Sam Sutton
Under the lights at M&S Park, with the stands packed and anticipation thick in the air, a new chapter of league history was written. The 2025 M&S World Series had all the makings of a classic, powerhouse rosters, superstar performances, heartbreak, and redemption. And when the final out was recorded when Captain Uri Adler dove to his knees and fired across the diamond for the clinching play the celebration began.
Champions: Kaboom.
For Uri Adler, it was the storybook ending to his first season as captain a debut campaign that began with high hopes and ended in pure glory. For Abe Saka, it was the long-awaited validation of years of excellence and grit. For ten of the twelve players on this roster, it was a first-ever taste of M&S immortality. And for the league, it was a reminder of why M&S Softball remains the gold standard – passion, competition, and community under one banner.
The Journey to the Crown
Kaboom’s road to the championship wasn’t easy. The postseason bracket was a gauntlet, and every step tested their chemistry, resilience, and belief.
In the Semifinals, Kaboom squared off against Vandelay Industries, a veteran team loaded with bats and experience. But Kaboom had something special – a unified energy that couldn’t be shaken. On the mound, Abe Saka was masterful. Pitching with the poise of a seasoned ace and the fire of a man on a mission, he controlled the tempo, silenced the bats, and carried his squad into the World Series. His performance was so commanding it earned him Player of the Week honors and set the tone for what was to come.
That semifinal series featured one of the most memorable defensive plays in M&S postseason history. In Game One, Sol Fallas, playing short center field, ranged deep up the middle and laid out for a full-extension catch that saved the game and, perhaps, the season. It was the kind of play that would replay in fans’ minds for years. From that moment, the message was clear: Kaboom was on a mission.
A Showdown for the Ages
Waiting in the Finals was the juggernaut King Salomon: Part Deux, led by legendary captain Michael “Sabon” Salomon, a team chasing dynasty status and hungry for another ring. The matchup was everything fans hoped for: two powerhouse teams, two brilliant captains, and lineups filled with stars.
Over the course of three unforgettable games, both teams traded blows. King Salomon struck early and often, with JoJo “Box Office” Levy continuing his meteoric rise as one of the league’s elite hitters. Levy, who crushed another ball over the fence in Game Two, put himself in a new category of player this postseason as a young star whose ceiling keeps climbing, and whose name now belongs among the league’s best.
But Kaboom, true to their name, always answered. Each rally from King Salomon was met with equal fire. Big hits, timely defense, and the unshakeable calm of Captain Uri Adler kept the team focused. By Game Three, the tension was unbearable – until Kaboom broke it open with a relentless offensive surge. The score may have widened late, but make no mistake: this was a battle of inches, decided by heart.
When it ended with Adler’s diving play and the eruption of cheers under the lights the team mobbed the field. Gloves hit the dirt, and years of frustration turned into joy.
Kaboom had done it. They were champions.
The MVP: Abe Saka
At the center of it all was Abe Saka, the bulldog on the mound who refused to bend. His command, endurance, and unrelenting focus made him the heartbeat of Kaboom’s title run. Every inning he threw carried weight; every pitch was a declaration.
Saka’s performance across the playoffs – and especially in the World Series – cemented his place in M&S lore. For years he had flirted with greatness. This time, he conquered it. Fittingly, he was named World Series MVP, a title that felt like destiny fulfilled.
The Captain: Uri Adler
Adler’s leadership was the glue that bound Kaboom together. Known across the league for his professionalism and calm demeanor, he captained his team the same way he played: composed, steady, and relentlessly respectful. He never let his team get too high or too low. He managed personalities, lineups, and moments with quiet confidence – the mark of a true leader.
In his first season wearing the “C,” Adler delivered the ultimate prize. Few captains in league history have ever steered a team to the mountaintop so quickly. His championship pedigree is now sealed in M&S history.
Respect to the Runners-Up
No championship is complete without acknowledging the greatness of the opponent and King Salomon: Part Deux was every bit the worthy adversary. Led by Michael “Sabon” Salomon, the team was a powerhouse from Opening Day. With players like Mo Shamah, TI, and JoJo Levy, to name a few, King Salomon pushed Kaboom to the brink.
Levy’s growth this season was particularly noteworthy – another ball over the fence, another step into stardom. Though they fell short, King Salomon’s mix of veterans and young stars this team was oh-so-close to winning it all.
Legacy of a Champion
What made Kaboom’s title run special wasn’t just their talent, it was their chemistry. They laughed, battled, and believed together. They responded to every setback with focus, every challenge with faith.
For ten first-time champions, the M&S Cup now symbolizes more than just a trophy. It represents late-night Glatt Bite runs, shared trust, and a team that refused to let go of the rope. And for veterans like Finkel and Chrem, it’s another golden moment to add to their legacy.
As the lights dimmed at M&S Park and the crowd lingered to soak in the celebration, one thing was clear: this was more than a championship. It was a statement.
Kaboom arrived. They battled. They believed. And they conquered.
From first pitch to final out, the 2025 M&S World Series will be remembered as one of the greatest in league history and Kaboom’s name will forever be etched on the M&S Cup.
Congratulations to Captain Uri Adler, World Series MVP Abe Saka, and the entire Kaboom roster your names are now written in M&S history!
The Champions: Player by Player
Abe Saka (P, World Series MVP) – The bulldog on the mound. Unwavering, unrelenting, and unstoppable. Saka willed Kaboom to victory with his mix of grit, poise, and power. The title that had eluded him for years is finally his and he earned every ounce of it.
A.Y. Slanger (C) – The starting pitcher’s dream. Slanger’s defensive instincts and lightning-fast releases kept runners honest all season. Behind the plate, he set the tone, controlled the rhythm, and gave Saka the trust every ace needs.
Barry Finkel (1B) – One of only two returning champions on the roster, Finkel once again proved he’s a winning player. His glove was reliable, his bat clutch, and his leadership invaluable. Another ring for a true veteran presence.
Neil “Real Feel” Shweky (2B) – The name says it all. Shweky’s smooth hands and field awareness made him a defensive standout at second base. Add in his timely hitting and you get one of the league’s most underrated stars.
Mordy Chrem (SS) – The defensive wizard. Chrem captured championships in back-to-back seasons, this time anchoring Kaboom’s infield with elite range and veteran composure. His bat packs pop, but his glove is poetry.
Uri Adler (3B, Captain) – The captain who brought it all together. Adler’s steady hand and even-keeled demeanor defined Kaboom’s culture. His leadership off the field was as vital as his steady play at third base.
Sol Fallas (SCF) – The bopper in the lineup with a highlight-reel glove. His legendary catch in the semifinals will go down as one of the greatest defensive plays in M&S postseason history. A true two-way force.
Morris “Mo” Levy (LF) – One of the breakout stars of 2025. Levy’s bat came alive this season, complementing his already-stellar defense in left field. A rising star who proved he can shine brightest on the biggest stage.
Nadav “Nutty” Auerbach (CF) Electric. Auerbach is one of the best center fielders and hitters in the league. His range, instincts, and consistency at the plate make him a cornerstone player and Kaboom’s all-around superstar.
Shimmy Cohen (RF) – The veteran finally gets his crown. After years of near misses, Cohen captured his first championship alongside longtime teammate Saka in a career-defining moment. His bat, his glove, and his leadership all came through when it mattered most.
Isaac “Icy Hot” Cohen (IF) – Reliable and clutch. Isaac delivered steady production and a veteran presence. Every contender needs a player who’s always ready that was Icy Hot.
David Minzer (IF) – The power bat Kaboom needed. Minzer stepped up in key spots throughout the postseason, delivering muscle in the lineup and big-moment energy when it mattered most.