08/16/2019
As the CLGSA’s 2019 End-of Season Division Playoffs commence this weekend at Berliner, it is worth looking back and remembering the 2018 squad who spent most of the season hovering in last place all summer during the Regular Season to clawing their way back and placing third to pick up some hardware.
Coach Greg Johnson wasn’t done.
He knew the team’s ultimate potential, it was his sixth sense, and there was no hesitation in his registering Atomic to play for the C2 Division Championship. Entering the contest seeded third, Atomic faced down some tough teams, but true to form under their Skipper, Atomic busted the C2 bracket to pieces and finished undefeated and were named the CLGSA’s 2019 C2 End-of-Season Champions.
UNDEFEATED.
For the rest of their lives and for those who watched the final two outs with their own eyes will talk and remember what would ultimately be the last two outs to nail down another Columbus Atomic First Place Championship.
Covering second base was Coach Greg Johnson and short stop was Tim Wright.
With one down already and two to go to seal the deal, the second out was made by Coach Greg as a soft liner landed directly in the glove of Coach Greg for the second out. That kept the runner comfortably at first base. Next was ultimately the final at-bat and then subsequent play of the entire 2019 season: Hard hit grounder to, once again, Coach Greg. With his signature moves and finesse, he dropped to his knees, knocked the bouncer down and kept his eye laser sharp on the ball as the ball never left his sight while it was in front of him. Runner was passing Greg to reach second. He gathered himself in what felt like an eternity, while on his knees in the middle of first and second, he hit Tim Wright as he ran over to second base and the final game was a 4-6 putout!
Ballgame.
Gloves came off and went into the air.
Greg and Tim’s play solidified a tough year and a fantastic way for Atomic to finish the season on the highest of all highs possible. Anyone who watched him handle a tough situation and seal the title saw absolute calm, control and total belief in himself and his second baseman.
The team went wild.
Coach Greg Johnson went out a champion.