The season came to an end several weeks ago with a win, leaving our team a record of 7-7-1. I don’t have all the details of the games, but from what I understand, both were lopsided victories.
That means we started the season 2-5 and ended the season 5-2-1. We were on fire. For reasons unknown to me, there are no playoffs after Spring League.
To close out the season , I’m going to cut and paste this article that I just read that’s kind of interesting. The article originally appeared in the June issue of the Iowa City Dart Digest.
Predicting the Club Car's Fortunes
By Doug Schroeder
After being dubbed the darling of the playoffs two years ago when they made a run to the semifinals out of the B-League, and one year ago, when they took home first place in the B league--a feat for which they were awarded both a plaque and individually-engraved metals-- team Club Car finally had a chance to play in the A league this year.
Though the Club Car’s .500 (7-7-1) season might be viewed as a passable showing for the young squad’s first season in the A League, others think the group took a step backward this year. Rumors are swirling around what kind of changes, if any, the GM’s are going to make. Join ICDD as we take a quick look at the fate of what has become one of the most dynamic and dangerous teams in the league:
The Manager:
Though team manager Brad “Griff” Griffith has quite competently guided the team to the respectable position in which it currently finds itself, privately fans are beginning to wonder if he has what it takes to make it to the next level. His board-side antics were down this year, and new psychological research has called into question his management strategy, which consists long tirades abuse sprinkled with moments of enthusiasm and coddling. Sources close to the GM have indicated her desire to get a championship to the Club Car, and have been wondering quite openly if this manager still retains the gusto and motivational skills that made him a B-League legend.
Our Take: Though a few fans have begun to circulate their disappointment in dart chatrooms and forums, in all likelihood, Griff will be given a few more years to take this team to the next level.
Personnel:
The lineup itself may be in line for a shakeup as well. Erratic but handsome dart-thrower Nick “Grady” Gregory will be departing after accepting an offer to throw for a German outfit next semester. Though he finished the season with the lowest power ranking on the team, his winning percentage was the highest and he has been impressive in a number of outings.
Our Take: Though Grady has always been dubbed as a player with a lot of “potential,” he has generally been inconsistent and unspectacular. What’s more, his improvement has stagnated, making him extremely expendable.
Ryan “Murphy” Murray will also be departing to play next fall in the Kansas City Municipal Dart League. Murphy was a surprise sensation and rookie of the year two seasons ago, and GM’s agree that he was probably the best free-agent pickup in the league.
Management has remained mum about the size of his salary, but sources close to the organization reveal that the Club Car paid a pretty penny for his services. This means his departure could open up some much needed room under the salary cap to allow the Bombs to make a play for another elite player.
Management has remained mum about the size of his salary, but sources close to the organization reveal that the Club Car paid a pretty penny for his services. This means his departure could open up some much needed room under the salary cap to allow the Bombs to make a play for another elite player.
Our take: It’s a wash. Though Murray’s departure may cost the team wins, it will also save the team money and make them less disgruntled, as Murphy traditionally won the money games that followed the matches.
That leaves three returning players to shuffle around.
The surprise of the season was Kyle Weiner, who hit a hot streak late and ended up with a # 22 ranking overall. But questions remain? Is Kyle a franchise player? Is he the type of player that the Club Car can build a solid program around? Or are the GM’s going to go out and try to fill the void left behind by Murray?
Will Goodman, one of the most effective and dangerous darters in the league several years ago, has struggled of late. Keeping him on the team, however, is always a threat. Our sources say that Griff has been subjecting him to a battery of workouts and dry runs in the off-season in an effort to recapture his past confidence and glory.
Excepting a bizarre move by management, it is widely thought that player/manager Brad “Griff” Griffith will be back for another shot at the title. Last year he had a full-size practice area built in his home and he keeps a strict workout regime even in the off-season. He’s built the program from the foundations up and no one doubts that he has the commitment and wherewithal to see the thing through to the end.
Final Take on next year: ICDD thinks that next year will be similar to years past. The Club Car Bombs rebuild and have another solid year in the A League. A run in the playoffs to the semifinals ends tragically to some lame, douchebag team that doesn’t deserve it. Possibly Shakespeare’s.
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