The Champions League

[Edgy MD]

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies took home the Eastern League championship last night. The team had a juggernaut of a season, winning the both the first and second half titles of the league's Northeast Division, earning a bye through the initial playoff round, and going straight to the title series, where they bested the Erie Seawolves, two games to one.

The team was initially powered by a thunderous triumverate of Carson Benge/Jett Williams/Ryan Clifford — who moved around the field but generally served as the starting outfield — but their dominance only continued after the three were simultaneously promoted in early August. They won the first-half title by 10 games and the second half by seven, because they JUST DO NOT CARE.

The team also benefited from outstanding performances by 21-year-old thirdbaseman Jacob Reimer (.279/.374/.479//.853 in 254 trips to the plate) and 20 (20!)-year-old infielder outfielder A.J. Ewing (.339/.371/.430//.801 in 132 plate appearances). Ewing put up that sexed-up line after blasting through St. Lucie and Brooklyn in the same year, stealing 70 bases in 81 attempts across the three levels.

On the mound, the team benefited from a dynamite first half by Jonah Tong that you already know about, but also had knee-bending seasons from Jack Wenninger (12-6/2.92, striking out 147 in 135 2/3 innings) and Joander "Vander Meer" Suarez (5-2/3.05 in 82 2/3 innings).

Ryan Lambert put up a 1.71 ERA in 42 innings out of the pen, struck out 64 guys in 42 innings, and generally made the opposition cry like babies.

I'd like to report that it is all over but for Syracuse completing the trifecta, but despite the Orangemets ended their season on Sunday with a 9-0 win (five homers!), their awesome 46-29/.613 record left them three games out of the playoff money.

The minors isn't as generous with awarding post-season slots and the majors are.

Watch team save leader Carlos Guzmán finish the Bingo business of 2025.

[YOUTUBE]vEPL9c-ayJY[/YOUTUBE]

[MFS62]

I think Ewing will be the centerfielder in the near future because of that blazing speed, with Benge moving to a corner spot. ( he has the power to play there).

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

The corners seem to be occupied for a while, with Nimmo and Soto still having years left on their contracts. If Ewing is also an infielder, he may find an easier path there.

[Edgy MD]

I think we will see. A lot of great options lie ahead.

The present is a time for glory, also.