2015 Cheltenham Reds Post Impressive First Year in South Jersey 52+ Division

South Jersey MSBL 52+ Division

Front row L-R: Chuck Haegele, Mike Ehrmann, Mike DePaul, Mitch Spritzler, Chris Smith. Back row L-R: John Lombardi, Greg Kalescky, Jack Galante, Flaco Santiago, Tom Wilmer, John “Moses” Malone. Not pictured: Dan Bash, Irv Brockington, Tom Czysz, Roy Gronau, John Mendenhall.

Provided by Mike Ehrmann, Reds manager

When the South Jersey MSBL started the new 52+ Division this year the Cheltenham Reds split their 45+ team in two and entered a team. The new 52+ Reds posted an 11-3 regular season record and defeated the Indians 22-3 in the semi-finals before squaring off with the undefeated Runnemede Orioles (15-0) in the best of three championship series.

Game one went to the Orioles 5-4 on a walk off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth. Games two and three were scheduled as a possible double-header if necessary. The Reds made it necessary by handing the Orioles their first loss of the season 22-8 in the first game of the day. In the deciding game three, played in stifling heat, the Reds led 9-5 in the fifth inning only to see the Orioles rally to win the game and the championship 10-9.

All of the Reds 13 wins were by the 12 run mercy rule. Greg Kalescky (.571, 24 H, 20 RBI), Tom Wilmer (.542, 26 H, 26 RBI) and Chuck Haegele (.483, 28 H, 34 R, 27 RBI) were the offensive standouts.

The Reds were not all about offense, however, as they were led by the 52+ Division Cy Young Award winner Flaco Santiago. Flaco (67 years young) sported a 10-2 regular season record (81 IP, 45 K, 15 BB, 21 ER, 2.33 ERA) including nine complete games and four shutouts.

Although the Reds came up just short of the title it was a great first season in the 52+ Division.-Mike