More on the Swing Sale

Here is the headline in the Quad City Times this morning; Swing's Krause optimistic deal will go through

Excerpts:

“There have probably been 50, 55 people who have contacted us with kick-the-tire type of inquiries. Of those, there probably have been 10 offers in the eight years that I would have considered realistic,” [Swing Owner Kevin] Krause said Monday.
...
Any sale of the Swing to Heller’s organization hinges on approval of a deal that would lower the Swing’s annual payment to the city for the lease of the stadium and the club’s share of the $14 million renovation of John O’Donnell Stadium prior to the 2004 season.The club currently pays a little under $490,000 per year on an existing lease that runs through 2018. The proposed agreement calls for a payment of $273,000 for the first two years and $385,000 annually through the conclusion of a 25-year lease that would run through 2032.
...
[Midwest League counsel Richard] Nussbaum, who last visited John O’Donnell Stadium for June’s all-star events, said league officials simply hope that the Quad-Cities franchise can be successful.“From a market size and location perspective, it’s a good fit for us,’’ Nussbaum said.

“There are a lot of good things in place there, but we know that for whatever reason the current and past ownership there has not had a great relationship with the city.

This nugget is tacked on the end of the story:

Ownership history of the Quad-Cities’ Midwest League franchise:

* 1960-86: The Quad-City Baseball Fans Association, a nonprofit organization, operated the club until financial difficulties forced it to sell

* 1987: Chicago businessman Harry Semrow owned the club for one season before poor health prompted him to sell the team

* 1988-98: Chicago businessman Richard Holtzman added the Quad-Cities to a collection of five minor-league clubs he operated

* 1998-present: Iowa businessman Kevin Krause operated the team and headed its ownership group, Seventh Inning Stretch

Baseball History -- October 31

Complete entry for October 31 at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Highlighted entries:

2001
In a thrilling contest, the Yankees defeat the Diamondbacks, 4-3 in 10 inings, to tie the Series at two games apiece. Tino Martinez's 2-out, 2-rn home run in the bottom of the 9th ties the game, and Derek Jeter's bast in the bottom of the 10th wins it for New York. Both homers come off Byung-Hyun Kim who relieved Curt Schilling in the 8th inning. Mariano Rivera gets the win in relief for the Yankees.

Jeter hit the home run just a little bit past midnight New York Time. Setting up the "Mr. November" nickname.

1972
The Phillies trade IF Don Money and two others to the Brewers for four ptchers, including Jim Lonborg and Ken Brett.

Setting up this series of Money baseball cards.


Unfortunately, the 1975 Don Money TOPPS card is not in this collage and I can't find it on-line. That one is my favorite and may be somewhere in the basement. Looks like my Halloween night is spoken for.

Rattlers in Fall Ball

Monday's action:

In the Arizona Fall League, the Peoria Javelinas beat Scottsdale 12-3.

Ex-Rattlers in the game were:

Michael Garciaparra (WI '03): 3-for-5 with two RBI
Matt Tuiasosopo (WI '05): 0-for-2 with a run
Stephen Kahn (WI '05): 1 IP, 3H, BB, Run allowed

In Hawaii Winter Baseball, the Waikiki Beach Boys and the rest of the league had Monday off.

Tuesday's Schedule:
Peoria Javelinas at Scottsdale 3:05pm CST
West Oahu at Waikiki 7:00pm Hawaii Time

Baseball History -- October 30

Complete entry for October 30 at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Highlighted entries:

1967
Arthur Allyn announces that his White Sox will play nine games in Milwaukee in 1968. Chicago will become the first American League team to play regular season games outside its own city since 1905.

This was a way to keep some hope of baseball alive in Milwaukee after the Braves left for Atlanta.

1956
The Dodgers sell Ebbets Field to a real estate group. They agree to stay until 1959, with an option to stay until 1961.

Yeah. The Dodgers will stay in Brooklyn. Sure they will.

1911
Clark Griffith is named manager at Washington, beginning a stand in the Capital as manager, then owner, that will last until his death in 1955.

Not quite Connie Mack, but close.

Rattlers in Fall Ball

The Peoria Javelinas had off in the Arizona Fall League on Sunday.

In Hawaii Winter Baseball, Waikiki lost 5-3 to North Shore. Jeff Clement (WI '05) was the only former Rattlers to play for Waikiki yesterday. He went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. Mariner farmhand Reed Eastley went 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

Monday's Schedule:
Scottsdale at Peoria Javelinas 2:05pm CDT
Waikiki -- Off Day

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Seven -- 1968 World Series

Game Seven of the 1968 World Series was at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on October 10.

The Tigers had trailed the series 3 games to 1, but had won Game Five in Detroit, and trounced the Cards in Game Six in St. Louis.

The Cardinals had ace Bob Gibson ready to go for Game Seven. He had already beaten Denny McLain twice in this World Series, but the Tigers had juggled things a bit. McLain had won Game Six and Mickey Lolich, who had -- like Gibson -- won two games in the '68 Series, got the start for the Tigers.

This game was scoreless through the first six innings. The Tigers scratched out one hit, a fourth inning single by Mickey Stanley, off Gibson. That was Detroit's only baserunner.

St. Louis did not fare much better against Lolich. They had Curt Flood single and an Orlando Cepeda walk in the first and a Tim McCarver single in the fifth.

Lou Brock looked like he was going to start a rally when he began the St. Louis sixth with a single. However, Lolich picked him off first. Later in the inning, Flood singled. Lolich picked him off first.

Detroit got to Gibson in the seventh. After there were two outs, Norm Cash and Willie Horton singled. Jim Northrup, who had a grand slam in Game Six stepped up and the Tigers got a fortunate break. Here is the wikipedia entry:

Northrup hit a line drive to center field. Gold glover Curt Flood misjudged the ball and started in, allowing the ball to sail over his head for a triple. Northrup then scored on Bill Freehan's double for a 3-0 lead.

Ouch.

Don Wert drove in the fourth and final Detroit run of the game with a ninth inning single.

The Cardinals broke through against Lolich in the ninth on a two-out solo home run by Mike Shannon. Then, McCarver popped out to end the game and the Series.

Complete Game Seven boxscore is HERE. Complete Game Seven play-by-play is HERE.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Seven -- 1934 World Series

Game Seven of the 1934 World Series was held at Navin Field in Detroit on October 9. There was a famous incident in this game, but there was very little drama in the final score.

Elden Auker was the starting pitcher for the Tigers and a hit in the first and two hits in the second, but did not allow a run.

Dizzy Dean was on the mound for the Cards and the only runner to reach in his first two innings was Billy Rogell and that was on an error.

The Cardinals, who hammered Auker for ten hits in a Game Four loss to him in St. Louis, went to work in the top of the third to secure the championship.

Dean doubled with one out and St. Louis loaded the bases on a single and a walk. Frankie Frisch doubled in all three Cardinal base runners for a 3-0 lead and an end to Auker's day. But, the Tigers went with Schoolboy Rowe out of the bullpen. Rowe had allowed ten hits in a Game Six complete game loss the previous day. Rowe got the second out of the inning by retiring Joe Medwick, but then Eddie Collins singled in Frisch and Bill DeLancie doubled in Collins for a 5-0 lead.

Rowe left and on came Chief Hogsett. This Tiger reliever could not record an out. He issued a walk to Ernie Orsatti and gave up a single to Leo Durocher to load the bases. Dean had an infield single to drive in a run. Then, Hogsett forced in a run with a walk to Pepper Martin. 7-0 St. Louis and Tommy Bridges had to come into the game as the fourth Tiger pitcher of the inning to get the final out.

Then, Dean worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the third and the game was pretty much over at that point.

Dean would go on to pitch a six-hit shutout with five strikeouts for the clinching victory. But, what this game is remembered for is a hard slide, a brief altercation, the reaction of the Tiger faithful, and a commisioner's decision. Cardinalhistory.com takes over the story here:

In the top of the sixth, Medwick tripled in another run, and when Joe slid into third the Tigers' Marv Owen thought it was with too much enthusiasm and he and Medwick squared off. The combatants were quickly separated, but when Joe went out to take his left-field position in the bottom of the inning he found himself the target of the frustrated bleacher fans, who seemed to have been waiting to erupt.

They took dead aim at Joe with fruit, vegetables, soda pop bottles, and any other missile that would fly. As soon as stadium personnel cleaned up one mess, another came flying out.

"I don't know where they were getting all that stuff from," Charlie Gehringer said. "It was like they were backing produce trucks up to the gate and supplying everybody."

With the game unable to continue, Commissioner Landis summoned Medwick, Frisch, and the umpires to his box. There a decision was made to remove Joe from the game "to protect the player from injury and permit the game to continue." This action deprived the Cardinals of their top hitter, but with the score already 9-0 and Dizzy in top form, it made little difference.

The Cardinals added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning to provide the final margin of 11-0.

In the ninth, Dean got Mickey Owen to ground into a Series ending force out and the Cardinals could celebrate their third World Championship.

Complete Game Seven boxscore is HERE. Complete Game Seven play-by-play is HERE.

Baseball History -- October 29

Complete entry for 10/29 at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Highlighted entries:

1981
Bill Giles, the Phillies vice president for the past 11 years, heads a group of investors which purchases the club for just over $30 million, the highest price paid to date for a ML club. Giles is the son of longtime National League president Warren C. Giles.

$30 million for a team that was just one year removed from its first World Series title. Wow.

1949
Arguably their best trade ever, the White Sox send C Joe Tipton, who hit .204 in his one season in Chicago, to the Athletics for young Nellie Fox.

What was Connie Mack thinking?

Rattlers in Fall Ball

In the Arizona Fall League, the Javelinas lost 3-2 in ten innings to Grand Canyon.

Ex-Rattlers with the Javelinas:
Mike Wilson (WI '05) was 2-for-3 with a double, a pair of walks, and a run scored
Matt Tuiasosopo (WI '05) was 1-for-5

In Hawaii Winter Baseball, the Waikiki BeachBoys lost 6-5 to North Shore.

Ex-Rattlers with the BeachBoys:
Sebastien Boucher (WI '05) 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored
Jeff Clement (WI '05) got into the game as a defensive replacement, but did not bat
Joe Woerman (WI '06) pitched two scoreless innings gave up one hit and struck out three

Sunday's Schedule:
Peoria Javelinas -- Off Day
Waikiki at North Shore -- 3:00pm Hawaii Time

Guilty as Charged

One of the "joys" of getting up early on a Saturday and not getting back to sleep is the "opportunity" to watch the "classic" movies on TNT while "working" on the blog.

Like:


And:

What a "great" "life" I "lead".

This would have been "funnier" had Blogger allowed me to post this around 9am when I had it done. But, their outages are a part of life.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Six -- 1968 World Series

Game Six of the 1968 World Series was held at Busch Stadium on October 9. The Cardinals had a chance for their second straight title and third World Series since 1964 if they won this game. Denny McLain would try to keep the Tiger season going. The Cardinals hoped to clinch with Ray Washburn.

That day did not go well for Washburn or the Cardinals.

Detroit scored twice in the second inning Willie Horton singled in a run and scored on a double by Bill Freehan for a 2-0 lead. That was only the beginning.

In the top of the third, Washburn gave up a walk, a single, and an RBI single to Al Kaline to get chased from the game. Larry Jaster relieved and that went about as well as Joe Hoerner's relief stint in Game Five. Jast would give up an RBI single to Norm Cash, a walk to Horton, and a grand slam to Jim Northrup. End of Jaster's appearance and still nobody out in the inning.

Ron Willis came into the game and tried to hold the Tigers to a 8-0 lead. No luck. He walked the first batter he faced and hit the second. McLain was the first out of the inning as he dropped a sacrifice bunt. An intentional walk loaded the bases and that was followed by a force out at home. Kaline stepped up and singled home two more runs. Hello 10-0. Good-bye, Ron Willis.

Into the breach walked Dick Hughes. He gave up RBI singles to Cash and Horton before getting the final out. When the inning was over, the Tigers had a 12-0 lead and a 31 game winner to protect it.

No worries.

Detroit added an insurance run in the fifth on a home run by Kaline for a 13-0 lead.

McLain kept the Cardinals off the board until the bottom of the ninth. Julian Javier spoiled the shutout with a two-out RBI single. McLain ended the game by striking out Dal Maxvill.

McLain allowed nine hits -- three in the ninth -- struck out seven and did not walk a batter as he won his first World Series game after losing twice to Bob Gibson.

Kaline led the hit parade for the Tigers. Three hits, three runs, four RBI.

Complete Game Six boxscore is HERE. Game Six play-by-play is HERE.

Game Seven is Bob Gibson against Mickey Lolich at Busch Stadium. Tune in tomorrow to see how it turns out.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Six -- 1934 World Series

Just because the 2006 World Series is over doesn't mean that this little feature has to be over.



Game Six of the 1934 World Series was at Navin Field in Detroit on October 8. The Tigers would win their first World Championship if they won this game. The Cardinals had Paul Dean on the mound and other ideas.

Joe Medwick gave St. Louis a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a two-out single off Schoolboy Rowe.

The Tigers scored an unearned run in the bottom of the third to tie the game. Jo-Jo White walked with two out. His tried to steal second and an error on second baseman Frankie Frisch allowed him to take third. Mickey Cochrane's infield single drove in White.

But, the Cardinals retook the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Leo Durocher singled. Dean sacrificed him to second. Pepper Martin singled in Durocher and wound up at third base on an error. An RBI groundout by Jack Rothrock gave St. Louis a 3-1 lead.

Detroit rallied to tie the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. White walked and Cochrane singled to start the inning. An error by Dean (an error by the pitcher? sounds familiar) allowed White to score. Later in the inning, Greenberg drove in the tying run with a two-out single.

Rowe could not keep the game tied, though. Durocher doubled with one out and Dean made up for his error with an RBI single and a 4-3 Cardinal lead.

The Tigers nearly tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. Pete Fox doubled to start the inning, a sacrifice bunt moved him to third. But, he tried to score on a grounder to Durocher and was out at the plate.

Dean got out of another jam in the eighth as the Tigers put two runners on base with one out. Dean retired Billy Rogell on flyball that couldn't score the tying run from third. Greenberg popped out to end the inning.

Much calmer bottom of the ninth inning as Dean retired the side in order and foced a Game Seven.

Durocher was the man offensively for the Cards. After the slow start to the series, he had three hits and scored a pair of runs. Dean gave up seven hits and only one earned run for the win.

Game Seven is set for Navin Field on October 9, 1934. Dizzy Dean will get his third start of the Series. Elden Auker, who won Game Four in St. Louis, is the starter for the Tigers.

Complete Game Six Boxscore is HERE. Complete Game Six play-by-play is HERE.

SWING to be sold?

This popped up on Ballparkdigest.com yesterday.

Swing likely will be getting new owners

When the first pitch of the 2007 baseball season flies from the pitcher’s hand to the catcher’s mitt, the Swing of the Quad-Cities likely will have new owners.

Main Street Baseball — a Florida-based company that owns the Class A Columbus (Ga.) Catfish — has a signed agreement to buy the Swing franchise from Kevin Krause and Seventh Inning Stretch and is in negotiations with Davenport officials to lease city-owned John O’Donnell Stadium.

The organization still needs approval of the lease agreement with the city, and it requires the OK of the Midwest League, the National Association of Minor League Baseball and baseball commissioner Bud Selig.

Main Street’s owners, Bob Herrfeldt and Dave Heller, would not disclose the sale amount Thursday. Krause could not be reached for comment.

That sounds about right.

Helter said he looks forward to owning a team that plays home games in the renovated riverfront stadium.“It’s the best of both worlds,” he said. “You have a historic stadium with a beautiful brick finish and a view that is unequaled anywhere in minor league baseball. You have these things and, with the renovation done just a couple years ago, you also have (premium seating) suites, the 360-degree concourse and nicer amenities.”

Heller’s partner, Herrfeldt, has a history of success that includes increasing teams’ attendance and working with new stadiums. He is the former vice president of stadium operations for the Class AAA Sacramento River Cats, who led all of minor league baseball in attendance during the first two years of their existence, including the season when they drew 900,000 fans to the Pacific Coast League club’s games in 2001.

We'll see how this goes. In the meantime, check in on the Catfish at their homepage.

Cardinals Win the Series

So, another World Series ends. This time with the Cardinals as the Champions. Not what I picked. Not what I wanted, but that happens.

How about Jeff Weaver? Released by the Angels. Picked up by the Cardinals. Winning pitcher in the clinching game of the Series. Must be driving the Tigers, the Yankees, the Dodgers, and the Angels crazy thinking, "Why couldn't he do that ith us?"

Recapping my picks in the post-season:

Divisional
Padres over Cardinals
Dodgers over Mets
Tigers over Yankees
Twins over A's

LCS
Mets over Cardinals
Tigers over A's

World Series
Tigers over Cardinals

Yeah. 2-for-5. Not. Real. Good.

Baseball History -- October 28

Complete entry for October 28 at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

1995
In a pitcher’s duel, the Braves win Game 6 of the Series, 1-0, on a combined 1-hitter by Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers. David Justice’s 6th-inning homer accounts for the game’s only run. In winning, the Braves become the 1st team to win World Championships representing three different cities-Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta. C Tony Pena’s leadoff single in the 6th is Cleveland’s only hit.

Jim Poole was the Cleveland pitcher who gave up the Justice home run. Also on this date in 1995, I wore a tuxedo for the only time in my life, as an usher in a friend's wedding.

1981
Pedro Guerrero drives in five runs and the Bert Hooton and the Dodgers beat the Yankees 9–2 to win the World Series in six games. In a remarkable post season, the Dodgers came from behind to win three series (down 2–0 to Houston and 2–1 to Montreal in the best-of-5 series). Guerrero, Ron Cey, and Steve Yeager (2 home runs) are named co-MVPs, while OF Dave Winfield and relief pitcher George Frazier are the goats for New York. Winfield was just 1-for-21, while Frazier tied a World Series record by losing three games. The record was set by the White Sox Lefty Williams in 1919, but Williams, one of the eight "Black Sox," probably was losing on purpose.

The "Mr. May" insult of Winfield was started right around here. And tri-MVP's? Really? There was a three-way tie in the voting. Did they each get a car or did they have to share one?

1913
In the only time the two future immortals face each other, Walter Johnson and Christy Mathewson square off in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Johnson, backed by the White Sox, wins the battle, 6–0, pitching the distance, while Matty exits after four innings. The game is delayed for nearly two hours when the stands collapse, injuring 52 people and killing one fan. The governor of Oklahoma narrowly escapes injury in the tragedy.

Well, than goodness that Lee Cruce, the second Governor of Oklahoma, was okay. Also, I realize that it was a much different time then, but they finished the game after a two hour delay for stands collapsing? Can anyone imagine that in baseball now?

Rattlers in Paradise

No All-Star, Showcase, whatever, in Hawaii Winter Baseball last night.

However, Waikiki beat North Shore 11-4. Sebastien Boucher (WI '05) was the lead-off hitter for the BeachBoys and he went 3-for-5 with three runs scored.

Jeff Clement (WI '05) entered the game as a sub and went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, his first in HWB.

David Asher (WI '06) got his first win in HWB with three innings of scoreless relief. Asher struck out one and allowed four hits.

Mariner farmhand Reed Eastley was 1-for-5 in the game.

Saturday's Schedule:
Peoria Javelinas at Grand Canyon 3:05pm CDT
Waikiki at North Shore 6:30pm Hawaii Time

Rising Stars Showcase

The first Arizona Fall League Mid-Fall Classic went to the East Rising Stars 3-1 over the West Rising Stars.

Michael Garciaparra drove in the only West run with a fielder's choice.

Stephen Kahn was on the West roster, but did not pitch.

The East broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning. Curtis Thigpen drew a two-out walk. Jamie D'Antona doubled him home. D'Antona scored on an RBI single by pinch-hitter Fernando Martinez to finish the rally.

Wow! Is THIS old

I did not see this due to being kind of busy with work and the fact that the Mariner e-mail from the Seattle Times that I that I signed up for inexplicably went to my AOL spam filter.

The this I am talking about is at the bottom of the story about the new Mariner bench coach.

The Mariners named Class AAA 1B Bryan LaHair their Minor League Player of the Year, while reliever Mark Lowe got the nod for Pitcher of the Year. LaHair hit .309 with 16 homers, 22 doubles and 74 runs batted in for Tacoma, while Lowe rocketed from Class A to the major leagues.

LaHair was a Rattler in 2004. Lowe was a Rattler in 2005.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Five -- 1968 World Series

Game Five of the 1968 World Series was held at Tiger Stadium on October 7. The Cardinals had just won Game Four behind another dominant performance by Bob Gibson to take a 3-1 Series lead. The Cards sent Nelson Briles (19-11, 2.81) to the mound. Detroit had Mickey Lolich (17-9, 3.19) as the starting pitcher who would try to keep their season alive.

The Cardinals looked like they wanted to end the World Series in the first inning. Lou Brock doubled, the first of his three hits in the game, to start the game. Curt Flood's one-out single drove in Brock. Orlando Cepeda was next and he drilled a home run for a 3-0 St. Louis lead.

From that point on, though, Lolich shutdown the Cardinals.

Briles cruised through the first three innings, but a fourth inning triple by Mickey Stanley was followed by a sacrifice fly by Norm Cash. Willie Horton tripled with two out and scored on a Jim Northrup single and the Tigers were within 3-2.

Horton kept the score that way by throwing out Brock at the plate in the top of the fifth. Brock doubled with one out. He tried to score on a Julian Javier single to left, but Horton threw out Brock and Lolich recovered to get Flood to flyout.

The Tigers loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the sixth only to have Briles escape by getting Bill Freehan to ground into a force out.

Lolich hit Briles with a pitch with two out in the seventh, but retire Brock. In the Tiger half of the seventh Briles got the first out, but Lolich singled to knock him from the game.

Joe Hoerner was the reliever and he got into trouble immediately. Dick McAuliffe and Stanley singled to load the bases again. Al Kaline stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run single to give the Tigers a 4-3 lead. Cash followed with an RBI single that ended Hoerner's day and put the Tigers up 5-3.

Lolich worked a scorless ninth, but got into some trouble in the ninth. Tim McCarver singled to start the inning. A one out single by Ed Spezio put the tying runs aboard for St. Lous. But, Lolich struck out pinch-hitter Roger Maris and got Brock to ground out. The Series would be headed to St. Louis for Game Six with the Cardinals still leading 3-2 in games.

Complete Game Five Boxscore is HERE. Complete Game Five play-by-play is HERE.


Denny McLain was the scheduled starter for Detroit in that Game Six. Ray Washburn would try to get the clincher for St. Louis on October 9. Not to spoil the ending, but McLain was not pitching against Bob Gibson in Game Six.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Five -- 1934 World Series

Game Five of the 1934 World Series was held at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis on October 7. The Series was even at two games a piece. The pitching matchup was a rematch of Game One. Dizzy Dean got the start for the Cardinals. Tommy Bridges was on the hill for the Tigers. In Game One, Dean outpitched Bridges. In Game Five, it was the other way around.

The Tigers took a quick lead with a run in the second inning. Hank Greenberg walked with one out and scored on a two-out double by Pete Fox.

The scored remained 1-0 until Detroit added two more runs off Dean in the top of the sixth.

Bridges retired nine straight Cardinal hitters from the third through the fifth. Charlie Gehringer started the top of the sixth with a homer off Dean. Then, Billy Rogell singled and advanced all the way to third on an error. He would score on a sacrifice fly by Greenberg for a 3-0 advantage.

Bridges has his streak end at ten straight outs when Pepper Martin doubled with one away in the bottom of the sixth. But, he worked out of that inning by retiring Jack Rothrock and Frankie Frisch.

The Cardinals finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh inning. A two-out home run by catcher Bill DeLancey pulled St. Louis to within 3-1.

St. Louis got one runner on in the eighth, but couldn't score. In the bottom of the ninth, the Cards got a lead off single by Frisch and a one out single by Eddie Collins to put runners on first and third.

Bridges got out of the jam by striking out DeLancie and getting pinch-hitter Ernie Orsatti to ground into a game-ending force out.

Bridges was the hero for the Tigers. In his complete game victory, he struck out seven, did not walk a batter, and allowed seven hit.

Dean went eight innings, walked three, struck out six, and allowed three runs (two earned), but wound up with the loss as Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the Series.

Complete Game Five Boxscore is HERE. Complete ply-by-play for Game Five is HERE.

No travel day in the 1934 World Series. Game Six is set for October 8 at Navin Field. The pitching matchup is Paul Dean (19-11, 3.43) for the Cards against Schoolboy Rowe (24-8, 3.45) for the Tigers.

Baseball History -- October 27

Complete entry at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Highlighted Entries:

2002

The Angels win their 1st World Series ever as they defeat the Giants, 4–1, in Game 7. Rookie John Lackey gets the Series–clinching win. Garret Anderson's bases loaded 2B in the 3rd inning scores three runs for Anaheim. Troy Glaus is named Series MVP.

1991
The Twins become World Champions with a 1-0 victory in 10 innings behind Jack Morris's masterful pitching. Gene Larkin's single off Alejandro Pena scores Dan Gladden with the game's only run. The game is the first Game seven to go into extra innings since the Senators-Giants Series in 1924. Morris is named the Series MVP for the Twins, who win all four games in the Metrodome while losing all three in Atlanta. Four of the seven games are decided on the final pitch, while five are decided by a single run, and three in extra innings. All are Series records.

From www.minnesotatwins.com

1991. Best. World. Series. Ever.

1986

The Mets win game seven of the World Series 8–5 at Shea Stadium. 3B Ray Knight, whose leadoff home run off Calvin Schiraldi in the 7th inning, triggers a 3-run rally, is named MVP. Schiraldi is pinned with his 2nd straight loss, the only pitcher ever to lose games six and 7.

Damn Mets.

1960

Trying to jump ahead of the National League, the American League admits Los Angeles and Minneapolis to the league with plans to have the new clubs begin competition in 1961 in the new 10-team league. Calvin Griffith is given permission to move the existing Washington Senators franchise to Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. League president Joe Cronin says the AL will play a 162-game schedule, with 18 games against each opponent. The National League will balk, saying the two expansions are not analogous and that the AL was not invited to move into LA.

So the Twins and Angels won World Series on the anniversary of their starts as franchises. Now you know....the rest of the story.

Arizona Fall League All

Darn it, did it again.

The Rising Stars Showcase will be held in Surprise, Arizona on Friday night.

Two Rattler Alumns will be showcasing for the West squad of Rising Stars in the Showcase.

They are pitcher Stephen Kahn and infielder Michael Garciaparra.

I am guessing that if you go HERE around 9:15pm CDT on Friday night you may be able to find the gameday play-by-play for the game. There may even be some radio play-by-play.

Or, if, you know, have something to do on a Friday night other than sit at you computer and obsessively follow an All-Star, darn, sorry, a Rising Stars Showcase, you could probably head there sometime on Saturday, Sunday, or in the next six months for the boxscore.

Rattlers in Fall Ball

In the Arizona Fall League, the Javelinas beat Mesa 7-3.

Day off for the ex-Rattlers who bat. But, pitchers Ryan Rowland-Smith (WI '03) and Craig James (WI '05) got into the game for Peoria.

Rowland-Smith worked two scoreless innings, allowed four hits, and struck out one.
James gave up a run on two hits in one inning of work.

Out in Hawaii Winter Baseball, all was quiet with an off day for Waikiki and the other three teams in the 50th state.

Friday's Schedule:
Arizona Fall League All-Star Game, er, Rising Stars Showcase 9:15pm CDT
Waikiki at North Shore 7:00pm Hawaii Time

Baseball History -- October 26

Complete entry for 10/26 at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Highlighted Entries:

2002
With the Giants leading 5–0 after six 1/2 innings, the Angels score three runs in the 7th and three more in the 8th to come away with a 6–5 victory that evens the Series at three games apiece. Scott Spiezio hits a 3–run homer for Anaheim while Darin Erstad also connects. Brendan Donnelly gets the win in relief. Shawon Dunston and Barry Bonds homer for SF.

That may be as close as Bonds ever gets to a World Series title.

1997
The Indians jump out to a 2-0 lead over Florida, but the Marlins claw their way back and tie the score in the bottom of the 9th on a sacrifice fly by Craig Counsell. In the last half of the 11th, SS Edgar Renteria gets his 3rd hit of the game, driving home Counsell with the winning run, as Florida wins Game seven by a score of 3-2. The Marlins thus become the fastest team in baseball history to win a World Series title, three years quicker than the 1969 Mets. P Livan Hernandez is named Most Valuable Player of the Series.

That may be as close as the Indians ever get to another World Series Title

1986
Mr. Hammer's 8:00am Advanced Math Class is stopped at Waterford High School as he gives class time to a friend of mine. That friend recounts the Red Sox heartbreaking loss to the Mets in Game Six of the World Series the night before. Everyone laughs at me. I don't become bitter.

1910
The Washington Post headlines a rumored trade with Walter Johnson going to Detroit for Ty Cobb. Detroit president Frank Navin scoffs at the story, saying he would never trade Cobb, but praising Johnson "as the best pitcher in the country."

Imagine ESPN around in 1910. It's easy if you try.

Rattlers in Fall Ball

In the Arizona Fall League, it was a rough day to be a Rattler Alum as the Javelinas lost 23-9 to Phoenix.

Michael Garciaparra (WI '03) was 0-for-6
Mike Wilson (WI '05) was 0-for-2 with three walks
Matt Tuiasosopo (WI '05) was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts
Pitcher Stephen Kahn (WI '05) pitched an inning and struck out the side, but allowed three runs on five hits

In Hawaii Winter Baseball, Waikiki beat Honolulu 7-1. All the Rattlers with Waikiki had last night off.

Thursday's Schedule:
Peoria Javelinas at Mesa 3:05pm CDT
Waikiki -- Off Day

WOLVERINES!!!!

As a personal note, can I just say "Way to go!" to my old high school with the first state football playoff win in school history. The icing on the cake was that it was over Burlington, a big rival from many, many, years ago, when some Midwest League radio announcer you may know played for the WOLVERINES!!!

On the game’s first possession, Burlington punted from its 31-yard line. Waterford senior cornerback/wide receiver Robert Greivell blocked the Demons’ punt and Austin Nelson recovered the ball in the end zone. Waterford took an 8-0 lead with less than two minutes elapsed in the first quarter after a successful two-point conversion run by Eric Czaja.

Can I mention that I loved Red Dawn.

Cardinals vs. Tigers -- Game Four 1968 World Series

Game Four of the 1968 World Series was at Tiger Stadium on October 6.

Boxscore is HERE. Play-by-play is HERE.

Bob Gibson on the hill and ten runs meant an easy 10-1 win for St. Louis and a 3-1 Series lead.

Lou Brock had a big day. He started the game with a home run off Denny McLain, had two more hits and drove in four runs. Tim McCarver had three hits for St. Louis.

Gibson homered, pitched a complete game, struck out ten, and allowed only a Jim Northrup fourth inning home run.

Cardinals vs. Tigers -- Game Four 1934 World Series

Not a lot of time today.

Boxscore is HERE. Play-by-play is HERE.

Game Four of the 1934 World Series was at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis on October 6. Neither of the Dean brothers pitched for the Cards, so the Tigers won and they won big 10-4.

Elden Auker got the start and went the distance for Detroit, but it wasn't easy. He gave up ten hits, walked four, and struck out one.

Billy Rogell and Hank Greenberg were the hitting stars for the Tigers. Rogell drove in four runs and Greenberg knocked in three.

The Tigers had a 5-4 lead going into the top of the eighth inning. Then, Rogell singled in a pair followed by a run scoring double by Greenberg. An RBI single by Marv Owen and a steal of home by Greenberg ended the scoring in the inning.

Auker got the final six outs and the Series was tied two games apiece.

Baseball History -- 10/25

Complete entry at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Today's highlighted entry only needs a year and a picture:

1986

Rattlers in Fall Ball

In the Arizona Fall League, the Javelinas lost 12-6 at Scottsdale.

Former Rattlers in action in that game for the Javelinas:
Michael Garciaparra (WI '03) 0-for-2
Mike Wilson (WI '05) 1-for-4 with an RBI
Bobby Livingston (WI '03) took the loss with three runs on six hits with four strikeouts over three innings.
Craig James (WI '05) tossed the final 1-1/3 innings and allowed a run on three hits with three strikeouts.

Out in Hawaii, Waikiki beat Honolulu 9-8. (No boxscore on-line yet)

Former Rattlers for the winning BeachBoys:
Sebastien Boucher (WI '05) was 0-for-4 with 2RBI
Jeff Clement (WI '05) went 1-for-2
Joe Woerman (WI '06) got the win with a hit, two walks, and a strikeout over two scoreless innings.
Mariner farmhand Reed Eastley was 0-for-3 with a run scored.

Wednesday's Schedule
Phoenix at Peoria Javelinas 3:05pm CDT
Waikiki at Honolulu 7:00pm Hawaii Time

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Three -- 1968 World Series

The 1968 World Series moved to Tiger Stadium in Detroit for Game Three on October 5. Ray Washburn, who won a career high 14 games in the regular season, was the starting pitcher for the Cardinals. Detroit sent Earl Wilson, who won a career high 22 games in the regular season, to the mound.

The Tigers broke through first. A two-out, two-run homer by Al Kaline in the bottom of the third put Detroit in front 2-0.

The Cardinals rallied in the fifth and it should not be a surprise who started the rally. Lou Brock singled with one out, stole second, and scored on a double by Curt Flood. Wilson walked Roger Maris and that was all for Wilson. Pat Dobson relieved for Detroit and got Orlando Cepeda to pop out for out number two. However, Tim McCarver was next and he hit a two-out, three-run homer to give St. Louis a 4-2 lead.

Another two-out homer, this one a solo homer by Dick McAuliffe in the bottom of the fifth got the Tigers to within a run.

But, St. Louis put it away in the top of the seventh. Flood singled, Maris doubled, and Cepeda homered for a 7-3 lead.

Joe Hoerner relieved Washburn with one out in the sixth and kept the Tigers off the scoreboard the rest of the way for the save and a 2-1 lead in the Series for the Cards.

Game Four pitching matchup is a Game One rematch: Bob Gibson for St. Louis against Denny McLain for Detroit.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Three -- 1934 World Series

The Cardinals hosted Game Three of the 1934 World Series at Sportsman's Park on October 5. Paul Dean (or "Daffy" Dean) got the start in Game Three for the Cards. Dean was 19-11 in 1934, his rookie season for the Cards. The Tigers countered with Tommy Bridges (22-11, 3.67ERA) as their starter.

The Cardinal offense got on the board right away. Pepper Martin tripled off Bridges in the bottom of the first inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jack Rothrock.

In the bottom of the second, Dean drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

St. Louis started to pull away in the fifth. Martin led off the inning with a double. Rothrock tripled him home. Then, Frankie Frisch singled in Rothrock for a 4-0 lead and to end Bridges day.

Chief Hogsett relieved Bridges and kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard. But, Dean kept the Tigers off the board until the ninth.

Hank Greenberg drove in Jo-Jo White with a two-out triple to end the shutout bid for Dean. But, Goose Goslin popped out to end the game and the Cardinals had a 2-1 lead in the World Series.

Box Score is at BaseballAlmanac.com. Play-by-play is at Retrosheet.com.

Game Four is set for St. Louis on October 6.

Baseball History -- October 24

Complete entry for 10/24 is at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Highlighted entries:

1987
In the 6th frame, Kent Hrbek belts the Twins 2nd grand slam of the World Series to lead a comeback from a 5–2 deficit, and the Twins win game 6, 11–5 to even the series at three games apiece. The home team has won all six games, with game seven to be played in Minnesota tomorrow. Today's match is a last day game in the World Series.

Hit a grand slam. Win the World Series. Go on Letterman. Win another World Series. Host Kent Hrbek Outdoors.

1977
The Brewers fire manager Dave Bristol, replacing him with Bobby Cox.

File that one under something I never knew. I can't find anything about why Cox backed out of being the Brewer manager. It does explain why George Bamberger took the job in Spring Training of 1978.

1972
Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson dies of heart disease at age 53. Robinson had become the first black ML player of this century with the 1947 Dodgers.

From National Baseball Hall of Fame

1911
After six days of rain, Chief Bender gets another chance against Christy Mathewson. New York takes a 2–0 first-inning lead. But aided by an overflow crowd in the outfield, the A's collect seven doubles among their 11 hits, pick up three in the 3rd and one in the 4th while Bender shuts down the Giants, and the A's take a 3–1 lead in games.

Six rainouts in a row? That would have driven me crazy. But, the most interesting thing about the 1911 World Series was that Games 1,3, and 5 were in New York and Games 2,4, and 6 were in Philadelphia. Weird.

Rattlers in Fall Ball

In the Arizona Fall League the Peoria Javelinas lost 4-2 to Grand Canyon.

Matt Tuiasosopo (WI '05) went 0-for-3 with a strikeout for Peoria.

Ryan Rowland-Smith (WI '03) took the loss as he gave up three runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout.

The Waikiki BeachBoys had yesterday off in Hawaii Winter Baseball.

Tuesday's Schedule
Peoria Javelinas at Scottsdale 3:05pm CDT
Waikiki BeachBoys at Honolulu 7:00pm Hawaii Time

Baseball History -- October 23

Complete entry for 10/23 is at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Highlighted entries:

1996
The Yankees even the Series by scoring twice in the 10th inning for an 8-6 win. Jim Leyritz ties the game in the 8th with a home run off Mark Wohlers as the Braves blow a 6-run lead. John Wetteland saves the game for Graeme Lloyd.

From yankees.com

With one swing of the bat, Leyritz restarted the Yankee Dynasty and the Braves were never the same.

1995

The Cardinals hire Tony LaRussa as manager, replacing Mike Jorgenson.

He's been there that long?

1993

In a dramatic finish, Joe Carter of the Blue Jays homers off of Mitch Williams with 2 men on base in the bottom of the 9th to give Toronto an 8-6 victory and the World Championship. Lenny Dykstra hits his 4th homer of the Series for the Phils. Paul Molitor is named the WS MVP.

From tsn.com

This is moment #6 in TSN's (Canada's equal to ESPN) 100 greatest moments in their 20 years on the air. No. 5 is the first World Series win for the Blue Jays. No. 4 is Donovan Bailey winning the gold medal in the 100m-dash in 1996. No. 3 is Mike Weir winning the Masters in 2003. No. 2 is Gretzky to Lemieux for the winning goal of the 1987 Canada Cup over the USSR. No. 1? Come on, you know. 2002 Olympic Gold medal for Canada in Hockey over the USA..

1952» The PCL announces a 176-game schedule for 1953.

One Hundred and Seventy-Six games?

1945» Branch Rickey announces the signing of Jackie Robinson by the Dodger organization.

On the road to breaking the color barrier.

Rattlers in Fall Ball

In the Arizona Fall League, the Peoria Javelinas were off on Sunday.

In Hawaii Winter Baseball, the Waikiki BeachBoys shutout North Shore 4-0. Tough day for lead-off batter Sebastien Boucher (WI '05). He was 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. Catcher Jeff Clement (WI '05) was 0-for-2.

Pitcher David Asher (WI '06) helped out with the shutout by tossing two scoreless innings with a strikeout for Waikiki.

Monday's Schedule
Grand Canyon at Peoria Javelinas 3:05pm CDT
Waikiki Beach Boys -- OFF DAY

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Two -- 1968 World Series

Complete box score is at BaseballAlmanac.com. The play-by-play is at Retrosheet.com.

The Tigers needed to bounce back from striking out seventeen times against Bob Gibson in Game One. They did in Game Two on October 3 at Busch Stadium.

It was Nelson Briles (19-11, 2.81ERA) getting the ball for the Cards. Mickey Lolich (17-9, 3.19ERA) was the starter for the Tigers.

Detroit got the lead in the top of the second inning on a Willie Horton home run off Briles. In the third, Lolich homered and the Tigers were up 2-0. Lolich never hit a regular season home run in a career that lasted from 1963-1979.

Norm Cash homered off Briles in the top of the sixth. Then, Horton singled and Steve Carlton relieved Briles and the future hall of fame pitcher gave up a single and a walk to load the bases. Dick McAuliffe singled in a pair of runs and the Tigers had a 5-0 lead.

The Cards broke through on an RBI single by Orlando Cepada, but that was it for them. The Tigers scored once in the eighth. In the ninth, St. Louis reliever Joe Hoerner walked three, including two with the bases loaded for the final margin.

Lolich was the star. He struck out nine, had two hits, and drove in a pair of runs in the complete game win to even the series.

Performances of note:
Carlton worked one inning, gave up four hits, two runs, one walk, and struck out one
Lou Brock had two stolen bases
Tim McCarver went 0-for-4
Al Kaline went 2-for-5 and scored two runs.

There was a travel day in 1968. Game Three will be at Tiger Stadium on October 5. The scheduled pitching matchup is Ray Washburn for the Cards and Earl Wilson for the Tigers.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game Two -- 1934 World Series

Game Two of the 1934 World Series was on October 4, 1934 at Navin Field.

The play-by-play is available at Retrosheet.

After winning Game One, the Cardinals scored single runs in the second and third innings off Schoolboy Rowe. Ernie Orsatti drove in the second run with a triple and Joe Medwick's two-out single drove in Pepper Martin in the third.

St. Louis starting pitcher Bill Hallahan gave up a run in the bottom of the fourth when Pete Fox knocked in a run with a teo-out double.

The scored stayed 2-1 until the bottom of the ninth. Fox started the inning with a single off Hallahan. Rowe dropped a sacrifice bunt to move Fox into scoring position with the tying run and that was it for Hallahan. Bill Walker, who had been 12-4 in the 1934 regular season, relieved and promptly gave up an RBI single to pinch hitter Gee Walker.

Rowe stayed in the game and allowed only a one-out double to Martin in the eleventh.

Bill Walker walked Charlie Gehringer and Hank Greenberg with one out in the twelfth. Goose Goslin ended the game with an RBI single to center.

The series was even at a 1-1 and the Tigers won the game despite leaving thirteen runners on base.

Rowe was the hero for the Tigers. He gave up two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in the complete game win.

Performances of note:
Leo Durocher was 0-for-4 in this game making him 0-for-9 in the series
Gee Walker was picked off first base after driving in the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. 1-3-4-3-6-4
The Cardinals committed three errors, issued seven walks, a still nearly won the game.

No travel day in 1934. Game Three is set for October 5 at Sportsman's Park.

Thoughts on Game One

Not really about the game, but about the pre-game...

Bob Seger still WROCKS!!

Photo Credit: Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press

Although Comerica Park was pumped to the max before the game Saturday night, Bob Seger was able to bring a hush over the crowd with a soulful version of "America the Beautiful." Striding out in a leather jacket, Seger sat at the keyboard facing the pitcher's mound. The crowd hung on every note as he crooned the familiar lyrics and put a little rock into phrases like "froo-ooo-ted plain."

A small point for the Free Press writer. Seger probably wasn't facing the pitcher's mound. He was most likely facing the American Flag. Just a small point.

Baseball History -- October 22

Complete entry for October 22 is at BaseballLibrary.com HERE.

Highlighted entries:

2000
The Yankees defeat the Mets, 6-5 behind Roger Clemens, to take a 2-games-to-none lead in the World Series. The Mets score five runs in the 9th inning on home runs by Mike Piazza and Jay Payton to throw a scare into the Bombers. In a bizarre incident, Clemens throws a piece of a shattered bat at Piazza in the 1st inning, with both benches clearing. It is the first meeting between the two players since Clemens beaned Piazza during the regular season. On Tuesday, Clemens will be fined $50,000 for his actions.

From Long Island Press

The craziest part of this picture for me is the way that Piazza is looking at first base and has no idea what is about to happen.

1975
At Boston, the Sox take a 3–0 lead in the 3rd off Don Gullett, but the Reds rally to tie it in the 7th. Perez hits a 2-run shot in the 6th off Bill Lee, golfing one of the Spaceman's bloopers over the Green Monster. Jim Willoughby is relieved by Jim Burton and Joe Morgan's single wins the deciding game 4–3. The Reds come from behind in all four of their victories. Rose is named the World Series MVP.

From SI.com

1967
Joe DiMaggio is hired as executive vice president of the A's by Charlie Finley.

Surely, you remember the Oakland stage of DiMaggio's career.

Rattlers in the Fall

In the Arizona Fall League, the Javelinas lost 6-4 to the Saguaros.

Michael Garciaparra (WI '03) was the Javelinas shortstop and went 2-for-5 with a double
Mike Wilson (WI '05) went 1-for-3 with a run scored
Matt Tuiasosopo (WI '05) was 0-for-4

In Hawaii Winter Baseball, Waikiki beat North Shore 6-5 in ten innings.

Sebastien Boucher (WI '05) was 2-for-4 with three runs scored in the win for the BeachBoys.
Jeff Clement (WI '05) went 0-for-3
Reed Eastley had a 1-for-4 game
Joe Woerman (WI '06) got two outs in the bottom of the tenth, but allowed two runs on four hits and needed relief help to close out the Honu.

Sunday Schedule:
Peoria Javelinas -- Off Day
Waikiki at North Shore 6:30pm Hawaii Time

Ready for Game One

The Badgers are comfortably ahead of the Boilermakers heading into the fourth quarter. So a brief look to Game One between the Cardinals and the Tigers for the 2006 World Series.

Well, Nate Robinson is getting ready for Game Three. That's the game in the Series he is scheduled to pitch for Detroit. But he has some thoughts on the long layoff for the Tigers between clinching against the A's and playing St. Louis. This post is dated October 20.

It's been a long wait for us this week. I think the biggest thing was that it just opens up time for more phone calls to family and friends. I spent a lot of time on my cell phone. It really actually kind of helped in the off-the-field preparation stuff. Now, it's time to get that on-the-field preparation stuff finalized today.

It'll be interesting facing the Redbirds, because there are Cardinals fans in Wichita. They're a Midwest team, and not very far in Wichita. I will have a following in St. Louis. As soon as people find out that I'm going to be pitching in St. Louis, if they can get tickets, they'll be there. If they're friends of mine, I don't think I'll have anybody rooting for the red of the Cardinals.

For the Tiger perspective on the World Series head over to Bless You Boys, TigerBlog, Tiger Tales, and Mack Avenue Tigers.

For the Cardinals viewpoint there is Viva El Birdos, Cardinal Diaspora, Gas House Gang, and The 26th Man.

My prediction for the 2006 World Series. I got one prediction...


PAIN!!! For the Cardinals. Tigers in six.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game One -- 1968 World Series

From Baseball America.com

Game One of the 1968 World Series was held at Busch Stadium on October 2, 1968. The Cardinals had won titles in 1964 and 1967. The Tigers were back in the Fall Clasic for the first time since 1945.

St. Louis finished 1968 at 97-65 and won the NL by nine games over the San Francisco Giants. Bob Gibson was the leader of the Cards. He went 22-9, led the NL in ERA with a 1.12, strikeouts with 268, and shutouts with 13. Lou Brock was the NL leader in stolen bases with 62. The Cardinals did not lead the league in any major offensive categories. But as a pitching staff, they tossed thirty shutouts and had a team ERA of 2.49.

The Tigers had a record of 103-59 to top the second place Baltimore Orioles by 12 games.

Like the Cards, the Tigers did not lead their league in any major offensive categores. But, they had pitcher Denny McLain. McLain was 31-6 with 28 complete games and a 1.96ERA. He was the first pitcher to win thirty games in a season since Dizzy Dean in 1934.

No surprise that Gibson and McLain would meet in Game One of the 1968 Series.

The game was scoreless until the Cardinals got to McLain for three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Mike Shannon drove the first run of the game. Julian Javier followed with a two run single. That was all Gibson needed.

The intimidating right-hander struckout seventeen batters and walked one in a 5-hit shutout for the win. Seventeen strikeouts in a World Series game is still a record.

Brock put a cap on the game with a seventh inning homer off Pat Dobson.

The complete boxscore for Game One of the 1964 World Series is HERE.

Performances that caught my eye:
Roger Maris was 0-for-3 with a run for the Cards
Tim McCarver went 1-for-3 with a triple and a run for the Cards
Al Kaline had the only extra base hit, a double, for the Tigers
Mickey Stanley was the only Tiger with two hits in the game.

Cardinals v. Tigers Game One -- 1934 World Series

From Baseball Almanac.com

Game One of the 1934 World Series was at Navin Field (a.k.a. Briggs Stadium and Tiger Stadium) on October 3, 1934.

Detroit went 101-53 and beat the Yankees by seven games for the AL pennant. They topped the AL in hitting with a team average of .300 and in runs with 958. St. Louis went 95-58 and edged the New York Giants out in the NL by two games. The Cardinals hit .288 and scored 799 runs in 1934 to lead their league in each category.

Dizzy Dean got the start for the Cards and Alvin Crowder was the starter for the Tigers. Dean was 30-7 with an ERA of 2.66 that year. Crowder started the 1934 season with the Washington Senators and was 4-10 with an ERA of over six. Detroit claimed Crowder off waivers on August 4 of that season and he was 5-1 with a 4.19ERA for the Tigers.

That pitching matchup went about the way you might think that it would. Dean pitched a complete game, scattered eight hits and struck out six in an 8-3 win for the Cardinals. Crowder did not pitch badly. In five innings, he allowed four runs, but only one of those runs was earned. The Tiger defense committed a total of five fielding miscues in the game.

The Cardinal offense took advantage of those errors and banged out thirteen hits. Outfielder Joe Medwick lead the way with four hits, two runs, and two RBI. Medwick hit .319 with eighteen homers and 106 RBI in the 1934 regular season.

St. Louis jumped out to the early lead with two runs in the second inning and one run in the third. Detroit got to within 3-1 with a run in the bottom of the third.

Then, Medwick drilled a one out fifth inning homer to pad the lead and the Cards added four more runs in the top of the sixth.

Detroit got one run in the bottom of the sixth and Hank Greenburg hit a solo homer in the eighth for the final run of the game.

The complete boxscore for the game is HERE.

Performances that caught my eye:
Leo Durocher went 0-for-5 as the shortstop for the Cardinals

Greenberg had two hits and scored two runs for the Tigers

Baseball History -- October 21

Complete entry for October 21 at BaseballLibrary.com is HERE.

Highlighted entry:

1975
Fred Lynn's 3-run first-inning home run is matched by teammate Bernie Carbo's pinch 3-run home run in the 8th to tie the game at 6-all. The Sox then fill the bases with no outs in the 9th but fail to bring in a run. But Boston evens the Series again with a dramatic 7–6 victory, won by Fisk's 12th-inning home run off the LF foul pole.

From mlb.com

Rattlers in Fall Ball

In the Arizona Fall League, the Javelinas lost 11-9 to Scottsdale. The Scorpions scored five times in the bottom of the eighth for the comeback win.

Ex-Rattlers for the Javelinas were:
Matt Tuiasosopo (WI '05) 1-for-4 with a run and a walk
Michael Garciaparra (WI '03) 3-for-4 with a double, a pair of runs, and an RBI
Ryan Rowland-Smith (WI '03) 2/3 of an inning pitched with four runs on three hits and two walks.

Out in Hawaii Winter Baseball Waikiki tied North Shore 4-4 in eleven innings. The boxscore was not available on-line. But, here are some details Mariner farmhand Reed Eastley drove in two of four first inning runs for Waikiki, but the Beach Boys did not score again. Sebastien Boucher (WI '05) came into the game as a pinch hitter and drew a walk in the eleventh. Joe Woerman (WI '06) pitched 1/3 of an inning and allowed a hit, a walk, and two runs.

Saturday's Schedule
Peoria Saguaros at Peoria Javelinas 3:05pm CDT
Waikiki at North Shore 6:30pm Hawaii Time

So, it's the Cardinals and the Tigers

Former Peoria Chief Yadier Molina hit the ninth inning, two-run homer in the rain to beat the Mets...beat the Mets...beat the Mets. I like my lyrics better. That put the Cardinals into the World Series against the Tigers.

This is the third time Detroit and St. Louis will meet in the Fall Classic. St. Louis beat the Tigers in seven games in 1934. The Tigers topped the Cards in seven games in 1968.

The Cardinals are making their 17th World Series appearance. The Tigers are in the World Series for the 10th time.

St. Louis has been there in:
1926 (Win) -Yankees
1928 - Yankees
1930 - Athletics
1931 (Win) - Athletics
1934 (Win) - Tigers
1942 (Win) - Yankees
1943 - Yankees
1944 (Win) - Browns
1946 (Win) - Red Sox
1964 (Win) - Yankees
1967 (Win) - Red Sox
1968 - Tigers
1982 (Win) - Brewers
1985 - Royals
1987 - Twins
2004 - Red Sox

Detroit has been there:
1907 - Cubs
1908 - Cubs
1909 - Pirates
1934 - Cardinals
1935 (Win) - Cubs
1940 - Reds
1945 (Win) - Cubs
1968 (Win) - Cardinals
1984 (Win) - Padres

During the 2006 World Series, I'll go through each previous World Series matchup betweent the Cards and Tigers.

First the previews fron BaseballAlmanac.com:

1934

Once again, the St. Louis Cardinals returned to the big show after edging out the defending champion New York Giants (in the final 3 1/2 weeks of the season) and winning the National League pennant by two games. Solid pitching had enabled them to hustle their way into the post-season thanks in a big way to Dizzy Dean, who had won an amazing thirty games for the senior circuit champions. Dean was a dynamic and outspoken player who was quoted in the press as stating "it-ain't-bragging-if-you-can-do-it". Dean wasn't the only standout as Manager Frankie Frisch had assembled a line-up of mutli-talented players that would come to be known as "The Gas House Gang". Many felt that their "all-out" style of play was a decided advantage over the American League's Detroit Tigers, who were 0-3 to date in World Series appearances.

1968

The defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals once again dominated the National League on the way to their second consecutive Fall Classic as Bob Gibson remained at the top of the list of National League pitchers. Along with his American League equal, the Detroit Tigers' Denny McLain, both had combined for a whopping fifty-three wins and nineteen shutouts (Gibson: 22 wins, 13 shutouts & McLain: 31 wins, 6 shutouts). As was becoming the standard, pitching dominated the World Series contest and nothing would change in 1968.