2025 73+ National
MBI 6, LA Athletics 4
‘Iron Man Teeter Takes Control on the Bump’
Submitted by Pat Fynes, manager
MBI lost their opener on Monday, 10/27/25, in the 73+ Round Robin to the Sacramento Solons in a 7-inning game. MBI played what turned out to be its worst game of the week, with a 17-16 defeat. We had bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, but failed to get the key hit to tie or win the game at the end. The problem with the loss was that there are only three teams in the National Division, and we faced the LA Athletics the next day, in what now turned out to be a must-win, as only the top two teams make the playoffs in this Division.
More daunting was beating the team that was always a perennial favorite to win the title. We played well on Tuesday, 10/28/25, and beat the Athletics in an extra-inning game, and then won the next three to advance to the playoffs, once again facing the Athletics.
As we defeated the A’s during the week, we knew beating them again would be an uphill battle. We went with the same pitcher in the Championship game that won on Tuesday, Jim Teeter. One theory had Jim T not starting, as the A’s saw him and would make the necessary adjustments. The other theory is that Jim T shut them down once, corroborating that he can win. We decided to go with Jim T for several reasons, not only for his pitching but also for his speed and his defense.
We were the visitors, even though we beat the A’s earlier in the week. Due to the odd number of teams, the A’s played one more game than us. Winning % was used as the tie-breaker versus head-to-head, and thus their 5-1 record in pool play was a higher winning percentage than our 4-1.
MBI started the top of the first with a K, a single, and a fielder’s choice. Two outs and Jim Haller to the plate, who kept the inning alive with a single to right. Gary Rodriguez then annihilated a ball, driving it into the left-center gap for a 2-RBI triple, with Fred Krause and Jim Haller touching the area we call home.
The bottom of the first started with a groundout to second, a single, and then a 6-4-3 double play. Score after one, MBI 2, A’s 0.
In the second, MBI used two hits and two errors to score two more runs. Hits by Randall Kosecki and Tom Czysz, and then a run on a fielder’s choice and another on a bunt, gave MBI a 4-0 lead. The A’s used three hits in the bottom of the second to score one run, stranding two on base. Score after two, MBI 4, A’s 1.
The 2-run pattern continued in the third as MBI scored another deuce. Jim Haller and Gary Rodriguez started the inning with singles, and Jeff Blatt moved the runners to second and third with a grounder to the right side. Randall Kosecki produced an RBI single, and Bobby Hoeffner put down a bunt for another RBI.
In the bottom of the inning, the A’s worked two walks, but could not score, as MBI pitcher Jim Teeter induced three grounders to the drawn-in infield to end the threat. Score after three complete, MBI 6, A’s 1.
The fourth through the eighth innings saw good defense and good pitching on both sides, and no runs were scored. So, we are going into the bottom of the ninth with a 5-run cushion. But the A’s have not won all those rings because they are quitters. They started the ninth by getting two men on via infield errors. We got an out on a fielder’s choice, and the next batter walked, loading the bases.
Up to the plate steps a pinch hitter, who crushes a double to center field, clearing the bases and bringing the score to 6-4. When the next batter gets hit by a pitch, two of our pitchers start to warm up. Jim Teeter had gone the entire game and had to be tired. He wanted to finish, but we all wanted the win. Extremely tough decision, but the decision was that if the runner on second scored, a pitching change would be made.
So, Jim Teeter remained on the bump for the next batter, another pinch-hitter. He hit a frozen rope right at Joe Williamson at short, and the runner at second took off on contact. He was easily doubled up, and the Championship belonged to MBI!!!
Jim Teeter beat the A’s in the Round Robin game on Tuesday and defeated them in the Championship Game on Sunday. Not sure if the LA Athletics ever lost two games in a row, and to the same pitcher. Jim earned the MVP for his remarkable performance. Jim worked so hard that his sweat changed the color of his shirt to a brighter orange – check out the team picture.
Typically forgotten are the contributions from the “Subs.” The strategic use of substitutes could decide a game. The specific skills of these players, like defense, pitching, and running, enable the “starters” to get a break and enable the good hitter to now become a fast runner. These essential components of team success often go uncelebrated compared to the everyday starters.
Catcher John Entwistle is the best example. He caught nearly every inning, certainly not easy at this age. Rick Park enabled him to get an occasional break, but John caught the majority, saving others and enabling them to play better defense with stronger legs. These “forgotten” contributions underscore that baseball is a team game where specialized roles and clutch performances from the bench are often the difference between a win and a loss.
So special thanks to Tom Flournoy, Jeff Blatt, Howard Elson, Brad Baker, Les Riell, Dan Doleshal, Rich Ellings, Steve Rhinehart, and Rick Park for their contribution to capturing the title. Shout-out to our fans – Judy, Sherry, and Anne, for their support!!!
Our team name is MBI, and I am frequently asked how that name originated. My best friend passed in 2010, and his name is Billy Cameron. I rearranged the letters in his name to form words that were a tribute to him. So MBI stands for “My Baller Icon.” A Baller is a person who plays the game well, and an Icon is something you respect and value. Re-arrange the Words “My Baller Icon” and you can form the name “Billy Cameron.” It is a simple way to maintain his memory.