The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 7)

last group

The '75 Reds await the winner of Group 7 - who will join them in the Elite 8?


7. 1909 Pirates (World Champions-Fred Clarke)

v.

103. 1958 Braves (lost WS-Fred Haney)

Catcher: Gibson (28) v. Crandall (28)Winner: Pirates:Gibson

First Base: Abstein (26) v. Torre (26) Winner: Mil-Torre

Second Base: Miller (22) v.Schoendienst (35) Winner: Pit-Miller

Shortstop: Wagner (35) v. Logan (32) Winner: Pit-Wagner

Third Base: Barbeau (27) v. Mathews (26) Winner: Mil-Mathews

Left Field: Clarke (36) v. Covington (26) Winner: Pit-Clarke

Center Field: Leach (31) v. Bruton (32)Winner: Pit-Leach

Right Field: Wilson (25) v. Aaron (24) Winner: Mil-Aaron

SP1: Willis (33) v. Spahn (37) Winner: Mil-Spahn

SP2: Camnitz (27) v. Burdette (31) Winner: Pirates-Camnitz

SP3: Maddox (22) v. Rush (32) Winner: Push

Closer: Adams (27) v. McMahon (28) Winner: Pit-Adams

Team Offense: Pirates

Team Pitching: Pirates

Pirates 11 Braves 4 - form holds, the Pirates control both offense and pitching and move to the sweet 16.

The 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates, one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

10. 1907 Cubs (World Champions-Frank Chance)

v. 

23. 1911 Giants (lost WS-John McGraw)

Catcher: Kling (31) v. Meyers (30) Winner: Chi-Kling

First Base: Chance (30) v. Merkle (22)Winner: Chi-Chance

Second Base: Evers (25) v. Doyle (24) Winner: Push

Shortstop: Tinker (26) v. Fletcher (26) Winner: NYG-Fletcher

Third Base: Steinfeldt (31) v. Devlin (31) Winner: Chi-Steinfeldt

Left Field: Sheckard (28) v. Devore (23) Winner: Push

Center Field: Slagle (33) v. Snodgrass (23)Winner: NYG-Snodgrass

Right Field: Schulte (24) v. Murray (27)Winner: Chi-Schulte

SP1: Overall (26) v. Mathewson (30)  Winner: NYG-Mathewson

SP2: Brown (30) v. Marquard (24) Winner: NYG-Marquard

SP3: Lundgren (27) v. Ames (28) Winner: Chi-Lundgren

Closer: Taylor (33) v. Crandall (23) Winner: NYG-Crandall

Team Offense: NYG

Team Pitching: NYG

Giants 9 Cubs 5 - Tied coming into the totals -- but the Giants took them both to move to the Sweet 16.

The 1911 New York Giants - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

7. 1909 Pirates (World Champions-Fred Clarke)

v.

23. 1911 Giants (lost WS-John McGraw)

Catcher: Gibson (28) v. Meyers (30)Winner: Pirates:Gibson

First Base: Abstein (26) v. Merkle (22)Winner: NYG-Merkle

Second Base: Miller (22) v.Doyle (24)Winner: NYG-Doyle

Shortstop: Wagner (35) v. Fletcher (26)Winner: Pit-Wagner

Third Base: Barbeau (27) v.  Devlin (31) Winner: NYG-Devlin

Left Field: Clarke (36) v.  Devore (23) Winner: Pit-Clarke

Center Field: Leach (31) v. Snodgrass (23)Winner: NYG-Snodgrass

Right Field: Wilson (25) v. Murray (27)Winner: Pit-Wilson

SP1: Willis (33) v. Mathewson (30) Winner: NYG-Mathewson

SP2: Camnitz (27) v.  Marquard (24) Winner: Push

SP3: Maddox (22) v. Ames (28) Winner: NYG-Ames

Closer: Adams (27) v. Crandall (23) Winner: Pit-Adams

Team Offense: Pirates

Team Pitching: NYG

Giants 8 Pirates 7 - Oh, son - McGraw and Mathewson do it again; the Giants ride a pitching advantage to stick their second team into the elite 8.

The 1911 New York Giants - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

The National League Elite 8 is halfway complete - and you're going to see the same game twice, offense v. defense: 

1976 Reds
1905 Giants
1975 Reds
1911 Giants

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 7)

last group

The 1927 Yankees await the winner of Group  7 - who will emerge to face them?


26. 1971 Orioles (lost WS-Earl Weaver)
v.

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

Catcher: Hendricks (30) v. Tenace (28) Winner: A's-Tenace

First Base: Powell (29) v. Rudi (28) Winner: A's-Rudi

Second Base: Johnson (28) v. Garner (26) Winner: Orioles-Johnson

Shortstop: Belanger (27) v. Campaneris (33) Winner: Orioles-Belanger

Third Base: Robinson (34) v. Bando (31) Winner: Orioles-Robinson

Left Field: Buford (34) v. Washington (20)Winner: Orioles-Buford

Center Field: Blair (27) v. North (27) Winner: A's-North

Right Field: Robinson (35) v. Jackson (29) Winner: A's-Jackson

DH: Rettenmund (28) v. Williams (37) Winner: Orioles-Rettenmund

SP1: Cuellar (34) v. Blue (25)  Winner: A's-Blue

SP2: Dobson (29) v. Holtzman (29)Winner: Orioles-Dobson

SP3: Palmer (25) v. Bosman(31)Winner: Orioles-Palmer

Closer: Watt (30) v. Fingers (28) Winner: A's-Fingers

Team Offense: Orioles
Team Pitching: A's

Orioles 9 A's 8 - Oakland came in seeded 71st and just missed the Sweet 16; one more matchup win would have gotten them home.  As it is - Orioles bats carry the day and they move forward.

The 1971 Baltimore Orioles - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history.

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

v.

55. 1920 Indians (World Champions-Tris Speaker)

Catcher: Wynegar (29) v. O'Neill (28) Winner: Cle-O'Neill

First Base: Mattingly (24) v. Johnston (32)Winner: NYY-Mattingly

Second Base: Randolph (30) v. Wambsganss (26) Winner: NYY-Randolph

Shortstop: Meachem (24) v. Chapman (29) Winner: Cle-Chapman

Third Base: Pagliarulo (25) v. Gardner (34) Winner: Cle-Gardner

Left Field: Griffey (35) v. Jamieson (27)  Winner: NYY-Griffey

Center Field: Henderson (26) v. Speaker (32)  Winner: NYY-Henderson

Right Field: Winfield (33) v. Smith (27) Winner: Cle-Smith

DH: Baylor (36) v. Evans (25) Winner: Cle-Evans

SP1: Guidry (34) v. Bagby (30) Winner: Cle-Bagby

SP2: Niekro (46) v. Coveleski (30) Winner: Cle-Coveleski

SP3: Cowley (26) v. Caldwell (32) Winner: Cle-Caldwell

Closer: Righetti (26) v. Uhle (21)Winner: NYY-Righetti

Team Offense: Yankees

Team Pitching: Indians

Indians 10 Yankees 7 - Narrow wins in RF/DH plus nearly every pitching point carry the Tribe into the Sweet 16

The 1920 Cleveland Indians - one of the 16 Greatest Teams in American League history

26. 1971 Orioles (lost WS-Earl Weaver)

v.

55. 1920 Indians (World Champions-Tris Speaker)

Catcher: Hendricks (30) v. O'Neill (28) Winner: Indians-O'Neill

First Base: Powell (29) v. Johnston (32) Winner: Orioles-Powell

Second Base: Johnson (28) v. Wambsganss (26)  Winner: Orioles-Johnson

Shortstop: Belanger (27) v. Chapman (29) Winner: Orioles-Belanger

Third Base: Robinson (34) v. Gardner (34) Winner: Orioles-Robinson

Left Field: Buford (34) v. Jamieson (27) Winner: Orioles-Buford

Center Field: Blair (27) v. Speaker (32) Winner: Indians-Speaker

Right Field: Robinson (35) v. Smith (27) Winner: Indians-Smith

DH: Rettenmund (28) v. Evans (25)  Winner: Orioles-Rettenmund

SP1: Cuellar (34) v. Bagby (30)  Winner: Indians-Bagby

SP2: Dobson (29) v. Coveleski (30)Winner: Indians-Coveleski

SP3: Palmer (25) v. Caldwell (32)Winner: Orioles-Palmer

Closer: Watt (30) v. Uhle (21) Winner: Orioles-Watt

Team Offense: Orioles
Team Pitching: Indians

Orioles 10 Indians 7 - Baltimore gets enough out of their pitching to add to their strong bats and make their way into the Elite 8.


The 1971 Baltimore Orioles - one of the 8 greatest teams in American League history.

Half of the AL Elite 8 is set:

1939 Yankees
1998 Yankees
1927 Yankees
1971 Orioles

Back to the NL - lets add one more team to its Elite 8.  

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 2)

last group

Two teams are into the NL Elite 8 - the '76 Reds and the '05 Giants.  Who will join them from Group 2?

2. 1902 Pirates (1st in NL-no playoffs-Fred Clarke)
v.
31. 1997 Braves (lost NLCS-Bobby Cox)

Catcher: Smith (27) v. Lopez (26) Winner: Braves-Lopez

First Base: Bransfield (27) v. McGriff (33)Winner: Pirates-Bransfield
Second Base: Ritchey (28) v. Lemke (31) Winner: Pirates-Ritchey
Shortstop: Conroy (25) v. Blauser (31)  Winner: Braves-Blauser
Third Base: Leach (24) v. Jones (25) Winner: Pirates-Leach
Left Field: Clarke (29) v. Klesko (26) Winner: Pirates-Clarke
Center Field: Beaumont (25) v. Lofton (30) Winner: Push
Right Field: Wagner (28) v. Jones (20)Winner: Pirates-Wagner
SP1: Chesbro (28) v. Smoltz (30) Winner: Braves-Smoltz
SP2: Phillippe (30) v. Glavine (31) Winner: Braves-Glavine
SP3: Tannehill (27) v. Neagle (28) Winner: Braves-Neagle
Closer: McLaughlin (26) v. Wohlers (27) Winner: Braves-Wohlers
Team Offense: Pirates
Team Pitching: Braves

Braves 8 Pirates 7 - the 2nd overall seed in the National League is out - those Braves arms are just tough to beat, they needed a clean sweep and they got a clean sweep.  If Kenny Lofton doesn't earn that push in CF, probably the Pirates take the tiebreaker.  

The 1997 Atlanta Braves are one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.  

15. 1975 Reds (World Champions-Sparky Anderson)
v.
18. 1908 Giants (2nd in NL-no playoffs-John McGraw)


Catcher: Bench (27) v. Bresnahan (29) Winner: Cin-Bench
First Base: Perez (33) v. Tenney (36) Winner: Cin-Perez
Second Base: Morgan (31) v. Doyle (21) Winner: Cin-Morgan
Shortstop: Concepcion (27) v. Bridwell (24) Winner: Cin-Concepcion
Third Base: Rose (34) v. Devlin (28) Winner: Push
Left Field: Foster (26) v. McCormick (27) Winner: Cin-Foster
Center Field: Geronimo (27) v. Seymour (35) Winner: Cin-Geronimo
Right Field: Griffey (25) v. Donlin (30) Winner: NYG-Donlin
SP1: Nolan (27) v. Mathewson (27)Winner: NYG-Mathewson
SP2: Billingham (32) v. Wiltse (28) Winner: NYG-Wiltse
SP3: Norman (32) v. Crandall (20) Winner: NYG-Crandall
Closer: Eastwick (24) v. Malarkey (29) Winner: Cin-Eastwick
Team Offense: Cin
Team Pitching: NYG

Reds 9 Giants 6 - it might be a preview of the Elite 8 matchup already in the books; the Reds bats beat the Giants arms.

The 1975 Cincinnati Reds - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history

15. 1975 Reds (World Champions-Sparky Anderson)
v.
31. 1997 Braves (lost NLCS-Bobby Cox)

Catcher: Bench (27) v. Lopez (26) Winner: Cin-Bench
First Base: Perez (33) v. McGriff (33)Winner: Cin-Perez
Second Base: Morgan (31) v. Lemke (31) Winner: Cin-Morgan
Shortstop: Concepcion (27) v. Blauser (31) Winner: Atl-Blauser
Third Base: Rose (34) v. Jones (25) Winner: Cin-Rose
Left Field: Foster (26) v. Klesko (26) Winner: Cin-Foster
Center Field: Geronimo (27) v. Lofton (30)  Winner: Atl-Lofton
Right Field: Griffey (25) v. Jones (20)Winner: Atl-Jones
SP1: Nolan (27) v. Smoltz (30)Winner: Atl-Smoltz
SP2: Billingham (32) v. Glavine (31)Winner: Atl-Glavine
SP3: Norman (32) v. Neagle (28) Winner: Atl-Neagle
Closer: Eastwick (24) v. Wohlers (27)Winner: Cin-Eastwick
Team Offense: Cin
Team Pitching: Atl

Reds 9 Braves 8 - it took a tiebreaker; this Reds team just has very little pitching, and they are matched against a tremendous Braves staff - but Eastwick gets the Reds a point from the closer's spot, that forced the tiebreak - and then the Reds offensive total is just too overwhelming to deny. The Big Red Machine earns their 2nd spot in the Elite 8!


The 1975 Cincinnati Reds - one of the 8 greatest teams in National League history

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 2)

last group

2 teams have advanced to the American League Elite 8 - who will join them from Group 2?

2. 1927 Yankees (World Champions-Miller Huggins)

v.

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

Catcher: Collins (30) v. Tebbetts (37) Winner: NYY-Collins

First Base: Gehrig (24) v. Dropo (27) Winner: NYY-Gehrig

Second Base: Lazzeri (23) v. Doerr (32) Winner: NYY-Lazzeri

Shortstop: Koenig (22) v. Stephens (29) Winner: Bos-Stephens

Third Base: Dugan (30) v. Pesky (31)  Winner: Bos-Pesky

Left Field: Meusel (30) v. Williams (31) Winner: Bos-Williams

Center Field: Combs (28) v. DiMaggio (33) Winner: NYY-Combs

Right Field: Ruth (32) v. Zarilla (31)Winner: NYY-Ruth

SP1: Hoyt (27) v. Parnell (28)Winner: Push

SP2: Pennock (30) v. Dobson (30)Winner: Sox-Dobson

SP3: Shocker (36) v. Stobbs (20) Winner: NYY-Shocker

Closer: Moore (30) v. Kinder (30) Winner: NYY-Moore

Team Offense: NYY

Team Pitching: NYY

NYY 11 Sox 4 - I mean, how do you beat these guys?  The arms are pretty good and the bats are as good as have ever been. 

The 1927 New York Yankees - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history.

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

v.

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

Catcher: Varitek (30) v. Severeid (31)Winner: StL-Severeid

First Base: Clark (30) v. Sisler (29) Winner: StL-Sisler

Second Base: Sanchez (34) v. McManus (22) Winner: StL-McManus

Shortstop: Garciaparra (28) v. Gerber (30) Winner: Bos-Garciaparra

Third Base: Hillenbrand (26) v. Ellerbe (26) Winner: Bos-Hillenbrand

Left Field:  Henderson (43) v. Williams (32) Winner: StL-Williams

Center Field: Damon (28) v. Jacobson (31)Winner: Bos-Damon

Right Field: Nixon (28) v. Tobin (30) Winner: Bos-Nixon
DH: Ramirez (30) v. Shorten (30)Winner: Bos-Ramirez

SP1: Lowe (29) v. Shocker (31)Winner: Bos-Lowe

SP2: Martinez (30) v. Vangilder (26) Winner: Bos-Martinez

SP3: Burkett (37) v. Davis (31) Winner: Bos-Burkett

Closer: Urbina (28) v. Pruett (21)Winner: StL-Pruett

Team Offense: StL

Team Pitching: Push

Bos 8 StL 7 - ooooh, the Browns won the offensive total -- but the Sox won the lineup matchups; meanwhile the Sox won the pitching matchups...but the pitching total was a push.  In the end - it was Boston by a nose.  

The 2002 Boston Red Sox are one of the 16 Greatest Teams in American League history.

2. 1927 Yankees (World Champions-Miller Huggins)
v.
70. 2002 Red Sox (2nd in AL East-no playoffs-Grady Little)

Catcher: Collins (30) v. Varitek (30) Winner: NYY-Collins

First Base: Gehrig (24) v. Clark (30)Winner: NYY-Gehrig

Second Base: Lazzeri (23) v. Sanchez (34) Winner: NYY-Lazzeri

Shortstop: Koenig (22) v. Garciaparra (28) Winner: Bos-Garciaparra

Third Base: Dugan (30) v. Hillenbrand (26)   Winner: Bos-Hillenbrand

Left Field: Meusel (30) v.  Henderson (43) Winner: NYY-Meusel

Center Field: Combs (28) v.  Damon (28) Winner: NYY-Combs

Right Field: Ruth (32) v. Nixon (28) Winner: NYY-Ruth
DH: Morehart (27) v. Ramirez (30) Winner: Bos-Ramirez

SP1: Hoyt (27) v. v, Lowe (29)Winner: Bos-Lowe

SP2: Pennock (30) v. Martinez (30) Winner: Sox-Martinez

SP3: Shocker (36) v. Burkett (37) Winner: NYY-Shocker

Closer: Moore (30) v. Urbina (28) Winner: NYY-Moore

Team Offense: NYY

Team Pitching: Sox

NYY 10 Sox 7 - Boston gave it a helluva run - but the Yankees can win enough pitching points to add to their clubbing offense and they move forward.

The 1927 New York Yankees - one of the 8 greatest teams in American League history.

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 8)

Last group

We turn to NL Group 8 - the winner from this group will take on the 1976 Cincinnati Reds in the Elite 8.

8. 1905 Giants (World Champions-John McGraw)

v.

40. 1908 Cubs (World Champions- Frank Chance)

Catcher: Bresnahan (26) v. Kling (32)Winner: Cubs-Kling

First Base: McGann (33) v. Chance (31) Winner: Giants-McGann

Second Base: Gilbert (29) v. Evers (26) Winner: Cubs-Evers

Shortstop: Dahlen (35) v. Tinker (27) Winner: Cubs-Tinker

Third Base: Devlin (25) v. Steinfeldt (32) Winner: Giants-Devlin

Left Field: Mertes (32) v. Sheckard (29) Winner: Giants-Mertes

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

Right Field: Browne (29) v. Schulte (25)Winner: Push

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

SP2: McGinnity (34) v. Reulbach (25) Winner: Cubs-Reulbach

SP3: Ames (22) v. Pfiester (30) Winner: Cubs-Pfiester

Closer: Elliott (28) v. Coakley (25)  Winner: Cubs-Coakley

Team Offense: Giants

Team Pitching: Giants

Giants 9 Cubs 6 - the Cubs went into the totals with a lead; all they needed to do was split and they advance - but New York easily won the bats and despite the Cubs winning more pitching matchups, the Giants were able to edge them in the pitching total to move forward.

The 1905 New York Giants are one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

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

v.

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

Catcher: Kling (29) v. Sasser (27)  Winner: Mets-Sasser

First Base: Chance (28) v. Magadan (27)  Winner: Cubs-Chance

Second Base: Evers (23) v. Jefferies (22)Winner: Mets-Jefferies

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

Third Base: Casey (35) v. Johnson (29) Winner: Mets-Johnson

Left Field: Schulte (22) v. McReynolds (30)  Winner: Mets-McReynolds

Center Field: Slagle (31) v. Boston (27)Winner: Cubs-Slagle

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

SP1: Reulbach (22) v. Viola (30) Winner: Mets-Viola

SP2: Weimer (31) v. Gooden (25) Winner: Mets-Gooden

SP3: Brown (28) v. Cone (27)  Winner: Mets-Cone

Closer: Pfeffer (23) v. Franco (29)  Winner: Mets-Franco

Team Offense: Mets

Team Pitching: Push

Mets 11 Cubs 3 - wow, wow, wow - they came in the 88th seed in the National League, but the 1990 New York Mets just beat the tar out of the '05 Cubs to advance all the way to the Sweet 16.  A tremendous performance.

The 1990 New York Mets - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.


8. 1905 Giants (World Champions-John McGraw)
v.

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

Catcher: Bresnahan (26) v. Sasser (27)Winner: Giants-Bresnahan

First Base: McGann (33) v. Magadan (27)   Winner: Giants-McGann

Second Base: Gilbert (29) v. Jefferies (22)Winner: Mets-Jefferies

Shortstop: Dahlen (35) v. Elster (25) Winner: Giants-Dahlen

Third Base: Devlin (25) v. Johnson (29) Winner: Giants-Devlin

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

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

Right Field: Browne (29) v.  Strawberry (28)Winner: Mets-Strawberry

SP1: Mathewson (24) v. Viola (30)Winner: Giants-Mathewson

SP2: McGinnity (34) v. Gooden (25)Winner: Mets-Gooden

SP3: Ames (22) v. Cone (27) Winner: Mets-Cone

Closer: Elliott (28) v. Franco (29)   Winner: Mets-Franco

Team Offense: Giants

Team Pitching: Mets

Giants 8 Mets 7 - wow, wow, wow - it almost happened; the Mets rode that pitching advantage to a near spot in the Elite 8 (even if McReynolds had won LF, the Giants still get the tiebreaker and win) they needed to sweep the pitching to do it - but Mathewson held up for the Giants and we have a group winner.

The 1905 New York Giants are one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

They'll take on the 1976 Reds for a spot in the NL Final Four.