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League News
10/28/1990
Webs Spin Third Title
An injury-plagued Emerald Isle team tried its best, but without stud pitcher Roger Clemens they were overmatched by the Charlotte Webs, winners of the 1990 VBL4 World Series.
This is the third World Series championship for the Charlotte franchise, and it is the second in three years.
The series at first seemed like a sure sweep, but a game 4 win kept the Bucs alive. The Webs were able to pull off the victory in game 5.
The huge disadvantage for the Bucs was being without ace Roger Clemens, who was injured during game one of the RLCS.
Slugger Ryne Sandberg, one of the most prolific hitters in league history, won the prestigious Mr. October Award for outstanding postseason play. Sandberg hit .406 with 8 HR and 30 RBI this postseason.
"It's a great feeling," Sandberg said. "It was sweet the first time, and it is just as sweet this time."
Sandberg's first World Series title was with the Durham franchise back in 1986.
Kevin McReynolds, Tim Burke, Chuck Finley, and Mark Gubicza were all honorable mentions for the award. Gubicza was 3-0 during the postseason, making him 11-0 in postseason play for his career.
1990 Award Winners Announced
The season may have ended abruptly for Emerald Isle hurler Roger Clemens, but he can take comfort in the fact that he has cemented himself as the greatest pitcher in VBL4 history.
Clemens won his 7th straight Steve Carlton award, causing VBL4 Commissioner Brandon Simpson to proclaim, "We'll never see another pitcher like Roger Clemens. Ever."
The Ruth League winner was Fayetteville's Tom Browning. This is the second straight year Browning has won that honor.
Emerald Isle's Mark McGwire also took home the RL MVP award, the first such honor for Big Mac. Meanwhile, Fayetteville's Barry Bonds took home his second straight AL MVP award.
Bonds made headlines earlier this week when he suggested to a reporter that he would not trade his MVP award for another VBL4 championship, but Bonds later denied the remarks, saying they were "taken out of context."
Vancouver's John Wetteland won the AL Rookie of the Year award, while LA's Albert Belle won the same honor in the RL.
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