Fresno Grizzlies win PCL Championship
The Fresno Grizzlies brought home their first-ever Pacific Coast League Championship on Sunday. And, the city is celebrating!
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hours after seeing their beloved Fresno Grizzlies cap off a great season with a Pacific Coast League Championship, fans were still celebrating the win they've long awaited, and raising a glass to their hometown team.
"It's been so long," said Grizzlies fan Randall Regier. "The new affiliation came through; they promised to us that we would get a championship. They came through 100%."
"Boy, when it happened I just thought this is really good for our community, you know?" Peeve's Public House Owner Craig Scharton said. "Every time you have a winner it just gets everyone going and we accomplish so much more when we're feeling positive."
Besides being good for the community, Scharton says a winning team in Downtown Fresno is icing on the cake for his business. And as a longtime Grizzlies fan, he says the win was emotional for a team that always leaves it all on the field.
"I mean you're seeing all the talent but you're also seeing the enthusiasm for people trying to make it, and that's what makes it more fun," Scharton said.
"They're hungry," Grizzlies fan Chris Foshee said. "Triple A on down are hungry and they try."
Grizzly fans, young and old, both passionate and patient, craved this championship.
"They braved the heat today even though most of us sat in the shade, but they came out to see what was going on, and it paid off, we won," said fan Jeremy Lee, who was happy his baby daughter also got to experience the sights and sounds of the big game.
"They are passionate, they want it their way, they like to be here, they want to be able to see the game, they don't like anybody in front of them, they're enthusiastic," said Grizzlies usher Ruth Sandwick.
The last home game of the season couldn't have been any sweeter for Sandwick.
After ten years, this is her final season. But she says this is a great send-off, and like the fans, she'll be back next year, cheering on her winning hometown team.
The Grizzlies now head to Texas for the Triple A championship against the Columbus Clippers on Tuesday.
