(Slightly Belated) 2014 Defectors Cup Review
As an adolescent I heard Three Dog Night's Chuck Negron proclaim that one is the loneliest number. Concerning this year's Defectors Cup, that title surely belongs to 4. As in the record-setting number of championships won by (2) The Ωtto-man Ξmpire (4-1 in finals since their inception in 2003). Or the runner-up Bklyn Royal Giants' seed and career Cup losses since beginning play in 2006.
The Buffalo Bills' stretch of heartbreak in the early 1990s easily (and frequently...sigh) comes to mind, with the biggest difference between the two oft-losing franchises being last season's BRG breakthrough. Searching for a Big Game parallel, this year's close-but-no cigar probably stacks up best with Super Bowl XXVI. There was no Scott Norwood or sleepless nights spent muttering at the pets like 2008 or '11. There was also no Leon Lett moment, with the contest so lopsided that an absurdity became its legacy (2012's shellacking fits better here). No, this was a one-sided, final-score-was-closer-than-it-felt-at-the-time affair. It figures with Otto being a R*dsk*ns fan and all.
On the victor's side, the trophy returns home to Constantinople (choosing the clear best-sounding of the Empire's four historical capitals) after an agonizing three-year absence. This year's banner, added to those from the '09-'11 3-peat, pushes Otto beyond rival/lover Shup (Shüpcity Shüpürrz, est. 2003) and into sole possession of most ostentatious offseason-forum avatar (er, championships) in Defectors history. Like countless regular seasons and playoff matchups before, this year's final was won with consistency, superb pitching and no easing off of the throttle. And for this, Yankee Stadium will remain the league site's background for all of the offseason. I raise a glass of cheap Moroccan wine to you, my liege.
***
3 Stars
1. Adam Wainwright - 16 IP, 2-0, 15:3 K:BB, CGSHO, 87.5 pts. His dazzling starts (especially the Day 1 completo) set the tone and provided the champs with a lead they would never relinquish.
2. Corey Kluber - 16 IP, 2-0, 25:3 K:BB, 84 pts. Valiant in defeat, the 2014 AL Cy Young winner pitched lights out throughout the playoffs. However, his 41-pt start on Day 10 (along with 3 relievers finally answering the bell) did nothing but shrink the final margin.
3. MANBEARPUIG - 11/34, 11 R, 2 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, SB, 3 A, 68.5 pts. In stark contrast to his NLDS disappearing act, Yasiel Puig was a house on fire from September 17-26. He seemed to have as many assists as several of the remaining batters had hits during this series. His wristbands alone probably would've scored more points than Alex Avila and Wil Myers.
***
It was over when...
The starting gun sounded. Okay, maybe not. But Otto led by 4+ pts after 24 hours and continued to increase that lead every day through September 23. Winning (by margins great or small) the first six days is pretty high up on the list of 'things that allow you to run away with a series'. His three straight 100+ days (364.3 pts between 9/19 and 9/21) were the nails in the coffin.
"Old fire-fighters never die, they just stop arson around!"
I just spent several minutes of my life looking through firefighter/fire prevention slogans. I am not in a good way. Otto's relievers, however, were during the finals. They combined for a 3-0 record and 10 saves, with Greg Holland's 4 leading the way. (Brook's Hector Rendon also reached 4 but with far homelier peripherals.) In all, Otto's bullpen quartet produced 129.25 pts over 14.1 IP to go along with a 20:6 K:BB ratio, blowing 2 saves and allowing only 4 ER and 9 H.
***
Enjoy the rest of the winter and see you back here soon for the start of the 2015 Defectors Fantasy Baseball season.
