Your 2010 NWL Champion Everett AquaSox
So everyone knows the Sox final destination of NWL Champs, but what about the exciting journey that got us here? Let's hop in our time machine and take a look back at the thrilling ups and downs of the 2010 season.
To properly measure the success of the Sox this season, the story must begin with an embarrassing 10-5 loss to the Everett Merchants in the 4th Annual Everett Cup. The Sox looked to be outplayed in all facets of the game by the amateur club, and for some it was a troubling start to the summer. The AquaSox, however, took the loss as motivation and used that fuel all year long to prove they were destined for championship fortunes.
Once the regular season began the AquaSox got off to a historically hot start, setting a franchise record by winning their first seven straight games. The Frogs opened the season by sweeping the defending champion and longtime rival Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, then winning four-of-five from the Yakima Bears at home.
Although the Frogs got their first taste of mortality against the Spokane Indians, losing four-of-five to end the month of June, it was Kevin Rivers who stole the headlines early. Rivers, a non-drafted outfielder out of Bristol, Conn., hit safely in his first 14 ballgames and was named Northwest League Player of the Week for the period of June 21-27 for his efforts.
Just as Rivers' streak came to a close, history was made at Everett Memorial Stadium by an unlikely hero. Infielder Fred Bello, who had just two career home runs, hit the first inside-the-park home run for the Sox in 11 years in a July 2 contest against Salem-Keizer. Apparently not satisfied with the publicity, Bello followed by hitting another inside-the-park home run the next night, July 3, to give him two unconventional bombs in just over 24 hours.
July proved to be a special month for Everett, winning 21-of-29 games and extending their lead in the newly-formatted split-season league. The AquaSox clinched a spot in the NWL Postseason with a win July 19 against the Eugene Emeralds, thanks to a thrilling RBI-infield single by Steven Baron in the 10th inning.
With a spot in the playoffs wrapped up, the Sox and Manager Jose Moreno could have easily put it into cruise control and settled with the rest of the season. This team, however, wasn't letting up.
As July rolled into August, the AquaSox became part of baseball history on a wet and chilly night Aug. 7 in a game against the Boise Hawks. It had rained most of the day in Everett (imagine that) and it wasn't ideal baseball weather, but the AquaSox grounds crew had kept the field in the best condition possible and, after an hour delay, the game was on.
After an uneventful top of the first inning, the Sox collected a couple of hits in the bottom of the frame, including a double by Hawkins Gebbers that caused Boise's left fielder to slip on the outfield grass. That slip was enough for Boise Manager Jody Davis to argue at length with the umpires before pulling his team from the field into the first base dugout, citing unsafe field conditions. Following another delay, the game was officially ruled a forfeit and the Sox won 9-0.
Forfeit Video (courtesy of Mike Safford
Kevin Mailloux began to heat up as the AquaSox reached mid-August, reaching a boiling point during a four-game stretch in which he hit six home runs and drove in nine. Mailloux, who finished the year leading the NWL in five offensive categories, was also named Player of the Week for the period of Aug. 9-15.
Not to be outdone, Rivers continued to provide power to the Sox lineup, finishing the season with a .332 batting average and being named Player of the Week for a second time Aug, 23-29. The performance, however, was apparently not enough to earn him an All-Stat berth.
Although Rivers was a notable absentee from the team, three AquaSox players were represented on the league's best squad. Third baseman Mailloux, catcher Baron and left-handed starter Anthony Fernandez were selected to the 2010 NWL All-Star Team. Baron led all of Short-Season Single-A by throwing out 36 potential base stealers and Fernandez tied the league high in wins with eight and was third in ERA (2.59).
As the AquaSox passed a previous team-high 44 wins and ended up tying an all-time franchise record with 49 (1987 Everett Giants), the team entered a wicked eight-game stretch with the Vancouver Canadians to finish out the season. The final six regular season games and two games of the NWL Western Division Finals were played out between the two teams, with the Sox proving victorious in the two that really mattered. With wins on Sept 6th and 7th, the AquaSox were going to the NWL Championship.
The NWL Finals was won two games to one by the AquaSox, with the two wins coming at the friendly confines of Everett Memorial Stadium. The Sox went 30-8 at home during the regular season, and 33-8 overall. Sunday's final out, an emphatic strikeout by Tyler Burgoon, sealed the Sox fate as champions and set off a celebration for the ages.
Watch the Championship Celebration
Championships are not won solely by the players and coaches who sport the uniforms. It takes every aspect of the organization operating at peak efficieny to earn a ring, and every member of the AquaSox family should be congratulated.
The AquaSox would also like to thank all season ticket holders, sponsors, host families and great fans for showing their support for the team this season and making Everett Memorial Stadium an enjoyable experience for everyone.