2000 WORLD SERIES

The Titans and the Demolition are set to provide baseball fans with an unforgettable clash of talent and determination, making the 2000 MWWL World Series a highly anticipated event.

In a thrilling World Series Game #1 that had baseball fans on the edge of their seats, the Chicago Demolition faced off against the Long Beach Titans in a high-stakes battle for the early edge. With both teams showcasing their talent and determination, it was a game filled with unforgettable moments.

The game started with a strong pitching performance from both sides, as neither team could get on the scoreboard in the first inning. Jeffrey Hammonds led off for the Long Beach Titans and faced the formidable Roger Clemens of the Demolition. Clemens delivered a pitch that left Hammonds swinging and missing, striking out for the first out of the game. The Long Beach Titans’ Chad Kreuter followed but sent a high pop-up into the air, which was expertly caught by Demolition catcher Charles Johnson for the second out. Roger Clemens closed out the top of the first inning by striking out Glenallen Hill.

In the bottom of the first, Rich Becker of the Demolition stepped up to the plate against Titans’ pitcher Jeff D’Amico. Becker hit a hard two-bouncer to short, and Deivi Cruz made a strong throw to first to record the first out. The Demolition’s Bobby Higginson followed but was unable to connect with D’Amico’s pitches, striking out for the second out. Carlos Delgado took his turn at the plate but sent a skied ball into foul territory, where it was safely caught by Kreuter.

The second inning saw the Titans Dave Justice leading off against Clemens. Justice popped up a pitch to the right side, and Delgado tracked it down for the out. However, the Titans gained momentum when Brad Fullmer launched a high and deep hit into right-center field. The Demolition’s Shannon Stewart chased the ball, but it dropped in, and Fullmer reached second base. Jose Vidro grounded out to second, moving Fullmer to third, but Mitch Meluskey couldn’t bring him home, as Clemens made a clutch play to tag him out, ending the inning.

In the bottom of the second, Phil Nevin managed to reach first base with a single against D’Amico, giving the Demolition a glimmer of hope. However, the Long Beach Titans’ defense was solid, with Jeff Cirillo grounding out to Cruz, who flipped it to first for the out. In the next at-bat, Johnson went down swinging, making it two outs. D’Amico then retired the side by forcing Shannon Stewart to ground out to shortstop.

The top of the third inning featured Deivi Cruz facing Roger Clemens, and Cruz managed to connect with a pitch, sending a slashing hit into the hole. Denny Hocking dove to his left but couldn’t make the play, allowing Cruz to reach first with an infield single. Despite the Titans’ efforts to capitalize on the hit, the Demolition’s defense prevailed, and they retired the side without allowing any runs.

The bottom of the third saw Denny Hocking at the plate against Jeff D’Amico, but Hocking went down swinging for the first out. Edgar Renteria then came to the plate and delivered a beautifully placed hit to right-center field for a single. Renteria made a strategic decision and attempted to steal second base, but he was caught by Kreuter’s quick throw. Despite their best efforts, the Demolition couldn’t score a run in the inning.

In the top of the 4th inning, the Titans and the Demolition were deadlocked at 0-0. Dave Justice stepped up to the plate to face R. Clemens with no outs and the bases empty. He managed to hit a tricky ball to right field, just out of reach of Hocking, and Justice was safely on first base with a single.   Next, Brad Fullmer faced Clemens with no outs and Justice on first. Fullmer delivered a powerful hit deep into right-center field, resulting in a two-run home run. This put the Titans ahead 2-0.  Jose Vidro was up next, and he hit a hard ball into the right-center gap, which bounced off the wall. Vidro cruised into second base with a double.  Mitch Meluskey faced Clemens and hit a bullet towards Renteria at shortstop, who made a spectacular play to catch the ball, recording the first out of the inning.  Deivi Cruz was next, and Clemens issued a walk, setting up the possibility of a double play. This was Clemens’s first walk of the series.  Trot Nixon came to the plate with the bases loaded and drew another walk, forcing in a run. It was Nixon’s first walk of the series, and the Titans extended their lead to 2-0.   Jeffrey Hammonds stepped up, and he too received a walk, forcing in another run. Clemens was replaced by Joey Hamilton. The Titans now led 3-0.  Chad Kreuter hit a ground ball to Cirillo, but Delgado couldn’t handle the throw, resulting in two more runs for the Titans. With the score now 5-0, Clemens was removed from the game, and Hamilton took the mound.  Glenallen Hill faced Hamilton with runners on first and third, hitting a deep fly ball to center field, off the wall. Hill ended up with a double, and Hammonds scored. The Demolition had a decision to make about whether to try and throw out Kreuter at home, but they held him at third. The Titans led 6-0.  Dave Justice came back to the plate with runners on second and third and hit a blooper to shortstop. Renteria made a leaping catch and flipped the ball to Hocking at second for a double play, getting the Demolition out of the inning.  The Titans scored a total of six runs in the top of the 4th inning, causing the Demolition to make a pitching change and trailed 6-0 in the game.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Demolition found themselves trailing the Titans 6-0. Bobby. Higginson led off against J. D’Amico and hit a routine ground ball to second, easily handled by Vidro for the first out. Carlos Delgado stepped up, swung at a pitch, and sent a deep blast over left-center field, putting the Demolition on the board with a solo home run, making it 6-1.   Phil Nevin followed but his deep fly ball to center was caught by Nixon for the second out. With two outs, Jeff Cirillo popped a lazy fly to Vidro, sealing the third out in the inning.

The Titans held a commanding 6-1 lead over the Demolition. Brad Fullmer was the first to step up against Arthur Rhodes. Fullmer hit a high pop foul into the stands, providing a lucky fan with a souvenir baseball. However, it resulted in a strike. He wasn’t done yet, as Fullmer went on to smash a double into the right-field gap, his second double of the game. With Fullmer in scoring position, Demolition manager Stray Corrado decided it was time for a pitching change, bringing in Manny Aybar to replace Rhodes.  Jose Vidro was the first batter Aybar faced, and he hit a ground ball to Hocking. With no play at third, Hocking threw to first for the out, but Fullmer moved up to third.  Next up was Mitch Meluskey, and he made a significant impact with a deep drive down the left-field line, resulting in a two-run home run. The Titans now extended their lead to 8-1.  Deivi Cruz faced Aybar, and he hit a sharp grounder to Cirillo. With an accurate throw to first, the Titans recorded the second out.  Trot Nixon was the last batter for Aybar in this inning. Nixon hit a soft grounder to Cirillo, who made the play at first for the third out.

With the Titans comfortably ahead, Titan manager Peter Kilmarx made several substitutions in the bottom of the 7th. Eduardo Perez came in to play third base for Long Beach. On the pitching side, LaTroy Hawkins took the mound in relief, replacing Jeff D’Amico, who had pitched six innings.  On the Demolition side, Todd Pratt was sent in to bat for Johnson. Pratt managed a walk, marking his first walk of the series. The Demolition were looking to mount a comeback.  Shannon Stewart was up next, hitting a sharp line drive right between Perez and Cruz for a clean single. Shannon Stewart‘s hit put runners on first and second with no outs.  Denny Hocking was the following batter and he poked a ball to right for a base hit. Justice fielded it and threw it in, loading the bases for the Demolition. It was Hocking’s second hit of the game.  With the bases loaded and no outs, Titans manager Peter Kilmarx decided to make yet another pitching change, bringing in Rod Beck to replace Hawkins. Beck inherited a challenging situation with the bases full and no outs.  Edgar Renteria stepped up to face Beck. The infield was set for a double play, but Renteria hit a ground ball to Fullmer, who tagged the bag and made the throw to first. A run scored for the Demolition, but the Titans got the crucial double play. The Titans were now leading 8-2.  Rich Becker followed, hitting a lined shot to right that initially gave Justice trouble. However, he made the catch, and the Demolition decided to send Stewart home and Hocking to third. Justice’s throw came to the plate, but Stewart easily scored, making it 8-3. Hocking advanced to third on the play.  The final batter for the Demolition in the 7th was Bobby Higginson. He hit a lazy pop fly to left field, where Perez made the catch. With that, the Demolition’s hopes of a big inning were dashed, and the Titans secured the inning-ending out.

With the Demolition still trailing by five runs, they sent in Doug Jones, a right-handed pitcher, to relieve Aybar. Aybar’s line included one earned run on one hit, a homer, and he was replaced by Jones.

In a memorable Game #1 filled with outstanding pitching, clutch hitting, and remarkable defensive plays, the Long Beach Titans emerged victorious with a final score of 8-4. Brad Fullmer‘s two-run home run in the fourth inning proved to be a pivotal moment, and the Titans’ pitchers held off the Demolition’s late-game rally to capture Game #1. Both teams displayed incredible skill and determination, making this a solid start to the series, where we could see this one go the distance.

As the Long Beach players celebrated their hard-fought victory, fans from bLong Beach who stuck around applauded the incredible performance and sportsmanship displayed on the fieldby the Titans who now held a 1-0 lead heading into Game #2 which will surely be remembered as one of the most exciting and competitive in recent memory, a testament to the enduring appeal of America’s pastime.

Final Score: Long Beach 8 – Chicago 4
Series 1-0 Long Beach

Win: Jeff D’Amico 1-0 (1.50)
Loss: Roger Clemens 0-1 (13.50)

In a thrilling Game #2, the Chicago Demolition and Long Beach Titansn faced off in a high-stakes battle that had fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams brought their A-game to the field, and the intensity of the matchup was palpable from the very first pitch.

The Titans started the game with Trot Nixon facing Pedro Martinez. With no outs and the bases empty, Nixon managed to hit a hot smash just out of reach of the Demolition’s defense, earning himself a single and setting the tone for the game. However, the Long Beach Titans’ early optimism was short-lived, as Nixon’s attempt to steal second base was cut short by an excellent throw from Charles Johnson, resulting in a crucial out for the Titans.  Pedro Martinez continued to impress, striking out Benny Agbayani and Dave Justice, leaving the Long Beach Titans scoreless in the top of the first inning.  As the game moved to the bottom of the first, the Demolition looked to take the lead, bit could muster up nothing.  Scoreless after 1 Inning of play.

In the second inning, the Titans struggled to make headway against Martinez, with the Demolition’s ace delivering two strikeouts in a row, first against Brad Fullmer and then against Jeffrey Hammonds.  The bottom of the second inning saw Jeff Cirillo falling victim to a strikeout from the Titans Rick Ankiel, keeping the Demolition from making any advances.

The third inning brought a change in the game’s momentum. The Titans began to rally, and Mitch Meluskey earned a single after a fisted hit to right field. Deivi Cruz followed with a double, and Bobby Estalella‘s base hit allowed Mitch Meluskey to score, putting the Long Beach Titans on the board. Edgar Renteria‘s bobbled play at shortstop allowed Cruz to score, increasing the Long Beach Titans’ lead to 2-0.  The Demolition answered back in the bottom of the third with the bags full, Carlos Delgado delivered a Grand Slam, swinging the game’s momentum in favor of the Demolition. Phil Nevin‘s ground ball to the shortstop was the final out of the inning, but the damage had been done, and the Demolition led 4-2.

The top of the fourth saw the Long Beach trying to stage a comeback, but their efforts were thwarted by the Demolition’s defense, leaving them with no additional runs.  Chcicago went 1-2-3 the inning with no additional runs for the Demolition.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Demolition led the Titans 4-2. Denny Hocking faced Shigetoshi Hasegawa, with no outs and the bases empty. The pitch came in, umpire thumbing him out, making it one away.  Edgar Renteria stepped up next and hit a powerful shot toward the gap in right center, earning himself a double, his first of the series. Rich Becker followed with a weak pop fly, resulting in an easy catch for J. Vidro, making it two down.   Long Beach Titans manager Peter Kilmarx approached Hasegawa, requesting the ball. Jose Jimenez replaced Hasegawa on the mound, looking for one crucial out.  Bobby Higginson faced Jimenez, and as the pitch came in, he lined it hard over second. Nixon raced over to cut it off, but the Demolitions Renteria was well on his way around third. Renteria tried to score, and the throw home was on target, but he slid in just in time. Higginson, attempted to take second on the throw, but was tagged out on a close play. The Demolition scored another run, making it 5-2 Demolition

The game entered the top of the 7th inning, with the Titans trailing 5-2. Mitch Meluskey faced Hipolito Pichardo, and he hit a pitch straight up the chute. Delgado made the catch, resulting in one out.  Deivi Cruz came up next and hit a ball that went back through the box and into center field. Cruz rounded first and held with a single, his second hit of the game.  Titans Manager, Peter Kilmarx, made a change. Ben Petrick came in to pinch hit for Estalella. A Wild Pitch allowed Cruz to advance to second.  Petrick then faced Pichardo again and lined a hard shot to left for a base hit. Higginson cut it off, but Cruz rounded third, and he was waved home. The throw home was made, and Cruz slid in safe on a close play. The Titans scored another run, bringing the score to 5-3 with the Demolition still in the lead.  The game continued with high stakes and fierce competition, as the Titans looked to close the gap on the Demolition.

The eighth inning proved to be a critical juncture in the game. The Long Beach Titans had runners on first and second, but the Demolition’s defense managed to escape the inning unscathed.  

As the ninth inning approached, the Titans desperately sought to stage a comeback. However, the Demolition’s defense held firm, securing a hard-fought victory in the championship game.

In the end, the Demolition emerged as the champions of Game #2, thanks to their excellent pitching and timely hitting. The Long Beach Titans put up a valiant fight, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Demolition. This game will be remembered as a solid battle between two talented teams, showcasing the excitement and unpredictability that makes baseball such a beloved sport.   After two games the teams were tied 1 game each.

Final Score: Chicago 5 – Long Beach 3
Series tied 1-1

Win: Pedro Martinez 1-0 (3.00)
Loss: Rick Ankiel 0-1 (11.57)
Save: Justin Speier #1

With the series tied 1 gam each they teams head out West to Long Beach with the stakes high, with both teams vying for the coveted win in game #3. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with exciting plays and pivotal moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The Demolition took the early lead in the first inning, with Rich Becker drawing a walk and Bobby Higginson delivering a clutch double that put runners on second and third. However, after a Phil Nevin Ground out which scored a run, Long Beach Titans pitcher, Glendon Rusch, managed to escape the inning without further damage, leaving a runner in scoring position.

The Titans quickly responded in the bottom of the first, as Jeffrey Hammonds led off with a single. Chad Kreuter followed with another base hit, and Dave Justice‘s double to the right-field gap allowed Hammonds to score, tying the game at 1-1. The Titans then took the lead as Benny Agbayani hit a sacrifice fly, bringing in Chad Kreuter and making it 2-1 in favor of Long Beach.

In the fourth inning, the Chicago Demolition took lead. Phil Nevin opened the inning with a double, followed by an RBI groundout from Jeffrey Cirillo. Carlos Delgado added another run with a sac fly, increasing the Chicago Demolition’ lead to 4-1. It was a crucial inning for Chicago, giving them some much-needed insurance runs.

The Demolition put up a single run in the top of the fifth, as they rallied to take control of the game. Phil Nevin, already with a double earlier in the game, crushed a home run that made it 5-2 in favor of the Demolition. They continued to apply pressure in the eighth inning, tacking on additional runs to put the game out of reach for the Long Beach Titans.

In the end, the Demolition secured Game #2 with an 8-2 victory over the Long Beach Titans. Key players like Phil Nevin, Denny Hocking, and Carlos Delgado made significant contributions to the Demolition’s success, both offensively and defensively. The Titans fought hard, but they were unable to overcome the Demolition’s powerful performance.

Chicago takes a 2-1 lead over Long Beach.

Final Score: Chicago 8 – Long Beach 2
Series 2-1 Chicago

Win: Kevin Millwood 1-0 (2.57)
Loss: Glendon Rusch 0-1 (12.00)

Game #4 that was nothing short of epic, the Titans faced off against the Chicago Demolition, and it quickly became apparent that this would be a game to remember. The top of the 1st inning set the tone for what was to come, as the Demolition launched a powerful offensive onslaught.

Rich Becker stepped up to the plate to face Jeff D’Amico, and with no outs and the bases empty, he showed incredible discipline at the plate, earning a base on balls. The Demolition were off to a promising start.  Next up was Bobby Higginson, and he made a huge impact, sending a ball into right field, which dropped just beyond the reach of the outfielder, Rich Becker made a daring dash, rounding second base and heading for third. The coach initially signaled for Becker to stop at second, a wise decision as you never want to make that first out at third base, but Becker managed to make it in safely to third.

Carlos Delgado stepped up next, and he became the star of the inning. With a shot down the right field line, he hit a three-run homer, bringing the score to 3-0 in favor of the Demolition. It was a remarkable display of power and precision, bringing a chorus of boos from the fans.

Phil Nevin followed suit, lining a shot to short and making it to first safely. The Titans were struggling to contain the Demolition’s offensive onslaught. However, Jeff Cirillo hit a frozen rope straight to center, where Nixon made a key catch. Nevin held up and tagged but didn’t attempt to score.

The Demolition wasn’t done yet. Charles Johnson lofted a pitch down the left field line, a fair ball for a base hit. Hammond was quick to field the ball, but Nevin rounded third. The coach waved him in, and the throw home came in hot. Nevin had no choice but to go for it. The Titans’ catcher, Meluskey, made an attempt to cut it to second, but Nevin managed to score before the tag & the out at second on Johnson.

Shannon Stewart came to the plate and faced D’Amico. He made contact with a pitch but sent it foul, and then being down 0-2 Stewart swung at the next pitch and missed, resulting in a strikeout.

The Titans’ batting lineup had its own share of challenges when facing the Demolition’s ace, Roger Clemens. The bottom of the 1st saw Jeffrey Hammonds at the plate. He waved at a pitch in the dirt and became the strikeout victim, leaving the Titans searching for answers.

Ben Petríck stepped up, and the crowd had their hopes high, but it was not to be. Clemen’s pitch led to a groundout, and Petríck was retired, with the first two Long Beach batters falling in quick succession.

Glenallen Hill offered a ray of hope for the Titans, singling a ground ball into left field. However, Dave Justice was next at bat and grounded to Hocking, who scooped it up and attempted a play at second base but threw it wide. Hill advanced to second, and the Long Beach Titans were presented with an opportunity.   However, the Titans couldn’t capitalize on this chance, and it ended in a 4-0 lead for the Demolition.

As the game continued, the Long Beach Titans struggled to gain momentum, while the Demolition continued to extend their lead. The top of the 3rd inning was particularly crucial for the Demolition, as they capitalized on walks and hits, expanding their lead to 9-1. Carlos Delgado showcased his power with a Home Run, and the Chicago Demolition found themselves with a 9-1 lead after two & a half Innings of play.

In a display of pure offensive prowess, the Demolition put on a fireworks show in the top of the 5th inning, scoring five runs and leaving the Titans gasping for air. Facing off against Titans’ pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa, the Demolition wasted no time getting their bats swinging.  Shannon Stewart led the charge with a solid single into left-center, marking his second safety of the day and his fifth hit of the series.  Denny Hocking joined in, finding a gap and sending the ball toward first base, resulting in his sixth hit of the series.  The Demolition onslaught continued as Edgar Renteria drove in a base hit to left field, loading the bases. With the bases juiced, Rich Becker approached the plate, and a walk forced in another run.  Although the Titans managed to record an out, courtesy of a fielder’s choice, the Demolition’s relentless offense was too much to handle. A ground ball by Bobby Higginson scored another run, putting the Demolition ahead by 11-2.  Then, the moment that had the crowd hissing and booing occurred when Carlos Delgado stepped up. With an explosive swing, he sent the ball soaring over the right-field wall for a 3-Run Home Run extending the Demolition’s lead to 14-2.  The Demolition’s commanding performance in the 5th inning solidified their lead, leaving the Titans with an uphill battle to climb in the latter part of the game. With a score of 14-2 in favor of the Demolition, it was clear that they had seized control of the game.

The Demolition showcased their relentless offensive might in the top of the 8th inning, extending their commanding lead over the Titans. Facing pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa who was out there taking a pounding to save the Titan bullpen, the Demolition began the inning with Jeff Cirillo drawing a walk and Charles Johnson following suit, marking a rocky start for Hasegawa.  With runners on first and second, Shannon Stewart hit a deep ball to left field, allowing both runners to tag up. However, they decided not to try for third as the throw came in. With the bases loaded and one out, Denny Hocking worked a walk, his first of the series, forcing in a run.  Edgar Renteria drew another walk, his second in the inning and his fifth free pass in the series, adding to the Demolition’s lead. Rich Becker hit a drive into left center, but the Titans’ defense managed to hold the runners.  Bobby Higginson had a chance with the bases loaded but swung and missed, leaving the bases juiced. Finally, Dave Hansen grounded into a double play, ending the inning.  The Demolition added two more runs to their impressive total, making it a 16-2 lead over the Titans. Their remarkable offensive display in the 8th inning left the Titans with an uphill battle to climb in the late stages of the game.

In the top of the 9th inning, the Chicago Demolition continued their offensive onslaught, piling on more runs against the Titans. Phil Nevin set the tone by smashing a solo home run into the left-field bleachers, extending the Demolition’s lead to 17-2.   Manager Stray Corrado made some substitutions as Jeff Cirillo was replaced by Jay Canizaro, who promptly singled to center field for his first hit of the series. With Canizaro on first, Charles Johnson launched a towering shot to right field, clearing the fence for a two-run homer. The Demolition’s lead ballooned to 19-2.  Eli Marrero entered the game to pinch-hit for Shannon Stewart but was promptly retired on a flyout to center field. The Demolition eventually wrapped up their turn at bat with no further damage, but they had well and truly dominated the Titans, leaving the home team with an enormous deficit to overcome in the bottom of the 9th.  Manager Corrado capitalized on the comfortable lead, making additional substitutions and rearranging his defensive lineup. As the Titans came to bat, they faced an uphill battle, trailing by 17 runs.

In a one-sided affair, the Chicago Demolition trounced the Titans with a final score of 19-2, leaving no doubt about their supremacy in the matchup. The Demolition’s victory was highlighted by their potent offense and solid pitching.  In the bottom of the 9th inning, with the Demolition comfortably ahead 19-2, Nelson P. Cruz took the mound to close out the game. Deivi Cruz was the first Titans batter he faced and promptly grounded out to second, thanks to a swift play by Jay Canizaro.  Despite the large deficit, the Titans showed resilience as Trot Nixon managed to draw a walk, providing a glimmer of hope. However, that hope quickly faded as the next batter, Pat Burrell, sent a routine fly ball to left field, secured by Dave Hansen.  With two outs and a runner on first, Ben Petrick faced Nelson P. Cruz for the final at-bat. Cruz, determined to finish the game on a high note, struck out Petrick, sealing the dominant 19-2 victory for the Chicago Demolition.

The Demolition’s relentless offense and sturdy pitching were the defining factors in their commanding win, which solidified their position in the series.

Final Score: Chicago 19 – Long Beach 2
Series 3-1 Chicago

Win: Roger Clemens 1-1 (6.75)
Loss: Jeff D’Amico 1-1 (7.88)

In a thrilling Game #5 with the Titans of Long Beach down 3 games to 1 the Titans faced off against the Chicago Demolition in what proved to be an action-packed contest. However before the game began there was an very sick Pedro Martinez.  He was so sick he was scratched at the last minute & Tony McKnight took the hill in his place.

The Demolition took an early lead in the first inning, thanks to a combination of patient at-bats and clutch hitting. Rich Becker, the leadoff batter, drew a walk, extending his streak of reaching base in five consecutive games.  The Long Beach Titans’ starting pitcher, Rick Ankiel, struggled with his control, issuing multiple walks in the first inning. Bobby Higginson‘s walk put runners on first and second, and then Carlos Delgado capitalized on a pitch over the plate, driving in a run with a double down the right-field line.

With runners on second and third, Phil Nevin hit a high fly ball to left field. Jeffrey Hammonds, the Long Beach Titans’ left fielder, made the catch, but the Demolition held the runners, choosing not to send them home. The next batter, Jeff Cirillo, came through with a clutch hit, singling to center field and driving in two more runs. The Demolition were in control, leading 3-0.

However, the Titans’ pitcher, Rick Ankiel, couldn’t find his command, issuing a total of three walks in the inning. With the bases loaded and only one out, the Demolition were in a prime position to add more runs. Charles Johnson walked, forcing the Chicago Demolition to make a pitching change. Jose Jimenez took the mound, replacing Ankiel, but the damage had already been done.  Shannon Stewart came to the plate, and although he made solid contact, Jose Jimenez got the final two outs to prevent further damage, but the Demolition had extended their lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the first, the Titans had a chance to respond. Jeffrey Hammonds led off the inning, and the Demolition’s pitcher, Tony McKnight, struck him out. Chad Kreuter followed with a walk, but McKnight retired the next two batters to escape the inning unscathed.

The Demolition added another run in the top of the second inning, capitalizing on their strong start. Rich Becker, the leadoff batter, went down swinging against Jose Jimenez, Bobby Higginson hit a fly ball to left field, caught by Jeffrey Hammonds.   Carlos Delgado was up next and hit a single to right field, continuing his impressive performance. The Demolition’s aggressive baserunning strategy paid off as Delgado advanced to second base on a wild pitch, and then he came home to score on Phil Nevin‘s double. The Demolition now held a 4-0 lead.

The Long Beach Titans’ bats came alive in the bottom of the first inning. Chad Kreuter led off with a walk, Glenallen Hill grounded out to shortstop, and Dave Justice flied out to left field, allowing Kreuter to advance to second.  Brad Fullmer came through with a sharp single to right field, driving in the Titans’ first run of the game. The score was 4-1 in favor of the Demolition.

In a pivotal third inning, the Long Beach Demolition faced off against the Titans in a high-stakes battle. With a 3-2 lead in favor of the Demolition, the inning began with JefCirillo at the plate.  Facing Mark Gardner‘s pitch, Cirillo launched a powerful drive to right-center field, hitting the wall with authority. The Titans’ outfielder, Trot Nixon, hustled to retrieve the ball. Cirillo, not wasting a moment, made a daring dash for second base. Nixon’s throw came in, but Cirillo slid safely into second, securing a crucial double. This marked Cirillo’s second double of the series, and it was his fifth hit in the ongoing World Series. 

Next up, Charles Johnson faced Gardner and made solid contact. However, the Titans’ Shortstop, Cruz, made an impressive catch, recording the first out of the inning.  Shannon Stewart followed, and he smacked a hit deep into the outfield. The ball eluded Hammonds, and Cirillo sped around third base, racing home to score. Stewart’s well-placed shot resulted in a two-base hit, further extending the Demolition’s lead to 4-2. 

Denny Hocking came to the plate, hitting a ground ball to Meluskey at third base. Although there was a moment of juggling, Meluskey managed to make the throw to first just in time to record the out. In the process, Stewart advanced to third base.  Edgar Renteria was the final batter of the inning, but his looped hit into left field was fielded by Hammonds. With a quick throw back to the infield, the Titans retired the side, leaving Stewart stranded at third.

In the bottom half of the inning, the Titans looked to respond, with Jeffrey Hammonds leading off. He hit a ground ball to shortstop, and Edgar Renteria made a clean fielding play and threw to first for the out.   Chad Kreuter stepped up next and connected with a shot down the right-field line, but it was ruled foul, resulting in strike one. Kreuter’s hopes of igniting a rally were dashed when he swung and missed at McKnight’s pitch, marking the second out of the inning.   Glenallen Hill, with a powerful swing, sent a deep shot over the left-field fence for a home run. The Titans cut the Demolition’s lead to 4-3.  The final out of the inning was secured by Dave Justice, who hit a ball to Cirillo, making the fielding play and throwing to first to retire the side. With that, the Titans had narrowed the margin to just one run.

The third inning provided an exciting showcase of both teams’ skills and determination, with the Demolition holding a slim lead. As the game progressed, the tension remained high, and the outcome remained uncertain.

The Long Beach Demolition continued their offensive onslaught in the top of the 4th inning, further solidifying their lead over the Titans. The inning began with Rich Becker at the plate.  Facing the Titans’ MarkGardner, Becker managed to draw a walk, putting him on first base.  Next, Bobby Higginson stepped up to bat, but his hit turned into a pop-up behind the plate. Catcher Chad Kreuter secured the out with a clean catch.  Carlos Delgado came to the plate with Becker on first base. Delgado smacked a hard-hit ball to the right field gap. Dave Justice cut it off, preventing a potential extra-base hit. Becker advanced to third, but the third-base coach signaled him to stop there to avoid a play at the plate. Delgado’s single marked his second hit of the game and his 10th hit of the series.

With runners on first and third, Phil Nevin faced Gardner. Nevin connected with a high and deep shot to left-center field. The ball soared over the wall for a home run, extending the Demolition’s lead to 7-3.

Following the impressive homer, Jeff Cirillo came to the plate but struggled, swinging and missing at Gardner’s pitch for a strikeout, marking the second out.  Charles Johnson then managed a single by driving a shot into left-center field, recording his 6th hit of the series.

At this point, Titans manager Peter Kilmarx decided to make a pitching change. He called in LaTroy Hawkins to replace Gardner on the mound. Gardner had pitched an inning and two-thirds, allowing four runs on five hits, including a home run, along with one walk and one strikeout.  Facing Hawkins, Shannon Stewart stepped into the batter’s box and hit a ball down the left-field line. It dropped just inside the foul line, and Charles Johnson raced home to score. The Demolition aggressively waved Stewart to third, and he slid safely around the tag, further extending their lead to 8-3.  Denny Hocking closed out the inning, hitting a ball deep into left field. Jeffrey Hammonds made the catch, retiring the side.

In the bottom of the 4th, the Titans looked to respond as Brad Fullmer faced Tony McKnight. Fullmer, however, struck out swinging for the first out.  JoseVidro hit a ground ball back to McKnight, who initially mishandled it. Despite the error, McKnight managed to recover and throw to first. However, the ball sailed wide and bounced off the wall, allowing Vidro to reach first base. The Demolition committed their second error of the game.  With a runner on first and one out, Mitch Meluskey hit a line drive to right field for a single, advancing Vidro to second.  Deivi. Cruz stepped up to bat, hitting a high fly ball to right field. Becker made the catch, and both runners tagged up but decided not to advance.  

As the Titans looked to capitalize on their opportunity, Demolition manager Stray Corrado decided to make a pitching change. He brought in the left-handed Arthur Rhodes to replace McKnight, who went three and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits while striking out three.  Facing Rhodes, Trot. Nixon took his turn at the plate. Nixon hit a hard line drive, but Denny Hocking was there to make the catch, ending the Titans’ threat in the 4th inning.

The Demolition maintained their lead with a score of 8-3 as the game moved forward.

In the top of the 9th inning, the Demolition put the game out of reach, adding two more runs to their already substantial lead. Phil Nevin started the inning, drawing a walk from Titans pitcher Rod Beck. Demolition manager Stray Corrado substituted Tony Womack to pinch-run for Nevin.  Jeff Cirillo faced Beck next, and as Womack took a lead off first, he made a daring steal to second base. A misplayed throw allowed Womack to advance. Despite the excitement, Cirillo grounded out, but Womack moved to third.  With Womack on third, the Titans decided to make a pitching change, bringing in Dave Veres to relieve Beck on the mound. Beck pitched an inning and two-thirds, allowing one hit and one walk.  Facing Veres, Charles Johnson powered a tremendous blast to left field, sending the ball soaring over the fence for a two-run homer. This home run extended the Demolition’s lead to 10-4.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Titans tried to mount a comeback, but Joey Hamilton, now pitching for the Demolition, held firm. Deivi Cruz, Trot Nixon, & Ben Petrick all recorded outs, and Joey Hamilton effectively shut down the Titans’ last-ditch efforts.

With the final out, the Demolition clinched the 2000 Mid-West Winter League World Series, securing their place as champions. This remarkable victory not only showcased their hitting prowess but also their pitching resilience.

In a resounding display of their supremacy, the Chicago Demolition triumphed in Game #5 of the MWWL World Series, clinching the championship by defeating the Long Beach Titans with a commanding score of 10-4. The Demolition showcased their unrelenting offense and pitching prowess throughout the series, securing their fourth MWWL World Series title.

The Chicago Demolition’s victory in the MWWL World Series is a testament to their exceptional teamwork and determination. Congratulations to the Demolition on their remarkable achievement, and their place in history as the 2000 MWWL World Series champions!

Final Score: Chicago 10 – Long Beach 4
Chicago Wins the 2000 Mid-West Winter League World Series 4 games to 1.

Win: Arthur Rhodes 1-0 (2.70)
Loss: Rick Ankiel 0-2 (20.25)
Save:  Joey Hamilton #1

The series’ turning point came in Game 3, as Chicago handed Long Beach an 8-2 defeat. The Demolition’s momentum continued in Game 4, with a resounding 19-2 win, leaving Long Beach reeling. The decisive Game 5 saw the Chicago Demolition solidify their supremacy with a 10-4 triumph, claiming the 2000 MWWL World Series title.

The most significant highlight of the series was the exceptional performance of Chicago’s Carlos Delgado, who was awarded the 2000 MWWL World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP). Delgado’s statistics were nothing short of astonishing, boasting a batting average of .476, along with five home runs and 15 RBIs. His impressive .522 on-base percentage was a testament to his consistency throughout the series, making him a true game-changer for the Demolition.

Chicago’s victory in the 2000 MWWL World Series marks their fourth championship in the franchise’s history, with previous titles claimed in 1988, 1986, and 1972. Their passionate fan base, known for enduring the team’s lengthy championship drought, finally has reason to celebrate.

Chicago Demolition’s manager, Stray Corrado, expressed his jubilation after the victory, stating, “This has been a long time coming, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of these players and their unwavering support from our fans. We are thrilled to bring the Mid-West Winter League World Series trophy back to Chicago.”

The 2000 MWWL World Series will be remembered as a thrilling showdown between two formidable teams, with Chicago Demolition etching their names into the league’s history books as deserving champions. Carlos Delgado‘s incredible performance will undoubtedly remain a topic of discussion among baseball enthusiasts for years to come, as he secured his legacy as one of the all-time greats in MWWL World Series history.

2000 WORLD SERIES MVP – Carlos Delgado -10 for 21 – Batting .476, with a .522 On Base Percentage, including 2 Doubles & 5 Home Run, 15 RBI’s & 8 Runs Scored over the course of 5 World Series Games.