2024 Giants Execute ‘Back-to-Back’ Championship Seasons in 45+ Division of Arizona MSBL
Arizona Men’s Senior Baseball League (AZMSBL), 45+ Division
Giants 11, Grays 8
‘Giants Fulfill Back-to-Back’ Titles
Submitted by Kevin J. Wilkison and Joe O’Brien, Giants Managers
Phoenix, AZ. – The Giants defeated the Grays, 11-8, on September 3rd, at Salt River Fields to win the 2024 AZMSBL 45+ Division Championship. It was the Third Championship in the last four years, and Back-to-Back Titles for the Giants, who also won the 2021 and 2023 crowns.
The Giants moved into first place in early April and ran to the wire and the Championship. After losing the first game of the season, they finished strong, running off a 14-game win streak to dominate the division and compile a final record of 16-2, capturing the division title.
During the playoffs, the Giants compiled a perfect 3-0 record sweeping the Grays in two games for the Championship in the Best-of-Three Series. The Giants won the first game 6-2 before capturing the title with the 11-8 win, bringing the Giants final season record to 19-2. The two playoff games combined were tight competitive games, with the winning runs scoring late in each game, and the pitching, hitting, and defense outstanding on both sides.
“We played solid baseball all season, but our best baseball when it mattered the most. The season was a dream as nobody wanted to let their teammates down. For most of the games, we had 19 guys show to play, and the motto was to move the chain to the next man up, and let him come through! It’s hard not to be proud of a group like the 2024 Giants.
In the 11 years the team has been in the AZMSBL, which includes years in the 35+ Division, this has been the best team assembled. The players truly cared about each other and created a family atmosphere. They were not only talented on the field, but talented individuals off the field, and when you have that camaraderie, talent, and desire, they’re not difficult to manage.
All we needed to do as managers was put the team on the field and push the play button and let them perform. These guys were all business in their approach, and strived to play the game the right way.” said Wilkison and O’Brien, player-managers.
For the Giants Managers, Kevin and Joe, this marks the fourth division title and the sixth Championship in the past eight years, which includes four years in the 35 age division and four years in the 45 age division.