***"YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO STRUGGLE SOME THIS YEAR BUT HANG IN AND WE WILL GIVE YOU A CONTENDER IN 1981"-Phillies Executive March 1980...***What a struggle it was. After losing their first game in Lynchburg, Peninsula won 100 of their next 139 regular season games and than swept the hated Durham Bulls in the League Championship Series. A team that never lost more than 2 in a row. A team that swept the first half but actually were in a tight race in the 2nd. The Pilots stood at 91-39 and would have to win 9 of 10 to get to the magic 100 wins and ensure the 2nd half title..WE DID.It was a season I will never forget. It would be a hard act to ever follow...Hats off on the 20th Anniversary *** WIL CULMER * JULIO FRANCO * NATIONAL ASSOCIATION CLASS A ALL STAR TEAM * RAY BORUCKI 3B * JULIO FRANCO SS * WIL CULMER DH * WALLY GOFF LHP * CAROLINA LEAGUE ALL LEAGUE TEAM ** JULIO FRANCO * CAROLINA LEAGUE MVP ** ROY SMITH ** CAROLINA LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE YEAR ** 28 YEAR OLD BILL DANCY MANAGES PENINSULA TO ONE OF THE BEST MINOR LEAGUE RECORDS IN HISTORY AND THE .719 WINNING PCT STILL HAS NOT BEEN MET SINCE THAT SEASON ** PENINSULA AWARD FOR BASEBALL EXCELLENCE RENAMED FOR DANCY ***

**On a personal note on the 1980 season. It was special to be involved with a great group of people. Bill Dancy became a brother to me and remains so today.Bob Tiefenauer our pitching coach taught us all so much about not just baseball,but life. I still wear that Championship ring with pride and will never forget "THE SEASON"...**** WHY THE NAME PENINSULA....Peninsula encompases the cities of Hampton and Newport News, Virginia located side by side on a Peninsula between the York and James River. The Stadium and fan base came from both cities...*****Bill Dancy Career Record 1,518-1,404 .520 ***

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