Baseball is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. Never has a saying seemed more true as, rather than 26 miles, the Lancaster team just slogged through 26 straight days of baseball without a day off. Just let that sink in for a moment. Most of you who work nine-to-fives had eight weekend days off, plus the 4th of July, during the last 26 days. Some of you, like me, might have taken some vacation time during that spell as well.

On June 20th, when the team started their 26-day marathon:

• The George Zimmerman trial hadn't started yet.
• Morsi was the President of Egypt.
• Paula Deen and all her advisers were gainfully employed.

Since the marathon started:

• The Dow dropped 453 points and went back up 824 points.
• The Super Moon came and went.
• Approximately 284,888 children were born in the U.S.

Thankfully, only one of the 26 games went to extra innings, but half of them (and 13 out of 16 straight) were commuters. In addition to a full day of early work, batting practice, bullpens and the actual game, the JetHawks had to sit on a bus for anywhere from two to four additional hours per day for those 13 games, traveling almost 2000 miles. No hotel rooms to crash in, just a sweltering bus ride in record-breaking heat, day after day after day. 

So, how did the JetHawks crew fare during that stretch?

• They went 17-9.
• They won the first seven, sweeping a four-game series against Rancho Cucamonga at home and a three-game series against Bakersfield on the road.
• They split the next four-game series at Rancho.
• They were 2-1 against Bakersfield at home, as well as Inland Empire and High Desert on the road.
• It was only the final two series of the stretch at home, against Inland Empire and Modesto, that they lost 1-2
• They were outhit 275 to 272, but outscored their opponents 209 to 149.
• They hit 51 doubles, seven triples and 41 home runs.
• They stole 26 bases, with 14 of those belonging to Delino DeShields.

Three players played in all 26 games - Andrew Aplin, M.P. Cokinos and Chris Epps. Aplin almost missed out on number 26, only going in as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning last night. Matt Duffy was close behind, playing in 23 games, but was probably sidelined for a couple of games due to one too many hits by pitch.

How did the individual players fare over the long haul?

• Carlos Perdomo (.208/.262), Andrew Aplin (.273/.277), M.P. Cokinos (.318/.341), Telvin Nash (.224/.244), Tyler Heineman (.274/.275), Matt Duffy (.309/.319) and Brandon Meredith (.259/.278) all increased their batting averages.
• M.P. Cokinos hit 10 doubles, while Andrew Aplin, Nolan Fontana and Brandon Meredith had six each.
• Telvin Nash, Tyler Heineman and Chris Epps belted out six home runs and were followed closely by Brandon Meredith and M.P. Cokinos with five each.
• David Rollins (4.40/4.04), Tyson Perez (6.75/6.26), Tommy Shirley (4.40/3.71), Jonas Dufek (5.10/4.26), Luis Cruz (5.28/4.97), Aaron West (5.07/5.06), Michael Dimock (5.00/4.84), Brady Rodgers (5.26/5.25) and Blair Walters (5.50/5.40) all lowered their ERA.
• Aaron West won four games during that stretch and was closely followed by three each from Luis Cruz and Brady Rodgers.
• Travis Ballew converted five of seven save opportunities.

Again, let that sink in. All of that happened without a single day off.

But the most important fact of all about the Lancaster Marathon? They started the marathon in first place and they ended the marathon in first place. Great job, guys. Now take a well-deserved rest before you start all over again. Hmmm. Maybe it's not a marathon, after all. Maybe it's actually Groundhog Day.