Recently, I have been playing another classic LucasArts graphic adventure. The game is Sam and Max Hit the Road. It is usually viewed as one of the all-time greats of the genre. After reaching the game’s conclusion, I would have to agree. Sam and Max were very distinctive and memorable characters. As in Day of the Tentacle and the Monkey Island series , the humor was very enjoyable. The puzzles were fairly straightforward and not as difficult overall as Day of the Tentacle. Thanks to ScummVM, these games play just as great as when they were first released.

Shortly after finishing up the 2008 NALB season, I started up a new computer game. I chose to play Medal of Honor Breakthrough, the second expansion pack in that series. I hadn’t played a first person shooter in a while so it was a nice change of pace. In Breakthrough, you play Sergeant John Baker of the US 34th Infantry Division. The missions take you from Tunisia to Sicily to the mainland of Italy. It was quite similar to the other Medal of Honor games. The addition of Italian opponents and weapons gave it some new life, however. As in most WWII shooters, the Nazis were featured prominently as well. It only took a bit over a week to complete which was fine with me. I usually get bored with FPS games that are too long.

Now that the season has finished, North American League Baseball has announced its prestigious individual awards for 2008.

League 1
Outstanding Batter Award: Hooks Goetz (Brooklyn Knights)
Outstanding Pitcher Award: Alberto Harrington (St. Rock Mudcats)
Newcomer of the Year: Roque Cordero (Cornfield Axemen)
Manager of the Year: Kevin Fields (Brooklyn Knights)

Slick Fielder Award Winners
Pitcher: Chris Rodriguez (Luisville Beasts)
Catcher: Ted Pollet (Brooklyn Knights)
First Baseman: Dan Kelley (Brooklyn Knights)
Second Baseman: Harry Grahe (Dunedin Otters)
Third Baseman: Ricky Agganis (Cornfield Axemen)
Shortstop: Leo Sullivan (Luisville Beasts)
Left Fielder: Nub Spade (Nashville Firecats)
Center Fielder: Oscar Barrientes (St. Rock Mudcats)
Right Fielder: Marty Hile (Las Vegas Luck)

League 2
Outstanding Batter Award: Travis Araoz (Stade Maples)
Outstanding Pitcher Award: Ronaldo Mijangos (Key West Corals)
Newcomer of the Year: Larry Arceniaga (St. James Crusaders)
Manager of the Year: Noriyuki Hyata (Vancouver Wild)

Slick Fielder Award Winners
Pitcher: Markus Wright (Phoenix Rattlers)
Catcher: Topper Blefary (Stade Maples)
First Baseman: Ford Mckelvey (Richmond Slam)
Second Baseman: Jimmy Gilligan (Quebeck Sky Chiefs)
Third Baseman: Peaches Treacey (Phoenix Rattlers)
Shortstop: Gary Cooper (Richmond Slam)
Left Fielder: Kevin Pavlas (St. James Crusaders)
Center Fielder: Solly Motley (St. James Crusaders)
Right Fielder: Roberto Rentería (Stade Maples)

It was Vancouver and Brooklyn challenging one other in the 2008 North American League Baseball World Championship this season. On paper, Vancouver was outmatched by Brooklyn’s formidable ball club. On the field, however, the verdict went to the Wild.

The new champs finished the regular season 80-82 and claimed first place in the League 2 pennant race. They defeated the Knights 4-3 in the series, winning the last game by a 4-2 score. It was the Wild’s first championship title.

Game 1: Brooklyn 11, Vancouver 2
Game 2: Vancouver 13, Brooklyn 11
Game 3: Brooklyn 8, Vancouver 1
Game 4: Vancouver 5, Brooklyn 4
Game 5: Vancouver 9, Brooklyn 5
Game 6: Brooklyn 5, Vancouver 0
Game 7: Vancouver 4, Brooklyn 2

Click the image for the NALB 2008 World Championship roster