The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group1)

Last group

Round of 32 and the Sweet 16 for the National League starts here.  Who will emerge from Group 1 as one of the 8 greatest teams in National League history?

1. 1906 Cubs (lost WS-Frank Chance)

v.

33. 1976 Reds (World Champions-Sparky Anderson)

Catcher: Kling (30) v. Bench (28)Winner: Cin-Bench

First Base: Chance (29) v. Perez (34) Winner: Chi-Chance

Second Base: Evers (24) v. Morgan (32)  Winner: Cin-Morgan

Shortstop: Tinker (25) v. Concepcion (28)Winner: Cin-Concepcion

Third Base: Steinfeldt (30) v. Rose (35) Winner: Cin-Rose

Left Field: Sheckard (27) v. Foster (27) Winner: Cin-Foster

Center Field: Slagle (32) v. Geronimo (28) Winner: Cin-Geronimo

Right Field: Schulte (23) v.Griffey (26) Winner: Cin-Griffey

SP1: Brown (29) v. Nolan (28)Winner: Chi-Brown

SP2: Pfiester (28) v. Zachry (24)Winner: Chi-Pfiester

SP3: Reulbach (23) v. Norman (33)  Winner: Chi-Reulbach

Closer: Beebe (26) v. Eastwick (25)  Winner: Cin-Eastwick

Team Offense: Cin

Team Pitching: Chi

Reds 9 Cubs 7 - and just like that, the top seed in the NL is bounced in the Round of 32; it was the match you'd expect, Reds bats against Cubs arms - all the Reds needed was one of those pitching matchup, and when Rawly Eastwick won the closer matchup, it was a wrap.

It's the Reds who move on - the 1976 Cincinnati Reds are one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

17. 1943 Cardinals (lost WS-Billy Southworth) 
v.
49. 1988 Mets (lost NLCS-Davey Johnson)

Catcher: Cooper (28) v. Bench (28)Winner: StL-Cooper

First Base: Sanders (26) v. Hernandez (34)Winner: StL-Sanders

Second Base: Klein (24) v. Backman (28) Winner: StL-Klein

Shortstop: Marion (26) v. Elster (23) Winner: StL-Marion

Third Base: Kurowski (25) v. Johnson (27) Winner: NYM-Johnson

Left Field: Litwhiler (26) v. McReynolds (28)Winner: NYM-McReynolds

Center Field: Walker (24) v. Dykstra (25) Winner: NYM-Dykstra

Right Field: Musial (22) v. Strawberry (26) Winner: StL-Musial

SP1: Cooper (30) v. Gooden (23) Winner: StL-Cooper

SP2: Lanier (27) v. Darling (27) Winner: StL-Lanier

SP3: Breechen (28) v. Cone (25) Winner: NYM-Cone

Closer: Krist (27) v. Myers (25)Winner: NYM-Myers

Team Offense: Push

Team Pitching: Push

Cards 7 Mets 5 - the totals are fully squared, but the Cards dominate those infield matchups (down years for both Carter and Hernandez in their age 34 seasons) and they move on; had the Mets flipped any of those matchups, that tiebreaker would have been razor close.  These are two really evenly matched teams - but in the end, it's St Louis which moves on.

The 1943 St Louis Cardinals - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

17. 1943 Cardinals (lost WS-Billy Southworth) 
v.
33. 1976 Reds (World Champions-Sparky Anderson)

Catcher: Cooper (28) v. Bench (28)Winner: Cin-Bench

First Base: Sanders (26) v. Perez (34) Winner: Push

Second Base: Klein (24) v. Morgan (32)  Winner: Cin-Morgan

Shortstop: Marion (26) v. Concepcion (28)Winner: Cin-Concepcion

Third Base: Kurowski (25) v. Rose (35) Winner: Cin-Rose

Left Field: Litwhiler (26) v. Foster (27)Winner: Cin-Foster

Center Field: Walker (24) v. Geronimo (28) Winner: Cin-Geronimo

Right Field: Musial (22) v. Griffey (26)Winner: StL-Musial

SP1: Cooper (30) v. Nolan (28)Winner: StL-Cooper

SP2: Lanier (27) v. Zachry (24)Winner: StL-Lanier

SP3: Breechen (28) v. Norman (33) Winner: StL-Breechen

Closer: Krist (27) v. Eastwick (25)Winner: Cin-Eastwick

Team Offense: Cin

Team Pitching: StL

Reds 9 Cards 6 - The Big Red Machine hits their way through to the Elite 8; the only position battle the Cards are able to take is Musial's and that's just not enough to keep the Reds from advancing.

The 1976 Cincinnati Reds are 1 of the 8 greatest teams in the history of the National League

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group1)

Last group

We're going to combine the next two rounds for the upcoming post - the Round of 32 and the Sweet 16, getting us to an Elite 8 - the 8 Group Winners for each league.

Here's who is left in Group 1:

1. 1939 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

96. 1977 Yankees (World Champions-Billy Martin)

16. 1936 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

48. 1973 Orioles (lost ALCS-Earl Weaver)

Here's the Round of 32:

1. 1939 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

96. 1977 Yankees (World Champions-Billy Martin)

Catcher: Dickey (32) v. Munson (30) Winner: NYY 39-Dickey

First Base: Dahlgren (27) v. Chambliss (28) Winner: NYY 77-Chambliss

Second Base: Gordon (24) v. Randolph (22)Winner: NYY 39 -Gordon

Shortstop: Crosetti (28) v. Dent (25)Winner: Push

Third Base: Rolfe (30) v. Nettles (32)Winner: NYY 39-Rolfe 

Left Field: Selkirk (31) v. White (33)Winner: NYY 39 -Selkirk

Center Field: DiMaggio (24) v. Rivers (28) Winner: NYY 39 DiMaggio 

Right Field: Keller (22) v. Jackson (31) Winner: Push

DH:  Henrich (26)  v. May (29) Winner: NYY 39 Henrich

SP1: Ruffing (34) v. Figueroa (28)Winner: NYY 39 Ruffing

SP2: Gomez (30) v. Torrez (30) Winner: NYY 39 Gomez

SP3: Hadley (34) v. Guidry (26) Winner: NYY 77 - Guidry

Closer: Murphy (30) v. Lyle (32)Winner: NYY 77 - Lyle

Team Offense: NYY 39

Team Pitching: NYY 39

NYY 39  12   NYY  77 3 -- the dream ends for the Bronx Zoo Yankees; they get slapped around by the top seeded '39 Yanks.  They held their own in the pitching, splitting the matchups and just narrowly losing the total - but just couldn't keep up with the bats.  

The 1939 New York Yankees - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history.

16. 1936 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

48. 1973 Orioles (lost ALCS-Earl Weaver)

Catcher: Dickey (29) v. Williams (24)Winner: NYY-Dickey

First Base: Gehrig (33) v. Powell (31) Winner: NYY-Gehrig

Second Base: Lazzeri (32) v.  Grich (24)Winner: Balt-Grich

Shortstop: Crosetti (25) v. Belanger (29)Winner: Balt-Belanger

Third Base: Rolfe (27) v. Robinson (36) Winner: NYY-Rolfe

Left Field: Powell (27) v. Baylor (24) Winner: Balt-Baylor

Center Field: DiMaggio (21) v. Blair (29)  Winner: NYY-DiMaggio

Right Field: Selkirk (28) v. Rettenmund (30) Winner: NYY-Selkirk

DH: Chapman (27) v. Davis (34)  Winner: Balt-Davis

SP1: Ruffing (31) v. Palmer (27) Winner: Balt-Palmer

SP2: Pearson (27) v.  Cuellar (36)Winner: NYY-Pearson

SP3: Broaca (33) v. McNally (30) Winner: Balt-McNally

Closer: Malone (33) v. Reynolds (26) Push

Team Offense: Balt

Team Pitching: NYY

Orioles 9 Yankees 8 - Okay, how about this - dead tied through the matchups, then they split the totals - but Baltimore wins the overall total - and it's the Orioles who make their way into the sweet 16.  

The 1973 Baltimore Orioles - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history

We've hit the Sweet 16 - Who Will Emerge From Group 1 as one of the 8 Greatest Teams in AL history?

1. 1939 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

48. 1973 Orioles (lost ALCS-Earl Weaver)

Catcher: Dickey (32) v. Williams (24)Winner: NYY-Dickey

First Base: Dahlgren (27)  v. Powell (31) Winner: Balt-Powell

Second Base: Gordon (24) v. Grich (24)Winner: Balt-Grich

Shortstop: Crosetti (28) v. Belanger (29)Winner: Balt-Belanger

Third Base: Rolfe (30) v. Robinson (36) Winner: NYY-Rolfe

Left Field: Selkirk (31) v. Baylor (24) Winner: NYY-Selkirk

Center Field: DiMaggio (24) v. Blair (29)  Winner: NYY-DiMaggio

Right Field: Keller (22) v. Rettenmund (30) Winner: NYY-Keller

DH: Henrich (26)  v. Davis (34)  Winner: NYY-Henrich

SP1: Ruffing (34) v. Palmer (27) Winner: Balt-Palmer

SP2: Gomez (30) v. Cuellar (36)Winner: NYY-Gomez

SP3: Hadley (34) v. McNally (30) Winner: Balt-McNally

Closer: Murphy (30)  v. Reynolds (26) Balt-Reynolds

Team Offense: NYY

Team Pitching: NYY

NYY 11 Balt 6 - closer than it looks; Yankees only up one through the matchups and while they took both totals, they were pretty close; it was a battle worthy of the Sweet 16.

But in the end, the top seed wins Group 1.  

The 1939 New York Yankees - one of the 8 greatest teams in American League history.

2019 NBA All Star Ballot

We're halfway through the NBA season - here are the best players thusfar.

East

Starters

Frontcourt
G.Antetokounmpo Mil
N.Vucevic Orl 
J.Embiid Phi   

Backcourt
K.Irving Bos
K.Walker Char

Reserves

Front Court
K.Leonard Tor
B.Griffin Det
P.Siakam Tor

Backcourt
B.Simmons Phi
J.Butler Phi
B.Beal Wash
E.Bledsoe Mil

West

Starters

Frontcourt
A.Davis NO  (MVP)
P.George OKC
K.Durant GSW

Backcourt
J.Harden Hou
D.Lillard Por

Reserves

Frontcourt
L. James LAL
R.Gobert Utah
N.Jokic Den
K-A Towns Min

Backcourt
S.Curry GSW
J.Holiday NO
D.DeRozan SA


Alternates:
J.Nurkic Port
C.Capela Hou
D.Gallinari LAC
S.Adams OKC
D.Jordan Dal

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round Two, Group 8)

Last group

4 more teams to round out the 32 greatest teams in National League history:

5 Dodgers
5 Braves
4 Cubs
3 Cards

3 Reds

3 Pirates

3 Giants

Phillies

Mets

-there are no Dodgers or Braves in this group, so they will both be locked at 5 teams moving forward; the Cubs and Giants each have 3 shots to move more teams to the next round; the Cards and Mets round out Group 8.

8. 1905 Giants (World Champions)

v.

72. 2008 Cubs (lost NLDS)

Catcher: Bresnahan (26) v. Soto (25) Winner: Giants-Bresnahan

First Base: McGann (33) v. Lee (33) Winner: Giants-McGann

Second Base: Gilbert (29) v. DeRosa (33) Winner: Cubs-DeRosa

Shortstop: Dahlen (35) v. Theriot (28) Winner: Giants-Dahlen

Third Base: Devlin (25) v. Ramirez (30) Winner: Push

Left Field: Mertes (32) v. Soriano (30) Winner: Push

Center Field: Donlin (27) v. Edmonds (38) Winner: Giants-Donlin

Right Field: Browne (29) v. Fukudome (31) Winner: Push

SP1: Mathewson (24) v. Dempster (31) Winner: Giants-Mathewson

SP2: McGinnity (34) v. Lilly (32) Winner: Cubs-Lilly

SP3: Ames (22) v. Zambrano (27) Winner: Cubs-Zambrano

Closer: Elliott (28) v. Wood (31) Winner: Cubs-Wood

Team Offense: Giants

Team Pitching: Cubs

Giants 7 Cubs 6 - Giants offense, even with three lineup ties, overcomes Cubs pitching to move on.  

25. 1917 Giants (lost WS)

v.

40. 1908 Cubs (World Champions)

Catcher: Rariden (29) v. Kling (32) Winner: Cubs-Kling

First Base: Holke (24) v. Chance (31) Winner: Cubs-Chance

Second Base: Herzog (31) v. Evers (26) Winner: Cubs-Evers

Shortstop: Fletcher (32) v. Tinker (27) Winner: Cubs-Tinker

Third Base: Zimmerman (30) v. Steinfeldt (32) Winner: Giants-Zimmerman

Left Field: Burns (27) v. Sheckard (29) Winner: Giants-Burns

Center Field: Kauff (27) v. Slagle (34) Winner: Giants-Kauff

Right Field: Robertson (27) v. Schulte (25) Winner: Giants-Robertson

SP1: Schupp (26) v. Brown (31) Winner: Cubs-Brown

SP2: Benton (27) v. Reulbach (25) Winner: Cubs-Reulbach

SP3: Sallee (32) v. Pfiester (30) Winner: Cubs-Pfiester

Closer: Anderson (31) v. Coakley (25) Winner: Giants-Anderson

Team Offense: Giants

Team Pitching: Cubs

Cubs 9 Giants 7 - just like the prior game, it's Giants bats against Cubs arms, but the result flips.  Cubs tie the Braves and Dodgers with 5 teams moving forward.  

9. 1905 Cubs (3rd in NL-no playoffs)

v.

56. 2013 Cardinals (lost WS)

Catcher: Kling (29) v. Molina (30) Winner: Cards-Molina

First Base: Chance (28) v. Craig (28) Winner: Cubs-Chance

Second Base: Evers (23) v. Carpenter (27) Winner: Cards-Carpenter

Shortstop: Tinker (24) v. Kozma (25) Winner: Cubs-Tinker

Third Base: Casey (35) v. Freese (34) Winner: Cubs-Casey

Left Field: Schulte (22) v. Holliday (33) Winner: Cards-Holliday

Center Field: Slagle (31) v. Jay (28) Winner: Cubs-Slagle

Right Field: Maloney (27) v. Beltran (36) Winner: Cards-Beltran

SP1: Reulbach (22) v. Wainwright (31) Winner: Cards-Wainwright

SP2: Weimer (31) v. Lynn (26) Winner: Cubs-Weimer

SP3: Brown (28) v. Miller (22) Winner: Push

Closer: Pfeffer (23) v. Mujica (29) Winner: Cards-Mujica

Team Offense: Push

Team Pitching: Cubs

Cubs 7 Cards 6 - St Louis leads through the matchups - but then the Cubs take the pitching and it sends their 6th representative into the next round.

24. 1954 Giants (World Champions)

v.

88. 1990 Mets (2nd in NL East-no playoffs)

Catcher: Westrum (31) v. Sasser (27) Winner: Mets-Sasser

First Base: Lockman (27) v. Magadan (27) Winner: Mets-Magadan

Second Base: Williams (26) v. Jefferies (22) Winner: Mets-Jefferies

Shortstop: Dark (32) v. Elster (25) Winner: Giants-Dark

Third Base: Thompson (28) v. Johnson (29) Winner:Giants-Thompson

Left Field: Irvin (35) v. McReynolds (30) Winner: Mets-McReynolds

Center Field: Mays (23) v. Boston (27) Winner: Giants-Mays

Right Field: Mueller (27) v. Strawberry (28) Winner: Mets-Strawberry

SP1: Antonelli (24) v. Viola (30) Winner: Mets-Viola

SP2: Gomez (26) v. Gooden (25) Winner: Mets-Gooden

SP3: Maglie (37) v. Cone (27) Winner: Mets-Cone

Closer: Grissom (36) v. Franco (29) Winner: Giants-Grissom

Team Offense: Push

Team Pitching: Push

Mets 8 Giants 4 - the totals both push, but the Mets take those matchups easily and move on.  

That's it.  The 32 greatest teams in National League history remain:

Group 1

1. 1906 Cubs (lost WS-Frank Chance)

v.

33. 1976 Reds (World Champions-Sparky Anderson)

49. 1988 Mets (lost NLCS-Davey Johnson)

v. 

17. 1943 Cardinals (lost WS-Billy Southworth)

Tinker's 25, Evers is 24, Chance and Three Finger Brown are both 29 - they lead the top seeded Cubs against the Big Red Machine - Bench is 28, Perez is 34, Morgan's 32, and Rose is 35. That winner moves to the Sweet 16 where they take on either the '88 Mets - with a 34 year old Gary Carter, a 34 year old Keith Hernandez, a 26 year old Daryl Strawberry and a 23 year old Dwight Gooden or their opponents, a 22 year old Stan Musial and the '43 Cardinals.

Group 2

2. 1902 Pirates (1st in NL-no playoffs-Fred Clarke)

v.

31. 1997 Braves (lost NLCS-Bobby Cox)

15. 1975 Reds (World Champions-Sparky Anderson)

v.

18. 1908 Giants (2nd in NL-no playoffs-John McGraw)

The second overall seed is the '02 Pirates with a 28 year old Honus Wagner and a 29 year old Fred Clarke - they meet the '97 Braves, Maddux and Glavine are both 31, Smoltz is 30 and Chipper is 25.  The Reds from Group 1, minus one year, return in Group 2 -- they face John McGraw's '08 Giants with a 27 year old Christy Mathewson.  

Group 3

3. 1909 Cubs (2nd in NL-no playoffs-Frank Chance)

v.

35. 2011 Phillies (lost NLDS-Charlie Manuel)

115. 2013 Braves (lost NLDS-Fredi Gonzalez)

v. 

19. 1998 Braves (lost NLCS-Bobby Cox)

-Add 3 years to that Cub squad from Group 1; they're all back here; they face Cliff Lee (32) Roy Halladay (34) Cole Hamels (27) and the 2011 Phillies.  In the other side - the Braves are guaranteed to make the Sweet 16, either with the 2013 team - Andrelton Simmons/Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman or the '98 Braves, just like that '97 team we just saw but a year older.  

Group 4

4. 1944 Cardinals (won WS-Billy Southworth)

v.

36. 1949 Dodgers (lost WS-Burt Shotton)

13. 1942 Dodgers (2nd in NL-no playoffs-Leo Durocher)

v.

20. 1953 Dodgers (lost WS-Chuck Dressen)

-lot of repeat business in the Round of 32 - we've gotten two of the Tinker/Evers/Chance clubs, two Big Red Machines, two of Maddux/Glavine/Smoltz Braves, and now Musial, a year older than the first Cards team we saw.  And the rest of Group 4 is all Brooklyn Dodgers -- in '49 Jackie and Pee Wee were both 30, Campanella was 22 and Duke Snider 22.  Tack on four years and they're all still here on the '53 team -- now, they play a Dodger team of an earlier vintage - Pee Wee is there, he's 23, but he's playing with Pete Reiser and Ducky Medwick and Billy Herman on the '42 club.  Pee Wee vs Pee Wee in Group 4.  

Group 5

5. 1942 Cardinals (World Champions-Billy Southworth)

v.

92. 1957 Braves (World Champions-Fred Haney)

12. 1901 Pirates (1st in NL-no playoffs-Fred Clarke)

v.

21. 1974 Dodgers (lost WS-Walter Alston)

-One more WWII Cardinals team, Musial's 21 in '42 - he's going to face Hank Aaron (23) Eddie Mathews (25) and Warren Spahn (36).  The winner of that game will battle against the winner of the second Honus Wagner Pirates club still alive and our first Los Angeles Dodgers squad - Garvey's 25, Cey's 26, Lopes is 29.  

Group 6

6. 1904 Giants (1st in NL-no playoffs-John McGraw)

v.

38. 1940 Reds (World Champions-Bill McKechnie)

11. 2016 Cubs (World Champions-Joe Maddon)

v.

43. 2017 Dodgers (lost WS)

McGraw and Mathewson are back with the '04 Giants; they meet Bucky Walters, Ernie Lombardi and the Reds.  Look at the other half of the bracket, a matchup of contemporary rivals - this Kris Bryant/Anthony Rizzo Cub team beat the 2016 Dodgers in the NLCS, and the 2017 Dodgers came back and beat the Cubs in the NLCS themselves.  A 29 year old Clayton Kershaw will lead that group.  

Group 7

7. 1909 Pirates (World Champions-Fred Clarke)

v.

103. 1958 Braves (lost WS-Fred Haney)

10. 1907 Cubs (World Champions-Frank Chance)

v. 

23. 1911 Giants (lost WS-John McGraw)

-A third Honus Wagner Pirates team against a second Aaron/Mathews Braves squad.

-A third Tinker/Evers/Chance Cub group battle a third Mathewson Giants team.  

Group 8

8. 1905 Giants (World Champions-John McGraw)

v.

40. 1908 Cubs (World Champions- Frank Chance)

9. 1905 Cubs (3rd in NL-no playoffs-Frank Chance)

v.

88. 1990 Mets (2nd in NL East-no playoffs-Davey Johnson)

-And because we liked it so much in Group 8 it is a 4th, count it, a 4th Christy Mathewson Giants team -- and once again they face a 4th, count it, a 4th Tinker/Evers/Chance Cubs squad.  

-And can you believe we've got one more?  A 5th Cub team from that same group; and they will play the remnants of that Mets team we saw previously, still including Strawberry and Gooden.

32 National League Teams left.  32 American League teams left.

When I return, we start the next round - American League Group 1:

1939 Yankees v. 1977 Yankees

1936 Yankees v. 1973 Orioles

Who will advance to the Sweet 16??

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round Two, Group 8)

Last group

Only one group to go - here are 28 of the 32 greatest teams in AL history.

8 Yankees

5 Orioles
4 A's

3 Astros

2 Red Sox
2 White Sox

1 Jays
1 Mariners

1 Tigers

1 Indians

8. 1948 Indians (World Champions)

v.

72. 1987 Blue Jays (2nd in AL East-no playoffs)

-this is it for both franchises; one will place two teams into the next round.

Catcher: Hegan (27) v. Whitt (35) Winner: Jays-Whitt

First Base: Robinson (27) v. Upshaw (30) Winner: Jays-Upshaw

Second Base: Gordon (33) v. Iorg (32) Winner: Indians-Gordon

Shortstop: Boudreau (30) v. Fernandez (25) Winner: Indians-Boudreau

Third Base: Keltner (31) v. Gruber (25) Winner: Indians-Mitchell

Left Field: Mitchell (26) v. Bell (27) Winner: Jays-Bell

Center Field: Doby (24) v. Moseby (27) Winner: Indians-Doby

Right Field: Clark (25) v. Barfield (27) Winner: Jays-Barfield

DH: Tucker (30) v. McGriff (23) Winner: Jays-McGriff

SP1: Lemon (27) v. Key (26) Winner: Jays-Key

SP2: Feller (29) v. Clancy (31) Winner: Jays-Clancy

SP3: Bearden (27) v. Stieb (29) Winner: Indians-Bearden

Closer: Christopher (30) v. Henke (29) Winner: Jays-Henke

Team Offense: Indians
Team Pitching: Jays

Jays 10 Indians 7 - Toronto sweeps nearly every pitching point and claims a second spot in the final 32.

25. 1931 Yankees (2nd in AL-no playoffs)

v.

89. 1958 Yankees (World Champions)

-Yankee team #9 is about to move forward.

Catcher: Dickey (24) v. Berra (33) Winner: 1931-Dickey

First Base: Gehrig (28) v. Skowron (27) Winner: 1931-Gehrig

Second Base: Lazzeri (27) v. McDougald (30) Winner: Push

Shortstop: Lary (25) v. Kubek (22) Winner: 1931-Lary

Third Base: Sewell (32) v. Carey (26) Winner: 1958-Carey

Left Field: Chapman (22) v. Siebern (24) Winner: 1931-Chapman

Center Field: Combs (32) v. Mantle (26) Winner: 1958-Mantle

Right Field: Ruth (36) v. Bauer (35) Winner: 1931-Ruth

SP1: Gomez (22) v. Turley (27) Winner: 1931-Gomez

SP2: Ruffing (26) v. Ford (29) Winner: 1958-Ford

SP3: Johnson (25) v. Ditmar(29) Winner: 1931-Johnson

Closer: Pipgras (31) v. Duren (29) Winner: 1958-Duren

Team Offense: 1931
Team Pitching: 1931

1931 11 1928 4 - '31 becomes the 9th NYY team to move forward.  The bats.  The bats.  

9. 1998 Yankees (World Champions)

v.

56. 1923 Yankees (World Champions)

And the Yankees are about to get a 10th - 10 of the 32 greatest teams in AL history wore pinstripes.

Catcher: Posada (26) v. Schang (33) Winner: 1998-Posada

First Base: Martinez (30) v. Pipp (30) Winner: 1998-Martinez

Second Base: Knoblauch (29) v. Ward (26) Winner: 1923-Ward

Shortstop: Jeter (24) v. Scott (30) Winner: 1998-Jeter

Third Base: Brosius (31) v. Dugan (26) Winner: 1998-Brosius

Left Field: Curtis (29) v. Meusel (26) Winner: 1998-Curtis

Center Field: Williams (29) v. Witt (27) Winner: 1998-Williams

Right Field: O'Neill (35) v. Ruth (28) Winner: 1923-Ruth

DH: Strawberry (36) v. Hoffman (29) Winner: 1998-Strawberry

SP1: Pettitte (26) v. Bush (30) Winner: 1923-Bush

SP2: Wells (35) v. Shawkey (32) Winner: 1998-Wells

SP3: Cone (35) v. Jones (30) Winner: 1998-Cone

Closer: Rivera (28) v. Mays (31) Winner: 1998-Rivera

Team Offense: 1998
Team Pitching: 1998

1998 14  1923 3 -- Wow.  

24. 1903 Red Sox (Americans) (World Champions) 

v.

88. 2013 Red Sox (World Champions)

Catcher: Criger (31) v. Saltalamacchia (28) Winner: 2013-Saltalamacchia

First Base: LaChance (33) v. Napoli (31) Winner: 2013-Napoli

Second Base: Ferris (28) v. Pedroia (29) Winner: 2013-Pedroia

Shortstop: Parent (27) v. Drew (30) Winner: 1903-Parent

Third Base: Collins (33) v. Middlebrooks (24) Winner: 2013-Collins

Left Field: Dougherty (26) v. Gomes (32) Winner: 1903-Dougherty

Center Field: Stahl (30) v. Ellsbury (29) Winner: 2013-Ellsbury

Right Field: Freeman (31) v. Victorino (32) Winner: 2013-Victorino

DH: O'Brien (30) v. Ortiz (37) Winner: 2013-Ortiz

SP1: Young (36) v. Lester (29) Winner: 2013-Young

SP2: Dinneen (27) v. Lackey (34) Winner: 1903-Dinneen

SP3: Hughes (24) v. Dempster (36) Winner: 1903-Hughes

Closer: Altrock (26) v. Uehara (38) Winner: 2013-Uehara

Team Offense: 2013

Team Pitching: 2013

2013 13  1903 4 - double wow.  

We're done.  The Round of 32 is set.  Here are the 32 Greatest Teams in the History of the American League:

Group 1

1. 1939 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

96. 1977 Yankees (World Champions-Billy Martin)

16. 1936 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

48. 1973 Orioles (lost ALCS-Earl Weaver)

Group 1 has the top overall AL seed, the '39 Yankees, with 6 Hall of Famers led by a 24 year old Joe DiMaggio.  They'll take on the Bronx Zoo Yankees with a 31 year old Reggie Jackson for a spot in the Sweet 16.

The 16 overall seed is here; it's the '36 Yankees, a very similar squad to that '39 team - and they face the only team in Group 1 not to win the World Series, the '73 Orioles with a 27 year old Jim Palmer.  

Group 2

2. 1927 Yankees (World Champions-Miller Huggins)

v.

98. 1950 Red Sox (3rd in AL-no playoffs-Steve O'Neill)

70. 2002 Red Sox (2nd in AL East-no playoffs-Grady Little)

v.

47. 1922 Browns (Orioles) (2nd in AL-no playoffs-Lee Fohl)

Group 2 has the #2 overall seed, the most famous team in MLB history, a 32 year old Ruth, a 24 year old Gehrig - the 1927 Yankees.  They'll meet a 31 year old Ted Williams and a Red Sox team that didn't make the playoffs.  Another Sox team that didn't make the playoffs is still alive; the 2002 Sox - with 30 year olds Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez. And they face a team that doesn't exist anymore, the 1922 St Louis Browns, led by a 29 year old George Sisler.  

Group 3

3. 1942 Yankees (lost WS-Joe McCarthy)

v.

30. 1932 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

14. 1929 A's (World Champions-Connie Mack)

v.

83. 1985 Blue Jays (lost ALCS-Bobby Cox)

-DiMaggio puts his third team in the Final 32, the third overall seeded '42 Yankees....and they face a Yankee team from 10 years prior.  That means Dickey vs. Dickey, Ruffing vs. Ruffing, and Joe McCarthy managing against himself.  

We've got a Connie Mack A's team in this group and they are loaded - Al Simmons, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove Mickey Cochrane.  All headed to the Hall of Fame.  They face Bobby Cox and the '85 Jays.  

Group 4

125. 2003 Mariners (2nd in AL West-no playoffs-Bob Melvin)

v.

93. 2017 Astros (World Champions-AJ Hinch)

116. 1963 White Sox (2nd in AL - no playoffs-Al Lopez)

v.

20. 1917 White Sox (World Champions-Pants Rowland)

-Group 4 is the upset group; 29 year old Ichiro and a 40 year old Edgar lead the '03 Mariners against 27 year old Jose Altuve and the Astros team that won the '17 Series.  The '63 White Sox only Hall of Famers are a 35 year old Nellie Fox and a 40 year old Hoyt Wilhelm, but they will play for a spot in the sweet 16 --- against the top remaining seed in group 4, the Still White But Almost Black Sox of 1917. 

Group 5

5. 2018 Astros (lost ALCS-AJ Hinch)

v.

37. 1938 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

117. 1980 Orioles (2nd in AL East-no playoffs-Earl Weaver)

v.

44.  1934 Tigers (lost WS-Mickey Cochrane)

-The Astros team from Group 4 came back the next year and is the 5th overall AL seed (are the Astros from the last two years about to put two teams in the sweet 16?) and they face a Yankee team with both DiMaggio (that makes 4 for Joe D) and Gehrig.  Earl Weaver comes back in Group 5, bringing with him a 24 year old Eddie Murray and they meet Greenberg/Cochrane/Gehringer and the '34 Tigers.  

Group 6

123. 1974 A's (World Champions-Alvin Dark)

v.

91. 1990 A's (lost WS-Tony LaRussa)

11. 1969 Orioles (lost WS-Earl Weaver)

v.

22. 1998 Astros (lost NLDS-Larry Dierker)

-There will be an Oakland A's squad in the sweet 16; the Swingin' A's of '74 with 28 year olds Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter meet McGwire/Canseco/Eck and a 31 year old Rickey Henderson.  That winner will meet the winner of a matchup between the third Earl Weaver club, they've got a 33 year old Frank Robinson and a 23 year old Jim Palmer -- and their opponent, an invader from the National League, the '98 Astros with Bagwell/Biggio and a 34 year old Randy Johnson.  

Group 7

71. 1975 A's (lost ALCS-Al Dark)

v. 

26. 1971 Orioles (lost WS-Earl Weaver)

55. 1920 Indians (World Champions-Tris Speaker)

v.

106. 1985 Yankees (2nd in AL East-no playoffs-Yogi Berra)

-joining the '74 A's in the Final 32 - the '75 A's.  Take that previous group and age them a year.  We've seen the '69 and the '73 Orioles, let's split the difference here; another Weaver squad in the round of 32.  Only one Cleveland club survives, it's the World Champions from 1920, led by a 32 year old Tris Speaker; and they play another Rickey Henderson club, the '85 Yankees.  

Group 8

72. 1987 Blue Jays (2nd in AL East-no playoffs-Jimy Williams)

v.

25. 1931 Yankees (2nd in AL-no playoffs-Joe McCarthy)

9. 1998 Yankees (World Champions-Joe Torre)

v.

88. 2013 Red Sox (World Champions-John Farrell)

-if you liked the mid 80's Blue Jays, you get a second look at the Barfield/Bell/Moseby outfield here; they face a Ruth/Gehrig Yankees club.  In our final Round of 32 game, we'll see a 24 year old Derek Jeter lead the '98 Yankees against a 29 year old Dustin Pedroia's 2013 Red Sox.  

One more NL Group to go in Round 2 - they're led by the 1905 Giants.