Knights Claim 2nd MVRL Baseball Title!

Sunday brought an end to the regular season and a second MVRL Baseball Championship to the Harlan Knights. "We're elated!" exclaimed Derek Harlan. "This is what it's all about, it's why we all do what we do. It's reading Baseball Weekly cover to cover in January. It's having every city's (with a baseball team) major newspaper bookmarked in my 'roto' folder and checking them in the winter. It's putting thought into our third round reserve draft pick. It's not being able to sleep the night before the draft for fear that we won't get our free agent. It's all that and more, but to finish in first makes it all worth it."

Harlan's other title came in 1998-the year of the Home Run Chase. "It seemed special that year because of what Big Mac did. I hope this year is special because the Cardinals close Busch with a World Series win," Harlan said. Ironically, Harlan did not have a single redbird on his active roster all season.

As for this year's bunch, Harlan pointed at several key performers. "Cliff Floyd staying healthy, Brett Myers, Jose Reyes, Morgan Ensberg, and Dontrelle coming into their own, the list goes on and on...and how about Jason Bay's second half? How good was he down the stretch? And don't forget D-Lee's big first half. So many good guys in that clubhouse---I love them all. Even Clemens."

Roger Clemens, who has seen his share of controversy since joining the Knights, was in a good mood as well. "Do I like Harlan? F--- no, but we won so I'm happy just like everyone else and ... well, it's all good. Right now I just want to celebrate with my teammates."

Even in the midst of the celebration, Harlan didn't seem fully comfortable. "We have some decisions to make as to who will be back next year and who won't, so in some ways it's sad to know that this is the last time this group will be together in uniform."