Damn, with all the changes and improvements for the pack this summer the one thing that always ends the run and puts the Wolves to sleep reared it’s ugly head again in the playoffs – errors.
Even with the postseason hiccups, the Grays can take pride in a successful 2017 season. Winning ten games in a row at one point to finish a franchise best 11-4 overall. Batting slumped a little overall compared to prior seasons but saw comeback seasons from Ben Anderson, Mike Weyrauch and Mike Mickelson. Anderson drove in ten runs, Mickelson homered twice and Weyrauch was probably a hamstring away from contending for a league batting title with a .519 average.
Old faithful’s continued to impress and put up numbers, Joseph Nadolney put up career bests in hits (21) runs (16) and stolen bases (17) to sure up pimpish numbers, his leadership in the infield was also much needed in tough situations. Michael Shanor was tindering up the box score with big numbers all around; he stole twenty-three bags just missing his season record high by two. Tom Stephney was sexy across the stat sheet putting up double figures in numerous categories and playing an impressive centerfield.
For the award tour, Jon Widerski took home Most Valuable Player honors batting .489 with two homeruns, nineteen runs scored and seventeen driven in. Widerski came up huge in numerous games with his calm clutch hitter and sharp fielding at First Base. Widerski also represented the Grays – along with Jon Schlotz – in the TCMABL All Star Game.
Playing in the outfield full-time for the first time in his Grays career Mark Von Ruden took home the Gold Glove Award. Tracking down balls in the gaps and showing off his arm throwing out runners at home – which happened four different times – you’d think they learn by now.
On the bump the Grays had one of the better pitching performances in franchise history depending on Jon Schlotz and rookie Roy Wyse. Schlotz was once again leading the way with his gutsy and hard working pitching performances, he finished 5-4 overall with one save, an 2.84 ERA and fifty-eight strikeouts. Rob Wyse impressed in his first season with a 5-0 record and two saves, his 2.08 ERA was also a team best – it was unofficially also the league best but didn’t qualify innings wise to take home the Cy Young Award. The team finished overall with a 3.57 team ERA with Michael Shanor picking up the other win to finish with eleven overall.
The Grays moved their den from North Minneapolis to Anoka this past summer at beautiful Castle Field; with improved facilities the games were extra fun with in-game music and announcing from the two-man team of Richard Rohling and Anthony Madady.
The pack remains strong with everyone returning for next summer with maybe a couple new additions come April. The Wolves will once again look to contend in an improving and enlarged Roy Hobbs Division. In closing, the Grays have nothing to hang their heads about, in the dugout everyone had each others back and the “summer family” culture has never been stronger.
