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

Last group

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

8. 1905 Giants (World Champions-John McGraw)

v.

40. 1908 Cubs (World Champions- Frank Chance)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Team Offense: Giants

Team Pitching: Giants

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

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

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

v.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Team Offense: Mets

Team Pitching: Push

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Team Offense: Giants

Team Pitching: Mets

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

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

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

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

Last group

The 1939 Yankees have advanced to the Elite 8.  They will meet the winner of this group for the right to advance to the Final 4 in the American League Tournament

25. 1931 Yankees (2nd in AL-no playoffs-Joe McCarthy)
v.
72. 1987 Blue Jays (2nd in AL East-no playoffs-Jimy Williams)

Catcher: Dickey (24) v. Whitt (35)  Winner: NYY-Dickey

First Base: Gehrig (28) v. Upshaw (30) Winner: NYY-Gehrig

Second Base: Lazzeri (27) v. Iorg (32) Winner: NYY-Lazzeri

Shortstop: Lary (25) v. Fernandez (25)  Winner: Tor-Fernandez

Third Base: Sewell (32) v. Gruber (25) Winner: NYY-Sewell

Left Field: Chapman (22) v. Bell (27)Winner: NYY-Chapman

Center Field: Combs (32) v. Moseby (27) Winner: NYY-Combs

Right Field: Ruth (36) v. Barfield (27) Winner: NYY-Ruth
DH: Byrd (24) v. McGriff (23) Winner: Tor-McGriff

SP1: Gomez (22) v. Key (26) Winner: Tor-Key

SP2: Ruffing (26) v. Clancy (31)Winner: Tor-Clancy

SP3: Johnson (25) v. Stieb (29) Winner: Tor-Stieb

Closer: Pipgras (31) v. Henke (29)Winner: Tor-Henke

Team Offense: NYY
Team Pitching: Tor

NYY 9 Tor 8 - Yankees win almost every position battle - the Jays sweep every pitching point; if Toronto had flipped one position player matchup the result switches - but instead it's New York.

The 1931 New York Yankees - one of the 16 Greatest Teams in American League history.

9. 1998 Yankees (World Champions-Joe Torre)

v.

88. 2013 Red Sox (World Champions-John Farrell)

Catcher: Posada (26) v. Saltalamacchia (28) Winner: NYY-Posada

First Base: Martinez (30) v. Napoli (31)Winner: Push

Second Base: Knoblauch (29) v. Pedroia (29) Winner: Sox-Pedroia

Shortstop: Jeter (24) v. Drew (30)Winner: NYY-Jeter

Third Base: Brosius (31) v. Middlebrooks (24)Winner: NYY-Brosius

Left Field: Curtis (29) v. Gomes (32) Winner: NYY-Curtis

Center Field: Williams (29) v. Ellsbury (29)  Winner: NYY-Williams

Right Field: O'Neill (35) v. Victorino (32)Winner: Push

DH: Strawberry (36) v. Ortiz (37) Winner: Sox-Ortiz

SP1: Pettitte (26) v.  Lester (29)  Winner: Sox-Lester

SP2: Wells (35) v. Lackey (34) Winner: NYY-Wells

SP3: Cone (35) v. Dempster (36)  Winner: NYY-Cone

Closer: Rivera (28) v. Uehara (38)Winner: Sox-Uehara

Team Offense: NYY
Team Pitching: NYY

NYY 11 Sox 4 - the '98 Yankees continue to stomp out their opponents; they make Group 8 and all Yankee Sweet Sixteen matchup.

The 1998 New York Yankees - one of the 16 Greatest Teams in American League history.


25. 1931 Yankees (2nd in AL-no playoffs-Joe McCarthy)
v.
9. 1998 Yankees (World Champions-Joe Torre)

Catcher: Dickey (24) v. Posada (26) Winner: NYY 31-Dickey

First Base: Gehrig (28) v. Martinez (30)Winner: NYY 31 -Gehrig

Second Base: Lazzeri (27) v. Knoblauch (29) Winner: NYY 98-Knoblauch

Shortstop: Lary (25) v. Jeter (24)  Winner: NYY 98 - Jeter

Third Base: Sewell (32) v. Brosius (31)Winner: NYY 98-Brosius

Left Field: Chapman (22) v. Curtis (29) Winner: NYY 31-Chapman

Center Field: Combs (32) v. Williams (29) Winner: NYY 98-Williams

Right Field: Ruth (36) v. O'Neill (35) Winner: NYY 31-Ruth
DH: Byrd (24) v. Strawberry (36) Winner: NYY 98-Strawberry

SP1: Gomez (22) v. Pettitte (26) Winner: NYY 31-Gomez

SP2: Ruffing (26) v. Wells (35)Winner: NYY 98 - Wells

SP3: Johnson (25) v. Cone (35) Winner: NYY 98 - Cone

Closer: Pipgras (31) v. Rivera (28)Winner: NYY 98 - Rivera

Team Offense: NYY 31
Team Pitching: NYY 98

NYY 98 10  NYY 31  7 - the '98 club really laid into the '31 club in the pitching matchups and then the total - that's the margin of victory and they win group 8.


The 1998 New York Yankees - one of the 8 Greatest Teams in American League history.

That sets up the following Elite 8 matchup - one of these teams will head to the Final Four:


1. 1939 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)
v.
9. 1998 Yankees (World Champions-Joe Torre)

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group1)

Last group

Round of 32 and the Sweet 16 for the National League starts here.  Who will emerge from Group 1 as one of the 8 greatest teams in National League history?

1. 1906 Cubs (lost WS-Frank Chance)

v.

33. 1976 Reds (World Champions-Sparky Anderson)

Catcher: Kling (30) v. Bench (28)Winner: Cin-Bench

First Base: Chance (29) v. Perez (34) Winner: Chi-Chance

Second Base: Evers (24) v. Morgan (32)  Winner: Cin-Morgan

Shortstop: Tinker (25) v. Concepcion (28)Winner: Cin-Concepcion

Third Base: Steinfeldt (30) v. Rose (35) Winner: Cin-Rose

Left Field: Sheckard (27) v. Foster (27) Winner: Cin-Foster

Center Field: Slagle (32) v. Geronimo (28) Winner: Cin-Geronimo

Right Field: Schulte (23) v.Griffey (26) Winner: Cin-Griffey

SP1: Brown (29) v. Nolan (28)Winner: Chi-Brown

SP2: Pfiester (28) v. Zachry (24)Winner: Chi-Pfiester

SP3: Reulbach (23) v. Norman (33)  Winner: Chi-Reulbach

Closer: Beebe (26) v. Eastwick (25)  Winner: Cin-Eastwick

Team Offense: Cin

Team Pitching: Chi

Reds 9 Cubs 7 - and just like that, the top seed in the NL is bounced in the Round of 32; it was the match you'd expect, Reds bats against Cubs arms - all the Reds needed was one of those pitching matchup, and when Rawly Eastwick won the closer matchup, it was a wrap.

It's the Reds who move on - the 1976 Cincinnati Reds are one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

17. 1943 Cardinals (lost WS-Billy Southworth) 
v.
49. 1988 Mets (lost NLCS-Davey Johnson)

Catcher: Cooper (28) v. Bench (28)Winner: StL-Cooper

First Base: Sanders (26) v. Hernandez (34)Winner: StL-Sanders

Second Base: Klein (24) v. Backman (28) Winner: StL-Klein

Shortstop: Marion (26) v. Elster (23) Winner: StL-Marion

Third Base: Kurowski (25) v. Johnson (27) Winner: NYM-Johnson

Left Field: Litwhiler (26) v. McReynolds (28)Winner: NYM-McReynolds

Center Field: Walker (24) v. Dykstra (25) Winner: NYM-Dykstra

Right Field: Musial (22) v. Strawberry (26) Winner: StL-Musial

SP1: Cooper (30) v. Gooden (23) Winner: StL-Cooper

SP2: Lanier (27) v. Darling (27) Winner: StL-Lanier

SP3: Breechen (28) v. Cone (25) Winner: NYM-Cone

Closer: Krist (27) v. Myers (25)Winner: NYM-Myers

Team Offense: Push

Team Pitching: Push

Cards 7 Mets 5 - the totals are fully squared, but the Cards dominate those infield matchups (down years for both Carter and Hernandez in their age 34 seasons) and they move on; had the Mets flipped any of those matchups, that tiebreaker would have been razor close.  These are two really evenly matched teams - but in the end, it's St Louis which moves on.

The 1943 St Louis Cardinals - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

17. 1943 Cardinals (lost WS-Billy Southworth) 
v.
33. 1976 Reds (World Champions-Sparky Anderson)

Catcher: Cooper (28) v. Bench (28)Winner: Cin-Bench

First Base: Sanders (26) v. Perez (34) Winner: Push

Second Base: Klein (24) v. Morgan (32)  Winner: Cin-Morgan

Shortstop: Marion (26) v. Concepcion (28)Winner: Cin-Concepcion

Third Base: Kurowski (25) v. Rose (35) Winner: Cin-Rose

Left Field: Litwhiler (26) v. Foster (27)Winner: Cin-Foster

Center Field: Walker (24) v. Geronimo (28) Winner: Cin-Geronimo

Right Field: Musial (22) v. Griffey (26)Winner: StL-Musial

SP1: Cooper (30) v. Nolan (28)Winner: StL-Cooper

SP2: Lanier (27) v. Zachry (24)Winner: StL-Lanier

SP3: Breechen (28) v. Norman (33) Winner: StL-Breechen

Closer: Krist (27) v. Eastwick (25)Winner: Cin-Eastwick

Team Offense: Cin

Team Pitching: StL

Reds 9 Cards 6 - The Big Red Machine hits their way through to the Elite 8; the only position battle the Cards are able to take is Musial's and that's just not enough to keep the Reds from advancing.

The 1976 Cincinnati Reds are 1 of the 8 greatest teams in the history of the National League

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group1)

Last group

We're going to combine the next two rounds for the upcoming post - the Round of 32 and the Sweet 16, getting us to an Elite 8 - the 8 Group Winners for each league.

Here's who is left in Group 1:

1. 1939 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

96. 1977 Yankees (World Champions-Billy Martin)

16. 1936 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

48. 1973 Orioles (lost ALCS-Earl Weaver)

Here's the Round of 32:

1. 1939 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

96. 1977 Yankees (World Champions-Billy Martin)

Catcher: Dickey (32) v. Munson (30) Winner: NYY 39-Dickey

First Base: Dahlgren (27) v. Chambliss (28) Winner: NYY 77-Chambliss

Second Base: Gordon (24) v. Randolph (22)Winner: NYY 39 -Gordon

Shortstop: Crosetti (28) v. Dent (25)Winner: Push

Third Base: Rolfe (30) v. Nettles (32)Winner: NYY 39-Rolfe 

Left Field: Selkirk (31) v. White (33)Winner: NYY 39 -Selkirk

Center Field: DiMaggio (24) v. Rivers (28) Winner: NYY 39 DiMaggio 

Right Field: Keller (22) v. Jackson (31) Winner: Push

DH:  Henrich (26)  v. May (29) Winner: NYY 39 Henrich

SP1: Ruffing (34) v. Figueroa (28)Winner: NYY 39 Ruffing

SP2: Gomez (30) v. Torrez (30) Winner: NYY 39 Gomez

SP3: Hadley (34) v. Guidry (26) Winner: NYY 77 - Guidry

Closer: Murphy (30) v. Lyle (32)Winner: NYY 77 - Lyle

Team Offense: NYY 39

Team Pitching: NYY 39

NYY 39  12   NYY  77 3 -- the dream ends for the Bronx Zoo Yankees; they get slapped around by the top seeded '39 Yanks.  They held their own in the pitching, splitting the matchups and just narrowly losing the total - but just couldn't keep up with the bats.  

The 1939 New York Yankees - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history.

16. 1936 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

48. 1973 Orioles (lost ALCS-Earl Weaver)

Catcher: Dickey (29) v. Williams (24)Winner: NYY-Dickey

First Base: Gehrig (33) v. Powell (31) Winner: NYY-Gehrig

Second Base: Lazzeri (32) v.  Grich (24)Winner: Balt-Grich

Shortstop: Crosetti (25) v. Belanger (29)Winner: Balt-Belanger

Third Base: Rolfe (27) v. Robinson (36) Winner: NYY-Rolfe

Left Field: Powell (27) v. Baylor (24) Winner: Balt-Baylor

Center Field: DiMaggio (21) v. Blair (29)  Winner: NYY-DiMaggio

Right Field: Selkirk (28) v. Rettenmund (30) Winner: NYY-Selkirk

DH: Chapman (27) v. Davis (34)  Winner: Balt-Davis

SP1: Ruffing (31) v. Palmer (27) Winner: Balt-Palmer

SP2: Pearson (27) v.  Cuellar (36)Winner: NYY-Pearson

SP3: Broaca (33) v. McNally (30) Winner: Balt-McNally

Closer: Malone (33) v. Reynolds (26) Push

Team Offense: Balt

Team Pitching: NYY

Orioles 9 Yankees 8 - Okay, how about this - dead tied through the matchups, then they split the totals - but Baltimore wins the overall total - and it's the Orioles who make their way into the sweet 16.  

The 1973 Baltimore Orioles - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history

We've hit the Sweet 16 - Who Will Emerge From Group 1 as one of the 8 Greatest Teams in AL history?

1. 1939 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

v.

48. 1973 Orioles (lost ALCS-Earl Weaver)

Catcher: Dickey (32) v. Williams (24)Winner: NYY-Dickey

First Base: Dahlgren (27)  v. Powell (31) Winner: Balt-Powell

Second Base: Gordon (24) v. Grich (24)Winner: Balt-Grich

Shortstop: Crosetti (28) v. Belanger (29)Winner: Balt-Belanger

Third Base: Rolfe (30) v. Robinson (36) Winner: NYY-Rolfe

Left Field: Selkirk (31) v. Baylor (24) Winner: NYY-Selkirk

Center Field: DiMaggio (24) v. Blair (29)  Winner: NYY-DiMaggio

Right Field: Keller (22) v. Rettenmund (30) Winner: NYY-Keller

DH: Henrich (26)  v. Davis (34)  Winner: NYY-Henrich

SP1: Ruffing (34) v. Palmer (27) Winner: Balt-Palmer

SP2: Gomez (30) v. Cuellar (36)Winner: NYY-Gomez

SP3: Hadley (34) v. McNally (30) Winner: Balt-McNally

Closer: Murphy (30)  v. Reynolds (26) Balt-Reynolds

Team Offense: NYY

Team Pitching: NYY

NYY 11 Balt 6 - closer than it looks; Yankees only up one through the matchups and while they took both totals, they were pretty close; it was a battle worthy of the Sweet 16.

But in the end, the top seed wins Group 1.  

The 1939 New York Yankees - one of the 8 greatest teams in American League history.

2019 NBA All Star Ballot

We're halfway through the NBA season - here are the best players thusfar.

East

Starters

Frontcourt
G.Antetokounmpo Mil
N.Vucevic Orl 
J.Embiid Phi   

Backcourt
K.Irving Bos
K.Walker Char

Reserves

Front Court
K.Leonard Tor
B.Griffin Det
P.Siakam Tor

Backcourt
B.Simmons Phi
J.Butler Phi
B.Beal Wash
E.Bledsoe Mil

West

Starters

Frontcourt
A.Davis NO  (MVP)
P.George OKC
K.Durant GSW

Backcourt
J.Harden Hou
D.Lillard Por

Reserves

Frontcourt
L. James LAL
R.Gobert Utah
N.Jokic Den
K-A Towns Min

Backcourt
S.Curry GSW
J.Holiday NO
D.DeRozan SA


Alternates:
J.Nurkic Port
C.Capela Hou
D.Gallinari LAC
S.Adams OKC
D.Jordan Dal