Beset by postal turmoil, the Toronto Nationals franchise moved south of the border to Long Island in August, 1977 where the team's current management finished out the season and officially began play as the "Long Islanders" in the spring of 1978. The Isles went on to win 90 or more in each of their first four seasons, culminating in their first division title in the newly formed Metro in 1981. A frequent playoff contender, Long Island has captured two TCBA/AL crowns--in 1985 and 1987. In 12 of its first 14 seasons, the Islanders enjoyed not only winning seasons, but collected over 90 wins six times and over 100 yet another six!

There are probably far too many good memories to recount, and at the risk of omitting more than just a few, here's a sampling of the memorable hours spent with TCBA.....One of the first people I met was a young Bob Braun, who came down to Long Island on a Friday evening to visit family and play a series (and I remember thinking how this baseball stuff was costing a night of tournament bridge, an activity that I guess is best described as an ex-hobby).... The Cobleskill Motel and Bowling Alley--not Lancaster, but the 1st league get together....Winnebago Indians, Boston Africans, Raritan Rags, Fresno Suns--some lean years; I thought we might fold; actually joined SAMBO for about a month and a half (took over the Wyoming Cowboys of all things!)....Braunfest becomes an annual affair, drawing an occasional visitor from outside the Metro....I've only seen Marty steamed once; stiffed on a seemingly done deal, he mutters, "May he rot in hell! (then mellowing, "Or at least boil in oil!")....Bill Brunton's talking about a get-together in Lancaster; Anthony & I set out Saturday morning--hopelessly lost we get directions back to some highway from a guy jogging through a development....Two cross country trips take pause to join the Wood's for brief visits (are Bob and I the only managers to ever play an entire series FTF inside a tent?)....Back to Lancaster; arriving on Friday; then Thursday; pizza parties, "Crime Story," Good & Plenty table with 12 managers and some poor confused couple out celebrating an anniversary....My nephew moves to within a few blocks of Marty's childhood home, and Thanksgiving in Binghamton becomes an annual event; literally hundreds of chickens give their all, as the band from Deliverance plays on!....Stu and Sue's wedding--a cocktail hour and dessert table that were not to be believed! And the baseball caps were a great touch....Commissioner? AL & NL? OK, but who are Charles and Len? I find that out soon enough....The Declaration of Independence; full computer use; a new beginning....Six teams in a redraft make for a whole new Islander team....The Reagan White House--what a tour! Don and Julianna's hospitality--just an incredible weekend!....Village Bluenotes--where are those instructions? Did they take the wrong bus to Binghamton?... Ragin' Cajuns....30% (ouch! that was my idea?)....Busch Gardens, Bob and David, and of course it rains like the Great Deluge--dinner with the Warrens....Shutout in the 1st auction, but primed for Mussina....Computers, modems, PC Anywhere....Years of great weather, but then 1994!....Another baseball strike? A retro league? Go for it!

Trade History: Too numerous to count (on both sides of the coin--no Firehouse jokes, please!). The best was probably picking Bill Buckner up as a throw-in prior to the 1978 season. (ed. note: Smalley, Lockwood, and Paul Reuschel to Norfolk for Taveras, Caldwell, Etchebarren, and Buckner.)

Bidding 100K on a young Montreal outfielder named Dawson in 1978 seemed like a lot, but I've probably gotten my money's worth.

How Original! - I had been a big New York Islander fan when I came into the league, and I had always felt that perhaps they should have been called the Long Island something or others. The name “Long Islanders” was a reaction to that; what’s been fun is seeing road results come back occasionally with the visiting team listed simply as “Long.” Better yet, a few seasons back, when I got written up even more simply as the “Ers.”

Marty Fiehl - Jim Lafargue sadly announced the resignation of two charter members, Joe Saundercook and Mike Worthington (NL), but also noted their replacements would be Jim Pertierra and Jim McEneaney. I think this was the second try for Jimmy P., (he would get one more later), and Mac would go on to many years of Metro glory and esteemed service to the league in a variety of ways.

It took a long time for it to sink in, but I learned a lot about putting together a team from Mr. Mac. He always had a knack for selling or trading players that he wasn’t using that year, and who weren’t really included in his future plans. Jim would trade like a whirling dervish, but when he got done you saw there was a method to his madness; he either had a solid contender or a young, promising team for the near future.

Lancaster ‘95 was a fine example of a Mac Attack. He moved a lot of talent at Lancaster, more than anyone else, but he realized that talent had peaked. Best to get top dollar from some contenders and come back to fight another day! Look for Mac to be at the top of the pack on his 20 year anniversary in the TCBA.

Jim McEneaney 1992

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