TSM All-Time Baseball Tournament

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1998 Houston Astros (vivalaultra) vs. 1997 Baltimore Orioles (Marvinisalunatic)

 

The Houston Astros won 102 games in the regular season but suffered an upset loss to Kevin Brown and the '98 Padres. The Baltimore Orioles won 98 games and advanced to the ALCS before dropping the series to the Cleveland Indians.

 

Hall of Famers

Orioles: Cal Ripken, [Rafael Palmeiro], [Roberto Alomar], [Mike Mussina]

Astros: [Jeff Bagwell], [Craig Biggio], [Randy Johnson]

 

The Orioles enjoyed average hitting and above average pitching. Their strengths reside in their bullpen and their front three of Jimmy Key, Mike Mussina and Scott Erickson (he was good then). The Astros had very good hitting and pitching. They led the National League in runs despite playing in the Astrodome. Deadline acquisition Randy Johnson gives them a huge weapon.

 

'98 Astros 1, '97 Orioles 0

WP: Randy Johnson (1-0)

LP: Jimmy Key (0-1)

 

Ricky Gutierrez's RBI double in the fourth provided the only run of the game. Both pitchers hurled complete games.

 

'98 Astros 1, '97 Orioles 0

WP: Shane Reynolds (1-0)

LP: Mike Mussina (0-1)

 

Shane Reynolds allowed one hit and no walks in his shutout victory. Brad Ausmus collected an RBI single in the 7th following a two-out error by Cal Ripken allowing the inning to continue. The Astros lead 2 games to none, heading to Camden Yards for game three.

 

'97 Orioles 5, '98 Astros 1

WP: Scott Erickson (1-0)

LP: Jose Lima (0-1)

 

Roberto Alomar put the Orioles up early with a home run in the first and an RBI single in the third. Craig Biggio closed the gap to 2-1 with an RBI double in the seventh. In the eighth, two infield hits led to a two-out, bases loaded double by Lenny Webster to put the game away.

 

'98 Astros 11, '97 Orioles 5

WP: Mike Hampton (1-0)

LP: Scott Kamieniecki (0-1)

 

The Astros hammered Kamieniecki for seven runs in 1 2/3 innings. Moises Alou collected four RBIs and Derek Bell earned three of his own. B.J. Surhoff hit two home runs for the Orioles in the loss.

 

'98 Astros 2, '97 Orioles 1

WP: Randy Johnson (2-0)

LP: Jimmy Key (0-2)

Sv: Billy Wagner (1)

 

Another dominating performance from Randy Johnson. Derek Bell and Carl Everett collected RBIs for the Astros.

 

1998 Astros win series 4-1

 

Three one run victories for the Astros. The surprising aspect was that Billy Wagner and the Astros' bullpen was a non-factor. The '98 Astros advance to play the '06 Twins in the next round.

 

Up Next: '98 Yankees vs. '50 Phillies

[Brett Favre 0]

Gametime.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

bleh

[vivalaultra 0]

Resplendent. Thank God Randy Johnson was on the team instead of Pete Schouerk. The next series with the 98 'Stros and the '06 Twins will be interesting.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1998 New York Yankees (Cena's Writer) vs. 1950 Philadelphia Phillies (alkeiper)

 

The '98 Yankees won 114 games and then compiled an 11-2 record in the postseason. The '50 Phillies won the National League pennant, and I somehow can not recall how the World Series went.

 

Hall of Famers

Yankees: [Derek Jeter], [bernie Williams], [David Cone], [Mariano Rivera]

Phillies: Richie Ashburn, Robin Roberts

 

The Yankees had very good offense and defense. They were perhaps the most balanced great team in baseball history. The Phillies enjoyed average offense and very good pitching. Their hopes will rest on their ace starters, Robin Roberts and Curt Simmons.

 

'98 Yankees 17, '50 Phillies 8

WP: David Cone (1-0)

LP: Bob Miller (0-1)

 

Lacking the services of their top two starters and reliever Jim Konstanty, the Phillies ran out of quality pitching. The Yankees scored seven runs in the sixth inning to break a 4-4 tie. Chuck Knoblauch, Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams all collected three RBIs in the victory.

 

'98 Yankees 6, '50 Phillies 1

WP: David Wells (1-0)

LP: Robin Roberts (0-1)

 

Chuck Knoblauch hit a grand slam in the eighth to put the game away. The normally controlled Roberts walked four batters in the loss.

 

'50 Phillies 4, '98 Yankees 3

WP: Jim Konstanty (2-0)

LP: Mariano Rivera (0-1)

 

Del Ennis collected an RBI single in the first and hit a solo home run in the fifth to give the Phils a 2-1 lead heading into the ninth. Jim Konstanty came in to close out the game.

 

Top of the Ninth

Jim Konstanty relieves Bubba Church

Bernie Williams walks

Tito Martinez singles, Williams to third

Scott Brosius strikes out

Jorge Posada walks, Martinez to second

Tim Raines singles, Williams and Martinez score, Posada to second

Chili Davis pinch hits for Jeff Nelson

Chili Davis flies to right

Chuck Knoblauch grounds out, third to first

2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors

 

With Mariano Rivera coming in to protect a 3-2 lead, the game looks over.

 

Bottom of the Ninth

Mariano Rivera relieves Chili Davis

Dick Whitman pinch hits for Jim Konstanty

Dick Whitman flies to center

Eddie Waitkus reaches on error by Paul O'Neill, Waitkus to 2nd

Richie Ashburn triples, Waitkus scores

Dick Sisler reaches on fielder's choice, Ashburn scores

2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors

 

Some late game dramatics and heroics. Bubba Church held the Yankees in check for eight innings, helped by three double plays turned behind him.

 

'50 Phillies 5, '98 Yankees 2

WP: Curt Simmons (2-1)

LP: Orlando Hernandez (0-1)

Sv: Jim Konstanty (3)

 

Del Ennis hit a big three-run home run in the eighth inning off El Duque to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. Willie Jones followed up with a solo home run of his own.

 

'98 Yankees 5, '50 Phillies 4 (12 Innings)

WP: Graeme Lloyd (1-0)

LP: Russ Meyer (0-1)

Sv: Darren Holmes (1)

 

An incredible game. The Phils took a 2-1 lead into the eighth. Scott Brosius tied the game in the eighth with an RBI single. In the bottom of the frame, Granny Hamner regained the lead with an RBI single of his own. Bernie Williams gave the Yankees the lead in the top of the ninth with a two-run home run. The Phils again tied it with a two-out RBI single by Dick Sisler. Chad Curtis launched a two-out RBI double in the 12th to give the Yankees the lead for good. The Yankees hold a 3-2 series lead, heading back to Yankee Stadium.

 

'98 Yankees 3, '50 Phillies 2

WP: Graeme Lloyd (2-0)

LP: Robin Roberts (1-2)

Sv: Mariano Rivera (1)

 

Robin Roberts kept the Yankees in check until the eighth inning, when he ran out of gas and Bernie Williams tagged him for a two-run home run to give the Yankees the lead. Williams also collected an RBI single in the 1st.

 

1998 Yankees win series 4-2

 

The Phillies needed big performances from ace Robin Roberts to have a chance, and the Yankees beat him twice. Bernie Williams collected multiple clutch hits to drive his team to victory.

 

Up Next: '19 White Sox vs. '02 Angels

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

To clear up a couple of things I don't think I've addressed. Home field advantage is determined by regular season winning percentage. Series are run on a 2-3-2 basis. In the case where one team played in a DH league, the DH rule is determined by the home team.

[Brett Favre 0]

Woa. I thought the Phillies would win when it was tied 2-2..especially after the Yankees lost a game Rivera was closing.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1919 Chicago White Sox (2Gold) vs. 2002 Anaheim Angels (UndertakerHart)

 

The Chicago White Sox won the American League pennant rather easily but lost the World Series after eight players conspired to throw the games. The Angels won 99 games and the wild card, and then won the World Series in seven games over Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants.

 

Hall of Famers

White Sox: Ray Schalk, Eddie Collins, Red Faber, [Joe Jackson], [Eddie Cicotte]

Angels: none

 

Not only do the Angels have no Hall of Famers, only one (Troy Glaus) has a realistic chance at a Hall of Fame career. The Angels featured above average offense and very good pitching. None of the Angels' starters were stars but most were efficient. The bullpen is deadly even without their young fireballer Francisco Rodriguez. The White Sox had very good hitting and above average pitching. The Sox' pitching is extremely thin, with only Lefty Williams, Eddie Cicotte, Dickey Kerr and Red Faber logging significant innings. And Faber was hurt and ineffective. As the World Series demonstrated, if the starters are off it could be a long series.

 

One small note. There seems to be this misconception that Joe Jackson was a center fielder. The only year he played most of his games at center was in 1910, when he played 15 games in center field and five in right. Jackson was a right fielder in Cleveland and a left fielder in Chicago.

 

Also to address the obvious, this series will be played on the level.

 

'19 White Sox 3, '02 Angels 2

WP: Eddie Cicotte (1-0)

LP: Jarrod Washburn (0-1)

 

Jarrod Washburn took a 2-1 lead into the eighth and collected two quick outs before Eddie Collins singled, Buck Weaver tripled and Joe Jackson singled to give the White Sox the lead.

 

'02 Angels 7, '19 White Sox 2

WP: Ramon Ortiz (1-0)

LP: Lefty Williams (0-1)

 

The Black Sox are not throwing this series. That said, the first inning saw the White Sox score two runs thanks to errors by Swede Risberg, Lefty Williams and Happy Felsch. Joe Jackson tied the game with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. The Angels took the lead for good however when another Risberg error in the third allowed two runs to score.

 

'19 White Sox 5, '02 Angels 2

WP: Dickie Kerr (1-0)

LP: Kevin Appier (0-1)

 

A two-run fifth inning capped by an RBI single by Happy Felsch gave the victory to the Sox. Dickie Kerr pitched a complete game in the victory.

 

'02 Angels 6, '19 White Sox 4

WP: Francisco Rodriguez (1-0)

LP: Red Faber (0-1)

Sv: Troy Percival (1)

 

Scott Spiezio hit a two-run home run off Red Faber in the bottom of the eighth to break a 4-4 tie. Tim Salmon added a home run of his own in the victory.

 

'19 White Sox 12, '02 Angels 6

WP: Eddie Cicotte (2-0)

LP: Jarrod Washburn (0-2)

 

Washburn allowed seven runs and nine hits in less than two innings of work, and the White Sox cruised to victory. Four Sox collected two RBIs, and Joe Jackson picked up four hits in the victory.

 

'02 Angels 4, '19 White Sox 2

WP: Ramon Ortiz (2-0)

LP: Lefty Williams (0-2)

Sv: Troy Percival (2)

 

Errors again hurt the Sox, as Swede Risberg committed two errors and Happy Felsch committed one. Adam Kennedy's two-run home run in the fourth gave the Angels the edge.

 

'19 White Sox 11, '02 Angels 6

WP: Dickie Kerr (2-0)

LP: Kevin Appier (0-2)

 

Kevin Appier surrendered eight runs in the first two innings. The four conspirators from 1919 (Jackson, Felsch, Risberg and Gandil) collected two RBIs apiece.

 

1919 White Sox win series

 

The White Sox gain a measure of redemption in winning this series. Swede Risberg deserves mention for producing a .364 OPS AND committing six errors in the series. The White Sox advance to play the '98 Yankees.

 

Up Next: '46 Red Sox vs. '86 Astros

[Dandy 0]

Any chance we can get an updated bracket? Who is left and who they have coming up? Thanks in advance.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Upcoming Third Round Matchups:

'01 Mariners (CriplerCrosface9) vs. '03 Braves (Fokai)

'94 Expos (CanadianChris) vs. '72 Athletics (Porter)

'10 Athletics (Harley Quinn) vs. '76 Reds (Imarkout4eldandy)

'06 Twins (Vern Gagne) vs. '98 Astros (vivalaultra)

'98 Yankees (Cena's Writer) vs. '19 White Sox (2Gold)

 

Remaining Second Round Matchups:

'46 Red Sox (humanoid92) vs. '86 Astros (Just John)

'90 Athletics (Bored) vs. '04 Red Sox (Cheech13)

'86 Mets (naiwf) vs. '75 Red Sox (Mole)

'84 Tigers (MFerXtreme87) vs. '56 Dodgers (Kingofthe909)

'27 Yankees (phoenixrising) vs. '04 Astros (UTBroward)

'95 Braves (Smeus) vs. '85 Blue Jays (treble)

 

Everything is in order, meaning the winner of the Mariners/Braves series will play the winner of the Expos/Athletics series, and on down the line.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

I'll be cheering for the '04 and '46 Red Sox and I find it oddly disturbing that the '75 Red Sox have to face the '86 Mets...

[MFer 0]

Shouldn't Garrett Anderson at least be in the conversation for the HOF? (I wouldn't put him in right now BTW) I know there's a ring disparity but his numbers are pretty comparable to Bernie Williams plus he's almost 4 years younger.

[CanadianChris 0]

It's interesting that Anderson's most similar player according to baseball-reference.com is Steve Garvey. It puts Garvey's Hall candidacy in perspective, because I'd never consider Anderson as even being close to a Hall of Famer.

 

But that's probably a discussion for another thread.

[2GOLD 0]

Dickie Kerr, the only White Sox pitcher that wasn't offered money to throw the series because they figured he'd blow games on his own. Then he goes out and dominates for them and nearly blows the whole damn thing up. I thought they would lose the series because of lack of pitching but I guess they did enough. And damn, for a team not trying to throw the series, they certainly did alot in two of those games to try and blow it.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'll be cheering for the '04 and '46 Red Sox and I find it oddly disturbing that the '75 Red Sox have to face the '86 Mets...

I like the matchup. The Sox already took the measure of the Big Red Machine in their own World Series. The Mets proved that a plucky underdog team can give them a challenge. Plus, we've got a matchup of two Hall-of-Fame catchers.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Shouldn't Garrett Anderson at least be in the conversation for the HOF? (I wouldn't put him in right now BTW) I know there's a ring disparity but his numbers are pretty comparable to Bernie Williams plus he's almost 4 years younger.

Some of their numbers are similar. Others are not, and those are big differences.

 

1. Williams' OBP is .381, compared to .327 for Anderson.

 

2. Williams played over 95% of his career games in center field. Anderson played less than a quarter in center. Even if their numbers are similar, there is a huge difference in playing left field than playing center.

 

The fact is that Garret Anderson only once finished in the top ten of MVP voting. I don't wish to be mean about Anderson as a player, but in drawing up lists of the top players in Runs Created Above Position over his career, he is not even in the top 100.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1946 Boston Red Sox (humanoid92) vs. 1986 Houston Astros (Just John)

 

The Boston Red Sox won 104 games but lost a tough World Series in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Houston Astros lost a tough NLCS to the New York Mets after winning 96 games. The Astros survived a scare against the Florida Marlins in the opening round to advance.

 

Hall of Famers

Red Sox: Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams

Astros: Nolan Ryan

 

The Astros had good offense and very good pitching. Both their rotation and bullpen are deep and effective. The Red Sox had very good hitting and good pitching. The Sox enjoyed the hitting of several perennial All-Stars including Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky, Ted Williams and Dom Dimaggio. Relievers Bob Klinger and Mace Brown form the basis of a good bullpen for its era. One interesting aspect of this series is that Fenway Park was a great hitters' park, and the Astrodome was a great pitchers' park.

 

'86 Astros 3, '46 Red Sox 2

WP: Jim Deshaies (1-1)

LP: Tex Hughson (0-1)

Sv: Dave Smith (2)

 

Alan Ashby hit a two-run home run in the sixth to put the Astros up 3-1. Jim Deshaies walked six over five innings but gave up just one run. Larry Andersen pitched two scoreless innings to bridge the gap to closer Dave Smith.

 

'86 Astros 5, '46 Red Sox 2

WP: Nolan Ryan (2-1)

LP: Dave Ferriss (0-1)

 

RBI singles from Bill Doran and Denny Walling in the fifth gave the Astros a lead they never relinquished. Denny Walling collected three RBIs in the game. Mace Brown allowed three runs in relief for the Red Sox. The Astros take a 2-0 series lead to the Astrodome.

 

'86 Astros 5, '46 Red Sox 3

WP: Mike Scott (3-0)

LP: Mickey Harris (0-1)

Sv: Dave Smith (3)

 

The Astros scored four runs in the first three innings and held on to win. Glenn Davis collected three RBIs, including a two-run home run in the third inning.

 

'46 Red Sox 6, '86 Astros 3

WP: Joe Dobson (1-0)

LP: Bob Knepper (1-2)

Sv: Bob Klinger (1)

 

The Ted Williams Show. Williams hit two home runs and a double and collected five RBIs for his efforts.

 

'46 Red Sox 10, '86 Astros 3

WP: Tex Hughson (1-1)

LP: Jim Deshaies (1-2)

 

Seriously, do not tick off Ted Williams. His three-run home run capped off a four run fourth and led to another Sox rout.

 

'46 Red Sox 6, '86 Astros 5 (10 Innings)

WP: Mace Brown (1-0)

LP: Dave Smith (0-1)

 

The Astros held a 5-2 lead going into the eighth, but lost the lead on a Bobby Doerr RBI single, followed by a Bill Doran error and wild pitch. Rudy York won the game with a walk-off home run in the tenth. The Red Sox are a win away from pulling off another miracle comeback.

 

'46 Red Sox 2, '86 Astros 1

WP: Bob Klinger (1-0)

LP: Dave Smith (0-2)

 

Again the Astros blew a late lead. Leading 1-0 heading into the ninth inning, Dave Smith allowed a lead-off home run to Ted Williams. An error by Denny Walling allowed Rudy York to reach base, and Bobby Doerr followed up with an RBI triple to win the game.

 

1946 Red Sox win series 4-3

 

Ted Williams hit .407 (11 for 27) with five home runs and 11 RBIs in seven games. Williams redeemed himself and the Red Sox pulled off another miracle comeback. The Red Sox await a possible all-Sox series next round.

 

Up Next: '90 Athletics vs. '04 Red Sox

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Those poor, poor Astros fans...

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Did you really expect any of the Astros squads to win? That franchise has been historically bad. It's enough one or two of them have won in this tourney.

[vivalaultra 0]

I'd rather not turn this into an arguement, but the Astros have not been historically bad. They've had 2 seasons under .500 in the last 15 years and have finished 1st or 2nd in the division 12 of the last 13 years. Sure, they have no World Series rings and only 1 pennant in their history, but, no, the Astros have not been a 'historically bad team' by any stretch of the imagination.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Viva needs to stay away from BP 2007. I think they call the Astros a mediocre team in a mediocre division that makes mediocre moves to perpetuate their mediocrity, or something to that effect.

[vivalaultra 0]

Pfft. They can stick it up their OPSholes.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Viva needs to stay away from BP 2007. I think they call the Astros a mediocre team in a mediocre division that makes mediocre moves to perpetuate their mediocrity, or something to that effect.

I'm curious to read it myself, but that sounds like a bold statement to make about a team that's seventh in win percentage over the last decade.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I didn't really mean in the last decade, I'm counting up all the years since its incarnation. One decade doesn't erase all the years of mediocrity/bad.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Viva needs to stay away from BP 2007. I think they call the Astros a mediocre team in a mediocre division that makes mediocre moves to perpetuate their mediocrity, or something to that effect.

I'm curious to read it myself, but that sounds like a bold statement to make about a team that's seventh in win percentage over the last decade.

 

I've only read it once through so I don't remember the exact tone. I didn't mean to imply that it was a historical perspective on the team. They just reiterated that they were an 82 win team last year and deserved to be an 82 win team. They fooled themselves into thinking they were better than they were because of the weak division they played in and the offseason moves of the past two offseasons reflected a "go for it now" mentality when they could have spread the money around more efficiently to rebuild the team around Berkman and Oswalt.

[vivalaultra 0]

I didn't really mean in the last decade, I'm counting up all the years since its incarnation. One decade doesn't erase all the years of mediocrity/bad.

 

Actually, the Astros have been a franchise since 1962 and have been, more or less, average to good to really good since about 1976, so to say that they've only had one good decade isn't correct. They had several good years before 1996, I assure you. The last time they were consistently bad for more than a year or two in a row was the early to mid 1970s.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

It's just perception. You are probably right in that they are better than how I'm making them sound.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Just checked Baseball Reference. The Astros haven't had back to back losing seasons since 90-91.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The more accurate description would be a history of heartbreak. 1980 and 1986 come to mind.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Wasn't '80 more Nolan Ryan falling a part in game 5.