Another page has been added to the North American League Baseball record book. The Brooklyn Knights have won their seventh championship in eight years with a 10-2 win against the Stade Maples. They took the 2007 World Championship in seven games this season.

It was a year of vindication for the Knights. After six consecutive World Championships, their streak was broken by the Stade Maples last year. Brooklyn was hungry this season and played with a sense of purpose and fierce determination. The Knights were dominant in spring training and never looked back. They cruised to an amazing 126-36 regular season record, shattering their previous mark of 119 wins. In the postseason, the Knights had to beat two extremely talented teams, the Cornfield Axemen and the Stade Maples, to reclaim the title.

It was a record setting year for several individual Knights’ players as well. Two players finished with over 150 RBI, something that had never happened before. Hooks Goetz had 161 RBI while Yale Burns had 154 RBI. The single season record for batting average was broken. Gary Mccreery hit an impressive .370 and eclipsed the previous Ted Pollet’s previous high of .365.

Click the image for the NALB 2007 World Championship roster

For the first time in North American League Baseball history, the World Championship was decided in a winner-take-all game 7. No team had won consecutive games in this series but the Maples tried to do just that. The pitching matchup was the same as game 3: Stade’s John Hamilton versus Brooklyn’s Fred Millard. It was a beautiful day for baseball with clear skies and a temperature of 61 degrees.

Ted Rambo scored the first run of the ball game when he hit a solo home run in his first at bat. The Maples 1-0 lead didn’t last very long. In the second inning, the Knights came alive with three straight doubles by Yale Burns, Kid Detherage, and Michael Duhon. They added singles by Ted Pollet, Dick Moran, Gary Mccreery, and Dan Kelley. It was a big inning and the Knights were up 5-1. The Brooklyn fans loved what they saw in the fourth inning as well. Ted Pollet, Jeff Castino, and Dick Moran each delivered hits. Mccreery smacked a line drive double and scored two runs. Burns and Duhon also scored that inning and it was a 9-2 ball game. The Knights extended their lead to 10-2 when Dan Kelley made it home on a ground out. Rip Sukeforth took the mound in the seventh and eighth innings and John Coleman pitched the ninth for the Knights. Millard, Sukeforth, and Coleman were magnificent down the stretch as they retired twelve batters in a row.

The Brooklyn Knights are World Champions once again by winning the series four games to three.

Final score: Brooklyn 10, Stade 2

The World Championship was within reach for the Knights as the series returned to Brooklyn for game 6. The Knights were up three games to two and needed just one more win for the title. In their way was Wally Pemberton and the powerful bats of the Stade Maples. Brooklyn’s starter was Dave Hambright, eager to avenge his loss in game 2.

Things started poorly for the Knights when Hambright hit Mark Huff with a pitch inside. The next batter, Travis Araoz, made them pay when he smacked a 2-run home run. Roberto Rentería followed with a triple and scored on a Shayne Kimpel single. The Maples were up 3-0 after the first inning. Ted Rambo and Topper Blefary added hits in the third inning and the score was 4-0. Hambright lacked his usual control and did not look sharp. Brooklyn couldn’t pull him too early, however. The Knights had a tired bullpen after game 5 which lasted 16 innings and 4½ hours. Ted Pollet sparked some life into the Knights with a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning. The jubilation didn’t last long. Travis “the Beast” Araoz quieted the Brooklyn crowd in the fourth when he hit his second 2-run homer of the game. Balls were sailing out of the park a little easier with the wind blowing out to left field. In the seventh inning, Michael Duhon took advantage by hitting a home run to left and closing the gap a bit for the Knights. Heading into the eighth inning, the Maples clung to a 6-2 lead. Topper Blefary came through with a magnificent at bat against Brooklyn’s Erik Boyle. He drew a base on balls after fouling off nine pitches. Stade’s power was on display once again as Ariel Cadore nailed a 2-run shot to right-center field. The game appeared to be all but over with the score at 8-2. However, the Knights stormed back with five hits and three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Rentería provided an extra cushion in the ninth with a leadoff double. He later reached home plate and padded the score to 9-5. That is how the game would end. For the first time in the eight year history of North American League Baseball, there will be a game 7 to decide the World Championship.

Final score: Stade 9, Brooklyn 5

The World Championship Series was tied at two games apiece. Game 5 was a rematch between the game 1 starters, Tracy Corkhill and Max Brown. The Knights won that pitching duel in Brooklyn but neither starter got the decision. On the other hand, Game 4 was a slugfest and the runs came easily for both teams. Would pitching or hitting dominate in game 5?

Game 5 was possibly the greatest game in World Championship Series history. It was undoubtably the best pitched. Max Brown and Tracy Corkhill baffled opposing hitters. Neither gave up an extra base hit over 7.0 and 5.2 innings, respectively. The bullpens were equally as good. After nine innings, the game was still scoreless and headed to extra innings. The old adage, “Great pitching beats great hitting,” was certainly true here. Another six innings went by and the score was 0-0 as the 16th inning began. Floyd Minoso was on the mound for the Maples when Ted Pollet singled. Two batters later, Hooks Goetz scored the first runs of the game with a 2-run home run. Rip Sukeforth pitched the bottom of the 16th for the Knights. He walked “The Beast,” Travis Araoz, the first batter. Unfortunately for Stade, Leslie Hubbard grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to clear the bases. Sukeforth struck out Topper Blefary to end the inning and win the game.

Final score: Brooklyn 2, Stade 0

The Stade Maples knew the World Championship might slip away from them if they couldn’t win game 4. There was a lot of pressure on their starter, Luis Hesterfer. The Knights turned to 25 year old pitcher Omar Cambra, acquired this season in a trade with the Las Vegas Luck.

The game opened with an offensive burst by the Knights. They scored five runs in the first thanks to an error by Hesterfer and back to back home runs by Kid Detherage and Michael Duhon. Brooklyn quickly let Stade back into the game in the bottom half of the inning. Hooks Goetz bobbled dropped an infield grounder that should have been a double play. The Maples took advantage and scored three runs. Cambra was wild in the second inning. He gave up a home run to Shayne Kimpel and a pair of base on balls. The Maples scored three more runs and took a 6-5 lead. With Rip Sukeforth pitching in the fourth, Travis “the Beast” Araoz blasted a solo homer to right-center field for the Maples. Knights’ pitching was helpless against the red hot Maples’ bats. Stade added a run in the fifth and four more runs in the sixth inning. The four runs were courtesy of Leslie Hubbard’s solo home run and a three run homer by Russ Booles. In the seventh inning, Brooklyn tried to mount a significant comeback. The Knights scored two runs but blew a prime opportunity with bases loaded and only one out. Bert Smith induced a pop-up and a ground ball to the shortstop to get out of the inning without any further damage. The score was 12-7 and that was how the game ended. The World Championship Series is now tied 2-2.

Final score: Stade 12, Brooklyn 7

The Maples played host to the Knights for the pivotal game 3 of the World Championship. John Hamilton was named Stade’s starting pitcher. The Maples acquired Hamilton from the Phoenix Rattlers earlier this season. He posted a record of 8-9 for the Maples and 9-14 overall. The Brooklyn Knights’ reliable left-hander Fred Millard got his first start of the World Championship Series.

Having scored only three runs in the previous two games, the Knights were desperate to score some runs and grab an early lead. They struck quickly in the first inning. Dick Moran opened the game with a double and scored on a Dan Kelley single. Brooklyn extended its 1-0 lead to 5-0 in the third. Highlights of the inning were a Yale Burns triple and a 2-run home run by Kid Detherage. In the fourth inning, Burns and Detherage were at it again. Burns doubled and Detherage homered for the second time. The Knights felt very comfortable with a 7-0 advantage. They added a run in the sixth inning, another run in the seventh inning, and two more in the eighth to make it 11-0. Meanwhile, Fred Millard displayed quiet excellence as he dominated Stade’s hitters. Leslie Hubbard busted up Millard’s no-hitter in the eighth inning and scored the Maples’ first run of the game. Ted Rambo smacked a solo home run off of Derek Keller in the ninth but it was too little, too late.

Final score: Brooklyn 11, Stade 2

The Stade Maples looked ahead to game 2 with nervous anticipation. They had no desire to dig out of a two game hole so they desperately desired a win. The pressure was on veteran pitcher Wally Pemberton to deliver a great start. The Brooklyn Knights liked their chances with Dave Hambright on the mound. In his previous start, Hambright pitched a four-hit shutout in the League 1 Series.

It didn’t take long for the Maples to strike. In the second inning, they lit up Hambright with five hits including two doubles and a home run by Russ Booles. Stade cruised to an early 5-0 lead. Leslie Hubbard went deep in the fifth and the score was 6-0. The Knights blew some scoring opportunities but finally got on the board with a Hooks Goetz RBI single in the bottom half of the fifth. Reliever Pat Williams came on in the ninth inning to finish the game for the Maples.

Final score: Stade 6, Brooklyn 1

The 2007 World Championship Series was a rematch between two teams as formidable as any in the history of North American League Baseball. The Stade Maples, winner of 113 regular season games, traveled to Brooklyn to begin the defense of their world championship. Standing in their way was the mighty Brooklyn Knights. The Knights won a record 126 games in the regular season and were eager to reclaim the NALB title.

The Maples’ ace, Max Brown (25-5), was rested and ready for game 1. Tracy Corkhill (17-3) was named the Knights’ game 1 starter. Many fans expected a pitching duel and that is what they got. Stade scored first when Ariel Cadore hit a solo home run over the right field wall. Brooklyn tied the game in the fifth inning with an RBI single by Kid Detherage. Corkhill was dominant and struck out 13 batters in seven innings. Brown allowed eight hits in eight innings and only a single run. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Gary Mccreery and Dick Moran delivered back to back singles for the Knights off of closer Rob Muncy. Detherage moved the runners over with a ground out and Dan Kelley was put on base with an intentional walk. Brooklyn fans went wild as cleanup hitter Hooks Goetz came through with the game winning hit.

Final score: Brooklyn 2, Stade 1

2007 League 2 Series - Vancouver Wild vs. Stade Maples

Game 1: Stade 4, Vancouver 2
Game 2: Vancouver 8, Stade 6
Game 3: Stade 9, Vancouver 3
Game 4: Vancouver 6, Stade 2
Game 5: Stade 5, Vancouver 3
Game 6: Stade 9, Vancouver 1

On paper, the 2007 League 2 Series looked a bit like David versus Goliath. The Vancouver Wild (85-77) scratched and clawed their way to the club’s first division title. On the other hand, the defending champion Stade Maples (113-49) easily won their division by an impressive thirty games.

In the opening game, the Wild started their ace, Tony Martell (18-11). The Maples countered with 35 year old veteran John Hamilton (9-14). Martell was solid, as expected. Hamilton really shined, however. He pitched eight innings and gave up only two runs. The Maples won this pitching duel at home, 4-2.

Vancouver knew they needed to win game 2. The Wild relied heavily on a starting staff with only two pitching stars. After Martell’s game 1 loss, Walter Sheehan (17-13) was asked to even the series. With the game tied 1-1 in the second inning, Sheehan gave up a leadoff home run. He further hurt himself with a throwing error on the way to a four run inning. Fortunately for the Wild, their bullpen was terrific. Luis Hesterfer (17-5) pitched a fine six innings for the Maples, giving up only one run. Stade took a 5-3 lead into the ninth inning. Floyd Minoso blew the save and the game went into extra innings. The Wild scored three runs in the tenth. Mark Huff later hit a solo homer for the Maples but it wasn’t enough. The Wild had an 8-6 win and the series was tied.

The Maples felt good about their chances in game 3 as the series shifted to Vancouver. Max Brown (25-5), League 2’s Outstanding Pitcher Award winner for the past two seasons took the mound for Stade. Twink Hansen (9-17), the 38 year old veteran, was the Wild’s starting pitcher. As expected, Brown out-dueled Hansen. However, Vancouver’s bullpen was also a disappointment. Rich Sundra and Ike Holman gave up three runs combined. The Maples’ power was on display as they hit five home runs: one by Leslie Hubbard and two each by Russ Booles and Roberto Rentería.

Stade’s #2 starter, Wally Pemberton (25-7), looked to extend the Maples’ lead in the series. His counterpart was Tony Martell, Vancouver’s starter in game 1. Martell delivered the goods this time with seven strikeouts and only one run given up in a 6.1 inning outing. Despite three hits from superstar Travis Araoz, the Maples struggled to score runs and lost 6-2.

For game 5, it was John Hamilton versus Walter Sheehan. John Hamilton won his second start of the postseason. The Maples jumped on top early 5-1 and stayed there. The Wild scraped together a couple of runs but fell short in a 5-3 loss.

It was do or die in game 6 as the Wild trailed three games to two. The series was back in Stade as Twink Hansen and Luis Hesterfer got their second starts of the postseason. Hesterfer baffled Vancouver’s hitters all game. He pitched 6.2 shutout innings and only allowed one hit. Once again, Stade showed off its impressive power. Huff, Rentería, and Booles all homered as the Maples won in a 9-1 blowout.

The Stade Maples won the League 2 Series and will advance to the World Championship Series to defend their title against the Brooklyn Knights.

2007 League 1 Series - Cornfield Axemen vs. Brooklyn Knights

Game 1: Brooklyn 3, Cornfield 2
Game 2: Brooklyn 4, Cornfield 0
Game 3: Brooklyn 9, Cornfield 0
Game 4: Brooklyn 9, Cornfield 3

In a rematch of the 2006 League 1 Series, the Cornfield Axemen (110-52) squared off against the Brooklyn Knights (126-36). Last season, the Knights stunned the Axemen with a four game sweep. Cornfield hoped things would turn out differently this year. However, their chances took a significant turn for the worse when pitching ace Hap Bedford was injured on September 26.

With Bedford unable to pitch in the playoffs, the Axemen sent Atley Berger (20-4) to the mound to start game 1. His opponent was lefty Tracy Corkhill (17-3). Both teams pitched very well. In the bottom of the ninth, the score was 2-1 as closer Joe Pendarvis tried to seal the win for the Axemen. Pendarvis gave up back to back hits and then two walks. With the score tied 2-2, Dick Moran delivered a game winning single to left field.

Game 2 featured a pitching match-up of Cornfield’s Hughie Grover (12-11) vs. Brooklyn’s Dave Hambright (20-3). Hambright was spectacular as he pitched a four-hit shutout. The Knights scored four runs which was plenty behind Hambright’s masterful effort.

The League 1 Series moved to Cornfield for game 3. The Knights started Fred Millard (19-5) while the Axemen pinned their hopes on left-hander John Watkins (13-9). While Watkins struggled, Millard pitched 7.2 strong shutout innings. Brooklyn’s offense finally flexed its muscles. Home runs by Hooks Goetz and Yale Burns powered the Knights to an easy 9-0 win.

In game 4, the Axemen faced the possibility of being swept for the second straight year. They needed solid pitching from Bob Palmer (14-11) but did not get it. He was battered early and left the game in the third inning. His opponent, Omar Cambra (14-10), fared much better and lasted until the sixth inning. The Knights did their damage early. They produced six runs in the third, led by a Jeromy Bezanson home run. Brooklyn cruised to a 9-3 win.

The Brooklyn Knights are the 2007 League 1 champions and will play in the World Championship Series for the eighth consecutive year.

North American League Baseball’s three super-powers shattered records in this historic season. The Brooklyn Knights, Stade Maples, and Cornfield Axemen all won at least 110 games. The Knights bested the single season record for victories with an amazing 126. The Vancouver Wild and St. James Crusaders battled down to the wire for their division title. The Wild prevailed and will make their first playoff appearance in franchise history.

Stade’s Roberto Rentería won the League 2 batting title with an impressive .349 average. A new single season batting record was set by Brooklyn’s Gary Mccreery as he won the League 1 title with an amazing .370 average.

The League Series match-ups are set:
Cornfield Axemen (110-52) vs. Brooklyn Knights (126-36)
Vancouver Wild (85-77) vs. Stade Maples (113-49)

Playoff injury report:
The Axemen experienced a devastating blow when their ace pitcher, Hap Bedford, strained a bicep tendon in his last start of the season against the Las Vegas Luck. Although the injury wasn’t that serious, it was enough to keep him off of the playoff roster. Back in June, Cornfield’s starting third baseman and leadoff hitter Ricky Agganis suffered a fractured skull and was lost for the season.

The Knights enter the playoffs relatively healthy. Marcus Branson has been out with a broken wrist but should be ready to play in game 2 of the League Series.

The Wild enter the playoff with a banged up pitching staff. In May, they lost two pitchers to season ending injuries: reliever Jose Pascua with back problems and starter Rafael Maria with an elbow injury. In August, starting pitcher Glenn Torrealba was injured and lost for the season. The jubilation of winning their division for the first time was dampened somewhat when starting pitcher Fielder Scarce was injured on the final day of the regular season. He tore a back muscle and will miss a good portion of next season.

The Maples placed starter Jose Smith on the 15 day disabled list back on September 22. Other than that, they are healthy and ready to go.