2025 MSBL/MABL World Series · Phoenix Metro, Arizona
The Motor City Mariners journeyed to Arizona for their third World Series appearance, arriving fresh off a Fall Classic title in West Palm Beach the previous year. The team maintained most of its roster across four years, adding new pieces — including Joey Pejuan, Andre Hutchins, Jesse Rometty, and Marcus Stewart — to round out the squad.
During pool play, the Mariners started 3–0 with strong pitching from Marcus Stewart, Larry Wood, and Steve Simmons, each delivering quality starts or complete games while surrendering fewer than three runs. Early offensive explosions produced 20 combined runs in the first two games, with multiple players recording multi-hit performances. Dan Smith emerged as an unsung tournament hero, pitching ten innings while maintaining a 3.60 ERA and preserving crucial leads.
In playoff action, Jesse Rometty pitched all nine innings against Denver, allowing one run and striking out 14 in a 3–1 quarterfinal victory. Steve Simmons similarly went the distance against Nassau in the semifinal, yielding just one unearned run. Larry Wood took the ball for the championship and pitched all nine innings as the Mariners mounted a late offensive surge to complete the 8–4 victory — their third Arizona title.