Brooklyn…Brooklyn…Brooklyn
3 time CBU Champions: Brooklyn Blue Sox
November 3, 2003 – The Brooklyn Blue Sox are begining to start a legacy that will be tough to match by the other CBU franchises. In the CBU’s tenth season, Brooklyn wins their 3rd CBU Championship. Brooklyn also won their fifth division champship and continue their playoff dominance by reaching October for the 7th time.
Over 3 million people came out to watch the Blue Sox in 2003. The Blue Sox did not dissapoint by winning 44 games at home, leading the Giamatti League in home runs, runs scored, and extra base hits. The Blue Sox pitching staff also kept things very interesting by having one of the worst bullpens in the CBU and also allowing the 7th most home runs.
First bagger Ed Norbury crushed 30 homers in just 122 games played to lead the Blue Sox. The Blue Sox corner outfielders also crushed their typical slew of home runs in 2003 as Tony Hodges slammed 27 and Troy Payton blasted 21. Despite the staff itself having a rough season, staff ace Jack Watkins had a respectable season and closing legend Dave Jones shut down 38 games with a 2.83 ERA.
The Blue Sox opened the 2003 playoffs agains the Durham Dragons and brushed them off after six games. Augusta, the other GL powerhouse went down without a wimper in a 4 game sweep by Brooklyn. The Landis League representative, Wisconsin Cheese kept things interesting by taking games 1 and 2 of the CBU Championship, but Brooklyn got the game 7 at home and won a thriller 2-1.
Through ten seasons the Giamatti League now only trails the Landis League 4 to 6 in CBU Championship wins.
