Winnipeg Goldeyes celebrate championship win

Winnipeg baseball fans are celebrating their team, the Goldeyes, after it won the American Association Championship series on Friday.

A party is underway in Shaw Park on Sunday evening, two nights after the Goldeyes defeated the Wichita Wingnuts 8-3 to win the title in three straight games.

The Goldeyes' win comes as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers arestruggling in last place in the CFL, and the Winnipeg Jets have just beengrounded by the NHL lockout.

"We know the Bombers are struggling a little bit, and with the NHL [lockout], you know, it's almost like this community maybe needs somebody to rally behind," pitcher Matt Rusch told reporters on Sunday afternoon.

The American Association title is the first to be won by a Winnipeg professional sports franchise since the Goldeyes won the Northern League title in 1994.

"A lot of things we hear is Jets, Bombers and stuff, and now it's the Goldeyes," said infielder Amos Ramon.

"I think it's great," he added. "A lot of the fans, die-hard Goldeyes fans, you know, I think they deserve it, too, as much as we do."