The Big Cup to Little Rhody!

Hello PawSox Fans!

DO YOU HAVE YOURS YET!!??? {Its the only shirt I have hanging in the hotel closet}

The PawSox 2012 Governors Cup Champion shirts are now available! If you dont have one yet dont hesitate…head down to the team store or get it right online at pawsox.com. Once you have your shirt, dont forget to wear it on September 18th at McCoy Stadium to watch the National Championship Game on the huge video board. Admission is free and the Governors Cup Trophy will be on hand for fans to have their photo taken with it.

It sure has been an exciting couple of days in Charlotte after sweeping the Knights to win the championship for the first time since 1984. Thursday was a perfect night for baseball. Looking onto the field we realize that on Wednesday, 24 hours ago, the uniforms, bats, hats players bags and even the umpires equipment was on the field at McCoy Stadium just about 700 miles north of where we are now.

Sitting behind us was former PawSox pitcher and fan favorite Jason Rice and his wife and new daughter. (He is now with the Braves and recently had elbow surgery)

PawSox PA Announcer Scott Frazier decided of the thousands of seats available to plant himself right in front of me, hindering my picture taking.

After the 7th inning, my driving partner Lou and I headed down the tunnel that leads to behind home plate. We walk past the chilled bottles of champagne just waiting to be popped!

With the PawSox leading 4-1 they were six outs away from the title. The Charlotte Knights staff brought the trophy and table down the tunnel ready to be presented if the PawSox win.

Every pitch mattered. Josh Field was on the hill, and you could see the look of determination on his face. As they headed into the bottom of the ninth the excitement grew. We were joined by PawSox Team President Mike, GM Lou and International League President Randy Mobley.

With two outs the batter hits a fly ball that is caught and the PawSox Win! Let the celebration begin! We head onto the field and the players are really enjoying the moment. They line up to congratulate each other. Its my best shot of the night, and even toss in a few high fives myself.

PawSox Photographer Louriann Mardo-Zayat, a true professional takes some awesome pictures that I will use. For some reason, perhaps I was just too excited, most of my pics are blurry. Louriann gets a great shot of the celebration.

The Sox fans in the stands are pleased with the victory.

As the Trophy is getting presented to PawSox Manager Arnie Beyeler, Mike, Lou and Director of Player DevelopementBen Crockett by Randy Mobley, the players have their champagne bottles loaded and at the ready!

Ready!

This is a tremendous shot from Louriann showing the “Champagne Shower!

Championship shirts are handed out to the players and staff and the field gets fertilized with the bubbly. The celebration continues into the clubhouse. Everyone is posing for pictures hoisting the trophy in the air. There are Gatorade Bucket showers for the coaching staff. A full bucket is poured over pitching coach Gerald Perry who never saw it coming.

It truly is something to be part of. I’m sure every member of the PawSox Staff feels the same way. Mike and Lou ask if there is somewhere in the area where they could treat the team to some food and beverages. The last time I was here a few weeks ago, we had gone to Baileys, a nice place with good food and it was only about a mile from the hotel.

I called ahead and they said they could accomodate us. After showering to get all the champagne off, the 2 vans transported the players and staff to Baileys. Everyone indulged in everything from Buffalo Wings to Pepper Poppers. It truly was a fun evening.

On Saturday, the team will have a workout at the stadium. After that, the equipment will get loaded onto the Penske Big Bertha and I’ll head 2.5 hours to Durham. The team will bus there on Sunday for the Gildan Triple A National Championship game.

The Triple A National Championship game  was previously known as the Bricktown Showdown. It was first started in 2006 to determine the overall champions of Triple A Baseball. The Champs of the International League play the champs of the Pacific Coast League.

It’s a single game this year being held in Durham. From 2006 until 2010 it was annually held at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. Starting last year, the game will be hosted by a different Triple A city each year.

The Pacific Coast League champs have not yet been determined. The Reno Aces lead the series 2-1 against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Dont forget to grab your Champion shirt and head to McCoy to watch the game with other fans. It will be an awesome time and although there are no more home games for the 2012 season, we are still………”Here For You!”

Love hearing from you!

Yours in Baseball,

Rick Medeiros