KOD 15 - Rolaids Reliever of the Year Award Winner Jim Kern

Kern was a perfect 12 for 12 in save opps and did not allow an earned run en-route to winning the award.

KOD 15 - NL Cy Young Award Winner Don Gullett

Gullet had a magical season playing for a magical team.

KOD 15 - AL Cy Young Award Winner Andy Messersmith

Messersmith along with running mate Frank Tanana had a dominant KOD15 on the hill as evidenced by the voting.

KOD 15 - AL MVP Award Winner George Brett

In the closest vote during our KOD15 Award Voting, Brett barely edged out Ron LeFlore of the Tigers

KOD 15 - NL MVP Award Winner Willie McCovey

Special thanks to all of you who cast your ballot for our KOD 15 Awards

Mickey Rivers KOD15 World Series MVP

• Mickey Rivers - .448, 13 hits, 4 runs, 4RBIs, HR – was named Series MVP.
• Pete Rose finished the Series hitting .481 with a .588 OBP.  He probably would have been MVP if Cincinnati had won the Series.
• George Foster led all hitters with 10 RBIs.
• Bobby Grich, Jim Spencer, Bob Oliver, Mickey Rivers, Ken Berry, and Leroy Stanton entered the Series with a combined 3 HRs for the entire season, including the LDS and LCS. Yet they combined for 7 HRs in the World Series.
• Despite finishing the season 2nd to last in the AL in number of HRs hit as a team, California out-homered Cincinnati 9-5 in the World Series.      
• Tanana’s loss in Game 2 and Messersmith’s loss in Game 3 were only the 2nd loss for each on the season, including the entire post-season.
• Tom Seaver’s loss in Game 6 and Don Gullett’s loss in Game 7 were only the 2nd loss for each on the season, including the entire post-season.

GAME 7: Angels 5, Reds 1 - Halos win series after being down 3-0

October 25, Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati 

Andy Messersmith vs Don Gullett
Angels 5, Reds 1
As unlikely as it seemed 4 days earlier, a 7th game would be played in the Series.  Each team responded with their best starter.  Cincinnati handed the ball to Don Gullett (9-1, 1.51), while California chose ace Andy Messersmith (7-2, 2.80).  Through 5 innings, both pitchers rose to the challenge.  Only Gullett showed a momentary lapse of concentration when he surrendered a 1-out triple to Ken Berry in the top of the 3rd, followed by a double by Mickey Rivers.  The score was still 1-0 when Joe Rudi led off the top of the 6th with a solo HR to give the Angels a 2-0 lead.  And with Messersmith firing bullets, having yielded only 3 singles thus far, perhaps that would be enough for victory.  Andy Etchebarren opened the 7th inning with a walk. Ken Berry then shocked the hometown Cincinnati crowd with his 1st HR of the season, a clutch 2-run shot, and suddenly the Angel lead was 4-0.  One out later, Gullett’s day was done. On came closer Tom Hall, who struck out Bobby Grich.  But then Angels’ team HR and RBI leader Don Baylor parked on into the left field seats to give California an imposing 5-0 lead.

Cincinnati managed to load the bases with 2-outs in the bottom of the 7thth inning.  But Messersmith escaped the jam by getting Dave Concepcion to groundout to shortstop. After California went quietly in the top of the 8th, Angels’ manager Lefty Fregosi Zaner decided to lift Messersmith after 116 pitches. And to use his well-rested the bullpen to get the last 6 outs.  However the strategy appeared to backfire when reliever Rudy May walked Joe Morgan and Pete Rose to lead off the bottom of the 8th, and Ken Griffey singled to knock in Morgan with the Reds’ first run.  Lloyd Allen was called on out of the pen and delivered exactly what the doctor ordered: a round-the-horn double play grounder, and then another infield groundout to limit the damage to 1 run.  With the score still 5-1, Cincinnati put 2 runners on base with 1-out in the bottom of the 9th.  When Bobby Tolan was announced as a pinch hit for Concepcion, Mel Queen, a righty who specializes in getting out left-handed batters came in in relief, and induced a 6-4-3 twin killing, the Angels’ 4th of the game.

And as improbable as it was, the California Angels, down 0-3 after 3 games had come back and won 4 straight against the best team in baseball to earn the KOD15 World Series trophy.  Indeed, anything can happen in a short series.

Angels win series 4-3

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

GAME 6: Angels 7, Reds 3

October 24, Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati 

Frank Tanana vs Tom Seaver
Angels 7, Reds 3

Back at Riverfront Stadium, game 2 starters Tom Seaver and Frank Tanana faced each other once again for Game 6.   Same pitchers, same location, but different results.  Jim Spencer hit a solo HR to lead off the 2nd inning, followed by 3 consecutive singles.  By the time the inning ended, the Angles had stake Tanana to a 3-0 lead.

California continued to chip away at Seaver doing just enough to score single runs in the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th innings, the final run scored courtesy of Leroy Stanton’s 1st HR of the season.

In the meantime, Tanana put his Game 2 performance behind him, and returned to his usual top notch form, pitching into the 8th inning, and yielding only 6 hits and 1 run, a Joe Morgan solo HR.  The Angels’ bullpen mopped up to finish the game, allowing a couple more Reds to cross home plate.  When it was all over, California had topped Cincinnati 7-3, and had managed to tie the Series, forcing a Game 7.

Spencer and Stanton each finished with 4 hits, and Ken Griffey had 3 hits for the Reds in a losing effort.  But this game clearly belonged to Frank Tanana.
Series tied 3 games each
--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

GAME 5: Angels 7, Reds 6

October 22, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim 

Gary Nolan vs Nolan Ryan
Angels 7, Reds 6
The Nolans who started Game 1 (Ryan and Gary) returned for Game 5. California grabbed early control of the game, scoring twice in the bottom of the 2nd and 3rd innings, helped by Bob Oliver’s 2-run HR.  Nolan Ryan struck out 6 Reds in the first 4 innings and appeared to be cruising.

But the Big Red Machine got into gear in the 5th, scoring twice behind a Dave Concepcion triple, a Pete Rose double, and a George Forster single.  The real damage was done an inning later when, after 2 were out, Ryan completely lost his mojo, and yielded 3 walks and 3 singles.  By the time the dust had settled, Cincinnati was up 6-4.  And when the Angles failed to score in the bottom of the 6th, the Anaheim stadium staff began covering the Visitor locker room in protective plastic, while the Reds cub house staff began chilling the champagne.

Still, California refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the 7th, Jerry Remy led off with a bunt single. When Mickey Rovers followed with a hit & run single, the Angels had runners on the corners with no outs.  Ross Grimsely came on to induce a double play grounder from Bobby Valentine.  The Angels scored on the play to make it a 6-5 game.  But now they had 2 outs and bases empty.  The quite Anaheim crowd then came alive suddenly when next batter Bobby Grich launched one down the left field line for a game-tying solo HR.

California relievers Lloyd Allen and Mel Queen managed to keep Cincinnati off the board for the 7th, 8th and 9th innings.  In the bottom of the 9th, the Angels loaded the bases with 2 outs off reliever Rawley Eastwick.  Ken Berry, California’s best hitter all season, was called on to pinch hit, and delivered a ground ball through the hole on the right side to score Jerry Remy with the winning run.  The comeback, walk off victory gave the Halos some needed confidence, as well as one more day of life.
Cincinnati leads the Series 3-2
--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

GAME 4: Angels 2, Reds 1

October 21, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim

Jack Billingham vs Bill Singer
Angels 2, Reds 1

On the verge of a Series sweep, Cincinnati chose Jack Billingham to start game 4, while California surprised everyone by tapping seldom-used Bill Singer, who was not even on the Angels’ post-season roster for the LDS and the LCS.  But although the Angels had two strong left-handers available, California management noticed that the Reds were 9-1 against left-handed starters this season, and decided to roll the dice with the right-handed Singer instead, despite his having made only 1 other start the whole year.

Perhaps it was a good omen for the Angels when Mickey Rivers led off the bottom of the 1st with a HR, his first of the season.  A Ken McMullen single 5 batters later gave California a 2-0 lead, one of the few they had yet to experience in this series.

As the game progressed, Singer’s 6 walks allowed shocked nobody.  But through 7 innings everybody was shocked that no Cincinnati batter had managed a hit off Singer, which was good for the Angels since they had no more success against Billingham after the 1st inning.  Yet, with one out and one on (via a BB) in the top of the 8th, Joe Morgan lined a single to left-center to put runners on the corners.  Not only was the no-hitter gone, but the slim 2-0 lead was also in jeopardy. Closer Dave LaRoche was called on and got just what the doctor ordered, a Pete Rose groundball that resulted in a 5-4-3 twin killing.

The 9th inning also proved to be a nail-biter when Ken Griffey led off with a double, followed by 1-out singles from Johnny Bench and Tony Perez to make the score 2-1 with thy tying run on 2nd base.  But LaRoche managed to strike out Dan Driessen and induced a routine grounder from Cesar Geronimo to seal the win.  The Halos were alive for yet another day.
Cincinnati leads the Series 3-1
--Submitted by Douglas Zaner--  

GAME 3: Reds 7, Angels 4

October 20, Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim

Don Gullett vs Andy Messersmith
Reds 7, Angels 4

California hoped that playing at home and going with their best starter Andy Messersmitrh would allow the team to get on track and get back into the Series.  However, despite the new location and ace starter, the result was more of the same.   Cincinnati demonstrated their lack of intimidation by bringing 8 men to bat in the top of the 1st innings, banging out 4 hits, including a Tony Perez RBI double. California tried to battle back with base runners in almost every inning.  But could not get the hit they needed when they needed, and managed to plate only 1 run through 6 innings off Reds’ starter Don Gullett.

RBI hits by Dave Concepcion and Pete Rose in the 4th inning, and a solo HR by Tony Perez to start the 8th innings allowed Cincinnati to build a 7-1 lead going to the bottom of the 9th.
Although the first 2 Angels were retired in the 9th, the next 5 reached against reliever Pedro Borbon, thanks in part to a Pete Rose error at 3rd base. When Jim Spencer’s single plated the Angels’ 3rd run of the inning, Bob Oliver came to the plate representing the tying run.  But Reds’ closer Tom Hall came to the rescue, striking out Oliver, and preserving the 7-4 victory for Gullett. 
Cincinnati leads the Series 3-0
--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

GAME 2: Reds 13, Angels 5

October 18, Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati

Frank Tanana vs Tom Seaver
Reds 13, Angels 5

A Jim Spencer 2-RBI double and a Mickey Rivers RBI single allowed California to establish a 3-1 lead after 1.5 innings.  Cincinnati made it 1 run closer thanks to a Pete Rose triple in the bottom of the 2nd, and then broke through for 4 runs in the bottom of the 4th to build a 6-3 lead.  Joe Morgan, Pete Rose and George Foster provided the RBI hits, as yet another Angels’ starter – Frank Tanana – was given an early exit.

Bobby Grich’s 2-run HR in the top of the 5th off Cincinnati starter Tom Seaver cut the deficit to 6-5.  And for a moment it was again a close game.  But the Reds continued to score in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th innings off an Angels bullpen that was completely unable to slow down the Big Red Machine. Joe Morgan’s 2-run HR was the final blow in Cincinnati’s 17 hit outburst that resulted in 13-5 victory, with Morgan, Rose and Tony Perez accounting for 10 of the hits.
Reds lead the Series 2-0.
--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

GAME 1: Reds 7, Angels 3

October 17, Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati

Nolan Ryan vs Gary Nolan
Reds 7, Angels 3

George Foster’s 3-run HR in the bottom of the 3rd inning opened the scoring.  Cincinnati continued to score, built a 6-1 lead, and chased California started Nolan Ryan after 5.2 innings.  Reds starter Gary Nolan lasted 7.1 innings, scattered 10 hits, and yielded only 2 runs. Foster finished with 5 RBIs, Pete Rose’s solo HR in the bottom of the 8th capped the scoring, as Cincinnati cruised to a 7-3 win.
Reds lead series 1-0

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

NLCS: Big Red Machine Sweeps Dodgers

GAME 1 - Riverfront
Sutton vs Billingham
Reds 3, Dodgers 2

Cincy broke up a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the 7th with a 2 out clutch single by Charlie Hustle himself.  Pete Rose went 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI's.  Burt Hooton took the loss in relief.  Jack Billingham went 7 and gave up 2 (1 earned) to get the win.  Rawley Eastwick fanned 2 in the 9th for the save.
Reds lead series 1-0

 
GAME 2 - Riverfront
Messersmith vs Seaver
Reds 8, Dodgers 4

The Big Red Machine's bats came alive and put the hammer down on Messersmith.  With Seaver on the hill the Dodgers faced an uphill battle that they could not win.  The top of the Reds order went an incredible 712 with 3 runs scored and 5 RBI's.  2 time NL MVP Joe Morgan was a monster.  Little Joe went 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 3 knocked in.  Cincy banged out 13 hits.  Morgan had 2 homers.  Seaver added a long ball himself
Reds lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - Dodger Stadium
Nolan vs Osteen
Reds 6, Dodgers 3

Change of venue, but no change in results.  The Big Red Machine once again doubled up the Dodgers.  The top of the order once again did damage.  Morgan remained hot going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and another homer.  Rose and Griffey did their job setting the table.  LA is now on the brink of elimination.
Reds lead series 3-0

GAME 4 - Dodger Stadium
Gullett vs Rau
Reds 7, Dodgers 1

To close things out Don Gullett pitched a 4 hit gem, not that the Reds needed such a performance with all the runs that they scored.  Once again the top of the order for Cincy was unstoppable.  Cincy's first 5 hitters each had 2 hits.  Ken Griffey and George Foster each had 2 RBI's.  Morgan and Rose each scored twice.  LA was glad the bloodletting was now officially over.
Reds win series 4-0

ALCS - Halos upset favored Bombers in 5

October 09 - Yankee Stadium
California 3, New York 0

Ron Guidry and Frank Tanana locked horns is a real pitcher’s duel. Guidry’s only real mistake of the night was allowing a gopher ball to Don “Kingman” Baylor. It came with 2 men on in the top of the 1 st inning. That was all the runs the Halos would score, but at the same time was all the support Tanana needed, as he stifled the Yanks on just 3 hits and 3 walks, and picked up the complete game victory.

October 10 - Yankee Stadium
California 6, New York 3

New York scored 2 unearned runs in the bottom of the 1st innings on a 2-out single by Roy White. But California chipped away, scoring in 5 of the next 6 innings off New York starter Mel Stottlemyre. The Yankees managed to bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the 9 th. But Andy Messersmith induced a popup from Bobby Murcer to earn the save and preserve te win for Clyde Wright.

October 12 - Anaheim Stadium
California 5, New York 2

Don Baylor and Bob Oliver hit home runs in support of Nolan Ryan, who was forced to exit after throwing 124 pitches in only 5 innings. But the Angels relievers Paul Hartzel and Andy Messersmith were able to keep the Yankees in check with just 1 hit in the last 4 innings to give Ryan the win. Mickey Rivers, playing for both teams, hit a 2-run HR off Ryan to account for all of the Yankees’ scoring.

October 13 - Anaheim Stadium
New York 2, California 1

The Angles “Parade of Lefties” continued with Rudy May getting the call. He completed 7 innings of 4- hit work, allowing only a solo HR to Roy White. Fortunately for the Yankees, Catfish Hunter was just as good, giving up only a Bobby Grich RBI single in 8 innings of 5-hit pitching.

Chris Chambliss’ RBI single in the top of the 9th scored Bobby Mercer to give Hunter the win. Lindy McDaniel shut down the home team to earn the save.

October 14 - Anaheim Stadium
California 6, New York 2

A Game 1 rematch. Both pitchers look far less sharp than their previous outing. Piniella homered in the top of the 1st, while the Bronx Bombers threatened for more, leaving 7 runners on base the first 3 innings. But they just couldn’t seem to get the one hit they needed to break it open.

California got to Guidry in the 5th with 5 singles to give them a 5-2 lead, and never looked back. Tanana hung on for 7+ innings for the win, despite yielding 10 hits and 4 walks.

Angels shock the Yankees and the baseball world with an improbable 4-1 series win. They will continue their 1969 NY Mets reenactment with a KOD15 World Series appearance against the Reds or the Dodgers.
--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

ALDS - Bombers outlast Motown in 4

GAME 1 - Lolich vs Guidry
Yankees 5, Tigers 0
Louisiana Lighting was lighting up the skies in the Bronx in the opener.  Ron Guidry fanned 8 on his way to 3 hitting the Tigers.  The Bombers scored their 5 runs off of Lolich in the first 3 innings and never looked back.  Bobby Murcer and Reggie Jackson accounted for all of the runs with the long ball.  Murcer hit a 3 run shot in the bottom of the 1st and Mr. October hit a 2 run shot in the 3rd.  "Sweet" Lou Piniella chipped in with a 3 for 4 day.
Yankees lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Coleman vs Stottlemyre
Tigers 3, Yankees 2
Tied 2-2 and heading toward the 9th the Tigers had the perfect opportunity to steal a game in the Bronx and head home with a series split.  Detroit's Joe Coleman hung in their against Cy Young candidate Mel Stottlemyre.  Both hurlers gave up just 2 runs over 7 innings.  Coleman had a lead heading into the bottom of the 8th, but reliever John Hiller gave up the tying run to the Bombers when Mr. October doubled home Roy White with 1 out.  With the game knotted at 2-2 Alan Trammell led off the top of the 9th with a single and moved to second on a wild pitch uncorked by Lindy McDaniel.  Tony Taylor hit a deep fly to death valley that Murcer tracked down and Trammell crossed over to third.  Lead off man Ron LeFlore singled on a 2-2 pitch to score Trammell and give the Tigers a 1 run lead.  Tom Timmerman, who got the final out in the 8th threw a perfect 9th to close out the game.  Trammell (4-4) had a perfect day at the plate.  LeFlore (3-5) had the GWRBI.
Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 - Peterson vs Fidrych
Yankees 1, Tigers 0
With 2 outs in the 5th Tiger starter Mark Fidrych hurt his elbow and had to leave a scoreless game.  With Yankee starter Fritz Peterson throwing up goose eggs the Tiger pen needed to be perfect.  In the top of the 7th Chris Chambliss lined a 2 out RBI single off of Milt Wilcox to break the scoreless deadlock.  Sparky Lyle would pitch a scoreless 9th and end the game by fanning LeFlore to notch the save.  Tiger Stadium was electric as "the Bird" had them captivated once again.  When he came up lame the crowd felt like a balloon that had it's air let out.  Fans left wondering how this great pitcher's duel might have turned out if Fidrych didn't get hurt.
Yankees lead series 2-1
GAME 4 - Hunter vs Lolich
Yankees 4, Tigers 3
Detroit brought opening game starter Mickey Lolich back on short rest in hopes of staving off elimination.  Lolich, who average over 300 innings per season during the early 70's was no stranger to pitching early and often.  The "fat man" kept the Bombers off the board for 4 innings before tiring.  Leading 2-0 on a 4th inning Norm cash homer, Lolich gave up an RBI single to Mr. October (Reggie Jackson) to make it a 2-1 game after 5.  Lolich started the 6th hoping to get 1 or 2 more quality innings under his elongated belt, but that was not to be.  RBI hits by Chambliss (double), Randolph (triple) and Piniella (single) spelled doom for Motown.  A pinch hit homer by Willie Horton would make it a one run game after 6, but Catfish Hunter would not allow any further scoring before giving way to Lyle who notched his second save in successive night.
Yankees win series 3-1

ALDS - Halos battle past Royals in 4

Angels avenge the regular season 4-game butt kicking they received from the Royals with a shocking 3 games to 1 win of their LDS series.  All 4 games we extremely close from the 1st pitch of Game 1 to the last pitch of Game 4.

The Amazing Kreskin has convinced the KOD15 Angels that they are the 1969 Mets.  Of course, the '69 Mets never had to face the KOD15 Even-more-amazing Yankees.  So we haven't started making any plans for a ticker tape parade through Disneyland.  --submitted by Douglas Zaner--

GAME 1 - Wright vs Leonard
Royals 3, Angels 2
The opener featured a great pitcher's duel between Clyde Wright and Dennis Leonard.  KC jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the home half of the first.  Hal McRae singled home Frank White and Amos Otis scored on a George Brett ground out to get things started.  Al Cowens would single home McRae, who led off the 4th with a double, to make it 3-1.  California made it a 1 run ball game in the top of the 6th and nearly took the lead as Don Baylor's shot to left took Piniella back to the wall.  Ken "F-Troop" Berry easily tagged and scored.  Roger Nelson closed it out in the 9th, but it wasn't easy.  Jerry Remy led off the top of the 9th with a single and was bunted over to second.  Any Etchebarren singled sharply just out of the reach of a diving Frank White at second.  Remy headed for home but was pegged by a beautiful one hop throw by Al Cowens.  Jim Spencer lifted a weak fly to center to end it.
Royals lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Tanana vs Busby
Angels 3, Royals 0
California chipped away at Busby by posted solo runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 7th innings.  The Royals never solved the mystery of the left handed flame thrower, as Frank Tanana fanned 6 en route to a 2 hit complete game shutout.  Jerry Remy, atoning for his getting thrown out at the plate in game 1, went 3 for 5 with 1 run scored.
Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 - Drago vs Messersmith

Angels 6, Royals 3
Andy Messersmith went the distance while battling his control.  Lucky for him Dick Drago was having a hard time with California's bats.  Bobby Valentine, hitting in the 9th spot went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI.  Leadoff hitter Mickey Rivers was also 3 for 4.  Both pesky tablesetters were in the right place at the right time for Bobby Grich who delivered 4 RBI's on the day with 2 key hits.
Angels lead series 2-1

GAME 4 - Splittorff vs May

Angels 4, Royals 3
Both starters barely qualified for what MLB quantifies as a quality start.  Neither saw action past the 6th inning as the game would be decided by each team's respective pens.  California's pen (Hartzell and La Roche) bested KC's pen (Gura and Pattin).  Heading into the bottom of the 6th the Royals had a tenuous 3-2 lead.  Jim Spencer's 2 run pinch hit triple reversed California's fortune by giving his team a 4-3 lead.  Hartzell and LaRoche, who notched the save, gave up just 2 hits over the final 3 innings as the Halos clinched the series.
Angels win series 3-1

NLDS - Reds cruise to victory in 4

Giants break out in the opener and grab a W but then the Reds cruise on to victory like they did all season. Win in 4 games.

GAME 1 - Halicki vs Billingham
Giants 9, Reds 1
Giants scored 6 runs off reliever Ross Grimsley in the top of the 6th to surprise the jaugernaut Reds 9-1 in the opener.  An aging Willie Mays went 3 for 5 and Stretch McCovey hit a two run shot to pace the offense.  Ed Halicki went the distance fanning 9 and giving up just 1 run on 8 hits.
Giants lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Barr vs Seaver
Reds 4, Giants 2
On paper this pitching matchup was a mismatch.  Nothing different on the field as Tom Seaver, who didn't have his best stuff, still managed to give up just 1 run in 7 innings of work.  Tom Hall gave up the second run in the 8th as he closed out the game with 2 innings of relief.  Cincy fired the opening salvo with 4 runs off of Barr in the bottom of the 2nd.  San Fran actually out hit the Reds 7-5, but Cincy had the more timely hits including a 2 run shot by Johnny Bench (2-3, 2 RBI).
Series tied 1-1

GAME 3 - Nolan vs Marichal
Reds 8, Giants 4
After victimizing future HOF'er Juan Marichal for 7 runs in 6 innings the Reds went into cruise control.  The Jints would score 4 runs in the 6th to make it a 3 run game, but Reds reliever Clay Carroll would not let them get any closer.  Dan Driessen had a breakout day with the bat for Cincy going 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI's.  Three of those RBI's came on a 3 run blas in the 5th that broke the game open.
Reds lead series 2-1

GAME 4 - Gullett vs Montefusco
Reds 3, Giants 1
In an effort to stave off elimination the Jints drew first blood in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by Bill Madlock.  Cy Young candidate Don Gullett would not allow another hit the rest of the way while shutting out the Giants over the final 8 innings.  Cincy tied it up in the second on a Johnny Bench solo shot, then took the lead in the 4th when George Foster scored on a double play ball.  Cesar Geronimo led off the top of the 7th with a triple then scored 1 batter later when Dave Concepcion singled him home.  With 3 runs in his pocket, Gullett cruised to victory to close out the series.

Reds win series 3-1

NLDS - LA outlast Bucs in 5

Series MVP with 2 CG's

LDS Game 1: Dodgers (Osteen) at Pirates (Candelaria)

Claude Osteen pitched a complete game but gave up 3 runs with Clemente, Zisk and Robinson getting RBI's. However Candelaria held the Dodgers to just 1 run over 6 innings, with Hernandez and Giusti pitching 3 shutout innings to lead the Pirates to a 1-0 lead in the series.

LDS Game 2: Dodgers (Sutton) at Pirates (Ellis) – Pirates lead series 1-0

It took 13 innings to decide this game as it was another low scoring affair with Sanguillen heroically bringing Parker in in the bottom of the ninth. Then with 1 out Clemente flied out to left field, seemingly giving the Pirates the win as Zisk chugged down the line to bring home the winning run, but….OUT!  The Dodgers loaded the bases in the 10^th with only one out but a Garvey strikeout and a Baker fly out killed that rally.  It was not until the 13^th inning when the Dodgers were able to make a mark on the scoreboard as Crawford and Yeager brought in runs to give the Dodgers a 4-2 lead. With Hooton pitching the Pirates got two men on in the bottom of the 13^th, but Hooton held tight and the Dodgers tied the series 1-1.

LDS Game 3: Pirates (Blass) at Dodgers (Messersmith) – Series tied 1-1

This game was a blowout from the beginning as the Pirates put up 5 runs and batted around before the Dodgers ever got to the plate. Blass held the Dodgers to 5 hits.

LDS Game 4: Pirates (Reuss) at Dodgers (Rau) – Pirates lead series 2-1

The Pirates again opened the game with a first inning run, but this time the Dodgers held tight and came to bat only down 1-0. The game moved along quite quickly with the Dodgers only sending 13 men to the plate over the first 4 innings, with the Pirates sending up 10 batters over innings 2-4. But then in the bottom of the 6^th, the Dodgers exploded for 4 runs with Lopes scoring on a passed ball, Reggie Smith getting an RBI and Willie Davis singling and bringing in 2 runs.Tommy John came in in the 7^th and held the Pirates scoreless over the final 3 innings to help the Dodgers tie the series at 2.

LSD Game 5: Dodgers (Osteen) at Pirates (Candelaria) – Series tied at 2

This time it was the Dodgers who threw three runs up on the board in the top of the 1^st with Smith hitting a two run homer.  Osteen was masterful, spreading 5 hits over 9 complete innings and holding the Pirates scoreless to lead the Dodgers to a 3-2 series win. 

--submitted by Keith MacDonald--

Dodgers vs Pirates LDS

LDS Game 1: Dodgers (Osteen) at Pirates (Candelaria)

Osteen pitched a complete game but gave up 3 runs with Clemente, Zisk and Robinson getting RBI's. However Candelaria held the Dodgers to just 1 run over 6 innings, with Hernandez and Gisuti pitching 3 shutout innings to lead the Pirates to a 1-0 lead in the series.

 

LDS Game 2: Dodgers (Sutton) at Pirates (Ellis) – Pirates lead series 1-0

It took 13 innings to decide this game as it was another low scoring affair with Sanguillen heroically bringing Parker in in the bottom of the ninth. Then with 1 out Clemente flied out to left field, seemingly giving the Pirates the win as Zisk chugged down the line to bring home the winning run, but….OUT!

The Dodgers loaded the bases in the 10^th with only one out but a Garvey strikeout and a Baker fly out killed that rally.

It was not until the 13^th inning when the Dodgers were able to make a mark on the scoreboard as Crawford and Yeager brought in runs to give the Dodgers a 4-2 lead. With Hooton pitching the Pirates got two men on in the bottom of the 13^th, but Hooton held tight and the Dodgers tied the series 1-1.

 

LDS Game 3: Pirates (Blass) at Dodgers (Messersmith) – Series tied 1-1

This game was a blowout from the beginning as the Pirates put up 5 runs and batted around before the Dodgers ever got to the plate. Blass held the Dodgers to 5 hits.

 

LDS Game 4: Pirates (Reuss) at Dodgers (Rau) – Pirates lead series 2-1

The Pirates again opened the game with a first inning run, but this time the Dodgers held tight and came to bat only down 1-0. The game moved along quite quickly with the Dodgers only sending 13 men to the plate over the first 4 innings, with the Pirates sending up 10 batters over innings 2-4.

But then in the bottom of the 6^th, the Dodgers exploded for 4 runs with Lopes scoring on a passed ball, Smith getting an RBI and Davis singling and bringing in 2 runs.

Tommy John came in in the 7^th and held the Pirates scoreless over the final 3 innings to help the Dodgers tie the series at 2.

 

LSD Game 5: Dodgers (Osteen) at Pirates (Candelaria) – Series tied at 2

This time it was the Dodgers who threw three runs up on the board in the top of the 1^st with Smith hitting a two run homer.

Osteen was masterful, spreading 5 hits over 9 complete innings and holding the Pirates scoreless to lead the Dodgers to a 3-2 series win. 

--
Keith MacDonald
Check out my website and blog at www.kamacdonaldphoto.com

AL Play In Game: Jack-ed !!! - Tigers defeat Twins 2-0

The Tigers score two runs in the second as Rusty Staub works Geoff Zahn for a walk and scores on Bill Freehan's triple.  Freeham came home on a sacrifice fly by Norm Cash.  Jack Morris got the start on the basis of his shutout of the Twins during the regular season and held the Twins scoreless, ably helped by 3 twin killings.  Tom :"Terrific" Timmerman put out a fire in the 8th with the fourth double play of the game.  John Hiller earned his 8th save of the season by putting down the Twins 1-2-3 in the ninth.  The Tigers advance to the playoffs to face the Yankees who took three out of four from the Tigers in the last series of the season.

--submitted by Tom Davis--

NL Play In Game: Jints bounce Braves 7-2

The Giants score seven runs in the fifth inning and beat the Braves 7-2 to advance to the playoffs.  Up to  that point Atlanta hurler Dick Ruthven had a 2-0 shutout going.  An aging Willie Mays turned back the clock with a bases clearing triple that spelled doom for the Braves.  John "the Count" Montefusco scattered 7 hit and allowed just 2 runs in 6 2/3 innings.  Veteran reliever Don McMahon finished it up with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.  No rest for the weary as the Jints will fly to Cincy to face the juggernaut 30-8 Cincinnati Reds tomorrow in a best of 5 LDS.

Cincy dominates the NL West

LA swept their way into the playoffs at the expense of the hapless Astros.  Houston did not roll over and die as most of the series featured tight games separated by 1-2 runs.  Bill Buckner went 2-4 in the finale to finish with a .444 average.  Buckner didn't qualify for the batting title, which was won by Bob Watson of the Astros who flirted with .400 all season.  Watson finished with a more than respectable .378 to outlast ATL's Ralph Garr.

Atlanta took 3 of 4 from the lowly Friars to put themselves in a positon for the 2nd Wild Card Slot.  Knucle-balling ace Phil Niekro tossed a CG in game 2, which was aided by a 3-4 day off the bat of Dusty Baker.  Ron Reed tossed 6 shutout innings in the finale.

After the Giants won the series opener the Reds shut the door on the boys from the Bay area.  Cincy rattled off three straight wins to finish the season 30-8.  The Reds had the NL West title all sewn up before the series, but still played like the games meant something.  Don Gullett saw his record increase to 6-1 as his ERA dropped to 1.66 on a 5 hit shutout in game 3.  The Big Red Machine is known for their bats, but Gullett just might have put them on the map on the pitching side with a possible Cy Young award in his future.  By virtue of just 1 win in the final series the Jints were forced into a 1 game play in contest in Atlanta.  Cincy clinched Home Field throughout the playoffs.

NL East goes down to the wire

Montreal entered the series hotter than a stove, but they realistically needed a sweep to vye for post season consideration.  St. Louis had spoiler on their mind.  Montreal held on for a 1 run victory in the opener thanks to homers by Tony Perez and Larry Parrish and 6 shutout innings by Carl Morton.  The 'Spos held on again for a close win in game 2 thanks to Mike Marshall notching his 2nd save in as many days.  Andre Dawson hit his 9th homer and stole 3 bases.  A 2-1 win by the Spos made the folks from the great white north dare to dream.  Marshall saved his 3rd in a row.  Bob Gibson didn't have his A game, but was good enough to dash the hopes of the Expos.  Ted Simmons' 2 run shot was a back breaker.  Dawson hit his 10th homer.  Montreal would now need the Mets to sweep the Bucs to keep their hopes alive.

Chicago took 3 of 4 from Philly in a series that had no playoff implications.  The lone game Philly won the Phightin's posted a 10 spot in the top of the 8th.  The Bull, Greg Luzinski, went 5 for 6 with 6 RBI on 2 doubles and a homer.

The Amazin's needed a sweep of the Bucs to gain a tie for the NL East crown.  New York took the first 3 games of the series to put the pressure on the heavily favored Bucs.  Pittsburgh put all their hopes on ace Steve Blass' right shoulder in game 4.  Blass turned in a t hit shutout to boost his record to 7-1.  New York's starter, Jerry Koosman didn't even finish out the 4th as the Bucs rode a pinch hit 3 run homer by Willie Stargell.

The AL East Roundup

The Bronx Bombers clinched the AL East title by winning the opener vs Detroit.  After that they had little else to play for.  Spot starter Catfish Hunter pitched a gem in game 3 to clinch home field advantage.  Detroit needed a "turn the clock back" performance from the aging core of their '68 Championship squad to win the finale and hold on to force a play in game vs MIN for the 2nd WC slot.  Jim Northrup and Norm Cash both had 3 hit days.  The game was tied 1-1 until the Tigers erupted for 7 runs over the final 2 innings.

Boston and Milwaukee played this series for pride.  The Sahx managed to take 3 of 4 from the cellar dweller Brew Crew.  Luis Tiant threw a tidy 4 hit shut out on getaway day to close out the season.  Yaz had 2 hits in the finale to finish the season above .300 (.301).

Cleveland headed into the final week needing a sweep in order to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.  A series spit to the disappointing O's knocked them out of contention.  Jim Kern notched his league leading 12th save to pretty much sew up the Rolaids Relief man of the Year Award.

Week #11 in Review: The AL West Situation

Angels and Twins split.  Andy Messersmith dominates game 4.  But the first 3 were all down to the wire.  (submitted by D.Zaner)

Meanwhile, the Royals swept the A's for their 8th straight win to reward Justin Ryan with his first AL West crown.  Willie Wilson stole his league leading 30th base in the series finale.  On the Wildcard front, the Angels easily qualified as the #1 WC.  

The Pale Hose needed 2 wins vs lowly Texas to qualify for the play in game.  3 wins would have sured up the 2nd WC slot.  Texas showed some pride and took the first 3 games of the series to eliminate Chicago.  Even the embattled Gaylord Perry, who was 0-7 heading into the series, managed to scratch out a win.

Standings Prior to Play In Games

The regular season hs ended and we have a tie for the final WC slot in both the AL and NL (highlighted in red).  Teams that qualified for the post season are highlighted in green.

Week 9 Highlights

9/17

11 k - N.Ryan (CAL) vs BAL

SO - M.Lolich (DET) 6 hitter vs OAK

15 PO - G.Scott (MIL) vs CHW

 

9/18

5 hits - B.Bell (CLE) vs TEX

2 HR - D.Lopes (LAD) vs NYM - 4 RBI

3 SB - R.LeFlore (DET) vs OAK - 3 for 3

10 k - S.Renko (MON) vs HOU

10 k - G.Perry (CLE) vs TEX

SO - J.Kaat (CHW) vs MIL 8 hitter

DP - Chaney/Aaron (ATL) vs CHW

 

9/19

5 hits - C.Lemon (CHW) vs MIL 5-5, 5 R, 5 RBI, 2HR, SB

6 RBI - A.Kaline (DET) vs OAK

GRP - W.Davis (LAD) vs NYM (5-3 LA Win)

Standings after Week # 9

Pale Hose sweep Brew Crew to move back to .500

game 1- 4-2.. 

wsox Terry Forster pitches 2 inning scoreless relief for save and Gossage gets the win. Replacement Alan Bannister gets 2 hits and game winning rbi. Slumping Boomer Scott gets 4 hits in losing cause to raise avg to .159 for Brewers

game 2- 8-0.. 

Jim Kaat finally pitches well with a shut out and Sox score 8. Alan Bannister again has big game with 3 hits and 3 runs scored as Sox just had timely singles in this game. Travers the loss.

game3- 15-6...

Sox pull out the big bats. Chet Lemon finally hits 1st homer of year and has 5 hits, 5 runs scored and 5 rbi! Carlos May 4 hits 5 runs scored! Bottom 5 hitters in sox lineup had all the rbi's in this one

--submitted by Joseph Allen--

Oh Mickey, You're so Fine...

September 17 at Detroit.  Mickey Lolich threw a 6 hit shutout to earn his 6th win of the season and lower his era to 1.71.  Rusty Staub drove in his 21st run.  Tigers 3  As 0

September 18 at Detroit.  Ken Holtzman gave up one run, moving his record to 3 and 4.  Reggie Jackson (2), Dave Duncan (3) and Gene Tenace (3) all homered in the 6 run 4th inning.  As 6  Tigers 1

September 19 ar Oakland.  Mark Fidrych evened his record at 2-2 while the Tigers pounded the As 10-2.  Al Kaline drove 6 of those runs including two with his 4th homer of the season.

--submitted by Tom "Crash" Davis--

Have Mercer

The Yanks win both games at home but drop a 1-0 thriller in Minnesota.  Bobby Murcer and Mickey Rivers both went 3 for 5 with 3 RBI's in the opener at the Stadium.  Murcer repeated the feat in game 2 off of a lefty, Jim Kaat.  Rod Carew and Lyman Bostock each had 3 hits as well in a losing effort.  Fritz Peterson went the distance in the finale, but gave up 1 run on a two out Rod Carew single, which cost him the game.  4 Twin pitchers combined to shutout the mighty Yankees who are dominating the AL East.

Halo-again

Timely hitting and pitching all ow the Halos to earn another sweep.  They've won 9 of their last 10.  

Check out the 9th inning of game 1.  Angels were down 3-1 with 2 outs and a runner on 2nd.  Palmer was cruising. 3 batters later it was 5-3 Halos thanks to Ken McMullen's 1st HR of the season.

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

Reds Roll over Cards

The powerhouse Cincinnati Reds completed a three game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals on a Cesar Geronimo walk off home run to cap a comeback 8-7 win in game 3. The Reds took significant early leads in games one and three, only to see the Cardinals make a game of it each time before falling short. The Cardinals actually overcame a 6-0 deficit in game three and lead 7-6, but the lack of a strong bullpen gave up the lead as Joe Morgan homered to tie it in the 8th and Geronimo homered off Bob Forsch in the 9th to win it as mentioned above.

The Cardinals tried a different strategy in game two, taking a lead. But that did not work either as the Reds stormed back to win that one as well. The biggest difference in the series was probably control. Cardinal pitchers walked 17 Reds in the three games, while the Reds hurlers gave only 6 free passes. Giving away 11 extra base runners is not a recipe for success.

--submitted by Bikemike--

Knuckling Down

Home cooking was not the recipe as the visiting team won all 3 games

Game 1 the butterfly was working as Phil Niekro pitched a complete game leading Atlanta to a 4-1 win.

Game 2 Atlanta behind 3 home runs including one by Hank Aaron and another complete game by Carl Morton downed the Cubs 6-2

Game 3 Chicago turned the tables winning 9-1 as Milt Pappas for the second start in a row shut down the opponets bats. The Cubs roughed up 5 Braves pitchers

Cubs record is now 11-19

Braves stand at 17-13

--submitted by Gene Couture--

Pirates take 1 game lead in NL East

Game 1 at Three Rivers,

Game went into extras as the Pirates pulled it out in the 11th on a bases loaded walk to Phil Garner to force in Rennie Stennett as Mike Caldwell could not find the plate.  Pirates 7....Padres 6.

Game 2 at Three Rivers,

Padres pulled out the second game as for the second day in a row, the game went into extended time.  The Padres scored 3 runs in the 11th inning when Cito Gaston drove in 2 runs with a single then Billy Almon followed with a RBI hit to defeat reliever Kent Tekulve.  Rollie Fingers blew the save but pitched 4 innings of relief to earn his first win. Padres 9...Pirates 6.

Game 3 at Jack Murphy Stadium,

San Diego held a tight 4-3 lead going into the 8th inning when Rollie Fingers came in to try and wrap it up. However a 2 out homerun by Gene Clines knotted the game and the Bucos went on to score another run in the 8th and a solo run in the 9th to take the series.  Rennie Stennett collected 3 hits, scored 2 runs and drove in one in the game. Pirates 6...Padres 4.

--submitted by Joey Scigliano--