We started with 128 teams 8 regions of 16. Two rounds later we're at 32 teams. 8 regions of 4.
We're going to change the game order a little bit; as opposed to doing the entire Round of 32 and cutting to 16; we're going to go region by region. So, for example, in Region 1 there are 4 teams left, we'll do the regional semi-finals and then immediately follow with the regional finals, so the team that survives will have made the final 8. And then onto the next region. It will make narrative continuity easier (a guy gets hot in the regional semi-finals, maybe he earns playing time in the regional finals).
So, this preview covers the next two rounds - the next time there's a preview, 24 series from now, there will be 8 teams standing.
The Regional Semis are still best of 5. The Regional finals start our move to Best of 7.
Here we go. 32 teams standing.
REGION ONE:
Top remaining seed is in Region 1 is the '75 Reds, they're the only team still alive in the region who would have been favored to reach this spot.
65. 1984 World Champion Detroit Tigers v. 97. 1977 World Champion New York Yankees
Tigers 104-58, (Pythag: 99-63) Mgr. Sparky Anderson (AL Mgr of the Year)
Won AL East
d. Royals 3-0 in ALCS (MVP-Kirk Gibson)
d. Padres 4-1 in World Series (MVP-Alan Trammell)
d. #64 1931 Athletics 2-0 (MVP-Larry Herndon)
d. #128 1979 3-2 Orioles 3-2 (MVP-Kirk Gibson/Alan Trammell)
All-Stars: RP Willie Hernandez (AL MVP, AL Cy Young) OF Chet Lemon, SP Jack Morris, C Lance Parrish, SS Alan Trammell, 2B Lou Whitaker
Hall of Famers: Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Sparky Anderson
The Tigers led the AL east wire to wire, opening the season 35-5. They were 9-0, they were 16-1.
Yankees 100-62 (Pythag: 99-63) Mgr. Billy Martin
Won AL East
d. Royals 3-2 in ALCS
d. Dodgers 4-2 in World Series (MVP-Reggie Jackson)
d. #32. 2007 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Reggie Jackson)
d. #33 1943 Cardinals 3-1 (MVP-Graig Nettles)
All-Stars: OF Reggie Jackson, RP Sparky Lyle (AL Cy Young) C Thurman Munson, 3B Graig Nettles (5th AL MVP) 2B Willie Randolph
Hall of Famers: Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Bobby Cox (first base coach)
Reggie's first year in New York; also the year of the blackout. Steinbrenner feuded with Billy - Billy feuded with Reggie. Reggie said he was the straw that stirs the drink - it's the Bronx Zoo Yankees. The front half of back to back Champions.
16. 1975 World Champion Cincinnati Reds v. 81. 1943 World Champion New York Yankees
Reds 108-54 (Pythag: 107-55) Mgr. Sparky Anderson
1st in NL West
d. Pirates 3-0 in NLCS
d. Red Sox 4-3 in World Series (MVP-Pete Rose)
d. #113 1934 Cardinals 2-1 (MVP-Ken Griffey)
d. #49 1941 Yankees 3-2 (MVP-Johnny Bench/Terry Crowley)
All-Stars: C Johnny Bench (4th NL MVP) SS Dave Concepcion, 2B Joe Morgan (NL MVP) 1B Tony Perez, 3B Pete Rose (5th NL MVP)
Hall of Famers: Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Sparky Anderson
It's the Big Red Machine, arguably the greatest lineup in baseball history. They finished 20 games up in the NL West. The Reds were 64-17 at home, best home record in NL history. They clinched a playoff birth on September 7. If the Reds and the Tigers both win -- we will see Sparky Anderson manage both teams. If the Reds and the Yankees win it becomes almost a rematch of the 1976 World Series. Like the Yanks - this is the front half of back to back Champs. Don Gullett is on both the '75 Reds and the '77 Yankees.
Yankees 98-56 (Pythag: 92-62) Mgr. Joe McCarthy
Won AL Pennant
d. Cardinals 4-1 in World Series
d. #48. 1935 Tigers 2-1 (MVP-Hank Borowy)
d. #17 1929 A's 3-0 (MVP-Nick Etten)
All-Stars: SP Tiny Bonham, SP Spud Chandler (AL MVP) C Bill Dickey, 2B Joe Gordon, OF Charlie Keller, OF Johnny Lindell
Hall of Famers: Bill Dickey, Joe Gordon, Joe McCarthy
They didn't have DiMaggio, Rizzuto or Ruffing due to WW2 - and still won the AL by 13.5 games.
REGION TWO:
Top remaining seed in Region 2 - the 1944 Cardinals. Everyone left in Region 1 won the World Series, but only 2 of the 4 teams in Region 2 were World Champs, the other two were pennant winners.
63. 1948 World Champion Cleveland Indians v. 98. 2017 NL Champion Los Angeles Dodgers
Indians 97-58 (Pythag: 104-51) Mgr. Lou Boudreau
Won AL Pennant
d. Braves 4-2 in World Series
d. #66. 1954 Giants 2-0 (MVP: Lary Doby/Dale Mitchell)
d. #127 1967 Cardinals 3-2 (MVP: Bob Lemon)
All-Stars: SS Lou Boudreau (AL MVP) SP Bob Feller (5th AL MVP) 2B Joe Gordon, 3B Ken Keltner, SP Bob Lemon,
Hall of Famers: Lou Boudreau, Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Joe Gordon, Bob Lemon, Satchel Paige, Bill McKechnie (3rd base coach)
It's the integrated Indians, with Larry Doby, first Black player in the American League, and the legendary Satchel Paige. Still the most recent Indians World Championship. The Indians finished in a tie with the Red Sox and beat them at Fenway in a one game playoff to win the pennant. Joe Gordon, who is in Region 1 with the '43 Yankees is also on this club.
Dodgers 104-58 (Pythag: 102-60) Mgr. Dave Roberts (2nd NL Mgr of Year)
Won NL West
d. Diamondbacks 3-0 in NLDS
d. Cubs 4-1 in NLCS (MVP: Chris Taylor/Justin Turner)
lost World Series 4-3 to Astros
d. #31. 1912 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Clayton Kershaw/Rich Hill)
d. #34 1952 Yankees 3-1 (MVP-Chris Taylor)
All-Stars: 1B Cody Bellinger (NL ROY) RP Kenley Jansen (5th NL Cy Young) SP Clayton Kershaw (2nd NL Cy Young) SS Corey Seager, 3B Justin Turner, SP Alex Wood
This was the Dodgers 5th straight NL West champion, they won more games than any LA team ever.
18. 1944 World Champion St Louis Cardinals v. 50. 1912 NL Champion New York Giants
Cardinals 105-59 (Pythag: 107-47) Mgr. Billy Southworth
Won NL Pennant
d. Browns 4-2 in World Series
d. #111 1914 Braves 2-0 (MVP-Johnny Hopp)
d. #82 2019 Nationals 3-0 (MVP-Walker Cooper)
All Stars: C Walker Cooper, 3B Whitey Kurowski, SP Max Lanier, SS Marty Marion (NL MVP) SP Red Munger, OF Stan Musial (4th NL MVP)
Hall of Famers: Stan Musial, Billy Southworth
The Cardinals dominated WW2 baseball and this team remains in the tournament. They won the pennant in '43, the World Series this year, and finished 2nd in the NL in '45.
Giants 103-48 (Pythag: 100-51) Mgr. John McGraw
Won NL Pennant
Lost World Series 4-3-1 to Red Sox
d. #79. 1993 Braves 2-1 (MVP-Chief Meyers)
d. #15 1937 Yankees 3-2 (MVP-Larry Doyle)
Hall of Famers: SP Rube Marquard, SP Christy Mathewson, John McGraw, Wilbert Robinson (coach)
Like the '84 Tigers from Region 1, the Giants blitzed the league from day one, jumping out to a 54-11 record. They lost a super, super tight World Series with the Red Sox in which game 2 ended because of darkness a 6-6 tie. The Red Sox took the extra game - game 8 in 10 innings; scoring 2 in the bottom of the 10th. Giants center fielder Fred Snodgrass made an infamous error to open the door for Boston.
REGION THREE
Region 3 features our second Giants club and third Yankees club, but it's the 1909 Cubs who are the best seed remaining in the region. There's only one World Series winner left in the Region, the '53 Yankees
30. 1904 NL Champion New York Giants v. 126. 2011 NL East Champion Philadelphia Phillies
Giants 106-47 (Pythag: 106-47) Mgr. John McGraw
Won NL Pennant
d. #99 1925 Pirates 2-1 (MVP-Mike Donlin)
d. #94 2017 Astros 3-2 (MVP-Joe McGinnity)
Hall of Famers: Roger Bresnahan, Dan Brouthers, Christy Mathewson, Joe McGinnity, John McGraw, Jim O'Rourke
The Giants won the pennant - but refused to play in the World Series, which had begun the prior season. Mathewson/McGinnity combined for 68 wins.
Phillies 102-60 (Pythag 103-59) Mgr. Charlie Manuel (4th in NL Mgr of Year)
1st in NL East
Lost NLDS 3-2 to Cardinals
d. #3 1906 Cubs 2-0 (MVP-Roy Halladay)
d. #62 1999 Yankees 3-0 (MVP-Hunter Pence)
All-Stars: SP Roy Halladay (2nd in NL Cy Young) SP Cole Hamels (5th in NL Cy Young) SP Cliff Lee (3rd in NL Cy Young) 3B Placido Polanco, OF Shane Victorino
Hall of Famers: Roy Halladay
This was the Phillies 5th straight NL East title and the second straight year they had the best record in MLB. They won the division by 13 games. They lost game 5 of the NLDS 1-0 at home to St Louis.
14. 1909 Chicago Cubs v. 19. 1953 World Champion New York Yankees
Cubs 104-49 (Pythag: 109-44) Mgr. Frank Chance
d. #115 2004 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Ed Reulbach)
d. #78 1978 Yankees 3-2 (MVP-Orvall Overall)
Hall of Famers: Three Finger Brown, Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker
This Cub team had a 109-44 pythagorean record and finished in 2nd in the NL, 6 1/2 behind the Pirates. The Cubs won the pennant in '06, '07, '08, '10. The pitching staff had a 1.75 ERA. This team was looking to three-peat, the Cubs having won the World Series in '07 and '08.
Yankees 99-52 (Pythag 101-50) Mgr. Casey Stengel
Won AL Pennant
d. Dodgers 4-2 in World Series
d. #110 1998 Astros 2-0 (MVP-Joe Collins)
d. #46 1971 Orioles 3-1 (MVP-Yogi Berra)
All-Stars OF Hank Bauer, C Yogi Berra (2nd AL MVP) OF Mickey Mantle, 1B Johnny Mize, RP Allie Reynolds, SS Phil Rizzuto, RP Johnny Sain
Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Mize, Phil Rizzuto, Casey Stengel
Fifth consecutive World Series win for the Yankees.
REGION FOUR
The top remaining seed in all 4 of these regions is right here - the 1970 Orioles. We also see a third Giants team, a 4th Yankees team, and our second team from 1909, the A's, which, like the 1909 Cubs, also did not win the pennant.
100. 1922 World Champion New York Giants v. 125. 1909 Philadelphia Athletics
Giants 93-61 (Pythag 95-59) Mgr. John McGraw
Won NL Pennant
d. Yankees 4-0-1 in World Series
d. #29 1954 Indians 2-1 (MVP-Earl Smith)
d. #93 1921 Yankees 3-1 (MVP-Casey Stengel/Earl Smith)
Hall of Famers: Dave Bancroft, Frankie Frisch, Travis Jackson, High Pockets Kelly, Casey Stengel, Ross Youngs, John McGraw
The '22 Giants went back to back, beating the Yankees the season before as well. It's McGraw's last World Champion.
A's 95-58 (Pythag 102-51) Mgr. Connie Mack
d. #4 1942 Cardinals 2-1 (MVP-Harry Krause/Eddie Plank)
d. #61 1921 Giants 3-1 (MVP Jack Barry/Simon Nicholls)
Hall of Famers: Home Run Baker, Chief Bender, Eddie Collins, Eddie Plank, Connie Mack
The A's had a 102-51 pythag and finished 3 1/2 behind the Tigers.
13. 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 45. 1947 World Champion New York Yankees
Orioles 108-54 (Pythag 104-58) Mgr Earl Weaver
1st in AL East
d. Twins 3-0 in ALCS
d. Reds 4-1 in World Series (MVP-Brooks Robinson)
d. #116 1958 Yankees 2-1 (MVP-Eddie Watt)
d. #57 2013 Red Sox 3-1 (MVP-Boog Powell)
All-Stars SP Mike Cuellar (4th AL Cy Young) 2B Davey Johnson, SP Dave McNally (2nd AL Cy Young) SP Jim Palmer, (5th Cy Young) 1B Boog Powell (AL MVP) OF Frank Robinson, 3B Brooks Robinson
Hall of Famers: Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver
Baltimore scored 60 runs in their 8 postseason games, they won 19 of their last 22 in the regular season. Baltimore pitchers threw 60 complete games. They were 33-15, 52-18, won the AL East by 15 games.
Yankees 97-57 (Pythag 100-54) Bucky Harris
Won AL Pennant
d. Dodgers 4-3 in World Series
d. #84 1989 A's 2-1 (MVP-Tommy Henrich/Allie Reynolds)
d. #20 2018 Red Sox 3-1 (MVP-Yogi Berra)
All-Stars SP Spud Chandler, OF Joe DiMaggio (AL MVP) OF Tommy Henrich, 3B Billy Johnson, OF Charlie Keller, 1B George McQuinn, RP Joe Page (4th AL MVP) C Aaron Robinson, SP Spec Shea (3rd MLB RoY)
Hall of Famers: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizutto, Bucky Harris
The '43 Yanks and the '53 Yanks are also part of this preview - somewhere in the middle is this club (Yogi, Scooter, Allie Reynolds are on this team and the '53 team, Charlie Keller, Billy Johnson, Johnny Lindell, Stuff Stirnweiss, Spud Chandler are on the '43 team and this team. They won the AL by a dozen games; they had a 19 game winning streak.
