128 Team MLB Tournament - Region 5 Semi-Final: 1998 World Champion New York Yankees v. 1961 World Champion New York Yankees

 Region 4 Final

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

A main event anywhere in the world; the top remaining seed in the field, the 125 win '98 Yankees against a Yankees team from 37 years prior - Maris/Mantle and the '61 squad. 

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 (Yogi's also on the '47 team that advanced to this round)

LF Berra (36)   (LH)    115    2.6

DH Blanchard (28) (LH) 168   3

CF Mantle (29)  (SH) 206   9.9

RF Maris (26)  (LH)  167   6.2

C Howard (32)   153   5.6 

1B Skowron (30)  113  1.3

SS Kubek (25) (LH)   90    3.3

3B Boyer (24)     79     3.7

2B Richardson (25)  67  -1.2

SP Ford (32)  (LH)     115    6

Bench:

LF Cerv (36)   124      1  

LF Lopez (31)                64

P Stafford (22)   139   3.6 

SP3 Terry (25)      118    3.3

Platoons at C and LF, the RH Sheldon will be the 4th starter should they advance.

SS Jeter (24)       127   6.3

CF Williams (29) (SH) 160  5.6

3B Brosius (31)     121    5

DH Davis (38)   (SH) 116

C Posada (26)   (SH)    115    3.4

RF O'Neill (35) (LH)     130  5.4

1B Martinez (30) (LH)  124   3.6

2B Knoblauch (29)  102  3.8

LF Curtis (29)   90   2.9

SP Cone (35)    125  5.3

Bench: 

LF Raines (38)  (SH)    107   1.1

DH Strawberry (36) (LH) 132  1.5 

C Girardi (33)   85

IF Sojo (33)       37

SP Wells (35) (LH)    127  5.2

P Hernandez (32)   132   3.7

Platoon at DH and left. It'll be Pettitte who gets the 4th starters spot if they advance. 

Lineups: 

C-Howard

1B-Martinez

2B-Knoblauch

SS-Jeter

3B-Brosius

LF-Push

CF-Mantle, easily the best player in the series

RF-Maris

DH-Blanchard

SP1-Ford

SP2-Wells

SP3-Hernandez

Pen-1998

WAR: 1998 7 1961 5, '98 isn't better by much, but they're better and favored here.

GAME ONE

1st: Yankee Stadium will be the site for every game of this Regional Semi-Final; for the first time in the tournament, two representatives of the same franchise face off.  Two dominant World Champions, each of which has just lost one game in the tournament.  David Cone gets the game one ball for '98.  He's a 35 year old RH, 20-7, 3.55. Cone was 4th in the AL Cy Young this year; his 4th career top 5 finish. His 20 wins led the league.  He walks Mickey Mantle with 2 away, that's all.  

1st: '61 counters with 32 year old lefty Whitey Ford, 25-4, 3.21. Ford won the Cy Young this year and was 5th in the AL MVP. Ford led the league in wins, winning %, FIP. With one out, Bernie Williams homers just inside of the left field foul pole - this is going to be a loud, loud, divided crowd, split down generational lines, the younger Yankee fans roaring their approval as the '98 center fielder circles the bases. Chili Davis walks after the second out and then Jorge Posada singles  That's all.  1961 0 1998 1

2nd: Elston Howard doubles.  32 year old Howard only catching against the RH Cone because the DH is in play in games 1-2. Howard made his 5th straight All Star team this year; he was 10th in the AL MVP. Cone gets one, then gives up a base hit to Tony Kubek. That's all.

2nd: Tino Martinez walks. The 30 year old first baseman had his big year the season before, when he was 2nd in the AL MVP. That's all Ford allows.

3rd: Johnny Blanchard draws a one out walk. Blanchard's DH'ing tonight; he's the Yankee catcher against RH pitchers normally.  The 28 year old never had another year close to this one, slugging .613. Mantle singles, Roger Maris walks and 1961 has loaded the bases. Howard clears the bases with a double; 3 runs score, a big roar from the older fans.  1961 3 1998 1

3rd: Scott Brosius singles with 2 away. Brosius is 31, he makes the All Star team this year for the only time in his career.  That's all

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Paul O'Neill singles to right center with one out, the Yankee RF is 35, made his 5th and final All Star team this year; this is the 6th straight season (and last) that O'Neill hit .300 or higher. Martinez walks, Chuck Knoblauch walks and 1998 has loaded the bases. Chad Curtis is in left today against the lefty Ford and he singles home a run. That's all.  1961 3 1998 2

5th: Blanchard and Mantle single back to back.  Mickey Mantle has now reached 3 times; he's 29, finished 2nd in the AL MVP this year for the second straight season. This was his 7th career top 5 finish. He led the league in walks, slugging, and OPS+.  A Maris sac fly scores a run. 1961 4 1998 2

5th: Williams doubles; Bernie's 29, this is the best year he'll ever have with the bat, he hit .339. Williams was 7th in the MVP and won his 2nd Gold Glove. After an out, Chili Davis comes through with a run scoring single.  1961 4 1998 3

6th: 1-2-3

6th: With one out, Knoblauch walks. The second baseman is 29, his first year in pinstripes; he never made an All Star team in NY, his last appeance was the year prior, which was also his only Gold Glove. Curtis walks, tying run in scoring position --- Ford gets the second out then walks Williams - bases loaded - 2 out -- and it's Brosius who comes through; a 2 run double that gives 1998 the lead. 1961 4 1998 5

7th: Yogi walks with one out.  Yogi's already advanced as a coach with the '77 Yankees - on that team are Willie Randolph and Chris Chambliss who are both here, coaching for the '98 Yankees.  Cone gets the next two.

7th: 22 year old RH Hal Reniff is the new 1961 pitcher. 2.58. O'Neill singles with one out, Martinez follows with a single, Knoblauch singles O'Neill home and it's 1961 4 1998 6

8th: Joe Torre turns the game over to his pen; Mike Stanton enters, 31 year old lefty, 5.47.  He gets one - and then Elston Howard bombs a homer to left that draws 1961 within a run.  1961 5 1998 6

8th: Williams walks, an out later Chili Davis comes through again with a run scoring double. Davis is platooning at DH in the series; likely this is his only action - he's 38, in his first year in New York. Davis had a 19 year big league career and hit the ball in 17 of them.  Davis played in just 35 games this season.  Ralph Houk's out to the mound; it's now 28 year old RH Jim Coates. He's got 11 wins and a 3.44 ERA. He gets through it.  1961 5 1998 7

9th: The Sandman Enters; 28 year old RH Mariano Rivera comes on, 36 saves, 1.91.  Rivera's just 4 years into his career. 

Clete Boyer leads off.  Easy grounder to short.

Bobby Richardson is next.  Easy fly ball to left.

Yogi is the last hope for 1961 -- he hits a line drive to right -- that hangs up enough for O'Neill to make a nice play to end the game.

1961 5

1998 7

WP Cone

LP Ford

Sv Rivera

The '98 team rips a dozen hits (everyone but Jeter) and get game one.

Williams 4x/ HR, double

Brosius 2x/double

Davis 3x/double

Posada 1x

O'Neill 2x

Martinez 3x

Knoblauch 3x

Curtis 2x

Berra 1x

Blanchard 2x

Mantle 3x

Maris 1x

Howard 3x/HR 2 doubles

Kubek 1x

LF Cerv (36)   124      1  

C Howard (32)   153   5.6 

CF Mantle (29)  (SH) 206   9.9

RF Maris (26)  (LH)  167   6.2

DH Blanchard (28) (LH) 168   3

1B Skowron (30)  113  1.3

SS Kubek (25) (LH)   90    3.3

3B Boyer (24)     79     3.7

2B Richardson (25)  67  -1.2

P Stafford (22)   139   3.6 

LF Raines (38)  (SH)    107   1.1

CF Williams (29) (SH) 160  5.6

DH Strawberry (36) (LH) 132  1.5 

RF O'Neill (35) (LH)     130  5.4

1B Martinez (30) (LH)  124   3.6

SS Jeter (24)       127   6.3

3B Brosius (31)     121    5

C Posada (26)   (SH)    115    3.4

2B Knoblauch (29)  102  3.8

SP Wells (35) (LH)    127  5.2

GAME TWO

1st: Back at it, Game 2 - 1961 looking to even the series up against David Wells.  35 year old lefty. 18-4, 3.49. Wells is 3rd in the Cy Young this year; led the league in winning %, shutouts, WHIP, K/9, K/BB. He gets one, then gives up a base hit to Elston Howard. Wells walks Mickey Mantle and then - Look Out -- Roger Maris just thumps one - a three run homer into Monument Park; an absolute bomb to center field and 1961 bolts out in front.  1961 3 1998 0

1st: Bill Stafford is staked to that lead. 22 year old RH, 14-9, 2.68. He's in his second season, had a no decision in his only start in the Series this year.  Tim Raines is in the lineup against RH pitchers and he singles. 2 outs later Paul O'Neill walks. That's it.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Scott Brosius singles with one out, he had a big 2 run double in game one and was World Series MVP. Jorge Posada singles. The Yankee catcher is 27, is his first season as an every day player.  Chuck Knoblauch walks and we're loaded. But Stafford gets through it again.

3rd: Bob Cerv is in the lineup today against the lefty Wells and he doubles.  Cerv's 36, platooning in left with Yogi. He came over in a deal during the season and played in 57 games with New York in '61. Elston Howard then singles Cerv home and now it's 4-0. After the first out -- Good God he did it again, Roger Maris blasts a 2 run shot to dead center and even the 1998 fans are roaring their approval - Maris has two monster homers and 1961 is rolling today.  Johnny Blanchard follows with another home run.  Wells is out of the game; Ramiro Mendoza, 26 year old RH comes on.  10 wins, 3.25. He gets through it.  1961 7 1998 0

3rd: 1-2-3 

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Derek Jeter singles; it's his first hit of the series. Jeter's 24, it's his 3rd full season in the bigs, he finished 3rd in the AL MVP, led the league in runs scored. 2 outs later Knoblauch singles, Raines then walks and 1998 has loaded them again -- and again, Stafford escapes.

5th: Elston Howard singles. 3 hits for Howard today. Mantle walks, an out later Blanchard singles and its 1961 8 1998 0

5th: Tino Martinez singles with 2 away, Jeter follows with a single and again, again, 1998 can't cross the plate.

6th: Bobby Richardson singles with 2 away. The Yankee second baseman is 25, he won his first of 5 straight Gold Gloves this year.  His bat is bad, 67 OPS+. That's all.

6th: Stafford's day is done and Bob Turley enters.  30 year old RH, 5.75 ERA.  He gets two and then Raines ends the shutout with a homer to center. Rock Raines is 38, he's 11 years past his last All Star appearance. 1961 8 1998 1

7th: The next Yankee pitcher is Mike Buddie, 27 year old RH, 5.62 ERA as both managers scraping the bottom of their pens here in an 8-1 ballgame.  Mantle walks with one out, after the second out - Johnny Blanchard hits his 2nd homer of the day and now it is 10-1.  Torre's back out to the mound, it's Darren Holmes, 32 year old RH, 3.33, and he gives up another home run, this one to Moose Skowron.  Tony Kubek then walks - Game 2 is over and it is a beating, 1961 11 1998 1

7th: Darryl Strawberry singles; Strawberrys DH'ing against RH pitchers; at 36, he's 7 years distant from his last All Star game.  Paul O'Neill follows with a base hit.  Tino Martinez singles and '98 has loaded the bases with nobody out.  Turley walks Jeter and it's 11-2. Houk goes back to the pen, 32 year old RH Al Ditmar, 4.64.  He gives up a single to Brosius and it's 11-3.  A Posada double play scores one more run.  So, this game is long out of hand, but this helps a little.  1961 11 1998 4

8th: 1-2-3

8th: Bernie Williams singles with one out, that's it.

9th: 31 year old lefty Mike Stanton on for 1998; and 1961 gets one more homer - Mantle hits a majestic, soaring shot that clears the left field foul pole.  Maris walks, that's all. 1961 12 1998 4

9th: 3 outs left to even the series - Martinez walks, Jeter singles - and after one out, Posada homers to right center - a 3 run shot that makes it 12-7.  22 year old RH Hal Reniff now comes on, 2.58. He gets the second out, then walks Raines - and ends it.  

1961 12

1998 7

WP Safford

LP Wells

15 hits for 1998 - but 1961 unleased the power today; 6 homers, which might be the high for a single game in the tournament and this series is tied.

Berra 1x

Blanchard 5x/2 HR

Mantle 7x/HR

Maris 4x/2 HR

Howard 6x/HR 2 doubles

Kubek 2x

Cerv 1x/double

Skowron 1x/HR

Richardson 1x

Williams 5x/ HR, double

Brosius 4x/double

Davis 3x/double

Posada 3x/HR

O'Neill 4x

Martinez 6x

Knoblauch 5x

Curtis 2x

Raines 4x/HR

Strawberry 1x

Jeter 4x

LF Raines (38)  (SH)    107   1.1

CF Williams (29) (SH) 160  5.6

RF O'Neill (35) (LH)     130  5.4

1B Martinez (30) (LH)  124   3.6

SS Jeter (24)       127   6.3

3B Brosius (31)     121    5

C Posada (26)   (SH)    115    3.4

2B Knoblauch (29)  102  3.8

P Hernandez (32)   132   3.7

LF Berra (36)   (LH)    115    2.6

C Blanchard (28) (LH) 168   3

CF Mantle (29)  (SH) 206   9.9

RF Maris (26)  (LH)  167   6.2

1B Skowron (30)  113  1.3

SS Kubek (25) (LH)   90    3.3

3B Boyer (24)     79     3.7

2B Richardson (25)  67  -1.2

SP3 Terry (25)      118    3.3

GAME THREE

1st: We move...well, nowhere, other than 37 years back..to 1961, which means no DH, but we stay at Yankee Stadium for pivotal Game 3. 25 year old RH Ralph Terry on the mound; 16-3, 3.15. A year from now, Terry is MVP of the '62 World Series. Tim Raines greets him with a base hit. That's all.

1st: 32 year old RH Orlando Hernandez was MVP of 1998s win in the previous round and he goes today. 12-4, 3.13. He was 4th in the AL Rookie of the Year.  Yogi walks. An out later Mantle walks, he's reached 8 times, leading both teams. That's it.

2nd: Scott Brosius singles with one out. That's all.  

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Bobby Richardson walks and then Hernandez hits Terry.  But Hernandez escapes it - 1961 has yet to get a hit.  

4th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Terry - different game than the offensive explosion we've seen so far.

4th: Mantle singles, 1961's first hit - and the Mick has reached 9 times. Maris follows with a walk. Maris is 26; he hit two monster home runs in game 2. This was the back half of his consecutive MVP seasons.  He broke the single season home run record with 61, he led the league in runs scored, RBI and total bases. Again - Hernandez escapes.  

5th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Terry

5th: Terry doubled twice during the season - he doubles here with one out. Hernandez holds it here; both clubs with just two hits today as the pitching steps up.

6th:  Williams singles with 2 out - but that's all.

6th: Mantle walks, he keeps getting on base.  That's all Hernandez allows and we're still scoreless.  

7th: Martinez singles. That's it.  

7th: Richardson doubles with one away -- can 1961 punch this one across and will that be enough? Hernandez gets the second out -- but then Yogi comes through with a run scoring single and 1961 has broken the logjam in this crucial Game 3.  Blanchard singles.  Mantle singles.  He's reached 11 times.  Bases loaded for Maris -- Torre leaves Hernandez in and Il Duque gets him.  1998 0 1961 1

8th: 6 outs to get and Houk turns to his closer, 34 year old lefty Luis Arroyo.  15 wins, 29 saves, 2.15. This is his career year, the only All Star season of his career - Arroyo finished 6th in the AL MVP. Knoblauch greets him with a single.  An out later Raines walks, Tying run in scoring position.  And Bernie comes through - Williams singles to score Knoblauch and tie this game and tie this series.  That's all.  1998 1 1961 1

8th: Mike Stanton comes on for Torre; 1-2-3, big inning for Stanton.  

9th: 1-2-3, Arroyo buckles down and we go to the bottom of the 9th.  

9th: With one out, 31 year old backup OF Hector Lopez pinch singles.  Potential winning run on base.  But Stanton gets the next two and we head to the 10th.

10th: Hal Reniff is the new 1961 pitcher. Brosius walks. Reniff gets the next two and then 25 year old second baseman Homer Bush pinch hits -- and down an 0-2 count battles all the way back for a walk.  Go ahead run in scoring position.  2 away.  And it's Tim Raines who comes through with a base hit -- Brosius scores - 1998 takes the lead - Rock Raines singles and it's 1998 2 1961 1

10th: Mariano Rivera to the mound.  3 outs away.

Mickey Mantle rips a single.  Mantle an on base machine in the series. 

Maris singles.  Mantle goes all the way to third and 1961 has them on the corners. Nobody out.

And Skowron flies to left -- Raines doesn't really have a play home - Mantle scores and it's tied again.

Kubek singles -- Maris goes to third - and the winning run is at third base - Rivera getting hit by this big 1961 offense - winning run at third base.  

Boyer flies to shallow center -- Maris headed home -- Bernie with the bullet through - there's going to be a collision at the plate - Maris barrels in to Posada --

And Posada holds on!  Maris is out - Bernie Williams guns Roger Maris out at the plate and the game continues!  Bernie Williams saves this game - saves the day - and we head to the 11th!  1998 2 1961 2

1th: Reniff gets one, Martinez then reaches on an error - Reniff gets the second out, Martinez moving into scoring position.  Houk goes to the pen  - Jim Coates is a 28 year old RH, 11 wins, 3.44  -- and Brosius singles to right -- it scores Martinez -- the '98 Yankees have again taken this lead.  Posada walks - that's all, but again, it's 1998 who pulls ahead.  1998 3 1961 2

11th: Rivera still on; rough 10th inning, but now he has a chance to get this win.

Richardson grounds to short.  

33 year old third baseman Billy Gardner on to pinch hit -- easy fly to left.

Yogi singles.  1961 stays alive. 

Blanchard singles.  

Tying run in scoring position.  Winning run at first.  2 outs.

Mickey Mantle comes to the plate.  Rivera vs Mantle in the biggest spot of the series.  Classic moment.

And Mantle hits a long one -- deep - deep to right field -- O'Neill catches it at the base of the wall and it's over.

1998 3

1961 2

WP Rivera

LP Reniff

A roller coaster here - 1998 down 1-0 going to the 8th inning, Bernie singles home the tying run, Raines the go ahead run -- 1961 came back against Rivera to tie the score -- but Bernie throws out Maris at the plate to keep 1998 alive; they come back with a Brosius RBI in the 11th and with 2 on and 2 out - Rivera gets Mantle and ends the game.  And now 1998 is just one game away from the Region 5 Final.

Williams 7x/ HR, double

Brosius 7x/double

Davis 3x/double

Posada 4x/HR

O'Neill 4x

Martinez 7x

Knoblauch 6x

Curtis 2x

Raines 7x/HR

Strawberry 1x

Jeter 4x

Berra 4x

Blanchard 7x/2 HR

Mantle 12x/HR

Maris 6x/2 HR

Howard 6x/HR 2 doubles

Kubek 3x

Cerv 1x/double

Skowron 2x/HR

Richardson 3x

SS Jeter (24)       127   6.3

CF Williams (29) (SH) 160  5.6

3B Brosius (31)     121    5

C Posada (26)   (SH)    115    3.4

RF O'Neill (35) (LH)     130  5.4

1B Martinez (30) (LH)  124   3.6

LF Raines (38)  (SH)    107   1.1

2B Knoblauch (29)  102  3.8

SP Cone (35)    125  5.3

LF Berra (36)   (LH)    115    2.6

C Blanchard (28) (LH) 168   3

CF Mantle (29)  (SH) 206   9.9

RF Maris (26)  (LH)  167   6.2

1B Skowron (30)  113  1.3

SS Kubek (25) (LH)   90    3.3

3B Boyer (24)     79     3.7

2B Richardson (25)  67  -1.2

SP Ford (32)  (LH)     115    6

GAME FOUR

1st: Rematch of Game One - 1961 needs to win to force a showdown game 5.  The great Whitey Ford on the mound.  Ford was the regular season MVP and the World Series MVP, He went 2-0 in the World Series, didn't give up an earned run.  1-2-3

1st: David Cone can pitch 1998 into the Region 5 Final.  Cone was 2-0 in the '98 postseason, going 24 innings and giving up 6 earned.  With 2 out, Mantle singles.  If '61 falls today, don't blame the Mick, he has reached 13 times.  Maris follows with a single. That's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Clete Boyer singles with one out, it's Boyer's first hit of the series. The Yankee third baseman is 24, his second season as the every day third baseman, he'll hold the job through '66. Richardson singles.  That's all.

3rd: 1-2-3. 9 up, 9 down.

3rd: 1-2-3, early on, this resembles game 3.

4th: Jeter walks - and then Bernie Williams hits a 2 run homer to put 1998 in front.  It's Williams' second homer of the series, and when you consider he saved game 3 by throwing Maris out at the plate, if 1998 closes this out today he has to be considered the MVP frontrunner.  1998 2 1961 0

4th: Boyer singles again, with 2 away, but that's all. 

5th: Raines singles with one out, he's reached 8 times, tied with Bernie for club lead, and didn't play in game 1.  That's it - Ford has 6 Ks.

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Jeter doubles; Jeter got it going in game 3 and here's his first extra base hit.  Ford strikes out 2 more for a total of 8.  

6th: Mantle singles again, he's reached 14 times.  Maris singles - Mantle goes around to third and he scores on a Skowron double play. Tony Kubek doubles.  The Yankee shortstop is 25, he made his 3rd and final All Star team this year.  Cone then hits Boyer - 2 on, 2 out - but that's all.  1998 2 1961 1

7th: 1-2-3. 9 Ford Ks.

7th: Ford stays in the game and draws a walk - but that's all.

8th: Just 3 hits off of Ford today, but one was a 2 run Williams homer and it's the margin.  Knoblauch singles.  2 outs later Williams walks and that's it.  

8th: Just 6 outs to go, Cone on the mound and you can see Rivera start to stir in the bullpen. 

Cone strikes out Mantle.

Cone strikes out Maris.

Moose Skowron singles - can 1961 keep this going?

They can't - Kubek grounds to first and 1998 is 3 away.  

9th: Hal Reniff comes on for 1961, he gives up a 1 out O'Neill single but that's it.  

9th: So- you're Joe Torre; Cone is still strong; Rivera's already pitched twice in the series and went 2 innings in game 3.  What do you do?

Cone goes to the pen.  Mariano Rivera comes on.  3 outs from ending the series.

Boyer grounds to short.

Richardson grounds to third.

Bob Cerv off the bench to hit -- 1961 down to their last man -- 

Cerv fly ball to right -- it's an easy one for O'Neill and it's done.  No huge celebration for 1998 - the two generations of Yankees shaking hands on the field - united applause from the crowd - 1998 has moved on to the Region 5 Final.

1998 2

1961 1

WP Cone

LP Ford

Sv Rivera

Williams 7x/ 2HR, double

Brosius 7x/double

Martinez 7x

Knoblauch 7x

Raines 8x/HR

Williams and Raines have the best series with the bats - Cone was great today and Rivera won a game and saved two -- but he did blow the save in game 3, a game 1998 would have lost if not for the Williams throw home - add that to his 2 run homer being the only runs '98 scored today and it's an easy MVP decision.

2020 NFL All-Pro, 8 Weeks In.

 Best players in the league through 8 weeks, 2020

QB R.Wilson Sea

       T.Brady TB

       A.Rodgers GB

RB D.Henry Tenn

      A.Kamara NO

      D.Montgomery Chi

WR  D.Hopkins Ariz

        K.Allen LAC

       A.Thielen Min

       J.Jefferson Min

       D.Adams GB

TE  T.Kelce KC

       J.Smith Tenn

C C.Linsley GB

    JC Tretter Cle

G  Z.Martin Dall

     A.Marpet TB

     M.Onwenu NE

     J.Bitonio Cle

T T.Williams SF

    A.Whitworth LAR

    G.Bolles Den

    D.Brown Sea

DE: M.Garrett Cle

        B.Burns Carol 

        C.Jordan NO 

        D.Lawrence Dall

DT: A.Donald LAR

       C.Jones KC

       C.Heyward Pitt

OLB: K.Mack Chi 

          TJ Watt Pit 

                  

ILB B.Wagner Sea

       L.David TB

CB B.Callahan Den

      J.Alexander GB

      J.Dean TB

      J.Verrett SF

      

S J.Bates Cin

   J.Simmons Den

   M.Maye NYJ

   J.Johnson LAR

   

128 Team MLB Tournament - Region 4 Final: 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 1909 Philadelphia Athletics

 Orioles v Yankees

13. 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles v. 125. 1909 Philadelphia Athletics

The 1977 Yankees, 2017 Dodgers, 1909 Cubs await the winners here; if the A's win, Connie Mack will earn a spot in the Elite 8 and two teams from the same season, neither one of which won the pennant, will be in the final 8.  It's Mack's last shot.  Weaver will get another shot, the '69 Orioles are still alive in the bottom half of the bracket, but his group will likely be solid favorites here.  

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)

d. #45   1947 Yankees 3-2 (MVP-Mark Belanger)

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.  

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)

d. #100 1922 Giants (3-2) (MVP-Harry Krause)

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. 

Athletics

LF Heitmuller (26)  135  1.7

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

SP Plank (LH) (33)         138   5.3

Bench:

LF Hartsell (35) (LH)  121   2.1  

C Thomas (28)         79

CF Ganley (34) (LH) 55

P Krause (LH) (20)        174   4.8 

SP Bender (25)      147   5.5

SP4 Morgan (30)   147

Orioles

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

CF Blair (26)              114   5.3 

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Etchebarren (27)    82    .6  

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

SP Cuellar (33)   (LH)   105     3.5

Bench:

CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3  

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Salmon (29)        86     .1

1B  Crowley (23) (LH)    116

P Palmer (24)            134    6.3

SP McNally (27)  (LH) 113      4.7

SP4 Hardin (26) 104

Lineups:

C: Push, we might see all 4 catchers in the series.

1B: Powell

2B: Collins, best player in the series

SS: Push

3B: Baker

LF: Buford

CF: Blair

RF: Robinson, the Orioles OF gives them the position player advantage

SP1: Plank, both clubs had to go to 5 games in the semi-final, so they begin with their third starters

SP2: Pamer

SP3: Bender

SP4: Morgan, A's have the better starting pitching, despite Orioles 3 20 game winners

Pen: Orioles

WAR: Orioles 6 A's 5 - Orioles have the far better seed, giving them home field and, albeit slight, the lineup advantage - they're favored.

GAME ONE

1st: Memorial Stadium, Baltimore.  The last team to make the upper half of the Elite 8 is about to claim its spot.  On the mound for the Orioles is a 33 year old lefty, Mike Cuellar. 24-8, 3.48. Cuellar's Cuban, developed a screwball while in the Cardinals system and came up for the first time in the middle of '64, a year later, dealt to the Astros. Cuellar was 2nd in ERA in the NL in '66. Made the All Star team in '67, had a 2.74 ERA in '68. Baltimore dealt for him before the '69 season. Cuellar won 23, had a 2.38 ERA, was co-winner of the Cy Young, won Game One of the World Series.  Cuellar had 21 complete games this year. He won Game 5 to clinch the World Series.  Eddie Collins singles with one away, that's it.

1st: The A's counter with their own 33 year old lefty, Eddie Plank. 19-10, 1.76. Plank was born in Gettysburg in 1875, signed with the A's in '01, had 28 complete games. He won 23 in '03, 26 in '04, 24 in '05.  Plank went 19-6 in '06, won 24 in '07, had a 2.17 ERA in '08. His 1.76 ERA this year is his career best. Don Buford reaches by error and he comes all the way around to score on a Frank Robinson double. Boog Powell walks. Plank gets the next 3.  A's 0 Orioles 1

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3, Cuellar sets down 8 straight.

3rd: Don Buford doubles.  Buford is 33, grew up in Los Angeles, played baseball and football at USC, signed with the White Sox in '59, came up as a third baseman in late '63, second in the league in steals in '66 and then dealt to Baltimore in the offseason with Luis Aparicio headed the other way. Baltimore, obviously, already had a third baseman and Buford was moved to the outfield.  Buford hit .318 in the postseason this year. Plank strands him.

4th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Cuellar

4th: Davey Johnson singles with one out. The Orioles second baseman is 27, an Army brat, moved around the country, settled in San Antonio, played baseball and basketball at Texas A&M. Signed with the Orioles in '62. Johnson first came up in '65, got the second base job in '66, hit .286 in the World Series. Johnson made the All Star team and won a Gold Glove in '69, replicated that again this year.  Johnson hit .364 in this year's postseason.  That's all.

5th: Danny Murphy singles.  Murphy's 32, from Philadelphia, started with the Giants in 1900, sold to the A's in '02. Murphy was the A's second baseman until Eddie Collins took that job in '08 and Murphy went to the OF. Murphy hit .281 this year. That's all - just two hits for the A's.

5th: Buford's aboard again, singling with one out. That's all.

6th: Strong pitching should be expected in this series and we see that in game one. After two out, Cuellar hits Plank. That's it.

6th: 1-2-3

7th: Super tight as we hit the 7th.  1-2-3, Cuellar still has only given up 2 hits.

7th: 1-2-3, Plank's set down 8 straight.  

8th: Rube Oldring singles with 2 out.  Oldring's 25, from NYC. Signed with the A's in late '05, wound up playing some games with the Highlanders before they were the Yankees, and then back to the A's in 1906. Oldring got the CF job in '07. He's left on base, Cuellar's 3 outs away from wrapping up game one.

8th: 1-2-3, Plank's given up just 4 hits he rolls hard into the 9th inning.

9th: Topsy Hartsel comes off the bench to hit for Plank - Cuellar 3 outs away from the shutout

Hartsel grounds to Johnson.

Heinie Heitmuller is next, he grounds to short.

Eddie Collins to the plate - A's down to their last man - he grounds to Johnson, throw to first, and its over.  

A's 0

Orioles 1

WP Cuellar

LP Plank

Mike Cuellar outduels Eddie Plank; 3 hit, no walk complete game shutout.  Only 99 pitches to take game one.  All singles for the A's.

Buford 2x/double

Frank Robinson 1x/double

Powell 1x

Johnson 1x

Collins 1x

Murphy 1x

Oldring 1x

LF Hartsell (35) (LH)  121   2.1  

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

P Krause (LH) (20)        174   4.8 

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

CF Blair (26)              114   5.3 

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Etchebarren (27)    82    .6  

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

P Palmer (24)            134    6.3

GAME TWO

1st: Mike Cuellar threw a 3 hit, no walk shutout in game one and here comes Jim Palmer in game 2.  24 year old RH, 20-10, 2.71. Palmer was born in NYC, moved to LA, his stepfather (Max Palmer) was an actor and wound up in Scottsdale.  The Orioles signed him out of high school.  Palmer was just 19 when he made the big club at the beginning of '65. In game 2 of the '66 World Series Palmer threw a 4 hitter, beating Sandy Koufax in his final game. Palmer tore his rotator cuff the next year, coming back in '69 with the second best ERA in the AL. Palmer won Game One of the Series this year, beating the Reds.  1-2-3

1st: Harry Krause goes for the A's, Krause's a 20 year old lefty. 18-8, 1.39. Krause's from San Francisco, went to St Marys, signed with the A's last year and, as a rookie this season, had 6 shutouts. Don Buford singles. That's it.

2nd: Danny Murphy singles; he's gunned down by Etchebarren trying to swipe second - that means the bases are empty when Harry Davis homers to center. The A's first baseman is 35, nicknamed Jasper, Davis is from Philadelphia, signed with the Giants in 1895. Caught rheumatism in '96 and was dealt to the Pirates, managed by Connie Mack.  Bounced around and wound up with the A's in '01, now managed by Mack.  In '02, he led the AL in doubles, in '04 he started a multi-year run of leading the AL in homers. In '05, Mack named him captain. A's 1 Orioles 0

2nd: With 2 out, Andy Etchebarren walks.  The 27 year old is platooning at catcher for Earl Weaver; he's from southern California, turned down an offer to play football at the Naval Academy to sign with the Orioles in '61, came up late '62, and stuck in '66; he made a couple of All Star teams and started platooning with Hendricks in '68. Plank hits Mark Belanger; but that's all.

3rd: Jack Barry singles. The A's shortstop is 22, from Connecticut, went to Holy Cross, signed in '08 and became the starting shortstop (like Belanger, glove first) this year.  Krause bunts him over and Topsy Hartsel drives Barry home with a single.  A's 2 Orioles 0

3rd: Boog Powell draws a 2 out walk. Powell's 28, from Florida, pitched in the Little League World Series, signed with the Orioles out of high school, called up late '61. In '64, Powell hit 39 homers, in '65 he moved to first base from the outfield, in '67, Powell made the All Star team. Last year he hit 37 homers and batted .304 and finished second in the MVP.  This year, Powell was the AL MVP, hitting 37 homers. Powell hit .294 in the Series. That's all.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Davey Johnson doubles with one out. That's it.

5th: Barry singles again. That's it.

5th: Palmer helps himself with a single, just Baltimore's third hit. That's all and Krause's struck out 5.

6th: Eddie Collins doubles. The A's second baseman is 22. Went to Columbia, played football, signed with the A's in '06 (actually debuted under a pseudonym while still at Columbia) His first full season was '08 and this year he hit .347. Home Run Baker singles and it's 3-0. 2 outs later Rube Oldring singles and it's 4-0.  Barry walks - big lead now for the A's 4 Orioles 0

6th: 1-2-3, still just 3 hits, 6 Ks for Krause.  

7th: Topsy Hartsel reaches on an error. Hartsel's 35, platooning in left, from Ohio, signed with Louisville in 1899, bounced around and eventually reached the A's in 1902. That year he led the league in walks and steals. In '05 Hartsel had a .409 OBP, leading the league, in '07, his OBP again led the league. An out later Home Run Baker singles and after the second out Harry Davis drives everyone home with a triple that probably has tied up this series. A's 6 Orioles 0

7th: 1-2-3, 9 in a row for Krause, who has struck out 8.  We're going to Philadelphia tied at a game.

8th: 1-2-3

8th: The A's go to the pen, 30 year old RH Rube Vickers, he's got a 3.40 ERA. Don Buford singles. 2 outs later Paul Blair walks.  Brooks Robinson follows with a run scoring single. That's enough for Mack, he brings in Jimmy Dygert, a 24 year old RH with 9 wins and a 2.42 ERA.  He ends it.  A's 6 Orioles 1

9th: After an out, Collins singles and steals second. 5 run lead in the 9th and Collins is stealing second. File that away. Home Run Baker singles him home.  The A's third baseman is 23, he's got 3 hits today. Baker's from Maryland, signed with the A's last year and this is his rookie season. He led the league in triples and was 4th in slugging. Ty Cobb spiked him in August on a tag at third. A's 7 Orioles 1

9th: Dygert gets 2, then gives up a pinch single to Merv Rettenmund and walks Don Buford. Frank Robinson singles home a run but the game ends here.

A's 7

Orioles 2

WP Krause

LP Palmer

Collins 3x/double

Murphy 2x

Oldring 2x

Hartsel 1x

Baker 3x

Davis 2x/HR, triple

Barry 3x

Buford 5x/double

Frank Robinson 2x/double

Powell 2x

Johnson 2x/double

Blair 1x

Brooks Robinson 1x

Etchebarren 1x

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3  

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

SP McNally (27)  (LH) 113      4.7

LF Heitmuller (26)  135  1.7

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

C Thomas (28)         79

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

SP Bender (25)      147   5.5

GAME THREE

1st: All tied up at a game apiece; Shibe Park, Philadelphia - Chief Bender stands on the mound in this Best of 7 Region 4 Final.  25 year old RH, 18-8, 1.66. Bender's Native American, from Minnesota, wound up at the Carlisle Indian School that produced Jim Thorpe. Bender signed with the A's in '03, debuting in the bigs at 19 and won 17 as a rookie. 1-2-3. 

1st: Dave McNally for the O's. 27 year old lefty, 24-9, 3.22. McNally's from Montana, signed with the Orioles at 18, came up in late '62. In Game 4 of the '66 World Series, he threw a clinching 4 hit shutout. McNally was 5th in the AL MVP in '68 and started the '69 season 15-0. McNally threw an 11 inning 3 hitter in the ALCS. This year, he hit a grand slam in Game 3 of the World Series. Heinie Heitmuller walks, Eddie Collins lines a double to right center, Heitmuller comes all the way around and the A's are on the board. Home Run Baker then doubles Collins home. McNally gets the next 3, but damage done.  Orioles 0 A's 2

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3, 9 up, 9 down for Bender. 

3rd: Baker doubles again, this time with 2 away. McNally strands him.

4th: Boog Powell singles and the Orioles reach base.  2 outs later Brooks Robinson walks. The 33 year old third baseman is from Little Rock, signed with the Orioles in '55. His first full big league season was '58, he was third in the AL MVP in '60 behind Maris and Mantle. Robinson won that award in '64, leading the league in RBI. In 1969 Robinson got both his 200th homer and 2000th hit. This year he hit .429 in the Series and was named MVP. That's all.

4th: Harry Davis singles. That's it.  

5th: Mark Belanger doubles with one away. The 26 year old SS is from Massachusetts. Signed with the Orioles in '60, played for Earl Weaver at 3 different stops in the system. His rookie year was '67, he hit .333 in this year's ALCS.  After the second out, Belanger scores on a Don Buford double. Boog Powell then ties the score with a base hit. Orioles 2 A's 2

5th: Eddie Collins draws a 2 out walk that's it.

6th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3, this series is dead even, a game each, 2-2 here, each team with just 4 hits.  

7th: After an out, Belanger doubles again. Bender gets through it.

7th: McNally's day is done - Pete Richert gets the ball. Jack Barry singles with one away, after the second out, Heinie Heitmuller singles home the go ahead run.  Orioles 2 A's 3

8th: Jimmy Dygert for the A's, 6 outs from taking game 3.  He walks Boog Powell.  Frank Robinson singles. Robinson's 34, from Oakland, signed with the Reds in '53. Robinson was 20 in his rookie season, 1956, won the NL Rookie of the Year, in '61 won the MVP. In 1962, Robinson hit .342 with 39 homers. The Reds dealt him to Baltimore after the '65 season. In his first Baltimore season Robinson won the Triple Crown, the AL MVP and the World Series MVP. Robinson hit .308 in '69, .306 this year. Merv Rettenmund grounds into a double play, scoring the tying run. Orioles 3 A's 3

8th: 29 year old RH Eddie Watt is next for the O's, 7 wins, 12 saves, 3.25. 1-2-3

9th: Ellie Hendricks is catching today and he singles with 1 out.  Hendricks is 29, from the Virgin Islands. Hendricks was property of a couple of different organizations before signing with the Orioles in '67 and hitting the bigs in '68. That's it.

9th: 29 year old RH Dave Leonhard for the Orioles, he's got a 5.08 ERA. He gets 2, then gives up a Barry single.  That's all and we head to the 10th.

10th: 30 year old RH Rube Vickers for the A's, he gets two, then Frank Robinson singles. That's all.

10th: Heinie Heitmuller opens with a single and steals second - the winning run sits at second base, Leonhard still on for the Orioles, he gets the next 2 - and then Danny Murphy doubles Heitmuller home and its done. Jubilation in Philadelphia - Heitmuller scores - the A's pour out of the dugout, they pound on Heitmuller at the plate - the A's take game 2 and take a 2-1 series lead.

Orioles 3

A's 4

WP Vickers

LP Leonhard

Collins 5x/ 2 double

Murphy 3x/double

Oldring 2x

Hartsel 1x

Baker 5x/2 doubles

Davis 3x/HR, triple

Barry 5x

Heitmuller 3x

Buford 6x/ 2 doubles

Frank Robinson 4x/double

Powell 4x

Johnson 2x/double

Blair 1x

Brooks Robinson 2x

Etchebarren 1x

Hendricks 1x

Belanger 2x/2 doubles

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3  

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

SP4 Hardin (26) 104

LF Hartsell (35) (LH)  121   2.1  

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

C Thomas (28)         79

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

SP4 Morgan (30)   147

GAME FOUR

1st The A's beat the Orioles in 10 in game 3 and now have a solid pitching advantage in Game 4. 30 year old RH Cy Morgan on the mound. 16-11, 1.65. Morgan played semi-pro in West Virginia, then onto Massachusetts and signed with the Browns in 1903. Onto the Red Sox in '06, pitching with fellow "Cy" Young. He was dealt to the A's this June. Buford walks, he's reached 7 times leading both teams. That's all.

1st: Baltimore's out of 20 game winners, they turn to a 26 year old RH Jim Hardin. 6-5, 3.53. Hardin's from Tennessee, was a high school catching rival of Tim McCarver, signed with the Mets in '62. The Orioles swiped him in '65 and he came up in '67. Hardin won 18 in '68, he did not pitch in this year's postseason. Eddie Collins walks with one out. He's reached 6 times, leading the A's. That's all.

2nd: Davey Johnson walks with one out, nothing results.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3, neither club has a hit

4th: Frank Robinson rips a double, first hit of the day. An out later Brooks Robinson singles him home and it's Orioles 1 A's 0

4th: Topsy Hartsel singles, Philadelphia's first hit. Collins singles and the A's have action. An out later Danny Murphy, who won game 3, reaches by error that score a run. Orioles 1 A's 1

5th: Buford walks again, after two out - Boog Powell then singles. That's all.

5th: Ira Thomas walks with one away. Thomas is 28, splitting catching duties in the series. He's from upstate New York. The future Yankees signed him in '05, sold to the Tigers in '08, this was his first season in Philadelphia, their veteran catcher Doc Powers died early in the season. That's all.

6th: 1-2-3

6th: Weaver got everything he could have asked from Hardin and he turns the game to his pen, Pete Richert taking the ball first. Home Run Baker singles with 2 away -- and then he comes all the way around to score on a Danny Murphy triple.  The A's take the lead here in game 4.  Harry Davis singles Murphy home.  The Orioles have only 3 hits today and have got to get it going.  Orioles 1 A's 3

7th: Ellie Hendricks walks.  Mark Belanger singles.  Big spot in this series.  Morgan gets one and then walks Buford.  Buford keeps getting on base in the series -- bases loaded for the big bats -- Powell comes through with a base knock, it scores a run.  Frank Robinson hits one to the deepest part of the park, it's hauled in - but scores the tying run.  Morgan's done - Jimmy Dygert enters and ends it.  Orioles 3 A's 3

7th: Eddie Watt enters for Baltimore. Jack Barry singles with one away, after the second out - it's Hartsel, he drives Barry home with a base hit and again the A's are out in front.  Orioles 3 A's 4

8th: Hendricks draws a two out walk, but that's it - Dygert is 3 outs away from giving the A's a 3-1 lead in this Region 4 final.

8th: Dave Leonhard lost game 3, he enters here.  Murphy and Davis hit back to back one out singles - Rube Oldring singles -- that sure could be it as it scores another run.  Marcelino Lopez finishes the inning for Baltimore.  Orioles 3 A's 5

9th: Baltimore in a bad spot now.  Can they somehow come back here.

Dygert stays on - Paul Blair is the hitter off the bench, grounds to short.

Buford lines...right at Davis.

Boog Powell singles.

Frank Robinson singles.  

2 on, 2 out, Orioles trail by 2.

Merv Rettenmund harmlessly flies to center and its done.

Orioles 3

A's 5

WP Dygert

LP Watt

The Orioles were solid favorites to become the 4th team to make the Elite 8 - but it would take a monumental effort now, the A's have won 3 straight and are now just a game from advancing.

Collins 7x/ 2 double

Murphy 5x/double, triple

Oldring 3x

Hartsel 3x

Baker 6x/2 doubles

Davis 5x/HR, triple

Barry 6x

Heitmuller 3x

Thomas 1x

Buford 9x/ 2 doubles

Frank Robinson 6x/ 2 doubles

Powell 7x

Johnson 2x/double

Blair 1x

Brooks Robinson 3x

Etchebarren 1x

Hendricks 3x

Belanger 3x/2 doubles

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

CF Blair (26)              114   5.3 

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Etchebarren (27)    82    .6  

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

SP Cuellar (33)   (LH)   105     3.5

LF Heitmuller (26)  135  1.7

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

SP Plank (LH) (33)         138   5.3

GAME FIVE

1st: Super amped up crowd in Shibe Park, their A's are a game away from advancing to the Elite 8.  Eddie Plank lost game one, 1-0, he's on today.  He gives up a one out Boog Powell single, Powell's reached 8 times in the series, but that's all.

1st: Mike Cuellar threw a masterful 3 hit shutout in game one and he needs to similarly be good today. Eddie Collins walks; he's reached 8 times.  That's all.

2nd: Davey Johnson singles with 2 away. Andy Etchebarren follows with a single, the Orioles don't score.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Cuellar helps himself with a base hit. Buford and Powell follow with walks and the Orioles have them loaded with nobody out and really, really must capitalize.  Plank gets one - then walks Paul Blair and Baltimore is on the board.  Brooks Robinson then singles home another, and after the second out Davey Johnson singles home a third.  Orioles 3 A's 0

3rd: Jack Barry singles. Cuellar gets the next 3.

4th: After 2 out, Buford and Powell walk back to back - Plank wild today - that's all.

4th: Home Run Baker walks, that's all.

5th: Paul Blair walks.  Blair's 26, signed with the Mets in '61 after high school in Los Angeles, debuted in late '64. In '69, the glove first center fielder had 26 homers. This April, he hit 3 homers in a game and hit .474 in the Series. That's all.

5th: 1-2-3, just one hit allowed by Cuellar.

6th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3, 9 straight for Cuellar, he's been the best player in this series.  

7th: Frank Robinson hits a one out single, that's all.  

7th: Paddy Livingston singles with one away, but that's it.  Cuellar rolls on.

8th: Etchebarren singles with 2 way, that's it.

8th: Cuellar is 6 outs away from sending this series back to Baltimore for game 6.  Topsy Hartsel pinch doubles.  Hartmuller singles and the A's are in business now.  Cuellar sucks it up, gets the next 3 - big, big, bit outing for Mike Cuellar.

9th: Jimmy Dygert for the A's, Buford singles with one away, after the second out Frank Robinson walks.  That's it.  Bottom of the 9th.

9th: Complete game 3 hitter for Cuellar in game 1 - he comes out to the mound for the 9th having given up 4 hits.  

Danny Murphy singles.

Harry Davis smokes a liner to short - great dive by Belanger, who catches it for out number one.

Cuellar walks Livingston - tying run to the plate.

Oldring grounds to Belanger - flip to Johnson for one -- Oldring beats out the throw to first.  

Barry grounds to Robinson - easy throw to first.  Ballgame.

Orioles 3

A's 0

WP Cuellar

LP Plank

A second complete game shutout for Cuellar, he is keeping his club alive in this series, we head back to Baltimore, A's still up 3-2.

Buford 12x/ 2 doubles

Frank Robinson 8x/ 2 doubles

Powell 10x

Johnson 4x/double

Blair 3x

Brooks Robinson 4x

Etchebarren 3x

Hendricks 3x

Belanger 3x/2 doubles

Collins 8x/ 2 double

Murphy 6x/double, triple

Oldring 3x

Hartsel 4x

Baker 7x/2 doubles

Davis 5x/HR, triple

Barry 7x

Heitmuller 4x

Thomas 1x

Livingston 2x

LF Hartsell (35) (LH)  121   2.1  

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

P Krause (LH) (20)        174   4.8 

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

CF Rettenmund (27)  156  4.3  

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Etchebarren (27)    82    .6  

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

P Palmer (24)            134    6.3

GAME SIX

1st: There has not been a game 7 yet in the tournament (to be fair, this is only the 4th best of 7 series) if Jim Palmer comes up big today, we'll see one.  Sold out Memorial Stadium crowd and they've got their guy on the mound.  1-2-3

1st: Harry Krause was co-MVP in round one, MVP all by himself in the regional semi-final and he's on the mound for the A's. He walks Buford, the Orioles leadoff man has reached base 13 times on the series. He walks Frank Robinson. Boog Powell singles and it scores a run; Merv Rettenmund got the start in center today - he singles and scores a run. Krause gets an out - then a Davey Johnson groundout scores a run. Andy Etchebaren singles - Mark Belanger walks, It ends here the Orioles bat around in the first inning of a must win game.  A's 0 Orioles 3

2nd: Paddy Livingston singles with 2 out, That's it.  

2nd: Frank Robinson singles with one away. Boog Powell walks.  After the second out, Brooks Robinson then singles home a run - the Orioles really jumping out in front today.  Davey Johnson singles, another run.  A's 0 Orioles 5

3rd: Palmer gets 2 - Topsy Hartsel and Eddie Collins single - that's all.  

3rd: Belanger walks, a double play later Buford walks, Frank Robinson singles - Boog Powell singles and there's another run.  A's 0 Orioles 6

4th: Danny Murphy singles, a double play later Paddy Livingston singles, Rube Oldring hits a 2 run homer and the A's are on the board. A's 2 Orioles 6

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Hartsel singles with one out, thats it.

5th: Belanger singles, an out later, Buford doubles him home - Don Buford has really just kept hitting.  Frank Robinson singles home Buford, there's another run and you can start thinking about game 7 right now.  Rube Vickers comes on for the A's, after the second out he hits Rettenmund that's all.  A's 2 Orioles 8

6th: Murphy singles, an out later Livingston singles, that's it.  

6th: Game 3 starters Chief Bender and Dave McNally will be going for all the money - game 7.  1-2-3

7th: Hartsel walks with one away, that's it.  

7th: Jimmy Dygert for the A's, he gets one - but Buford singles, Don Buford, really getting it done, Frank Robinson walks - and Boog Powell doubles home another run.  Big game 6 for both Robinson and Powell.  Rettenmund sac fly adds another.  A's 2 Orioles 10

8th: Murphy and Davis single with one out, Livingston doubles to score a run, sure looks like Palmer's out of gas.  He walks Oldring then gets the second out.  22 year old Scotty Barr comes on to hit, Barr hit .078 on the season - but Palmer walks him and that's another run.  Hartsel then singles home 2 more - it's a big inning for the A's, the deficit down to 4.  Pete Richert comes on for the Orioles - An error on a Collins grounder scores one more -- it's a 5 run 8th inning for the A's 7 Orioles 10

8th: Jack Coombs, the A's 5th starter, comes on for the first time in the series, 26 year old RH, 12 wins, 2.32. Johnson singles - that's all.

9th: 3 outs away from the 2 best words in all of sport - 

Richert gets Murphy to ground to Powell.  One.

Davis grounds to Robinson.  Two.

Livingston singles - 

Oldring lazy fly ball to Buford to end the game.

A's 7

Orioles 10

WP Palmer

LP Krause

Sv Richert

Buford scores 4 runs, the Orioles offense finally busts out and we will see you for Game 7.

Buford 16x/ 4 doubles

Frank Robinson 13x/ 2 doubles

Powell 14x/double

Johnson 6x/double

Blair 3x

Brooks Robinson 5x

Etchebarren 4x

Hendricks 3x

Belanger 6x/2 doubles

Rettenmund 2x

Collins 9x/ 2 double

Murphy 9x/double, triple

Oldring 5x/HR

Hartsel 8x

Baker 7x/2 doubles

Davis 6x/HR, triple

Barry 7x

Heitmuller 4x

Thomas 1x

Livingston 7x/double

LF Heitmuller (26)  135  1.7

2B Collins (22)  (LH)  170    9.9

3B Baker (23)  (LH)    146    5.3

RF Murphy (32)   132   3.5

1B Davis (35)       122    3.3

C Livingston (29)  99    2.4

CF Oldring (25)    92     1.1

SS Barry (22)        77     1.6

SP Bender (25)      147   5.5

LF Buford (33)  (SH)      126    4.4

1B Powell (28)  (LH)         163    5.1

RF Robinson (34)      151   4.3

CF Blair (26)              114   5.3 

3B Robinson (33)      109    3.3

2B Johnson (27)        107    3.8

C Hendricks (29) (LH)     92    1.5

SS Belanger (26)       56      1.9

SP McNally (27)  (LH) 113      4.7

GAME SEVEN

1st: 5th in the AL MVP in 1968, 4th in the Cy Young in 1969, 2nd in the Cy Young this season, Dave McNally takes the mound at Memorial Stadium.  Game 7.  Winner wins Region 4 and moves to the Elite 8. Heavy, heavy, heavy pressure packed environment for this one.  Heinie Heitmuller leads off with a double, it's his first extra base hit of the series, platooning in left field.  McNally then gets the next two - but Danny Murphy comes through with a double of his own to score the run.  The A's right fielder has reached ten times in the series and won game 3 with a 10th inning walk off base hit.  A's 1 Orioles 0

1st: Last year, Chief Bender had a 1.75 ERA, this year it was 1.66 and he led the league in FIP and K/BB. He walks Don Buford -- the Oriole offense has been entirely carried by the top 3 men in the order, Buford has now reached 17 times, that's a tournament record for one series. Boog Powell walks. That's 15 times on base for Powell.  Bender gets an out - then gets a Paul Blair groundout, but it scores the tying run. A's 1 Orioles 1

2nd: Paddy Livingston had 5 hits in game 6 and he singles with one out. That's all.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Bender helps himself with a double; McNally gets the next 3.

3rd: Buford walks again, with one away - but Bender stops it there.  

4th: All tied up in the 4th, Game 7 -- Harry Davis singles with one out. 7 times on base for Davis. Paddy Livingston singles again, 7 straight hits for Livingston.  The A's have men on the corners, just one away.  McNally gets the next 2.

4th: 1-2-3, the Orioles do not have a hit.  Game 7 still tied.  

5th: Benfer doubles again. He had 5 doubles all season, two today.  An out later Eddie Collins singles.  He's reached 10 times, the A's again have men on the corners with just one away. But again McNally wriggles out of it.  

5th: Elrod Hendricks singles, Baltimore has a hit. That's all Bender allows and we head to the 6th inning.  

6th: After one out, Davis singles again.  After the second out - it's the 8th straight hit for Livingston; just a remarkable stretch for the A's backstop -- but again - but again - McNally escapes.  

6th: 1-2-3, 10 hits for the A's - one lonely single for the O's, but we go to the 7th all tied up.  Game 7.

7th: Jack Barry singles - that ends Bender's day, Topsy Hartsel comes on to hit - Bender leaves the game absolutely dominant.  McNally gets Hartsel and then another - Barry on third with 2 away - and Eddie Collins punches a base hit to right center - Barry scores easily and the A's pull out in front here in Game 7.  That's it for McNally, Pete Richert comes on - he ends it.  A's 2 Orioles 1

7th: Jimmy Dygert now for the A's as Mack turns the game over to his pen.  Dygert hits Brooks Robinson.  Then gives up back to back base hits to Johnson and Hendricks and the Orioles have loaded the bases with nobody out.  Trailing 2-1.  Game 7.  Dygert gets one - Rettenmund enters to hit for Richert -- and hits a sac fly that ties the score.  Even again.  A's 2 Orioles 2

8th: Eddie Watt now for Baltimore.  All tied.  Game 7.  Are you not entertained?

Danny Murphy flies to left.

Harry Davis walks.

Watt strikes Livingston out.

Oldring flies to left and we head to the bottom of the 8th.

8th: Dygert stays on for the A's.

Powell grounds to short.

Frank Robinson walks.

Paul Blair singles just over Barry's head into left field and now the Orioles have the go ahead run in scoring position.

Brooks Robinson rips a single to left center -- Frank doesn't break stride - Oldring fields the ball cleanly and throws home...

Safe.  

Frank Robinson scores the go ahead run and the Orioles take a 3-2 lead.

Davey Johnson hits a ground ruled double - Blair scores and now it's 4-2 Orioles and this sold out crowd is out of their mind - Baltimore was down 3 games to 1 - Cuellar threw hit second complete game shutout - then the Oriole bats came up huge in game 6 and today, after getting absolutly stymied by Bender, the Orioles have come up big against the Philly pen and take a 4-2 lead.

Rube Vickers enters for the A's, Ellie Hendricks hits a sac fly and it will end A's 2 Orioles 5

9th: Dave Leonhard comes on for the Orioles.  3 outs to go.  

Barry grounds to third.  One.

Scotty Barr comes on to hit.  Leonhard strikes him out.

Heitmuller singles.  The A's stay alive.

Eddie Collins singles.  The tying run comes to the plate with 2 outs.

Home Run Baker doubles.  Heitmuller scores -- Collins will score!  It's 5-4!  The A's cut it to 5-4!

Leonhard walks Murphy.  2 on.  2 out.  Tying run in scoring position.

Harry Davis rips a grounder down the left field line -- no!  Robinson fully dives to snare it - Robinson the long throw --- got him!  Brooks Robinson saves the series - fully laying out to stop what certainly would have been a double that at least - at least ties this game and it is all over - the 1970 Baltimore Orioles join the 1977 Yankees, the 2017 Dodgers, the 1909 Cubs in the Elite 8!!!

A's 4

Orioles 5

WP Watt

LP Dygert

Sv Leonhard

The A's outhit the Orioles 15-6 --- and lost.  

Buford 18x/ 4 doubles

Frank Robinson 14x/ 2 doubles

Powell 15x/double

Big series for the top of the Orioles order - but the MVPs here are Brooks Robinson, who both had the game winning hit and the game saving play today - and Mike Cuellar, with 2 shutouts.