Amazin's and Spos split opening set

Game 1 - Mets 7, Expos 2
Bill Stoneman vs Tom Seaver
On paper this pitching matchup was a complete mismatch.  On the field of play it was even worse than how the paper read.  "The Franchise", Tom Seaver, gave up just 1 run on 4 hits over 7 innings before taking an early exit in this blowout win.  The Amazin's jumped out to a 5-0 lead after 2 innings and never looked back.  Third baseman Wayne Garrett went 4 for 4 with 4 RBI's thanks to a 3 run shot in the bottom of the 1st.  Cleon Jones (3-5) and Lee Mazzilli (2-4) were great table setters at the top of the lineup.

Game 2 - Expos 4, Mets 2 (14 inn)
Steve Rogers vs Jon Matlack
The Amazin's carried a 2-0 lead into the top of the 8th when Wayne Garrett pulled Kranepool off the bag at 1st in an attempt to throw out the speedy Dave Cash on a slow hit grounder to third.  Ken Singleton walked on 4 pitches to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out.  Ellis Valentine lined a double off the 410 mark on the wall in center to tie the game up at 2-2.  The game would then turn into a war of attrition until the top of the 14th when the Expos plated 2 runs.  Chris Speier led off with a seeing eyed single just out of Kranepool's reach. Parrish walked and Tim Foli bunted both runners into scoring position.  Kenny Singleton struck out looking off of reliever Bob Apodaca, who after 4+ brilliant innings of relief was beginning to tire.  Valentine came to the plate and stroked a 2 run triple into the right center gap to put the Expos up 4-2.  Mike Marshall would come on board for the bottom of the 14th to set the Metsies down in order.  Valentine's 4 RBI's accounted for all of Montreal's scoring.  Lost in the shuffle was as 4 for 6 day by Ed Kranepool and 3+ scoreless innings of relief by Montreal lefty Dan Schatzeder.

Game 3 - Expos 6, Mets 1
Jerry Koosman vs Steve Renko

Big game pitcher Jerry Koosman didn't have it today as the Expos touched New York's lefty up for 5 runs in 6 innings.  Andre Dawson broke out in style with a 3 for 4 day that included a solo homer in the 7th.  New York actually out hit the Expos (13-7), but time and time again starter Steve Renko and Reliever Don Carrithers would get the big out to end threats.  Both Rusty Staub and Buddy Harrelson had 3 hit days, but neither came close to touching home.

Game 4 - Mets 4, Expos 0

Gary Gentry vs Carl Morton
Gary Gentry anointed himself "the stopper" by pitching himself a 3 hit shutout.  Gentry fanned 5 in this complete game masterpiece, while his opposing number Carl Morton battled control and the Mets bats in a losing effort.  Cleon Jones went 3-5 to increase his average to .350.  4 of the top 5 batters in New York's lineup are sporting averages over .300.  The lone dissenting member of the group, Rusty Staub, is hitting .297.  Montreal was lucky to escape the series with a split after hitting .193.

Angels and Rangers split opening series

Game 1 - Angels 4, Rangers 2
Nolan Ryan vs Dick Bosman

California staked Nolan Ryan to a quick 3 run lead in the top of the 1st and never looked back.  The "Express went 8 strong innings fanning 12 and giving up just 1 run.  Rangers starter, Dick Bosman, gave up just 1 more run during his outing after the first.  Mickey Rivers and Bobby Grich had 2 hit games and Joe Rudi had a solo shot in the 8th after replacing Don Baylor who tweaked his knee.  Rangers leadoff man Lenny Randle was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Game 2 - Angels 5, Rangers 3
Andy Messersmith vs Gaylor Perry
For the second day in a row the visiting Angles started the game off with a 3-0 lead.  Larry Biittner's RBI single scored Jim Spencer to tie the game up at 3-3 in the 7th.  Don Baylor's 2 out 2 run blast in the top of the 8th put the Angles back up for good.  Eddie Fisher and Dave LaRoche pitched a perfect inning of relief each to protect the win for Messersmith.

Game 3 - Rangers 5, Angels 3
Doyle Alexander vs Frank Tanana

Lenny Randle led off the game with a triple then scored on a sac fly off the bat of Tom Grieve to give the Rangers their first lead in the series.  Don Baylor's RBI double and Joe Rudi's 2 run shot, his second of the series, made it 3-1 Angels.  Frank Tanana was putting down Rangers hitters with ease.  With 11 strikeouts over 8 innings the hard throwing lefty was poised for victory, until the Rangers put up a 3 spot in the 7th to take a 4-3 lead on the heels of a Juan Beniquez 3 run homer.  Texas added an insurance run in the 9th.  Closer Horacio Pina got 2 quick outs in the bottom of the inning, then gave up consecutive hits to Andy Etchebarren and Leroy Stanton to put runners on the corner.  Inexplicably Stanton took a huge lead and got caught napping as Rangers catcher Jim Sundberg threw down to first and picked Stanton off to end the game.

GAME 4 - Rangers 4, Angels 1
Jim Bibby vs Clyde Wright
Big Jim Bibby carried a shutout into the 8th then lost it on a wild pitch.  Steve Foucault came on board to record the final out in the 8th to bail out the big man before closing it down with a scoreless 9th.  Wright pitched well but was victimized by 2 errors by his defense.  Rangers slugger Jeff Burroughs led an 11 hit attack by going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI's.  California posted just 4 hits on the day.  After getting picked off 1st to end the game the previous day Stanton booted one in the outfield to contribute to today's loss.  Angels manager Douglas Zaner can not be pleased with his slugging outfielder's performance.

Bosox take 3 of 4 from Motown

GAME 1

Mickey Lolich mowed through the Boston order with ease for 6 Innings holding the Sox to just 1 run.  Meanwhile, the Tigers jumped out to a quick lead against Red Sox Starter Sonny Siebert by scoring 2 runs in the 2nd and 4 runs in the 3rd on a 3-Run Shot by Al Kaline that chased Siebert and a Solo Shot by Rusty Staub off of Reliever Reggie Cleveland. The Sox finally got to Lolich & rallied for 4 Runs in the Top of the 7th to close the gap to 6-5. It was a 2-Run Shot by Jim Rice that had Mickey heading to the shower. But the Tigers put 2 on the board in the bottom half courtesy of Norm Cash 2 Run HR & Tom Timmerman & John Hiller pitched strong in relief to close it out as Detroit wins the opener 8-5 at home.

GAME 2

The Red Sox rebound as Bill Lee goes 6.2 IP’s and only allows 2 Runs on 9 Hits as Boston wins it 7-2. The key blast came in the top of the 5th with Boston trailing 2-1 against Tiger Starter Joe Coleman. Coleman loaded the bases and Carl Yastrzemski came to the plate and hit a Grand Slam 413 Feet to Right Center in the Old Tiger Stadium. That put Boston up 5-2 and they got 2 more in the 7 th on a 2 Run HR by Rico Petrocelli off of Reliever Fred Scherman to even the Series at a game apiece in Motown.

GAME 3

We travel to the friendly confines of Fenway Park & the Sox take a 9-0 lead after 3 Innings by tagging Tiger Starter Mark Fidrych and Reliever Woodie Fryman. Reggie Smith hit a 3 Run Homer in the 2nd Inning off “The Bird” and George Scott hit a Pinch Hit Grand Slam off of Fryman in the 3 rd. The Sox got 1 more run off of Fryman in the 4th to make it 10-0. Luis Tiant was cruising but the Tigers plated 4 Runs in the Top of the 7th chasing Luis. Jim Willoughby put out the fire as Boston wins it at home 10-4.

GAME 4

The Red Sox continue their hot hitting by taking a 9-1 lead at the end of 3 Innings. Carlton Fisk hit a 3 Run HR off of Tiger Starter Dave Rozema in the 1st. Reggie Smith then took Reliever Milt Wilcox deep for a 3 Run Shot down the Left Field line that just cleared the Green Monster. Ray Culp went 7 Strong with a big lead allowing just 2 Runs on 8 Hits. Reggie Smith went 4 for 4 with 3 RBI & Carl Yastrzemski hit his 2nd HR of the season as Boston takes the Series 3-1 against Detroit.

--submitted by David Ashe--

Bucs stop Cubbies by taking 3 of 4 in opening series

The wind had to be blowing out because the Buc's hitters kept hitting balls out of Wrigley.  The Cub's pitchers had no chance at containing the Lumber and Lightning.  The Pirates won 7-0 and 9-3 at Wrigley.  The teams split a pair at Three Rivers.  The pirates hit 9 homeruns and batted .325 in 4 games.  Willie Stargell was 8 for 17 with 2 hr's and 4 rbi's.  Manny Sanguillen had 8 rbi's and Richie Zisk was 7 for 15.  The Bucs scored 29 runs while only allowing 11 runs.  Here is a quick recap of each game:

Game 1 - Cubs 7, Bucs 2

Fergie Jenkins gets the win going 7 strong innings while Bruce Sutter gets the save.  Jim Hickman hit 2 hr's and had 5 rbi's for the Cubbies.

Game 2 - Bucs, 11, Cubs 1

Steve Blass escapes trouble almost every inning scattering 11 hits while only allowing 1 run.  Rick Reuschel's neck was sore after giving up 11 runs.

Game 3 - Bucs 7, Cubs 0

Dock Ellis was surperb only allowing 2 hits pitching a complete game shutout striking out 8.  The Bucs hit 4 homeruns to support him.

Game 4 - Bucs 9, Cubs 3

Milt Pappas gives up 8 runs while Jerry Reuss gets the win for the Bucs.  The Pirates hit 4 homeruns for the second straight game.

--submitted by Frank Aluzzi--

Tribe and Brew Crew split opening series

Game 1 – Cleveland 6 Milwaukee 4

Wiley veteran Gaylord Perry’s mystery pitches were really dancing today. He held Milwaukee to 1 run over 6.1 innings. Finally even he couldn’t control those pitches as he piled up 5 walks and 125 pitches. Ray Lamb made it interesting allowing 3 runs in his 2/3 of a inning relieve work but 2 RBI’s apiece by Graig Nettles and Oscar Gamble were too much for Brewers to overcome.

Game 2 – Cleveland 6 Milwaukee 3

Dennis Eckersley was in command all day going the distance, allowing 3 runs, two of them earned on 4 hits. He had a shutout entering the 9th but an error by Chris Chambliss opened the door and Don Money walked through with a 3-run homer. But the Tribe had build a comfortable lead heading into the 9th on homers by Ray Fosse and Rick Manning.

Game 3 – Milwaukee 4 Cleveland 2

A pitchers duel broke out between a couple of crafty lefties.  Jerry Augustine and Rick Waits held their opponents scoreless through 6 innings. Milwaukee finally pushed two runs across in the 7th. After Buddy Bell misplayed a potential inning ending double-play, Cecil Cooper lined a single to left scoring John Briggs and Robin Yount. Cleveland would score an unearned run in their half of the seventh and tie the score in the 8th on a Rico Cary base knock. Ace Cleveland reliever Dave LaRoche came on to work the ninth and promptly walked 4 batters allowing Milwaukee to walk away with their 1st win of the year.

Game 4 – Milwaukee 4  Cleveland 3

Continuing the trend of road teams winning the 1st three games, the Brewers got off to a fast start against Jim Bibby scoring 4 runs by the 4th inning. Gorman Thomas delivered the big blow, a 3-run blast in the 4th. Cleveland kept nibbling away but Bill Travers, Tom Murphy and Ken Sanders were just good enough to hold on for the win.

A well played series by newcomer Joe Allen who kept his team in every game played. Look for good things this year from the Brewers.

--submitted by Ron Burnette--

Bronx Bombers take 3 of 4 from O's

Game 1: Cuellar vs Guidry

The season opened in Yankee Stadium in inauspicious fashion for the home team. Ron Guidry, the presumptive ace of the strong Yankee rotation, was chased in the second inning and ended up giving up six runs and left with an ERA of 27.00 – despite giving up only two hits. The Yankees tried to come back with a run in the fourth and three in the fifth, but two Oriole runs in the seventh put the game effectively out of reach. Ken Singleton had a monster game going 4-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Baltimore spoiled the opener for the home fans, dominantly winning by a final score of 10-4. Reggie Jackson’s first home run, a solo shot in the fourth, was one of the few Yankee highlights.

Game 2: Palmer vs Stottlemyre

The second game in New York was a different story. A fire had been lit under the Yankees, and they opened with an inspired rally. They scored three runs in the first three innings off Jim Palmer. The O’s got a run back in the fourth but the Yanks answered, scoring three runs off three hits. It would have been a  bigger inning, but Reggie Jackson was thrown out trying to stretch a single to end the innings. Mel Stottlemyre did the rest, completing the game with only one run given up on four hits, and the Yanks pulled it out 7-1.

Game 3:  Peterson vs Flanagan

The series moved to Baltimore for the third game. The O’s stormed ahead on a three-run third, but the Yankees had something left. Charles Johnson and Bucky Dent each had RBI singles in the fifth and Craig Nettles gave the Yanks the lead in the sixth with a two-run double. Peterson held on and gave up no more runs in a complete game. Back-to-back home runs by Nettles and Reggie Jackson in the eighth sealed the win and New Your spoiled it for Baltimore 7-3.

Game 4: Medich vs McAnally

Eddie Murray his an RBI double in the third, scoring Singleton, to open the account for the home team. The game went back and forth for a while: the Yankees collected five hits in the fourth and scored three runs, while the O’s got three hits in the sixth to tie the game. But the wheels came off Oriole pitching in the ninth, with the Yanks managing four runs to blow it open. Sparky Lyle, in his first appearance in a non-save situation, gave up a run but recovered and the Yankees won the game and the series by a final score of 7-4. The Red Sox are next for the Yankees while Milwaukee awaits the Orioles.

--submitted by Michael Hopcroft--

Padres and Dodgers split opening series

Game 1....Randy Jones pitched a strong game and San Diego pulled it out in the bottom of the 9th inning with a Dave Winfield homerun.

Game 2...Andy Messersmith pitches a 4 hitter en route to a 5-1 Dodger victory.

Game 3...The Padres take the 3rd game as they push across a run in the 12th to win. Caldwell earns the win with 5 innings of strong relief. Padres 3....Dodgers 2.

Game 4...Los Angeles takes the final game game as Steve Garvey connects for a 3-run homerun.  Veteran southpaw Claude Osteen earns the win. Dodgers 5....Padres 1.

--submitted by Joey Scigliano--

President Nixon throws out the first pitch for KOD15

President Nixon, the first pitch is all yours...

A new KOD season begins like it always does with the President of the United States throwing out the first pitch.  Since the decade started with Richard M. Nixon as President, it is only fitting that he throw out the first pitch in our Nation's Capital.

KOD 15 will feature the best players in each franchise from 1970-79.  Each player must have played a minimum of 3 consecutive years during the decade for their respective team.  Some players played for 2 two teams.  3 players actually played 3 consecutive years on 3 different teams.

Special thanks once again to Steve Tate for putting together this wonderful disk that we will be playing with for the next 11 weeks.

Let the games begin !!!