BLACK AND GOLD WORLD SERIES 2021 RECAP
In October: legends are born, championships are won, and bragging rights are secured. It baffles me that the national media does not cover Iowa Baseball’s Black and Gold World Series to the extent of the MLB Postseason; however, I will gladly share my recap of the experience.
For those that are unfamiliar, the Black and Gold World Series is a best of three series corresponding with the timing of the MLB Postseason and the end of the Fall season for Iowa Baseball. This generates immense excitement within the program as all members — players, coaches, support staff, and managers alike — are split between the two respective teams.
I began to understand the seriousness of this event last week as managers began to banter, suggest which lineup was better from an analytical standpoint, and recount memorable stories of their past experiences. On Monday, I awoke with eagerness and more animosity towards the opposing team than they had done to deserve.
Game 1: Monday, October 18th, 2021
An excitement equally comparable to Game 5 of the NLDS filled the air as a steady number of fans made their way into Duane Banks Stadium. This sight, accompanied with the incredibly favorable sunny weather and Back in Black playing from the speakers made me beam with gratitude. By 3:15 pm, lineups, walk up songs, and starting pitchers were all finalized; Game 1 of the 2021 Black and Gold World Series was underway. And just as everyone would have guessed, the first pitch was sent over left centerfield for a 366-foot solo home run. Have yourself a leadoff AB, Michael Seegers.
The Gold Team’s offensive energy continued with a Brayden Frazier 2-run home run, also in the top of the first. Frazier’s long ball came off the bat at 101 mph and went 404 feet to straight-away center field. Gold Team starting pitcher, Adam Mazur, went straight to work in the bottom half of the first and the score after one read 3–0, Gold Team.
However, the Black Team began to chip away, scoring one run in the second, fourth, fifth innings. Given that the games are only seven innings, murmurs and trash talk heightened as we headed to the top of the sixth with the score all knotted up at 3. Gold Team pitcher Luke Llewellyn posted an impressive stat line. He allowed just two hits and recorded 4 K’s in two innings of work. It is also notable that Ben DeTaeye finished his outing allowing just one hit after the first inning and tallied 4 K’s in four innings. Anthony Mangano recorded a double in the bottom of the sixth and came around to score on an infield single by Mitch Wood, giving the Black Team a 4–3 lead. The Gold Team went quietly in the seventh and the Black Team claimed the come-from-behind victory to take a one game lead in the series.
I, along with multiple other sources, heard chants from Izaya Fullard claiming, “MVP Mango! Write it down!” While no formal MVP is awarded for each game, Mangano did have an impressive day at the plate going 2–3, with two doubles, and two runs scored for the Black Team.
As fans exited, players rode off on their mopeds, and the rest of the staff dispersed, I went home thinking of what a great afternoon I had at the ballpark and could not wait for the rest of the week.
Game 2: Tuesday, October 19th, 2021
A similar picturesque afternoon took place in Iowa City on Tuesday. Coaches, players, fans, umpires, and managers all took their designated places by 3:15 and the first pitch approached quicker than anticipated. The Black Team wasted no time getting to work, as Izaya Fullard got aboard with a line-drive single. Tyler Snep then launched a 405 foot shot over the wall in left-center, bringing Fullard home and making the score 2–0 in the top of the first. With zero outs in the top of the second, Mangano roped a triple to right field and shouts from the third base dugout echoed, “MVP! MVP! MVP!” Brendan Sher brought him home with an RBI single. A wild pitch then brought in Sher, which prompted the Gold Team to bring in reliever Ty Langenberg.
We headed to the bottom of the second with the score 4–0. Catcher Cade Moss did his part as an RBI single brought home DJ Heck and made the score 4–1 at the end of 2. The Gold Team continued to make things interesting in their half of the 3rd by putting up two runs, making the score 4–3 in favor of the Black Team.
However, from there, the Black Team was dominant. Freshman Sam Petersen’s single tacked on two more RBIs and Sam Hojnar grounded into a fielder’s choice, making the score 8–3. Tallman and Mangano each continued to contribute for the Black Team and at the end of 4 the score read a commanding 10–3 lead for the Black Team.
Peyton Williams salvaged an RBI with two outs in the bottom of the 7th scoring Freshman Ben Wilmes and leading to a final score of 10–4, with the Black Team claiming the victory once again.
Final Thoughts:
My biggest takeaway from the quick 48 hours was seeing the culmination of the team’s hard work in practice and scrimmages pay off in a more relaxed, yet incredibly competitive atmosphere. This being my first fall season with the program, I have found I still walk in each day with the same energy I would during the spring. This energy is then matched and raised by the players, coaches, and fellow managers I am surrounded by. Don’t tell anyone outside the program, but that is what makes this place so special. The unmatched energy of the Fall 2021 Black and Gold World Series has me asking, “Is it opening day yet?” However, I will attempt to satisfy my impatience with the remainder of the MLB playoffs and a day-to-day effort to continue #MovingTheNeedle.
