{"id":3818,"date":"2023-12-31T23:34:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-01T03:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sweatsoxbaseball.com\/blog\/?p=3818"},"modified":"2024-05-10T09:25:49","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T13:25:49","slug":"the-sweatsox-year-in-review-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sweatsoxbaseball.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/31\/the-sweatsox-year-in-review-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"The SweatSox Year In Review (2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Your time is up, my time is now.\u00a0 You can’t see me, my time is now.\u00a0 It’s the franchise, boy I’m shining now.\u00a0 You can’t see me, my time is now.\u00a0 ACKNOWLEDGE ME!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2023 calendar year began with a significant roster overhaul, continued with a mediocre regular season leading to a disappointing playoff exit, that was followed by some end of the year shenanigans that may or may not have repercussions for years to come.\u00a0 Let\u2019s review it all:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

January<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took about 14 days into the new year for SweatSox Authority Cory Bond to pull the plug on the 2022 roster, announcing that Drew Clark-Brewin, Ross Hughes, Jason Klein, and Dillon Lowry\u2019s contracts were not being renewed for the 2023 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It then took the Authority about 14 seconds after the Great Cut to announce their replacements: \u201cBig Dick\u201d Nick Henderson, Phil \u201cthe Back Catcher\u201d Leduc, Larry \u201cDylan\u201d Pawelek, Mike \u201cPeppa\u201d Pignat, and Trevor \u201cNo Error\u201d Williams.  We\u2019d work on those nicknames down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

February<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We went to the batting cages one time.  We\u2019re coming in HOT Tier 3!!!<\/p>\n\n\n

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March<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Beelen announced in March that he received a New Team Application from a franchise calling themselves the Nepean Padres, featuring recently cut SweatSox Drew Clark-Brewin, our team medic from last year.\u00a0 In any other year this sloppy application would\u2019ve been unanimously rejected, but the League really doesn\u2019t want a 6-team tier, so we’re told we better vote them in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very late in March, two more cuts were made: Mark Bond, and Chris Lidstone.\u00a0 Cory had talked about it for years, but he finally cut his own brother! Ruthless.\u00a0 Their replacements were immediately announced: Andrew \u201cThe Hazard\u201d Hierlihy, and \u201cMidtown\u201d Steven Brown.\u00a0 We\u2019d workshops those names in the months ahead too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new recruits got a taste real quick about what the SweatSox were all about, and they could only describe it as bitter.  I think we need a bit more pineapple in our diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

April<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On April Fools Day, Steve Brown told us that if we didn\u2019t know what burnt pubes smelled like, we would soon enough.\u00a0 We thought he was joking, we\u2019d learn after the first or second Hyjinx he was not. LARRY!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was also in April when Cory told us we had to give him money.\u00a0 Unlike other months when he demands money for no particular reason, this time he claims it’s for our team fees, which meant it was Murdock Season.\u00a0 Last one to pay, rides the pine Opening Day.\u00a0 It was a close battle, but I, Shaun Keay, was master of my domain, and won the contest.\u00a0 Marc Lett finished 2nd, while Josh Ramage rounded out the podium in 3rd.\u00a0 Honourable mention to Phil Leduc, who may not have gotten a medal, but he did make the Mount Rushmore of 2023 Murdocks.\u00a0 Congratulations to all.<\/p>\n\n\n

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At the NCBL kick-off meeting in late April, our full schedule was released.\u00a0 Why do we have all the 6pm games?\u00a0 And why aren\u2019t all 24 of our games spread out equally between Kinsmen and the Sportsplex? BILL!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May to September<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SweatSox season ran from mid-May to mid-September, and like I always do, I recapped every one of those games the very next day.  Until very recently, the second half recaps were locked behind a paywall to maximize revenue, but in the spirit of Festivus, I\u2019d like all my grievances aired for everyone to enjoy, or get pissy about.  You\u2019re welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Game 1 : SweatSox 13 – Latinos 9<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 2 : Lumberjacks 8 – SweatSox 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 3 : SweatSox 8 – Latinos 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 4 : SweatSox 8 – Crusaders 0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 5 : Rockets 8 – SweatSox 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 6 : SweatSox 11 – Padres 1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 7 : SweatSox 12 – Barons 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 8 : SweatSox 12 – Barons 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 9 : Latinos 10 – SweatSox 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 10 : Rockets 7 – SweatSox 5<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 11 : SweatSox 9 – Padres 5<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 12 : SweatSox 11 – Crusaders 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 13 : Lumberjacks 6 – SweatSox 3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 14 : SweatSox 5 – Barons 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 15 : Lumberjacks 9 – SweatSox 3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 16 : Rockets 7 – SweatSox 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 17 : SweatSox 8 – Padres 8<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 18 : SweatSox 10 – Barons 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 19 : Latinos 8 – SweatSox 0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 20 : Rockets 6 – SweatSox 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 21 : Padres 13 – SweatSox 1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 22 : Lumberjacks 16 – SweatSox 1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 23 : SweatSox 16 – Crusaders 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game 24 : Crusaders 12 – SweatSox 6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tier 3 Playoff RECAP<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We finished the regular season in 4th place with an 11-12-1, swept the Barons in the first round of the playoffs, but then lost to the eventual champions Los Latinos in 3 games, for an overall 2023 record of 14-14-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

September<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On September 22nd, we celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the Marc Lett walk-off grand slam that clinched us the 2013 Tier 2 Championship over the Cornwall River Rats.  That was a good day.<\/p>\n\n\n

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FUN FACT<\/strong>: Craig Cornell ranks the slam as #1 on the Marc Lett all-time top moments chart*:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Slam<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Marriage to Kelly 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Becoming M.O.M.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Birth of children<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. The Perry spine kick<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    *NOTE<\/strong>: 2-5 are basically interchangeable<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    October<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In early October, the NCBL sent an all-star team to Clarington, Ontario for the 2023 Dodgers Fall Classic.\u00a0 This team was run by Louis Gadbois of the Black Sox, who invited only the best of the best to represent Ottawa in this tournament featuring teams from both sides of the Canada\/USA border.\u00a0 Naturally, several big name SweatSox received invitations: Cory Bond, Larry Pawelek, and Eric White.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The \u201cBlack Sox\u201d ended up going 0-3, losing by a combined total of 4 runs to teams from New York City, Bowmanville, and Toronto.\u00a0 The SweatSox did their part though, sweeping the team awards at the apres-tournament banquet (Chuck\u2019s):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Black Sox MVP: Cory Bond
    Black Sox Top Batter: Cory Bond
    Black Sox Top Pitcher: Eric White
    Black Sox Top Sportsman: Eric White
    Black Sox Top Manager: Larry Pawelek
    Black Sox Top Defender: Larry Pawelek<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Way to represent the SweatSox, SweatSox!!!<\/p>\n\n\n

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    November<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The NCBL Banquet took place in November at a new venue, the Ottawa Police Association Memorial Hall.\u00a0 The SweatSox sent just 4 representatives to the banquet: Cory Bond, Andrew Hierlihy, Eric White, and Justine White, the fewest we\u2019ve sent to a banquet since it was held at that beer-less hotel near Southgate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Eric was up for multiple awards, and walked away with the Tier 3 Pitcher of the Year, as well as an All-Star nod for his pitching efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Cory Bond was recognized for career achievement, having played in his 400th game earlier this summer.\u00a0 So it\u2019s really just an attendance award, because I know he hasn’t achieved anything in any of those 400 games.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    December<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The SweatSox ended the calendar year off by once again celebrating Festivus, and Cory Bond once again announced he was donating all our leftover team funds to the Human Fund (money for people), drawing concerns from our accounting department who say there\u2019s no such thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Well, there could be?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But there isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    IN MEMORIAM<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There were a reported 61,000,000 deaths in 2023, but only 36 were big enough to grab the attention of our crack A-Team of death correspondents.  Congratulations to you, if you were special enough to make our list\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Frank Thomas
    Robbie Bachman
    Lisa Marie Presley
    David Crosby
    Sal Bando
    Raquel Welch
    Tim McCarver
    Kingston Ponies
    Cornwall River Rats
    Dukes
    Sharks
    Tom Sizemore
    Jesus Alou
    Lance Reddick
    Jerry Springer
    Gordon Lightfoot
    Vida Blue
    Jim Brown
    Tina Turner
    Iron Sheik
    Paul Reubens
    Mark Margolis
    Robbie Robertson
    Bob Barker
    Jimmy Buffet
    Brooks Robinson
    Tim Wakefield
    Suzanne Somers
    Burt Young
    Matthew Perry
    Adam Johnson
    Ryan Smolkin
    Bob Knight
    Shane MacGowan
    Myles Goodwyn
    Andre Braugher<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Final 2023 Year In Review Notes\/Thoughts:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n