AMITY (AP) - The smoke had barely cleared in the Amity Whites Sharks’ Weaver Series sweep over Rio de Janeiro before the inevitable question was asked of manager Martin Brody; can this team repeat, a feat which no other Weaver League champion has been able to pull off? Brody sighed, as if he had been awaiting this moment as soon as the final out of the series was recorded. "I just don’t know. No one does. I am just going to enjoy this moment for awhile and let the chips fall where they may next season."

When considering the case of the 2002 White Sharks and their chances of repeating,you must take a few things into account. First and foremost, it IS true that no Weaver champion has ever repeated the following year. New York Nukes owner Jim Lockwood is convinced that the jinx is real. Others are a bit skeptical. Secondly, you must realize that if any team is going to beat the so-called jinx, it may well be the White Sharks, who literally dominated on their way to the championship. Consider this; the 2001 White Sharks set the all time record for wins in a season with 127; they eclipsed the old mark by 11 games. Amity will also return the reigning Inferno League MVP in Hank Aaron, as well as last year’s Cy Young Award winner, Andy Pettitte. And most observers think that if in fact the White Sharks beat the jinx, it will be because of the pitching staff, which is tops in the league.

"We had some unbelievable performances last year," said Brody. "The whole staff was wonderful, especially all four starters and our closer. Andy won the Cy Young Award, but that could have just as easily gone to George Canate." The numbers bear him out; while Pettitte was magnificent compiling a record of 27-4 with a 1.88 ERA and 282 strikeouts, Canate went 28-5 with an ERA of 1.56 and 212 strikeouts. While opponents batted a mere .195 off of Pettitte, Canate held them to a .193 mark. And so on; each had 41 starts and 34 of those were "quality" starts. Pettitte had 3 complete games, Canate 2. But don’t forget the other two starters, Clarence Conway and Ismael Valdes. While Pettitte and Canate battled for the Inferno League Cy Young Award, Conway and Valdes also performed brilliantly. With 23 and 22 wins respectively, Conway and Valdes gave Amity an amazing four 20-game winners on it’s starting staff. Conway was even named MVP of the Inferno League Championship Series.

"It IS startling," Brody said. "Both Clarence and Ismael would be the #1 starters on a lot of teams in this league. Sometimes I can’t believe our good fortune." The good fortune, as it is, did not come cheaply; Conway was acquired in a trade that cost Amity promising 2nd baseman Todd Walker. Valdes cost Amity slugger Albert Belle, while Canate came at the price of slick fielding shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. Only Pettitte was with the team when owner Jim Schmaltz moved the team from Hong Kong to Amity and re-christened them the White Sharks. "We have been very aggressive in the trade market, both in an effort to get better and get younger. And our formula worked; we have been very competitive each and every year. The key to winning the title was that we stayed, for the most part, pretty healthy." Amity was without starting RF Butch Huskey for over half of the season, and lost 2nd baseman Roberto Alomar for an extended period as well. Most frighteningly, they lost 1st baseman Frank Thomas for the duration of the playoffs as the regular season wound down. "We were definitely shocked when Big Frank went down. At the time he was leading the team in both Home Runs and RBI’s. But the other guys picked up the slack beautifully. We were actually very fortunate, and we are aware of that."

Almost lost in all the hoopla surrounding the four starters is closer Jeff Suppan, who at the tender age of 22 was faced with the task of replacing the career league leader in saves, Mark Portugal. "Jeff was a bulldog," Brody said. "When we acquired him (for starting LF Marty Cordova), it was for the purpose of making him our closer. It was only a matter of deciding whether to bring him along gradually or throw him right into the fire." Brody chose the latter, and Suppan never faltered. He wound up leading the league in saves with 33, and had an ERA of just 1.04. Opposing batters hit a paltry .193 against him. "He seriously deserved some Cy Young consideration as well," said Brody.

So with all of this, with four 20 game winners on the starting staff and the league leader in saves in the bullpen, which of them was the biggest factor in finally reaching the promised land? Brody’s answer? None of the above. "Acquiring Hank Aaron towards the end of the 2000 season is what turned this club into champions. We have always had great pitching. Hank’s hammer and his leadership were what we had been lacking."

Can all of this lead to the first Weaver League repeat champion? "I don’t know," Brody repeated. "But I’ll take my chances with this team any day."