#5. 1998 World Champion New York Yankees v. 13. 1970 World Champion Baltimore Orioles
It's the highest remaining overall seed, the '98 Yankees, who now have amassed 137 wins, against this Oriole club who basically secured 2 of the Final 8 spots in this tournament. Both of these teams have been favored in every round, so something's got to give.
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)
d. #28 1961 Yankees 3-1 (MVP-Bernie Williams)
d. #117 1972 A's 4-1 (MVP-David Wells/Mariano Rivera)
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.
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)
d. #125 1909 A's 4-3 (MVP-Brooks Robinson/Mike Cuellar)
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.
Orioles
LF Buford (33) (SH) 126 4.4
RF Robinson (34) 151 4.3
1B Powell (28) (LH) 163 5.1
DH Rettenmund (27) 156 4.3
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
Bench:
C Hendricks (29) (LH) 92 1.5
SS Salmon (29) 86 .1
1B Crowley (23) (LH) 116
SP McNally (27) (LH) 113 4.7
SP Cuellar (33) (LH) 105 3.5
SP4 Hardin (26) 104
Catching platoon; when the series shifts to Baltimore they lose the DH and so will have an OF decision to make.
LF Raines (38) (SH) 107 1.1
CF Williams (29) (SH) 160 5.6
DH Strawberry (36) (LH) 132 1.5
C Posada (26) (SH) 115 3.4
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
2B Knoblauch (29) 102 3.8
SP Wells (35) (LH) 127 5.2
Bench:
LF Curtis (29) 90 2.9
DH Davis (38) (SH) 116
C Girardi (33) 85
IF Sojo (33) 37
SP Cone (35) 125 5.3
P Hernandez (32) 132 3.7
P Pettitte (26) (LH) (104)
Platoon in LF and DH.
Lineups
C-Posada
1B-Powell
2B-Push
SS-Jeter
3B-Brosius
LF-Buford
CF-Push
RF-O'Neill
DH-Rettenmund
SP1-Palmer
SP2-Cone
SP3-Push
SP4-Push
Pen-Yankees
WAR: Yanks 6 Orioles 4 -- Yanks have slightly more WAR, slightly better seed, Jeter is the best player in the series. Yanks are favored to take this one - move on to the Final Four and play the 1938 Yankees for the pennant.
GAME ONE
1st: The 1938 Yanks have won their way into the Final Four - they will face the winners of this one to play for the pennant. David Wells is on the mound at Yankee Stadium for Game one. MVP of the ALCS, co-MVP of the Regional Final. 35 year old lefty, 18-4, 3.49. Wells was third in the Cy Young this year. Led the AL in winning %, shutouts, WHIP; led all MLB in K/BB. For his career, Wells would be a 3 time All Star, two time World Champion. 1-2-3
1st: The 1969 Orioles are still alive, in the other half of the bracket - it's essentially the same team we see here, the 1970 Orioles. Jim Palmer gets the ball in game one. 24 year old RH, 20-10, 2.71. Palmer made his first All Star team this year and was 5th in the Cy Young. Led MLB in shutouts. For his career, Palmer will win 3 Cy Youngs, make 6 All Star teams, win 3 World Championships and be elected into the Hall of Fame. 1-2-3
2nd: Paul Blair singles with one out - we just saw Blair with the '77 Yankees and here he is, 7 years before, the CF with the Orioles. Blair's 26, .267/.344/.438. Blair and Belanger are the youngest Orioles regulars. Blair won the Gold Glove this season. For his career Blair will be a 2 time All Star and a 4 Time World Champion. That's all.
2nd: Jorge Posada singles. The Yankee catcher is 27. .268/.350/.475. It's his first year as the every day catcher. He will retire as a 5 time All Star, 4 time World Champion. Derek Jeter walks two outs later, that's all.
3rd: Mark Belanger singles with one out; the shortstop is 26, .218/.303/.562, easily the worst hitter we'll see in the series. He will make an All Star team later in his career and this season won his only World Championship. That's it.
3rd: Bernie Williams walks with 2 out. The CF is 29, .339/.422/.575 - that's the best bat in the Yankee lineup. He's an All Star, 7th in the MVP, that batting average led all MLB. He'll retire a 5 time All Star, 4 time World Champion, was ALCS MVP two years prior, was co-MVP for the Yanks in round one and MVP in the Regional Semi Final. Palmer then hits Darryl Strawberry and with 2 on and 2 out -- Posada clears the bases with a double. Big two run double for Posada and this Yankee crowd loves it. Paul O'Neill walks. That's it. Orioles 0 Yankees 2
4th: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3
5th: Davey Johnson singles with one away. The second sacker is 27, .281/.360/.392. Johnson was an All Star this year and won the Gold Glove. For his career he was a 4 time All Star, 2 time World Champion. That's all.
5th: Tim Raines reaches on an error and then Williams slams a 2 run homer to left center -- the Yanks go up 4-0. Darryl Strawberry, who, of course, played for Davey Johnson with the Mets, then rockets a homer deep into right field - the Yanks are bombing Jim Palmer here in game one. Strawberry is the DH today, 36 years old, .247/.354/.542. Cancer cuts Strawberry down late in the season, he plays just 24 games in the bigs after this year. Strawberry's an 8 time All Star, 4 time World Champion. Posada walks and an out later Tino Martinez walks. That's all. Orioles 0 Yankees 5
6th: Just 3 hits so far for this potent Oriole offense. 1-2-3
6th: 1-2-3, New York only has 4 hits - but two were back to back homers in the 5th.
7th: Paul Blair doubles with one out and Brooks Robinson gets Baltimore on the board with a base hit. The third baseman is 33. .276/.335/.429. Robinson made the All Star team this season, won the Gold Glove, finished 7th in the MVP. Brooks Robinson was an 18 time All Star. 2 time World Champion. This year's World Series MVP, co-MVP in Baltimore's Regional Final win. Johnson follows with a double to score another. Andy Etchebarren singles and it knocks Wells from the game. Mike Stanton is a 31 year old lefty, 5.47. Stanton will make one All Star team and win 3 World Championships. He gives up a base hit to Belanger and now it's 5-3. After the second out Frank Robinson walks to load the bases and then the big blow - Boog Powell smokes a double to right center -- it clears the bases - the Orioles have pounded out 6 runs - 6 big runs here in the 7th inning and have taken the lead! Stanton intentionally walks Merv Rettenmund and is then pulled for Jeff Nelson, 31 year old RH. 3.79. He will make one All Star team and win 4 World Championships. It ends. Orioles 6 Yankees 5
7th: Strawberry singles - and he comes all the way around to score on a Posada double into the RF corner. The Yanks immediately tie it up. Palmer's day is done, Pete Richert enters. 30 year old lefty. 7 wins, 13 saves, 1.98. Richert's a 2 time All Star and win the World Championship this year. He gets an out then walks Martinez - gets the second out -- and then Scott Brosius puts New York back out in front with a double that scores 2 -- New York plates 3 in the 7th to retake this lead. Orioles 6 Yankees 8
8th: Etchebarren singles with one out, the 27 year old is platooning behind the plate. .243/.313/.348 -- he retires a 2 time All Star, 2 time World Champion. That's all.
8th: Eddie Watt enters for Baltimore. 29 year old RH, 7 wins, 12 saves, 3.25. He won his only World Championship this year. He gets 2 -- and then Strawberry does it again - with his former manager playing second base - 36 year old Darryl Strawberry laces a homer to dead center and the Yanks are up 3. Orioles 6 Yankees 9
9th: Mariano Rivera gets the call to finish this up; he was co-MVP of the Regional Final. 28 year old RH, 36 saves, 1.91. Rivera retires as a 13 time All Star. 5 time World Champion. He'll be the World Series MVP next year and the ALCS MVP in '03. Rivera's in the Hall of Fame.
Rivera strikes out Frank Robinson
Boog Powell walks.
Rettenmund flies to center.
Blair flies to center and it's over.
Strawberry hits 2, Bernie hits one, Posada drives in 4 and the Yanks beat Palmer and the Orioles 9-6.
Orioles 6
Yankees 9
WP Nelson
LP Palmer
Sv Rivera
Williams 2x/HR
Strawberry 4x/2 HR, 4 runs score gm 1
Posada 4x/2 doubles, 4 rBI game 1
O'Neill 1x
Martinez 2x
Jeter 1x
Brosius 1x/double
FRobinson 1x
Powell 2x/double 3 gm 1 RBI
Rettenmund 1x
Blair 2x/double
BRobinson 1x
Johnson 2x/double
Etchebarren 2x
Belanger 2x
LF Buford (33) (SH) 126 4.4
1B Powell (28) (LH) 163 5.1
RF Robinson (34) 151 4.3
DH Rettenmund (27) 156 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
CF Williams (29) (SH) 160 5.6
SS Jeter (24) 127 6.3
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
GAME TWO
1st: David Cone looks to follow up the game one Yankee win with one of his own today. Like Wells, he's 35 years old, he's a RH, 20-7, 3.55. Like Strawberry, Davey Johnson was his former manager - but Johnson doesn't know that yet. For his career Cone was a 5 time All Star, a 5 Time World Champion and won a Cy Young. He gets two and then Frank Robinson singles and that's all.
1st: Dave McNally tries to send the series to Baltimore at a game each. 27 year old lefty, 24-9, 3.22. McNally was an All Star this year and finished 2nd in the Cy Young. Led MLB in wins. He made 3 All Star teams in his career and won 2 World Championships. Bernie Williams singles. 2 outs later Chili Davis walks. That's it.
2nd: Merv Rettenmund hits Cone's first pitch of the inning over the wall in left center and Baltimore takes the lead. Rettenmund's a 27 year old DH, he was the 4th OF during the season. .322/.394/.544. He retires a 2 time World Champion. Orioles 1 Yankees 0
2nd: Paul O'Neill walks. Another 35 year old Yankee, .317/.372/.510 -- O'Neill's an All Star, made it 5 times in his career and won 5 World Championships. Tino Martinez follows with a 2 run homer to right - and the Yankees jump ahead. Orioles 1 Yankees 2
3rd: Ellie Hendricks singles. Like Blair (and Don Baylor, who played a handful of games this season) Hendricks is a future Yankee. He's 29, platooning at catcher. Retires as a 2 time World Champion. An out later Don Buford walks, that's all.
3rd: Scott Brosius singles with one out. The third baseman is 31. .300/.371/.472. He made his only All Star appearance this year and won the World Series MVP; he retires a 3 time World Champion. That's all.
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Martinez singles with one out. The first baseman is 30. .281/.355/.505. He retires a 2 time All Star, 4 time World Champion. Chuck Knoblauch follows with a walk. That's it.
5th: Hendricks and Belanger single back to back with one out. Cone gets the second -- and then Boog Powell comes through as he did in game one; a double that clears the bases and Baltimore regains the lead. Powell's 28, the best bat in this series, .297/.412/.549. He was an All Star this year and won the MVP. Powell retires a 4 time All Star, 2 time World Champ. Orioles 3 Yankees 2
5th: Chili Davis doubles with 2 out. Davis is DH'ing today; he's 38 - this is an old Yankee club - .291/.373/.447 -- Davis played in just 35 games this year and he's got just one year left in his big league career. He retires a 3 time All Star, 3 time World Champion. Posada walks. 2 on, 2 out - Yanks trailing by a run in the 5th -- but McNally escapes.
6th: Rettenmund homers again. Rettenmund has two homers today and now Baltimore's up 4-2. Johnson walks two outs later, that's it. Orioles 4 Yankees 2
6th: 1-2-3
7th: 1-2-3
7th: With one out, Derek Jeter singles and steals second. Jeter's 24, has more WAR this year than anyone on either team. .324/.384/.481. Jeter made his first All Star team this year; led the AL in runs scored, finished 3rd in the MVP. When he retires after a two decade Yankee career, he'll be a 14 time All Star, 5 time World Champion and win the World Series MVP in 2000. Jeter's a member of the Hall of Fame. Scott Brosius punches a single to left - Jeter comes around to score and the Yankees get into the Oriole pen - Pete Richert back out to the mound. Davis singles - men on the corners, just one out - Yanks still trailing by a run - but that's all. Orioles 4 Yankees 3
8th: Joe Torre goes to the pen. The 57 year old Yankee manager had an 18 year big league playing career; at the end of which he doubled as Mets manager. He spent 5 seasons with the Mets; 3 with the Braves, six with the Cardinals and was hired in New York in '96. As Yankee manager Torre will win 4 World Championships and two additonal pennants. Torre finishes his managerial career with 3 Dodgers campaigns. Torre is in the Hall of Fame.
Mike Stanton enters - he gets one and Rettenmund singles. That's it.
8th: The great Earl Weaver sticks with Richert. Weaver is just 39 years old. This is his 3rd season as Orioles manager and the only World Championship he won. Weaver wins 3 additional pennants in a 17 year career with Baltimore and is also in the Hall of Fame.
Knoblauch singles with 2 out, that's all.
9th: Stanton gets two - then gives up a Belanger single and Don Buford doubles him home and that's the insurance run. The LF is 33, .272/.406/.411 -- he retires as a one time All Star, one time World Champion. Orioles 5 Yankees 3
9th: Eddie Watt comes on - 3 outs from sending this series to Baltimore all tied up.
Watt strikes out Williams.
Jeter walks. That brings the tying run to the plate.
Brosius walks - and now the winning run comes to the plate, just one out.
Weaver goes back to the pen - 29 year old RH Dave Leonhard with a 5.08 ERA.
Leonhard strikes out Davis. 2 on. 2 out.
Posada walks.
Bases loaded. 2 out. Yanks trail by 2 - tying run in scoring position. Winning run on base.
O'Neill hits one -- Deep to Right --- but Robinson is there - on the track - to make the play and end the game.
The Yanks make it interesting in the 9th, but two Rettenmund homers get them - this series is deadlocked and headed to Baltimore for 3 games.
Orioles 5
Yankees 3
WP McNally
LP Cone
Sv Leonhard
Buford 2x/double
FRobinson 2x
Powell 3x/2double 3 gm 1 RBI
Rettenmund 4x/2 HR
Blair 2x/double
BRobinson 1x
Johnson 2x/double
Etchebarren 2x
Hendricks 2x
Belanger 4x
Williams 3x/HR
Strawberry 4x/2 HR, 4 runs score gm 1
Davis 3x/double
Posada 6x/2 doubles, 4 RBI game 1
Knoblauch 1x
O'Neill 2x
Martinez 4x/HR
Jeter 3x
Brosius 4x/double
CF Williams (29) (SH) 160 5.6
SS Jeter (24) 127 6.3
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
P Hernandez (32) 132 3.7
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 Cuellar (33) (LH) 105 3.5
GAME THREE
1st: Memorial Stadium in Baltimore is the site for the next 3 games; Mike Cuellar gets the call for the Orioles today. Co-MVP of the Regional Final. 33 year old lefty, 24-8, 3.48. Cuellar's an All Star, led MLB in wins, led the AL in winning %, complete games, was 4th in the Cy Young. Cuellar won the Cy last year, retires as a 4 time All Star, this was his only World Championship. Jeter singles with one out, Brosius follows with a base hit sending him to third and Jeter scores the game's first run on a Posada groundout. Yankees 1 Orioles 0
1st: Orlando Hernandez was the Round 2 MVP for these Yankees. 32 year old RH, 12-4, 3.13. Hernandez was 4th this season in the Rookie of the Year; next year he'll be ALCS MVP and he retires a 4 time World Champion. Frank Robinson singles with 2 out. The RF is 34, .306/.398/.520. He was an All Star and finished 10th in the MVP. Robinson retires as a 2 time MVP and a Triple Crown winner. 14 time All Star, 2 Time World Champion. He was World Series MVP back in '66. That's all.
2nd: Tino Martinez doubles; an out later he scores on a Chuck Knoblauch single. After the second out, Bernie Williams walks, and then Jeter thrashes a double that plates both runners. The Yanks are rolling. Yankees 4 Orioles 0
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Posada singles, O'Neill doubles - this game's a second from being out of hand - Cuellar buckles down and escapes.
3rd: Belanger singles - an out later Buford singles. After the second out, Frank Robinson singles and Baltimore is on the board. Yankees 4 Orioles 1
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Brooks Robinson singles. An out later Hendricks singles. After the second out Cuellar comes through with a base hit to score another run. Hernandez then hits Buford to load them up - but that's all. Yankees 4 Orioles 2
5th: Brosius singles and an out later O'Neill singles. Martinez reaches on an error that scores a run. Yankees 5 Orioles 2
5th: Frank Robinson bombs a homer to right center to keep the O's in it. Paul Blair/Brooks Robinson single back to back and the tying runs are on base with nobody out. Johnson grounds out, scoring a run. It ends here. Yankees 5 Orioles 4
6th: Bernie singles with 2 away, That's all.
6th: Cuellar hit .089 this season - but he has his second hit of the day, a double. An out later Powell singles and Frank Robinson walks. Bases loaded. One out. Sold out Baltimore crowd going bananas, does Torre go to the pen? He does not - and Paul Blair singles home the tying run.
The Yankee coaches confer here. Don Zimmer is 67. Had a dozen year playing career. Managed the Padres for 2 years, the Red Sox for 5, the Rangers for 2 and the Cubs for 4. He was the '89 NL Manager of the Year. Chris Chambliss is 49. Had a 17 year big league career, 7 in Pinstripes. Mel Stottlemyre is 56, pitched in the bigs for 11 years, all with the Yankees. Willie Randolph was a teammate with Chambliss on that '77 Yankee team we just saw fall to the '38 Yanks. He's 43, played 18 years in the bigs, 13 with New York. Jose Cardenal is 54, was a big league OF for 18 seasons, he was in the AL for much of the mid-late 60s, playing against these Orioles. Tony Cloninger is 57, pitched for a dozen seasons. Gary Tuck is 43. played one game of professional baseball in the low minors.
They leave Hernandez in - he gets the second out -- but then throws a wild pitch - Frank Robinson scampers home -- and the Orioles have taken the lead. Yankees 5 Orioles 6
7th: Baltimore's got their first lead - can they hold on? With one out - Posada singles, O'Neill doubles and the go ahead run is in scoring position. Martinez reaches on an error that scores the tying run. Men on the corners, just one out. Now it's the Orioles with a decision to make about Cuellar.
Jim Frey is 39, A decade from now he leads the Royals to a pennant; he spends one additional year in Kansas City and later 3 seasons with the Cubs, winning NL Manager of the Year in '84. George Bamberger is 46, he'll later spend 5 seasons helming the Brewers and 2 with the Mets, George Staller is 54, he played 21 games in the major leagues; Billy Hunter is 42, in a 6 year big league career he played for both Yanks and O's.
They leave Cuellar in - he gets the second out and then gives up a Knoblauch base hit that scores the go ahead run. Yankees 7 Orioles 6
7th: Mike Stanton comes on now for the Yanks - the bullpen needs 9 outs. He gives up back to back singles to Hendricks and Belanger. But then Stanton bears down - gets the next 3 - we head to the 8th, it's still 7-6 Yanks.
8th: Pete Richert for the Orioles. He strikes out the side. 1-2-3
8th: Frank Robinson walks and that brings on Jeff Nelson. He gets two and then Johnson reaches on an error. Tying run in scoring position. Nelson gets out of it - and we know who waits in the bullpen for the 9th inning.
9th: Eddie Watt for the Orioles - Brosius singles. 2 outs later Martinez walks -- and then Tim Raines come through with a base hit that plates the insurance run. Raines is 38, sharing time in left, .290/.395/.383 -- Raines had a 23 year career. 7 time All Star, 2 time World Champion, member of the Hall of Fame. Dave Leonhard is brought on, Knoblauch greets him with a bases clearing double - the Yanks are now up 4 and Rivera might not be needed. Yankees 10 Orioles 6
9th: 32 year old RH Darren Holmes takes the hill; 3.33. This is his only season in NY. 1-2-3
Yankees 10
Orioles 6
WP Hernandez
LP Cuellar
Each team pounds 16 hits - the Yanks bust it open with 3 in the 9th, Knoblauch drives in 4 for the day and the Yanks take the 2-1 lead.
Williams 5x/HR
Strawberry 4x/2 HR, 4 runs score gm 1
Davis 3x/double
Posada 8x/2 doubles, 4 RBI game 1
Knoblauch 4x/double, 4 game 3 RBI
O'Neill 5x/2 doubles
Martinez 6x/HR, double
Jeter 5x/double
Brosius 7x/double
Raines 1x
Buford 4x/double
FRobinson 7x/HR
Powell 4x/2double 3 gm 1 RBI
Rettenmund 4x/2 HR
Blair 4x/double
BRobinson 3x
Johnson 2x/double
Etchebarren 2x
Hendricks 5x
Belanger 6x
Cuellar double
LF Williams (29) (SH) 160 5.6
DH Strawberry (36) (LH) 132 1.5
C Posada (26) (SH) 115 3.4
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
2B Knoblauch (29) 102 3.8
P Pettitte (26) (LH) (104)
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
SP4 Hardin (26) 104
GAME FOUR
1st: Big game 4 today for the hometown 9 - the Orioles know they can't go down 3-1 to this Yankee team that now has won a total of 139 games. Jim Hardin is a 26 year old RH, 3.53. He 's going to pitch 12 games for the Yanks in '71. Bernie Williams doubles his first pitch to right - Darryl Strawberry hit 2 homers in game one and hasn't played since - but he's in LF today and he singles home Williams. Jorge Posada walks and a wild pitch moves everyone up. Hardin escapes without more damage. Yankees 1 Orioles 0
1st: Andy Pettitte for New York. 26 year old lefty, 16-11, 4.24. For his career Pettitte will be a 3 time All Star, 5 time World Champion, he'll be ALCS MVP in '01. He gets 2 - then walks Powell and Rettenmund. That's it.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Andy Etchebarren walks with one out and Belanger singles. The light hitting shortstop has reached 7 times. After the second out - Don Buford laces a double down the left field line - everyone will score and the Orioles take the lead. Yankees 1 Orioles 2
3rd: Strawberry singles - Darryl making the case to play again in game 5 - Posada follows with a base hit; the Yankee catcher has now reached 10 times, leading both teams. Hardin gets the next 3.
3rd: Rettenmund doubles with one out; he homered twice back in game 2 and is back in the lineup today - Brooks Robinson singles him home and the O's extend the lead. Davey Johnson singles, that's all. Yankees 1 Orioles 3
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Weaver goes to the pen - Weaver decides he's gotten all he needs from Hardin today and now it's time to make it a bullpen game; Terry Crowley comes off the bench, he's a 23 year old left handed hitter - and he singles. 2 outs later Boog Powell singles, that's all.
5th: 26 year old lefty Marcelino Lopez enters. 2.08. He was a big leaguer for 8 seasons and this is easily his best. He gets one and then walks Strawberry and Posada. After the second out Tino Martinez rips a double to score 1. That's all. Yankees 2 Orioles 3
5th: Etchebarren singles with 2 out, that's it.
6th: Lopez gets 2 - Torre goes to his bench, Shane Spencer is a 26 year old RH who hit like a crazy man in 27 games this year, 10 homers in 67 at bats. He singles. That's all.
6th: Mike Stanton for New York. He gets one - and then Don Buford homers to right center - this Baltimore crowd loves it - Buford adds a bomb to his 2 run double and extends this lead. Yankees 2 Orioles 4
7th: Pete Richert for Baltimore - Strawberry singles. Darryl Strawberry just continues to hit the ball. O'Neill walks an out later, and then Martinez doubles again - another run scoring double for Tino Martinez - and Jeter singles home O'Neill and this game is tied at 4. Richert's day is done, Eddie Watt enters. He gets Brosius to ground out - but it scores the go ahead run. Yankees 5 Orioles 4
7th: 1-2-3
8th: Bernie singles with one out and steals second. That's it.
8th: Pressure on Baltimore here - Rivera starting to get up in the pen - right now Torre goes to Jeff Nelson; 1-2-3
9th: Dave Leonhard for Baltimore - Jeter singles with 2 out - that's all. And here comes #42.
9th: Mariano Rivera for the Yanks.
Buford smashes a double off the wall - just a huge game for Don Buford - the tying run stands in scoring position.
Frank Robinson grounds to third -- the runner can't move - Brosius throws to first for the out.
Boog Powell...bloops a double down the left field line! Buford will score - and the Orioles have tied it up! The Orioles have gotten to the great Rivera and tied the score and now the winning run is in scoring position.
Merv Rettenmund flies to center. Two away.
AND BROOKS ROBINSON SINGLES TO RIGHT -- POWELL TRUCKS HIS WAY AROUND THIRD -- O'NEILL IS UP WITH IT AND HE THROWS HOME -- POSADA'S BLOCKING THE PLATE -- THERE'S GOING TO BE A COLLISION --
SAFE.
The Baltimore Orioles score 2 in the 9th to beat Rivera and the Yanks - they pour from the dugout and just pounce atop Powell - this stadium is absolutely quaking - the Orioles were 2 outs from going down 3 games to 1 -- instead now it is all tied up at 2 with one more game in Baltimore.
Yankees 5
Orioles 6
WP Leonhard
LP Rivera
Buford 7x/3doubles, HR, 3 game 4 RBI
FRobinson 7x/HR
Powell 7x/3double 3 gm 1 RBI
Rettenmund 6x/2 HR, double
Blair 4x/double
BRobinson 5x, walkoff single game 4
Johnson 3x/double
Etchebarren 4x
Hendricks 5x
Belanger 7x
Cuellar double
Williams 7x/HR, double
Strawberry 8x/2 HR, 4 runs score gm 1
Davis 3x/double
Posada 11x/2 doubles, 4 RBI game 1
Knoblauch 4x/double, 4 game 3 RBI
O'Neill 6x/2 doubles
Martinez 8x/HR, 3doubles
Jeter 7x/double
Brosius 7x/double
Raines 1x
2 games to 2 - one more in Baltimore, the proverbial pivotal game 5.
LF Williams (29) (SH) 160 5.6
DH Strawberry (36) (LH) 132 1.5
C Posada (26) (SH) 115 3.4
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
2B Knoblauch (29) 102 3.8
SP Wells (35) (LH) 127 5.2
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 FIVE
1st: Jim Palmer stands on the mound; 9 innings from now one of these two teams will be a game from advancing and Palmer looks to make it Baltimore. Posada singles with 2 out. 12 times on base for Posada, leading both squads. that's it.
1st: David Wells for the Yanks - huge amount of pressure on Boomer's broad shoulders today. Buford singles, after that big game 4, he's now reached 8 times. Frank Robinson walks, Powell lines a single to right - Buford scores and the Orioles are on the board. Yankees 0 Orioles 1
2nd: Jeter singles with one out. He's now reached 8 times. After the second out, Knoblauch is walked intentionally and Palmer escapes.
2nd: Davey Johnson singles. An out later, with Johnson on second, Belanger is intentionally walked - both clubs looking to get to the pitchers spot - and it works here as well.
3rd: Strawberry walks with one out. He's in LF again today and has reached 9 times. With a lefty going for Baltimore in game 6 and, if needed, 7, this could be Strawberry's final start. Posada walks. Palmer gets through it.
3rd: 1-2-3
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Brooks Robinson singles. Davey Johnson singles. Wells gets the next 3 and holds the deficit to a run.
5th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Palmer.
5th: Boog Powell singles with 2 out and Rettenmund doubles - Game 4 ended on a collision at the plate, Powell running over Posada, Posada unable to hold the ball - Powell rolls around third and trucks home - O'Neill overthrows the cutoff man - but Jeter flashes across the diamond, gathers the throw, flips to Posada and Powell is out at the plate. Tremendous play by Jeter; it ends the inning. Powell is furious - really in the umpire's face - his teammates need to separate him from the umpire to avoid ejection. Powell super heated about that call; Weaver can't be contained - he is on the field for the entire change between innings, he kicks dirt over home plate - Weaver is ejected from the game.
6th: The Yanks have just 2 hits, teail by a run - that Jeter play maybe lights a fire -- Posada hits Palmer's first pitch over the wall in right center and it's all tied at 1. Huge shift - the Orioles were about to go up 2-0 - instead Jeter throws Powell out at the plate and Posada turns around and homers. An out later Martinez walks. That's all. Yankees 1 Orioles 1
6th: 1-2-3
7th: Knoblauch walks. Torre goes to the bench, Shane Spencer hitting for Wells; Spencer had a 236 OPS+ in 27 games this year -- and he doubles down the leftfield line, Knoblauch comes all the way around to score and just like that it's New York that surges in front here in game 5. Pete Richert comes on now for Palmer -- and Bernie Williams doubles, Spencer scores and it's 3-1. Richert strikes out the next 3. Yankees 3 Orioles 1
7th: Mike Stanton for the Yanks. He gets one and then walks Terry Crowley, hitting for Richert. He escapes.
8th: Eddie Watt for Baltimore, Tino singles. An out later Brosius singles. Knoblauch then gets hit - bases loaded and just one out, Yanks can bust this open, but Watt survives.
8th: Jeff Nelson for the Yanks. Powell singles. Rettenmund walks. Tying runs on base and nobody out. Nelson gets a big double play - Powell is called out at third for the front half of the DP and he cannot believe it - Powell again super heated - and again has to be dragged away- Nelson gives up a Johnson double that scores a run. Darren Holmes enters, ends it. Yankees 3 Orioles 2
9th: Dave Leonhard for Baltimore - Williams singles and steals second. A wild pitch sends Williams to third. After an out, Posada walks, O'Neill gives the Yanks the insurance run with a sac fly. Marcelino Lopez comes on for Baltimore -- and Martinez doubles to score another run. Yanks 5 Orioles 2
9th: Mariano Rivera blew the game 4 save, but comes on now with a 3 run lead.
Belanger grounds to third.
Paul Blair off the bench, grounds to short.
Rivera walks Buford.
Frank Robinson singles. Men on the corners. Tying run to the plate.
And Boog Powell blasts a double! Powell was nearly ejected twice and now doubles home 2 runs! Everyone scores - the Orioles get to Rivera again and cut the deficit to 5-4, tying run in scoring position.
Rettenmund walks.
2 on. 2 out. Yankees clinging to a one run lead. Brooks Robinson at the plate.
Harmless fly ball to right. O'Neill under it - and its over.
Both clubs score 2 in the 9th, Baltimore getting to Rivera again - but he holds on and we head back to Yankee Stadium for Game 6, New York a win away from advancing.
Yankees 5
Orioles 4
WP Wells
LP Palmer
Sv Rivera
Williams 9x/HR, 2double
Strawberry 9x/2 HR, 4 runs score gm 1
Davis 3x/double
Posada 15x/2 doubles, HR, 4 RBI game 1
Knoblauch 6x/double, 4 game 3 RBI
O'Neill 9x/3 doubles
Martinez 8x/HR, 3doubles
Jeter 8x/double
Brosius 8x/double
Raines 1x
Spencer, double
Buford 9x/3doubles, HR, 3 game 4 RBI
FRobinson 9x/HR
Powell 11x/3double 3 gm 1 RBI, 3 gm 5 RBI
Rettenmund 9x/2 HR, 2double
Blair 4x/double
BRobinson 6x, walkoff single game 4
Johnson 6x/2double
Etchebarren 4x
Hendricks 5x
Belanger 8x
Cuellar double
LF Buford (33) (SH) 126 4.4
1B Powell (28) (LH) 163 5.1
RF Robinson (34) 151 4.3
DH Rettenmund (27) 156 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
CF Williams (29) (SH) 160 5.6
SS Jeter (24) 127 6.3
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
GAME SIX
1st: The Yanks withstood a 9th inning rally and took game 5; they're up 3-2, a win away from moving to the Final Four, meeting the '38 Yanks for the pennant. David Cone takes the ball. He gets the first out - then strikes Powell out looking - Powell drops the magic word as he walks back to the dugout -- and he is ejected! Boog Powell ejected in the first inning of game 6 - Yankee Stadium loves it - the Oriole dugout is furious - each man angrier than the next - Weaver's staff sits on him hard to keep him in the dugout; a stunning development, the AL MVP is ejected in the first inning of an elimination game. Just a stunner - you could see the tension between Powell and this umpire crew build in game 5 and it erupts here. Frank Robinson smashes a double and Merv Rettenmund walks. That's all.
1st: Dave McNally for the Orioles; Terry Crowley taking over at first base. Bernie Williams hts the first pitch over the left field wall and this Yankee crowd, already roaring from the first inning is barely containable as Williams circles the bases. An out later Brosius doubles, Chili Davis strokes a base hit to left center and now it's Orioles 0 Yankees 2
2nd: Johnson singles with one out. That's it.
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: Don Buford singles with one out. After the second out, Frank Robinson singles and that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3, 8 straight for McNally
4th: Paul Blair singles and steals second; Brooks Robinson punches a ball into left center, Blair scores and Baltimore's on the board. Davey Johnson doubles - and Ellie Hendricks drives a base hit to left center, both men score and the Orioles have 3 on the board. Orioles 3 Yankees 2
4th: Chili singles again with one out - Posada singles and O'Neill walks and the bases are loaded, Yankee Stadium rocking and rolling -- after the second out, McNally runs a 3-2 count to Knoblauch -- and he walks to tie the score. Orioles 3 Yankees 3
5th: Frank Robinson walks - he's aboard 3 times, with Powell out, he needed to really step up today and that's what we're seeing. 2 outs later Brooks Robinson singles. Johnson singles - and the Orioles are back out in front. Hendricks walks, the inning ends here. Orioles 4 Yankees 3
5th: 1-2-3
6th: Crowley singles with one out, that's it -- 11 hits today for the Orioles. Yanks a little lucky to only be down a run.
6th: Posada singles with one out, that's 17 times on base for Posada - after the second out - Tino Martinez doubles him home to tie the score. 4 doubles on the series for Martinez. Orioles 4 Yankees 4
7th: Brooks Robinson singles with 1 out. That's it.
7th: Chad Curtis leads off with his first hit of the series. After an out, Jeter reaches on an error - and heres Brosius with a base hit - Curtis comes around to score and the Yankees take the lead. That's it for McNally, Pete Richert comes on and ends the inning. Orioles 4 Yankees 5
8th: Torre goes the pen. 6 outs from winning this series. Mike Stanton comes on. With one out, Buford and Crowley walk. Tying run in scoring position. Aftet the second out Rettenmund walks and the bases are loaded - 2 out - Yanks up by a run - Stanton gets Blair to ground to Jeter, he steps on the bag and we head to the bottom of the 8th.
8th: Richert gets one - then Martinez and Knoblauch single - can the Yanks tack on that insurance? Eddie Watt enters for Baltimore and he walks Curtis to load the bases. Watt gets the second out - but then walks Jeter and it's Orioles 4 Yankees 6
9th: Enter Sandman means that Mariano Rivera is 3 outs away from ending this series. 3 outs from now - the 1938 Yankees will be gearing up to meet their 60 year later descendants.
Brooks Robinson bloops a single to left center. Tying run to the plate.
Davey Johnson grounds to third - Brosius throws to second - they get the lead runner.
Ellie Hendricks lines a base hit to center. Tying run on base.
Belanger easy fly to left. 2 away.
Don Buford to the plate. 2 on, 2 out -- and it's an easy fly ball to center -- Williams underneath -- and the Yankees win. The Yankeees winnn.
Orioles 4
Yankees 6
WP Cone
LP McNally
Sv Rivera
Rivera a big part of the story here; he blew that lead in game 4, Baltimore tied up the series, then barely held on to save game 5, giving up 2 runs, but held the full lead today - saved game 6 and closed out this series. Giant Yankees celebration on the mound - they have now won 141 games - they move to the Final four where they will face the 1938 Yankees for the pennant and have home field advantage as they do so.
Williams 10x/2HR, 2double
Strawberry 9x/2 HR, 4 runs score gm 1
Posada 17x/2 doubles, HR, 4 RBI game 1
Knoblauch 8x/double, 4 game 3 RBI
O'Neill 10x/3 doubles
Martinez 10x/HR, 4doubles
Jeter 9x/double
Brosius 10x/2double
Lot of Yankee bats productive in the series; Williams and Strawberry each hit 2 homers, Martinez led the club with 5 extra base hits, Knoblauch had the big game 3, but Posada got on base 17 times, with 2 doubles and a homer, he's the MVP.
