While my favorite Major League Baseball team has been – and continues to be – an embarrassment the past month, this morning seemed a good time for a quick shout-out to the success of the two Triple-A teams I support.
Last season, the Omaha Storm Chasers – with their new name and new ballpark — captured the Pacific Coast League championship.
Despite top players being tossed down I-29 to (now third place!) Kansas City, 2012 has so far been an equal success. Omaha clinched the PCL’s American North Division crown last night with a 5-3 win over Nashville. Yes, with more than a fortnight to play, the Storm Chasers are headed for “September baseball” again.
Along with 8,300 others, I was there to watch and capture it on an unseasonably cool August night. Now with an 18-game lead with 15 to play, Omaha opens the playoffs at Werner Park Sept. 5.
My other favorite Minor League club — by virtue of residence from 2006-2011 — are the Indianapolis Indians.
The Tribe, who I watched and covered through parts of six mediocre seasons, are in prime position to win the International League’s Western Division crown and bring the playoffs to lovely Victory Field for the first time in seven years.
And speaking of “firsts,” business travel will have me in the Circle City Sunday with an opportunity to take in my first Indians’ game since relocating 13 months ago. It might be all wrapped up by then, however. As of this writing, Indianapolis’s magic number sits at six and playoff tickets are now on sale.
About AJ Kaufman
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