San José Makes Semi-Finals in 25+ Central at World Series!

(Front Row) José Medina, Darren Headley, Jeremy Kirby, Brian Feduk. (Middle Row) Chris Gonzalez, Chris McCall, Tyson Coolman, Johnny Ramirez, Jesse Soto, Sammy Garcia, Nick Doan. (Back Row) Aaron Feduk, Ryan Doan, Michael Barnes, Danny Ruberte, Randyn Trybom, Josh Kougl, Hector Esparza, Bubba Cordeiro, Rudy DeAnda, Steve Monigold, Ralph Maldonado. (Not Pictured) Drew Pleasant. (Photo Submitted by Brian Feduk)

PHOENIX, Arizona -- The 2008 San José World Series team was handpicked by myself and José Medina starting back in February 2008. We selected players from several teams including: Blue Jays 28+ (Michael Barnes), Braves 28+ (Bubba Cordeiro, Johnny Ramirez), Brewers 28+ (Jeremy Kirby, Steve Monigold), Tigers 28+ (Ralph Maldonado), Twins 18+ (Darren Headley), Reds 18+ (Rudy DeAnda, Hector Esparza, Chris Gonzalez, José Medina, Danny Ruberte, Jesse Soto), Mets 18+ (Tyson Coolman, Nick Doan, Ryan Doan, Aaron Feduk, Brian Feduk, Chris McCall, Drew Pleasant, Randyn Trybom) and some others from different leagues (Sammy Garcia, Josh Kougl).

(Top Left) Hector Esparza. (Top Right) Michael Barnes. (Bottom Left) Ryan Doan. (Bottom Right) Chris Gonzalez. (Photos Submitted by José Medina)

I must admit that out of the gate the team was jittery and nervous, simply from everyone acknowledging the talent we had as a TEAM!! However, the team quickly gelled.

In the first game, down 2-0 in the third and with 2 runners on, Rudy DeAnda stepped up and set the tone. A three-run shot over a seemingly impossible 340 ft. left field fence gave San José a lead they would not give up through the next six games!

San José posted a flawless record going 6-0 in round-robin play and winning their respected division. A 10-2 win over the California Red Sox in the Quarters set San José up to meet the last team that had truly challenged them, the San Antonio Titans. Unfortunately our shot at glory took a turn as the Titans came out only slightly more energized than us and ended the run, beating us 3-0.

You had to be there to understand the stamina and endurance it takes to compete in an event like this and my respect goes out to the two teams that made it farther than we did. I say this in all honesty, that we would be NOTHING without any ONE person on the roster we brought as every individual played a crucial role in one way or the other!

Thank you, again, to ALL of the participants and I look forward to taking home the Ring next year!!!
Brian Feduk

Leaders

• Jesse Soto (.700, 3 Runs, 3 RBIs)
• Ryan Doan (.500, 3 Runs, 6 RBIs)
• Hector Esparza (.500, 6 Runs, 7 RBIs) *MVP*
• Steve Monigold (.500, 7 Runs, RBIs)
• Sammy Garcia (.478, 5 Runs, 4 RBIs)
• Drew Pleasant (.471, 6 Runs, 7 RBIs)
• Ralph Maldonado (.429, 2 Runs, 6 RBIs)