MLB CHALLENGE SERIES 2000
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CHICAGO (62-100) v.
SALT LAKE CITY (SHEA CUP CHAMPS)
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The first Challenge Series
in MLB history is here.
The setup is like this. The teams will play a doubleheader in Salt Lake City.
Then they get an off-day.
Then they play a double-header in Chicago if necessary.
If a Game 5 is needed, it'll take place the next day in Salt Lake City.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
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The
White Sox have a payroll of $38.3 million, good for 25th in MLB. The two highest paid players on the White Sox roster make more money than the entire Bees roster combined.
Standout players include 26-year old rightfielder
Arthur Berry (.248/29 HR/80 RBI), second baseman
Ricardo Beltran (.271/21/100) and 23-year old closer
Fred Barker (6-5, 32 sv)
The
Salt Lake City Bees have a payroll of $14.3 million, good for 10th in the Continental League, which has a $30 million salary cap.
The 2000 Shea Cup Champions are led by 20-game winner, 27-year old
Jesus DeVargas (20-9, 3.86 ERA, 104 K), 26-year old closer
Ronald Fuller (3-2, 33 SV, 3.60 ERA). On the offensive side, the team's captain is 36-year old outfielder
Robert Harris who hit 29 HR and 111 RBI and batted .312 in his first year with the Bees and in the CL. Rookie first baseman
Dan Warren, hit .320 with 18 HR and 97 RBI and was also a key part of the team's success this year.
Quote:
GAME 1:
SALT LAKE CITY 4, CHICAGO 2
The Bees are just 2 games away from making it to MLB.
GAME 2: SALT LAKE CITY 8, CHICAGO 5
Home cooking was the story of the day, as the Bees won two straight to head to Chicago needing only a win to advance to the Majors next season.
GAME 3: CHICAGO 2, SALT LAKE CITY 1
The White Sox stave off elimination for at least one more game, winning 2-1 at home.
GAME 4: SALT LAKE CITY 11, CHICAGO 0
The Bees were clearly the better team and as a result, Salt Lake City wins the first ever MLB Challenge Series!
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