1988 ABA CONVENTION

February 12-14, 1988

 

The Weather Outside is Frightful

In spite of blizzard conditions outside, Convention #2 gets underway in Warminster, PA. Convention newcomer Brian Hoyt (second from right) gets acquainted with Paul Gutgesell, Joe Elinich and Mike Perry.

Worth the Effort

ABA Commissioner Jerry Valenti greets Convention newcomer Phil Grabar (center) and Eddie Liebfried. Phil drove up from Virginia for the Convention while Eddie and his group left New Hampshire on Thursday to make sure the snow would not deter them from attending.

Let the Games Begin

Jerry Valenti fills in for an absent Bob Taylor at the helm of the Bayonet Point Brigade, facing Phil Grabar's wild card Highwood Grays in opening round playoff action. Phil prevailed to move on to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile...

Norm Babcock (left) manages his Meadville Bulldogs to an opening round playoff victory over Tim Weidman's Silicon Valley Sentinels.

Who Do I Have To Trade?

Mitch Caren uses the ABA Administration System (written in dBase III) to print out his team's roster.

1987 Award Winners

Al Lanseigne displays his award for MVP George Bell. Paul Gutgesell received two awards -- one as Manager of the Year and one for Pitcher of the Year Mike Scott.

The Frozen Tundra

Paul Gutgesell (Ridgewood Chiefs) and Phil Grabar (Highwood Grays) face off in the 1987 World Series. Although it got quite cold in the lower level of the house, Paul and Phil persevered through a long hard fought 7-game series with Highwood edging Ridgewood for the championship.

I Would Have Won If You Had Turned On The Heat

Paul Gutgesell receives the runner-up trophy from Commissioner Jerry Valenti after a disappointing Game 7 loss by Pitcher of the Year Mike Scott.

The Parka Made the Difference

Dressed for camping out, Phil Grabar receives the 1987 Championship trophy from Commissioner Jerry Valenti. Entering the playoffs as a wild card team, the Grays overcame great odds to win the championship, becoming the first ABA wild card team to go all the way.