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We did it!

Prior to 2002, Total Packages had won 1 game in the upper division of the Summer Tournament. We've been crushed in the first round twice. In 1998, we lost 17-0 vs. Chargers. In 1999, we lost to Heat 18-8. In 2000, we beat Casino St. Charles by 1 run, then went on to lose the next two games. In 2001, we played in the lower bracket, and went only 2-0 before lunch, and 0-2 after the liquid lunches consumed by some of our players. Our tournament history stinks. Then came 2002.

We won the last 4 games by a combined total of 5 runs. Everybody contributed. The power guys Pawlik/Meier/Polancyak hit 15 HR. Scheidegger hit out of his mind, batting .667 for the tournament as compared to his .490 regular season. Mitchell was going up the middle all day. King played solid shortstop as always, plus made the prettiest play of the year as he dove right for a ball, got up and got the guy at 1b. Jenkins hit great like usual plus mopped up on the mound in the final game as Meier's tank ran dry.

The biggest story of the tournament however, was Korey Dake. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th, Midwest Upholstery got a hit to bring them within a run and put the tying run at 2b with the meat of their order coming up. Before the play was over, Korey threw behind "Mini Meier" at 2b to pick him off and end the game. That was easily the biggest defensive play in Total Packages history. Dake wasn't done. For a little background, recall that Dake struggled at the plate most of the season. In the finale vs. Dirt Bags, with the score tied, they scored 8 in the bottom of the 4th to pull way ahead. Jenkins took over mound duties from Cy Young winner Meier in that 4th to get the final out and stop the bleeding. In the top of the 5th, we had rallied for 5 already and had the bases loaded, their new pitcher was struggling to find the plate like the guy before him. Dake at bat with one out. Here's Pawlik's thoughts as the play unfolded. "OK Korey, make him pitch to you. Christ, swinging at the first pitch. Well OK, it was right down the middle and ya hit it good. Long flyball, that'll get a run home at least. Oooh, it's burned them deep in the lf-lcf gap, extra bases! It's over the wall!!!! Grand Slam! We take the lead!!!! Holy Shit!!!!" It was way better than Ozzie's "Go Crazy Folks" HR in 1985. Dirt Bags crumpled and never led again as Jenkins slammed the door, allowing only 3 runs over the final 3 innings.