Phoenix Desert Dogs, 2007 Arizona Fall league Champs!!!
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by Manny Stiles
Phoenix Desert Dogs 7, Surprise Rafters 2
Scottsdale, AZ (AGM) - For the fourth season in a row and fifth time in seven years, the Phoenix Desert Dogs are champions of the Arizona Fall League. In front of a healthy AFL crowd of 1,433 and behind six strong innings and one run allowed (a solo blast from Sean Rodriguez) by starter Nick Blackburn (Twins), the Desert Dogs represented the Eastern Division (Streets) and kept the title in the 602 area code.
The game was knotted at a 2-2 tie going into the 8th inning before Phoenix "erupted" for 5 runs in the last two frames to secure the victory. The game was a re-match of Thursday's regular season ending game (won by Phoenix, 8-0).
The mojo of Phoenix's unprecedented 4 year run is logically unexplainable. Each season the rosters change and yet the Desert Dogs have won in different manners over the years. In the past, their roster has been stacked with hitting but this season they rode their AFL record setting (league best-ever ERA 2.68) pitching, solid defense, a deep, versatile roster and league best record (20-11) to take the pennant in what has traditionally been known as a "Hitter's League".
The game was held at Scottsdale Stadium (Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants). The crowd was evenly distributed between Phoenix fans, Surprise fans and general baseball enthusiasts just looking to enjoy a sunny 84 degree day, shag a foul ball, get some autographs and witness the last Professional Baseball game of 2007 in the contiguous 48 states.
Phoenix may have had an advantage by securing the cheering services of Scottsdale Scorpions' mainstay "Superfan". And she was rooting for the Desert Dogs. I asked Superfan why she was rooting for Phoenix and she said it was "because they have two former Scottsdale Scorpions on their roster". Although she then leaked that she once had a crush on Phoenix catcher Drew Butera's Dad, former MLB player Sal Butera back in the day. Whatever the reason, Superfan came through loudly for the D-Dogs.
After the game, the Desert Dogs swarmed the mound and celebrated their victory in delightful fashion before hilariously dousing manager Rafael Santana with a bucket of icy Gatorade.
As champions each of the team's members will be presented with championship rings, invaluable experience on their treks to "the Show" and delightful memories that will last a lifetime, no doubt.
So now that Arizona Fall League has concluded, the depression sets in. Winter is just around the corner (or "Spring II" as I call it here in the Sonoran Desert) and there is no more baseball until Spring Training. I don't know how I'll make it (GO SUNS!!!), but I can't wait for 2008 (GO RAYS!)!!!
- Manny Stiles is a contributor/over-commentor for ArmchairGM and can be contacted at mannystiles@aol.com - He is also a stay-at-home Dad, freelance writer of many varietal pursuits and an ordained minister specializing in pet funerals (among "many" other "styles") in his hometown of Phoenix, AZ.
