The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 4)

last group

6 American League Teams are in the Elite 8 - one matchup remains, let's see who will fight for the final spots.

125. 2003 Mariners (2nd in AL West-no playoffs-Bob Melvin)
v.
93. 2017 Astros (World Champions-AJ Hinch)

Catcher: Wilson (34) v. McCann (33) Winner: Astros-McCann

First Base: Olerud (34) v. Gurriel (31)  Winner: Mariners-Olerud

Second Base: Boone (34) v. Altuve (27)Winner: Push

Shortstop: Guillen (27) v. Correa (22) Winner: Astros-Correa

Third Base: Cirillo (33) v. Bregman (23) Winner: Astros-Bregman

Left Field: Winn (29) v. Gonzalez (28) Winner: Astros-Gonzalez

Center Field: Cameron (30) v. Springer (27)  Winner: Mariners-Cameron

Right Field: Suzuki (29) v. Reddick (30) Winner: Mariners-Suzuki

DH: Martinez (40) v. Beltran (40) Winner: Mariners-Martinez

SP1: Moyer (40) v. Fiers (27)  Winner: Mariners-Moyer

SP2: Franklin (30) v. Morton (33) Winner: Astros-Morton

SP3: Pineiro (24) v. Keuchel (29) Winner: Astros-Keuchel

Closer: Hasegawa (34) v. Giles (26) Winner: Astros-Giles

Team Offense: Astros

Team Pitching: Mariners

Astros 9 Mariners 7 - they split the position players, they split the totals - but the Astros win the pitching matchups and advance.

The 2017 Houston Astros are one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history

20. 1917 White Sox (World Champions-Pants Rowland)
v
116. 1963 White Sox (2nd in AL - no playoffs-Al Lopez)

Catcher: Schalk (24) v. Martin (26) Winner: 1917 Sox-Schalk
First Base: Gandil (29) v. McCraw (22) Winner: 1917 Sox-Gandil
Second Base: Collins (30) v. Fox (35) Winner: 1917 Sox-Collins
Shortstop: Risberg (22) v. Hansen (25) Winner: 1963-Hansen
Third Base: Weaver (26) v. Ward (25) Winner: 1963 Ward
Left Field: Jackson (29) v. Nicholson (23) Winner:  1917 Sox-Jackson
Center Field: Felsch (25) v. Landis (29) Winner: 1917- Felsch
Right Field: Leibold (25) v. Robinson (27) Winner: 1963-Robinson
SP1: Cicotte (33) v. Peters (26) Winner: 1917 Sox-Cicotte
SP2: Faber (28) v. Herbert (33) Winner: 1963 Sox-Herbert
SP3: Williams (24) v. Pizarro (26) Winner: 1963-Pizarro
Closer: Danforth (27) v. Wilhelm (40)Winner: 1963-Wilhelm
Team Offense: 1963 Sox
Team Pitching: 1917 Sox

1917 9 1963 8 - the '17 club won the position player matchups...but lost the offensive total...the '63 club won the pitching matchups...but lost the pitching total.  It all came out in the wash - dead even and the Not Yet Black Sox Redemption Tour continues in the tiebreaker.

The 1917 Chicago White Sox are one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history..

20. 1917 White Sox (World Champions-Pants Rowland)
v
93. 2017 Astros (World Champions-AJ Hinch)

Catcher: Schalk (24) v.  McCann (33) Winner: 1917 Sox-Schalk
First Base: Gandil (29) v. Gurriel (31) Winner: Astros-Gurriel
Second Base: Collins (30) v. Altuve (27) Winner: Astros-Altuve
Shortstop: Risberg (22) v. Correa (22)Winner: Astros-Correa
Third Base: Weaver (26) v. Bregman (23) Winner: Astros-Bregman
Left Field: Jackson (29) v. Gonzalez (28)Winner:  1917 Sox-Jackson
Center Field: Felsch (25) v. Springer (27)  Winner: Astros-Springer
Right Field: Leibold (25) v. Reddick (30)  Winner: Astros-Reddick
DH: McMullin (25) v. Beltran (40) Winner: Sox-McMullin
SP1: Cicotte (33) v. Fiers (27)  Winner: 1917 Sox-Cicotte
SP2: Faber (28) v. Morton (33) Winner: Astros-Morton
SP3: Williams (24) v. Keuchel (29) Winner: Astros-Keuchel
Closer: Danforth (27) v. Giles (26)Winner: Astros-Giles
Team Offense: Astros
Team Pitching: 1917 Sox

Astros 11 Sox 6 - the redemption tour comes to an end - the 2017 Astros pick up a spot in the final Elite 8 matchup.

The 2017 Houston Astros are one of the 8 greatest teams in American League history

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 6)

last group

The winner of group 6 will play the 2011 Phillies in the Elite 8.

6. 1904 Giants (1st in NL-no playoffs-John McGraw)

v.

38. 1940 Reds (World Champions-Bill McKechnie)

Catcher: Warner (31) v. Lombardi (32)Winner: Reds-Lombardi

First Base: McGann (32) v. McCormick (29) Winner: Reds-McCormick

Second Base: Gilbert (28) v. Frey (29) Winner: Reds-Frey

Shortstop: Dahlen (34) v. Myers (29) Winner: NYG-Dahlen

Third Base: Devlin (24) v. Werber (32) Winner: Push

Left Field: Mertes (31) v. Arnovich (29)  Winner: NYG-Mertes

Center Field: Bresnahan (25) v. Craft (25) Winner: NYG-Bresnahan

Right Field: Browne (28) v. Goodman (31) Winner: Push

SP1: McGinnity (33) v. Walters (31) Winner: NYG-McGinnity

SP2: Mathewson (23) v. Derringer (33)Winner: NYG-Mathewson

SP3: Taylor (29) v. Thompson (23) Winner: NYG-Taylor

Closer: Miligan (25) v. Beggs (29) Winner: Reds-Beggs

Team Offense: NYG

Team Pitching: Push

NYG 8 Reds 3 - The Reds just couldn't win many points here; the Giants took the position matchups, the pitching matchups and the offensive total and they easily advance.

The 1904 New York Giants - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history

11. 2016 Cubs (World Champions-Joe Maddon)

v.

43. 2017 Dodgers (lost WS-Dave Roberts)

Catcher: Montero (32) v. Grandal (28)  Winner: LAD-Grandal
First Base: Rizzo (26) v. Bellinger (21) Winner: Chi-Rizzo

Second Base: Zobrist (35) v. Forsythe (30) Winner: Chi-Zobrist

Shortstop: Russell (22) v. Seager (23) Winner: LAD-Seager

Third Base: Bryant (24) v. Turner (32) Winner: Chi-Bryant

Left Field: Szczur (26) v. Taylor (26) Winner: LAD-Taylor

Center Field: Fowler (30) v. Pederson (25)  Winner: Chi-Fowler

Right Field: Heyward (26) v. Puig (26) Winner: LAD-Puig

SP1: Lester (32) v. Kershaw (29) Winner: LAD-Kershaw

SP2: Arrieta (30) v. Wood (26)  Winner: Chi-Arrieta

SP3: Hendricks (26) v. Hill (37) Winner: Chi-Hendricks
Closer: Rondon (28) v. Jansen (29)  Winner: LAD-Jansen

Team Offense: Cubs

Team Pitching: Push

Cubs 8 Dodgers 6 -tied going into the totals, the Cubs win the bats/the arms push and it propels Chicago into the Sweet 16

The 2016 Chicago Cubs are one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history

6. 1904 Giants (1st in NL-no playoffs-John McGraw)

v.

11. 2016 Cubs (World Champions-Joe Maddon)

Catcher: Warner (31) v. Montero (32) Winner: Giants-Warner

First Base: McGann (32) v. Rizzo (26) Winner: Cubs-Rizzo

Second Base: Gilbert (28) v. Zobrist (35) Winner: Cubs-Zobrist

Shortstop: Dahlen (34) v. Russell (22) Winner: NYG-Dahlen

Third Base: Devlin (24) v. Bryant (24)  Winner: Cubs-Bryant

Left Field: Mertes (31) v.  Szczur (26) Winner: NYG-Mertes

Center Field: Bresnahan (25) v.  Fowler (30)Winner: Cubs-Fowler

Right Field: Browne (28) v. Heyward (26) Winner: Giants-Browne

SP1: McGinnity (33) v. Lester (32) Winner: NYG-McGinnity

SP2: Mathewson (23) v. Arrieta (30) Winner: NYG-Mathewson

SP3: Taylor (29) v. Hendricks (26)Winner: Cubs-Hendricks

Closer: Miligan (25) v. Rondon (28) Winner: Cubs-Rondon

Team Offense: Cubs

Team Pitching: Cubs

Cubs 10  Giants 6 -- just like the Dodger matchup, Cubs came into the totals tied - and here, they sweep them both to move into the Elite 8 for a matchup against the 2011 Phillies.

The 2016 Chicago Cubs are one of the 8 greatest teams in National League history

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 6)

last group

The 1929 Philadelphia A's await the winner of Group 6...

123. 1974 A's (World Champions-Alvin Dark)

v.

91. 1990 A's (lost WS-Tony LaRussa)

Catcher: Haney (31) v. Steinbach (28)  Winner: 1990-Steinbach

First Base: Tenace (27) v. McGwire (26) Winner: 1990-McGwire

Second Base: Green (33) v. Gallego (29) Winner: 1990-Gallego

Shortstop: Campaneris (32) v. Weiss (26) Winner: 1974-Campaneris

Third Base: Bando (30) v. Lansford (33)Winner: 1974-Bando

Left Field: Rudi (27) v. Henderson (31) Winner: 1990-Henderson

Center Field: North (26) v. Henderson (31) Winner: 1990-Henderson

Right Field: Jackson (28) v. Canseco (25) Winner: 1974-Jackson

DH: Washington (19) v. Baines (31) Winner: 1974-Washington

SP1: Hunter (28) v. Stewart (33) Winner: 1974-Hunter

SP2: Blue (21) v. Welch (33) Winner: 1974-Blue

SP3: Holtzman (28) v. Sanderson (33) Winner: 1974-Holtzman

Closer: Fingers (27) v. Eckersley (35) Winner: 1990-Eckersley

Team Offense: 1990
Team Pitching: 1974

1974 9 1990 8 - they began as the 123rd seed in the American League and now ride a pitching advantage into the sweet 16

The 1974 Oakland A's - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history

11. 1969 Orioles (lost WS-Earl Weaver)

v.

22. 1998 Astros (lost NLDS-Larry Dierker)

Catcher: Hendricks (28) v. Ausmus (29) Winner: Push

First Base: Powell (27) v. Bagwell (30) Winner: Push

Second Base: Johnson (26) v. Biggio (32) Winner: Astros-Biggio

Shortstop: Belanger (25) v.  Gutierrez (28)Winner: Balt-Belanger

Third Base: Robinson (32) v. Berry (32) Winner: Balt-Robinson

Left Field: Buford (32) v. Alou (31)  Winner: Astros-Alou

Center Field: Blair (25) v. Everett (27)Winner: Orioles-Blair

Right Field: Robinson (33) v. Bell (29)Winner: Orioles-Robinson

SP1: Cuellar (32) v. Lima (25) Winner: Balt-Cuellar

SP2: McNally (26) v. Reynolds (30) Winner: Astros-Reynolds

SP3: Phoebus (27) v. Hampton (25) Winner: Astros-Hampton

Closer: Watt (28) v. Wagner (26)Winner: Astros-Wagner

Team Offense: Orioles

Team Pitching: Astros

Orioles 8 Astros 7 - It went to the tiebreak - Baltimore's bats proved the stronger advantage and the Orioles move to the sweet 16.

The 1969 Baltimore Orioles - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history.

11. 1969 Orioles (lost WS-Earl Weaver)
v.
123. 1974 A's (World Champions-Alvin Dark)

Catcher: Hendricks (28) v. Haney (31)  Winner: Orioles-Hendricks

First Base: Powell (27) v. Tenace (27) Winner: Orioles-Powell

Second Base: Johnson (26) v. Green (33) Winner: Orioles-Johnson

Shortstop: Belanger (25) v. Campaneris (32) Winner: A's-Campaneris

Third Base: Robinson (32) v. Bando (30) Winner: Push

Left Field: Buford (32) v.  Rudi (27)  Winner: Push

Center Field: Blair (25) v. North (26) Winner: Orioles-Blair

Right Field: Robinson (33) v. Jackson (28) Winner: Orioles-Robinson

DH: Etchebarren (26) v. Washington (19) Winner: Orioles-Etchebarren
SP1: Cuellar (32) v. Hunter (28) Winner: A's-Hunter

SP2: McNally (26) v. Blue (21) Winner: A's-Blue

SP3: Phoebus (27) v.  Holtzman (28) Winner: A's-Holtzman

Closer: Watt (28) v. Fingers (27) Winner: A's-Fingers

Team Offense: Orioles

Team Pitching: Push

Orioles 8 A's 5 - Once again, Baltimore's bats proved too much - and now 2 of Earl Weaver's Orioles teams have made the elite 8

The 1969 Baltimore Orioles are one of the 8 greatest teams in American League history.

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (NL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 3)

last group

Half the NL elite 8 is set - let's see how the other half of the bracket starts to shape up:

3. 1909 Cubs (2nd in NL-no playoffs-Frank Chance)

v.

35. 2011 Phillies (lost NLDS-Charlie Manuel)

Catcher: Archer (26) v. Ruiz (32)  Winner: Phils-Ruiz

First Base: Chance (32) v. Howard (31) Winner: Push

Second Base: Evers (27) v. Utley (24)  Winner: Chi-Evers

Shortstop: Tinker (28) v. Rollins (32) Winner: Chi-Tinker

Third Base: Steinfeldt (33) v. Polanco (35)Winner: Chi-Steinfeldt

Left Field: Sheckard (30) v. Ibanez (39)  Winner: Chi-Sheckard

Center Field: Hofman (26) v. Victorino (30)Winner: Phils-Victorino

Right Field: Schulte (26) v. Pence (28) Winner: Phils-Pence

SP1: Brown (32) v. Halladay (34)  Winner: Phils-Halladay

SP2: Overall (28) v. Lee (32)  Winner: Phils-Lee

SP3: Reulbach (26) v. Hamels (27)Winner: Phils-Hamels

Closer: Hagerman (23) v. Madson (30)  Winner: Phils-Madson

Team Offense: Chi

Team Pitching: Phils

Phils 9 Cubs 6 - tremendous pitching battle here; there aren't too many teams in the tournament that could win the pitching battle against these Cubs - the the Phils swept them and that moves them into the Round of 32. 

The 2011 Philadelphia Phillies - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history

115. 2013 Braves (lost NLDS-Fredi Gonzalez)

v. 

19. 1998 Braves (lost NLCS-Bobby Cox)

Catcher: McCann (29) v. Lopez (27) Winner: 1998-Lopez

First Base: Freeman (33) v. Galarraga (37)  Winner: 2013-Freeman

Second Base: Uggla (33) v. Graffanino (26)Winner: Push

Shortstop: Simmons (23) v. Weiss (34) Winner: 2013-Simmons

Third Base: Johnson (28) v. Jones (26) Winner: 1998-Jones

Left Field: Upton (25) v. Klesko (27) Winner: 2013-Upton

Center Field: Upton (28) v. Jones (21)  Winner: 1998-Jones

Right Field: Heyward (23) v. Tucker (27) Winner: 2013-Heyward

SP1: Minor (25) v. Maddux (32)Winner: 1998-Maddux

SP2: Medlen (27) v. Glavine (32) Winner: 1998-Glavine

SP3: Teheran (22) v. Neagle (29)Winner: 2013-Teheran

Closer: Kimbrel (25) v. Ligtenberg (27)Winner: 2013-Kimbrel

Team Offense: 1998

Team Pitching: 1998

1998 9 2013 6 - The '13 team was able to split the pitching matchups and that gave them a lead headed to the totals - but the '98 squad takes them both and moves on.

The 1998 Atlanta Braves - one of the 16 greatest teams in National League history.

19. 1998 Braves (lost NLCS-Bobby Cox)
v.
35. 2011 Phillies (lost NLDS-Charlie Manuel)

Catcher: Lopez (27) v. Ruiz (32)  Winner: Braves-Lopez

First Base: Galarraga (37)  v. Howard (31) Winner: Braves-Galarraga

Second Base: Graffanino (26) v. Utley (24)  Winner: Phils-Utley

Shortstop: Weiss (34)v. Rollins (32) Winner: Phils-Rollins

Third Base: Jones (26) v. Polanco (35)Winner: Braves-Jones

Left Field: Klesko (27) v. Ibanez (39)  Winner: Braves-Klesko

Center Field: Jones (21) v. Victorino (30)Winner: Braves-Jones

Right Field: Tucker (27)  v. Pence (28) Winner: Phils-Pence

SP1: Maddux (32) v. Halladay (34)  Winner: Phils-Halladay

SP2: Glavine (32)v. Lee (32)  Winner: Phils-Lee

SP3: Neagle (29) v. Hamels (27)Winner: Phils-Hamels

Closer: Ligtenberg (27) v. Madson (30)  Winner: Phils-Madson

Team Offense: Atl

Team Pitching: Phils

Phillies 9 Braves 7 - The Braves have a Hall of Fame pitching staff -- and they got clean swept by the Phillies, who ride that into the Elite 8

The 2011 Philadelphia Phillies are one of the 8 greatest teams in National League history.

The Greatest MLB Tournament Ever Created (AL, Round of 32/Sweet 16 Group 3)

last group

Half the Elite 8 for the AL is set.  Let's start working on the other half with Group 3.

3. 1942 Yankees (lost WS-Joe McCarthy)

v.

30. 1932 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

Catcher: Dickey (35) v. Dickey (25) Winner: Yankees 32-Dickey

First Base: Hassett (30) v. Gehrig (29)  Winner: Yankees 32-Gehrig

Second Base: Gordon (27) v. Lazzeri (28)Winner: NYY 42-Gordon

Shortstop: Rizzuto (24) v. Crosetti (21)  Winner: NYY 42-Rizzuto

Third Base: Crosetti  (31) v. Sewell (33) Winner: NYY 32-Sewell

Left Field: Keller (25) v. Chapman (23)Winner: NYY 42-Keller

Center Field: DiMaggio (27) v. Combs (33) Winner: NYY 42-DiMaggio

Right Field: Henrich (29) v. Ruth (37) Winner: NYY 32-Ruth

SP1: Bonham (28) v. Gomez (23) Winner: NYY 42-Bonham

SP2: Chandler (34) v. Ruffing (27) Winner: NYY 32-Ruffing

SP3: Ruffing (37) v.  Pipgras (32) Winner: NYY 42-Ruffing

Closer: Murphy (33) v. Brown (25)Winner: NYY 32-Brown

Team Offense: 1932

Team Pitching: 1932

1932 10  1942  6 --- tied through the matchups; and really tied - both the position players and the pitchers were flat footed ties - but the '32 team narrowly (and I mean, narrowly) wins both of the totals and they pull the upset.

The 1932 New York Yankees - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history

14. 1929 A's (World Champions)

v.

83. 1985 Blue Jays (lost ALCS)

Catcher: Cochrane (26) v. Whitt (33)Winner: Phil-Cochrane

First Base: Foxx (21) v. Upshaw(28)  Winner: Phil-Foxx

Second Base: Bishop (29) v. Garcia (28) Winner: Phil-Bishop

Shortstop: Dykes (32) v. Fernandez (23) Winner: Tor-Fernandez

Third Base: Hale (32) v. Iorg (30)  Winner: Tor-Iorg

Left Field: Simmons (27) v. Bell (25) Winner: Phil-Simmons

Center Field: Haas (25) v. Moseby (25) Winner: Tor-Moseby

Right Field: Miller (34) v. Barfield (25) Winner: Tor-Barfield
DH Boley (32) v. Burroughs (34) Winner: Tor: Burroughs

SP1: Grove (29) v. Stieb (27) Winner: Phi-Grove

SP2: Walberg (32) v. Alexander (34) Winner: Tor-Alexander

SP3: Earnshaw (29) v. Key (24)  Winner: Push

Closer: Shores (25) v. Caudill (28) Winner: Phi-Shores

Team Offense: Phi

Team Pitching: Phi

A's 10 Jays 6 - remember the game we just had?  Tied headed into the totals, but then one side won both titles by just a little bit?  Same.  

The 1929 Philadelphia A's - one of the 16 greatest teams in American League history.

14. 1929 A's (World Champions)

v.

30. 1932 Yankees (World Champions-Joe McCarthy)

Catcher: Cochrane (26) v. Dickey (25)  Winner: Phil-Cochrane

First Base: Foxx (21) v. Gehrig (29)   Winner: Push

Second Base: Bishop (29) v. Lazzeri (28)Winner: NYY-Lazzeri

Shortstop: Dykes (32) v. Crosetti (21)  Winner: Phi-Dykes

Third Base: Hale (32) v. Sewell (33)  Winner: NYY-Sewell

Left Field: Simmons (27) v. Chapman (23) Winner: Phil-Simmons

Center Field: Haas (25) v. Combs (33)Winner: NYY-Combs

Right Field: Miller (34) v. Ruth (37) Winner: NYY-Ruth

SP1: Grove (29) v. Gomez (23) Winner: Phi-Grove

SP2: Walberg (32) v.  Ruffing (27) Winner: NYY-Ruffing

SP3: Earnshaw (29) v. Pipgras (32)  Winner: Phi-Earnshaw

Closer: Shores (25) v. Brown (25)Winner: Phi-Shores

Team Offense: NYY

Team Pitching: Phi

A's 8 Yankees 7 - The A's ride a pitching advantage to a narrow win and they move forward to the Elite 8.

The 1929 Philadelphia A's are one of the 8 greatest teams in American League history.