Marvin Azrak spoke to the media after YDE’s Varsity softball season came to an end against the 8 seeded SAR Sting in the first round of the playoffs. The Thunder went 8-0
in the regular season but it all unraveled come playoff time. Just, what happened?
A: Firstly I want to give full credit to the SAR Sting. They deserved it. They came to play and dominated us in every aspect of the game. They earned the recognition they’ll get for the 8 over 1 upset. That being said, we didn’t show up. We made carless errors that led to them scoring quite a few runs, and were unable to get into a groove offensively. While some of that is an attribute to Josh Brody’s terrific pitching, a chunk of it is on us not rising to the occasion.
Do you think your weak schedule in the regular season led to this demise?
A: You can only make the best of what’s given to you, and that’s the way it worked out. We maximized it by going 8-0, but we knew we would run into superior competition come postseason time which is why we emphasized showings at practices more than anything, as well as hitting off our great pitching staff as much as possible.
But today, we didn’t match their intensity, and get to the level we needed to be, and that’s inexcusable.
It’s no secret you seniors just got back from your graduation trip in Israel, did jet lag play a role in your performance today?
A: I wouldn’t say that considering last years seniors hopped off the plane, came straight to the field and we won our playoff game that day. We knew what we were in for, and we didn’t show up. It was a huge letdown.
What would you have personally done differently going into this game?
A: Well as team captain, I think could’ve done better because you always can. But it was my job to lead by example throughout the season and I felt I did that by staying even-kneeled throughout the regular season, not getting too high or too low. I gave my teammates aplenty of constructive criticism because I saw in between the lines of us blowing everyone out with crooked numbers, glaring issues that don’t fly come playoff time. It’s why I had taped just about all of our at bats this year, and sent each player a highlight reel after each game pointing out what they could improve on. We had to hold ourselves to a higher standard in order to reach the top of the mountain and that’s how I viewed the team every time we took the field. We were 8-0, but i didn’t feel we were world-beaters although many disagreed with my take. What you saw on display today was what I feared would happen when we ran into buzzsaws when the playoffs rolled around, and I made it known in our team meetings, as well as before and after each game and practice. I cautioned everyone through the extensive homework I did on SAR starting immediately after the last out was made in the regular season up until game day. Some guys heeded my warnings, but most looked overmatched and out of sorts at the dish.
Do you think some of that criticism rubbed guys the wrong way?
A: No because I pulled back when I had too. Again I sent them both positive and negative notes after each game. It was the same way with me regarding my game. I wanted it badly, which is indeed why this one stings(Pun intended).
Do you think the umpire made the right call when he stormed out of the game like he did?
A: I see where he’s coming from. He did warn our fans several times about their raucous behavior and what he viewed was getting too close to interfering with the game. He felt disrespected when that didn’t happen and rightfully walked out. There was this problem in the YDE JV playoff victory yesterday over TABC, and the fans obliged so I’m not sure why today they didn’t get the memo. Granted, I appreciate the fan’s apology statement because it was unprofessional and unnecessary. Our fans were trying to get us riled up because they know and so do we that the 9-1 margin isn’t who we are as a group, even against a good team like SAR is. It was an embarrassing performance today, one that you want to flush away as quickly as you can.
Being that it was your last shot at a championship, how much does this one hurt?
A: I put everything I had into this year, so that’s obviously not the way you want to go out and end your Yeshivah league career at least as a player. It’s not the most devastating loss in my career, but certainly pretty stunning.
Looking at your career, unfortunately despite many trips to the playoffs and even a trip to the big game, you didn’t bring home a title, but does that diminish how you’ll look back at it?
A: Obviously not winning a championship for your school is upsetting, especially when you’re close pretty often. But I’ll cherish the opportunities I had with my friends to represent our school night in and night out both in MDY elementary and YDE high school. I have great relationships with all the teammates I played with and coaches alike. I also felt I became a better person through playing Yeshivah league sports, as I learned how to become a team player, sportsmanship, importance of hard work, and developed a competitive style which has helped me BH in other areas of my life.
We made great memories through winning an abundance of games but also having each other’s backs with a prideful sense that we were playing for something bigger than just ourselves. I hope Yeshivah league sports continues to stick around and grow in numbers, because many can benefit from it not just on the field, but off it too. I missed it during the pandemic year and appreciated it when it returned.
What would you say about yourself as a teammate?
I knew i wasn’t the best but gave it my all whenever my number was called.
I embraced my role and tried to be a team player, helping guys out in every way possible and making my presence known even when I wasn’t out there.
Would you be interested in coaching someday and if so what sport would it be in?
A: I’ve been told that by my coaches so that’s something I wouldn’t rule out long-term at this time. As for what sport, whatever’s available when the time comes, because I’ve been privileged to participate in various sports throughout my career so I’m versatile. However, that’s not something I’m thinking about right now.
Softball wise, what was the best moment of your career?
A: The comeback we had in last years playoffs against TABC. Down to our last ups trailing 5–1, our crowd galvanized us and we rallied for an improbable 6-5 victory that kept our season alive. It was something special!
When did you realize that this would be your last game so to speak? A: I was still confident through the first couple of innings because I knew what our offense was capable of. Just about everyone was coming off a World Series loss last year so they’ve been here before. But when the errors snowballed, and the deficit ballooned to 9-0 in the third, I felt the writing was on the wall.
What was the reaction like postgame?
A: Frustration and disappointment filled the air. You could especially see how much it hurt the seniors. But I personally have no regrets as much as I would’ve loved for today to be the start of something special.
What was it like to play for Jojo?
A: Great coach, knows the game well, has much experience in this league and gets the best out of us. Has a great temperament when dealing with questionable calls by umpires too. It was a pleasure to play for him throughout the softball portion of my Yeshivah league career.
Do you think SAR has what it takes to win it all? A: You obviously never know what’s going to happen, but I’ll be surprised if they do considering I know they’re better teams in this league through how intently I follow it. What I can tell you with confidence is that MAY won’t play a soft game like we did against them in the semifinals. They’ll have their work cut out for them, but I have nothing against those guys so it wouldn’t bother me if they go all the way.
Will you be paying attention to the rest of these playoffs? A: I’m curious as to who wins it all now with us out so yes. I hope Maor makes it out of the other side of that bracket and has a shot at a 3-peat, but we’ll see what happens.
Will you be attending the YDE JV softball semifinals? A: I hope so. Rooting for them to win it all!
Will you be playing softball this summer? A: Yes I still love to play the game, so I’ll be in one of the local community leagues down in Deal this summer. It should be fun!
How would you characterize what you guys just went through in pro sports terms?
A: The 2019 Tampa Bay Lightning come to my mind because they won the presidents trophy and put together one of the best regular seasons in NHL history, only to be swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the playoffs. But credit to the bolts for avenging that defeat in the first round of the 2020 playoffs, and taking the Jackets out in five en route to two straight cups. But if they want a three peat, they’ll have to tackle the challenge of the resilient Rangers who I throughly enjoyed watching them take advantage of Tampa Bay being rusty after the layoff from their last series and taking game 1 of the Eastern conference final 6-2 at MSG. It definitely took some of the feeling away from the softball game.
Finally, why’d you choose #6? A: Your answer is in what the date of the calendar is come the next marvelous Monday. That’s my birthday and I’m very happy it’s on Shavuot. I didn’t change it from sixth grade until now.
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