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Clips Decide to Sail Off Into the Sunset as Return to Port Uncertain
In addition to the Clippers forfeiting both games of the double-header even though the brawling Brewers caused both games to be canceled, Clips player-manager Tom Dixon was suspended for the rest of the season. (The Brewers also forfeited both contests, and three of their players were suspended for the rest of the season: Mike Munafro, Paul Mayer and Tom Altieri.)
The league commissioner, Jim Bianco, ruled that the Clippers were equally to blame for starting the incident. Yet the assault followed trash-talking and verbal abuse by the Brewers throughout the entire first game of a scheduled double-header at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. (See below story for details.)
Despite repeated requests by Tom to the umpires, the Brewers taunts, insults and cursing continued right up to the attack Tom instructed the Clips several times not to respond to the taunting.
Most of the Clippers players pulled out the league in protest. Not only were they outraged by the ruling, the players were concerned about how the Brewers violent and criminal behavior put their safety at risk. The Clips also felt that the umpires did a terrible job and allowed the Brewers’ verbal abuse to escalate the tensions and that the men in blue did not step in to stop the Brewers players from storming the Clips dugout area. Both umps for the June 3 game, Tony Saunders and John Santiago, should be suspended for the season.
“This is a travesty and one of the most ridiculous decisions that I have seen in my life. The league has punished the victims and rewarded the villains,” Tom said. “The trash-talking has gone on far too long in the league. Players involved in brawls and other incidents the past few years have gone unpunished. If the league is continued to be run in this haphazard and unfair manner, there will not be a league around much longer.”
Actually, Tom is looking to form a new wood bat league in the future. It will be one in which trash-talking and fighting are not tolerated. The umpires will be competent, know the rules and keep the games under control.
In the meantime, Tom held scrimmages on Sunday mornings at Greeley. Most of the players have found new teams for 2008. The worst part of the decision is how it hurt the Clippers players who just wanted to play ball in 2007. But Tom hopes that some positives can result from this sad situation. “If a new wood league can be formed and the trash-talking is greatly reduced, then some good can come out of this nightmare,” he said. “Ultimately, the goal is to play baseball and have some fun.”
Three Clips Severely Injured After Opposing Team Launches Dugout Assault
This incident followed trash-talking and verbal abuse by the Brewers the entire first game of a scheduled double-header at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. Despite repeated requests by Clips player-manager Tom Dixon to the umpires, these taunts, insults and cursing continued right up to the assault. Tom instructed the team several times not to respond to the taunting.
The first game of the twin bill was stopped before the bottom of the 5th when the Brewers starting pitcher, Mike Munafro, ran onto the field in an effort to punch a Clips player. (The Clips were trailing 14-5 when the game was halted.) The second game was called off after the entire 15-player Brewers team ran into the Clips dugout area, and many of the Brewers punched and kicked the four Clips players in the dugout area along the third base line.
The police were called since the Brewers players threatened to beat up the Clips in the parking lot. The officers arrived a short time after order was finally restored, but the most of the Brewers players quickly left the school parking lot. Erik Anderson and Tom suffered jaw injuries after being punched while trying to break up the melee. Erik also has an injured quad and back after being kicked by two Brewers players who were wearing metal spikes. Anthony Dimartino was left with bruises. More important, Anthony was concerned about seizures from the beating since he has epilepsy. He got checked at the hospital Monday.
The incident left the team shaken and battered. Some players said they did not want to play anymore this season.
League commissioner Jim Bianco ruled that the Clips were equally responsible for starting the incident. Yet the assault followed trash-talking and verbal abuse by the Brewers throughout the first game. Amazingly, Tom Dixon was suspended for the rest of the 2007 season and the Clips forfeited both games of the twin bill. The Brewers also forfeited both contests, and three of their players were suspended for the rest of the season: Manafro, Paul Mayer and Tom Altieri.)
“The Clippers are saddened, sickened and sorry for this ugly incident,” Tom said. “While the Clips are not blameless, the Brewers are almost entirely to blame. The Clips involvement did not justify this savage beating. Three players were badly hurt and could have been injured much worse. The league and its members cannot tolerate this type of despicable behavior.”
After yelling at the Clippers players and his own teammates the entire game, Munafro charged on the field after a warm-up throw from Tom sailed past the Clips first baseman and hit the fence down the first base line. Even though he was standing six feet behind the fence, Munafro screamed that he planned to punch Tom over the wild throw. But he was restrained by Clips and Brewers players.
As some of the Clippers walked into their dugout area, the Brewers catcher, Mayer, ran on the field near home plate and yelled that his pitchers would hit the Clips batters in the second game. While standing in the back of the Clips dugout area along the third base line, Tom said, “Fine fat boy.” Mayer then charged around the fence and into the Clippers dugout area. He yelled, “I have nothing better to do on Sunday. I am going to take you out. Put up your hands.” Tom said “no.”
As Mayer was ready to punch Tom, Anthony tackled Mayer. But three Brewers jumped on Anthony, and they punched and kicked him. Tom and Erik were punched while trying to break up the fight. Erik and Anthony also were kicked by the Brewers
The Clips just want to play baseball. This should not be base-brawl or Wrestlemania. It is supposed to be recreational hardball and fun. Besides, we need to work the next day.
Thoughts of Ball Field Helped Teammate Cope with Field of Battle in Iraq
Clemente’s Navy reserve unit was called to active duty and he was shipped out on July 11, 2005, for the assignment. Clemente served in the military police guarding convoys, one of the most dangerous duty for a U.S. soldier in Iraq.
In a phone call to Clips player-manager Tom Dixon in January 2006, Clemente reported that his military base was attacked three times a day and the convoys are at serious risk of hitting road-side bombs. “It’s bad over there. The Iraqis just don’t care. They blow themselves up,” he noted while he was on a 12-day emergency military leave to visit his ailing father in the Bronx.
Baseball helped keep his mind off the dangers and hardships. “I am long-tossing as much as possible,” Clemente said. “But it’s tough to sleep here in the sand. I only get two to three hours or sleep each day.”
The father of five, who joined the Clips midway through the 2004 season, trained on occasional weekends throughout the winter and spring of 2005. The lefty hurler, who is a New York police detective and lives in the Bronx, threw a gem in the 2004 semifinal playoff game in September. (See story on the Team History page.)
While Clemente was less than thrilled to be in Iraq, hes coping with the duty but can't wait to get back home and on the ball field. “But I want to serve my country and do the best job possible over here,” he told Tom in a September 2005 phone call from Iraq.
All of the Clippers will be praying for Clemente to return safe and sound if he ships back to Iraq. The Clips dedicated the 2005 and 2006 seasons to Clemente, who serves as an inspiration due to the sacrifice for his country. But they were glad he got as much enjoyment this season before going to Iraq. Not that we are worried about not having the ace pitcher on the team. We just want Clemente to come home healthy and happy. And it doesn’t matter that he is a Boston Red Sox fan.
Meanwhile, the team received some good news during the 2005 preseason. No. The Clips did not pick up more pitchers. One of the players, who was added midway through the 2003 season, already just returned from the war in Iraq. Julio Fernandez finished serving a nine-month tour as a member of the military police guarding convoys after being called to active duty from the Army reserves. He is back home in Orange County after being stationed briefly at a military base in New Jersey, where he was debriefed. We hope not because he rejoined the Clippers, although he will play on another team in 2006.
All of Julio’s teammates were thrilled about his safe return. “Who” is a human highlight reel and a vacuum cleaner at shortstop. A good thing, too, especially with all of the rain last three seasons. The speedster was among the team leaders in stolen bases and humorous remarks during the 2003 and 2005 seasons.
Already back in midseason form, Julio played a prank on Tom when he reported back to duty with the Clips. In a phone call, the New York City police officer pretended to be a potential new player demanding to play shortstop. Tom, who did not know he was speaking to Julio, stood up for his teammate and told the called that he refused to give anyone that position. Anyway, Julio was raring to go. “I’m rusty, but I think that I get my stroke back fast,” he told Tom, who congratulated him on a safe return. “I’m so happy to be back on the playing field.” His teammates echo those sentiments. Especially the pitchers.
On a positive note, league commissioner Jim Bianco was gracious enough to waive the $130 dues in 2007 for Clemente, who still plan to pay for the team’s expenses, such as the cost of umpires, fields, baseballs, and Tom’s retirement fund. Jim also excused the dues for Julio in 2005. Now if we can only figure out some excuse to get Jim to waive the dues for the rest of us.
Despite Batty Playoff Loss, Clips Glad to Play into the Fall
While the Clips out hit Sound Shore 5 to 4, they could not string together enough hits and failed to score after loading the bases with one out in the 5th inning at Westchester Community College.
Meanwhile, the M’s scored all of their runs with two outs. They got the key hits and took advantage of huge breaks in scoring single runs in three different innings. Sound Shore also turned three double plays, including a 6-4-3 twin killing to end the game.
Clips starting pitcher Clemente Sosa was dominant in his complete-game effort, but the lefty hurler was the victim of his teammates’ defensive lapses. Clemente struck out 10 while allowing only the four singles.
Even though the Clips lost the last game of the season, they were glad to play until the end of the September considering the team’s struggles. A number of key players were missing the last two months because of work, vacations and babies. (The wives of three players gave birth.)
The playoff game was postponed the previous weekend after Tropical Storm Ivan flooded the field the day before on Sept. 18. But the make-up game was played under beautiful, blue skies and unusually warm, fall weather.
The M’s warmed up to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd with a two-out rally that started after the 10th, or last-place batter, was hit by a pitch. That runner scored after the second straight bloop hit to right field. Tony Roman’s Texas league single just eluded the reach of Clips second baseman Carl Anderson.
The lead was extended to 2-0 on a passed ball that was called a strike by the umpire with two outs in the 4th. The M’s runner reached third after he stole second and the catcher’s throw sailed into center because no infielder covered the base.
The M’s added another insurance run in the 6th to make the score 3-0. Orlando Cruz’s second single of the game knocked in the run following a walk to the leadoff batter and a wild pitch. Orlando also did a stellar job behind the plate. The catcher shut down the Clips running game after nailing a runner to end the 1st on a strike-’em out, throw-’em out double play.
The Clips finally got on the scoreboard in the 7th. Carl’s line single down the left-field line brought home Darren Adler, who smacked a booming double to right center with one out.
But Sound Shore brought in reliever Mark Miller after Clemente followed Carl with a walk. The hard-throwing righty with a nasty slider held the Clips hitless to earn the save. M’s starting pitcher Don Weisz fanned four and gave up five hits in picking up the win.
The Clips blew the huge scoring opportunity in the 5th. They loaded the bases with one out as Clemente and Jerry Ronaghan singled after Carl reached on a throwing error by the M’s third baseman. But the next hitter was retired on a come-backer that the pitcher threw home for the second out, and the threat ended after a drive to deep center was caught.
Despite their bats being in dry dock, the Clips still found ways to reach base. For instance, Tom Dixon hustled and avoided the first-baseman’s tag after a wide throw from the catcher, who dropped the third strike with two outs in the 8th. Tom, the Clips leadoff hitter, also singled and was hit by a pitch.
“It was a tough way to end the season, but we a fine year considering the attendance problems this summer,” said Tom, the Clips player-manager. “We are fortunate to get this far in the playoffs. Unfortunately, we ran into some hot pitchers.”
They also encountered a solid Sound Shore infield defense and Don’s sinker that also sank the Clips. The righty hurler recorded 10 outs on ground outs.
Shortstop Tony Roman also turned a spectacular double play to kill a threat in the 4th. After making a a terrific, sliding catch on a high fly behind third base in shallow left field, Tony fired a bullet to first base to just nail the Clips runner for the second out.
Sound Shore advances to the best two-out-of-three Championship Series against the Tri-State Yankees. A double-header is scheduled for Oct. 2, and a single would be held on Oct. 3, if necessary.
Clips Knock Off First-Place Team in Last Home Game of Season
The Clippers proved that on any given Sunday, any team can beat any other. In fact, they defeated the first-place Westchester Black Sox 5-3 in the second game of the make-up double-header on Aug. 20, 2006.
The upset win followed a 9-3 loss in the opener at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua during the team’s last home games of the season. But the gutty, gritty Clips never got down and pulled together their fourth of the season while handing the B-Sox just their second loss. (The double dip was rained out on June 4.)
The Clips jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after three in the bottom of the 1st, and they used the classic formula the rest of the way: pitching and defense. Their unusual strategy paid off: the Clips were the home team in the nightcap and the visitor in the opener despite playing at their home field.
Starting pitcher Andy Artale was brilliant over the first four innings. In only his second appearance of the season, the hard-throwing righty struck out five and surrendered only three hits. (He overcame two errors on routine grounders by the first two hitters of the game.) The B-Sox managed only a two-run single with two outs in the 4th as Andy tired.
But reliever Carl Anderson nailed the save with three innings of bend-but-not break pitching. The B-Sox picked up one run in the 7th and put the tying runs on second and third with two outs. But Carl ended the game on a grounder to second.
The Clips strung together four hits for the three first-inning runs. Eddie Morales drove in the first run on a double following singles by Rocco Panetta and Erik Anderson. Andy smacked an RBI single before Victor Nieves brought home the third run on a groundout to short.
The Clips took a 4-0 lead in the 2nd on an RBI single by Tom Dixon to drive in Sal Moore, who had walked to open the frame. They added an insurance run in the 5th on Erik’s second single of the game to score Tom who walked and stole second base. Erik smacked three singles in the opener.
The rally at the end of the first game demonstrated the Clips never-say-die spirit. They loaded the bases with two outs and scored two of the three runs on walks. Their upbeat attitude carried over into the nightcap.
The twin bill was a match-up against several former teammates who started the B-Sox in the off-season. But it was a rude homecoming for them. The B-Sox seemed to take the Clips lightly in the second game.
“That was a total team victory,” said Tom, the Clips player-manager. “We pulled together and showed out character and determination. They should not have underestimated us in the nightcap.”
The first game was much closer than the final score indicates. The B-Sox jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the 1st with two runs scoring with two outs. But they were kept in check for the most part until the Clips rallied in the 7th. That was just a sign of the victory to come.
