A Moment in the Sun for Fort Wayne

Photo by Samuel Hoffman | The Journal Gazette

The Midwest League Champions had a rally at Parkview Field last night. That's Robert Lara, the guy who hit the series ending homer in the Eastern Division Finals against Great Lakes, in the picture. Here's part of the Journal Gazette article...

The evening gave fans everything they needed to savor the season for a final time.

Video highlights, speeches, concessions and even the national anthem helped nearly 2,000 TinCaps faithful Friday night celebrate the city’s first Midwest League title with the members of their minor league baseball team at Parkview Field.

Team President Mike Nutter noted the crowd was much larger – and louder – than the one at the team’s championship-clinching game the night before in Burlington, Iowa. He heaped praise on the fans, telling them they helped the team to a 50-20 home record.

Oh, Mike. Did you really have to go there with the attendance thing? I mean, it's understandable that you want to say something for the folks at home, but, come on.

After the team took the field, mascot Johnny ran out carrying the Midwest League championship trophy. A few fans had signs calling for a repeat, something Nutter wouldn’t quite guarantee. But he said his staff would work to make next season just as enjoyable.

“Thank you for a 2009 at Parkview Field we’ll never forget,” he said.

Take this image to your nightmares tonight

Photo by Chad Ryan News-Sentinel