04' N.Y. Giants vs. 62' L.A. Dodgers (APBA Tourney) (Vault #5)

Both teams in a weird sense are non-playoff teams. The 1962 Los Angeles Dodgers lost a "tie-breaker" playoff series to the San Francisco Giants, 2 games-to-1 that determined the National League Pennant, while the 1904 New York Giants won the National League, but due to Manager John McGraw and their owner John T. Brush, they refused to play the American League Champion Boston Americans, expressing that the A.L. (the Junior Circuit) was the inferior league. Both franchises have a long rivalry while both were in New York, and now are in California. Plus both of these two teams are anchored by a two-headed monster in their starting rotations; the Giants have Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity, while the Dodgers have Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax -- both teams' #3 and #4 starting pitchers drop off considerably compared to their top 2 starters.

The difference between these clubs may be that one team (the Giants) are from the "Deadball Era" while the Dodgers are a team from the "Expansion Era". 

GAME 1

at New York / Polo Grounds

The "Big Six" Mathewson in full control in Game 1.

It's a Hall of Fame match-up between the Dodgers' Don Drysdale (25-9, 2.83 ERA & 232 K's) against the Giants' Christy Mathewson (33-12, 2.03 ERA & 212 K's)!

Bottom of the 3rd

Roger Bresnahan (CF) leads off the 3rd with a double, three batters later and with two outs, First Baseman Dan McGann drives in Bresnahan with an RBI double. Giants 1, Dodgers 0

Top of the 7th

The Dodgers came close to threatening as Frank Howard and Ron Fairly had back-to-back singles. Now with a pinch-runner for Howard (in Larry Burright) on second, and Fairly on first, with only one out -- the Dodgers have their chance against Mathewson. Dodgers' Catcher Johnny Roseboro would move the runners up by grounding out, but the rally would die with a strikeout to Jim Gilliam.

Bottom of the 8th

The Dodgers, now with reliever Eddie Roebuck on the mound (Drysdale allowed only one ER in 7 IP) -- found themselves in a bit of trouble with a lead-off single by Dan McGann; in which McGann then stole second. Two batters later (with one out), Bill Dahlen drives in McGann with a single, followed by Billy Gilbert hitting into a Fielder's Choice (getting the lead runner Dahlen). Giants' catcher John Warner would drive a single to left, and move the runner (Gilbert) to 3rd base; Warner steels second. Runners on 2nd & 3rd with two outs, Dodgers make a pitching change and bring in relief pitcher Larry Sherry; Sherry loads up the bases by walking Roger Bresnahan. Bases loaded for George Browne, who hits into a FC (as the Dodgers get Bresnahan at second). Giants 3, Dodgers 0

Top of the 9th

Christy Mathewson finishes off the Dodgers by striking out Ron Fairly, in a complete game, 4-hit, shutout!

FINAL SCORE:

04' GIANTS        3

62' DODGERS   0

WP - Mathewson (NYG) / LP - Drysdale (L.A.)

POST-GAME:

• Christy Mathewson (NYG): Player of the Game; allowing only 4 hits & a walk, while striking out 6 Dodgers in a complete-game, shutout.
• Don Drysdale (L.A.): 7 IP, 7 H, ER, 6 K's & 1 BB in a great effort.
• Roger Bresnahan (NYG): 2-for-3, 2B, run & 2 BB's.
• Dan McGann (NYG): 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, SB & HBP.
• John Warner (NYG): 2-for-4, SB
• Ron Fairly (L.A.): 2-for-3, 2B, BB.

GAME 2

at New York / Polo Grounds

The Dodgers will hope to tie the series against another superb pitcher in Joe McGinnity, who led the 1904 National League with 35 victories & a 1.61 ERA (in 408 innings of work)! It's another Hall of Fame match-up between pitchers as the Dodgers send Sandy Koufax (14-7, 2.54 ERA & 216 K's in 184 IP) up to the mound -- it's not Koufax's best season (APBA Grade of B-K) vs. McGinnity's APBA Grade of A&C-YZ!

McGinnity allows only 3 hits & 1 ER.

Bottom of the 2nd

With runners on first and third & one out, Giants' starting pitcher Joe McGinnity helps his own cause by flying out deep to drive in the runner (Bill Dahlen) from third. Giants 1, Dodgers 0

Bottom of the 3rd

With George Browne on 2nd Base, the Giants' Art Devlin (3B) smacks in a two-out RBI double to add to the Giants lead. Giants 2, Dodgers 0

Top of the 6th

Maury Wills who reached first on a bobbled routine grounder to Giants' shortstop Bill Dahlen, moves to second on a ground out by Willie Davis. With two outs, Frank Howard powers a 2-run HR off of McGinnity, to tie the game up. Giants 2, Dodgers 2

Bottom of the 7th

The Dodgers bring in reliever Ron Perranoski for Koufax to start the bottom-half, with a 2-2 tie. Walks the lead-off runner Roger Bresnahan, who then moves to second on a ground out by George Browne. With two outs, Sam Mertes drives in a go-ahead RBI single. Giants 3, Dodgers 2

Bottom of the 8th

Art Devlin starts off the inning with a single to right, followed by a single from Bill Dahlen. Runners on 1st & 2nd, no outs; Perranoski gets Billy Gilbert to hit into a double-play, moving the base runner (Devlin) to third base. The Giants' Manager/Player John McGraw decides to pinch-hit for catcher Frank Bowerman. The decision pays off as he drives in Devlin, then gets greedy trying to make second as Roseboro guns down McGraw at second for the inning's final out. An insurance run for New York! Giants 4, Dodgers 2

Top of the 9th

The Giants leave in McGinnity, who finishes off the Dodgers 1-2-3 for back-to-back complete games by New York Giants' pitchers. They have allowed only 1 ER (2 runs) in 18 innings!

FINAL SCORE:

04' GIANTS         4

62' DODGERS    2

WP - McGinnity (NYG) / LP - Perranoski (L.A.)

POST-GAME:

• Joe McGinnity (NYG): 3 hits & 1 ER allowed in complete game; 4 K's & 4 BB. Making him the Player of the Game.
• Roger Bresnahan (NYG): 1-for-2, 2B, 2 BB & R. Has reached base 7 times during the first two games with an .636 On-Base Percentage!
• Art Devlin (NYG): 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, R
• Maury Wills (L.A.): 1-for-4, SB & R.

GAME 3

at Los Angeles / Dodger Stadium

The 1904 Giants are in full control of the series, out-hitting the 62' Dodgers 19-7 in the first two games. Game 3 will be between the Giants' Dummy Taylor (21-15, 2.34 ERA & 138 K's; a APBA Grade B-Y) against the Dodgers' Johnny Podres (15-13, 3.81 ERA & 178 K's; C-YZ). The odds are very favorable for the Dodgers as the series shifts back to Los Angeles.

Top of the 1st

The Giants get things rolling by scoring three runs on two defensive errors by Maury Wills and Tommy Davis. Giants' Dan McGann will add to the trouble with an RBI double. Giants 3, Dodgers 0

Top of the 2nd

Roger Bresnahan (playing catcher) hits an RBI double off of Podres to score in CF-Mike Donlin.

Giants 4, Dodgers 0

Top of the 3rd

The Dodgers who have scored only 3 runs in the first two games, finds themselves down by 5 runs when Giants' RF-George Browne scores on a Sacrifice Fly by 2B-Billy Gilbert. Giants 5, Dodgers 0

Top of the 4th

Mike Donlin scores from third base on the botched drop by Dodgers' LF-Wally Moon.

Giants 6, Dodgers 0

Willie Davis: Dodgers' Game 3 spark plug.

Bottom of the 4th

Dodgers start the bottom half down 6-0. A lead-off single by CF-Willie Davis, followed by a single by Frank Howard & a walk to Ron Fairly loads the bases up for the suddenly alive Dodgers, who only had two hits the previous three innings. Dodgers' catcher Johnny Roseboro hits into a Fielder's Choice, driving in Willie Davis from third; Fairly out at second, as Howard moves to 3rd. Giants 6, Dodgers 1

Roseboro steals second; which is followed by a passed ball as the ball was bumbled by Giants' catcher Bresnahan who had a hard time locating the ball as big, Frank Howard scores and Roseboro moves to 3rd base. Giants 6, Dodgers 2

Still only one out, Dummy Taylor walks Jim Gilliam; runners on 1st and 3rd for the Dodgers -- which is followed by a sac fly from Wally Moon. Giants 6, Dodgers 3

The Dodgers' Lee Walls comes in to pinch-hit for pitcher Johnny Podres, and moves Gilliam up to second base with a single to left; followed by RBI single by Maury Wills. Taylor decides to intentionally walk Tommy Davis to face off against Willie Davis. Giants 6, Dodgers 4

Bases loaded, two outs -- as Dummy Taylor delivers a pitch he would like back as Willie Davis sends the ball to deep center field, GRAND SLAM! Davis, who was the very same player that started this rally, puts the Dodgers in the lead; Taylor is taken out of the game after 3.2 innings. Dodgers 8, Giants 6

Bottom of the 5th

After back-to-back singles by Jim Gilliam and Wally Moon, Dodgers' reliever Eddie Roebuck drives in both base runners with a single off of Giants' reliever Chaucer Elliott. Dodgers 10, Giants 6

The Giants fail to recover as Dodger relievers Eddie Roebuck and Ron Perranoski combine for 5 shut-out innings in relief, allowing only one hit.

FINAL SCORE:

62' DODGERS   10

04' GIANTS         6

WP - Roebuck (L.A.) / LP - D.Taylor (NYG)

POST-GAME:

• 8-run bottom of the 4th for the Dodgers; so far is the biggest run production in a single-inning during the tournament.
• 5 errors by 62' Dodgers, none for the 04' Giants.
• Willie Davis (L.A.): 2-for-5, Grand Slam, single, 2 runs & 4 RBI; Player of the Game.
• Frank Howard (L.A.): 2-for-4, 2B, BB & R.
• Wally Moon (L.A.): 2-for-3, RBI & R.
• Eddie Roebuck (L.A.): 3 IP, 1 H, no runs, 2 K & BB; 2-run insurance single as hitter.
• Mike Donlin (NYG): 2-for-5, 3 runs.
• Roger Bresnahan (NYG): 2-for-5, RBI double, R.

GAME 4

at Los Angeles / Dodger Stadium

The Dodgers are alive for one more day. At one moment in Game 3, they were down 6-0 going into the bottom of the fourth (appearing to be on the verge of elimination) as Willie Davis sparked a rally for an incredible 8-run outburst. Does the Dodgers still have magic up their sleeves? We will find out, as the Dodgers send Don Drysdale back to the mound on three days rest; the Giants elect to "not panic" by putting Hooks Wiltse out on the mound, instead of bringing Christy Mathewson a day early to seal the deal. Wiltse, had a 13-3 record, 3 SV, 2.84 ERA & 104 K's in 164.2 Innings in 1904 for the Giants.

Top of the 4th

The Giants' Sam Mertes hits a lead-off double off Drysdale, and then steals third base (off of backup catcher Doug Camilli, giving Johnny Roseboro a day off). Art Devlin with one out, scores Merte on a sacrifice fly. Giants 1, Dodgers 0

Bottom of the 4th

Ron Fairly reaches second on a throwing error by Giants' shortstop Bill Dahlen. Jim Gilliam follows that up with a game-tying RBI double off of Wiltse. Dodgers 1, Giants 1

Wiltse (NYG) puts in a worthy effort of 8 K's, 1 ER in 7 Innings.

Top of the 8th

With one out, Mike Donlin comes in to pinch-hit for Giants' starting pitcher Wiltse, and gets a single off of Drysdale. Donlin then steals second, as Roger Bresnahan gets an RBI single. For Bresnahan that is now 11 times he has reached base in the first 4 games. Giants 2, Dodgers 1

Bottom of the 8th

One out with bases loaded, the Dodgers' 3B-Lee Walls drives in Frank Howard from third on a sacrifice fly off of Red Ames to left, Giants will prevent any more scoring. Dodgers 2, Giants 2

Bottom of the 10th

Red Ames, coming in for his 3rd inning of relief faces Frank Howard, which Howard with the first pitch sends it into the stands of Dodger Stadium for a walk-off blast to right! Howard's 2nd HR of the series.

FINAL SCORE:

62' DODGERS   3

04' GIANTS        2   (10 Innings)

WP - Perranoski (L.A.) / LP - Ames (NYG)

Howard: Game 4 hero!

POST-GAME:

• Frank Howard (L.A.): Walk-off HR, 2-for-4 RBI, Intentional walk.
• Jim Gilliam (L.A.): 2-for-4, 2 2B's & RBI.
• Roger Bresnahan (NYG): 2-for-5, SB, RBI.
• Hooks Wiltse (NYG): 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER/1 R, 8 K & 3 BB's.
• Don Drysdale (L.A.): 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K & 2 BB's.

GAME 5

at New York / Polo Grounds

The good news is that the series will be back at the Polo Grounds for the Giants, who won the first two games very decisively. The bad news is that since the top of the 4th of Game 3, the Giants are being outscored by the Dodgers 13-2. Just like in the first two games, it will once again be a Hall of Fame match-up between starting pitchers; this time between Christy Mathewson (NYG) & Sandy Koufax (L.A.)!

Top of the 1st

Maury Wills reaches first on a walk & then steals second base as Frank Howard continues where he left off with a 2-run blast off of Mathewson; his 3rd of the series. Dodgers 2, Giants 0

Top of the 3rd

Sandy Koufax hits a lead-off solo HR to right off of Mathewson, helping his own cause. The Dodgers have now scored 3 runs in the first 3 innings of Game 5, matching the combined total that they scored at the Polo Grounds for Games 1 & 2! Dodgers 3, Giants 0

Bottom of the 4th

LF- Sam Mertes of the Giants hits a 2-out solo HR to right field off of Koufax. Dodgers 3, Giants 1

Bresnahan goes cold in Game 5.

Bottom of the 5th

Lead-off HR by 3B- Art Devlin of the Giants. Koufax then walks Billy Gilbert, who then moves to second base on a ground-out by catcher John Warner. With 2 outs, Giants' pitcher Christy Mathewson shows Koufax that he can also handle a bat, by driving in Gilbert with a double. Giants 3, Dodgers 3

The game would go scoreless for 8 consecutive innings, Mathewson would go a strong 10 innings, allowing 5 hits & 3 runs; while striking out nine Dodgers, walking three.

Top of the 14th

Frank Howard gets a lead-off single, Ron Fairly follows with a walk; in which Johnny Roseboro drives the ball to center, Howard tries to score -- but is gunned down by an excellent throw by CF- Roger Bresnahan. Runners on first and third, one out; Jim Gilliam drives in both runners with a single over third.

Dodgers 5, Giants 3

Bottom of the 14th

After 4 innings of great relief by Ron Perranoski, the Dodgers go with Larry Sherry to close out the game. The Dodgers' bullpen have not allowed a run now in 14 consecutive innings! Sherry has only pitched 1/3 of an inning in the series. He walks 3B- Art Devlin, who then attempts to steal 2nd, which he is gunned down by Johnny Roseboro -- momentum breaker, as Sherry strikes out both Bill Dahlen and Billy Gilbert to make the Dodgers pull off this improbable comeback!

FINAL SCORE:

62' DODGERS   5

04' GIANTS        3   (14 Innings)

WP - Perranoski (L.A.) / LP -  Ames (NYG) / SV - Sherry (L.A.)

The Dodgers' bullpen: Roebuck, Perranoski & Sherry  - got the job done!

POST-GAME:

• Ron Perranoski (L.A.): 4 Innings of relief, recorded 2nd win of series, 3 K's & BB.
• Eddie Roebuck (L.A.): 3 Innings of relief, no hits, 4 BB's.
• Sandy Koufax (L.A.): 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R & BB allowed; no K's -- but hit a solo HR off of Mathewson in the third inning!
• Maury Wills (L.A.): 3 SB's for single-game tournament record.
• Frank Howard (L.A.): 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, Int BB.
• Roger Bresnahan (NYG): 0-for-6, never reaching base (After 11 times on base in previous four games)!
• Art Devlin (NYG): 2-for-5, HR, RBI, BB; 1 SB & twice caught stealing (including 14th inning).
• Sam Mertes (NYG): 2-for-5, HR, BB.
• Christy Mathewson (NYG): 10 IP, 5 H, 3 ER/R, 9 K & 3 BB's; RBI 2B off Koufax.

SERIES RECAP: 62' DODGERS COMEBACK, 3-2!

• Dodgers' bullpen: No runs & only 4 hits allowed in the last 15 innings!
• Ron Perranoski (L.A.): 2-1 record, 1.80 ERA, 7 K & 4 BB's, 7 hits in 10 IP (Series Co-MVP with Frank Howard).
• Eddie Roebuck (L.A.): 1-0 record, 2.70 ERA, 3 K & 6 BB's, 4 hits in 6.2 IP.
• Frank Howard (L.A.): .421 AVG, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 Runs, 8 hits & 1.469 OPS.
• Christy Mathewson (NYG): 1-0, 1.42 ERA, 15 K & 4 BB's, 9 hits (.684 WHIP) in 19 IP.
• Don Drysdale (L.A.): 0-1, 1.80 ERA & 12 K's (1.000 WHIP) in 15 IP.
• Roger Bresnahan (NYG): .333, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 7 hits, .440 OBP, SB (.916 OPS).
• Red Ames (NYG): 0-2, BS, 5.14 ERA, 7 K & 4 BB (1.429 WHIP) in 7 innings of relief.

NEXT OPPONENT: The Winner of the 86' New York (N) (5) / 67' St. Louis (N) (12) series.

Greatest Teams Debate (Vault #4)

Dave McNally & Jim Palmer of the Orioles.

From the BoS Blog Vault - Originally posted on June 14, 2015 - I decided to share this post in my 'Vault' series, due to a recent Facebook post that involved the 1961 New York Yankees. In this post, you will find very interesting debates, while you will find out exactly why the 61' Yankees are quite overrated. 

Now a few months back, I remember from time to time people bringing up best three-year period or five-year period from a MLB franchise. It had some of the usual suspects bouncing around there from the Baltimore Orioles (1969-1971), Oakland Athletics (1972-1974), The Chicago Cubs (early 20th Century), the two different Philadelphia A's franchises from Connie Mack, the WWII era St.Louis Cardinals, among others.

The wife and I went to the public library, in which I once again, rented out "The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract" (by Bill James) -- Another book, I like to rent from there is "The Biographical Encyclopedia of Negro League Baseball" (by James A. Riley) -- Both great books! This time, it was just Bill James' books with a handful of Walking Dead Graphic Novels.

Now when it comes to Bill James, I will say this much the guy's formulas and his Win Shares that pretty much (or did, depending on who you ask) created the WAR stat concept (Wins After Replacement) -- and many of his formulas really do finish many debates on comparing players, teams and what-not. He may not be a guy that remembers watching that player back in the day, in fact he kind of approaches that aspect of the game with a half-glance approach, he's more of mad scientist who loves the game, will take the criteria, make strong cases -- while at the same time, he may not watch the game as the average die-hard baseball fan does... he's most likely not going to play in any fantasy baseball league, but he's partly responsible in many of the stats that we find helpful in choosing our fantasy baseball teams, plus his findings are also helpful to any APBA Managers out there, who are evaluating their rosters, making certain trades & drafting certain players.

Is he always right? No. Do I like reading his theories, and watching many of them make sense? Most definitely! By the way, my right arm is all oiled up with Tiger Balm, since my whole right arm is really sore from doing computer work for my APBA League & rolling some dice games -- but after reading one of his sections in this book, I had to share, and discuss this.

So back to Greatest Teams debate, he made a simplistic 6-point system to measure a team, of course this does not take in an effect if a team is a great base-stealing team, has a great pitching staff, or great lineup -- it's just a simple system, to start with.

The 6-point system is like this, for each accomplishment by the team, it will make a check by each statistical accomplishment, and the team gets one point each.

• Finishing over .500
• Winning over 90 games.
• Winning over 100 games.
• Winning the Division.
• Winning the League.
• Winning the World Series.

These qualifications are definitely not going to paint an over-all picture of a franchise, but when you use this system, for certain criteria, let's say for a 5-year period debate, this is how the very top franchises ranked using these accomplishments & six-point system presented by James.

• New York Yankees (1935-1939)          25 pts
• New York Yankees (1949-1953)          25 pts
• Chicago Cubs (1906-1910)                   24 pts
• St. Louis Cardinals (1942-1946)           24 pts
• New York Yankees (1960-1964)          24 pts
• Philadelphia Athletics (1910-1914)      23 pts
• Oakland Athletics (1971-1975)             22 pts
• Atlanta Braves (1995-1999)                  22 pts
• Cincinnati Reds (1972-1976)                21 pts
• Baltimore Orioles (1969-1973)             20 pts
• Boston Red Sox (1912-1916)                20 pts
• Brooklyn Dodgers (1952-1956)            20 pts

It's impressive, while at the same time it all makes sense, these are the teams we usually are chatting about, and debating over. For pre-1969 teams, he counted League Championships (with an extra point, for the division they would have won, which makes sense). 

Another point made, is that with this system, there has only been 6 teams to have had back-to-back six-point seasons, they are...

• Philadelphia Athletics (1910-1911)
• New York Yankees (1927-1928)
• Philadelphia Athletics (1929-1930)
• New York Yankees (1936-1937)
• Cincinnati Reds (1975-1976)

Once again, uncanny, looking at this list, all makes sense, and these 5 teams are always in the thick of the discussion.

Now this book is copyrighted in 2001, not sure if he has any more updated books, which this book was an update as well. So he did not add any more recent teams, so I decided to go do some research myself.

Now we all know how much San Francisco Giants fans love bragging about their pesky Giants, not to mention all their "dynasty" talk, which I often have to point out their two missed playoff years, that are wedged in between their 3 recent World Championships. Taking in this system, this is how what we ended up with...

• 2010 Giants: 5 pts     (only failed to win 100+ games)
• 2011 Giants: 1 pt     (Missed playoffs, finished over .500)
• 2012 Giants: 4 pts     (only failed to reach 90+ & 100+ wins)
• 2013 Giants: 0 pts     (76-86, failed to reach post-season - 2nd time in period)
• 2014 Giants: 3 pts     (Wild-Card, wins 3rd World Title, fails to reach 90 wins) 

That's a grand total of 13 pts -- Hardly great when comparing to these teams that had more points, during a five-year period...

• Detroit Tigers (1907-1911)                     14 pts
• Kansas City Royals (1976-1980)            15 pts
• Los Angeles Dodgers (1962-1966)         17 pts
• New York Mets (1984-1988)                  16 pts
• Philadelphia Phillies (1976-1980)           17 pts
• Pittsburgh Pirates (1901-1905)                16 pts

The Giants have won 3 World Series in the last 5 years, but where do they fit in history?

Some people may look at these teams and say, you know those are some good solid teams --Of course they are not better than some of those! Granted that the 2010-2014 Giants can spin the debate, and note that they have more titles than each of these (above six) teams. But to put it into perspective, they barely edge their 1962 counterparts, the 62' Giants who scored 12 points from 1962-1966 -- let it be known though, that I am NOT saying the 62'-66' bunch of Giants are better than the current group, no way!

In the book, he brings up the 1919 Chicago White Sox ("Black Sox") squad of 1916-1920; He mentions there is no foundation to consider the White Sox among the all-time greats. They managed to score only 12 points, their multi-year accomplishments rank them lower than the...

• Detroit Tigers (1907-1911)
• Boston Red Sox (1901-1905)
• The Tigers of the 1930's.
• The Indians of the 1950's.
• Baltimore Orioles (1979-1983)
• Kansas City Royals (1976-1980)
• Detroit Tigers (1983-1987)

...and dozens of other teams, and suggests that no one would list these teams above among the all-time greats. We do know if the Chicago White Sox didn't throw the 1919 series (and won the World Championship) & didn't have 8 players banned from the game in a close 1920 pennant race, that they may have even won, giving them another shot at a title, that those would add only a few more points to the system, and still would fall short of all the teams listed above. Once again, I am not going to imply that the 1979-1983 Orioles are better than the 1919 White Sox, or the period of the 1983-1987 Tigers are better; I will say that the Tigers' 1984 World Championship season alone succeeds over any one year accomplishment by those White Sox teams though.

Say it ain't so? Not one of the best teams ever?

By the way, good news Giants fans -- You can say that your 2010-2014 teams are at least better than a historical team in the "Black Sox"; The White Sox were a good, strong team, but not among the all-time greats -- their reputation for the scandal makes people consider them great. But the 1916-1910 White Sox or the 2010-2014 Giants, are not anywhere close to be overrated than say...

... possibly the most over-rated team of all-time, when we are talking about greatest team debates...

The 1961 New York Yankees

I'm so glad when I read this book that Bill James hammers on many key points when discussing this team. I often have to bite my lip on the APBA Facebook Group, when people often bring this team into the greatest teams of all-time discussion -- they are nowhere close! The 1976-1980 Yankees may be a stronger group even. Now let me point out that the six-point system is the only thing that helps the 1960-1964 New York Yankees bunch, they are tied for second-most with the 1906-1910 Chicago Cubs & 1942-1946 St. Louis Cardinals with 24 pts.

But at this point, James just wants to point out the 1961 season -- before we head on to the 1961 season, I would like to note the 1960-1964 period for the Yankees was really their twilight period from their dominant 1950's -- The 1960's teams are a far cry from that bunch.

The Yankees ended up choking in the 1960 World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates (even though they outscored the Pirates that series), they dominated a Cincinnati Reds team in the 1961 World Series, 4-1 -- a Reds team that really wasn't the best team from the National League, according to Pythagorean Records, the 93-win Reds were the equivalent of a 83-win team, and that the 3rd Place San Francisco Giants (a Pythagorean N.L. best 89 wins) would have been a much-better challenger to the somewhat declining Yankees. The Yankees would barely edge those Giants in 1962, 4-3 in the 1962 World Series. In 1963, the Los Angeles Dodgers would sweep the Yankees & they would lose the 64' Series to St. Louis.

Now I am not saying that their 1960-1964 period was not impressive, they went to the World Series all five years -- winning two World Championships.

But once again, we are focusing on the 1961 World Series team, so back to James' points. Three points he would put detail into...

1) Their offense is completely one-dimensional (Lots of HR's).

2) No bench (besides Johnny Blanchard).

3) Whitey Ford - Only quality arm on the team.

In MLB history (as of 2001) there have been 40 teams to lead the league both in runs, and to lead in fewest runs allowed; Many teams that have done this, are among the best ever...

• 1927 New York Yankees (213)
• 1936-1939 Yankees (averaging at least 143 runs per year more)
• 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers (216)
• "The Impossible Dream" - 1967 Boston Red Sox (123 runs)

The only thing Yankees did well in 1961 was hit many HR's, the only thing that they led their league in -- compare that to the 1976 Cincinnati Reds, who led nearly every offensive category; Reds had 212 more runs than the N.L. average.

The 61' Yankees pitchers, 6 out of their 11 pitchers on their staff, went on to win 35 games or fewer for the remainder of their careers. 

Another interesting note, their record was 7-2 at home against the expansion Washington Senators in their home run park; Against the Senators (in their pitching park), they went 4-5 against the Senators.

The M&M boys (Roger Maris & Mickey Mantle) paint this image of the 1961 Yankees as some great powerhouse of the past, when in reality we should be giving more credit to their 1962 team possibly, which beat a much tougher World Series contender.

Anyways, when you take much of the statistical proof provided by Bill James, it's easy to see that the 1961 team was indeed overrated & do not belong with the absolute greats; Good team, and a Yankee fan favorite for sure, but a little too much ticker-tape if you ask me.

The 'WHAT IF' 1984 World Series (Vault #3)

From the BoS Blog Vault - Originally posted on August 22, 2015 - I conducted a 'What if' World Series for 1984, involving the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers. The results were rather surprising, you can check out each game, just below the logo, and then continue on this post to see the end results.

Here is a recap on the WHAT IF 1984 World Series...

(Click on game links to get a synopsis of each game)

Game 1 (at Chicago) - Detroit 5, Chicago 4

Game 2 (at Chicago) - Detroit 3, Chicago 2 (10 Innings)

Game 3 (at Detroit) - Chicago 4, Detroit 0

Game 4 (at Detroit) - Chicago 3, Detroit 2

Game 5 (at Detroit) - Chicago 2, Detroit 1

The Detroit Tigers won the first two games, while the Chicago Cubs won the next three at Tiger Stadium -- In fact, every game so far during this series has been won by the visiting team. 

GAME 6 

(at Wrigley Field, Chicago)

Petry was the right call for Game 6.

The Detroit Tigers saved Dan Petry for Game 6, and pitched Juan Berenguer instead for Game 5. While the Chicago Cubs send Dennis Eckersley, who last time pitched got the Cubs back into this series with a shutout of the Tigers in Game 3.

The Tigers started Rupert Jones once again in left field, he went 2-for-3 (2 singles) in Game 5 -- The move paid off again with a solo HR to get the Tigers started with a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. The Tigers' Lou Whitaker would add to the lead, with a RBI single in the 5th inning.

It was all Dan Petry in this one, allowing only two hits in 8 shutout innings, with 5 K's & 3 BB's. Dennis Eckersley was good again, but couldn't get the support from his lineup in this one, he went 6 innings, allowing 5 hits & 2 runs (1 earned), he did allow 3 walks though.

Tigers win 2-0, Series tied 3-3

GAME 7

(at Wrigley Field, Chicago)

Once again, it's Jack Morris vs Rick Sutcliffe. Morris has not done so well the previous two, while Sutcliffe has been excellent.

Both pitchers kept the other team off the board the first three innings, until Leon Durham got things going with a solo HR in the bottom of the 4th. The Tigers' Dave Bergman would get the Tigers' first hit in the top of the 5th, a two-out double. It would not be until the top of the 6th, that the Tigers would score, and that would be a game-tying RBI triple by Kirk Gibson; Scoring in Lou Whitaker from second (who had a double). The Tigers would strand Gibson.

The Tigers also would hit into many force plays or double plays in this series, or so it seems, because they happen to happen at the most crucial times of the ball games.

The game would remain a 1-1 tie for the next couple innings, entering the 9th. Jack Morris had his best game of the series, even though it was a short five inning outing -- allowing 4 hits & a run, while striking out five Cubs. The Tigers' Aurelio Lopez pitched two scoreless innings, and Dave Rozema & Doug Bair shared the 8th Inning. Willie Hernandez would come in for a non-save situation, with the Tigers hoping for him to last at least three innings, if this goes extras.

Meanwhile, Rick Sutcliffe has been keeping the Tigers at bay, allowing only 5 hits, a run & walk through 8 innings, while racking up 8 K's.

The top of the 9th, the Tigers had their #3, #4 & #5 hitters coming up in Kirk Gibson, Chet Lemon & Darrell Evans. They couldn't do anything with fly-outs by Gibson & Evans, and Lemon grounding out. Bottom of the 9th, the Cubs had Ron Cey, Jody Davis & Larry Bowa coming up. Cey would strike out a third time, and is 0-for-4 for the night. Jody Davis (1-for 18) entering the game, was 0-for-3 in this one with 2 K's (making him 1-for-21), appeared to be no threat to Willie Hernandez, until Willie accidentally hung one over the plate, Jody sent it deep over the Ivy in right, a walk-off series winner for the Cubbies!

The Chicago Cubs down 2-0, win the series, 4-3! Leon Durham has been a beast, it's been awhile since I have seen stats such as these in a dice series, but here they are...

LEON DURHAM

11 H / 25 AB

.440 BA

2 HR

6 RBI

7 Doubles

2 Triples

4 walks (1 Int Walk)

All 11 hits were Extra-Base Hits!

.517 On-Base Percentage

1.120 Slugging Percentage

1.637 OPS (On-Base + Slugging)

Easy call, he is the MVP of the series, despite Sutcliffe & Eckersley's excellent performances.

Jody Davis: The unlikely series hero, ending 76 years of frustration.

'Gunboat' Gumbert Smacks 2 HR (Vault #2)

From the BoS Blog Vault - Originally posted on April 25th, 2013 - It was the first time that I ever had a pitcher hit two home runs in a single game, he was also very effective with his arm as well. Plus other Crazy 48's highlights.

'Gunboat' Gumbert smacks 2 HR's & 6 RBI's

Not a bad day for Harry "Gunboat" Gumbert.

                           R   H   E
1937 Giants       12  13  0
1934 Cardinals   2    6   1     F

New York (2-2) / St. Louis (2-2)

WP- Gumbert (1-0)
LP- B.Walker (0-1) 

The 1937 New York Giants won the last two games to finish in a 2-2 split with the 1934 St. Louis Cardinals, with a record setting performance by the Giants' starting pitcher Harry Gumbert, but not with his arm, but with his bat, as he tied the 2 HR's in a game & 6 RBI's in a single-game marks. The single-game RBI mark would later be broken by Darren Daulton during the day for the 93' Phillies. His nickname "Gunboat" is fitting, batting 3-for-5.



                         R   H   E
1946 Red Sox  4    8    3
1912 Giants     10  16  4     F

Boston (1-3) / New York (3-1)

WP- Ames (1-0)
LP- J.Dobson (0-1)

The Giants' Red Murray & Larry Doyle each had 3 hits; Murray fell a HR short of the cycle while driving in 3 runs, Doyle had 2 RBI.

                       R   H   E
1929 Cubs      7   12   1
1940 Reds      4   12   1       F

Chicago (3-1) / Cincinnati (1-3)

WP- Blake (1-0)
LP- J.Turner (0-1)
SV- Carlson (2)

INJ: Werber (CIN) - 5 Games

Rogers Hornsby & Hack Wilson each hit HR's for the Cubs, as starting pitcher Sheriff Blake allowed only 1 ER during six innings against the Reds.

                              R   H   E
1944 Browns        13  20   2
1935 Crawfords     3    6   1     F

St. Louis (1-3) / Pittsburgh (3-1)

WP- Jakucki (1-0)
LP- Kincannon (0-1)

The St. Louis Browns finally win their first game, as Chet Laabs & Milt Brynes each had 4 hits (with Brynes reaching base all 6 times up / 2 BB's).

                            R   H   E
1983 Orioles       2    5    2
1993 Giants        1    4    3    F

Baltimore (1-3) / San Francisco (3-1)

WP- Morogiello (1-0)
LP- Burba (0-1)
SV- Tp.Martinez (1)

Ken Singleton hits the go-ahead double in the top of the ninth, as Orioles get their first win of the season.

Greg Vaughn hits HR #3 of the season.

                          R   H   E
1976 Dodgers   0    4    0
1998 Padres      2    4    0     F

Los Angeles (2-2) / San Diego (2-2)

WP- Hitchcock (1-0)
LP- T.John (0-1)
SV- T.Hoffman (2)

Greg Vaughn's 2-run HR (his 3rd HR) in the bottom of the first was the difference of the ballgame, as Tony Gwynn gets his first hit of the season.



                           R   H   E
1985 Blue Jays  5   10   0
1968 Tigers        6   10   0      F / 11 Inn

Toronto (2-2) / Detroit (2-2)

WP- Hiller (1-2)
LP- Lamp (1-1)

No starting pitchers would end up with decisions from either team this series, and each game ended with the home team winning in a walk-off; both teams' runs totals would equal out evenly at zero by series' end as well. Dick McAuliffe added 2 more HR's (putting his total to 3 for the season) as Bill Freehan, also hit his third HR -- but the big HR would be the walk-off by Willie Horton at Tiger Stadium. John Hiller would get his third decision of the series (this time being a victory).

                           R   H   E
1971 Giants       1    5    0
1993 Phillies      12  15  1     F

San Francisco (3-1) / Philadelphia (1-3)

WP- D.Jackson (1-0) /CG (1)
LP- Bryant (0-1)

Danny Jackson gave the Phillies bullpen a much-needed rest with a 5-hit complete game performance against the San Francisco Giants, to get Philly it's first win of the season. Darren Daulton would break the single-game RBI mark with 7, including two HR's (one of them a first inning Grand Slam).

                           R   H   E
1969 Mets         6    9    1
1925 Senators   8    9    0      F

New York (2-2) / Washington (2-2)

WP- Ogden (1-0)
LP- Cardwell (0-1)
SV- Marberry (2)

Despite a 4-for-5 performance by the Mets' Cleon Jones (HR, 2B & 3 RBI), the Senators would take the lead during the bottom of the eighth with Nemo Leibold's pinch-hit triple, and hold down the win with Firpo Marberry's 2nd Save.

                         R   H   E
1953 Dodgers  4    7    1
1912 Red Sox  5   12   1     F

Brooklyn (1-3) / Boston (3-1)

WP- Pape (1-0)
LP- J.Hughes (0-1)

After an explosive start to the series for the Brooklyn Dodgers, they would fizzle out with three straight losses, this one ending on a pinch-hit walk-off double by the Red Sox' Jake Stahl. All four Dodgers runs came off solo HR's by George Shuba, Campanella, and two by Duke Snider. Gil Hodges is now hitless in 15 at-bats for the season.

"El Duque" helps keep 98' Yanks perfect.

                         R   H   E
1986 Mets       2    5    0
1998 Yankees  3    9    0     F

N.Y. Mets (0-4) / N.Y. Yankees (4-0)

WP- O.Hernandez (1-0)
LP- S.Fernandez (0-1)
SV- M.Rivera (2)

Derek Jeter goes 2-for-4, with an RBI double, as Chad Curtis gets his first two hits of the season being switched to the lead-off spot for this game -- as the Yankees stay undefeated. Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez pitched seven solid innings of three-hit, one-run ball, including 7 strikeouts.



                           R   H   E
1999 Rangers    6   12   1
1962 Dodgers   14  16   1    F

Texas (3-1) / Los Angeles (1-3)

WP- J.Moeller (1-0)
LP- Fassero (0-1)

The Dodgers took it to Rangers' starting pitcher Jeff Fassero with 7 runs in the first inning, and they didn't look back as they win their first game of the season. Fassero, unfortunately had to stay in and eat up some innings due to the overworked Texas bullpen (during the first three games), he would allow 11 hits & 11 ER's, while walking 6 batters during 4 2/3 innings! Willie Davis & Tommy Davis of the Dodgers had four hits each.

                          R   H   E
1980 Royals      3    9    1
2007 Red Sox   2    9    0     F

Kansas City (3-1) / Boston (1-3)

WP- Pattin (1-0)
LP- J.Lopez (0-1)
SV- Quisenberry (2)

Darrell Porter goes 3-for-4 with all singles, his RBI single during the top of the eighth off of reliever Javier Lopez ended up being the deciding factor in this one. George Brett woke up from his slump with a 2-for-3 performance including a HR & 2 RBI. Curt Schilling for Boston got a no decision, striking out 6 & only allowing 2 ER's during six innings.

Gibson leading the charge, batting .350 for Detroit.

                       R   H   E
1984 Tigers    3    9   3
1995 Indians   1    4   0     F

Detroit (4-0) / Cleveland (0-4)

WP- Berenguer (1-0)
LP- Nagy (0-1)
SV- W.Hernandez (2)

The 1984 Detroit Tigers join the 1998 Yankees, as the only undefeated teams remaining out of the 24 opening series for the season. Kirk Gibson went 2-for-5 with a double, as Juan Berenguer allowed only 3 hits & 1 ER during seven innings. The Tigers are batting .369 with a 3.00 team ERA, as they swept the Indians by outscoring them by 22 runs.

                          R   H   E
2002 Athletics   6   11   0
1977 Phillies      2    9    1    F

Oakland (1-3) / Philadelphia (3-1)

WP- Lidle (1-0)
LP- Lerch (0-1)

Miguel Tejada hit his 2nd HR of the season, as he helped the Athletics get in the win column. The Phillies' Jerry Martin went 3-for-4, with 2 doubles during their loss.

                         R   H   E
1953 Yankees  4    9    0
1904 Giants     2    6    0     F

N.Y. Yankees (2-2) / N.Y. Giants (2-2)

WP- Sain (1-0)
LP- Wiltse (0-1)
SV- A.Reynolds (1)

Slumping Mickey Mantle had the deciding 2-run RBI single in the 8th, that helped the Yankees even up their opening series against the Giants.

                           R   H   E
1942 Cardinals   9    9   0
1927 Yankees   11  12   2    F

St. Louis (3-1) / New York (1-3)

WP- Pipgras (1-0)
LP- Lanier (0-1)
SV- M.Thomas (1)

The Yankees held on to a late surge from the Cardinals (who scored 4 runs in the 8th & another in the 9th) to win their first game of the season. The 1927 Yankees are considered by many to be the best team in MLB history, but haven't played up to that par as of yet -- their pitching staff has a horrid 8.08 team ERA.

                           R   H   E
1931 Athletics   7   14   1
1937 Yankees   6   10   1     F / 15 Inn

Philadelphia (3-1) / New York (1-3)

WP- Mahaffey (1-0)
LP- Chandler (0-1)
SV- Shores (1)

The Athletics surrendered a late 6-2 lead to the Yankees, who stormed back during the 7th inning. Tony Lazzeri tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a solo HR off of Eddie Rommel. Al Simmons would smack in the stay ahead run in the top of the 15th with an RBI triple.

Westlake delivers big win for the Tribe.

                         R   H   E
1954 Indians    4    4    0
1906 Cubs        2    9    0     F

Cleveland (1-3) / Chicago (3-1)

WP- Houtteman (1-0)
LP- Lundgren (1-1)
SV- Mossi (1)

Wally Westlake's two-run triple was the big hit of the night for the Indians, who finally win their first game. Art Houtteman gets the win in relief, with a fantastic 6 inning start by aging Bob Feller. Carl Lundgren would end up getting a win, loss & save during this series for the Cubs. Jimmy Slagle had three hits for the Cubs in a losing effort.


                       R   H   E
1995 Braves   2    2    1
1975 Reds      1    3    0      F

Atlanta (3-1) / Cincinnati (1-3)

WP- Smoltz (1-0)
LP- Gullett (0-1)
SV- Ligtenberg (1)

Walt Weiss keeps playing well for the Braves, with an RBI triple. The "Big Red Machine" is having mechanic issues with their lousy .176 team batting average. Tony Perez is batting .308, HR & 2 RBI for the season (leading the Reds in all three categories).

                        R   H   E
1914 Braves    7   9    0
1971 Athletics 11 17  0    F

Boston (3-1) / Oakland (1-3)

WP- Odom (1-0)
LP- Crutcher (0-1)

The Athletics woke up out of their slumber with a 7-run explosion during the first inning, smacking 4 HR's that inning alone. Reggie Jackson's first hit of the season was a solo shot (he would get 3 hits) and later in the inning, the fans were treated to back-to-back-to-back HR's by Dick Green, Curtis Blefary and starting pitcher Blue Moon Odom. Sal Bando would hit a 2-run HR later in the 4th inning (his 2nd HR of the season).

                           R   H   E
2001 Mariners   3   11   1
1969 Orioles       2    9    1     F / 11 Inn

Seattle (2-2) / Baltimore (2-2)

WP- R.Franklin (1-0)
LP- Hardin (0-1)
SV- Sasaki (2)

Ichiro Suzuki had four hits & a steal, as John Olerud had the go-ahead RBI single in the top of the eleventh to help the Mariners walk away with a series split. The Orioles' two runs came off of Frank Robinson's 2-run HR during the bottom of the third.

Big day for Nemo Leibold!

                            R   H   E
1960 Pirates        2   10   2
1917 White Sox  7    14   2    F

Pittsburgh (3-1) / Chicago (1-3)

WP- Danforth (1-0)
LP- Haddix (0-1)

Nemo Leibold who had a big triple for the 25' Senators today, was the hero for the 1917 White Sox as well -- with a 3-for-5 performance, 3B, 2B, steal & 2 RBI! The White Sox starting pitcher Dave Danforth kept the Pirates hitters at bay, with five innings of 1 ER ball, allowing six hits & 3 walks.



                          R   H   E
1981 Expos       7   12   0
1971 Pirates     5   15   2     F

Montreal (3-1) / Pittsburgh (1-3)

WP- Burris (1-0)
LP- Lu.Walker (0-1)
SV- Reardon (2)

A sloppy 13 hits allowed win for Ray Burris (Expos); as both teams scored 9 of their combined 12 runs in the first inning alone. Andre Dawson had his best game of the season, 3-for-5, HR & 3 RBI -- while the Pirates' Roberto Clemente has been on fire, going 4-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI, while batting .588 for the season (10-for-17)!


*** LEAGUE STANDINGS Tommorrow ***

Satchel Paige's No-No vs 1942 Cards (Vault #1)

From the BoS Blog Vault - Originally Posted on May 10th, 2013: This post was from the early days of the Crazy 48's League in which Satchel Paige pitched a no-hitter against the 1942 St. Louis Cardinals. The Crazy 48's was the first project that got the Blog rolling, in which it would lead to me connecting with other APBA fans.


I took the last week off, the wife an I had a lot of important things to take care of, and I didn't want to get invested in APBA -- when I needed to have 100% focus elsewhere. Now that everything has been taken care of, I finished the last five games (of this batch of 24 games) during the night.

I forgot to mention it on the APBA Baseball Group, the other night, but it was mentioned on my Boys of Summer Facebook Page. On April 28th, Satchel Paige of the 1935 Crawfords no-hits the 1942 St.Louis Cardinals.

PAIGE NO-HITS MUSIAL & the 42' CARDINALS!

Satchel Paige of the 1935 Crawfords delivers the second no-hitter of the season. A few games ago, "Seattle Bill" James of the Boston Braves delivered the league's first-ever no-hitter. This is also now back-to-back record performances for Paige as well, after setting the strikeouts (single-game) record with 10 strikeouts, he now has delivered the league's second no-no. The amazing thing is that the 42' Cardinals have Hall of Fame outfielders Enos Slaughter & Stan Musial, plus Whitey Kurowski, Walker Cooper & Terry Moore.

                              R   H   E
1942 Cardinals     0    0    0
1935 Crawfords   4     6    2    F

St. Louis (3-2) / Pittsburgh (4-1)

WP- S.Paige (2-0)/ CG (2)/ SHO (1)
LP- M.Cooper (0-1)

The Remainder of Game #5's ("Crazy 48's)

                              R   H   E
1986 Mets            4    6    3
2007 Red Sox       6   11   0    F

New York (0-5) / Boston (2-3)

WP- Buchholz (1-0)
LP- R.Anderson (0-1)
SV- Papelbon (1)

INJURIES: Pedroia (BOS) - 6 Games.

Wally Backman (.412 AVG) collected 2 hits for the Mets, but seems to be the only one able do anything with the bat -- as the Mets remain winless. The Red Sox snap their 3-game skid, as David Ortiz went 3-for-4, with 2 doubles & 2 RBI's.

                            R   H   E
1975 Reds          4     7    0
1999 Rangers     2     3    1     F

Cincinnati (2-3) / Texas (3-2)

WP- Nolan (2-0)
LP- Helling (0-1)
SV- McEnaney (2)

Cesar Geronimo led the charge with a 2-for-3 performance, featuring his first HR of the season; lifting his batting average to .313. The Rangers' Todd Zeile became the fourth Ranger with at least 2 HR's for the season (hitting both solo shots in this game).

                           R   H   E
1998 Yankees    1    8    2
1976 Dodgers    3    4    1   F

New York (4-1) / Los Angeles (3-2)

WP- E.Sosa (1-0)
LP- Mendoza (0-1)
SV- Hough (3)

Davey Lopes comes into the ballgame in the bottom of the eighth (pinch-hitting for Sizemore) and hits a solo HR off of reliever Ramiro Mendoza; later in the inning, Reggie Smith would hit the go-ahead 2-run HR (his 2nd) that would seal the deal.

Maddux was in charge for Atlanta.

                        R   H   E
1998 Braves   4     9    1
1971 Giants    0     2    0     F

Atlanta (4-1) / San Francisco (3-2)

WP- Maddux (1-1)/ CG (1)/ SHO (1)
LP- G.Perry (0-1)

Greg Maddux's bid for a no-hitter was broken up in the bottom of the 7th by Bobby Bonds. Chipper Jones tied the record for 3 steals in a single ballgame.

                         R   H   E
1995 Indians   12  14   3
1980 Royals     5    5    0    F

Cleveland (1-4) / Kansas City (3-2)

WP- J.Tavarez (1-0)
LP- Quisenberry (0-1)

The Indians looked as if they were heading to a 0-5 start, after trailing 5-1, entering the top of the 7th. The Royals' suffered an injury to starting pitcher Dennis Leonard who was looking pretty good, his start next series will be bumped a game -- but the Royals bullpen imploded, especially Dan Quisenberry, who didn't look like himself, by walking 4 batters & allowing 4 hits & 5 runs in one inning of relief. Julian Tavarez earned the victory for the Tribe with 2 solid innings of relief.

                           R   H   E
1931 Athletics   3    6    1
1937 Giants      10  12   1    F

Philadelphia (3-2) / New York (3-2)

WP- Hubbell (1-1)
LP- Grove (0-2)

Lefty Grove got knocked out early again, as his record falls to 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts -- he has also allowed 9 hits & 5 walks in eleven innings of work, while striking out six. Mel Ott went 2-for-3, 2-run HR & 2 BB's.

                          R   H   E
1904 Giants      10  16   4
1971 Athletics   5     6   0    F

New York (3-2) / Oakland (1-4)

WP- McGinnity (2-0)
LP- Blue (0-2)

Vida Blue got rocked again, he has now allowed 12 ER's (9.82 ERA) & 6 walks in 11 innings of work. Billy Gilbert & Dan McGann each had 4 RBI for the Giants.

                         R   H   E
1968 Tigers     3     6    1
1981 Expos     2     5    1     F

Detroit (3-2) / Montreal (3-2)

WP-McLain (1-0)
LP- Gullickson (1-1)
SV- D.Patterson (1)

Bill Freehan hit HR #4 of the season, a 2-run HR at the top of the 6th off of Bill Gullickson that would be the difference-maker. Willie Horton added HR #3. Montreal's Tim Raines swiped his 7th bag.

George Caster (Browns)

                          R   H   E
1927 Yankees   0    4    0
1944 Browns     1    2    0    F

New York (1-4) / St. Louis (2-3)

WP- J.Kramer (1-0)
LP- Hoyt (0-1)
SV- Caster (1)

During the first round of the APBA Tournament of Champions, the Yankees swept these same Browns, 3-0 -- this time, the Browns turned the tables, as Milt Brynes' solo HR was the difference. The Yankees' team ERA is 6.80 after five games.

                            R   H   E
1971 Pirates       1     4    0
1985 Blue Jays  2     6    0    F

Pittsburgh (1-4) / Toronto (3-2)

WP- Stieb (1-0)
LP- Blass (1-1)
SV- Lamp (1)

The Blue Jays like to play close games, they are now 3-2 with a score differential of 1 run. George Bell's 2-run blast in the bottom of the fourth was the decisive factor.

                        R   H   E
1984 Tigers     8    8    1
1998 Padres    1    6    1    F

Detroit (5-0) / San Diego (2-3)

WP- J.Morris (2-0)
LP- K.Brown (0-2)

Kevin Brown & the Padres were in countrol, up 1-0, with 2 outs on the Tigers during the top of the 6th -- with Barbaro Garbey on first, Lance Parrish knocked in a 2-run HR to take the lead in which they never looked back. Tigers would score 6 runs in the top of the 8th as well, including a 2-run triple by Howard Johnson (who leads the Tigers with 7 RBI's). Greg Vaughn hit HR #4 of the season.

Medwick delivers clutch single against Yanks.

                           R   H   E
1937 Yankees    2    3    0
1934 Cardinals   3    8    1    F

New York (1-4) / St. Louis (3-2)

WP- Haines (1-0)
LP- I.Andrews (0-1)

Frankie Frisch tied the game with a RBI triple off of reliever Ivy Andrews, in which Joe Medwick followed that up with the go-ahead RBI single. Myril Hoag had 2 of the Yankees' three hits (including a 2-run double).

                         R   H   E
1977 Phillies    6    7    0
1993 Giants     1    2    2    F

Philadelphia (4-1) / San Francisco (3-2)

WP- Garber (1-0)
LP- Mi.Jackson (0-1)

INJURIES: Ro.Thompson (SF) - 5 Games.

Tim McCarver put the game further out of reach with his pinch-hit Grand Slam off of Mike Jackson, during the top of the ninth.

                          R   H   E
2002 Athletics   1    3    2
1983 Orioles     3    6    1     F

Oakland (1-4) / Baltimore (2-3)

WP- McGregor (1-1)
LP- Zito (0-2)
SV- Tp.Martinez (2)

INJURIES: T.Cruz (BAL) - 1 Game

Replacing the injured Todd Cruz, Gary Roenicke hit the deciding 2-run HR in the bottom of the fifth. Scott McGregor was spectacular, allowing only 2 hits & a ER in 8 innings (4 strikeouts).

Brown (Cubs) sets 'K' mark with 11.

                      R   H   E
1906 Cubs     9   12   0
1969 Mets    1     3    1     F

Chicago (4-1) / New York (2-3)

WP- Mo.Brown (2-0) / CG (2)
LP- Seaver (1-1)

Mordecai Brown breaks the single-game strikeout record held by Satchel Paige & Denny McLain, with the new mark of 11 strikeouts, as the Mets were no match for the Cubs. Chance & Steinfeldt each had 4 hits, while Steinfeldt also had 4 RBI.

                              R   H   E
1917 White Sox    3    7    1
1953 Dodgers       4    5    0     F

Chicago (1-4) / Brooklyn (2-3)

WP- Erskine (2-0)
LP- Cicotte (0-2)
SV- J.Hughes (1)

Carl Erskine pitched another good outing, as the bullpen also contributed by holding off the White Sox. Billy Cox smacked in a 2-run pinch-hit double, as the Dodgers score 3 in the bottom of the fifth. Chick Gandil had 2 RBI's for Chicago.

                             R   H   E
2001 Mariners     3   12   1
1962 Dodgers       2    8    2     F / 11 Inn

Seattle (3-2) / Los Angeles (1-4)

WP- R.Franklin (2-0)
LP- Roebuck (0-2)
SV- Sasaki (3)

Ichiro smacked in Carlos Guillen with a single, for the go-ahead run at the top of the 11th, as Kasahiro Sasaki comes in for his third save. The Mariners' bullpen has been phenomenal, allowing no runs in 21 innings of work.

                             R   H   E
1954 Indians        11  13  0
1925 Senators       1    6   1    F

Cleveland (2-3) / Washington (2-3)

WP- Lemon (1-1)
LP- Coveleski (0-2)

The Indians would go on and score 7 runs in the third off of Stan Coveleski, including a 3-run triple by Vic Wertz & RBI double by Indians' starting pitcher Bob Lemon. Bobby Avila hit his 2nd HR of the season.

                            R   H   E
1969 Orioles       5    8    0
1993 Phillies       3    5    2    F

Baltimore (3-2) / Philadelphia (1-4)

WP- Cuellar (1-1)
LP- Schilling (0-1)
SV- D.Hall (1)

Don Buford of the Orioles fell a triple short of the cycle, going 3-for-5, 2 RBI's, while scoring twice. Frank Robinson hit HR #2, while the Phillies' Lenny Dykstra smacked in his first of the season (2-run HR).

Back-to-Back complete games for Root.

                            R   H   E
1946 Red Sox     1    5    1
1929 Cubs           5   12   1    F

Boston (1-4) / Chicago (4-1)

WP- Root (2-0)/ CG (2)
LP- Ferriss (0-2)

After allowing a RBI double (to Dom DiMaggio) with no outs in the first, Charlie Root of the Cubs settled down and shut down the Red Sox with a complete game, allowing only 5 hits -- He also contributed to his cause with a 2-run HR in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Cubs' Rogers Hornsby went 4-for-5, 2 doubles, RBI & 2 runs. 

                          R   H   E
1912 Giants      3    4    1
1940 Reds        4    7    0     F

New York (3-2) / Cincinnati (2-3)

WP- Vander Meer (1-0)
LP- Wiltse (1-1)
SV- Beggs (1)

The Giants appeared to have this game under control, until Hooks Wiltse blown the good game that Christy Mathewson got started, allowing a 3-run HR to Frank McCormick -- The inning started with an error by Fred Snodgrass. Joe Beggs came into the game to get his first save in his first appearance of the season.

                          R   H   E
1912 Red Sox   0    5    0
1960 Pirates      5    8    1     F

Boston (3-2) / Pittsburgh (4-1)

WP- Friend (2-0)
LP- J.Wood (0-2)

Pirates snap the Red Sox' three-game winning streak, as Bob Friend pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing only one walk & 4 hits. "Smokey" Joe Wood has yet to pitch to his potential, allowing 16 hits & 5 walks in 10 innings of work this season, with a 12.60 ERA.

                         R   H   E
1953 Yankees  0    3    0
1914 Braves     1    5    0    F

New York (2-3) / Boston (4-1)

WP- D.Rudolph (2-0)/ CG (1)/ SHO (1)
LP- W.Ford (0-2)

Dick Rudolph's excellent pitching (3 hits allowed) & Butch Schmidt's RBI single in the first inning was the difference in this one.


*** This concludes this week's BoS Blog Vault post. A few last words, I believe the "important things" that the wife and I had to take care, was us finalizing our bankruptcy, I can't believe that has already been 5 years ago. ***