REFLECTIONS GOING INTO A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

First off, I want to thank my team for believing in me. Believing that all my efforts over this year would lead to a group of vastly different individuals towards greatness.

On the morning of our second consecutive championship game, I started to reflect on the first six games and realized what lucky individuals we are. Here we are, at the rip young ages of 36-56, and we get to play baseball with our best friends. Not only that, we get to compete at the highest level of amateur baseball in the country. On top of that, we set our goals at the beginning of last year, and we've already met our expectations. When you can wake up in the morning and do something like that, you are already a winner.

I know my guys are going to win today because when we get together and set our minds towards something, as a team, we just make it happen. It truly is what I refer to as, "The Magic and the Madness." I mean, it's 5:30 AM PCT and I just spent 20 minutes in bed with a large bag of ice on my quad, just so I can help contribute something today. Why? Because I know my team looks to me to lead them, and I am determined to not let them down. Just as I expect to lean on my teammates and not let me down. If I can make that one play today that could make a difference in the championship game, the pain, the injury would all be an after thought.

Win or lose on the scoreboard today, we've already won in my eyes. This team consistently comes back from adversity and continues to never quit. We've lost key players over the year, over the week, and still we perform as a team, at a very high level...and we continue to win. We struggle in our careers, and still we keep trying to achieve greatness. We struggle with our families, and still we try to love and provide for them. Today is the culmination of all our hard work in life.

Dear God, thank you for providing me the tools to lead these men, a great group of men, towards victory.

To Terry Loe, thank you for being my spiritual guide.

To Jim Davidson, thank you for the recognition you continuously give me, even when I am down on myself.

To Chad Brown, thank you for showing me how to keep one's head, when all about you are losing their's.

To Robert Wasmund, thank you for showing me how to win with your talent, not with your mouth.

To Pat Armstrong, thank you for being that dedicated friend who always believes in my efforts.

To Scott Bailey, thank you for always showing me what "passion for the game" means.

To Mike Moore, thank you for showing me how legends perform.

To Jeff Wells, thank you for beating father time, continuously.

To Mike Veronesi, thank you for coming into life recently. Your friendship is very important to me.

To Mike Player, thank you for letting me apologize for my mistakes and accepting that I am human and only have good intentions in my heart.

To Miles Whitlock, thank you for being a mensch!

To DJ Austin, thank you for being able to change your thoughts and ideas about who a person is and what he's all about.

To Bill "Flip" Filippone, thanks for always making me laugh. Dude, you are one funny individual.

To Ken Lorow, thank you for wanting to win on every pitch. You are a bulldog!

To Craig, "KC" Kasin, thanks for smiling at every moment of the day. I can never have a bad day when I see you.

To Brien Blakely, thanks for coming out, even for two days, and contributing any way you can. You truly are a "team" player.

To Brian Schaefer, thank you for being so humble. Your overall talent amazes me yet you never talk highly of yourself.

To David Meltzer, Scott Carter and all the Steinberg boys, thanks for showing me the utmost support.

To Chris Pullaro, thanks for being the one friend I can always lean on.

To Alan Goldman, thanks for always being my best friend.

And to all the Network Players out there who could not make the trip, thanks for your well-wishes.

I want to thank you and your families for believing in my dreams and giving me the opportunity to lead us to another championship.

Lastly, I want to thank God for allowing us to continue playing "a kid's game."

Your friend for life,

Rick