2021 70+ National

LA Athletics 10, Sacramento Solons 2

‘Arnold Leads Way on the Bump and at the Plate’

The LA Athletics repeated as champions for 2022 with ace pitcher John Arnold throwing a complete game in the championship against the Sacramento Solons.  The Athletics came in with a roster so deep in pitching that some throwers never saw an inning on the mound!  The Athletics went 5-1 in pool play and captured the top seed for the playoffs.

The strong pitching of Charlie LaDuca, Mark Bloomer, Rick McGahey, Juan Zaragoza, Al Alt, Will Grant, and Doc Hamilos, along with Arnold, got the Athletics the advantage they needed for the championship game.  The Athletics flashed flawless defense all week by third baseman Paul McPherson, shortstop Artie Collazo, second basemen Art Benotti, Ron Piacenti, and Bob Sherwin, along with first baseman Terry Teske making things easy for the guys on the mound. 

The outfield grabbed everything in sight with Dan Little, Mike Thatcher, John Lane, and Arturo Martinez doing the honors.  Lane had the defensive play of the week in the championship game snaring a fly ball near the foul line and turning to throw out the runner at home who was tagging from third.  Dave Howard caught almost every inning behind the plate and handled the pitching staff like a pro. 

The offense was led by Thatcher, Little, Keith Thomas, Doc Hamilos, Teske, Piacenti, Benotti, Ernie Barten, and of course….Arnold.  MVP honors went to John Arnold and Mike Thatcher.  This was truly a team effort with manager Bob Sherwin utilizing every man on the 29-player roster.  With two championships in a row, the Athletics know that a three-peat in 2022 will be a herculean task.