November 19, 2000

Zoots Win!  (Again)

LOS ALTOS, CA - For the second year in a row, the Stamford Zoots are heading 
to the BDBL World Series.  After five hard-fought games by both sides, Game
Six was a game filled with excitement and strategy, yet very little offense.
Both teams combined for just eight hits and one run.  Unfortunately for the
Undertakers, that one run belonged to the Zoots.

That run came in the second inning, when Los Altos starter Ismael Valdes faced
Michael Tucker with two outs and a runner on first.  Tucker ripped a base hit,
advancing the runner (Marty Cordova) into scoring position.  Brad Ausmus, who
has done nothing but come through with big clutch hits this entire post-
season, then came through once again.  A base hit to center scored Cordova for
the only run of the ballgame.

The rest of the way, it was a game of pure strategy, with each side manufactur-
ing their best possible match-ups.  In the fifth, Ausmus led off with a base
hit.  He was then advanced to second on a sac bunt by Stamford starter Kevin
Brown.  A ground ball by Corie Koskie put Ausmus on third with two outs.  After
a walk to Omar Vizquel, Los Altos manager Jeff Paulson summoned Jose Cabrera to
face Rafael Palmeiro.  Palmeiro whiffed, stranding the runner at third.

In the sixth, Los Altos leadoff hitter Kenny Lofton reached on a rare error by
Omar Vizquel.  Lofton advanced to scoring position on a sac bunt by Scott
Williamson.  Stamford manager Paul Marazita then issued his eighth intentional
pass of the series with Larry Walker at the plate and Albert Belle on deck.
Belle came into this game an ugly 0-for-14.  After striking out in the first,
Belle finally broke out of his slump with a bloop single in the fourth.  Now
in the sixth, Belle found himself in a clutch situation with a chance to tie
the game.  Instead, he popped out to first.  In a bizarre move, Belle began 
the game at first base for the second time this series in order to get Cliff
Floyd's bat in the game.

Yorkis Perez then came in to face Floyd.  Los Altos manager Jeff Paulson 
countered with pinch hitter Darrin Jackson.  Jackson grounded out to second 
for the final out of the inning.

In the eighth, Paulson employed a strategy last used by Earl Weaver.  With
Rafael Palmeiro coming to the plate, Williamson was moved to left field to 
start the inning.  John Rocker came into the game to pitch to Palmeiro, and
retired him by strikeout.  Williamson then moved back to the mound to retire
Edgardo Alfonzo and Marty Cordova.  The move worked brilliantly.

The Undertakers' last real hope came in the eighth inning.  Rich Aurilia led
off the inning against Stamford reliever Donne Wall.  He promptly flew out to
center for out number one.  Bobby Chouinard then entered the game, and served
up a base hit to Kenny Lofton.  Paul Konerko then contributed a pinch hit fly
ball to center for out number two.  C.J. Nitkowski then came in to face Walker,
and issued a free pass, putting runners at first and second with two down.
John Johnstone then retired Belle on a fly ball to center for the final out.

The following inning, the Undertakers went down in order against Johnstone.
Three harmless pop flies by Shawon Dunston, Terry Shumpert and Bret Mayne ended
the Los Altos Undertakers' season quickly and painfully.

The Zoots, clearly bored with their own success, exchanged casual handshakes
at the mound while the Undertakers sat in the dugout in stunned silence.  
Despite winning 104 games this season, the Los Altos Undertakers will be 
watching the BDBL World Series from the sidelines once again.  And once again,
the Stamford Zoots will be playing in the Fall Classic, to the chagrin of 
every living organism on the planet.