KOD2

2002 Boston Red Sox win KOD2 World Championship

2008-03-30T19:46:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the 2002 Boston Red Sox, who had the best regular season record in the AL and went on to win the World Series over the 1959 Milwaukee Braves in 4 straight games. Congratulations to World Series MVP Manny Ramirez who hit 4 home runs and batted .455 and had 5 ribbies in 4 games.

WS Game 4: '02-BOS 5, '59-MKE 3

2008-03-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

With their backs against the wall the Braves put their whole season on lefty Juan Pizarro's shoulders. Down 3 games to none the Braves needed some sort of spark, so manager Fortel decided to shake up his lineup a bit. Lee Maye moved into the #2 slot and played left and Johnny Logan dropped to the 8th slot. Boston counted on the steady John Burkett to close it out for the sweep. Milwaukee struck first in the home half of the 2nd, when Joe Adcock led off with a triple to deep center. Two batters later Johnny Logan grounded out and got the RBI to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Neither team scored until the Red Sox notched 2 in the top of the 5th to take a 2-1 lead. Sanchez tripled to lead off the fame. Two batters later Manny received an intentional pass and two batters later Shea Hillenbrand doubled them both home. In the home half of the inning the Braves tied the score on a two out solo shot by the red hot Aaron. Burkett probably should have pitched around him, but with the score tied and the bases empty he decided to take his chances with Hammerin' Hank, who blasted one deep into the Wisconsin's autumn. The Sawx scored one in the 7th and the Braves tied it back up at 3 in the bottom of the 8th. Heading to the 9th the score was knotted at 3. Both starters were done for the day and neither would be involved in the decision. Tim Wakefield came on in the 6th for Boston and Bob Rush entered in the 8th for the Braves. The 9th looked to be a fast 3 up and 3 down inning for rush. Wakefield struck out to lead off the inning. One has to be surprised he wasn't pinch hit for, but that's another story in itself...Damon then grounded back to the originator for the second out and all looked good for the Braves. Rey Sanchez got a cheap flare for a single and up stepped Nomar to the plate. After homering in his last AB, Garciaparra looked very comfortable at the plate. Rush had no choice to pitch to him as the even hotter Ramirez was glaring at him from the on deck circle. Rush hung a curve ball and Nomar hit it 398 feet into the parking lot to give the Braves a 2 run lead and a chance to close out the series in 4. Urbina came on to close it out by striking out the side after walking Del Crandall. The Sawx swept the Braves in a highly contested series, where each game was extremely close and could have probably gone either way. The crowd at Starbucks, where it was played, were treated to some great baseball action. Congratulations to the 2002 Boston Red Sox for winning the KOD 2 World Series and being crowned the best team ever for teams that finished out of the money the year after or before finishing in 1st.

Highlights:

Oct 26 02 Boston 2 59 Milwaukee 1Inning: 5 Outs: 2 Bases: 3rd -
Shea Hillenbrand now batting hitting .299 on the year with 8 home runs and 43 runs batted in he's hitting .278 in September..man on 1st the first pitch from Pizarrof astball Hillenbrand swings..lined down the first base line fair that will go for extra bases all the way to the wall Nixon takes a look at home the throw from Aaron Hillenbrand is going for third Nixon slides for the plate Crandall with the tag there's a cloud of dust safe!Hillenbrand goes to 3rd
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Oct 26 02 Boston 2 59 Milwaukee 2Inning: 5 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty -
the right fielder Hank Aaron steps in2 balls, 2 strikes Aaron swings..here's a deep fly ball down the left field line hooking way back there Ramirez racing back..gone!HR number 10 for Aaron 328 foot blast
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Oct 26 02 Boston 3 59 Milwaukee 2Inning: 7 Outs: 1 Bases: Empty -
Nomar Garciaparra faces Pizarro batting .299with 5 home runs and 29 runs batted in he's hitting .306 in September..the pitch to Garciaparra he swings..flied deep down the left field line it could go..at the fence..way out of here!HR number 6 for Garciaparra a 362 foot blast
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Oct 26 02 Boston 3 59 Milwaukee 3Inning: 8 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty -
the third baseman Eddie Mathews steps in oh for three today..0-2 count knuckler Mathews swings..fly ball down the right field line that's a well hit ball hooking Nixon racing back that's out of here!Home Run number 9 for Mathews that one measured 334 feet
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Oct 26 02 Boston 5 59 Milwaukee 3Inning: 9 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty -
Nomar Garciaparra comes up against Rush. 336 against righties he's hitting .310 in September Ramirez is on deck if he can get on..runner on 1st0-1 count fastball Garciaparra swings..deep fly ball..hit towards left center way back it's got a chance to go Bruton racing back..at the track Home Run his 2nd HR of the game number 7 on the season for Garciaparra that one measured 398 feet

WS Game 3: '02-BOS 9, '59-MKE 6

2008-03-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

Boston's manager nearly outsmarted himself by starting Casey Fossum vs the Braves who have fared poorly vs lefties all season. Fossum had nothing and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) in a little over 6 innings of work. Luckily for the Red Sox Brave starter Lew Burdette was worse. The hero of the 1957 World Series, where he won 3 vs the Yankees, gave up 7 runs in 6 innings and was tagged with the loss. Fossum notched the win even though his performance dictated he deserved little more than a footnote. Milwaukee scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd to give the Braves a 5-2 lead. Johnny Logan, attempting to make up for his poor performances so far hit a huge 3 run shot to cap off the inning. Burdette was fine until the 5th when the floodgates opened and he yielded 5 runs to the visiting team from Beantown. The trouble started when Fossum lead off with a solid single to right, which was followed by Damon who did the same. Carlos Baerga bunted them both up into scoring position and just like it was drawn up Nomar doubled them both in to cut the deficit to 1. Manny received an intentional pass and Trot Nixon flew out to right. Burdette looked like he was going to get out of the inning without yielding any more damage. Shea Hillenbrand and the light hitting Tony Clark each made life miserable for Burdette as they knocked in 3 runs between the two of them to give Boston a 7-5 lead. The Braves cut the lead to 1 run (7-6) in the bottom of the 8th as they scratched out a run. Just like in game 2 though they had bases loaded and didn't score more, which was their undoing. Manny hit a 2 run shot to put it out of reach in the top of

the 9th and Urbina came on to close it.

Highlights:
Oct 25 02 Boston 1 59 Milwaukee 0Inning: 1 Outs: 1 Bases: 2nd -
Nomar Garciaparra steps in against Burdette hitting .290 on the yearwith 5 home runs and 26 runs batted in he's hitting .294 in September..runner on 1st the first pitch to Garciaparra he swings..flied deep towards right center it's got a chance to go Aaron drifts to his right racing back..at the wall off the wall! Baerga takes a wide round of third there won't be a throw from Aaron Baerga scores Garciaparra rounds second and stops right there double

Oct 25 02 Boston 2 59 Milwaukee 0Inning: 1 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st & 2nd -
the third baseman Shea Hillenbrand steps inhitting .289 8 home runs and 41 RBI's on the season he's hitting .264 in September..runners on 1st and 2nd 0-1 countcurveball Hillenbrand swings..line shot between third and short Logan lunges but he can't come up with it that will be a base hit for Hillenbrand Garciaparra to third Ramirez to second Garciaparra is trying to score there won't be a throw from Pafko Garciaparra crosses the plate Hillenbrand around first and the base coach holds him up single

Oct 25 02 Boston 2 59 Milwaukee 1Inning: 2 Outs: 0 Bases: Empty -
batting 5th, it's Joe Adcock batting .228 on the year with 8 home runs and 25 runs batted in he's hitting .216 in September..runners on 1st and 2nd2 balls, 0 strikes Adcock swings..it's a grounder left side of the infield Garciaparra fields it he tosses to 2nd for one toss to first just in time call it two one run, 2 hits, no errors after 1 complete 02 Boston 2, 59 Milwaukee 1

Oct 25 02 Boston 2 59 Milwaukee 2Inning: 3 Outs: 0 Bases: 1st & 3rd -
Joe Adcock to the plate hitting .226 on the year with 8 home runs and 25 runs batted in hitting .136 with 2 home runs with runners in scoring position he's hitting .214 in September..runners on 2nd and 3rd 1-1 count fastball Adcock swings..here's a grounder..toward third under Hillenbrand's glove and he can't make a play Mathews scores Aaron goes to 3rd Adcock to first Hillenbrand will be charged with an E

Oct 25 02 Boston 2 59 Milwaukee 5Inning: 3 Outs: 1 Bases: Empty -
Johnny Logan steps in against Fossum hitting .268 on the year 3 home runs and 11 RBI's on the season he's hitting .260 in September..runners on 1st and 3rd the payoff pitch curveball Logan swings..here's a deep fly ball towards left center..Damon on the track at the wall..a long way out of here!'Yatcha' gets number 4 a 414 foot blast

Oct 25 02 Boston 4 59 Milwaukee 5Inning: 5 Outs: 1 Bases: 2nd -
Nomar Garciaparra now at bat hitting .292 on the year with 5 home runs and 27 runs batted in..runners on 2nd and 3rd Burdette stares in 1-2 count Garciaparra swings..it's ripped wide of third it's fair all the way to the wall Fossum scores Damon scores Garciaparra rounds first he's trying to stretch it into a double Mathews's throw Garciaparra dives safe! double

Oct 25 02 Boston 5 59 Milwaukee 5Inning: 5 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd & 3rd -
Shea Hillenbrand comes up against Burdette two for two today..runners on 1st and 2nd2 balls, 0 strikes curveball Hillenbrand swings..lined down the third base line that's a fair ball that could be extra basesall the way to the wall Garciaparra scores Ramirez goes to third Hillenbrand with a standing double

Oct 25 02 Boston 7 59 Milwaukee 5Inning: 5 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st -
Tony Clark to the plate hitting just .145 on the year.128 against righties hitting .000 with runners in scoring position and two out he's hitting just .107 in September..2 runners in scoring position 0 balls, 1 strike Clark swings..smashed on the ground between 1st and 2ndA dcock lunges it's a base hit Ramirez will score Hillenbrand will score from 2nd Aaron fires it back in Clark rounds first and holds

Oct 25 02 Boston 7 59 Milwaukee 5Inning: 7 Outs: 0 Bases: Empty -
Tony Clark steps in against Jay Varitek is in the on deck circle if he gets on..runner on 2nd 0-2 count fastball Clark swings..it's drilled between third and short it's a base hit Nixon takes a look at home he's heading for home here comes the throw from Pafko Clark is heading to second Nixon slides for the plate Crandall with the tagout!

Oct 25 02 Boston 9 59 Milwaukee 6Inning: 9 Outs: 1 Bases: Empty -
Manny Ramirez to the plate man on 1st 1-1 count Ramirez swings..here's a deep fly ball toward left..Maye on the warning track at the wall..Home Run Home Run number 14 for Ramirez that's HR number 13 for September! 355 foot homer

WS Game 2: '02-BOS 6, '59-MKE 5

2008-03-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

Game 2 featured a battle of respective aces (Warren Spahn vs Derek Lowe). Both put up goose eggs for the first 3 innings, then both teams exchanged runs in the 4th. Boston went up 3-1 in the fifth as Rey Sanchez knocked in Trot Nixon and Jose Offerman with a 2 out single. Milwaukee scratched back to get 1 in the 6th as Aaron doubled with 2 outs and Adcock singled him home. Milwaukee tied it up in the top of the 9th as Billy Bruton led off with a single. Logan went down on strikes and Aaron made it second and third with a double off the green monster. Mathews hit a sac fly to Nixon in right and Adcock flew out to end the inning. The Braves were ecstatic to have tied it, but this should have been an inning where they scored more and they sure as heck knew it. The bottom of the 8th saw the Red Sox post 3 runs to take a 6-3 lead. Varitek hit a long double that he sliced down the right field line to score Sanchez from second and Manny all the way from first. Normally sure handed Johnny Logan booted a hard smash by Hillenbrand, which scored Varitek and left the Braves for dead. Milwaukee forgot to get the memo alerting them to their demise and rallied in the top of the 9th to get 2 runs, but couldn't get the tying run when Urbina tightened his britches and fanned Logan (the defacto goat) to end it.

Highlights:

Oct 23, 59 Milwaukee 0 02 Boston 0 Inning: 3 Outs: 0 Bases: Empty - the center fielder Bill Bruton steps in hitting .260 on the year with a home run and 10 runs batted in .. man on 2nd 0 balls, 1 strike fastball Bruton cuts.. line shot up the middle it's a hit Covington rounds third he's heading for home the throw from Damon Bruton is heading to second they have a chance to get him Covington slides Varitek tags him out!

Oct 23, 59 Milwaukee 1 02 Boston 1 Inning: 4 Outs: 1 Bases: Empty - Manny Ramirez comes up against Spahn hitting a solid .387 on the season with 12 home runs and 30 runs batted in he's red hot in September hitting .400 for the month .. Spahn is set here's the wind-up and the pitch fastball Ramirez swings.. deep fly ball past third, down the line way back .. .. Home Run HR number 13 for Manny that's HR number 12 for September! 362 foot homer

Oct 23, 59 Milwaukee 1 02 Boston 3 Inning: 5 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st - Rey Sanchez at the plate batting .260 he's hitting .266 in September .. runners on 2nd and 3rd 1 ball, 0 strikes Sanchez swings.. it's a screamer through the right side it's a base hit Nixon plates Offerman will score from 2nd Aaron fires it back in Sanchez rounds and holds at first

Oct 23, 59 Milwaukee 2 02 Boston 3 Inning: 8 Outs: 0 Bases: 1st - Bill Bruton will bat first this inning 0-2 count Bruton swings.. it's a pop-up way up there back up the middle Sanchez calls for it now Garciaparra will take it it's trouble it falls in between them! that's a cheap hit for Bruton

Oct 23, 59 Milwaukee 3 02 Boston 5 Inning: 8 Outs: 1 Bases: 3rd - Jason Varitek steps in against Spahn hitting .250 on the year he's hitting .227 in September Hillenbrand is on deck .. men on 1st and 2nd Spahn gets the sign 1-0 count Varitek swings.. fly to left center driven get up, get up, get out of here Bruton chasing back .. off the green monster! Sanchez scores Ramirez rounds third here comes the throw from Bruton Varitek is going for third close play Ramirez dives for the plate Crandall applies the tag he is.. safe! Varitek goes to 3rd

Oct 23, 59 Milwaukee 3 02 Boston 6 Inning: 8 Outs: 1 Bases: 1st - Shea Hillenbrand against Spahn hitting .290 on the year 8 home runs and 40 RBI's on the season he's hitting .266 in September Nixon is in the on deck circle .. runner on 3rd 3 balls, 1 strike curveball Hillenbrand swings.. routine ground ball to short Logan boots it Varitek scores Hillenbrand to first that's an error on Logan

Oct 23, 59 Milwaukee 4 02 Boston 6 Inning: 9 Outs: 0 Bases: 3rd - the left fielder Lee Maye steps in nothing for three today .. man on 1st 0 balls, 1 strike Maye cuts.. lined down the first base line fair that will be extra bases it rattles around in the corner Crandall scores Maye rounds 2nd he'll go for a triple they could get him the throw from Clark he dives safe! triple

Oct 23, 59 Milwaukee 5 02 Boston 6 Inning: 9 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty - Frank Torre against Urbina hitting .209 on the year batting .286 with runners in scoring position he's hitting .241 in September .. man on 3rd 0 balls, 1 strike fastball Torre swings.. routine grounder to short picked up by Garciaparra Maye is trying to score Garciaparra throws to first out Maye scores

WS Game 1: '02-BOS 3, '59-MKE 2

2008-03-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

All tied going into the 8th when Manny hit his second of the day to put the Bosox up by 1. Buhl went 8 for the Braves and scattered 3 runs, but he did not get enough offensive support to win. Pedro finally got to the 7th and only gave up 2 runs, which came on a Hank Aaron 2 run shot in the 5th. Embree pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Urbina came on in the 9th to close it out. Boston scored first when Trot Nixon hit into a fielder's choice to plate Johnny Damon who led off the game with a single. Pedro struck out 10 as he got to the 7th for the first time in weeks. Boston surprised everyone by not going with Lowe and putting their trust in Pedro.

Game Highlights:

Oct 22, 59 Milwaukee 2 02 Boston 1Inning: 5 Outs: 1 Bases: Empty - Hank Aaron steps in against Martinez with 8 home runs and 32 runs batted in man on 1st 0-2 count fastball Aaron cuts..he really got a hold of this one deep fly towards right center Damon backing up gone!HR number 9 for Aaron that one measured 396 feet

Oct 22, 59 Milwaukee 2 02 Boston 2Inning: 6 Outs: 0 Bases: Empty - Manny Ramirez will bat first this inning hitting .379 on the year with 10 home runs and 28 runs batted in0-1 count Ramirez cuts..it's a deep fly ball to center Bruton to the warning track near the wall Bruton no chance to catch that one!way out of here!HR number 11 for Manny that's HR number 10 for September!417 foot homer

Oct 22, 59 Milwaukee 2 02 Boston 3Inning: 8 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty - Manny Ramirez comes up against Buhl Nixon is in the on deck circle if he reaches base0-2 count Ramirez swings..long fly ball to right center way back there it's got a chance to go Home Run that's his 2nd HR of the game HR number 12 for Manny that's HR number 11 for September!that one was 422 feet

'02 Bosox outlast '88 Twins in classic 7 game LCS

2008-03-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

Game 1: For 6+ inning John Burkett went pitch for pitch with 1988 Cy Young award winner Frank Viola giving up only 1 run. Neither starter would have a hand in the decision as it all fell on the shoulders of each team's respective bullpens. The Twins struck first in the top of the 9th as Arrojo gave up a solo shot to Tim Laudner. Curiously the Twins had Smith start the bottom of the 9th, but couldn't hold Boston down. Reardon was brought in with 2 outs and the bases loaded and yielded a single to Shea Hillenbrand to plate Doug Mirabelli for the winning run. Lots of second guessing in this one for both managers. Minnesota will be second guessed for not having Reardon start the 9th and Boston could have been second guessed for using both of their catchers in the game and not being able to pinch run for the led footed Doug Mirabelli in the 9th.

Game 2: Both teams brought their lumber for this one. Both starters (Blyleven and Oliver) were ineffective at best. Boston nursed a 1 run lead until the 7th, when Tim Wakefield came on to yield 4 runs and put the Twins up for good. Tommy Herr doubled home Greg Gagne with 2 outs and Kirby Pucket singled him home to give the Twins the lead for good. Juan Berenguer came on in the 7th and pitched 3 scoreless innings for the save.

Game 3: The series moved to the Twin Cities and another wild one ensued. Both team's aces were on the hill and one expected a pitcher's duel. The only duel we saw was for the title of who was worse. Pedro "the enigma" Martinez again pitched poorly and was gone after 5 innings and 6 earner runs. Allan Anderson gave up 7 runs in 7 innings. Pedro got the win, but the bullpen really won it for Boston as Wakefield, Banks, Embree and Urbina held the Twins scoreless over the final 3 innings. The big inning for Boston was the top of the 6th, where they touched Anderson for 3 runs, two of which came off of Johnny Damon's bat as he hit one deep into the hefty bag. Rey Sanchez followed up with a triple and Nomar doubled him home for the ultimate winning run.

Game 4: The Bosox took a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in this 10-0 laugher. Derek Lowe continued his mound dominance as he went 7 scoreless innings. Damon banged out 4 hits off of Les Straker and company and Manny showed some signs of life by going yard.

Game 5: With their backs up against the wall the Twins needed Frankie V to stop the bleeding. Boston countered with John Burkett and we had a rematch of game one. This time, however, the Twins came out on top as Viola went the distance. Kirby Puckett's 2 run dinger in the 3rd proved to be the difference maker.

Game 6: Back in Fenway the Sawx looked to close out the series. Instead they were handed a serving of humble pie as the Twins scored early and often. Minnesota had 3 touchdowns to Boston's lone safety. Blyleven turned back the clock and threw a complete game gem, while the pair of Fossum and Oliver yielded 21 runs. Minnesota proved themselves adept at crushing lefties. Both Puckett and Dan Gladden had 4 hits. Two of Gladden's four were round trippers.Game 7: Nothing says magic more than these two words:

Game 7: With the AL Pennant on the line Boston had a huge dillema. Should they pitch Pedro in his regular slot or go with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Normally this would be a no brainer, but Pedro has been knocked around most of the season and hasn't been able to escape the 6th inning. Wakefield got the ball and proceeded to throw 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Willie Banks gave up 1 hit in almost 3 innings of pitching and Urbina came on in the 9th to nail it down. Minnesota's starter, Allan Anderson, had nothing and once the Bosox tapped him for 4 runs in the 1st the Twins season was as good as gone. The big blow came off of the bat of Manny who stood at home for an eternity to pose as his missile cleared the green monster and broke some windows on Landsdowne street. Manny's 3 run shot followed an RBI double by Nomar. Boston scratched out another run in the 4th to increase their lead to 5-0 and put them in the KOD3 Fall Classic.

Game 1: 02 Boston Edges 88 Minnesota 3-2
Game 2: 88 Minnesota Defeats 88 Minnesota 8-5
Game 3: 02 Boston Edges 88 Minnesota 7-6
Game 4: 02 Boston Blanks 88 Minnesota 10-0
Game 5: 88 Minnesota Edges 02 Boston 3-2
Game 6: 88 Minnesota Pounds 02 Boston 21-2, Gladden Drills 2 HRs
Game 7: 02 Boston Blanks 88 Minnesota 5-0

'59 Braves win NL Flag in 6 games over '85 Amazins

2008-03-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

Game 1: El Sid looked good until the 7th, when he ran out of gas and the Mets ran out of answers for the balanced Brave attack. Lou Burdette was steady enough to complete the game and nab the win. the 5 run 7th did the Mets in and erased their 3-2 lead. Joe Adcock hit 3 homers in a row and helped chase the big man from Hawaii off the hill.

Game 2: Doc started this one for the Mets and was great for 7 innings with 8k's. His counterpart Juan Pizarro was even better, giving up 2 runs over 10 innings and fanning 12. Neither starter figured into the decision as Milwaukee won it in 11 to take a 2 games to 0 lead. Roger McDowell was the loser. Billy Bruton led off the 11th with a sharp double down the left field line. Johnny Logan bunted him over to third and the Mets were in big trouble. Aaron and Mathews both received intentional passes, which setup Joe Adcock's sac fly to George Foster to score Bruton.

Game 3: The great Warren Spahn took the hill and in a true professional effort scattered 10 hits and 2 runs over 9 innings as the Braves took a laugher over the Amazin's. Ron Darling, NY's starter, tried to gut it out but gave up 6 runs in 7 innings. Reliever Doug "risk" Sisk was no better yielding 4 in 2 innings. The Braves shocked the Shea faithful and took a commanding 3-0 series lead.

Game 4: Popular conception is that when a team has a 3-0 lead they are apt to take the pedal off the metal and kind of glide home. This is not the case in professional sports. Thinking like that can be dangerous, when playing against a team in the post season. Milwaukee was poised to close out the Mets in a 4 game sweep, but the Mets were not having any of that. Ed Lynch tossed a complete game gem allowing only 2 runs and tossing only 78 pitches in the process. The Mets tagged Brave starter Bob Buhl for 4 runs early on and never looked back. Strawberry hit a towering solo shot that hit the huge scoreboard in right and the Mets had a pulse.

Game 5: El Sid recovered from his game 1 melt down and went 8 strong innings to get the win. Lew Burdette went the distance as well but could not hold the NY offense down. With the score 3-1 in the 7th NY broke out for 3 big runs to put the game away. George "money bags" Foster hit a 3 run shot into the picnic are to put the Mets right back in the series at 3-2.

Game 6: The series headed back to Wisconsin and the pressure was now solely on the Braves shoulders having had 2 opportunities to close it all out and having failed in both. With Doc Gooden on the hill and dealin' the Amazins seemed poised for the ultimate comeback. Down 4-2 in the 8th the Braves bats woke up and posted a big crooked number on the scoreboard. Three runs off of Gooden in a game is a miracle. 3 in one inning is of biblical proportions. The 8th inning started with pinch hitter Lee Maye, taking time out of his singing career, who grounded weekly to first. Billy "the catalyst" Bruton sliced a double down the left field line and Johnny Logan followed with an infield single to make it 1st and 3rd. Still the Mets had a 2 run lead. Gooden challenge Henry Aaron, who should never be challenged. Aaron singled back through the originator to cut the lead to 1. Eddie Mathews was pitched to cautiously and the bases were soon loaded with only 1 out. Wes Covington, who had been a big disappointment all year, fought off Gooden's "lord Charles and blooped a single over the outstretched arms of Wally Backman to score Logan to tie it. One batter later Adcock grounded out weekly, but Aaron came across to score and just like that a 2 run lead was now a 1 run deficit. The top of the 9th saw the shell shocked Mets go down in order to closer Don McMahon and the Braves clinched the NL Pennant. The Mets battled back hard in this series, but when you are down 3-0 you have no margin for error. Gooden threw 146 pitches and obviously ran out of gas in the 8th. Bob Rush notched the win as he pitched 2 1/2 innings in relief of starter Juan Pizarro.

Game 6: 59 Milwaukee Over 85 New York NL 5-4
Game 5: 85 New York NL Beats 59 Milwaukee 6-1
Game 4: 85 New York NL Beats 59 Milwaukee 4-2
Game 3: 59 Milwaukee Beats 85 New York NL 10-2
Game 2: 59 Milwaukee Edges 85 New York NL 3-2 in 11, Pizarro Ks 12
Game 1: 59 Milwaukee Over 85 New York NL 8-4, 3 HRs For Adcock

'59 Braves outlast '74 Big Red Machine in 5 game thriller

2008-03-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

Game 1: Milwaukee nursed a 3-2 lead into the 8th when the Big Red Machine blew the doors off of Lew Brudette's cruise control to the tune of 4 runs. Joe Morgan led off the top of the 8th with a clean single and stole 2nd. Johnny Bench followed with a single of his own to make it 1st and 3rd. Doggie then singled home Morgan. Geronimo followed with a two bagger to plate Bench and both Driesen and Griffey knocked in runs with ground outs. Clay Carroll pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief to post the win.

Game 2: The Braves evened the series at 1 each with a mirror image of the score (6-3) that they lost the opener. Spahn went the distance and gave up only 2 earned runs. Fred Norman also went the distance and gave up only 2 runs, but his defense let him down as 4 more unearned runs crossed the plate. With the score 4-2 the Braves scored 2 big runs in the bottom of the 6th as Spahn helped his cause by singling in Del Crandall. Bill Bruton followed by knocking in Pafko.

Game 3: The Riverfront Stadium crowd was treated to a 16 inning classic that lasted deep into the autumn night. By the time the verdict was in both starters, Bob Bhul (8 inn) and Don Gullett (3.2 inn) were long gone. Gullett hurt his elbow int eh 4th and was replaced by Carroll who gave up 5 runs in just over 4 innings of work. Cincy was up 4-2 when the Braves errupted for 3 big runs in the top of the 8th in an inning that started oh, so innocently. Aaron led off by linning out to Concepcion at short, but was followed by Mathews and Adcock who both walked. Crandall lifted a weak fly to right and Lee Maye was called on to pinch hit for Andy Pafko. Maye, who has been used almost exclusively off the bench sent a 2-1 curveball into the upper deck to put the Milwaukee up by 1. The bottom of the 9th saw the Braves put their trust in closer Don McMahon, who quickly got Concepcion and Morgan out on weaky hit balls. Seeming fully in control and not feeling any fear McMahon challenged the great Johnny Bench who had been slumping all year. Bench turned around a 1-0 fastball and sent it into the left field pavillion to tie it. The score would remain tied for 7 more innings as the game looked to never end. Then in the top of the 16th light hitting Felix Mantilla homered down the right field line off of Jack Billingham who had just come on in relief. Mantilla's ball barely scaled the right field fence and seemed to be aided by the wind. Bob Giggie started the 16th for the Braves and struck out George Foster on 4 pitches. He then walked pinch hitter Merv Rettenmund, which got him the hook. Juan Pizarro came on to force Rose to bat from the right side of the plate. Rose grounded out to 3rd and Concepcion ended the game by lining back to the box.

Game 4: Down 2-1 in the series the Reds needed this one desperately. The County Stadium crowd was treated to a good old fashioned pitcher's duel as the Reds won 2-1. No one would have known that when Clay Carroll drove in Cesar Geronimo in the 4th that all of the scoring would be done and the Reds would cruise to victory. Pedro Borbon nailed down the save in the 9th to force a deciding game 5.

Game 5: Roger Nelson went pitch for pitch with the great Warren Spahn for 7 innings and looked to be on the good side of a 3-2 win. Unfortunately Nelson's lack of pedigre and the Brave bats caught up with him in the bottom of the 8th as Milwaukee scored 4 runs to take a 6-3 lead that Spahnie would never relinquish. Joe Adcock was the hitting star as his 3 run shot put the game away. With one out Aaron doubled and then went to third as Mathews got a bloop single. Wes Covington laced a double of his own down the right field line to score Aaron and move Mathews to 3rd prior to Adcock's collasal blow. The Reds showed little sign in the 9th after Foster lead off with a single, but Spahn induced Foster to hit into a 4-6-3 DP.. Geronimo grounded weakly to second to end both the game and the series. Spahn scattered 8 hits and gave up 3 runs for the complete game victory.

'02 Bosox defeat '07 Tigers 3 games to 2 in ALDS

2008-03-23T22:24:00.000-07:00

Game 1: The opener was litterally stolen by the Bosox. With their ace (on paper) Pedro Martinez on the mound the Red Sox looked to sock Jeremy Bonderman and the Tigers. Well, Pedro didn't even get out of the 4th inning and the ledger had him giving up 6 runs (5 earned). Boston narrowed the gap to 1 in the bottom of the 4th as they posted 3 runs to make it 4-3. Pedro's replacement, Arrojo, gave up 3 more runs in his almost 4 innings of sloppy work. Going to the top of the 8 the Tigers were up 8-4 and Bonderman looked sharp. enter the Tiger bullpen. The achilles heel of the team. The floodgates opened up in the 8th as Boston posed 5 runs to tie it. The bottom of the 9th saw Manny lead off the inning with a walk off homer as Urbina notched the win.

Game 2: Reeling from Boston's comeback in game 1 Detroit was never in the second game. Derek Lowe gave up 2 hits and no runs until he left in favor of Allan Embree with 2 outs in the 8th. Detroit scored a run to break the shutout on a Sheffield solo shot as the Bosox took a 2 game to none lead to Motown.

Game 3: Comerica was a sellout for the lone home game their wild card Tigers were going to play. This was a must win game. Tim Wakefield started for the Sawx who were looking to close it out. Staked to a 7-1 lead and cruising all looked to be over for the Motown 9, but Wakefield lost it in the 6th and both he and Embree gave up 6 runs as the Tigers tied it. With momentum on their side Detroit scored 2 in the bottom of the 7th as Casey Fossum hit Sheffield with a pitch too far inside and Maglio Ordonez crushed a 2-1 meatball deep into the Detroit night to send the series back to Boston standing at 2-1 in favor of the hometeam.

Game 4: Looking to close it out the Bosox trotted Pedro back out on the hill in hopes that he would redeem himself for his pittiful performance in the opener. 4 runs in 5 innings is not considered redemption in anyone's book. Pedro threw 144 pitches and was gone as he flirted with trouble all game and finally found it in the 6th. Boston chipped away at Bonderman and got within one but Ledezma came out of the pen to close it out and force a deciding game 5.

Game 5: While Pedro was last seen calling the Tigers his daddy, Derek Lowe again showed why he is ready to assume the mantle of "closer". Giving up 1 run in 6 1/3 innings of pitching is what closers do and Lowe was up for the task. Haney and Wakefield got the Sawx to the 9th where Urbina closed it out. Shea Hillebrand homered in the 4th to make it 3-1 and Trot Nixon banged out 3 hits. Urbina gave up 2 hits to Detroit in the 9th, but when the pressure was on he struck out Sheffield with runners in scoring position and the game on the line.

ALDS and NLDS Results

2008-03-22T01:49:00.000-07:00

1985-Mets 3, 1963-Cardinals 1

Game 1: 85 New York NL Slips Past 63 St. Louis 2-1 in 11
Game 2: 63 St. Louis Nips 85 New York NL 2-1
Game 3: 85 New York NL Slips Past 63 St. Louis 2-1
Game 4: 85 New York NL Beats 63 St. Louis 5-2

1959-Braves 3, 1974-Reds 2

Game 1: 74 Cincinnati Tops 59 Milwaukee 6-3
Game 2: 59 Milwaukee Upends 74 Cincinnati 6-3
Game 3: 59 Milwaukee Edges 74 Cincinnati 6-5 in 16
Game 4: 74 Cincinnati Edges 59 Milwaukee 2-1
Game 5: 59 Milwaukee Beats 74 Cincinnati 6-3

2002-Red Sox 3, 2007-Tigers 2

Game 1: 02 Boston Edges 07 Detroit 10-9
Game 2: 02 Boston Beats 07 Detroit 5-1
Game 3: 07 Detroit Tops 02 Boston 9-7
Game 4: 07 Detroit Edges 02 Boston 6-5
Game 5: 02 Boston Tops 07 Detroit 4-2

1988-Twins 3, 1975-Royals 1

Game 1: 88 Minnesota Edges 75 Kansas City 3-1
Game 2: 88 Minnesota Edges 75 Kansas City 6-5
Game 3: 75 Kansas City Edges 88 Minnesota 5-4 in 12
Game 4: 88 Minnesota Tops 75 Kansas City 11-5

Royals knock off Pale Hose in 10 to qualify for post season

2008-03-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

KC and Chicago met at Comiskey for a 1 game AL play-in. Marty Pattin gets the start (only his 2nd of the season) for KC vs. Bob Shaw for Chicago. KC gets on top in the first with an rbi groundout from John Mayberry. In the 3rd Aparicio and Fox single, then Brett boots a grounder, which ties the game at 1-1. In the 5th, after Shaw walked his 5th & 6th batters of the game, Bob Stinson singled home Hal McRae for a 2-1 KC lead. Roy Sievers answered for Chicago with his 14th homer of the season to tie it at 2 in the 6th. With Early Wynn now on the mound for Chicago., Rojas and Patek single to start the 8th, 1 out later Hal McRae singles in Rojas to take the lead back at 3-2. Pattin is removed from the game in the bottom of 8 and Chicago answers again. Fox singled, Torgeson walked as a PH for Sievers, Minoso flied out to the wall in left. Fox caught McRae off guard and took 3rd base on the fly out. Frank Robinson then had a pinch-hit 4-3 ground out to score Fox. In the 10th, Patek tripled with 1-out (more on Patek later). Solaita then drew a PH walk, and Wohlford popped out to 1B. Jim Wohlford then squeezed home Patek for a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of 10, after 2 outs, Robinson singles and Rivera walks. Mark Littell then K's Ted Kluszewski to end the exciting playoff and send the unhappy Chi-Sox fans home. Freddie Patek entered the game hitting .171 with only 3 XBH's all season. His 4 for 5 day with a double & triple, earned him player of the game honors. --contributed by Allan Silverwood--

'07 Tigers hold off '49 Tribe (4-3) to clinch post season slot

2008-03-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Detroit hosted Cleveland in a play in game for the wild card position in the East. Mike Garcia took the mound against Tiger rookie Yorman Bazardo. The Tigers were looking for a little Floyd Geibel action from Mr. Bazardo. However, the weather would not cooperate and a rain delay forced Bazardo out of the game in the third inning. The Tigers scored quickly with 3 runs in the bottom of the first on singles by Ordonez, Guillen and a sacrifice fly by Rodriguez.. The score remained 3-0 until the 5th when leadoff erors by Guillen (his second of the game) and Inge opened the gates for two Indian runs. The Tigers got one back in the bottom of the fifth and the score remained 4-2 until the ninth. With runners on first and third, Craig Monroe who had entered the game as a defensive replacement misplayed a Larry Doby single. Ken Keltner scored and runners were on second and third with one out. Lou Boudreau lined out and after a walk to Joe Gordon, Mickey Vernon grounded out to end the game and send the Tigers to Fenway to play the Red Sox. Chad Durbin got the win and Wilfredo Ledezma the save. Mike Garcia took the loss.

Wild and Whacky Reg Season finish

2008-03-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

Going into the final 4 game set all 4 division titles were still up for grabs. In fact, only Boston and St. Louis had a post season appearance clinched. Lets look at how each played out:

NL East: St. Louis had a 2 game lead over the NY Mets, but failed to take care of business and lost 3 of 4 to the '59 Braves. The Mets returned the favor and backed in by losing 3 of 4 to the '79 Phillies who were just playing out the string. It should be intersting to see which of these two teams can gain some momentum in the post season. LA, who finished in 3rd in the West had a better record than the Mets and the same record as the Cards and is on the outside looking in.

NL West: The '82 Dodgers were sitting pretty 2 games up on Milwaukee and 3 games up on Cincy. All they need was to split their series vs the '04 Cubs who needed a sweep to get back into the NL East race. LA dropped 3 of 4, while Milwaukee was winning 3 of 4 from STL and Cincy swept the Pirates, who had their bags packed for weeks. That left Milwaukee and Cincy tied for the division (MKE had the tie breaker) and LA on the outside looking in. LA's mgr George B must feel snakebit as the Dodgers have had 2 straight late season collapses for him. In KOD 1 his '81 squad was fatigued beyond belief and dropped 10 of their final 11. In KOD2 they had a rough final series, but didn't really collapse. Cincy and Milwaukee played lights out down the stretch.

AL East: Boston came into the final series up by 2 games over '07 Det, but feeling unsure about themselves after getting swept by Minnesota. The Sawx took 3 of 4 from KC to clinch the division and in the process damaged KC's playoff chances. DET dropped 3 of 4 to the moribound '06 Angels and wound up having to play a play in playoff game vs '49 CLE who swept the pittiful 1980 A's.

AL West: Going into the final stanza there was a 3 way tie for the division lead, with 2 of the 3 teams playing each other h2h ('88-MIN vs '60-CHW). With KC already dropping 3 of 4 to Boston, the winner of the h2h series would take the division outright. The Twins, as they have all season rose to the top and took 3 of 4 from the Pale Hose to win the west. By virtue of losing 3 the South Siders were forced into a 1 game playoff vs the Royals. Chicago won the coin flip to host the all important game.

'74-CIN takes 3 of 4 from '63-SF

2008-02-21T05:55:00.000-08:00

The Reds and Giants had two slug fests at Candlestick...teams combined for 16 homeruns in the two games at the Stick!! Also, Felipe Alou is on steroids, human growthh ormones, gorilla growth hormones, X-man hormones,etc... He has more HRs than Mays, McCovey, or Cepeda, and more than Bench and Tony Perez combined!!!! He knocked out 4 in this series! Call George Mitchell !! The Giants have been on a slide lately (lost 7 of 8) and Cincy rebounded nicely to win 3 of 4 for their new manager. -contributed by Bob Kalec and the league office-

'02 Bosox take 3 of 4 from '49 Tribe

2008-02-20T08:48:00.001-08:00

Game 1 (Cleveland Municipal Stadium): Derek Lowe and Bob Lemon had a good ole' fashioned pitcher's duel going until the top of the 6th when Boston plated 3 runs and took a 2 run lead. DH Jose Offerman led off with a single, but was forced at second on a feeble bunt attempt by Johnny "caveman" Damon, who attoned for his mistake by promptly stealing second. Rey Sanchez singled Damon home to tie the game. Nomar and Manny both followed with RBI doubles to give Boston a 3-1 lead. The Sawx tagged on an insurance run in the 8th when Manny walked and was replaced by pinch runner Rickey Henderson. Rickey might be over 40, but he still has wheels, which he showed by scoring all the way from first on Trot Nixon's double. Dustin Hermanson came on in the ninth to protect the lead as Boston won 4-1.

Game 2: The Indians took this contest 5-0, but despite the score it was a very close game. Cleveland's Bob Feller was masterful as he tossed a 3 hitter. Boston's John Burkett battled hitters for much of the afternoon scattering 2 runs over the first 7 innings. Boston got greedy and hoped he had enough gas to finish out the 8th, but apparently that was not the case as the Indians touched him for 3 runs to increase the lead to 5-0. The big blow was a 2 run homer hit by Kennedy. Larry Doby also homerer for the Tribe.

Game 3 (Fenway Park, Boston): Easily the most exciting game of the series. Cleveland jumped out on top by scoring 3 runs off of Tim Wakefield in the first 2 innings. Tribe second sacker Joe Gordon hit a 2 run shot right after Lou Boudreau singled with 2 outs. Beradinano doubled home Kennedy to score the third run in the 2nd. Cleveland starter Mike Garcia was literally on cruise control until the 6th when the floodgates opened up and Boston burned him for 4 scores to take a 1 run lead all with 2 outs. After Damon flew out to Doby and Lou Merloni grounded third to first Nomar doubled and Manny hit a tape measure shot to make the score 3-2. Hillebrand then walked and was followed by Trot Nixon who single and promptly stole second. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and two out lefty Brian Daubach singled both home to put Boston on top. By the top of the 8th Wakefield was long gone. Arrojo and Haney combined to foul up the 8th as the Tribe scored 2 runs and regained the lead as Larry Doby led off the inning with a single and with 2 outs Mickey Vernon homered to right to score two off of Darren Oliver, who was Boston's 5th reliever of the day. Catcher Doug Mirabelli led off the bottom of the 9th by popping out to Ken Keltner at 3rd. Cliff Floyd pinch hit for Oliver and singled to right center off of Cleveland reliver Paige. Damon followed with a single of his own to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Carlos Baerga was sent up to bat for Merloni and he grounded weakly to second, but did advance the runners. With 2 out and runners on 2nd and 3rd Paige hung a curveball and Nomar hit a long double off the green monster to win the game.

Game 4: The series finale saw 6 Red Sox pitchers combine to toss a 3 hit shutout. Pedro started this game, but didn't have control of the plate. Cleveland was not able to score off him but he did yield 4 walks and 2 hits over 6 innings. Pedro also fanned 9 Indians, but his pitch count swelled over the 150 mark and he was gone after 6. The Sox were forced to use a combination of Gomes, Embree, Banks and Haney to get to Urbina who closed out the 9th by fanning 2. Boston scored it's first run in the 4th and had to nurse a 1 run lead until the 8th, when they got a key insurance run as Damon tripled home pinch hitter Brian Daubach. Boston's first run was scored in the 4th, when Cliff Floyd doubled home Lou Merloni, who reached first on a walk. Pedro improved his record to 4-2 and Urbina notched his 4th save.

'63 Cards sweep '63 Giants

2008-02-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

It was baseball at Candlestick Park as the Giants hosted the Cardinals in two game set. The Giants came in winners of 8 out of the last 10. They came away losers of 4 straight to the Cards. Manager Mike Roberts has the Cards on a roll, as they've won 9 of their last 10.

Game 1
Juan Marichal took the mound for the Giants and faced Curt Simmons for the Cardinals. San Fran took the lead on 4 straight singles in the bottom of the 4th to take a 2-0 lead. But it wouldn't hold up as Altman hit a routine grounder to 2nd. Hiller threw the ball in the dugout and Altman went to 2nd. Musial was intentionally walked, then Sawatski followed with a HR and the Cards were ahead,3-2. The Giants tried to tie it up in the bottom of the 9th by scoring a run but Simmons shut the last two batters down and the Cards had the win, 4-3

Game 2
With the Giants looking for a split in San Francisco, the Giants threw Jack Sanford at the Cards, with St. Louis throwing future Giant Ray Sadecki at San Fran. The Giants opened the scoring in the 4th by scoring 4 runs highlighted by an Ed Bailey HR. Sadecki was pulled in the 3rd as Stan Musial pinch hit for him and Ron Taylor relieved Sadecki to start the 4th. Throwing no hit ball the rest of the way, the Cardinals scored 2 runs each in the 6th,7th,8th to take game 2, 6-4.

Game 3
Game 3 moved to Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, with Bobby Shantz getting his 4th win of the year as he relieved starter Lew Burdette and Harry Fanok. San Franciso, for the 3rd straight game opened the scoring in the 4th with singles by Mays, Davenport,a double by Bailey and another single by Hiller and it was 3-0, Giants. With the score 4-1 going into the bottom of the 8th the Cards slapping base hits and a Giant error tied it up. Going into extra innings the Cardinals put runners on the corners with one out. Stan "the Man" Musial pinch hit for Booby Shantz in the bottom of the 11th and smacked a base hit to right and the Giants went home a loser, 5-4.

Game 4
The Giants looking to salvage something from the series put Bobby Bolin on the mound. St. Louis countered with future Hall of Famer, Bob Gibson. Again, San Francisco jumped to a lead,scoring 3 in the top of the 1st and 2 in the 3rd to take a 5-0 lead. St.Louis came roaring back to tie the game over the next 5 innings to send into extra innings.In the bottom of the 10th Ken Boyer flied to right and Tim McCarver followed with a walk off homer to end the game and give the Cards the sweep.

The series propelled St Louis to the top of the NL East while San Fran dropped back to a game back in the west. -contributed by Jim Walden-

'04 Cubs split with '85 Padres

2008-02-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

Game 1 - Tim Flannery's 2-run HR in the 6th off Frank Beltran gave the Pads a 5-1 lead. But a 4-run 6th for Chicago would tie the game at 5. In the7th, Jerry Davis' PH 2-run single off Kent Mercker reclaimed a 7-5 lead forSD. The Cubs got one back in the bottom of the 7th, but Tim Stoddard andRich Gossage pitched perfect innings in the 8th and 9th to close out a 7-6San Diego win.

Game 2 - La Marr Hoyt suffered through a 4 HR Cubs outburst as Chicago woneasily 9-1. Carlos Zambrano went the distance, allowing 5 hits and 1unearned run. Corey Patterson hit a pair of HR, and was joined by SammySosa and Nomar Garciaparra.

Game 3 - Another blowout win for the Cubs, 19-4. Five runs in the 6th, 6 inthe 9th inflated the score. Sammy Sosa hit a grand slam and had 6 RBI.Corey Patterson added 4 more RBI. Greg Maddux worked into the 9th but hadto leave after a rain delay. Padre fans would just have soon called itafter 8.

Game 4 - After two difficult games, Eric Show and Rich Gossage combine toblank the Cubs 1-0. The lone run came on Tim Flannery's RBI double in the8th off reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Glendon Rusch pitched 7 shutout inningsbefore leaving for a pinch hitter.

'88 Twins and '07 Tigers split

2008-02-15T05:14:00.000-08:00

9/9 Minnesota (8-8) comes to Comerica to visit the Tigers (9-7). Frank Viola would be opposing Jeremy Bonderman. The Tigers struck first on consecutive singles by Polanco, Sheffield and Ordonez. They added a second run in the 4th on a Casey 1b and Thames 2b. Bonderman cruised until the 7th, when Bush opened with a 2b and was bunted to 3rd by Lambordozzi. Gaetti drove Bush home with a pinch hit single. Ledezma came in to face Moses and gave up a triple to tie the game. Rodney came in and closed the door in the 7th. The game remained tied until Larkin led off the ninth with his first home run of the season. Roy Smith earned his first win and Reardon got his fourth save. Rodney took the loss.

9/10 After Hrbek doubled in the first with two out, Gaetti homered off starter Nate Robertson. Tiger manager Tom Davis was heard to say, "It doesnt matter what team I manage, that guy simply kills me. I should have walked him. Oh well, it's only the first inning." Jis words were prophetic. Bert Blyleven just didnt have it today as he gave up two homers in the bottom half of the first, a two run shot by Polanco and a three run homer by Sheffield. The Tigers added another run in th frame and left the first leading 6-2. In the third, the Tigers sent 10 players to the plate, scoring six times including a three run bases loaded double by Polanco. The Tigers aded three more in the 7th on Mark Rabelo's first homer of the season. The Twins picked up two meaningless runs in the 9th. Robertson cruised to his 4th win as the Tigers spanked the Twins 16-4,

9/11 The series switched to the Metrodome as the Twins jumped on Tiger started Justin Verlander early and often. Kent Hrbek hit his 4th homer of the season, a three run shot in the bottom of the first. The Twins tallied single runs in each of the next four innings including Larkin's second homer of the series. The Tigers could only manage single runs in the 5th and 7th off starter Alan Anderson who threw a complete game for his 4th win of the season, 7-2.

9/12 Chad Durbin got his first start of the season for the Tigers. The Olde English D jumped all over Twins starter Les Straker in the first. Polanco doubled home Granderson, then Rodriguez and Sheffield plated runs with singles. Inge hit a 3-run homer in the 4th and the Tigers scored three more in the 6th before the Twins got to Durbin in the bottom of the 6th on a Gaetti 2-run homerun. But the early deficeit was too large and Durbin earned his first win 9-4. The Tigers totalled 55 hits in the 4 games, including two 18 hit outbursts to the Twins 39, although the Twins outhomered the Tigers 5-4. Tom Davis

'93 Yankees 3, '06 Angels 1

2008-02-14T07:50:00.000-08:00

GAME 1: Jeff Weaver started and got torched by the high flying Bombers. Calling Weaver pathetic would be an understatement. Sadly he would get released from this team and move over to the Cardinals and win a World Series ring. He's the ultimate headcase pitcher.

GAME 2: The Angels continued to not score runs as Jimmy Key shut them out.

GAME 3: A popular theme here...The Angels can't score. This time Jim Abbott (4-0) shut them out as his offense hammered John Lackey for 7 runs on 11 hits. The bottoom of the Yankee lineup had 7 of those hits with catcher Mike Stanley being responsible for 3.

GAME 4: The Angels finally got their offense in gear and barely held on to beat Bob Wickman. Down 5-4 in the 6th the Angels posted 2 runs and behind a string of relivers they found a way to get to Frankie Rodriguez who threw a scoreless ninth.

'02 Red Sox 3, '80 Oakland 1

2008-02-14T07:09:00.000-08:00

GAME 1: Tim Wakefield's knuckler was dazzling as he tossed 8 shutout inning before tiring. All 4 Boston runs were scored on two run homers hit by Johnny Damon and Nomar.

GAME 2: Boston blew the doors off in this one as they scored 9 runs off A's starter Steve McCatty. The Bosox tallied 10 runs in total behind John Burkett who took his record to 3-0 in an 8 inning 1 run performance. Damon hit a homer in his second consecutive game and Shea Hillenbrand had 3 hits.

GAME 3: Mike Norris did not have one of his banner outings as he gave up 6 runs in almost 8 innings of work. He was better than Frank Castillo and the Red Sox defense. Oakland had 4 homers in this game. None was bigger than Mitchell Page's 3 run shot in the 4th. Lacey came on to save the game for Oakland as the A's barely held on to win their only game of the series.

GAME 4: Boston doctors are beginning to worry about Pedro. Not only has he lost velocity, but his stamina has also been declining. While most pitchers would be happy with a 7 2/3 inning performance that netted 11k's and 3 ER's, Pedro and the Sox fans are not. Banks, Embree and Urbina combined to finish it out. The Red Sox were hanging on to a 1 run lead until the 8th when Nomar led off with a single and Trot doubled after Manny flew out. Oakland intentionally walked Hillenbrand and Daubach added the insurance run with a sac fly to Dwayne Murphy in center.Boston moved to a league leading 15-5, while Oakland dropped to 8-12.

'02 Red Sox 3, '06 Angels 1

2008-02-14T06:27:00.000-08:00

GAME 1: John Burkett wasn't as terrible as John Lackey as the Bosox took the opener 7-5 Boston scored 3 in the 5th inning when Shea Hillebrand hit a 2 run shot on a 3 hit day. Wayne Gomes came on to throw 2 scoreless innings to notch the save.

GAME 2: Casey Fossum won his 3rd of the season as the Bosox battered Bart Colon for 6 runs over 8 innings. Nomar had 3 hits. Frank Castillo pitched the final 2.2 scoreless innings in relief.

GAME 3: In a wild one at Fenway the Sawx held on to win by 1 over the fading Angels. Derek Lowe was tossing a no hitter, but had to leave the game in the 5th due to tighness in his shoulder. Darren Oliver came on and pitched poorly. Brian Daubach had 4 Ribbies. Urbina notched his second save as he came on in relief.

GAME 4: Jerred Weaver + Pedro = 1 good old fashioned pitcher's duel. Both hurlers were brilliant. The Angels scored once off of Pedro in the second and made it stand the rest of the way as Weaver scattered 3 hits across 7 innings and Steve Shield pitched two scoreless innings in relief for his first save. The only run of the game scored on a DP as Vlad Guerrero touched home as Howie Kendrick doubled up Rivera and himself.

'07 Tigers 3, '49-Indians 1

2008-02-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

9/4 The Tigers came to Cleveland trailing the Indians by one game in the standings. Cleveland ace Bob Lemon (3-0) would be taking the mound against Tiger rookie righthander Jair Jurrjens. The game was scoreless until the third when Curtis Granderson clubbed a bases loaded triple off Lemon. He scored on a Gary Sheffield scarifice fly. The Tigers added four more in the 5th on a Magglio Ordonez grandslam. Ray Boone hit a homer off Jurrjens in the bottom of the fifth for the Indians only run. Detroit added five more in the 8th and Jurrjens went the distance in a 13-1 win.

9/5 The Tigers opened the scoring off Rapid Robert Feller in the first with a Granderson single, a walk to Carlos Guillen and a double by Ordonez which plated Granderson. Pudge Rodriguz singled home Guillen and Sean Casey scored Ordonez on a sac fly. But that would all the Tiger would get off Feller. Nate Robertson made it stand up however as he only allowed Cleveland single runs in the third and fourth inning. Robertson needed rrelief help from Bobby Seay and Fernando Rodney to record his third win of the season as the Tigers took the second game 3-2

9/6 The scene shifted to Comerica Park where Mike Garcia would be looking for his first win of the season. He would be opposed by Justin Verlander. The Indians opened the scoring in the first as Verlander experienced his usual first inning lethargy. Lou Boudrean, in the midst of a terrible slump, singled with one out, Larry Doby followed with a two out single. Joe Gordon walked and Thurman Tucker drove home two with a single. The Tigers came back with single runs in the third and fourth on sacrifice flies by Marcus Thames and Sheffield. In the fifth, Mickey Vernon opened the inning with a single and Verlander then hit Doby in the leg with a pitch. After a walk to Gordon, Verlander struck out Tucker. But Jim Hegan dropped a bunt and just like int he 2006 World Series, Verlander threw late to home. With the Tigers at double play depth, Ken Keltner then dropped a bunt down the third base line. Brandon Inge threw h im out at first, but the Indians had all the runs they would need. a Carlos Guillen sac fly brought the Tigers to within one in the 8th. However Ray Bradbury fireman Todd Jones gave up a 2 run homer to Joe Gordon in the ninth and the Indians won 5-3. Garcia went the distance for his first win.

9/7 Looking to salvage a split, Early Wynn took the mound against Kenny Rogers. Magglio Ordonez hit his fourth homer of the season in the first to stake Rogers to a two run lead. The Gambler made it stand through five innings of two hit ball. However a 56 minute rain delay in the bottom of the fifth sent Kenny to the shower and Chad Durbin came in to pitch. Durbin was up to the effort as he allowed the Indians only one run over four innings, a Joe Gordon homer in the ninth, his fourth of the season. The Tigers coasted to a 5-1 win despite two Carlos Guillen errors, giving him 9 for the season. Little used Timo Perez went 3-3 with a walk to raise his average to an astounding .643. Ordonez went 3-4 to raise his average to a solid .400 -contributed by Tom Davis-

'85-SD 2, '74-CIN 2

2008-02-14T05:45:00.000-08:00

Game 1 Cincinnati, Dave Dravecky and Fred Norman, a couple of southpaws were shutting down both offenses through 6 innings. In fact, The Padres were so desperate to score runs that the manager lifted Dravecky after 6 innings. No big deal but he had not allowed a hit through those 6 innings. The Padres took the lead in the top of the 7th inning on a 2 RBI double by Steve Garvey. That was the only scoring of the game as the Goose came in the ninth to slam the door for his 2nd save of the year. Dave Dravecky (2-1) got the win and McQueen (0-1) got the lose.

Game 2 Cincinnati, The Reds got revenge on the Padres in the second game of the series as they spotted their starting pitcher, Jack Billingham with an early 3-0 lead in the 3rd inning. Singles by Rose and Joe Morgan and then a three run homerun by Johnny Bench. Solo homeruns by Perez and another one by Bench later in the game made the final score 5-1 in favor of the Reds. Winning pitcher was Jack Billingham(2-2), who went the distance and allowed only 1 run on 8 hits. LeMarr Hoyt pitched a complete game for the Padres but got the loss as he moves to a disappointing 0-3 on the year.

Game 3 San Diego, Jack Murphy Stadium, The Padres hoped that returning to their home park would charge their offense. The Padres bats did wake up in the third game as they battled the powerful Reds throughout the game. The Reds got out to a 4-0 lead as they struck in the second inning. An error by third baseman Kurt Bevacqua started the rally for the Reds. The next two batters singled and pitcher Don Gullett walked to load the bases. Little Joe Morgan then hit a grandslam homerun into the seats in right field to make the score 4-0. The Padres did manage to battle back as they plated 3 runs in the fourth inning as Kevin McReynolds connected for an opposite field 2-run homer to right field and the next batter, Carmelo Martinez hit a solo blast over the temporary fence in left field. The score was now 5-3 Reds and it was a game! The Big Red Machine is not a fancy name but a testament to the power of the Reds lineup. Cincinnati added insurance in the sixth inning with two more runs and added another run in the 8th inning on back to back doubles by Driessen and Geronimo. The Padres did manage to squeak across two more runs in the bottom of the 7th on back to back homeruns by Terry Kennedy and Kurt Bevacqua. The Reds held on to win this offensive match 8-5. The winning pitcher was Don Gullett (1-2) as he pitched a complete game. Eric Show got the start and loss for the Padres and moves to 1-2 on the season as he allowed 7 runs(only 3 earned) through 6 innings pitched.

Game 4, San Diego, Jack Murphy Stadium, The last game of the series matched up former Padre Clay Kirby against the young right hander Andy Hawkins. The Padres struck first as they pushed across 5 runs in the 3rd inning. Tim Flannery and Steve Garvey drove in solo runs on singles. The big blow came off the bat of the old pro Graig Nettles as he drove in 3 runs on a double into the right field corner. Nettles had been struggling in the early going but this hit may get him going. The Reds mounted a comeback as they scored one run in the 7th inning and two in the 8th. However, the strong Padres bullpen closed the door. Craig Lefferts pitched 2 innings to set the game up for the Goose in the 9th. Gossage come in and slammed the door in the ninth to seal the game and preserve the 4 game split. Hawkins won (1-2) and Kirby suffered his first loss of the season (2-1). The Goose earned his 3rd save. -contributed by Joey Scigliano-

'63-Giants sweep '79-Phillies

2008-01-25T11:09:00.000-08:00

Game 1 With Juan Marichal on the mound for the Giants and Steve Carlton with the ball for the Philles, a pitchers duel was in the making. Marichal gave up a lead off single to Pete Rose and it looked like the Phils would get things started early, but Marichal shut down the next three hitters and the Phils couldn't score. Felipe Alou lead off the 1st for the Giants with a double, Jose Pagan moved him to 3rd on a grounder to 2nd followed by a base hit by Willie Mays and the Giants took a 1-0 lead. A lead off home run by Gary Maddox in the Phillies 2nd gave them a 2-1 lead. It stayed that way through five. In the bottom of the 6th Pagan smacked a double and Mays followed with a home rum for a 3-2 Giant lead. The score held up as Marichal shut down the Phillies,scattering 5 hits over nine innings, to win his first to go 1-1 on the year. Carlton took the loss only giving up 4 hits to the Giants.

Game 2 Sanford started game 2 for the Giants, while Lerch pitched for the Phillies. The Giants played long ball with Felipe Alou poking 2 HR, with Mays, Cepeda, Haller each knocking one a piece. Sanford only gave up 6 hits as he pitched a complete game, winning his first(1-0). With the Giants scoring 7 runs in the first 4 innings, the Phils never seriously threatened. The Giants taking game 2 at home 10-1.

Game 3 moved to Veterans Stadium with Espinosa going for the Phils and the Giants countering with O'dell. With neither team seriously threatening throught the first 4 the score was scoreless. In the bottom of the 5th Espinoas lead off with a routine ground out to 2nd. Pete Rose followed with a single up the middle and Bake MCBride hit one in the LF seats and the Phils were on top 2-0. But the lead did not hold up long as O'delll lead off the top of the 6th with a double and then Felipe Alou hit another HR to tie it up. Following a Pagan fly out to right, Mays doubled off the wall and Willie McCovey knocked one in the right field seats and the Phil lead had been erased. With O'dell shutting down the Phillies the rest of the way, San Fran took game 3 by the score of 4-2.

Game 4 Bolin for San Francisco, facing Saucier for Philadelphia was the matchup for game 4 in the City of Brotherly Love. The Giants were looking to sweep the Phillies and using the long ball, again, they did just that. Philadelphis started the scoring with a Pete Rose double folloowed by a McBride single. Mike Scmidt walked loading the bases with no body out. A missed double play attempt allowed Rose to score. Bolin pitched his way out of the jam only giving up the one run. Another Felipe Alou HR followed by a Jose Pagan single lead to a Willie McCovey HR and the Giants were up 3-1.In the top of the 4th,popped out to 2nd. Then Jim Davenport singled,Hiller singled...and then the pitcher,Bolin knocked one in the LF seats and the Giants were up 6-1. Looking to salvage a game in the series, a couple of walks to Trillo and Bowa followed by singles to Gross and Rose and it was tied,6-6. In the top of the 7th Alou singled, Pagan singled, then Willie Mays tripled scoring Alou and Pagan. After getting McCovey to pop to first, Orlando Cepeda homered and San Fran was up 10-6. It stayed that way has Gaylord Perry came in and preserved the win.
Home runs by the mighty hitting Felipe Alou lead the Giants in the 4 games as San Fransisco hit 12 over the 4 games. The Giants went to tied for 1st place in the division.

-contributed by Jim Walden-

'02-Red Sox sweep '65-Orioles

2008-01-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

The 2002 Boston Red Sox are on a quest to prove that they should not be forgotten in the annals of their franchises history. The 1965 Orioles, on the other hand, find their season on the ropes. Manager Bob Kalec talked openly about rumblings about his immanent firing. We'll keep our eye on that situation as it develops.

GAME 1: Derek Lowe took on Milt Pappas. The Sawx scored 4 runs in the bottom of the and never looked back. Nomar's 3 runs shot was the difference. Lowe went 8 1/3 innings before yielding to Urbina, even though it was not a save situation. Pappas went the distance. Johnny Damon banged out 3 hits and also had 2 RBI's.

GAME 2: Boston again scored 5 in this contest as Pedro improved on his opening peformance by only yielding 2 runs in 8 innings of work. Urbina came on again to close it out, this time notching the save. Trot Nixon hit a 2 run shot in the 3rd to give the hometown team a 4-0 lead. Norm Siebern homered for Baltimore in a losing cause.

GAME 3: The Red Sox proved themselves to be inhospitable guest by blowing out the Orioles 6-1 at Memorial Stadium. Knuckleball king Tim Wakefield had catcher Doug Mirabelli diving all over the place, as well as the Oriole hitters. Wake struck out 5 in 7 1/3 innings of work, while his opponent Dave McNally gave up 6 in 7. Six different Boston players had RBI's and Shea Hillebrand had 3 hits.

GAME 4: The final score was 7-1 in favor of the Sox who wound up sweeping the series. Don't let the final score fool you into thinking this game was a blow out. In fact it was a 1-1 tie that had to go 11 innings to find a winner. The game lasted 4 hours and 6 minutes due to the slow pace, extra frames and a 20 minute rain delay in the 10th. Baltimore jumped out on top in the 3rd as Curt Blefary hit a low liner to right that was caught by Trot Nixon, who fell down and couldn't throw the speedy Aparicio out at the plate. Luis originally reached first on an error by Red Sox first baseman Brian Daubach. Darren Oliver started for the Bosox and gave up only 1 un-earned run in 8 full innings of work. O's starter Wally Bunker didn't last as long. With 1 out in the third he left the game with a slight shoulder strain and is expected to miss 1 start. Don Larsen came on in relief and "Mr. Perfect" tossed 5+ innings of no run ball...until the 9th when the Red Sox offense finally scored a run to tie the game. In the ninth Boston had 2 outs and a man on 3rd, when catcher Jason Varitek singled home Jose Offerman, who pinch ran for Trot Nixon. On to extra innings the game went. Neither team scored in the 10th, but in the 11th reliever Stu Miller ran out of gas and the floodgates began to open. Miller letup 6 runs before the Boston half inning was completed. Varitek struck again recording the GWRBI. Casey Fossum got the win with 3 perfect innings of relief.

'63 Cardinals 4, '85 Padres 0

2008-01-23T20:28:00.000-08:00

Game 1 at San Diego: St. Louis -1, San Diego-0, 10 innings Ray Washburn and Mark Thurmond took the mound to start the four game series between the ’63 Cardinals and ’85 Padres. Thurmond set the tone of the game right away by striking out Curt Flood to start the game, and retired the Cardinals in order. Washburn faced only three Padre batters in the first as well, but surrendered a walk to Tim Flannery, but he was erased in a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Steve Garvey. The two pitchers battled through 7 innings of scoreless ball, rarely facing trouble. Craig Lefferts came on for San Diego in the 8th and retired the Redbirds in order. Manager Bike Mike allowed Washburn to hit for himself in that 8th inning. In the bottom half, Washburn quickly retired the first two hitters before Garvey lined a single. Graig Nettles then hit a sharp two-hopper that handcuffed Julian Javier, who was given an error on the play, Garvey stopping at second. On came Bobby Shantz. Carmelo Martinez greeted Shantz with a sharp single to center. Curt Flood charged the ball as Garvey lumbered around third. Flood uncorked a perfect one hop throw home to Gene Oliver, who blocked the plate and tagged out Popeye. On to the ninth, still scoreless. Lefferts allowed a single to Javier, but no further damage. Shantz surrendered a single and wild pitch in the bottom half, but kept the Padres at bay. The Cardinals finally broke through in the 10th off of Tim Stoddard. George Altman stroked a one out single to right, and Gene Oliver doubled him to third. Tim McCarver replaced Oliver on second base, the hope that his better speed might net an insurance run. Shantz was due up, so manager Roberts went to the bench for veteran Stan Musial, mired in an early season slump. Stan was hitless, and did not get his first hit this time either, but got enough of the bat on the ball to loft a fly to medium deep center. Altman tagged and scored. That was the lone run of the inning, and the game. Ron Taylor came on for St. Louis and gave up a hit, but retired the Friars without further incident and the Cardinals had their second win of the season against three defeats. The Padres dropped to 1-4.

Game 2 at San Diego: St. Louis -4, San Diego-2, 16 innings The Cardinals and Padres again went extra innings in game two, a four hour thirty-nine minute marathon that wasn’t decided until the 16th inning. This was the fourth overtime game for the Cardinals, out of six games played. Ernie Broglio and Eric Show toed the slab for the two clubs. The game was scoreless after three, when the Cardinals put together a two run rally in the fourth. Curt Flood walked to lead off the frame, followed by a perfectly executed hit and run by bat magician Dick Groat. Bill White kept it going, singling home Flood and sending Groat to third. Kenny Boyer then launched a deep fly to center fielder Kevin McReynolds that plated Groat. The snake bit Musial then lined a shot right at Garvey, who snagged it and tagged White to complete and unassisted double play. The Padres got solo home runs in the fourth and fifth innings, Terry Kennedy and Steve Garvey taking Broglio deep, to bring the score even at two. And there is stayed through 15 innings of baseball. A weary Tim Stoddard took the hill as San Diego’s sixth pitcher in the top of the 16th. Stoddard didn’t have it, giving up two runs on three hits. Veteran Lew Burdette came on for the Cardinals in the bottom of the 16th, and gave up one out singles to Jerry Royster and Carmelo Martinez. Could the Padres pull off the comeback? Not this time. Burdette bore down and retired McReynolds and Kennedy on ground outs to end the game.

Game 3 at St. Louis: San Diego-4, St. Louis-6 Young flame thrower Bob Gibson took the hill in front of the home town fans for game 3, facing Padre right-hander Andy Hawkins. The Padres looked like they were on their way to their first win of the series, jumping on Gibson for a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth, Gibson’s control getting him into trouble. The Cardinals stuck back in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two on a Curt Flood double, and singles by Groat, White (scoring Flood), Boyer (scoring Groat) and McCarver. Up stepped the struggling Musial with the bases juiced. But alas, Stan’s slump continued as he fouled out to catcher Terry Kennedy. George Altman grounded out, ending the inning. Ray Sadecki took over for Gibson, and blanked the Pads in the seventh. The Cardinals then jumped on Hawkins in the seventh, with four singles, a double, and a walk, all good for four runs and a 6-4 lead. Sadecki retired the visitors in order in the 8th and 9th innings to nail down the victory.

Game 4 at St. Louis: San Diego-4, St. Louis-5 Gene Oliver put a crimp in the Padres hope of salvaging a win in this series, but unloading a second inning grand slam home run off of Dave Dravecky to jump start the Cardinals to 4-0 lead. Curt Simmons, roughed up by the ’85 Mets in his first start, was much sharper this time around. The Redbirds made it 5-0 with a run in third, which was answered by San Diego in their half of the fourth. The Padres hit Simmons for a three spot in the seventh, bringing them to within a run at 5-4. But the crafty veteran retired the Friars in order in the eighth and ninth innings to give the Cardinals a sweep of the series.

-contributed by Mike "bike mike" Roberts-

'07-Tigers 3, '75-Royals 1

2008-01-23T20:13:00.000-08:00

Game 1: Steve Busby was masterful as he threw a complete game shutout scattering five hits on the way to a 2-0 victory. All the runs came in the second. After Al Cowens was hit by Jeremy Bonderman, Jim Wohlford tripled and Fran Healy singled. This was all Busby needed.

Game 2 The Tigers used 5 pitchers to contain the Royals in a 5-2 victory. Nate Robertson got his first win of the season and Todd Jones earned his second save.

Game 3 Dave Leonard was masterful for 7.2 innings as he gave up only 2 runs on 2 Tiger homers. Brandon Inge homered in the second. On his next trip to the plate, he was beaned by Leonard and had to leave the game. Warnings were issued to both benches and there were no further incidents. Leonard gave way to Marty Pattin in the 8th who promptly gave up a a triple to Carlos Guillen to make the score 4-3. The Tigers scored off Doug Bird in the bottom of the 9th to send the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the tenth, with runners on second and third and one out, Doug Bird got a big strikeout of Tiger leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson. Placido Polanco, who had homered off Leonard in the 8th, hit the next offering by Bird just out reach of Freddie Patek and Todd Jones earned his first win.

Game 4: In a game played in a light rain, KC jumped out to a 2-1 lead. Pudge Rodriguez, batting third in place of a slumping Gary Sheffield, erased the lead with a 3rd inning grand slam. The Tigers added three more runs but there was NO quit in the Roayls. They got one in the 7th on a Cookie Rojas sacrifice fly and added two more in the 8th on a Jim Wohlford pinchhit double. Fernando Rodney gave up a third run on a wild pitch and the Royals went into the 9th down 8-6. With Rodney still on the mound, Rojas led off and was safe on a Carlos Guillen, the third Tiger error of the game. George Brett stroked a double and Wilfredo Ledezma came into face John Mayberry. He walked Mayberry and with dh Harmon Killebrew coming to the plate, gave way to Todd Jones. Killebrew, in the twilight of his career, gave way to pinchhitter Bob Stimson. Stimson grounded into a 6-4-3 double play and the Royal were down 8-7 with the tying run on third. Al Cowens, who was 3-4 with two doubles, hit a groundball to Inge and the game was over.Both teams are now at 4-4. -contributed by Tom Davis-

'82-LA 3, '74-CIN 1

2008-01-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

The opening series for the 1982 Dodgers in KOD2 have them facing the 1974 Big Red Machine of Cincinnati.

In Game 1, Valenzuela took the mound for LA and Billingham took it for Cincy. LA got things off in the bottom 1st with a 2-run shot by Guerrero. In the bottom 3rd, Garvey singled home Sax – to give LA a 2-0 lead after 3. LA struck again in the 5th with another 2-run shot by Guerrero. In the 6th, Sax singled home another run for LA – who now led 6-0 after 6. Meanwhile, Valenzuela held Cincy scoreless thru 6 – giving up a few scattered hits. Cincy got on the board in the 7th, with a Double by Driessen. But, LA countered in the bottom half of the 7th with a 3-run shot by Guerrero (3), his 3rd of the game. LA led 9-1 after 7 – and only gave up another run in the 8th. Guerrero had 3 homers and 7 RBI’s in this one. LA wins 9-2.

In Game 2, Reuss (LA) would face Gullett (Cincy). Both teams were cold for the first 3 innings. In the bottom 4th, LA scored on a 3-run shot by Baker (1). That was pretty much the game, as Gullett settled down to hold LA to only 1 other run in the 8th off a Guerrero Double. Both pitchers went the distance, as Gullett pitched well for those 8 innings – but Reuss pitched better with a 4-hit shutout. LA wins 4-0.

In Game 3, LA had Welch going – and he would face Kirby. Also, LA rested a few of their starters for this game. Cincy struck first with a 2-run shot from Bench (1) and another solo shot from Geronimo (1) – for quick 3-0 lead. The backups for LA struggled until the 6th, when they managed a run with some scattered hits. Cincy countered in the 6th with another solo shot from Morgan (1). Cincy now led 4-1 after 6. LA scored 2 in the top 7th – with the help of a wild pitch from Kirby – but that was as close as they would get. Cincy held for a 4-3 win, as Kirby went the distance. In

Game 4, Cincy looked to even the series – as Norman squared off against Stewart (LA). LA decided to keep a few bench players in to rest their starters even further. Cincy scored first in the bottom 2nd off a Single from Foster. However, that is all Cincy could muster against Stewart. Norman held his own for 8.2 innings, but LA did score a run in the top 7th off a solo shot from Marshall (1). Stewart pitched 7 solid innings giving up only 3 hits and that one run. LA then used Forster and Niedenfuer to hold the 8th and 9th, respectively. With the score tied 1-1, we were now heading into Xtra innings folks. LA did not waste any time as they got to Borbon early with a 2-run shot from Baker (2). Niedenfuer held his part in the 10th and Howe came in for his first Save. LA wins 3-1.

-contributed by Georges Bseraini-

El Perfecto !!! Mike Norris tosses Perfect Game vs 88-Twins

2008-01-20T14:03:00.000-08:00

1980 was the lone bright shinny year in Mike Norris' troubled career. That was the year he put it all together to win 22 games and contend for the Cy Young award. Billy Martin gave him the ball every 4th or 5th day and he never dissapointed. Norris narrowly lost the Cy Young award to Steve Stone of the Orioles who won 25, but was no where near as dominant as Norris was.

Let's set the stage for this game. The 1980 Oakland A's are facing the 1988 Minnesota Twins and All-Star hurler Bert Blyleven. The Twins are fresh off a World Championship in 1987 and have one of the most potent lineups a pitcher could face. Oakland in 1980 was under the tuteledge of Billy Martin, the Firery Little Genius, who managed every game like it was game 7 of the World Series. Martin was a great manager, who wore out his welcome as fast as he wore out the young arms of his pitching staff.

Norris saw 27 Twin batters and set them all down, but still had to worry about the win since his opposing number, Bert Blyleven, wasn't allowing any runs to score either. The A's won it with a 2 out walk off hit by Wayne Gross in the bottom of the 9th. I found it very funny that the game program chose Gross as the game MVP and not Mr. Norris, who must feel grossly (all puns intended) underappreciated.

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 3 Outs: 1 Bases: 1st
Dave McKay steps in against Blyleven runner on 1st Blyleven looks at first the first offering from Blyleven Henderson is going for 2nd pitch out Laudner throws to 2nd Henderson ends up at third! Laudner will be charged with an error

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 6 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st
Dwayne Murphy at the plate Armas is on deck if he gets on..man on 1st the first pitch to Murphy he swings..grounder between third and short it's a base hit McKay moves to third Murphy rounds and holds at first

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 6 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st & 3rd
Tony Armas against Blyleven Page is on deck if he gets on..runners on the corners Blyleven is in a jam1-0 count fastball Armas swings..lined towards right center and catches it no runs, one hit, no errors after 6 complete 88 Minnesota 0, 80 Oakland 0

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 9 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty
Dave Revering steps in against Blyleven 2 balls, 2 strikes Revering swings..broken-bat blooper toward right base hit and it gets by Bush! Revering ends up at 2nd

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 9 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd
Wayne Gross steps in against Blyleven runner on 2nd the first pitch to Gross he swings..grounded between third and shortand into left for a base hit Revering will score from 2nd perfect game for Norris!! perfect game for Norris!!

80-A's and 88-Twins split series 2-2

2008-01-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

10 series played and the last one is the only one that featured a 2-2 split. In fact the teams even split games in each venue. The key moment occurred in Game 2 when Mike Norris threw the second KOD no-hitter and 1st ever KOD perfect game.

Here are some key highlights from the series by game:

GAME 1: Kirby Pucket went 3 for 5 with 5 RBI's and 2 HR's as Frank Viola gutted out a game where he didn't have his best stuff, but still notched the win. Keith Atherton came on to pitch the 9th and notch the save. The A's threatened in the home half of the 9th and Rickey Henderson was a demon on the basepaths with 3 thefts.

Aug 20 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 1 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty
Rob Picciolo to the plate the count is even, 1-1 Picciolo swings..well hit fly ball down the left field line it could go Moses chasing back..Home Run! that's his first home run on the year a 348 foot shot
Aug 20 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 2Inning: 2 Outs: 1 Bases: Empty
Tim Laudner faces Langford 1 ball, 0 strikes Laudner swings..deep fly ball down the left field lineit's got a chance to go..Henderson to the warning track..a long way out of here! that's Laudner's first home run 376 foot homer

Aug 20 88 Minnesota 1 80 Oakland 2Inning: 3 Outs: 0 Bases: 1st & 2nd
Kirby Puckett faces Langford runners on 1st and 2nd 0-1 count Puckett swings..flied deep towards left center way back thereracing back is Henderson..out of here! Puckett's first home run a 397 foot homer.

Aug 20 88 Minnesota 4 80 Oakland 4Inning: 7 Outs: 1 Bases: 1st
Kirby Puckett now batting Hrbek is on deck..runner on 1st1-0 count Puckett swings..he rips a deep fly ball to left center Murphy back pedaling..on the trackit's gone!that's his 2nd HR of the game that's number 2 for Puckett a 395 foot shot

Aug 20 88 Minnesota 6 80 Oakland 4Inning: 7 Outs: 1 Bases: Empty
the first baseman Kent Hrbek steps inthe first delivery from Langford breaking ball Hrbek swings..fly ball to right center driven it could goMurphy and Armas chasing back Home Run he got a hanging curve!the first home run for Hrbek384 foot homer

Aug 20 88 Minnesota 7 80 Oakland 4Inning: 9 Outs: 0 Bases: 1st
Kirby Puckett against Langford Hrbek is on deck..runner on 1st1-1 count Puckett cuts..he clobbered this onehere's a deep fly..hit towards right center chasing back is Murphy the track dives and makes a sensational catch!

Aug 20 88 Minnesota 7 80 Oakland 4Inning: 9 Outs: 1 Bases: 3rd
Dave McKay steps in against Atherton man on 3rd2-0 count fastball McKay swings..on the ground to Herr at second Henderson is heading for homeHerr fires to first out Henderson scores

GAME 2: (The perfect Game)

GAME 3: The Twins jumped out and scored 3 quick runs in the first and relied on their pitching the rest of the way. Oakland starter Matt Keough gave up 4 runs over 8 innings, but couldn not get any run support. Gary Gaetti went 2-4 with a homer and 2 Ribbies.

Aug 22 80 Oakland 0 88 Minnesota 0Inning: 1 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st
the third baseman Gary Gaetti steps in runner on 1st Keough gets the sign the first delivery to Gaetti fastball Gaetti swings..he really got a hold of this one down the left field line and deep it's got a chance to go Henderson racing back Home Run! that's his first of the seasona 368 foot shot

Aug 22 80 Oakland 0 88 Minnesota 2Inning: 1 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st & 3rd
Tim Laudner comes up against Keough Gagne is on deck if he can get on..runners at the corners Keough gets the sign from Heath0-1 countfastballLaudner swings..hammered toward left center in the alley that will be extra bases Bush will score Larkin rounds third the throw comes in from Henderson he's dead Larkin dives for the plate Heath swipes the tagout! Laudner with a standing double

Aug 22 80 Oakland 0 88 Minnesota 3Inning: 4 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd
the second baseman Rob Picciolo steps inrunner on 2nd 1-0 countPicciolo cuts..he hits a grounder between third and short it's a base hit Newman takes a look at home he's heading for home Moses's throw Picciolo is going to secondit's cutoff the throw to second..it'll be close Picciolo slides Lombardozzi tags him safe on a close play! Newman scores from third

Aug 22 80 Oakland 1 88 Minnesota 3Inning: 4 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd
Mario Guerrero to the plate Henderson is on deck if he gets on..man on 2nd0-1 count Guerrero swings..grounder between 1st and 2ndbase hit Picciolo takes a wide round of third he's heading for home here comes the throw from Bush Guerrero is heading to second Picciolo slides for the plate Laudner puts the leather on himout!

Aug 22 80 Oakland 1 88 Minnesota 3Inning: 7 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty
the shortstop Greg Gagne steps inthe first offering to Gagne fastball Gagne cuts..Gagne got a hold of this one well hit fly ball towards left center Henderson and Murphy going back..it's gone!his first of the seasona 393 foot shot

GAME 4: Oakland nursed a tight 3-2 lead into the 8th inning when with 2 outs they forged a rally that netted 2 runs. Twin relieve Juan Berenguer struck out 3 batters that inning. Unfortunately it was sandwiched between a single and walk and a Dave Revering 2 out 2 RBI double. Steve McCatty pitched 9 solid innings yielding only two runs and netting the series split for his team.

Aug 23 80 Oakland 0 88 Minnesota 0Inning: 1 Outs: 1 Bases: 1st & 3rd
infield in at the corners the right fielder Tony Armas steps in..runners on the corners corners are playing up Straker looks at the runner on first 0-2 count Armas swings..he hits it on the ground between 3rd and shortand into left for a base hit Henderson crosses the plate Murphy moves to third Armas rounds and holds at first

Aug 23 80 Oakland 1 88 Minnesota 0Inning: 1 Outs: 1 Bases: 1st & 3rd
infield in at the corners Wayne Gross comes up against Straker..runners on 1st and 3rd corners are playing up Straker looking in to Laudner 2-0 count Gross swings..fly ball towards left center Puckett tracking it downhe's under itand he puts it away Murphy is trying to score Puckett will hold onto the ball

Aug 23 80 Oakland 2 88 Minnesota 0Inning: 2 Outs: 1 Bases: 2nd & 3rd
infield in at the corners the left fielder Rickey Henderson steps in..runners on 2nd and 3rd in at the corners 1-2 count Henderson swings..toward left and deep Moses drifting back on the warning track waiting for it and makes the catch Heath is trying to score there won't be a throw from Moses

Aug 23 80 Oakland 3 88 Minnesota 0Inning: 3 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty
Gary Gaetti faces McCattyhere's the wind-up and the pitch fastball Gaetti cuts..flied deep to left center Henderson backing up..out of here!Gaetti gets number 2404 foot homer

Aug 23 80 Oakland 3 88 Minnesota 1Inning: 4 Outs: 1 Bases: 1st & 3rd
infield in at the corners Rob Picciolo steps in against Straker..runners on the corners infield expecting a bunt 0-2 count Picciolo cuts..he hits a high fly ballto left centerMoses giving chase under it and catches it Revering is going home here comes the throw from Moses Heath is trying for second Revering lowers his shoulder Laudner blocked the plate Laudner puts the tag on himout!

Aug 23 80 Oakland 3 88 Minnesota 1Inning: 5 Outs: 0 Bases: Empty
Steve Lombardozzi will start the inning McCatty gets the sign from Heath McCatty deals Lombardozzi swings..long fly ball down the left field line it might be out of here Henderson racing back..it's gone if it's a fair ball it is..gone!that's his first home run on the yeara 352 foot shot

Aug 23 80 Oakland 3 88 Minnesota 2Inning: 8 Outs: 0 Bases: Empty
Dave McKay will lead off the inning Berenguer is readyf ull count fastball McKay swings..roller to Lombardozzi at second throws to firstin there!base hit

Aug 23 80 Oakland 3 88 Minnesota 2Inning: 8 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st & 2nd
the first baseman Dave Revering steps inrunners on 1st and 2nd1-2 count fastball Revering swings..it's lined down the line at third in play that will be extra base sit's in the corner all the way to the wall McKay will score Gross takes a wide round of third Moses's throw Revering is heading for third Gross hits the dirt Laudner slaps the tag on him safe! Revering goes to 3rd

59-Braves 3, 85-Padres 1

2008-01-19T10:54:00.001-08:00

This was a fun series. Joey did his best to keep the 85-Padres in it. What a tough team to manage with such little offense, but he held it close.

GAME 1: The first game saw Lew Burdette start over Warren Spahn and give the Braves 8 2/3 innings before he ceeded to Don McMahon who notched his first save of the season. Below are the PBP highlights straight from the game:

Aug 20 85 San Diego 0 59 Milwaukee 0Inning: 1 Outs: 1 Bases: Full
Del Crandall steps in, batting 5ththe sacks are fullthe first pitch to Crandallhe cuts..hit on the ground to shortTempleton has itto second for oneto firstand the throw pulled Garvey off the bagAvila scoresAaron goes to thirdAaron scoresCrandall is safe at first
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Aug 20 85 San Diego 0 59 Milwaukee 2Inning: 2 Outs: 1 Bases: 1st & 3rd
infield in at the cornersthe pitcher Eric Show steps in..runners on 1st and 3rdcorners are inBurdette gets the signthe first offering to Showhe swings..towering fly towards right centerAaron is under itand he gloves itKennedy is trying to scorehere comes the throw from AaronKennedy slides for the plateCrandall tags himsafe!__________________________________________________
Aug 20 85 San Diego 1 59 Milwaukee 2Inning: 2 Outs: 0 Bases: Empty
Johnny Logan will get this inning startedhe kicks and throwscutterLogan swings..flied to centerwell hitit's got a chance to goMcReynolds going back quicklyHome Runthe first home run for Johnny421 foot homer
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Aug 20 85 San Diego 1 59 Milwaukee 3Inning: 5 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd
Eddie Mathews at the platerunner on 2nd1-2 countMathews swings..he hits a ground ball between third and shortit's a base hitAvila takes a wide round of thirdhe's heading for homethe throw from MartinezMathews is going for secondAvila slides for the plateKennedy with the tagsafe!Mathews goes to second
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Aug 20 85 San Diego 1 59 Milwaukee 4Inning: 8 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st & 2nd
Kevin McReynolds steps in against Burdettemen on 1st and 2ndthe first pitch to McReynoldshe cuts..grounder to Mathews at thirdit's off his gloveGwynn will score from secondNettles goes to thirdMcReynolds gets all the way to secondthat's an error on Mathews

GAME 2: Spahn must have been angry for being passed by for the opening day start as he went the distance and tossed a 6 hit shutout. Aaron, Mathews and Crandall knocked it big runs.

Aug 21 85 San Diego 0 59 Milwaukee 0Inning: 2 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st
Andy Pafko steps in against Hawkinsrunner on 1stthe first pitch to Pafkohe swings..it's roped hard to left centerMartinez on the run..he cuts it offMathews goes to thirdPafko is in with a stand-up double
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Aug 21 85 San Diego 0 59 Milwaukee 0Inning: 2 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd & 3rd
Felix Mantilla comes up against Hawkinsrunners on 2nd and 3rdHawkins is ready1-1 countcurveballMantilla swings..routine ground ball to secondRoyster boots itand he can't make a playMathews scoresPafko goes to 3rdMantilla to firstthat's an error on Royster
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Aug 21 85 San Diego 0 59 Milwaukee 1Inning: 5 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd
Hank Aaron now up at the platerunner on 2nd1-0 countAaron swings..Aaron really got a hold of this onetowering fly down the left field lineit's well hithooking..way backit's got a chance to goMartinez backing up..off the wall!Spahn scoresAaron with a stand-up double
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Aug 21 85 San Diego 0 59 Milwaukee 2Inning: 6 Outs: 0 Bases: Empty
Del Crandall will lead off the inningthe pitchcurveballCrandall swings..it's a deep fly ball to left centerback, backMartinez and McReynolds going back..Martinez back on the trackthat's out of here!that's his first home run on the year382 foot homer
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Aug 21 85 San Diego 0 59 Milwaukee 3Inning: 7 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd
Eddie Mathews steps in against Hawkinsman on 2nd0-2 countMathews swings..line shot between 1st and 2ndit's a hitBruton will score from 2ndGwynn tosses it back inMathews rounds first and holds

GAME 3: Bob Buhl went the distance yielding only 1 run. Adcock had 3 hits and Crandall knocked in 2 runs.

Aug 22 59 Milwaukee 0 85 San Diego 0Inning: 2 Outs: 0 Bases: Full
Garry Templeton now battingbases juicedthe first pitch to TempletonfastballTempleton swings..flied to left centerBruton is under itand makes the catchMartinez is going for homethere won't be a throw from Bruton
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Aug 22 59 Milwaukee 0 85 San Diego 1Inning: 4 Outs: 1 Bases: 2nd
the right fielder Hank Aaron steps inrunner on 2ndHoyt gets the sign0-2 countAaron swings..hit on the ground between third and shortTempleton lays outbut he can't make the playthat's a base hitBruton holds thirdAaron rounds first and holds
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Aug 22 59 Milwaukee 0 85 San Diego 1Inning: 4 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st & 3rd
the first baseman Joe Adcock steps inrunners at the cornersHoyt keeps the runners closehas the signthe first delivery to Adcockhe cuts..laced toward right centerin the alleythat will be extra basesit rolls to the wallBruton scoresAaron rounds 3rdthe throw from McReynoldsAdcock is heading for thirdhe's deadAaron dives for the plateKennedy slaps the tag on himout!Adcock with a stand-up double
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Aug 22 59 Milwaukee 1 85 San Diego 1Inning: 7 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st
Wes Covington now battingCrandall is on deck if he can get on..runner on 1st2-0 countCovington cuts..lined to right centerAdcock goes to thirdCovington takes a look at secondCovington is going for second!here comes the throw from GwynnCovington slidessafe!double
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Aug 22 59 Milwaukee 1 85 San Diego 1Inning: 7 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd & 3rd
Del Crandall steps in against Hoytmen on 2nd and 3rd0-2 countCrandall swings..it's laced down the left field linethis ball is well hitfair ballthat will be extra basesit's in the cornerall the way to the wallthat will clear the basesAdcock crosses the plateCovington scoresCrandall takes a look at thirdhe's is heading for third!they have a chance to get himthe throw comes in from Martinezhe slidesNettles applies the tagsafe!triple
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Aug 22 59 Milwaukee 3 85 San Diego 1Inning: 8 Outs: 0 Bases: 1st
Hank Aaron digs in against DeLeonrunner on 1stthe first pitch to AaronfastballMantilla is going for 2ndthe pitch is a ballKennedy fires to secondTempleton with the tagout

GAME 4: Both teams had getaway day lineups starting. It all came down to the Goose having to get Aaron out with the bases loaded and the Pods up by 2. Score one for the Goose.

Aug 23 59 Milwaukee 0 85 San Diego 2Inning: 1 Outs: 2 Bases: 3rd
Kevin McReynolds steps in against WilleyBochy is up next if he gets on..runner on 3rdWilley is ready0-2 countMcReynolds swings..flied deep towards left centerget up, get up, get out of here..at the wall..outta here!that's his first home run on the yearthat one measured 414 feet
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Aug 23 59 Milwaukee 0 85 San Diego 4Inning: 2 Outs: 1 Bases: 2nd & 3rd
Stan Lopata now in the batter's box2 runners in scoring positionDravecky looking in to Bochy3-2 countLopata swings..hammered to right centerit's a base hitGwynn on the run..he cut it offPafko scoresTorre holds thirdLopata rounds 1stand stays
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Aug 23 59 Milwaukee 2 85 San Diego 4Inning: 8 Outs: 1 Bases: Empty
Carmelo Martinez against Willey1-2 countMartinez swings..long fly ball down the left field linehookingway backit might goVernon racing back..off the wall!Martinez with a standing double
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Aug 23 59 Milwaukee 2 85 San Diego 4Inning: 8 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd
Bruce Bochy comes up against Willeyman on 2nd0-2 countBochy swings..he hits a fly balltoward centerPafko is under itPafko is under ithe dropped it!Martinez scoresBochy is safe at 2nd
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Aug 23 59 Milwaukee 2 85 San Diego 5Inning: 9 Outs: 1 Bases: Full
the infield is looking for twoBill Bruton digs in against Gossage..all of the bases are occupied2-2 countBruton swings..easy grounder to secondFlannery boots itand he can't come up with itWise scoresMaye goes to 3rdCovington goes to 2ndBruton to firstFlannery will be charged with an error

04-Cubs 3, 63-Giants 1

2008-01-18T22:21:00.000-08:00

GAME 1: Cubs jump out to a 2-0 lead, Derek Lee hit a two run homer off Marichal. 5-0 zip Cubs, Marichal is gettting pounded. Sosa just hit a two run HR, up now 7-0. 7-1 Bailey hit a HR for San Fran. Zambrano is cutting them down like butter. McCovey 2 run triple, 8-3, Zambrano is releived. Final 8-3 Winner Zambrano, loser Marichal.

GAME 2: Perry vs. Maddux in this one. 1-0 Cubs after 1/2 thanks to a passed ball ny Haller. SC fly brought Alou home. Steroid age 3 old age baseball 1, Sosa 2 run shot, you would think that the Giants have no clue of how to hit. End of 7, McCover solo HR now 3-2 Cubs, Perry leaves game for Giants, in comes Bolin. Maddux he has only had 72 pitches. runner on first and 3rd, 1 out Alou caught stealing and then Cepeda k's. Chicago 3 SF 2 final. Hawkins with the save. Maddux wins, Perry loses.

GAME 3: O'Dell vs Prior. Error, Walk now a base hit bases loaded for Cubs. Damn sure this isnt SAT and the dice from it LOL. 3-0 Cubs, 2 errors and walked a run home, Geez, I am getting pummeled. Walk, passed ball, walk, and now a 3 run HR by Lee. 6-0 Cubs. Can I trade teams. 3 straight wifs by Prior, top of 3rd 6-0 Cubs. 7-0 Cubs, Even Prior gets the RBI single. No hitter through 5 and about a 35 K's. Haller ends no hitter with home run, Prior 10 K's through 6 ---7-1 Cubs. 12 K's for Prior now still 7-1 bottom of 7th coming up. 10-1 Cubs, O'Dell has now walked in 2 runs, 6 for the game, and he is going to gut it out cause my bull pen has already been used way to much in the first 2 games. Prior leaves with 12 K's. 11-1 final Cubs, 13 K's by my hitters, no hitting at all through first 3 games, Cubs are acting like the 27 Yankees LOL !

GAME 4: Clement vs. Bolin. 4-0 Giants, McCovey 3 run shot, followed by Alou solo HR , Back to back homers. 4-0 still, but Giants added two more errors to its already awful defense. 5-0 after 7 Cepeda home run. 5-1 after 7 Bolin went 6 IP, 2 hits, and 7 K's. 6-1 Giants, Mays solo HR. Fisher is tying his best to blow the lead, walked in a run, after Grudzi earlier 2 run shot, it is now 6-4 and bases are loaded with one out. 6-5 after 8. 11-5 Giants with 1/2 inning to go. McCovey second HR of game 2run shot, followed by solo HR by Alou, then Mays singled, and Bailey followed with a HR. 3 HR in inning. 11-6 final, Alou added a solo shot for Cubs, Bolin win, Fisher in releif was horrible, 2.2 IP 6 H, 5ER, 2 BB.

-contributed via AIM updates from Bill Vogt-

85-Mets 3, 63-Cardinals 1

2008-01-18T05:09:00.000-08:00

I took a different approach with this write-up. St. Louis' manager, Mike Roberts and I were chatting on AIM during the game. He gave me some great updates and rather than have him do a "special" write-up or have Andy create one I figured I'd cut and past his comments during the 4 game set:

GAME 1: Doc vs Broglio. Flood leads off the game with a singleno score in the third...Altman gets hurt chasing down a fly ball. Mets push across a run in the fourth. 1-0 NYCards plate two in the top of the eighth on run scoring singles by Flood and Groat; 2-1 StL in the bottom of the 8th. Doc was dominant until the 8th. Ron Taylor sets the Mets down in order in the bottom half. On to the 9th...Mets with runners on first and second and one out in the ninth! Tense!! Foster is up Holy cow!! Foster struck out, but HoJo doubled in the tying run! Carter came around third for the game winner, but Charlie James, subbing for Atlman, gunned him down! Extra frames. Cards get one in the 13th, win it 3-2

GAME 2: is Gibson and Darling. Well, the Mets take that one 6-3. Gibby was throwing bullets, but Foster hit a three run bomb in the sixth.

GAME 3: Jeez, despite 17 Cardinal hits and three Met errors, Mets win game three 7-6 in 11 innings"I can't get Groat to execute the hit and run. It's failed every time". Man, any kind of start at all by Simmons in game three, and I would have won that one and split. Simmons had a 2.48 ERA, but was roughed up early and I lost 7-6 in 11.

GAME 4: NY is blowing me out in game four. 6-0 in the third. Sadecki getting hammered, vs El Sid. I got two back, but he came back with two. 8-2 now. Man, The Mets doing a lot of stealing, even with a 10-3 lead in the 8th. He walloped me 12-3 in the finale.

That was a good Met team. They'll be tough because Doc is a real stopper. Ironically the only game I won was when Doc started. Flood hit a ton in the series. He might be the league leader after the first round. He was on base all series, but I couldn't get a successful h&r from Groat, who in real was a great h&r guy. Flood is hitting .588, mostly singles though.

60-Chisox 3, 07-Tigers 1

2008-01-17T18:30:00.000-08:00

"Roy Seivers has rejunevated his career at the expense of the Tigers pitching. 6 homeruns, including two grandslams powered the Pale Hose to a 3-1 series victory over the Tigers. EarlyWynn, Bob Shaw and Billy Pierce shut down the Tigers powerful hitting attack and Shaw threw a game two shutout. The White Sox defense was constantly evident as it seemed that every time the Tigers got something going, Aparicio or Fox would start a crushing double play. The Tigers had a two run head going into the ninth inning of game three when the South Siders broke loose for nine runs off a succession of Tiger relievers starting with Todd Jones. After Game Three, Tiger manager, Tom "Crash" Davis was heard to be muttering something about the Purple Gang and how much a gang land hit might cost. Major League Baseball has decided that it was the ravings of a lunatic and will not investigate. Although Sievers hit a homer off Kenny Rogers in his first at bat in Game 4, Zach Miner earned the Tiger win in relief on the strength of a Marcus Thames seventh inning homer, with relief help from Jones. Davis was seen in the Tiger clubhouse afterwards drinking a Sam Adams Cherry Wheat and moaning about the lack of arms on the Tiger pitching staff."

-contributed by Tom "Crash" Davis-

02-Red Sox 3, 93-Yankees 1

2008-01-17T08:42:00.000-08:00

Game 1 saw Johnny Damon hit a walk off homer in extra innings to give the fans at Fenway something to celebrate.

Game 2 saw the (evil) empire strike back as Jim Abbott pitched well enough to win and Steve Farr notched his first save of the year. The Sawx made 4 errors, including 2 by Nomar. Pedro got lit up for 6 runs in 6 innings and was generally ineffective. Dion James went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI's to pace the Bombers.

Game 3 was the home opener up in the Bronx. Manager Ed Mikhli surprised the home faitful by starting Bob Wickman who gave up 7 runs in 7 innings. Red Sox's starter Tim Wakefield was barely effective himself, but he did notch 6 k's with his dancing kuckler. Many was 4 for 4 with a homer and 4 ribbies. Donnie Baseball was 3 for 5 himself, but the Sox doubled up the Bombers 16-8.

Game 4 saw John Burkett do his best imitation of what Boston fans expected Pedro to look like as he went 8 innings and yielded only 1 run to the powerful Yankee lineup. Johnny Damon hit his 3rd homer of the season, while going 3 for 5. Boston won 4-1 as Allan Embree came on to pitch the 9th and notch his first save out of the pen.

75-Royals 3, 06-Angles 1

2008-01-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

Game 1: John Lackey goes 6 2/3, giving up 1 run on 5 hits to get the win. The top 5 hitters in the Anaheim lineup each had an rbi. Anaheim 5 KC 2. W- Lackey, L-Busby, SV- F. Rodriguez

Game 2: Anaheim leads 3-0 going into the 9th as Ervin Santana and Scott Shields have only given up 2 hits to the punchless Royals. After George Brett K's to lead off the 9th, Brendan Donnelly is brought on in relief. John Mayberry & Tony Solaita greet him with back-to-back homers. Hal McRae then delivers a pinch-hit single followed by a Jim Wohlford single. Al Cowans squeezes home McRae and reaches first on the play at the plate. F-Rod then unleashes a wild pitch to put runners at 2nd & 3rd with the score ties and 1 out. Frank White then lays down a perfect bunt down the 1st base lane that scores Wohlford with the game winner.KC 4 Anaheim 3. W- Fitzmorris, L- Donnelly, SV- Mingori

Game 3: Anaheim takes an early lead with a 3-run 4th, started by a Vlad Guerrero HR. With KC down 6-4 in the bottom of the 8th, the scrappy Royals score 2 runs aided by the 5th of 6 Anaheim errors in the game and a double steal of 3rd and 2nd by Wohlford and Rojas in a busted hit & run. In the bottom of 10, Al Cowens doubled with 1 out and after an IBB to Rojas, a Patek sac bunt is bobbled by Maicer Izturis to load the bases. Hal McRae delivers again with a pinch-hit game winning single.KC 7 Anaheim 6. W- Mingori, L- F. Rodriguez

Game 4: In the KC 1st Mayberry & Solaita go back-to-back again. Solo blats by Napoli and Vlad Guerrero get Anaheim back in it, but Doug Bird's 2 innings of perfect relief shuts the door.KC 4 Anaheim 3. W- Pattin, L- Weaver, SV- Bird

-contributed by Allan Silverwood-

'79-Phillies 3, 76-Pirates 1

2008-01-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

The Philadelphia Phillies hitters hammered Pirates pitching to the tune of .319 batting average and 6 homeruns in the 4 game series. They scored 28 runs also. Mike Schmidt was the hitting star as he went 9 for 16 with 4 homeruns and 9 RBI's. Schmidt looks like he will win KOD2 MVP honors. The Phillies pitching limited the Pirates to just 14 runs in 4 games. Carlton, Lerch, and Espinosa all recorded victories for the Phillies staff. The Pirates were lucky to escape with a victory in game 4 as Kent Tekulve almost blew a 8-5 lead and the Buccos held on for an 8-7 victory. The usually reliable Bucs staff posted a 6.43 ERA. One note in the series was that Greg Luzinski beat out an infield hit. I will have to write to Dave about that one. Thanks to Gary for hosting.

-contributed by Frank Aluzzi-

KOD 2: Starting sometime in 1/2008

2007-12-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

KOD...aka King of Diamonds was the brainchild of Marc Weiss and Ross Gotleib back in the summer of 2007. The premise of the league was to play a 36 game sprint to the pennant. To make things fun we decided that 6 of the 10 teams participating would make the post season. Originally we were a little loose on deadlines and timeframes, but cooler heads prevailed and we tightened things up and drove our first season to a happy conclusion !

KOD 1 was open to choosing any team the participating manager wanted. This seemed like a great idea, but when we got 3 Dodger teams and 2 Yankee teams we realized going forward that we should probably limit it to 1 team per franchise.

KOD 2 will be theme oriented. The theme is quite simple: "Before/After". Simply put you can choose any team from your favorite franchise that corresponds to the year before or the year after they either won the World Series, Pennant or Division Title and did NOT make the post season. The only other criteria is that the teams we are choosing from will represent the "modern" era, 1947-2006. That gives us 60 years worth of teams to choose from.

The online sign up sheet can be accessed from this link.

Signup will be closed on 12/30/2007.

A perfect example of a team for this league would be the 1979 Yankees. They qualify under 2 categories. 1: The Previous Year (1978) they won the World Series & 2: The following year (1980) they won the division. This team still had it's core of veterans who won 3 consecutive AL pennants and 2 World Championships. What it lacked was it's leader, Thurman Munson, who tragically died in a plane crash on August 2, 1979. Can you be that leader this team so desperately needs ???