Champions Dinner: No Surprises Except the Snow (Su09)
Margaritas flowed freely at the 2009 “Summer” Season Champions Dinner hosted by the World Champion Canvassers Monday night. Year end awards were given out, but there were no upsets from the vote leaders following the nomination round.
- Alexander Filides of Clubber Lang won the MVP award by the skin of his teeth.
- Jesse Contario of Flaglove had better luck in the Rookie of the Year Voting than he did in the batter’s box during the World Series to claim the hardware.
- Tony Ragano picked up the Cy Young Award, after not being nominated for it last year in a controversial decision from the league office.
- Gold Glove Awards were given to Matt Dreyfus for Fielding, John Bernard for Catching, and Kris Garcia for Pitching.
In addition to picking up three of the six year end awards, Clubber Lang also had two Triple Crown winners who were recognized, in absentia; Tony Ragano for Pitching and John Bernard for Fielding as a Catcher. No one from Clubber Lang made an appearance at the dinner, leading some to believe that they confused it with the World Series, thinking they had no reason to attend.
Turnout was low compared with previous dinners, which previously have taken place before the first snowfall of the season, and not ten weeks following the regular season’s final pitch.
League leaders in each of the nine statistical categories were honored with certificates, and the Canvassers officially took possession of the Commissioner’s Trophy. The trophy, presented for the first time this year, will be given to the World Series Champions each season.
Potential rules changes as well as an update on the Ft. Reno playing field situation were discussed, as well as the Commissioner’s two week trip to Europe to attend the World Wiffleball Federation meetings in Prague.
117 days until first pitch of the Spring 2010 season.
