Long Beach Titans @ Chicago Demolition

Written by Greg “Sarge” Stauffer 10/30/2023 – 9:00 AM ET

The Long Beach Titans’ journey to the World Series is far from that of an underdog or an unexpected entrant. Despite entering the postseason as a Wild Card team, their exceptional performance throughout the year, with 100 wins, ranks them third in the MWWL. Remarkably, they had to face the formidable Blarney Drive Bandits, the best team in the league, 22 times during the regular season.

This Titans team has demonstrated its prowess by sweeping the Goldeyes in the Wild Card Round, defeating the league’s top Blarney Drive Bandits in just five games, and orchestrating a remarkable comeback by clinching games 6 and 7 of the League Championship against the Gas Hornets.

In the words of Skipper Peter Kilmarx regarding their series against the Blarney Drive Bandits, “We achieved success against Blarney Drive by effectively countering Randy Johnson‘s pitching and securing victories in both of his starts. Our offense, while not as potent as in the regular season, delivered crucial hits when necessary. They are a highly skilled team, and if we were to face them again, they could very well win four out of five games.”

The Titans’ success can be attributed to their formidable batting lineup, with a remarkable team batting average of .306, accumulating 1142 runs and boasting no fewer than 11 players with double-digit home runs. Notably, Dave Justice, who had faced personal challenges in 1998 and 1999, displayed the form that earned him the MWWL Rookie of the Year award in 1990. He recorded an impressive .299 batting average, crushed 52 home runs, and led the team with 140 RBIs.

Despite their offensive prowess, the Titans did not neglect their pitching staff, ranking third in team ERA within the MWWL. Their depth is evident with six pitchers achieving double-digit wins. The latter innings of tight games are securely managed by their robust back-end bullpen, anchored by Rod Beck and Curt Leskanic, who consistently perform exceptionally well.

In conclusion, the Long Beach Titans are a strong, resilient team that should not be underestimated.

Representing the American League, we have the Chicago Demolition, a force to be reckoned with in the 2000 MWWL World Series. Having come close in 1998 and 1999, they have finally broken through and secured a place on the center stage.

Their ace and likely Cy Young winner in 2000, known for leading a formidable regular-season staff, compiled an impressive record of 26-3 with a minuscule 1.62 ERA and 216 strikeouts. Opposing teams managed a mere .167 batting average against him. The pitching rotation also features luminaries such as Roger Clemens, the scheduled starter for Game 1, and Kevin Millwood. These three powerhouses can smoothly transition to the pen, where Justin Speier and Nelson P. Cruz combined for 31 saves.

On the offensive front, the Demolition flaunted five players with batting averages exceeding .300 and nine players with double-digit home runs. The standout performer is MVP candidate Carlos Delgado, who boasts a remarkable slash line of .377/.514/.708, culminating in an astonishing OPS of 1.222.

When asked about returning to the grand stage, Manager Corrado expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s about time, as it has been a decade since our last appearance in the World Series. We are thrilled to be here. The Titans are a formidable opponent.”

Let’s delve into a detailed comparison of this year’s MWWL World Series opponents: Continue reading →