RANKING THE LEG NATIONAL LEAGUE

            Ok, it’s time for the NL rankings. Remember, I ranked pitching based on a 5 man rotation using starting pitchers with at least 750 MBF’s. Relief was based on the top 4 relievers. A pitcher could not be rated at both. Pitchers were divided into BBW pitcher grades (25-30,  20-24, 15-19, 10-14, 5-9) and given a rank value for each grade,…so a grade 25 got the same rank as a grade 30.

            The hitting rankings were based on OPS. For me, you need runners to be on base (OB%) to score runs and you need hits to score them. Because different grade pitchers turn different hit numbers into outs, AND since ALL hit numbers EXCEPT the power numbers 1 and 0 get changed, that makes SLG an important category for me,…therefore I used OPS. Again, you can rate and rank the teams in any way you want. I just did it this way. It may not be right, but it may not be wrong,…it just is what it is…a simple way for my non mathematical mind to put order to something that I wanted to order.

            So, here it goes, We’ll get to the NL EAST in a bit, but first a few comparisons between the AL and the NL. When it came to pitching, last year it appeared the NL was loaded in top grade pitchers. At least to me anyway. Felt like I was always facing a grade 19 or better at least twice in every series. And when it came to facing the NL WEST. Forget it! They were LOOOOOOOO – DED!!  This year the NL may still have an edge over the AL but it doesn’t appear to be big: Continue reading “RANKING THE LEG NATIONAL LEAGUE” →

RANKING THE LEG AMERICAN LEAGUE

            You can rank teams in so many different ways that if 20 people did it, you would probably get 20 different rankings. It just depends of what you rank them on and the rating scale you decide to use. That said, this was just done for some fun. It does not mean that the teams are as good or bad as I have ranked them and it doesn’t mean they will preform like I may have suggested. It’s just one of probably a thousand ways to rank teams. Me? I am not good with number so I try to keep it simple for me. Therefore, I ranked pitching based on a 5 man rotation using starting pitchers with at least 750 MBF’s. Relief was based on the top 4 relievers. A pitcher could not be rated at both. Pitchers were divided into BBW pitcher grades (25-30,  20-24, 15-19, 10-14, 5-9) and given a rank value for each grade,…so a grade 25 got the same rank as a grade 30.

            The hitting rankings were based on OPS. For me, you need runners to be on base (OB%) to score runs and you need hits to score them. Because different grade pitchers turn different hit numbers into outs, AND since ALL hit numbers EXCEPT the power numbers 1 and 0 get changed, that makes SLG an important category for me,…therefore I used OPS. Again, you can rate and rank the teams in any way you want. I just did it this way. It may not be right, but it may not be wrong,…it just is what it is…a simple way for my non mathematical mind to put order to something that I wanted to order. Continue reading “RANKING THE LEG AMERICAN LEAGUE” →

FIRST ANNUAL LEG DRAFT 2021

June 13th, 2021 – Written by Paul Roe (Paul will be 87 Years old next Friday!)

Well, the first annual Draft in LEG was completed today. And how did it go? Pretty good me thinks. Time wise it kept moving at a good pace. Could a been better, could a been worse. I thought it did good. Some teams got skipped and some skipped themselves. Considering we have teams all over the map in different time zones, I thought everyone did a great job and the Draft moved on.
To me it was an interesting draft mainly due to the salary cap situation that limited some teams as to what they could do with their picks. I know some teams stayed below certain salaries and drafted players they could afford rather than players they wanted. But it all worked out. So how did the first round go? Let’s see. Out of the first 32 picks,… 19 starters were picked, 3 relievers, 1 firstbaseman, 3 secondbasemen, 1 thirdbaseman, and 5 outfielders. I wasn’t surprised by the number of starters chosen. There were 13 good starters graded 16 and above available in the draft and 8 of them were taken in the first 10 picks. In fact, the first 3 picks were starters. Not a big surprise there as they were all graded 20 and above.
So let’s take a look at each pick.
Continue reading “FIRST ANNUAL LEG DRAFT 2021” →

2020 PLAYOFFS – LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN – WORLD SERIES

Fort_Worth_CatsClockwork Heros

Fort Worth Cats @ Clockwork Heros
Series Preview: Played over Zoom – March 19th, 2021 Jarl for the AL Cats Ken for the NL Heros
The Fort Worth Cats won 109 games in the AL to lead the league. Clockwork tied for first in the NL with 112 wins. Fort Worth had two of the best starters in the set with Verlander(23-5) and Maddux (23-3) and Kaat 21-4) vs Matheson(28-7) and Blyleven(26-7) and Donovan(11-4). During the year Clockwork was 3rd in fielding, 2nd in pitching, and lead NL in runs scored at 737. Fire cats scored 727 runs with the leagues’ best average, league average fielding, and best pitching for the AL. Vegas figured Clockwork in 7 games, as their power of 167 homers without the DH to 100 with the Dh seems big in a series.
Game #1: Well, what happened in the season was not on point in game 1. The fire cats hit Matheson so hard he was downgraded in the 3rd. Keller 3 hits, Butts triple Runnels triple, 18 hits off the clockwork Heros had never been done all year. Verlander was good enough 3 runs 1 earned in 6 innings for the win. Ft Worth 8 Clockwork 3. W-Verlander (4-2) L-Matheson (4-3) – Manger quotes Ken “Wow not seen that many hits vs my pitching all year, 18 wows…” Jarl “as long as the team did not use up all the hits in game 1 we should be good.
Game #2: Blyleven and Maddux were pitching well but the Cats got a run in the 4th off of Bert to take 1-0 lead. But Terry got hurt and Torgersen came in and hit a solo homer then Mr clutch Davy Lopes hits a 3 run shocker in the 5th off of the Brave Hall of Famer! Clockwork up 4-1 after 5. With Blyleven in the dugout Tekulve tried to save the 4-1 game a double and Van Slyke triple made it 4-3 with 1 out up Tekulve took a deep breath and held the runner on 3rd. Clockwork 4 Ft worth 3. W-Blyleven(4-1)Tekulve S (4) L- Maddux(4-1)
Game #3: Now AL rules and the DH. Terry out till game 7. Matheson gets the call and is back to normal 1 run in 8 innings just 3 hits but one a solo shot by Alou. Kaat did great too 2 runs in 7.2 innings. In a questionable move game and a 2-1 game Tekulve came in for the save but allowed 2 runners but held on., 2-1 Clockwork. W_Matheson(5-3) L-Kaat(1-2) S-Tekulve(5)
Game #4: Verlander again was not great he allowed a George Foster 2 run homer and 2 errors lead to 3 move runs as he allowed 5 runs in 3 innings. Donovan for Clockwork was solid 1 in 6. Gromek allowed two runs in the 8th but Tekluve locked it down with bases loaded. Clockwork 6 Cats 3 w-Donovan(2-1) S-Tekulve(6) L-Verlander(4-3)
Game #5: Down 3 to 1 at homer Greg Maddux gets the call. He was up 3-0 as Singleton, Oliver, and Hernandez scored with Keeler getting 2 huge ribs. But Maddux again gives up the 3 run homer this time to Bradley big power guy from the first decade of the 20th century, game tied 3-3. Clockwork using its depth asked School Boy Rowe to keep the game tied, Eckersley got the extra-inning role for Ft Worth. the game was still tied into the 12 Eck out and Root in but he allowed a rbi triple to Lewis scoring Wakefield. Clockwork leads 4-3 and with Tekulve tired Rowe was asked to pitch 4.1 innings to win the World Series as he got Pence, Butts, and Keeler to hold on to the win. Clockwork 4 Ft Worth 3 W-Rowe(1-0) L-Root(0-2)
Series Summary: Can’t ask for more than the two best teams to meet and play the World Series but Clockworks’ depth in pitching, Difference, and Power made the difference. Jarls’ team was great but as he thought maybe he used too much of his hitting to win game 1, a clutch 2 out hits weren’t there in the next 4 games.
Playoff stats
Saves-Tekulve (CWH)leads with 6 (3 in World Series)
Wins- Matheson(CWH) 5
Runs -Santop (CWH) 15, Keller (FWC) 14
RBIs – Terry(CWH) 15 Lopes(CWH) 15
Hits – Keeler (FWC) 28
Homers: Lopes(CWH) 7
Team Clockwork had better playoff fielding .991 to .981, runs allowed 65 to 64 in one more game, 93 to 86 in runs scored but did play 1 more game the Ft. Worth. Ft Worth had the highest hitting average .257 to .223 but Clockwork outhomered the Cats 19-5 in the playoffs.
Davy Lopes’s 7 homers and 15 RBIs in the playoffs should make him MVP. His 3 run homer off Greg Maddux changed the series.

2020 PLAYOFFS – AMERICAN LEAGUE – LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Cincinnati KnightsFort_Worth_Cats

Cincinnati Knights @ Fort Worth Cats
Series Preview: Cincinnati and Ft. Worth battled all year in the wild wild West in the American League as the Cats won the division by only two games over the Knights and the Salmonbellies. Ft. Worth and Cincinnati were the top two home teams in the AL and the Knights were the 2nd best road team.

The two teams were ranked one-two for team batting average and team ERA with the Cats having a slight advantage on the pitching side and the Knights having a large advantage in home runs (232-100)

The two teams split the season series 7 games to 7 games.
Game #1: Back and forth game. The Cats go up 2-0 behind RBI doubles by Pete Runnels and Keith Hernandez, but then Monte Irvin tied the game with a 2-run blast in the top of the 5th. Ft. Worth went back in front when Moises Alou singled home Hernandez in the bottom of the 6th, but the Knights Ted Williams tied the game again with an RBI double in the 7th. The two teams stayed tied into extra innings where Lee May walked it off for the Cats with a pinch-hit home run.

Final Score: Cats 4, Knights 3
Game #2: Scoreless game until one out in the top of the 4th when Ival Goodman tripled home Sal Bando for Cincinnati. However, the Knights couldn’t get Goodman home as he was thrown out on a fielder’s choice for the 2nd out of the inning. One inning later the Knights were able to get to Ft. Worth starter Justin Verlander on an RBI single by Joe Sewell followed by a two-run homer by Ted Williams. Verlander left after giving up a lead-off walk to Ray Grimes, who later came around to score and Cincinnati was in control 5-0. Ft. Worth made it a game in the bottom of the 6th. Peewee Butts singled home two to give the hometown crowd some hope and they got really excited after an RBI double by Willie Keeler made it a one-run game. Insurance runs in the 8th and 9th off a homerun by Grimes and an RBI triple by Sewell preserved the victory.

Final Score: Knights 7, Cats 4
Game #3: Home run Baker hammered a two-run shot with one out in the top of the 2nd and Cincinnati quickly tied the game with single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings on an RBI single by Lou Whitaker and Grimes. Ken Singleton put Ft. Worth in front for good with a 2 run homer of his own in the 6th a couple of insurance runs and a strong bullpen put the Cats up two games to one in the ALCS.

Final Score: Cats 6, Knights 2
Game #4: The Cats won game four easily behind 14 hits including 5 doubles thanks in part to another strong pitching performance by Jim Kaat and two relievers.

Final Score: Cats 7, Knights 1
Game #5: With their backs against the wall, Cincinnati struck first in the bottom of the first with RBI hits by Bill Freehand and Sal Bando to go up 2-0. A run-scoring error and a single by Keeler tied the game in the 6th for the Cats, but a double by Ted Williams in the bottom of 6th gave back the lead to Cincinnati for good and the Knight’s bullpen shut the door on the Ft. Worth bats to stay alive going back to Cowtown for game 6.

Final Score: Knights 3, Cats 2
Game #6: The Cats scored first on a triple by Keeler in the first and the Knights tied the game in the 4th off a hit by Ray Grimes, “The runners take their lead … he cranks and fires … line drive base hit … right field WILLIAMS ’41 scores … tie game … PENCE ’11 fields the ball … FREEHAN ’67’s around third they’re waving FREEHAN ’67 in here comes the throw home … here’s the play at the plate … and he’s … out!…just missed getting in … go to town, CATS! they cut off the go-ahead run!” Both starting pitchers battled keeping the game tied at 1 as they both pitch 9 and a third. We went to extra innings again and hometown Cats provided more theatrics in the 10th. Butts lead off with a double and one out later Keith Hernandez walked the game and the series off with a pinch-hit single.

Final Score: Cats 2, Knights 1
Series Summary: The Cats go to the LEG World Series courtesy of two walk-off wins by Lee May and Keith Hernandez and two strong starts by ALCS MVP, Greg Maddux, who went 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA in 15.1 innings pitched.

2020 PLAYOFFS – NATIONAL LEAGUE – LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Hoboken_ZephyrsClockwork Heros

Hoboken Zephyrs @ Clockwork Heros
Series Preview: Two of the best pitching teams in the league go at it. Clockwork had more depth but Hoboken has even higher grade A starters. Clockworks hitting is a little better but in a short series, depth doesn’t mean much… Vegas says this one going 7 and it’s even money. Joel and I tried all day to connect on Zoom but could not match up. So I gave up and played traditional micros.
Game #1: Blyleven did not have it as Hoboken hit him for 4 runs in 4 plus innings as Collins Stanky and Heath came through. Hahn was great for Hoboken and shutdown the Heros to just 3 hits. 4-0 Hoboken
Game #2: Faber gives up 3 runs early Arky Vaughn and Terry drive in runs. With CY Young-winning Matheson on the mound, it’s over as he allows 5 singles and doubles in the 3-0 Clockwork win. On a nightmare note, Eddie Stanky gets hurt for 11 days so likely Stirweiss gets the call at 2B for Hoboken
Game #3: Jered Weaver was strong holding the Clockwork offense to just two earned runs in a complete-game victory. Weaver ran his playoff record to 3-0, 3.00era. Jim Bottomley led the Hoboken attack with 3 hits along with Jeff Heath and Stan Spence each chipping in two hits. George Foster was the Hero leader with two hits including a double and an RBI.
Hoboken 3 Clockwork 2
Game #4: The Clockwork offense was running on all cylinders in Game 4. Bill Terry started the scoring with a 3-run triple in the 1st frame. The game was tied at 4 heading into the 8th inning when Bill Bradley touched off a clutch grand slam to double the Hero lead. Arky Vaughan doubled and homered scoring three times while driving in two. Lenny Dykstra also provided 3 hits in the leadoff slot. Bert Blyleven earned his third postseason win in a solid outing.
Clockwork 10 Hoboken 4
Game #5: The Clockwork offense remained red hot scoring 9 runs; led by two-run blasts by George Foster and Davey Lopes. Cy Young winner, Christy Mathewson, was brilliant holding the Zephyrs to just one earned run on three hits. Mathewson also chipped in two RBIs while earning his fourth playoff win.
Clockwork 9 Hoboken 1The Clockwork offense dominated Hoboken’s top two pitchers scoring 19 runs in Games 4 & 5. The Hoboken club is
Game #6: Clockwork bats woke up in games 4 and 5 in Hoboken as Clockwork was up 3 games to 2 heading home. Hoboken sent Seaver and Clockwork big three are tired so Uhle got the call he’s an 18 and threw a no-hitter this year, so Hero depth came up in the NL LCS.

Seaver did not have his best stuff as Clockwork bats got 8 hits and 4 runs off the Hall of Famer in 6 innings including an Arky Vaughn homer, Terry drove in 2 as well. Lopes hit a homer off Derringer and Clockwork scored 6 runs. On the other side yikes. Uhle had a no-hitter into the 8th, Duncan broke it up. In the 9th Yost walked and health double him in by Tekulve got Spence as Clockwork won 6-1
Series Summary: Clockwork bats were better than Hoboken and they came through in games 4, 5, and 6. Hero fans will be hoping the bats stay hot in the world series. Joels Zephyrs had a great year and that starting pitching was amazing. Heath was their best hitter at .298 in the playoffs but it wasn’t enough.
Series MVP Matheson 2-0 with 1 run in 17 innings for Clockwork,

2020 PLAYOFFS – NATIONAL LEAGUE – DIVISION SERIES ROUND

Hoboken Zephyrs @ Detroit DeLoreans
Series Preview: This series is a battle between the two divisional runners-up. Detroit comes in a pretty solid favorite with their 106 regular wins compared to Hoboken’s 90. Detroit will be leaning on the offensive prowess of Ripper Collins and Nap Lajoie while the Zephyrs rely heavily on their pitching staff led by Noodles Hahn and Red Faber.
Game #1: Game 1 proved to be a pitching duel between Jered Weaver and Hippo Vaughn. Hoboken scored single runs in the 2nd and 3rd frames and Weaver made them hold up. Weaver started the scoring in the second with a clutch rbi single to left-center. Jeff Heath doubled the lead in the 3rd with a solo blast to deep right field, his second home run of the post-season. Ripper Collins hit a solo shot in the bottom of the 8th but Weaver’s beautiful 4-hitter would prevail.
Hoboken 2 Detroit 1
Game #2: Lefty Tyler was outdueling Hoboken ace, Noodles Hahn, taking a 2-1 lead into the 8th frame. The Zephyr offense woke up for three runs in the 8th led by a clutch two-run triple from Jim Bottomley. The Delorean offense was led by Nap Lajoie’s two doubles and Joe Cronin’s two-hit out of the leadoff spot. Hahn pitched just well enough to win with Bryan Harvey coming on for a six-out save, his second of the post-season. Hahn earned his first playoff win after taking two losses in Round 1 against West Michigan.
Hoboken 4 Detroit 3
Game #3: As the series shifted to Hoboken, the Zephyr fanbase hoped to see their beloved team earn a trip to the NLCS without the series going back to Detroit. Johnny Schmitz pitched brilliantly allowing only six Hoboken baserunners the entire game. Jeff Heath and Eddie Stanky provided early-inning rbi singles to give the Zephyrs a 2-0 lead after 3 innings. This proved to be all support Red Faber would need as he masterfully shut down Detroit in a four-hit shutout. Faber earned his third playoff victory staking Hoboken to a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Hoboken 2 Detroit 0
Game #4: The raucous Hoboken faithful saw their beloved first-round pick, Tom Seaver, take the mound for Game 4. There was great apprehension among Zephyrs fans that Seaver was pitching on too much rest. Their fears would soon be dispelled. Nap Lajoie gave the Deloreans a 1-0 lead in the third with an RBI double. Nap went 3 for 4 with two doubles as Detroit’s clear offensive star for the series. Stan Spence hit a two-run blast in the bottom of the frame to take away the short-lived Detroit lead. Curt Flood and Tom Seaver added solo bombs to secure a 4-1 victory for Seaver, his first post-season win. Seaver allowed just 6 hits and zero earned in the complete game.
Hoboken 4 Detroit 1
Series Summary: The Hoboken team is built on pitching and the pitchers showed up for this series. They allowed just 5 runs and 21 hits over the four games.
Hoboken Zephyrs @ Clockwork Heros
Series Preview: Two of the best pitching teams in the league go at it. Clockwork had more depth but Hoboken has even higher grade A starters. Clockworks hitting is a little better but in a short series, depth doesn’t mean much.. Vegas says this one going 7 and it’s even money. Joel and I tried all day to connect on Zoom but could not match up. So I gave up and played traditional micros.
Game #1: Blyleven did not have it as Hoboken hit him for 4 runs in 4 plus innings as Collins Stanky and Heath came through. Hahn was great for Hoboken and shutdown the Heros to just 3 hits. 4-0 Hoboken
Game #2: Faber gives up 3 runs early Arky Vaughn and Terry drive in runs. With CY Young-winning Matheson on the mound, it’s over as he allows 5 singles and doubles in the 3-0 Clockwork win. On a nightmare note, Eddie Stanky gets hurt for 11 days so likely Stirweiss gets the call at 2B for Hoboken
Game #3: Jered Weaver was strong holding the Clockwork offense to just two earned runs in a complete-game victory. Weaver ran his playoff record to 3-0, 3.00era. Jim Bottomley led the Hoboken attack with 3 hits along with Jeff Heath and Stan Spence each chipping in two hits. George Foster was the Hero leader with two hits including a double and an RBI.
Hoboken 3 Clockwork 2
Game #4: The Clockwork offense was running on all cylinders in Game 4. Bill Terry started the scoring with a 3-run triple in the 1st frame. The game was tied at 4 heading into the 8th inning when Bill Bradley touched off a clutch grand slam to double the Hero lead. Arky Vaughan doubled and homered scoring three times while driving in two. Lenny Dykstra also provided 3 hits in the leadoff slot. Bert Blyleven earned his third postseason win in a solid outing.
Clockwork 10 Hoboken 4
Game #5: The Clockwork offense remained red hot scoring 9 runs; led by two-run blasts by George Foster and Davey Lopes. Cy Young winner, Christy Mathewson, was brilliant holding the Zephyrs to just one earned run on three hits. Mathewson also chipped in two RBIs while earning his fourth playoff win.
Clockwork 9 Hoboken 1The Clockwork offense dominated Hoboken’s top two pitchers scoring 19 runs in Games 4 & 5. The Hoboken club is
Game #6: Clockwork bats woke up in games 4 and 5 in Hoboken as Clockwork was up 3 games to 2 heading home. Hoboken sent Seaver and Clockwork big three are tired so Uhle got the call he’s an 18 and threw a no-hitter this year, so Hero depth came up in the NL LCS.

Seaver did not have his best stuff as Clockwork bats got 8 hits and 4 runs off the Hall of Famer in 6 innings including an Arky Vaughn homer, Terry drove in 2 as well. Lopes hit a homer off Derringer and Clockwork scored 6 runs. On the other side yikes. Uhle had a no-hitter into the 8th, Duncan broke it up. In the 9th Yost walked and health double him in by Tekulve got Spence as Clockwork won 6-1
Series Summary: Clockwork bats were better than Hoboken and they came through in games 4, 5 and 6. Hero fans will be hoping the bats stay hot in the world series. Joels Zephyrs had a great year and that starting pitching was amazing. Heath was their best hitter at .298 in the playoffs but it wasn’t enough.
Series MVP Matheson 2-0 with 1 run in 17 innings for Clockwork,

2020 PLAYOFFS – AMERICAN LEAGUE – DIVISION SERIES ROUND

Cincinnati Knights @ Jack Street Hustlers
Series Preview: The American League season is into its semifinal round and the #2 seeded Jack Street Hustlers, champions of the East Division, welcome the #3 seed and West Division runners up, the Cincinnati Knights for a best-of-seven series.
Game #1: CIN 4-10-0, JSH 0-3-0

Dazzy Vance scattered three hits in a complete-game shutout, that featured eleven strikeouts. Jason Giambi’s two-run homer in the eighth extended, and sealed, the win. Ted Williams delivered three hits in the winning cause.
Game #2: CIN 3-8-2, JSH 0-4-3

Johan Santana extended Cincinnati’s pitching brilliance at Jack Street with a four-hit complete game. Lou Whitaker came up with three hits for the Knights, while Ival Goodman’s fourth-inning homer ended the scoring in this one.
Game #3: JSH 5-7-0, CIN 1-7-0

Home field disadvantage continued as the series moved to Cincinnati. Jack Street collected a 5-1 win behind a pair of homers from Bob Meusel. Mark McGwire added a two-run homer in the third inning for the Hustlers, who built a 4-0 lead early and held on.

Bill Byrd got the win, working seven-and-a-third and allowing just a single run. Cincinnati now leads the series, two games to one.
Game #4: CIN 3-8-1, JSH 2-4-0

Reb Russell fired seven-and-two-thirds innings, allowing three hits and a pair of runs to give Cincinnati a 3-2 win and a three games to one edge in the series. Ted Williams delivered three hits and Sal Bando cracked a pair of doubles that netted two RBI for the Knights.

Joe Medwick homered for Jack Street, which rallied late in the game. Ryan Madson locked down the game in the ninth inning for the save.
Game #5: JSH 9-12-0, CIN 1-3-0

Facing elimination, Jack Street turned to Dan Haren and he delivered five innings of one-hit baseball and the bullpen locked it down in the 9-1 win.

Rogers Hornsby delivered a pair of hits, including a two-run homer to pace the attack. Dazzy Vance, who controlled game one, barely made it through five innings and surrendered five earned runs.

Ted Simmons collected a double and triple for the Hustlers, who inched closer to getting back in the series, three games to two.
Game #6: CIN 6-11-0, JSH 4-8-0 (12 innings)

The series moved for the final time to Jack Street. Ival Goodman’s two-run homer in the top of the 12th inning proved to be the final runs in the 6-4 Cincinnati win, that advances the Knights to the A.L. Championship series.

The extra session was forced when Edgar Martinez doubled to left-center in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple.

Ted Williams and Bill Freehan each homered and delivered a pair of hits to the Cincinnati charge.
Series Summary: Cincinnati heads to the American League Championship Series against either Fort Worth or Purry, next week.

This was a great series and congratulations to Joe for a GREAT first season. The Hustlers gave a great effort all season and should be commended on claiming the East Division championship! It was fun to play this head-to-head, as we figured out how to get TeamViewer to work.
Purry Cowpokes @ Fort Worth Cats
Series Preview: Round 2 LEG AL playoffs Purry vs Ft. Worth
Both teams won their first-round series 3 games to 2.
Game #1: Back-to-back doubles by Lee May and Ken Singleton in the 2nd inning gave the Cats 1-0 lead. Ft. Worth got another run in the 5th when Keith Hernandez doubled with two outs coming around to score on a single by Alou. The Cats added another insurance run the next inning on a throwing error by Jake Weimer. Thanks to a strong pitching performance Greg Maddux and a trio of relievers the Cat’s held on to take game 1.

Final Cats 3, Cowpokes 0
Game #2: Purry started the scoring in this one by scoring on a bases-loaded no-out double-play grounder, in the 2nd but Ft. Worth quickly tied in the bottom half when Hernandez singled home Willie Keeler who had led off the inning with a single. The Cowpokes chased Jim Kaat from the game in the 5th starting with back-to-back homers by Saer and Bailey. After a single by Walker Ricky Henderson tripled him home and Kaat went to the dugout. A sac fly followed and the line for Kaat and the game was basically over for the Cats.

Final Cowpokes 5, Cats 1
Game #3: Back-to-back homers by Rickey Henderson and Tris Speaker put Purry into the lead after 3 innings 2 to 1. The Cat’s speed helped them retake the lead in the 5th off a couple of hit and run plays and an infield single by Willie Keeler. A throwing error by Home Run Baker allowed the Cowpokes to tie the game in 7th, but the Cats were still able to prevail thanks to a two-out RBI-single by Pete Runnels in the 8th.

Final Cats 4, Cowpokes 3
Game #4: Ft. Worth jumped ahead 5-0 through five innings with lots of singles and a couple of well-placed doubles and cruised to victory behind starter Justin Verlander and a trio of relievers to mop it up.

Final Cats 6, Cowpokes 3
Game #5: A great pitching duel between Ted Double Duty Radcliffe and Greg Maddux, who both went 8 innings plus. The only scoring occurred in the 5th, “* P. RUNNELS ’60 facing T. RADCLIFFE ’30, T 5th, 1 Out, Bases Loaded, Tied 0-0 COWPOKES playing for the double play … the runners take their lead … now the pitch
fisted to right by RUNNELS ’60 … and it falls in front of SPEAKER ’22 … BAKER ’19 scores
ALLEY ’68’s rounding third … KEELER ’04’s around second they’re waving ALLEY ’68 in
they’re sending KEELER ’04 to third also … the throw goes home … here’s the play at the plate … and he’s … out by inches! … go to town, COWPOKES! they cut off the run! … and the aggressive baserunning does not pay off” Outstanding performances by both starters, but the difference was some really nifty double plays turned by the Cats infielders. Keith Hernandez may be one of the top defensive first basemen of all time. A bit of controversy in the bottom of the 9th as pinch-runner Brady Anderson stole 2nd with one out and although he had a big lead was thrown out at third for the 2nd out of the inning. Team officials have not said if Anderson went on his own or was sent by the third base coach. With the bases empty Cats closer Dennis Eckersley finished of the Cowpokes as Ft. Worth took game 5 and the series.

Final Score Cats 1, Cowpokes 0
Series Summary: Cats win the three games in Purry to take the series 4 games to 1. A very competitive series where Cats seemed to get the key hits and turn the key defensive double plays when they needed it most.

Cats head to the ALCS to face off against division rivals Cincinnati Knights

2020 PLAYOFFS – AMERICAN LEAGUE – WILD CARD ROUND

Lewisberry Country Blumpkins vs Jack Street Hustlers
Series Preview: #7 seed Lewisberry (82-80) and 3rd in the AL East take on #2 seed Jack Street (90-72) and AL East division winner. Lewisberry had the better of Jack Street during the season, taking 8 of the 14 games played and winning 4 of the 7 at each ball park.

This game was played over TeamViewer.
Game #1: Game 1 matches Orel Hershiser 18-12 with a 3.38 ERA during the regular season for Lewisberry against Dan Haren 11-14 with a 3.99 ERA.

After Haren sent down the visitors in order, the Hustlers got on the board quickly. Back to back doubles by the 1 and 2 hitters, Edgar Martinez and Rogers Hornsby and the homestanders were up 1-0. The loaded the bases in that first inning, but Hershiser shut them down before any other damage could occur.

Jack Street put another on the board in the third when Ducky Medwick led off the inning with a home run to put them up 2-0 after 3.

In the 5th, Lewisberry dented the scoreboard. After a leadoff walk to the Babe, Maury Wills executed a perfect hit and run to send Ruth to third. Wade Boggs was the next hitter. He grounded out to Hornsby to score Ruth and make it a 2-1 game.

Jack Street and their all or nothing offense got that run back in the bottom half of the 5th. Edgar Martinez led off the inning with a solo blast. Giving them back their 2 run edge at 3-1.

That’s the way it stayed until the 9th. Hershiser ended up going 6 and giving up 5 hits, 3 runs, 5 walks and 4 strikeouts. Haren was a little better, as he went 7 and gave up 4 hits, 1 run, a walk and 2 strikeouts.

In the top of the 9th with Brad Hand on the mound, Bernie Williams lined a single through the right side of the infield. Freddie Freeman dribbled one that the defense couldn’t get to in time to put runners on 1st and 2nd with no one out. With Freeman being the tying run, Bob brought in Mookie Betts to run. Babe Ruth was the next hitter and you could sense the fear from the fans in the stadium. Ruth popped out to Hornsby for the first out. That ended the day for Hand. Hustler closer Jeff Brantley was brought in to close the door. Maury Wills was the next batter, but he was lifted for pinch hitter Gil Hodges. Hodges grounded out to short, but the runners moved up. Justin Turner was next up. Turner popped one down the left field line that no one could get to, tying the game and leaving him on 2nd as the go ahead run. BJ Surhoff was the next batter. He flew out to right to end the inning and send the game to the bottom of the 9th.

Trevor Hoffman was brought in to handle the 9th. Hoffman got leadoff hitter Ted Simmons to ground to 2b. Dick Bartell was then lifted for Larry “no hassle” Hisle. Hisle did his job, sending one back up the middle and into center field. Bernie Williams had the ball skip by him and Hisle ended up on 2nd. Edgar Martinez, the next hitter, then singled to right. Betts picked up the ball as Hisle was sent careening towards the plate. The throw, the catch, the tag . . . too late. Jack Street takes the game 4-3.

For Lewisberry, it was 3 runs on 7 hits and no errors. Jack Street tallied 4 runs on 8 hits and no errors. Jeff Brantley picks up the win in relief and Hoffman the loss. Edgar Martinez was the offensive hero, driving in the winning run and going 3-4 with a double, a homer, 2 runs and 2 rbi.
Game #2: Trying to even the series, Lewisberry sends Josh Beckett 8-11 with a 4.51 ERA during the season against Bill Byrd 13-9 with a 4.12 ERA.

Lewisberry gets on the board first in this one in the second innings. Freddie Freeman led off with a double off the wall. Babe Ruth followed with a double of his own for the 1-0 lead. After a Maury Wills flyout, Wade Boggs singled to right. The 3rd base coach had the windmill churning for Ruth, but Medwick ended the story at the plate cutting off the 2nd run. Surhoff popped out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 2nd, David Justice led off with a single. Palmeiro then flew out to left bringing up JD Drew. Drew lined one into the corner in right, scoring Justice and ending up on 3rd with a triple. Ted Simmons then pulled one through the hole on the left side scoring Drew and giving the Hustlers a 2-1 lead.

The Blumpkins got to Byrd in the 4th. Freddie Freeman led off the innings with a triple. Babe Ruth followed with a double, tying the score at 2. The next hitter, Maury Wills, lined one to right center and it went OVER THE WALL. Let’s do a little checking on Wills in 1963 and how many homers he hit. . . hmmm none. But he hit one here to give Lewisberry a 4-2 lead.

They pushed another across in the 5th. Lou Brock (the Jack Street manager’s all time favorite player) led off with a walk. Moved to 2nd on a ground out. Stole third and scored on a ground out by Bernie Williams. 5-2 Lewisberry.

In the bottom of the 7th, down 5-2, Beckett got Hisle, pinch hitting for Dick Bartell, to ground out to lead off the inning and bring up the top of the order. It worked the way it is supposed to for Jack Street. Edgar Martinez singled, Hornsby walked, Ducky Medwick singled to load the bases and bring up the AL home run champ, Mark McGwire. He did what he is paid to do, blasting a grand slam over Bernie Williams’ head and giving them a 6-5 lead. Beckett composed himself and struck out David Justice before Raffy Palmeiro walked to send Beckett to the showers with a line of 6 2/3 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, 3 BB and 5 K. Steve Kline came on in relief and walked Drew then Simmons to load the bases for Larry Hisle getting his 2nd ab as a pinch hitter. 2nd trip was as effective as the first as he grounds to shortstop to end the inning. 6-5 Jack Street lead heading to the 8th.

Bernie Williams led off the 8th with a single and stole second, but the bullpen got Hodges, Ruth and Wills to end the inning.

In the bottom half, Tyler Clippard is sent to the hill. He gets Martinez and Hornsby before Medwick singles bringing up Big Mac again. He does what he does and Jack Street has two more runs.

Jeff Brantley is brought in for the save and gets them 1-2-3 for a Jack Street winner.

Lewisberry picks up 5 runs on 9 hits and no errors. Jack Street 8 runs on 13 hits with no errors. Pat Neshek picks up the win, Brantley the save and Josh Beckett shoulders the loss.

Hitting stars of the game – Mark McGwire 3-4 with 2 homers, a walk, 2 runs and 6 rbis and Ducky Medwick 5-5 with a double, a triple and 2 runs.
Game #3: The series shifts to Lewisberry with the Country Blumpkins trying to claw their way back. Tom Glavine 17-6 with a 3.46 ERA climbs the hill for Jack Street to face Babe Ruth 10-19 with a 3.20 ERA.

Nothing doing in the first as both teams go in order. In the top of the 2nd, McGwire led off the inning with his third straight homer. Bob Meusel singled, Larry Hisle homered. Ted Simmons then popped one to the infield that no one caught. Drew and Bartell singled to load the bases. Edgar grounds to Justin Turner who cuts the run down at the plate. Hornsby hits a sac fly to make the 4-0. Ducky Medwick then touched one-off and the stadium was quiet as a morgue with the visitors taking a 7-0 lead.

Jack Street scored a single tally in the 4th and 4 more in the 7th. Lewisberry got their lone run on a solo homer by Nelson Cruz in the 5th.

Final tally, Jack Street scores 12 on 15 hits with no errors. Lewisberry gets 1 on 2 hits with 1 error. Glavine picks up the win, Ruth the loss.
Series Summary: The story of this series was the home run. When discussing the series before we played, I stated that this team wins when it hits homers and loses when it doesn’t. There aren’t rallies for this team, it’s feast or famine. Unfortunately for Lewisberry, it was a feast for these three games. Jack Street 10 home runs (3 McGwire, 2 Medwick, 2 Hisle, 2 Martinez, 1 Drew) and 18 of the 22 runs involved homers.

Congratulations to Bob on a great season!
Chicago Nine vs Cincinnati Knights
Series Preview: The Quarterfinal Series in the A.L. between #6 seeded Chicago (84-78) and #3 Cincinnati (107-55) was scheduled to be a head-to-head showdown via TeamViewer. However, after an hour delay with technology, this plan was scrapped.
Game #1: CINCINNATI 8, CHICAGO 5 – 13 innings

Lou Whitaker’s dramatic two-out, three-run homer in the 13th walked it off for Cincinnati. The blast by Whitaker was his third hit of the day and gave the Knights the early lead in the series.

The contest featured three ties and four lead changes. The Nine got help from Bobby Richardson, as he delivered three hits on the evening. The two #9 hole hitters combined to go six-for-ten for the day.

The Chicago bullpen was key to staying in the game, working 5.2 innings of scoreless baseball until the homer. Whitey Ford took the loss, while Bob Wickman claimed the win.

CIN 8-10-0, CHI 5-11-2
Game #2: CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO 2

Ted Williams doubled and homered to drive in three runs and send Cincinnati to a 2-0 lead in the best of five series with Chicago. Williams opened the scoring with a solo blast in the first and then delivered a key bases-loaded double in the fifth to give the Knights a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish.

Johan Santana went the distance, scattering five hits and fanning six along the way. Jason Werth did the most damage for Chicago, delivering a double and homer of his own to account for all the scoring for the Nine.

CIN 6-8-0, CHI 2-5-0
Game #3: CINCINNATI 6, CHICAGO 2

The series shifted to the Windy City and the Knights closed out the sweep. Hans Lobert’s fifth inning, three-run homer, extended the Cincinnati lead to 5-0 and sent the visitors to the Semifinal Round of the A.L. Playoffs.

Clayton Kershaw went the distance for the Knights, spreading out six hits and holding the Nine to a pair of runs. Frank Laporte delivered a pair of hits for Chicago.

CIN 6-13-0, CHI 2-6-0
Series Summary: Chicago’s season comes to an end and Stray should be pleased with his club. Had game one gone to the Nine, this may have been a different series. For Cincinnati, it must wait for results to determine whom it will play next.

Checking for an MVP of the series, it was difficult to find anyone–from either team–that jumped out. It seemed both teams were well constructed and that timely hits were spread among numerous players on both squads.
Purry Cowpokes vs New Westminster Salmonbellies
Series Preview: Purry Cowpokes come to New Westminster to get the
best of 5 series started.
Game #1: New Westminster scores first on a single by Concepcion putting him on base and Dihigo knocks him home with a triple in the 3rd.

Bottom of the 7th with Fred Clarke on first Martin Dihigo hits a single moving Clarke to third. With Ferris Fain pinch hitting Dihigo is thrown out stealing sencond. Fain then hits a double knocking Clarke for a 2 – 0 lead. Dutch Leonard goes on to a 2 – 0 victory with a 3 hitter.
The Bellies managed 8 hits.
Game #2: Dwight Gooden couldn’t get out of the 2nd inning giving up 4 runs.
Jesse Barfield leads off the 2nd with a home run. Spoke Speaker then doubles in two more runs. In the 6th a Barfield walk and a HBP to Sauer brings up Ed Bailey and Billy Pierce is brought in to give up a
3 run home run to Bailey. Ted Radcliffe pitched a good game for Purry. Game over.
Game #3: Martin Dihigo breaks up a 2-2 tie in the 5th with a 2 run homer and Carlos Beltran adds a 2 run shot in the 6th. Jeff Tesreau pitches a complete game to put New Westminster up 2 games to 1. Final score New Westminster 6 Purry 2
Game #4: Jesse Barfield goes 3-4 with a homer and 4 rbi’s and Ted Strong and Willie Wells also homered as the Cowpokes peppered Dutch Leonard. Purry wins 8-2 to even the series at 2 games apiece.
Game #5: New Westminster came out showing absolutely nothing. You don’t hit you don’t win, Hank Sauer hits 2 run homer and and double. Purry wins the game 7 – 1.
Series Summary: Purry goes on to take the series 3 – 2 and carry on in the playoffs.
Kansas City A’s @  Fort Worth Cats
Series Preview: LEG first-round playoffs!
Game #1: Cat scratch fever as Ft. Worth gets 13 runs off 15 hits – including 12 singles. Justin Verlander barely broke a sweat allowing just 5 hits in 7 innings while striking out 6. Home Run Baker led the offense with 3 hits and Lee May capped off the scoring with a pinch-hit bases-clearing double in the 7th. Dale Murphy had a pinch-hit 3 run homer in 8th for KC.

Final Score: Cat’s 13, A’s 4
Game #2: The Cat’s other ace Greg Maddux allowed only a single run and 4 hits in a game 2 complete-game victory. He also punched out 9. For the Ft. Worth hitters Keith Hernandez led the way with two doubles and a homer driving in 5.

Final Score: Cat’s 8, A’s 1
Game #3: Facing elimination Three-Finger Brown tamed the Cats through 6 innings, but the Cat’s managed to tie the game in the 7th. But Ft. Worth’s pen couldn’t stop the A’s who scored twice in the 8th to survive another day.

Final Score: A’s 5, Cat’s 3
Game #4: KC may have survived game 3, but the Ft. Worth batters were gasping for air in game 4 against Phil Nasty Knuckler Niekro, who pitched a complete-game shutout allowing 4 hits. Meanwhile, Hank Aaron hit a three-run homer

Final Score: A’s 5, Cat’s 0
Game #5: No scoring until the top of the third when Don Buford came up with runners on the corners, “Infield deep … FRYMAN ’90 takes his lead at third … the pitch … the swing
his bat snaps it two! … the barrel is headed out toward short
and the ball pops over second into shallow right … it’ll be a base hit … FRYMAN ’90 scores
APARICIO ’61 is rounding third … they’re waving APARICIO ’61 in … here’s the play at the plate … and he’s … safe…ahead of the ball. So the single drives in two … and the A’s go ahead by two 2-0 … here in the 3rd for Don BUFORD ’70, his 2nd hit of the series … and BUFORD ’70 now with 3 runs batted in.” Facing Reggie Jackson and Walker Cooper Verlander wiggles out of any more damage.In the bottom of the 4th doubles by Ken Singleton and Baker cut the lead in half. Then Cat’s catcher Severeid doubles home Baker to tie the game at 2.

Back-to-back doubles with one out by Singleton and Al Oliver gave Ft. Worth the lead in the 6th. After a wild pitch, Home Run Baker brings Oliver home with a sac fly.

The insurance run would come in handy as Billy Williams doubles home Travis Fryman in top of the 7th, but the Cats would hold on to win despite Dennis Eckersley giving up two hits in the 9th.

Final Score: Cat’s 4, A’s 3
Series Summary: The # 8 seed almost upset the #1 seed proving the regular season may not matter as much in this comic world. Cats win the first-round series 3 games to 2.

2020 PLAYOFFS – NATIONAL LEAGUE – WILD CARD ROUND

Motown Yankees vs Coastline Bobcats
Series Preview: National League playoff series Round One with #7 seed Motown meeting National League wins leader (tie) and #2 seed Coastline. Coastline took 7 of 8 during the regular season.
Game #1: Motown’s Dave Brown, 19-13, 2.07 faces off against Coastline’s Kevin Brown, 16-11, 4.07.

Motown struck first, with Stan Hack muscling a 2R HR for a quick 2-0 lead. Kevin Brown settled in from there and threw goose eggs through the 7th. Meanwhile, Coastline’s bats went to work, pushing a pair across in each of the 3rd and 5th innings, and tacking a single run on in the 6th for a 5-2 lead. Motown scrambled for 3 in the top of the 8th off Casilla to tie, only to have season-long arsonist Steve Mingori give up the lead on his first pitch to Joe Gordon in the bottom of the inning, with Gordon smacking a LONG home run to give Coastline the lead. Sutter continued his regular season dominance with a clean 9th, giving Coastline Game 1 and the early series lead.

2 hitters stood out – Motown’s Cristobal Torriente, batting leadoff for the first time this season, went 3-5 with 2 doubles and scored 2 runs, while Moose Skowron knocked in 4 with 2 hits, including a double.

Coastline wins – 6-5
Game #2: Motown’s Adam Wainwright, 16-7, 2.49 facing Coastline’s Dave Stieb, 18-7, 3.04

Scoreless through 3, Motown pushes across single runs in the 4th and 5th, with more goose eggs through 7. With Motown leading 2-0, Stan Hack smacks his 2nd home run of the game, and 3rd of the series, to give Motown some cushion with a 5-0 lead. Adam Wainwright was the star, going the full 9 and scattering 3 hits for the CG shutout and tying the series at 1 game apiece.

Motown wins, 5-0
Game #3: Coastline’s Chuck Finley, 20-7 2.80 v. Carl Hubbell, 15-12 2.45.

Motown’s single run in the bottom of the 2nd staked them to the lead until Coastline’s Cal Ripken singled across pinch runner Ian Kinsler with 2 down in the top of the 6th. 1-1 heading into the bottom of the 8th, Motown’s Richie Ashburn got on and stole 2nd, and was quickly followed by back-to-back doubles by Dixie Walker and Fred McGriff off Coastline’s Mike Marshall for a 3-1 Motown lead. Hubbell held on through the 9th and completed the game, giving Motown the game 3 win and 2-1 series lead.

Motown wins, 3-1
Game #4: Coastline’s Kevin Brown, 16-11 in the regular season and Game 1 starter, faces off against Motown’s Addie Joss, 12-13 2.53

This game was all Brown and Joss – literally. Only 3 hits between the teams heading into the 9th. Joss shut down Coastline in the top of the inning, allowing only 1 Hack Wilson single earlier in the game. Bruce Sutter entered in the bottom of the 9th for Coastline. Dave Bancroft rocked a 1 out double, and Motown pinch hit Elmer Valo for 2B Frank White – Sutter promptly put Valo on to set up the double play. Kenny Lofton grounded out for out #2, bringing Joss to the plate. Motown pinch hit Heinie Groh, who laced a Sutter splitter to RF – Coastline RF Geoff Jenkins bobbled the ball, allowing Dave Bancroft to score the winning (unearned) run.

Motown wins, 1-0
Game #5:  
Series Summary: Motown realizes they had no business winning this series – Brian is an awesome manager with a great team, and the dice just could not have been worse for him, scoring only 1 run in the final 27 innings.
Fire Lake Segers @ Clockwork Heros
Series Preview: NL tied for best Clockwork got to face the Fire Like Segers who should be the reds. Terry built a really nice team focused on Cincinnati’s finest. Clockwork Heros went all in this year but so far the first round of the playoffs has been a nightmare for the better regular-season records. The series was played over team viewer.
Game #1: Mclain for Fire Lake Christy Matheson for Clockwork. Rolen plays the hero and drills a 3 run homer off the hall of fame Clockwork ace. Clockwork clawed back to make in 4-3 after 4 as Bradley homered. But Bench in for injured Roseborro hits a game-winning double. 5-4 Fire Lake! w-Gullett (1-0) s-lavalle(1) L-Uhle(0-1)
Game #2: A Terry triple and Clockwork was up 4-1 after 6 innings. Blyleven gave up a run in the 7th but it was still 4-2 Clockwork when Tekulve the closer came in for two innings. He was solid in the 8th but in the 9th he fell apart allowing a Bench homer two runs then with two out and a fast runner trying to score Clockwork’s LF Foster plays hero and nails the winning run at home! But Fire lake did tie it 4-4 as Tekulve blows the save. But in the bottom of the 9th Lavalle give up a solo homer to Terry! Clockwork wins 5-4 W- Tekulve (1-0) L-Lavelle(0-1)
Game #3: Terry hits a 3 run homer in the first and clockwork added more as Davey Lopes hits 2 homers and drives in 3 more. up 7-1 in the 9th Fire Lake did get 2 runs off Matheson as Zisk hits a 2 run homer. Valverde allowed a hit then Nehouser ended it. 7-3 clockwork w-Matheson(1-0) L-Guidry (0-1)
Game #4: ouch…Arky Vaughn and George Foster homer and Clockwork score 8 of Mclain and crew. Donovan allows just 2 hits as Tony Perez hits his 3 rd double in 5 at-bats. But this time Tekulve closes out the blowout. 8-1 Clockwork W-Donovan(1-0) L-McLain (0-1)
Series Summary: Clockwork changed the entire series on getting the game two winning run at home by George Foster the one missing Big Red Machine piece. Terry’s underdog team played great and had me sweating through the series, A 5 game series is a nightmare…
Santop the hero catcher was great .375 5 runs and steal. Terry through had the big hits with two homers and 4 RBIs. Bench was the best Seger hitting .308 with a homer and 3 RBIs. Perez was amazing off the bench, going 4 for 6 with 3 doubles and 3 rbi while Votto was a disappointing 1 for 13
Climax Cougars @ Detroit DeLoreans
Series Preview: This National League round one playoff matchup between the Climax Cougars and the Detroit DeLoreans was played over Zoom.
Game #1: #1 CMC 7 – DET 5: After one inning the DeLoreans were up 4-1 led by an Anthony Rendon 2-run HR. However, the Cougars stormed back with four runs in the fifth inning on five hits, including a double from Smokey Joe Wood and a triple from Mel Ott. Then George Grantham and Mel Ott added solo shots in the sixth and ninth innings to complete the Climax victory.
Game #2: #2 CMC 0 – DET 4: Hippo Vaughn spun a 2-hit, 11 strikeout shutout to tie the series at a game apiece. Detroit’s Nap Lajoie and Chuck Klein each had two hits and an RBI to lead Detroit.
Game #3: #3 DET 2 – CMC 3: The series shifted to Climax. The Cougars jumped out 3-0 and never looked back. Chief Meyers and Buck Leonard led the attack, each with two hits. While Leonard and George Grantham hit homers.
Game #4: #4 DET 9 – CMC 1: Backs against the wall, the DeLoreans responded with a 9-1 rout. Babe Herman went 4 for 5 with three doubles, a triple, and three RBI. Johnny Schmitz carried a shout into the ninth but surrendered one unearned run in 8.2 innings.
Game #5: #5 CMC 5 – DET 6: The series finale shifted back to Detroit. Both teams scored in the first inning on a homer from George Grantham and then an RBI double from Babe Herman. By the sixth inning, Detroit held a 6-1 lead guided by Ripper Collins, Herman, and Chuck Klein. However, the Cougars battled back with three runs in the eighth inning and another in the ninth. Jim Fregosi, Grantham, and Mel Ott led the near comeback.
Series Summary: As expected, it was a close and exciting series that literally “could’ve gone either way.” There were some excellent hitting and pitching performances. The biggest star was George Grantham, who led all hitters with a .444/.500/.944 slash and 3 HRs. He did everything he could to guide the Cougars to victory.
West Michigan Retrogrades vs Hoboken Zephyrs
Series Preview: West Michigan and Hoboken will face off as the #4 and #5 seeds respectively. Only 3 games separated these teams in final standings so expect a tight series.
Game #1: Adrian Beltre and Duke Snider both homered to hand Noodles Hahn the Game 1 loss. Willie Foster allowed just one hit over 6 innings and three relievers held the Zephyrs scoreless over the final three frames. The Retrograde defense turned three double plays.
West Michigan 4 Hoboken 1
Game #2: Jeff Heath hit a huge 3-run blast off Joe Sambito to cap a 4-run 8th inning. George Sisler went 3 for 4 for WM. Red Faber allowed just two runs over 7 innings as Bryan Harvey came on to close out with a 6-out save.
Hoboken 4 West Michigan 2
Game #3: Stan Spence and Jim Bottomley led the Hoboken attack combining for 5 hits and 5 RBIs. The Zephyrs scored 8 runs in the first four frames to cruise to a pivotal Game 3 win.
Hoboken 9 West Michigan 6
Game #4: Noodles Hahn was breezing along with a 3-1 lead into the 9th with two outs and one on. Hahn then allowed an ill-timed walk and Manager Kevin Weber made a brilliant move bringing on Roy Sievers to pinch-hit. Sievers delivered a clutch three-run blast to give Hahn his second loss of the series. The Retrogrades had all the momentum going home for a decisive Game 5.
West Michigan 4 Hoboken 3
Game #5: Red Faber hurled a brilliant 5-hitter allowing just one first-inning run. Tommy Henrich capped off a strong series with a 3 for 4 performance as the Zephyrs scraped out two runs against Urban Shocker.
Hoboken 2 West Michigan 1
Series Summary: Hoboken won a hard-fought series that could have gone either way. Red Faber took home series MVP honors by going 2-0, 1.69era in two starts. The Retrogrades were led by George Sisler(.400BA) and Duke Snider(.400BA/.500OBP). Strong performers for Hoboken included Jim Bottomley(.429BA), Tommy Henrich(.389BA) and Eddie Stanky(.333BA).