HISTORY 2000
W inning five of their first eight games, GM Travis Platt felt the postseason was in their reach. Gambling on a hunch, the Rebel Club went out and signed free agent slugger Brett McCollum for an immense lefty sum.
The Rebels, searching for ways to make their indentation, took a step in the right direction as General Manager Travis Platt drafted Adam Miller with their first ever franchise draft pick on May 11th.
On May 18th. and with the smell of fresh chock still in the air the Rebel Club played their first official game, treating 25 fans at Belvidere North, the Rebels made their debut, a nerve-wracking 16 - 7 lost to Jester's Pub, highlighted by a Jerry Vasquez home run. There were early bright spots, Jon Frailey provided some spark at the top of the order (along with team MVP Adam Miller). Also in the lineup there were recognizable names such as Travis Platt, Scott Wilson and Robert Jablonski as well as unfamiliar
ones with the likes of Jeff Wilson, Torre Gardner and Jeff Reiher.
I would be remiss without mentioning two key season Rebel acquisitions, Jon Schumacher and Nathan DeRohan. Schumacher made his debut on May 16th against the Out Laws Club at Belvidere North, DeRohan made his on July 13th against the Hillery’s Squad at Webster field.
Unfortunately, there were also some low points.
With left centerfielder Travis Platt disappearing act from the line-up, and then a 6-game losing streak from July 13th, to June 27th, which coincided with the worst winning percentage in the second half of the season in modern-day history. The clubhouse friction ultimately led to the dismissal of Travis Platt, who technically resigned but let's just say there wasn't especially a ton of clamoring to bring him back.
The 2000 season was disappointing due to the Rebels poor finish, but there were some positive signs as well. The club had the best record as late as June 22 (incidentally, the date of Rebels Thoughts Day at the ballpark), and were only 2 games out of first place with 10 games left to play. Unfortunately, the Rebels played (and lost) to the Club 18' Softball and Hillery's Club twice over in the final three weeks, during the Club 18' historic 10-0 run to the playoffs.
The first-year ball club finished with a 9 - 11 record missing out on the playoffs by one game. Off the field, uncertainty surrounded the team. Brett McCollum and Jon Frailey exercised the opt-out clause of three-year contracts.
The Rebels' OF depth heading into next season consisted of Scott Wilson, plus youngsters Carson Florio and Louie Torres. Rather than recognizing Torres would be ready within a year at most and sign a short-term OF solution like Mike Nordeen, Coach Vasquez leaned his veteran crutch and signed outmaker Chris Minor to a five-year deal. Coach Vasquez also signed Izzy Solis to play 3B.
It was a disappointing way for the season to end, but they could at least find some respite in the fact that it was their inaugural season. It was their year of destiny.