When the Winnipeg Goldeyes opened the 2006 Northern League season at home on May 19, it marked the dawn of a new era at CanWest Global Park. Not only were there just three players back from the 2005 squad that finished with the worst record in franchise history, but there was also a new manager, and there was no mistaking that this team was his team.

When Rick Forney was named the third manager in franchise history last fall, he made it known that his first priority was to get the Goldeyes back to the playoffs following a two-year absence. The way the year started, it looked like that was almost a lock, as Winnipeg swept former manager Hal Lanier and his Joliet JackHammers to begin a stretch that saw them win seven straight at home.

As successful as this team was here in Winnipeg, though, it was a different story on the road. Night after night, game after game, the Goldeyes battled but just couldn't come up with the wins and that ended up costing them a shot at a first-half title.

In an effort to find the right balance, Forney made a lot of personnel moves as the season went on and, at times, it seemed the door to the clubhouse revolved almost non-stop. But when the roster deadline passed in mid-August and the players knew it was up to them whether they made or missed the post-season, they stepped up and met the challenge.

Heading out on their season-ending road trip to Alberta, where last year's team saw its playoff dreams go to die, this year's team was still very much in contention. With the first- half winners from Fargo-Moorhead in position to lock up the second half, Winnipeg had its sights set on a Wild Card spot, although that meant winning in two cities where victories were at a premium. And win they did.

With one mighty sweep of the broom, the Goldeyes took four straight in Edmonton to knock the Cracker-Cats out of playoff contention and put them one win away from September baseball. Standing in their way were the Calgary Vipers, who had Winnipeg's number at home, but not this time. The Goldeyes won twice to not only claim their first- ever series victory in Calgary, but also secure a place in the playoffs for the first time since 2003 and the eleventh time in 13 seasons.

Meeting up with Fargo-Moorhead in the playoffs for the eighth time, Winnipeg was cast as a heavy underdog, despite winning nine of 19 regular season meetings with the RedHawks. That was just fine, though, for it relieved them of any pressure and that paid off as the Goldeyes snuck in to Newman Outdoor Field and won the first two games.

Needing just one win in a place where wins were plentiful this year, the Goldeyes returned home very much in the driver's seat. But the RedHawks grabbed the wheel and seized control with two wins of their own, sending it back to Fargo for a fifth-and-deciding game. The visitors grabbed the early lead, yet it was not to be, as the hosts eventually tied it and then won it in their final at-bat.

It may have ended sooner than it was supposed to, but it was still a very successful season for the Goldeyes in more ways than one. Several players were recognized over the course of the season for their efforts, including seven that joined Forney at the Northern League All-Star Game in Kansas City. Two of those players, pitchers Josh Kite and Howard Pence, were later picked up by Major League clubs, as was fellow pitcher Mike Wagner.

Other individuals given their due included outfielder Fehlandt Lentini, designated hitter Jimmy Hurst and pitcher Luis Villarreal. All were named to play in the all-star game and all made the post-season all-star team. General manager Andrew Collier, meanwhile, received the nod as the NL Executive of the Year for the third time in five years. And the awards did not stop there.

As an organization, the Goldeyes were saluted once more for being the best at what they do. In a year where 312,213 fans were welcomed to CanWest Global Park, Winnipeg surpassed the 300,000 mark for the fifth straight year and led the league in attendance for the seventh straight year. Those kinds of numbers attracted attention from around the league, as the Goldeyes were named the Organization of the Year, becoming the only two-time winner since the award was first handed out in 2003.

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