It’s been that kind of season for the Vancouver Canadians, where with just one game left on the schedule, the guys just want to get it over, and done with.  On paper, they look like a good team.  Dave Thomas, JD Pruitt and Jeremy Barfield in the outfield, and a few weeks ago they had Jason Christian, Dusty Napoleon, Marcos Luis and Rodney Rutherford in the infield.  Add Dusty Coleman to the mix, and it looked like they could’ve done some damage after all.

The team, in other words, couldn’t put it together.  Manager Rick Magnante, in his third year, did the best job he could with the players he was given, and should return next year.  That is, after he manages South Africa at the World Baseball Classic in March.

Pitching Coach Jimmy Escalante returned for his second year, and both times it’s been last minute, with Craig Lefferts being sick.  Jimmy should be back in Arizona next year, where he can use both of his languages to full use, Spanish and English.  Jimmy did, however, do an excellent job with the C’s in his two-year tenure.

Hitting Coach JT Stotts, a former C’s shortstop from back in ‘01, filled in for the demoted Ed Campaniello, and quickly gained respect from his players, and peers.  JT is a scout in the off-season.  No word on if he’ll be back next year.

As for the organization, it was a huge step forward.  129, 073 fans showed up in the summer of ‘08, compared to the 126, 491 that came in 2007.  That increased by three thousand over 2006, where it was the C’s lowest season attendance since 2001.

Vancouver averaged 2585 fans a game, good enough for second best in the Northwest.

Team President Andy Dunn, combined with GM Andrew Seymour made going to the Nat, fun again.  There were the Zooperstars, Birdzerk, the San Diego Chicken, Fergie Jenkins, Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart and Tim Raines.  There was face painting, fireworks, A&W days, all the little things that make going to the ballpark an enjoyable experience. 

The C’s media department made strides, putting in concourse audio of the broadcast, with Rob Fai, and video on the big screens, filmed up top on the roof.  You could then hear, and see, what was going on when you were waiting for food. 

Video was put up on the website, Rob Fai broadcasted the whole season on the internet and the Team 1040, and his daily segment with Manager Rick Magnante made it for a very enjoyable listen. 

To end the year, the C’s managed a sell-out and a near sellout in the final three games of the year, and the team swept Eugene, with a walk-off hit in the 9th in Game 2, a 7-run 2nd inning in the first, and a crushing blow to Eugene in the series finale. 

The C’s season-high 4 game win streak ended last night, and therefore they’ll go down as the worst team in Canadians history.  The 2003 Canadians had 35 wins, and this team could have as many as 34 if they win tonight. 

Once the C’s finish tonight, I’ll post the stats, who did what, who didn’t do what, etc. but for now, and this is to all Vancouver Canadians fans, I invite you to send an email to the Canadians staff, and let them know your experience at the Nat this summer.  If you really loved something, if they know, it might be around for next year.  Hey, you could even ask that Chef Wasabe win more than once next year, but they did a great job this season, and hats off to the owners Jeff Mooney and Jake Kerr.  Not every owner in the world would do the Chicken Dance, let alone get up and socialize with fans.