Kalamazoo and Leahy Go to Play Offs!

LHP - Trent Lare of the Kalamazoo Kings

My good buddy and braodcast partner John Leahy (late of Yawkey Baseball Game of the Week and Former Voice of the North Shore Spirit) is announcing games in Kalamazoo Michigan these days. Here is an update on the Kings and their push for the play offs prepared by our roving reporter Cuz Stu Sklaver:

The Kalamazoo (Michigan) Kings of the Frontier League last night advanced to the finals of the Championship Series to play the West Coast Champion, Windy City (Crestwood,IIinois) Thunderbolts. The Kings arrived at this point by defeating the Gateway (Sauget,Illinois) Grizzlies 6-4 in a nail-biter to win the series, 3 games to 1.

For those of you who don't already know yet, the voice of the Kings is former Yawkey announcer, John Leahy. A little Kings statistical history, (I like that) The team was led by Brendan Murphy who hit .332 and smacked 16 homers and drove in 77 runs in the regular season. But, they loved to run. Joseph Ramos led the entire league in stolen bases with 45, while Brandon Anderson chipped in with 34.Ok, time for our trivia break...What player was the last pitcher to lead the American League in double digit complete games?....Hint...It was in the 1990's.

Back to the Kalamazoo Kings. Pitching was excellent for the Kings this year. Team ERA was 4.21, which was good for third in the entire league. This was one of the main reasons the Kings finished at 60-36, best in the league.Joe DiPietro was only 7-5, but records can be deceiving. He finished with a 3.28 ERA and in 107 innings pitched only allowed 97 hits. Russ Stout finished third in the league with 11 wins. Brandon Parillo led the league with 20 saves. John Brownell was second in Complete Games with 4, finishing with 11 wins, as well. Trenton Lare finished first in the conference in shutouts with three.

The Frontier League is a league that is sending some players to the Major Leagues right now, with 6 players now on active rosters. The biggest name is George Sherrill, closer for the Orioles.We wish the Kings all the luck in finals. I will keep you all up to date. Cousin Stu Sklaver

You can listen to John call play by play during the play offs. here is a schedule:

Here is the championship series schedule, for those who might be incliined to tune in:

GAME 1 SATURDAY 9/13 at Kalamazoo 7 PM
GAME 2 SUNDAY 9/14 at Kalamazoo 7 PM
GAME 3 TUESDAY 9/16 at Windy City 8 PM
GAME 4 WEDNESDAY 9/17 at Windy CIty 8 PM (if necessary)
GAME 5 FRIDAY 9/19 at Kalamazoo 7 PM (if necessary)

All games are streamed live on http://www.espn1660.com/. Simply click on the LISTEN LIVE button at the top of the page.