Tue 9/22/98
The Cubs are the MSBL League Champions for 1998!!! The Cubs beat the Orioles in the league championships two games to none.

Game 1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs	Hits	Errs
Cubs	1	0	0	2	0	5	0	8	9	0
Orioles	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3	6	1

Box Score

Game 2, extra innings

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs	Hits	Errs
Orioles	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	3	8	0
Cubs	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	4	13	4

Box Score

Game 1 Recap
The Cubs undoubtedly played the best game in franchise history in beating up the reigning MSBL champions 8 to 3. Tom Barnes pitched an absolute masterpiece allowing 3 hits and 0 runs through the first 6 innings. The Orioles managed to score three meaningless runs in the bottom of the seventh. Tom retired 15 straight batters from the first to the sixth innings! He faced just 1 batter over the minimum through the first six innings.

The Cubs played beautiful error free baseball. A key double play was turned in the bottom of the sixth, Lessard to DiNatale to Sudkin. Matt Corkum made a clutch catch at the wall and Bryon Withers made a great catch on a foul ball when he crashed into the fence and still held on to the ball. Another huge play was made from the right field wall when Andy Schultz threw a strike to the cutoff Pete DiNatale who threw a bullet to Mark Flynn at third base to turn a sure triple into an out!

Offensively, 8 runs against the Orioles is an accomplishment. Tom helped his own cause by hitting a key 2 out 2 run single in the 4th inning that made the score 3-0. Bryon and Will were perfect at the plate. Package had a nice game at the plate allowing himself to be hit again and hitting a key outburst starting double in the sixth inning, the inning the Cubs produced 5 runs to all but end the game.

It was another great team effort and 8 different Cubs either scored or drove in a run.

Game 2 Recap
In the first extra inning game of the season, the Cubs won the game and the MSBL Championship. It was typical Cubs teamwork that scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Brian Hill led off with a double, his second of the game, and then Will Lessard pinch ran for him. Andy Schultz then drilled a single up the middle for his second hit of the game putting runners at first and third. Andy stole second setting up the game winning sacrifice fly by Frank Fazio! This was an amazing at bat by Frank as he worked the count to 3 and 2 and then fouled off at least 4 pitches. Finally he got a pitch to drive and he hit a liner to right center that was deep enough to bring in Will for the Championship deciding run! I still can't believe that at bat, Frank's determination mirrored that of the entire Cubs team! We were not to be beaten! Pete DiNatale, Bryon Withers, and Bob Zeleznik also had big games at the plate with 2 hits a piece and some key run producing hits. Mark Flynn also drove in the important third run with a fifth inning 2 out double.

This game was perhaps one of Will Lessard's most hard fought and well-pitched games of his Cubs career. Despite some uncharacteristically sloppy Cubs play in the field, Will held the Orioles to 3 runs through the full nine innings. With his gas tank on empty, Will managed to hold the Orioles scoreless through the critical eighth and ninth innings to give Frank the opportunity to win the Championship.

Credit must be given to the Orioles who fought a valiant although losing battle. They did manage to score a run in the top of the seventh to tie the game and prolong their season. However, the Cubs wanted this Championship more than the Orioles did. The Cubs battled and didn't allow any setbacks to stop them.

I'm proud to be a Cub, this Championship team was three years in the making and it was well worth the wait! This was the most gratifying season of baseball in my life!!!

Wed 9/16/98
The Cubs are on fire right now. The Cubs have won nine games in a row, including the last 7 games of the regular season. The last four games have been won by a score of 57-13!!!
The next test is the Orioles in the league championships. Bring on the Os!!!


Mon 9/14/98
The Cubs demolished the Braves 13-0 on Sunday to win the MSBL National League Championship. It is possibly the best game the Cubs have ever played in the three year history of the franchise. The Cubs completely dominated the Braves for all 9 innings.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs	Hits	Errs
Cubs	2	1	2	0	1	0	4	1	2	13	12	1
Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	??	4

Box Score

There were so many stars in this game as the Cubs continue to play their best baseball of the season during the playoff stretch.

Obviously, shutting down the potent Braves offense was a major accomplishment. Tom Barnes pitched a nearly flawless 6 innings. Will Lessard pitched the last three to complete the first Cubs shutout of the season!!
The pitching was so awesome that very few difficult plays had to be made, and the Cubs defense made any play that was needed. Mark Flynn filled in for Bob Zeleznik admirably at third base and Pete DiNatale and Will Lessard played well defensively up the middle. Bryon Withers called a tremendous game behind the plate.

The Cubs also put up 13 runs including 3 home runs, 1 by Tom Barnes and yes 2 home runs for Mark Flynn and a 2 run single for Mark for a total of 5 RBIs. This was Mark's best game as a Cub!!! What timing!!!
Other big hits were put up by Pete DiNatale with 2 doubles and John Sudkin with two key run producing hits.
It was a total team effort to win the MSBL National League crown!!


Wed 9/9/98
The Cubs finished the 1998 season in second place in the National League.

On 8/30/98 the Cubs won their first round playoff game by beating the Phillies mercilessly. The final was something like 14-4.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs	Hits	Errs
Phillies	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	4	??	7
Cubs	5	1	1	3	0	3	1	0	X	14	16	??

Box Score

There were many stars in the Phillies game. Strong pitching performances by Tom Barnes and Will Lessard kept the Phillies off balance and out of scoring position all game long.
Bryon Withers did his best Mark McGwire imitation yet hitting a triple and a home run! Pete DiNatale and Bob Zeleznik had 3 hits a piece.

The Cubs are red-hot right now and have romped their opponents for the last several games.

The Cubs are ready to meet and beat the Braves in the National League Championship on 9/13/98 at Milford Town Park!

The Cubs are 2-1 against the Braves this season. By beating the Braves for the third time this season, the Cubs will successfully defend their MSBL National League Championship crown.

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Last updated: 10/07/1998