By Ryan Eakin

Barrie, Ontario – What a team, what a group of men, what a season, and what a ride.

The 2017 Barrie Baycats are the best Intercounty Baseball League team ever.

Baycats general and field manager Angus Roy said it is hard to put this season into words.

“I have never been around a of group of men that held each other so accountable, and I have never been around a group of men that were so determined to win each and every game they play.

“It is just so hard to tell you how much each player on this team means to me personally,” added Roy. “I could ask each player on this team for a favour and they would not even say anything. They would just do it.”

As said, this, indeed, is the greatest team in the ninety-nine year history of the IBL, no matter what anyone says.

Their 26-0 start to the regular-season is the best start in league history, their twenty-six game win streak is the longest win streak in league history, their thirty-three wins in the regular-season is a tie for the most wins in league history, and it is the most in league history during a thirty-six game schedule.

Also, their three regular-season losses is a tie for the least amount of losses in league history, their .931 win percentage is the best winning percentage in league history, they did not lose a home game throughout the entire regular-season and postseason, and, finally, they did not lose in the postseason once.

Best ever. The best ever.

Team President David Mills was in awe on the field after last night’s win when reflecting back on the season.

“I honestly believe this is the best team that we have ever had,” said Mills. “On and off the field the players are just great.

“One of the players just made a comment saying ‘no one is bigger than somebody else,’ and it is true. Everyone here is an equal, no matter their role.

“I am really ecstatic for the guys. It was a long and difficult road, but we are here.”

Indeed, it was a long and difficult road.

They came so close for so many years, only to lose to the then-dynasty Brantford Red Sox so many times.

And no loss was worst than their loss in 2013.

Up 3-0 in their series against the Red Sox, the Red Sox stormed back to win the season in seven games.

Baycats catcher Kyle DeGrace, the postseason’s Most Valuable Player, said they learned how to lose in order to win.

“We learned how to lose,” said DeGrace. “To be completely honest man, we learned how to lose.

“I was talking to (former Red Sox catcher and now coach Wayne) Forman when we faced them in the last series and he said that we remind him a lot of what they were. His wife even said ‘that is the same team.’

“We have a few new players every season, but the core of our team is the exact same, and you do not really find that often.

“We are the same group of guys, man. Sure we have added some pieces here and there, but we come to the yard to play because we like each other.

“We party together during the winter, we always hang out, and next year when I get married, ‘Goose’ (Roy) is taking an entire weekend because the whole damn team is going to be there.

“We learned how to lose and we stuck together, and because of that we have gone on a pretty nice run.”

Mills said what this team has done since that loss in Brantford is absolutely amazing.

“That was a real setback,” said Mills. “If anything though, it made us step back and say ‘we are better than this.’

“Angus deserves so much credit for putting this whole team together,” added Mills. “He has put this team together as the general and field manager.

“I could not ask for anything more.”

After the loss to the Red Sox in 2013, then general manager Doug Dimma resigned as general manager.

But he has left a lasting impact on the team.

In his first winter on the job, he brought in DeGrace as well as third basemen Kevin Atkinson, both of whom made history last night.

DeGrace, of course, was named the postseason’s MVP, while Atkinson’s ninth inning home run made him the new home run king for the Baycats, passing former Baycat Jordan Lundberg.

Atkinson said that is a pretty cool accomplishment.

“I had no clue man, that is hell of an accomplishment.

“There have been some really good ball players to play for this team, so, I do not know, I am honured I guess,” laughed Atkinson, who looked a bit surprised by the news.

DeGrace, meanwhile, was locked in all postseason long.

His .500 on-base percentage was second best on the team, while he struck out just once.

And he hit two home runs, which was tied for the team lead.

One home run was called a ground rule double, for some reason, but that is a different story for another day.

DeGrace said he felt really good at the plate.

“I know what my number one job is,” said DeGrace, referring to his ability to call games behind the plate. “I think that has been pretty obvious over the years in the way that I call games.

“But it is always nice to contribute offensively,” said DeGrace. “I do not think I had a good postseason offensively since my first season here in 2012.

“At the end of the day though, I know what my role is, but it is always nice to be that locked in offensively.”

The one thing every player on this team talks about is how every home game has a professional type atmosphere.

And it starts at the top, and it continues with the volunteers.

Mills said this team would not be where they are at without the volunteers that they have.

“We could not operate without volunteers,” said Mills. “Tonight you saw fifty-four of them come down on the bus.

“We are so proud of them. They are a part of our team. There is just no way we could operate without them.”

Finally, with the four-peat complete, some are already looking ahead to the drive for five next season.

Mills said he is ready, he thinks.

“I think so,” laughed a joyful Mills. “I think so.”

This concludes my coverage of the 2017 season. Thank you to Brian Backland and Robert Konjek on supplying me with photos this season, and thank you to Mills, Roy and the players for allowing me to cover this team this season.

Lets do this again next year. #DriveForFive