By Nolan Brooks
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A walk off base hit from Kansas City Monarchs first baseman Brian O’Grady secured the 2023 Miles Wolff Cup Finals with a 7-6 win over the Chicago Dogs at Legends Field Wednesday night.
“We have the best players, we wanted to win the championship which was a grind,” Monarchs Manager Joe Calfapietra said. “God bless us, God bless you, and we’re gonna party!”
The Monarchs jumped out to a 6-1 lead after three. Chicago rallied to tie the game in the eighth.
Entering the bottom of the ninth, the Monarchs and Dogs were tied 6-6. Monarchs catcher and Player of the Year Chris Herrmann got on base with a leadoff single and found his way to second on a Jan Hernandez ground out.
After Micker Adolfo was intentionally walked, O’Grady stepped to the plate. With two strikes, O’Grady smashed a single to center field to score Herrmann and win the game.
“This team has done such a great job and I just happened to be the guy who was up at that time,” O’Grady said. “What a way to end it, this place (Kansas City) just let me have fun again and I am so thankful.”
This is the Monarchs’ second Miles Wolff Cup in three seasons and third title overall in five seasons for the franchise.
O’Grady went 2-for-5 with two RBIs to lead the way for the Monarchs at the plate.
Kansas City starter Miller Hogan threw six innings allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits. He struck out eight batters.