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Does It Still Say "Get Acquainted"? Phil Grabar reviews the Convention Welcome Packet while waiting for the playoffs to begin. |
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Haven't I Played This Team Enough Times? Bob Taylor (right) manages his Bayonet Point Brigade against the Tampa Rambo War in opening round playoff action. Mitch Caren sits in for Bill Guerra and leads the wild card Rambo War to a 6-game series victory. |
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What Else Can Go Wrong? Mark Snyder (left) leads his AL top-seeded Connecticut Chiefs against the Rockingham Ransackers, managed by Charlie McDonnell sitting in for retired manager Al Lanseigne. Steve Malinowski and Brian Hoyt look on. The Chiefs can't get untracked and are eliminated in 6 games. |
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The Juggernaut Begins To Roll The NL top-seeded Glenshaw Gnomes, managed by Joe Elinich (left) make short work of the Lincoln Outlaws, eliminating them in 5 games. Phil Grabar sits in for an absent Tom Guse. |
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Dinner is Served Having finished the Friday night dinner (Domino's pizza), Bob Taylor and Norm Babcock attack the Tasty Kakes. |
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I Would Have Been Happy To Win One Game Making his first ABA playoff appearance, John Barna manages his Wexford Wranglers to a gut-wrenching 7-game victory over Jerry Valenti's Essex Traiblazers. ET's John Smoltz hurled a no-hitter in Game 5 but WW rallied to take Games 6 and 7, stranding the tying run at 2nd base in the bottom of the 9th inning of Game 7. |
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These Aren't Even Our Teams Mitch Caren and Charlie McDonnell manage TB and RR in the ALCS. In spite of using only their 3rd highest grade pitcher as their closer, the Rambo War took the series in 6 games to advance to the World Series. |
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If Only I Could Have Won That Extra Inning Game After winning Game 1 of the NLCS, John Barna's Wexford Wranglers blow 3 leads from the 9th inning on and eventually lose Game 2 to the Glenshaw Gnomes, managed by Joe Elinich. GG went on to take the series in 6 games. |
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The World Series Mitch Caren leads TB against the Glenshaw Gnomes, managed by Joe Elinich, in the 2008 ABA World Series. After four unsuccessful World Series appearances, Joe finally prevailed to win his first ABA championship. GG took the series in 5 games, winning one of the games on a 3-pitcher no-hitter. |
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Welcome to the ABA New league members Jay Leininger (left) and Steve Malinowski arrive at the Convention and are greeted by Bob Taylor and Norm Babcock. |
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Don't Throw Me Any Groundballs Phil Grabar and Brian Elinich take advantage of a gorgeous day to throw around a real baseball. |
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Two Against One Isn't Fair Brian Hoyt joins in the game of catch. Temperatures reached the mid 70's, making it one of the warmest Conventions ever. |
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Error - Commissioner Jerry Valenti has the ball hit off his glove on a backhand stab. Hey, you know how long it's been since I've done this? |
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That's Better After getting the catching part down, Jerry rifles off a throw that hits the ground, forcing Phil Grabar to go for a scoop pickup (just what he didn't want to have to do). |
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Draft Time Norm Babcock and John Barna settle in for the Free Agent Draft. With managers sharing laptops this year, response time was not an issue and the draft went very smoothly. |
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I Wish He Would Have Hit In The Playoffs John Barna accepts the 2008 MVP Award on behalf of his player Matt Holliday. |
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I've Had All These Players Mark Snyder gets the 2008 Rookie of the Year Award for Ryan Braun. |
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Another Runner-Up Trophy? For the 3rd time in 4 years, Mitch Caren accepts the ABA Runner-Up Trophy. At least this time, he doesn't have to bring it home as it will be on its way to Bill Guerra in Tampa. |
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Finally!! Joe Elinich accepts his first ABA Championship trophy. Joe was also ABA Manager of the Year for 2008. Congratulations Joe! |
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Saturday Night Trading Wearing her Phillies championship shirt, honorary Convention attendee Maria Valenti tries to swing a deal with Mitch Caren (most likely for pizza or a cookie). To the right, Brian Hoyt prepares to jump out the window after missing out on Brian McCann. |
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Sunday Morning at the Diner The traditional Sunday morning breakfast at the Blue Fountain Diner. Around the table, it's Mitch, Phil, Brian H, Brian E, Joe, John, Norm, Charlie and Bob. Photographer Jerry was sitting between Charlie and Bob (on the chair with the sticky stuff on the edge of it). |