The Malibu Diamondbacks defeated the Culver City Reds 3-1 on Sunday to win Little League’s Tournament of Champions, Minor League division, in L.A.’s District 25. Coming from behind in each of the last three games, and sparked by great defensive play and outstanding pitching, the team capped a 25-2 season for manager Walter Rosenthal, and coaches Chris Houge, Joe Wirht, and Chris Hanson.
“It’s all downhill from here,” said an exuberant Walter Rosenthal.
Diamondback aces Tony Gwyn and Joe Rosenthal combined for 10 strikeouts to shut down the Reds offense after giving up one run in the opening frame. In the bottom of the first, Gwyn and Rosenthal each singled, and Ryan Houge got aboard on an error, scoring Gwyn. Hunter Hanson drove in Rosenthal with a double down the right field line, followed by Jackson Wirht’s RBI single, scoring Houge. That was the end of the scoring for the day, though not the end of the excitement.
In the second inning, the Reds loaded the bases. The next batter hit a drive to right field that looked like it would tie the game, but right fielder Steven McGowan ended the inning with a spectacular diving catch. In the sixth, a walk got a Reds runner on base, but Matt Bordier caught a long fly to left field, ending the game, and bringing the championship banner to Malibu.
After the game, manager Rosenthal evaluated the season and the 12 boys he coached, and recalled a line from the movie “A Thousand Clowns” that he says describes all of his players.
“Somehow,” says the character in the movie, “I’ve become the best possible me.”