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The Chicago Scorpions were founded in 2004 by manager Ben Cole. Despite struggling through most of their first season the Single A as they built a competetive roster, the team began to show a lot of promise in July, nearly upsetting the Rockies and Blues. Although a 4-17-1 record didn't show it, this team began to show that it would be a force in the MSL for years to come.
The 2005 season began with some big time additions for the Scorpions including Joe Gonzales, Paul Reinfelds, first-round draft pick Dave Frantonius, and phenom Greg Redar who was heavily recruited throughout the off-season (yeah, thank God we found him in a bar 48 hours before Opening Day), to join founding players Cole, Steve Odle, Max Perry, Kjell Hendriksen and Erik Kelley, as well as Mike Cacic and Matt "yeah, you don't want to face this guy" Blankenship the following week, and Pat Viohl later in the season. After a 1-2 start, the Scorpions reeled off 7 wins in a row, behind the veteran bats coming alive, Viohl's deceptively good sufff, and Redar striking out everybody who chose to approach home plate, including 15 consecutive outs in one game (umpire not included, void where prohibited, prices may vary in Alaska, Hawii, and Puerto Rico). Shocking the rest of the league, the Scorpions and their "never, ever give up" attitude cruised to a 16-6 record and their first Division title. Despite getting swept out of the first round by the Sound at Bensenville, (an offensive powerhouse who could have hit home runs in the dark that day), this team knew it was ready for something bigger.
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