game affair in the NLCS between the Chicago Cubs and LA Dodgers.

Congrats, Indians!

Daliege, Price combine for 15 of 27 outs during MSBL World Series game

MSBL World Series Update

70-and-over division

Bob Daliege and Pigpen Price, members of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) baseball club, combined for 15 of the 27 outs in a fourth-round game at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series today in Scottsdale at the Salt River Complex, spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

Daliege made four assists and two putouts while playing shortstop for the 70-and-over San Antonio Texans, while third baseman Pigpen Price threw out six runners and added three putouts -- including a line drive catch with the bases loaded to end the bottom of the eighth inning.

Daliege was the middle man on two double plays today.

The third member of the TOTS, Eddie Eckert, had two hits today, while Daliege doubled in three trips to the plate. Price went 1 for 3.

The Texans lost the game to the unbeaten San Diego Mudcats and drop to 0-4 at the senior World Series.

Team photo of the 70-and-over MSBL World Series team, the San Antonio Texans

The 70-and over San Antonio Texans

Three players from the Tucson Old Timers are currently playing for the Texans. Photo above, back row: # 8 Eddie Eckert and # 2 Pigpen Price and in the front row, kneeling second from the right, Bob Daliege, #22.

Above photo of  Bob Daliege, a member of the Tucson Old Timers, sliding into home at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series in Phoenix.

Thanks go out to Petie Kladstrup for taking the photos. Petie's husband, Don, fourth from the left in the back row of the team photo, had the big hit in today's loss to the Virgin Islands with a triple to the gap in left center.

The Texans will play their fourth game of the MSBL World Series (70 and over division) Wednesday, at 1 p.m. at the Salt  River Complex in Scottsdale, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies.

Texans lose to Virgin Islands, 11-4

MSBL World Series Update

70-and-over division


Bob Daliege, Pigpen Price and Ed Eckert, three members of the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers, are playing well at the Men's Senior Baseball League World Series in Phoenix.

Today, the trio, playing for the San Antonio Texans, lost to the Virgin Islands 11-4. It was a battle through five innings with the score knotted up at 4-4, but then the wheels fell of the wagon in the sixth inning as far as the Texans were concerned. Right-hander Emerson Hayes, from San Antonio, is scheduled for back surgery next week, yet he took the mound today and pitched five strong innings before giving way to lefty Bill Burgess, also from San Antonio.

When the dust had cleared the Virgin Island's scored seven more runs down the stretch, while the Texans remained silent at the plate the final three innings.

The big blow of the day was an RBI-triple to the gap in left center by Don Kladstrup. As far as the trio from Tucson were concerned, Daliege went 0 for 1, walked twice and knocked in a run and caught the entire game behind the plate. Price, playing the hot corner,  threw out six runners and went 1 for 3 at the plate with one run batted in. Eckert went 1 for 2 with a walk. Eckert is 2 for 8 after three games, Price is 2 for 9 and Daliege is 4-8, an even .500.

The Texans next game is Wednesday, 1 p.m. at the Arizona Diamondbacks' Salt River Complex in Scottsdale.

70-and-over Canadian team wallops Texans

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

70-and-over division

A team from Red Deer, Canada, walloped the San Antonio Texans 23-5 today in Maryvale (west Phoenix) in the second round of the 70-and-over division of the MSBL World Series.

Pigpen Price, a member of the Tucson Old Timers, went 1 for 3 today and scored one of the five runs. Bob Daliege and Eddie Eckert, both members of the TOTS, went 0 for 3 today. Daliege is 4 for 7 after two days of play, while Price and Eckert are 1 for 6.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 18, the Texans take on a team from the Virgin Islands at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Game time is 9:15 a.m.

Photo: Pigpen Price, 71, singled to left field today for his first hit of the 2016 MSBL World Series.

Daliege goes 4 for 4 in the opening round of the 70-and-over MSBL World Series

MSBL World Series

70-and-over division

Bob Daliege went 4 for 4 for the 70-and-over San Antonio Texans at the MSBL World Series today in Mesa at Riverview Park, the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs.

The Texans lose 9-3 to Tri Valley (San Francisco) and take on Canada (Red Deer) tomorrow in the second round at Maryvale (west Phoenix). Game time: 9 :30 a.m.

Eddie Eckert went 1 for 3 and Pigpen Price went 0 for 3 today.

Daliege, Eckert and Price are members of the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS). Hard-hitting lefty Ron Petersen, the fourth player representing the TOTS, didn't make the trip due to a leg injury.

Photo: Bob Daliege

Trojans pound injury-riddled Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats Football

The Arizona Wildcats are feeling the heat.

On the field at Arizona Stadium this afternoon, a crisp 130 degrees, and if you're a Wildcat fan and decided to stick around for the second half, you were basking under clear skies and 95 degrees.

By the way, Arizona falls to the USC Trojans, 48-14.

Arizona falls to a dismal 2-5 on the season and 0-4 in the Pac-12 South.

Kershaw's two starts and a save gets Dodgers to NLCS

MLB Playoffs


The Los Angeles Dodgers advance to the National League Championship Series with a 4-3 win tonight in Washington as Clayton Kershaw, already with a pitching victory in Game 1 and a start in  Game 4, comes on to pitch to two batters in the bottom of the ninth inning to grab the save in Game 5 and send his team to to the NLCS to face the Chicago Cubs.

Kershaw got Daniel Murphy to pop out and then struck out Wilmer Difo to end the game.

The Cubs-Dodgers lock horns in Chicago on Saturday.

Cubs win! Cubs win!

The MLB Playoffs

The Chicago Cubs scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning in San Francisco tonight and beat the Giants 6-5 to advance to the National League Championship Series.

The Cubs, down 5-2, unleashed a bit of their magic in the ninth as they pounded five Giants' pitchers and go on to capture the NLDS three games to one and now await their opponent - either the LA Dodgers or the Washington Nationals.

The Dodgers evened their NLDS earlier today in Los Angeles with a 6-5 win over the Nationals. The two teams meet Thursday in Washington in the final game of the five-game series.

Former Arizona great Francona gets his shot at ALCS

Terry Francona, the manager of the Cleveland Indians and the former University of Arizona star who led the Wildcats to the College World Series title in 1980, is heading to the American League Championship Series.

The Indians sweep the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS, winning their third game in a row over the Red Sox with a 4-3 win tonight in Boston. Cleveland will face Toronto in the ALCS. The Blue Jays also dominated their series -- winning three in a row over the Texas Rangers.

Congrats, to Francona and the Cleveland Indians.

Utes slip by Wildcats

Arizona Wildcats Football


It's a tough time for the Arizona Wildcats.

Arizona loses to Utah 36-23 in Salt Lake City tonight to fall to 2-4 and 0-3 in the Pac-12 Conference.

Brandon Dawkins tossed a 75-yard TD pass to Shun Brown on the first play from scrimmage and scored on a 6-yard run in the second quarter before leaving the game, still hampered with a rib injury. The Wildcats added a field goal with 9:04 left in the fourth quarter and completed their scoring with 4:14 left in the game when Khalil Tate connected with Samajie Grant on a 63-yard TD pass.

And that was it for Arizona -- a team in search of a running back. The Wildcats are down to their fourth and fifth running backs -- Zach Green and Tyrell Johnson, who combined for just 45 yards.

Up next: USC at Arizona Stadium, next Saturday.

Steele has a 5-RBI day

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Mike Steele went 4 for 5, scored twice and knocked in five runs as Team Blue beat Team White 11-5 at Udall Park today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game.

Bob Daliege started the game and picked up the win, while lefty Dennis Crowley was saddled with the loss.

The TOTS will be back in action at Udall on Monday with a 9 a.m. start.

Photo: Mike Steele

Dramatic MLB Wild-Card games in the books

MLB Playoffs

Wild Card Games


The MLB Wild-Card games are in the books as Toronto beats Baltimore in 11 innings 5-2 on Tuesday night and the San Francisco Giants win in New York tonight over the Mets, 3-0.

Both games end up with game-winning three-run homers -- Edwin Encarnacion with a dinger for Toronto and Conor Gillaspie with a blast in the top of the ninth to silence the New York fans.

The playoffs are down to eight teams.

Next up: The AL and NL division series

Toronto vs. Texas

Boston vs. Cleveland

San Francisco vs. Chicago Cubs

LA Dodgers vs. Washington

Thompson, Tolson top hitters for TOTS in September

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Doc Thompson and Tim Tolson ended up at the top of the batting statistics in September for the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers baseball club.

Thompson played in all seven games for the month  (four rain outs in September) and led the club in hits with 13. He batted .619 (13 for 21) and finished second in RBI with seven, while Tolson batted a hefty .625 (10 for 16).

Other top hitters included Reed Palmer (7 for 15, a .467 average and the only home run for the month), Lloyd Barzell (11 for 21, a .524 average), Dennis Crowley (8 for 14, a .571 average, including the most runs scored with six) and Bob Daliege (7 for 13, a .538 average).

Once again it was 91-year-old Floyd Lance, who led the 80-and-over somethings with a .250 average (3 for 12 in seven games to go along with five walks and one run batted in).

The TOTS got off to a good start in October with a 3-1 game on Monday (Oct. 3), won by Team Blue. Three Team Blue players -- Reed Palmer, Pigpen Price and Leon Glasshoffer knocked in runs, while Ron Carlson provided the only RBI for Team White.

The TOTS will be back in action on Wednesday (Oct. 5) and Friday (Oct. 7) at Udall Park. Also, the MSBL World Series bound 65-and-over Tucson Aces will hold a practice at Udall on Thursday (Oct. 6). The TOTS games will get underway at 9 a.m. The Aces' practice will get underway at 8 a.m.

Diamondbacks avoid the NL West cellar

Arizona Diamondbacks


The Arizona Diamondbacks avoid the National League West cellar with a sweep of the San Diego Padres at Chase Field -- winning the final game of the season today 3-2 on a walk-off single by Phil Gosselin.

Arizona finishes the year with a 69-93 record.

Paul Goldschmidt finishes the year as the top RBI-man with 95, edging out Jake Lamb, who ended the season with 91 runs-batted-in.  Jean Segura finished the year with a .319 batting average and 203 hits, while Yasmany Tomas ended the season with 31 home runs to lead the Diamondbacks.

Wounded Wildcats fall to 2-3 after loss to UCLA

Arizona Wildcats Football


Enter a redshirt freshman quarterback named Khalil Tate.

What other choices are there for Arizona football coach Rich Rodriquez?

Arizona loses at UCLA last night 45-24. Two of the scores by Arizona came from Tate, who was suddenly told to snap on his helmet in the second half and enter the field of play out in Pasadena, California, at the Rose Bowl.

On the Arizona injury list are quarterbacks Anu Solomon, Brandon Dawkins, along with a walk-on named Zach Werlinger, who threw five incomplete passes before Rodriquez turned to Tate, who answered the call with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

What happens next week? Who knows?

Arizona falls to 2-3 and 0-2 in the the Pac-12 South with seven grueling conference games to go.