West Jacksonport catcher Jake LeBotte (right) kisses his son, Jake Jr., through the fence during Sunday’s Door County League home game against Kolberg. Photo by Patti Ellsworth.

You sometimes hear an athlete’s name mentioned as the “greatest to never win a title.” Dan Marino, Charles Barkley, Ted Williams and Ken Griffey Jr. all fit into that argument.

In the Door County League, a lot of great careers have gone without a title thanks to the dominance of Kolberg, Sister Bay and Egg Harbor, the only three teams to have won a title since 2005. 

Swami bounced back with a 4-0 week to bring his season record to 9-3. 

Let’s take a look at this week’s games. 

Maplewood (0-3) @ Kolberg (3-0)

This frankly is a must-win game for the Mets if they are to have any hopes of a title and it could very well mean their playoff hopes as well. The Mets only had four hits in an 11-inning game Sunday, but they were still tied 1-1 against Sister Bay until the top of that 11th hour. 

The Braves continued to dominate on Sunday and some of the usual cast of characters were to blame. Trevor Reinhardt belted a home run and also struck out 12 Ports batters. Jack Peterson and Nick LeCaptain had two hits each. 

The Mets have been known to steal one from the Braves, but not this time. 

Swami says: Braves

West Jacksonport (1-2) @ Sister Bay (3-0)

The Ports are feeling the Swami curse. After a week one win the Ports have now dropped two straight and must travel to face a hot Bays team. Woody Schartner hit a home run on Sunday and Jack DeYoung had two hits, but the Ports left 13 runners on base. 

The Bays were in a dog fight for 11 innings before erupting with five runs in the top of that inning to put the game out of reach. Spencer Krause and Matt Hecht collected two hits each, but the stars continue to be the pitching staff as they have now only given up six runs in three games. 

The Ports dismantled the Bays in both meetings last year, scoring 25 runs in two victories and they could easily pull off the upset again. 

Swami says: Bays

Washington Island (3-0) @ Institute (0-3)

If one team could derail the two powerhouses in the league this year, it could very well be the Islanders. They are averaging 13 runs a game and have finished two of those games in mercy rule fashion. Sunday they totaled 12 hits with Ben Johnson leading the way with three. Ben Geiger and Alex Johnson chipped in with two each as well. They also benefited from an incredible seven hit batsmen and 10 walks. 

The Cubs are going to mess around and win a game yet. Against a team that has taken them apart in recent years they were tied 4-4 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. Will Hartman pitched well for six innings. Josh Plieger had two hits on the day and the top half of the order again all registered hits. 

Swami Says: Islanders

Baileys Harbor (0-3) @ Egg Harbor (2-1)

The A’s are feeling the lumps of a tough schedule to start to the season. Their three losses have been to all three undefeated teams. Sunday they were tied into the sixth until a 10-run Islander burst did them in. Caleb Plzak was the only A’s hitter with multiple hits as he had two on the day. 

The Indians had a scare from the Cubs Sunday, but a win is a win. Brady Kita got the win in relief of Drake Olson who pitched well for six innings. Brady also had a home run among his two hits and Bro Nick Kita had two hits as well. 

The A’s won both meetings a year ago and man they are due. 

Swami says: A’s