2015 Washington Grays Complete Impressive Season in Nation’s Capital

DC MSBL 35+ Division

Top Row – Alex Krupenchenkov, Donte Tanner, Tim Leahy, Doug Krehbel, Bob Shelton, Dan Kalil. Bottom Row – Brandon DeCaro, Joe Bonaccorsy, Matt Anderson, Frank Bacelli, Jim Karabin. Not pictured – Matt Dundas, Fernando Cardenas, Michael O’Brien, Pat Moriarty, Pat Bransford

‘Grays win their first 12 games en route to best regular season record in DCMSBL (13-2)’

When Brandon DeCaro decided to start a new 35+ team in the DCMSBL back in 2010, there were certainly some doubts. “After my core 3-4 guys I started to worry about where I’d find the rest of my players. I mean, how many good baseball players over 35 are just sitting out there waiting to join a team?” One of those core guys is Tim Leahy, the on-field leader of the Grays. A catcher who played at Springfield College in Massachusetts, Leahy’s defensive skills have earned him Team Defensive MVP honors every year since the Grays have been existence. He also consistently bats over .400, so DeCaro knew Leahy was a great guy to build the team around.Still, the new coach realized recruiting couldn’t be done alone, so he assigned each player the responsibility of bringing two new guys on board. Then those players had to bring another one or two. “Next thing you know we have 15 guys and things are starting to shape up.” Bob Shelton, who played at Mary Washington College, has been instrumental in the Gray’s recruiting efforts. “Once Bob came on board he started to live, eat and breathe Washington Grays baseball. He recruits 24-7. One time he overheard a guy in line at the bank talking about baseball, so he approached him about the Grays.” Decaro says with a smile.

Despite their early recruiting success the Grays knew the difference between recruiting players and actually winning in the tough 35+ DCMSBL was a different story. Over the past five years the Grays’ record has ranged from as strong as 10-6 to as weak as 4-12. Then 2015 came. “I just really felt this was our year. It was just a matter of filling a few holes and our new guys more than lived up to the hype.” His gut was right. The Grays started to get the attention of even the most tenured DCMSBL teams on their way to a dominant 12-0 start to the season. During this remarkable run the Grays outscored their opponents 224 to 80. Even though they fell a little short in the playoffs, this team has a ton of confidence going into 2016.

The Grays debuted the 2015 in convincing fashion with a 15-0 mercy rule win in five innings. The team was led by MVP Donte Tanner, who pitched five scoreless innings while striking out ten batters, walking one and not allowing a hit. He faced only 17 hitters during his dominant performance. At the plate Jim Karabin carried over his 2014 prowess by going 4 for 4 with two singles, two doubles and three runs scored.

Pitching, Hitting & Fielding came together for the 2015 Grays during their twelve game winning streak. Tanner continued his dominance throughout the season posting an ERA of 1.93 through 28 innings. Just behind him was Alex Krupenchenkov with a 2.28 ERA in 23 innings of work. Krupenchenkov, Russian born, actually played on the 1989 Russian National Team against the United States.

At the plate the Grays had seven players post a plus .400 Batting Average with three of those above .500. Newcomer Dan Kalil led the Grays with a .544 Batting Average & whopping .777 slugging percentage. Kalil also posted a team best 29 runs scored and finished second in RBI with 21. His 3 run homer in the opening playoff game propelled the Grays to a hard fought victory. He was voted Rookie of the Year by teammates. Just behind in the ROY votes were newcomers Matt Anderson (.467 BA & .614 OBP) and Michael O’Brien (.455 BA).

Other noteworthy 2015 performances include: Jim Karabin – .500 BA and .667 slugging, Donte Tanner – 25 RBI, 21 runs scored and .842 slugging (including 4 HR’s), Matt Dundas – .714 slugging & .615 OBP, Bob Shelton – 27 runs scored & .514 OBP and Tim Leahy.

Yet with all of these impressive numbers DeCaro says the key to their 2015 was team chemistry. “I can’t tell you how proud I feel when guys say how much they love playing on the Grays.” As one player put it, “It’s my baseball family.”