The Traverse City Bears, making only their second post-season appearance in team history, made the most of the opportunity. The Bears finished first in the USA, another first for the club. When Toledo closed out the regular season by besting the Architects in the added game, it set the stage for more dramatics.

The Bears had most observers thinking it would be a short series when they went up three games to none. But the Neptunes were not going to go quietly. They reeled off three straight wins and led in Game 7 before the never-say-die Bears rallied to take the USA title.

But Traverse City only had half the job complete. They had to face on of strongest teams in recent league history, the Toronto Maples. The Maples took first place hardly breaking a sweat. They then discarded the Kingston Comets, a pretty hot team at the time, in four straight.

So you will forgive the GLBL fans for thinking it was all but over when the Maples took the first two games in Toronto. Little did anyone know at the time, that an amazing rally was waiting in the wings. The Bears ripped off four straight W’s—clinching in Toronto in Game Six.

Jim Riordan had a .948 OPS for the Bears in 2032 and was a major contributor to the success of the team.