128 Team MLB Tournament: Regional Semi-Finals/Finals Preview (Regions 5-8)

 Preview Part 1

16 teams down, 16 teams left.  

REGION FIVE

Top remaining overall seed in the tournament is here - the '98 Yankees and if they're going to advance to the Regional Final they'll have to earn it.  It's the marquee matchup of the round; Yankees vs. Yankees.  In the second game, it's a pre-Jackie Brooklyn club taking on Reggie Jackson and the first of the three-peat A's Champions.  

#5. 1998 World Champion New York Yankees v. #28. 1961 World Champion New York Yankees

Yankees 114-48 (Pythag 114-48) Mgr. Joe Torre (AL MoY)

1st in AL East

d. Rangers 3-0 in ALDS

d. Indians 4-2 in ALCS (MVP-David Wells)

d. Padres 4-0 in World Series (MVP-Scott Brosius)

d. #124 2004 Cardinals 2-0 (MVP: Bernie Williams/Tino Martinez)

d. #69   1910 Cubs 3-1 (MVP-Orlando Hernandez)

All-Stars 3B Scott Brosius, SS Derek Jeter (3rd AL MVP) OF Paul O'Neill, SP David Wells (3rd AL Cy Young) OF Bernie Williams

Hall of Famers: Derek Jeter, Tim Raines, Mariano Rivera, Joe Torre

125-50 regular/postseason, won the AL East by 22. 41 games over .500 by the All Star Break. David Wells threw a perfect game in May. Darryl Strawberry had a cancer diagnosis in October. 

Yankees 109-53 (Pythag 103-59) Mgr. Ralph Houk

Won AL Pennant

d. Reds 4-1 in World Series

d. #101 1949 Dodgers 2-1 (MVP-Roger Maris/Hal Reniff)

d. #37   2002 Angels 3-0 (MVP-Whitey Ford/Bill Stafford)

All-Stars RP Luis Arroyo, OF Yogi Berra, SP Whitey Ford (AL Cy Young, 5th AL MVP) C Elston Howard, SS Tony Kubek, OF Mickey Mantle (2nd AL MVP) OF Roger Maris (AL MVP) 1B Moose Skowron

Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, 

Maris hits 61 homers, from June 1 on they won 70% of their games; Yogi, Ford and Mantle are all also on the '53 team that advanced to this Round in Region 3 (Yogi's also on the '47 team that advanced to this round in Region 4)

#85. 1942 Brooklyn Dodgers v. #117 1972 World Champion Oakland A’s

Dodgers 104-50 (Pythag 102-52) Mgr Leo Durocher

2nd in NL

d. #44 1986 Mets 2-1 (MVP: Pete Reiser)

d. #108 1909 Tigers 3-0 (MVP: Kirby Higbe/Curt Davis)

All-Stars 2B Billy Herman, OF Ducky Medwick, C Mickey Owen (4th NL MVP) SS Pee Wee Reese, OF Pete Reiser, 3B Arky Vaughan, SP Whit Wyatt

Hall of Famers: Billy Herman, Ducky Medwick, Pee Wee Reese, Arky Vaughan, Leo Durocher

104 wins, but 2 behind the Cardinals in the NL.

A's 93-62 (Pythag: 97-58) Mgr. Dick Williams

1st in AL West

d. Tigers 3-2 in ALCS 

d. Reds 4-3 in World Series (MVP-Gene Tenace)

d. #12 1942 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Ken Holtzman/Catfish Hunter)

d. #76 1946 Cardinals 3-1 (MVP-Bert Campaneris)

All-Stars: 3B Sal Bando, SS Bert Campaneris, SP Ken Holtzman, SP Catfish Hunter (4th AL Cy Young) OF Reggie Jackson, OF Joe Rudi (2nd AL MVP)

Hall of Famers: Orlando Cepeda, Rollie Fingers, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Joe Rudi

California’s first World Champions that weren’t the Dodgers. We’ve seen Reggie and Catfish with the ’77 Yankees, Reggie missed the Series, injured in ALCS. Last daytime weekday game in WS history.

REGION SIX

We saw that Region 5 has the top remaining overall seed in the tournament - the number two remaining overall seed is here, it's the 2016 Cubs.  They'll meet the second Reds team still remaining, the Black Sox defeating 1919 Reds.  The other game is the only Babe Ruth team still alive, the 1928 Yankees - and they face the second Orioles team still remaining; the '70 team is in Region 4, this is the '69 club.  

#6 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs v. #27. 1919 World Champion Cincinnati Reds

Cubs 103-58 (Pythag 107-54) Mgr. Joe Maddon (2nd NL MoY)

1st in NL Central

d. Giants 3-1 in NLDS

d. Dodgers 4-2 in NLCS (MVP-Javier Baez/Jon Lester)

d. Indians 4-3 in World Series (MVP-Ben Zobrist)

d. #123 1955 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Jorge Soler/Addison Russell)

d. #70   1998 Braves 3-2 (MVP-Kris Bryant)

All-Stars SP Jake Arrieta, 3B Kris Bryant (NL MVP) OF Dexter Fowler, SP Jon Lester (2nd NL Cy Young) 1B Anthony Rizzo (4th NL MVP) SS Addison Russell, 2B Ben Zobrist, 

Won NL Central by 17.5. 103 win most for Cubs since 1910. First team to win World Series games 6-7 on road since ’79. 

Reds 96-44 (Pythag 92-48) Mgr. Pat Moran

Won NL Pennant

d. White Sox 5-3 in World Series

d. #102 1945 Cubs 2-0 (MVP Larry Kopf)

d. #38   2017 Indians 3-2 (MVP-Pat Duncan, Slim Sallee)

Hall of Famers: Edd Roush

Black Sox scandal World Series. Reds .686 winning percentage their highest in 20^th C.  

#43 1928 World Champion New York Yankees v. #54 1969 Baltimore Orioles

Yankees 101-53 (Pythag 95-59) Mgr. Miller Huggins

Won AL Pennant

d. Cardinals 4-0 in World Series 

d. #86 1974 Dodgers 2-1 (MVP-Tony Lazzeri)

d. #22 1976 Reds 3-0 (MVP-Lou Gehrig/Babe Ruth)

Hall of Famers: OF Earle Combs, RP Stan Coveleski, C Bill Dickey, SS Leo Durocher, 1B Lou Gehrig, SP Waite Hoyt, 2B Tony Lazzeri (3rd AL MVP) SP Herb Pennock, OF Babe Ruth, Miller Huggins

Urban Shocker died from pneumonia in September. Yanks outscored Cards 27-10 in WS. Yankees had uniform numbers for first time. Miller Huggins dies next year. 

Orioles 109-53 (Pythag 110-52) Mgr. Earl Weaver

1st in AL East

d. Twins 3-0 in ALCS

lost to Mets 4-1 in World Series

d. #75 1949 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Mike Cuellar/Jim Palmer)

d. #118 1917 Giants 3-1 (MVP-Davey Johnson/Mike Cuellar)

All-Stars: OF Paul Blair, 2B Davey Johnson, SP Dave McNally (4th AL Cy Young) 1B Boog Powell (2nd AL MVP) 3B Brooks Robinson, OF Frank Robinson (3rd AL MVP)

Cy Young: SP Mike Cuellar 

Hall of Famers: Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver

109 wins, 19 games ahead of the Tigers in AL East. Same year – heavily favored Orioles lost to Mets, heavily favored Colts lost to Jets (and best NBA record – Bullets, lost in playoffs to Knicks), 1970 team also in field, this team had best winning % in Orioles history.

REGION SEVEN 

We've got the second Yankees v. Yankees matchup in the round; Bill Dickey and Frankie Crosetti are in the lineup for the '36 club and they're coaches for the '54 club. There's one remaining Astros team, there's one remaining Braves team - both pennant winners, both World Series losers, they meet in this region.

#26. 2019 AL Champion Houston Astros v. #122. 1999 NL Champion Atlanta Braves

Astros 107-57 (Pythag 107-55) Mgr AJ Hinch (5th AL MoY)

1st in AL West

d. Rays 3-2 in ALDS

d. Yankees 4-2 in ALCS (MVP-Jose Altuve)

lost to Nationals 4-3 in World Series

d. #103 1948 Yankees (MVP-Michael Brantley)

d. #90   1949 Red Sox 3-0 (MVP-Yuli Gurriel)

All-Stars: OF Michael Brantley, 3B Alex Bregman (2nd AL MVP) SP Gerrit Cole (2nd AL Cy Young) RP Ryan Pressly, OF George Springer, SP Justin Verlander (AL Cy Young)

Third straight 100 win season, best record in MLB. Everyone fired in offseason for sign stealing. First team ever to both lead in most pitching Ks and fewest hitting Ks.

Braves 103-59 (Pythag 98-64) Mgr. Bobby Cox  (2nd NL MoY)

1st in NL East

d. Astros 3-1 in NLDS

d. Mets 4-2 in NLCS (Eddie Perez)

lost to Yankees 4-0 in World Series

d. #7 1909 Pirates 2-1 (MVP-John Smoltz/Kevin Millwood)

d. #71 2009 Yankees 3-0 (MVP-Brian Jordan/Brian Hunter)

All-Stars OF Brian Jordan, SP Kevin Millwood, (3rd NL Cy Young)

Hall of Fame: Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones (NL MVP) Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Bobby Cox

5th pennant of the decade for the Braves, to date, the last one they won.  

#23. 1936 World Champion New York Yankees v. #54. 1954 New York Yankees

Yankees 102-51 (Pythag 102-51) Mgr Joe McCarthy

Won AL Pennant

d. Giants 4-2 in World Series

d. #106 1995 Braves 2-0 (MVP-Red Rolfe)

d. #87   1983 Orioles 3-1 (MVP-Joe DiMaggio)

All-Stars SS Frankie Crosetti, C Bill Dickey (5th AL MVP) CF Joe DiMaggio, 1B Lou Gehrig (AL MVP) SP Lefty Gomez, SP Monte Pearson, OF George Selkirk

Hall of Famers: Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Tony Lazzeri, Red Ruffing, Joe McCarthy

DiMaggios rookie year; Yanks won the AL by 19.5 over Detroit. Gehrig is on the '28 team who reached this round in region 6. McCarthy managed this team and the '43 team from Region 1, Bill Dickey, Frankie Crosetti, Johnny Murphy on both teams.  

Yankees 103-51 (Pythag 101-53) Mgr. Casey Stengel

2nd in AL

d. #75 1913 A's 2-0 (MVP-Mickey Mantle)

d. #10 1907 Cubs 3-0 (MVP-Whitey Ford/Johnny Sain)

All-Stars: OF Hank Bauer, C Yogi Berra (AL MVP) SP Whitey Ford, OF Mickey Mantle, OF Irv Noren, SP Allie Reynolds

Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, Enos Slaughter

The '53 Yanks advanced to this round in Region 3, here's the sequel.  

REGION EIGHT

And finally, the second Indians team to advance to the Regional Semi-finals is here; they take on another one of these 50s Yankees clubs.  The top remaining seed in Region 8 is the '38 Yankees, we just saw the '36 team in Region 7.  They face the team that won 116 in the regular season, the 2001 Mariners.  

#40. 1995 AL Champion Cleveland Indians v. #72. 1951 World Champion New York Yankees

Indians 100-44  (Pythag 93-51) Mgr. Mike Hargrove (3rd AL Mgr of Year)

1st in AL Central

d. Red Sox 3-0 ALDS

d. Mariners 4-2 ALCS (MVP-Orel Hershiser)

lost to Braves 4-2 World Series

d. #89. 1923 Yankees 2-0 (MVP-Kenny Lofton)

d. #105 1955 Dodgers 3-2 (MVP-Manny Ramirez)

All-Stars: 2B Carlos Baerga, OF Albert Belle (2nd AL MVP) OF Kenny Lofton, SP Dennis Martinez, RP Jose Mesa (2nd AL Cy Young, 4th AL MVP) OF Manny Ramirez

Hall of Famers: Eddie Murray, Jim Thome, Dave Winfield

Short season, only 144 games, Indians first pennant since '54. Jose Mesa gave up 8 earned runs all year. Indians won the AL Central by 30 games. First season in Jacobs Field.

Yankees 98-56 (Pythag 94-60) Mgr Casey Stengel

Won AL Pennant

d. Giants 4-2 in World Series

d. #57 1931 Cardinals 2-0 (Allie Reynolds)

d. #8   1910 A's 3-2 (Joe Collins)

All-Stars: C Yogi Berra, OF Joe DiMaggio, SP Eddie Lopat, SS Phil Rizzuto

AL RoY: 2B Gil McDougald

Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra (AL MVP) Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Mize, Phil Rizzuto, Casey Stengel

DiMaggio's final year, Mantle's rookie year - Bob Sheppard's first year as Yankee PA Announcer. 

#24. 1938 World Champion New York Yankees v. #56. 2001 AL West Champion Seattle Mariners

Yankees 99-53 (Pythag 97-55) Mgr Joe McCarthy

Won AL Pennant

d. Cubs 4-0 to win World Series

d. #105 1957 Braves 2-0 (MVP-Joe Gordon)

d. #41   2019 Dodgers 3-1 (MVP-Frankie Crosetti/Joe Gordon)

All-Stars Bill Dickey (2nd AL MVP)  Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Johnny Murphy, Red Rolfe, Red Ruffing (4th AL MVP)

Hall of Fame: Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez, Joe Gordon, Red Ruffing, Joe McCarthy

Another Joe McCarthy team, third straight World Championship for the Yankees, it hadn't been done before.  They win it again next year.  Won the AL by 9.5.  

Mariners 116-46 (Pythag 109-53) Lou Piniella (AL Mgr of Year)

1st in AL West

d. Indians 3-2 ALDS

lost to Yankees 4-1 ALCS

d. #73 1913 A's 2-1 (MVP-Ichiro Suzuki)

d. #9   1905 Giants 3-1 (MVP-Freddy Garcia)

All-Stars: 2B Bret Boone (3rd AL MVP) OF Mike Cameron, SP Freddy Garcia (3rd NL Cy Young) DH Edgar Martinez, RP Jeff Nelson, 1B John Olerud, RP Kazuhiro Sasaki OF Ichiro Suzuki (AL MVP, AL RoY)

Hall of Famers: Edgar Martinez

Randy Johnson was traded in '98, Ken Griffey after the '99 season, ARod left after the 2000 seasons and this year they had 116 regular season wins, tied the major league record.  Ichiro's rookie season. They started off 20-5.   Freddy Garcia got the win in the All Star game.  

That's it.  Time for the Regional Semi-Finals.