Little World Series: The Grand Slam Heard Around The World

Author Mike O'Brian

August 28th, 2023 12:54 PM

It’s like the best way to cap off a season with a grand slam that was heard around the world! California winning the Little League World Series beating Curacao 6-5 in the bottom of the 6th inning. The Mike & Carla Morning Show had the highlight of all highlights!

Louis Lappe, who’s nickname is “The Natural”, standing 6’1″ at the plate with bases loaded. One swing of the bat and it was over! California had lead in the game 5-1 when Curacao hit a grand slam in the top of the 5th to tie things up.

Going into the latter innings with a 5-1 lead, everything looked intact. But a grand slam can change the makeup of the game quite quickly! With teammates loading up the bases, the stage was set for the heroics.

Lappe had hit 5 home runs in the Little World Series up until his plate appearance against Curacao. On the other hand, Curacao pitching had not given up a home run throughout the tournament. Something of course had to give.

California Wins The Little League World Series!

With the win, it was the 8th World Series title for the state of California, the most of any state. And it was a win for all the U.S. teams who participated! But all in all, most fans would tell you that it was a game for the ages.

Truly a great experience for the team from El Segundo, California and for Lappe himself! What do you do for an encore? If nothing else, he will always have that highlight for LIFE!

And to the kids from Henderson, representing the state of Nevada…a huge congrats! Losing their first game, then bouncing back to playing two more before falling in an elimination round.

It was quite the World Series from Williamsport, Pennsylvania this year with enough highlights to last a lifetime! Congratulations to all the teams for making it as exciting as it was! We’ll see ya next season!

Mike O’Brian is the Program Director and Morning Show host on 96.3 KKLZ in Las Vegas, along with Carla Rea. He has been with the Beasley Media Group for almost 23 years. Mike was named one of the “Best Program Directors In America” by Radio Ink magazine. Over the years, “The Mike & Carla Morning Show” have been presented with a number of proclamations for their work in the community and numerous awards. Having lived in Las Vegas for over 35 years, he writes articles on living in Las Vegas, sports, and odd stories happening within the state of Nevada. Mike is the host of the morning show and program director of 96.3 KKLZ/Las Vegas. He has been doing mornings in Las Vegas for the past 38 years. Over the years, he has hosted a numerous amount of community events and has been the P.A. announcer for a number of sports teams in Las Vegas. He has written on living in Las Vegas, the sports teams here, as well as odd & little-known facts about Las Vegas & Nevada.

The Best And Worst Mascots In Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball’s opening day will be here sooner than later! For fun, someone created a poll on the best and worst mascots in the Major League!

They’re just as beloved or hated by the teams fans! They even have their own Hall of Fame, which was created back in 2005. To date, only seven MLB team mascots have been inducted into it, beating out mascots from all sports! Several other MLB mascots have been nominated since it’s creation in 2005.

There are only three MLB teams that don’t have one. The L.A. Dodgers, N.Y. Yankee’s, and the Anaheim Angels! So what is their job exactly? To entertainment but really to cater to young children and help market the team.

For this poll, one-thousand people were shown head-to-head mascot matchups. The results were tabulated based on which ones got the best votes across the board.

Coming in dead last, at twenty-seventh place is Swinging Friar from the San Diego Padres! But who topped the list of best and worst? Below are the top five results!

Top 5 Mascots In Major League Baseball

#5. Mr Met From The New York Mets
We just don’t get this…it’s a baseball player with a baseball as it’s head! Hmmmmm…don’t have a problem with it, we just don’t get it. For that reason, it’s #5 on the list!

Sarah Stier via Getty Images
#4. Stomper From The Oakland Athletics
Keep in mind that this team is moving to Las Vegas. Why they have an elephant as their mascot is beyond us…but nonetheless, fans love it. For that reason it’s #4 on the list!

Jason O. Watson via Getty Images
#3. T.C. Bear From The Minnesota Twins
You would think being the Minnesota Twins, they would have two mascots for the team. But as it is, they have a BEAR! What the heck…but the Twin fans love it enough to make it #3 on the list!

Ricardo Arduengo via Getty Images
#2. Clark The Cub From The Chicago Cubs
This one actually makes sense…they are the Cubs, and their mascot is a CUB! Or at least that’s what we think they’re trying to pass off as a cub! Either way…it’s #2 on the list!

Brian Kersey via Getty Images
#1. PAWS From The Detroit Tigers
You would this is would be the BEST mascot for any team…they are the Tigers and they have a TIGER for a mascot. And the Tiger fans dig it! Congrats Detroit, it’s #1!

Doug Pensinger via Getty Images