Leo’s 2005 Championship Team: Seated front row: Captain Scott Goodnough, Mike Dearle, Tony Sena. Second Row: Bobby Fiorvanti, Ed Muller, Gerard Stigliano, Jerry Salata, Frank Kiernan, Billy Graham, Dan Donnelly, Mark Hyer. Top back row: Don Young, Frank Diamond, Joe Moody. On Sunday evening October 16th a much older but experienced Leo’s team defeated the bold, brash and younger Sopranos 31-27 in a fiercely contested game in Garden City. The Sopranos came into the game well tanned and heavily tattooed as they were the clear favorites to try and intimidate their rivals, and win their first league title. During the second inning of the game the Sopranos put on a power show as they hit four home runs and scored 12 runs for the inning. The Leo’s team which has a record 9 league championships to their credit somehow shook off this barrage and made some adjustments to their line up. Dan Donnelly went in to pitch, Mike Dearle went to shortstop and Ed Muller went behind the plate.

The cool evening remained tense as Donnelly shut down some of the younger Soprano studs and Leo’s climbed back into the game. Two of Leo’s feared hitters, Don Young and Gerard Stigiano, came through with big hits and Joe Moody “Mr. October” kept the rallies going with two outs in key situations. Both teams came up with some brilliant defensive plays and the Sopranos team soon started to feel the pressure. Numerous arguments broke out over some umpiring decisions, choice of pinch runners and the Sopranos even questioned some of the bats that Leo’s were using. As the game wore on and even more runners crossed the place, each team became relentless in their desire to achieve this coveted crown. The Sopranos had anticipated the game would have been long over but the underdog Leo’s was not to be denied.

Going into the top of the last inning, the Sopranos were holding on to a slim one run lead and were three outs away from sipping their first championship. But with true character and spirited determination the Leo’s team exploded for 10 runs and then held off a furious Soprano attack to finally close out the game. A remarkable double play during that final inning by Don Young, Mike Dearle and Billy Graham and then a final long catch in left field by team captain Scott Goodnough clinched the victory for Leo’s. Congratulations to the Sopranos for an excellent season and to Leo’s for winning their 10th League Championship and making the Sopranos “Sleep with the fishes” for another year. Fans will be able to celebrate their Leo’s hero’s during the victory parade down 7th Street later this month.