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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-11-03, Page 9Who’s really the team of the decade? By Hugh Nichol The World Series was a perfect example of media over­ kill. Promotion- ally advertised as a true fall classic it was supposed to be a titanic battle between the two best teams in baseball to decide not only the 1999 Major League Champion­ ship, but the self-proclaimed title of Team of the Decade. Instead the series generated no more intensity than a Zurich Rangers .stopover against the Brussels Tigers, a four-game sweep by the defending champions over a team destined to be forever remembered as underachieving choke artists. So unimpressive were the Braves it has been suggested the fans of Atlanta are about to replace the infamous tomahawk chop with a version of the Heimlich manoeuvre. While the Yankees are Major League Champions for the third time in four years and the first time in 60 years to sweep their opponent in consecutive final series appearances, do they merit acknowledgement as the team of the decade? We must not forget the Yankees dominated only the last half of the decade, in fact the two worst teams during the 1990 season were the Atlanta Braves and New York. The first step in awarding this prestigious title is to establish the criteria, in this case the simple method of elimination. Six teams, Anaheim, Detroit, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Montreal and Tampa Bay failed to make a playoff appearance in the 1990s while 16 others participated no more than twice, leaving eight teams in contention. The most obvious choices for the 6-7-8 positions are Pittsburgh, Houston and Texas respectively. Each team won three divisional titles and although none won a playoff series the Pirates twice came within a game-seven victory of winning the National League Blyth Bantams open with win Strong play by the Stewart boys helped take the Blyth Bantam Bull­ dogs to a season opening victory over Hensail, Oct. 25. Cole Stewart led the scoring with a hattrick and an assist. Kirk Stewart added two goals and an assist. After a quiet first period, K. Stewart opened it up at 14:50 of the second with C. Stewart assisting. C. Stewart took the puck from K. Stewart and T.J. Marks two min­ utes later for the second tally. Mike Bean’s solo effort, and shots from C. Stewart and Matt Bromley pushed the home team up 5-0. Paul Walker and Bean earned assists. K. Stewart kept the goals coming in the third when he put one past the netminder at 8:34. The assists went to Bean and Bromley. C. Stewart notched his third at 5:32, Neil Salverda put one in at 1:41 and Walker rounded out the scoring with just 51 Seconds remaining. Bromley and Micah Loder assisted. Blyth goalie Travis Shelton played an excellent game against his former teammates in the 9-0 shutout. pennant. By comparison the Astros have a 2-9 won-loss record in post season while the Rangers are winless in their last nine playoff games. Boston, who prior to this season’s defeat of Cleveland had lost 12 of 13 games played, gained the fifth position only because of one more playoff appearance than the above as well as a single playoff series victory. The Cleveland Indians, five-time American League Central Division leader and the only team since 1950 to score 1,000 runs in a single season, can be rated no higher than fourth simply because of the failure to win a World Series Championship in either of their two tries. That leaves us with three teams remaining, the Yankees, Atlanta and surprise, surprise, the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays list is short but impressive. After losing in the American League final to the eventual World Series winning Minnesota Twins in 1991 they rebounded to post back-to-baCk championships in 1992 and 1993. Although this pales in comparison to the Braves eight consecutive first- place finishes, five 100 plus win seasons, and the distinction of being only the second team in major league history to make five trips to the World Series in a decade, Atlanta will be more remembered for their missed opportunities. In a close vote I give the decision to Toronto in terms of on-field results, which includes the 1992 World Series showdown, over the Braves on-paper accomplishments. Either way our method of elimination leaves us with one team remaining, yet the Yankees are not without their detractors. With an $85 million payroll and $17 million a year athletes many believe owner George Steinbrenner simply bought the crown. Perhaps he did but I figure only in New York could you write a script that allows a team to win the World Series despite the presence of Roger Clemens. COUNTY OF HURON NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED BY-LAW AMENDING THE COMPOSITION OF COUNTY COUNCIL Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the County of Huron will hold a public meeting on Thursday. November 4, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the Court House in Goderich to consider a proposed by-law to change the composition of County Council. The current composition of County Council is that the reeve of each of the 26 local municipalities sits as a. member of County Council. County Council works under a weighted vote system, whereby each member has one vote per 1,000 electors to a maximum of four votes. The proposal is to change to a County Council composition whereby the head of each local municipality sits as a member of County Council; with each additional member from area municipalities sitting on County Council on the basis of each additional 4,000 electors. Any person may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed by-law. The Council may make a decision concerning the by-law at anytime" following the public meeting. Additional information relating to the proposed by-law is available for inspection during regular office hours at- the County offices (519) 524-8394. Copies of the proposed by-law are also available by contacting the County offices. J.A. Murray Clerk-Administrator County of Huron Court House Goderich, Ontario N7A 1 M2 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1999. PAGE 9. Close The Brussels Juvenile goalie stops a close one in this contest in Brussels against Lucknow on Friday night. Unfortunately, there was too much action around the home net with the visitors shutting out their hosts 5-0. (As/i/eyGropp^ofo? Bulldogs stung by Sting Continued from page 8 aid (three, Brent Brooks (three), Jack Watson (two), Jim OsJer (two), Pat Wyle (two) and Jason Cox. The Bulldogs only two goals in the 17-2 loss came from Mike Bromley. The Auburn-Chief matchup was much closer with the Chiefs going down in a 6-5 loss. Auburn scorers were Steve Plun­ kett (two), Brent Andrews (two), Ryan Chamney and Jeff Nesbitt. Hitting the net for the Chiefs were Jason McCash (two), Brent McCaw, Dennis Vere and Ian Koetsier. The Nov. 7 games will see the Chiefs take on the Sting and the Stars meet Auburn. E thelThe news from Compiled by Margaret McMahon Phone 887-9250 Community extends sympathy Sympathy is extended to Leo and Rita Deitner and families on the recent loss of Rita’s sister, Sister Barbara Graf. Also to John and Carol Boneschansker and families on the loss of John’s father, John William Boneschansker of Newmarket. CLINTON COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION LIMITED is pleased to announce that a total dividend payment of (4>/2% Cash Dividend and 1% Patronage Dividend) has been declared on Credit Union member’s Life Savings accounts for the past fiscal year ending September 30, 1999. In addition a CASH DIVIDEND of was paid on Patronage Share accounts and credited to members Life Savings Account Being able to share in the profits of a co-operative financial institution such as a Credit Union is definitely a benefit to the members The Staff & Board of Directors wish to thank the members for their patronage to their Credit Union. COO CLINTON COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION LIMITED 48 Ontario Street/CLINTON/482-3466 118 Main St. North/EXETER/235-0640 Main Street/DASHWOOD/237-3777 Web site: www.clintoncu.on.ca ‘Where Members and Service are#1” Sympathy is extended to Bob and Joyce Alexander and Bob and Jennet Locking on the death of Gladys Locking, Brussels. Congratulations to Pat Keffer and Brenda Turner on winning the trip to Australia in the Wingham Optimist final draw.