Mudville Team Travels to Colorado
“Go west young man” was the advice offered by Horace Greeley in 1865 to an American population tired of war and willing to work hard for success. However, almost 150 years after Greeley’s words were first printed, it was the old grizzled veterans of the Mudville Base Ball Club who recently heeded his call.
Make no mistake; the infusion of young (defined as under 50 years old) talent into the lineup of our hometown vintage base ball team has had a profound and positive effect. Entering this month, the team carried an impressive 4-2 record, with the contributions of rookie Roy “The Natural” Harrison and newcomer Todd “Ace” Kagno being of critical importance. But when the team took the field last weekend in Parker, Colorado at the 20th Anniversary Tournament of the Colorado Vintage Base Ball Association, it was composed of players who have been bringing glory home to Mudville for close to a decade. And this team did not disappoint.
Under sweltering skies, and competing against teams from Colorado and Arizona, Mudville’s band of valiant veterans won all three of their games to capture the cherished championship trophy (a Mudville player lamp). The Mudvillians had disposed of the Arizona Stars and Stripes by a 13-1 score in the first game, before trampling over the Silt All-Stars in the second. The championship game was a come from behind, 8-5 victory over the Denver Blue Stockings.
“Citizen” Pete Barbieri performed the bulk of the pitching duties, while David “Hops” Robinson was his usual brilliant self at shortstop. All team members contributed on offense, which was captained by Kevin “King” Conley. Jimmy “Pipes” Cormier performed his famous Ode to Mudville and more at the post tournament banquet.
The Mudville boys changed uniforms to play as the Boston Red Stockings Vintage Base Ball Club on Sunday against the Colorado All-Stars. The game was billed as a pseudo fifth anniversary celebration of the 2007 Boston-Colorado World Series, and was played at All-Star Park in Lakewood, Colorado. All-Star Park was constructed in 1998 and is a replica of Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. Unlike the 2007 World Series, Colorado was able to win this game 10-8.
The schedule indicates that Mudville’s next game is on September 15th at the Ipswich Harvestfest at the Spencer Peirce Farm in Newbury. Representatives of Celebrate Holliston have recently contacted the team about a possible September 23rd match to be played for the sacred Silver Bat, on permanent loan and on display at Casey’s.
Congratulations - you bested the Sox by a mile this season! And you have adorable uniforms, Mudville boys!
Mary Greendale | 2012-08-23 14:52:59
He was out at second base!
Kevin Conley | 2012-08-23 08:19:51
Congratulations! Wish we would have known about it. We were in Lakewood on Sunday. Could have stopped by.
sue and "hit dog" | 2012-08-22 13:28:06
You make us proud guys!
the Mayor | 2012-08-22 09:01:08