TSM All-Time Baseball Tournament

[Just John 0]

Oh boy, we got the 04 Yanks treatment from the Red Sox. Though it would be really nice to see the 46 Sox meet the 27 Yankees in the finals or something.

[vivalaultra 0]

I'd agree with heartbreak. That's the thing with the Astros-since they haven't won a WS and have only won an NLDS series twice, people without interior knowledge assume that they're a shitty team or a mediocre team, but, if you look at the overall numbers, it doesn't add up. Any team that has had players the caliber of the players in Houston and with the overall records that winning % that Houston has seems like they should've won a championship by now, but, for whatever reason, it just hasn't happened...yet.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

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

He was part of the problem, but not the big thing. First off, the Astros blew leads in games four and five, both potential clinchers. When you look at that eighth inning, Ryan was not smacked around. Larry Bowa got a single up the middle. Boone's hit glanced off Ryan's glove. Greg Gross bunted into no man's land. Pete Rose walked on a full count. And Ryan was pulled at that point. He wasn't hit hard, and I would wonder if he was not pulled from the game prematurely.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1990 Oakland Athletics (bored) vs. 2004 Boston Red Sox (cheech13)

 

The Athletics won their third consecutive American League pennant but suffered a stunning four game sweep to the Cincinnati Reds. The Red Sox won the wild card and overcame a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the New York Yankees in the ALCS. A four game sweep of the Cardinals gave the Sox their first championship in 86 years.

 

Hall of Famers

Red Sox: [Manny Ramirez], [Curt Schilling], [Pedro Martinez]

Athletics: Dennis Eckersley, [Rickey Henderson]

 

Since Mark McGwire has now been passed over once by the BBWAA, he is left off the list.

 

The Athletics enjoyed good hitting and excellent pitching. The A's had a lights-out bullpen and two excellent starters in Dave Stewart and Bob Welch. The A's are remembered for their offense, but it is feast or famine with four strong hitters (Rickey Henderson, Dave Henderson, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire) and five weak hitters. The Red Sox had equally good hitting and pitching. The Sox had a tough lineup, quality starting and a deep bullpen.

 

'04 Red Sox 5, '90 Athletics 0

WP: Pedro Martinez (1-0)

LP: Dave Stewart (0-1)

 

Pedro Martinez dominated, pitching seven innings and striking out twelve batters in the process. David Ortiz, Kevin Millar and Jason Varitek all hit solo home runs.

 

'04 Red Sox 4, '90 Athletics 0

WP: Curt Schilling (1-0)

LP: Bob Welch (0-1)

 

Sox pitching again dominates, as Curt Schilling pitched a complete game shut-out, allowing just two hits and walking none. Manny Ramirez hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

 

'90 Athletics 6, '04 Red Sox 4

WP: Scott Sanderson (1-0)

LP: Bronson Arroyo (0-1)

Sv: Dennis Eckersley (1)

 

Finally the A's bats wake up. Rickey Henderson hit an RBI double to break a tie game in the fifth and Dave Henderson followed up with an RBI single of his own.

 

'04 Red Sox 5, '90 Athletics 4

WP: Scott Williamson (1-0)

LP: Rick Honeycutt (0-1)

Sv: Keith Foulke (1)

 

Johnny Damon put the Red Sox up with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. David Ortiz and Jason Varitek both hit solo home runs in the victory.

 

'90 Athletics 8, '04 Red Sox 6

WP: Dennis Eckersley (1-0)

LP: Scott Williamson (1-1)

Sv: Todd Burns (1)

 

The Red Sox scored four runs in the first inning off Dave Stewart. The A's hung tough and battled back however, tying the game in the seventh when two runs scored on Dave Henderson's double. Manny Ramirez hit an RBI single in the eighth to put the Red Sox ahead. Walt Weiss tied the game in the ninth, scoring on Mark Bellhorn's fielding error. Curtis Leskanic walked two batters with the bases loaded in the eleventh to score the go-ahead runs. Both Dennis Eckersley and Keith Foulke pitched two innings (Foulke allowed one unearned run), and both will be unavailable for game six.

 

'04 Red Sox 5, '90 Athletics 3

WP: Curt Schilling (2-0)

LP: Bob Welch (0-2)

Sv: Scott Williamson (1)

 

Johnny Damon walked, Orlando Cabrera singled, and Manny Ramirez hit a three-run home run to start the game for the Red Sox. The Sox added a run in the second. The A's scored three runs in the bottom of the second, but never pulled closer. Manny Ramirez cracked an RBI double in the seventh for insurance.

 

2004 Red Sox win series 4-2

 

The Red Sox got quality performances from Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling and the rest fell into place. The Sox now advance to play their 1946 counterparts in the next round.

 

Up Next: '86 Mets vs. '75 Red Sox

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

March 07: '86 Mets vs. '75 Red Sox

March 08: '84 Tigers vs. '56 Dodgers

March 09: '27 Yankees vs. '04 Astros

March 10: '95 Braves vs. '85 Blue Jays

 

March 11-18: Third Round

March 11: '01 Mariners vs. '03 Braves

March 12: '94 Expos vs. '72 A's

March 13: '10 A's vs. '76 Reds

March 14: '06 Twins vs. '98 Astros

March 15: '98 Yankees vs. '19 White Sox

March 16: '46 Red Sox vs. '04 Red Sox

March 17: TBA

March 18: TBA

 

March 19-22: Quarterfinals

 

March 23-29: Ultimate World Series

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1986 New York Mets (Naiwf) vs. 1975 Boston Red Sox (Mole)

 

The New York Mets won 108 games and the World Series, surviving what I consider the greatest postseason of all time. The Red Sox won 95 games and swept the A's in the ALCS before taking the Cincinnati Reds to the limit in a tremendous World Series.

 

Hall of Famers

Red Sox: Carlton Fisk, Carl Yastrzemski

Mets: Gary Carter

 

The Red Sox had good hitting and above average pitching. Their lineup is loaded with stars such as Fisk, Yaz, Fred Lynn (1975 MVP and Rookie of the Year), Jim Rice, Dwight Evans and Cecil Cooper. Bernie Carbo was a deadly threat off the bench. The presence of Rico Petrocelli and Rick Burleson however mean they surrendered outs a third of the time. Their starters were all near average but could eat innings. Their bullpen was effective but lacked a clear star. The Mets had very good pitching and hitting. Their rotation was incredibly deep, and they boasted two relief aces capable of pitching three plus innings a night if needed. Only Rafael Santana provided below average production from the lineup.

 

'86 Mets 3, '75 Red Sox 1

WP: Dwight Gooden (1-0)

LP: Luis Tiant (0-1)

Sv: Roger McDowell (1)

 

Keith Hernandez drove in two runs, including the go-ahead run with a double in the sixth inning. Luis Tiant allowed a third run on a bases loaded two-out error in the sixth. Roger McDowell pitched two innings for the save.

 

'75 Red Sox 9, '86 Mets 7

WP: Bill Lee (1-0)

LP: Ron Darling (0-1)

Sv: Dick Drago (1)

 

Both teams scored four runs in the ninth inning. Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk both hit three-run home runs in the victory.

 

'75 Red Sox 4, '86 Mets 1

WP: Rick Wise (1-0)

LP: Bob Ojeda (0-1)

 

Rick Wise took a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Dwight Evans hit a two-run double in the fourth inning.

 

'86 Mets 5, '75 Red Sox 4

WP: Sid Fernandez (1-0)

LP: Reggie Cleveland (0-1)

Sv: Jesse Orosco (1)

 

Gary Carter's two-run home run capped a three run first inning. Rafael Santana's solo home run in the fifth proved crucial late in the game as the Mets held on to win.

 

'86 Mets 8, '75 Red Sox 2

WP: Dwight Gooden (2-0)

LP: Luis Tiant (0-2)

 

Kevin Mitchell's three-run home run in the ninth put the game away for the Mets. Gooden pitched 8 1/3 innings for the victory. Luis Tiant gave pitched a quality start, allowing three earned runs in six innings pitched.

 

'86 Mets 2, '75 Red Sox 0

WP: Ron Darling (1-1)

LP: Bill Lee (1-1)

Sv: Roger McDowell (2)

 

Keith Hernandez hit a solo home run in the sixth inning and addad an RBI single in the 8th. Ron Darling pitched eight shutout innings for the victory.

 

1986 Mets win series 4-2

 

Keith Hernandez picked up a total of nine RBIs in the series. The Mets advance to the third round and await the winner of the next series.

 

Up Next: '84 Tigers vs. '56 Dodgers

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1984 Detroit Tigers (MFerXtreme87) vs. 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers (Kingofthe909)

 

The Detroit Tigers started the season 35-5, won 104 games and went 7-1 in the postseason on their way to a World Championship. The Brooklyn Dodgers won 93 games but missed out on a second World Title by one game, losing to the New York Yankees in the World Series.

 

Hall of Famers

Dodgers: Roy Campanella, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider

Tigers: none

 

The absence of Alan Trammell from the Hall is truly a shame. He was not much less valuable than Cal Ripken, who is perhaps the greatest shortstop since World War II. The Tigers had very good offense and defense. Practically their entire offense, bench included, hit above league average. Their rotation was solid and their bullpen was excellent, capped by AL MVP/Cy Young winner Willie Hernandez. The Dodgers had good offense and very good pitching. Some of their stars were past their prime. Roy Campanella hit .219, and both Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese were 37 years old. Their pitching was led by Don Newcombe and Sal Maglie.

 

'84 Tigers 5, '56 Dodgers 4 (10 Innings)

WP: Aurelio Lopez (1-0)

LP: Clem Labine (0-1)

 

Lou Whitaker hit a two-run single and a solo home run to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead heading into the ninth inning. The Dodgers scored three off of closer Willie Hernandez, capped by Pee Wee Reese's two-run game tying single with two outs. Darrell Evans led off the bottom of the tenth with a solo home run to win the game.

 

'84 Tigers 6, '56 Dodgers 4

WP: Dan Petry (1-0)

LP: Roger Craig (0-1)

Sv: Willie Hernandez (1)

 

Larry Herndon's three-run home run in the seventh was the big hit of the game. The Dodgers threatened in the ninth, but Jim Gilliam grounded out with the bases loaded to end the game.

 

'84 Tigers 12, '56 Dodgers 8

WP: Dave Rozema (1-0)

LP: Don Bessent (0-1)

 

The first true slugfest of the tournament. The Tigers exploded for six runs in the seventh inning off Don Bessent. Gil Hodges hit two home runs for the Dodgers in the loss.

 

'84 Tigers 7, '56 Dodgers 4

WP: Willie Hernandez (1-0)

LP: Clem Labine (0-2)

 

The Dodgers took a 4-3 lead into the ninth, but the Tigers rallied for four runs. Lance Parrish hit a two out, two-run single to seal the victory.

 

1984 Tigers win series 4-0

 

The story of this series was the collapse of the Dodger bullpen. Clem Labine and Don Bessent combined to allow 11 runs in three innings of work. The Tigers advance to play the '86 Mets in the third round.

 

Up Next: '27 Yankees vs. '04 Astros

[naiwf 0]

That's why he's Keith Hernandez.

[Dandy 0]

I would be surprised if the '04 Astros win more than a game in the next series.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I would be surprised if the '04 Astros win more than a game in the next series.

 

I bet they win one or two games. The pitching on that Astros team is good enough to neutralize the Yankees offense at least once. As great as they were, the '27 Yankees are slightly overrated in the all-time great teams debate.

[Dandy 0]

I guess it is just that lineup that makes me think every pitcher facing them will get hit hard at some point. Can the '04 Astros put up enough runs?

[vivalaultra 0]

The '04 offense wasn't bad. It wasn't great, either. Bagwell, Kent, Berkman, and Beltran all had good years. They scored 803 runs. The real question will be who's going to be in the simmed rotation. Pettitte and Wade Miller both got hurt a few months into the season and by August, the rotation was Clemens, and then Oswalt, and then hope for rain.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Well for comparison...

 

The '31 Yankees scored 6.88 RPG when the average was 5.14 for the AL (1.74)!

The '30 Yankees scored 6.90 RPG when the average was 5.41 for the AL (1.49)

The '27 Yankees scored 6.29 RPG when the average was 4.92 for the AL (1.37)

The '13 Athletics scored 5.19 RPG when the average was 3.93 for the AL (1.26)

The 2003 Red Sox scored 5.93 RPG when the average was 4.86 for the AL (1.07)

The '99 Indians scored 6.23 RPG when the average was 5.18 for the AL (1.05)

 

The one thing the '27 Yanks have going for them is power (They hit 36% of the AL's HRs) and discipline (15.8% of the AL's walks). They also had 11.20% of the SB in the AL and 18.10% of the strikeouts.

 

I would call the 1913 Athletics more impressive offensively simply because of the scoring era they were playing in, where teams were scoring a full run less.

 

The Athletics themselves accounted for 20.75% of the HRs in the AL that season, 14.26% of the walks, 11.70% of the strikeouts, and 13.20% of the Stolen Bases.

[Dandy 0]

Good stats!

[MFer 0]

1984 Tigers win series 4-0

Good shit.

 

Is this the only team with no HOFers?

[Just John 0]

The 06 Twins don't have any HOFers either, but they're a pretty young team.

[treble 0]

The '85 Jays won't, unless you count Bobby Cox.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1927 New York Yankees (phoenixrising) vs. 2004 Houston Astros (UTBroward)

 

The Houston Astros won the NL wild card and came one win away from winning the National League pennant. The Yankees won 110 games in the regular season and utterly dominated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.

 

Hall of Famers

Yankees: Earle Combs, Lou Gehrig, Waite Hoyt, Tony Lazzeri, Herb Pennock, Babe Ruth

Astros: [Jeff Bagwell], [Craig Biggio], [Roger Clemens]

 

The Astros had above average hitting and pitching. The unknown is how the presence of Carlos Beltran will influence their chances. For what it is worth, the Astros went 40-18 from August 1st on. The Yankees had an ungodly offense led by historically great seasons from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. The Yankees pitching was also excellent, thanks to strong starting and a fluke season in relief out of Wilcy Moore. The Yankees are lefty heavy, but with Mike Gallo the Astros might not have the reliever to exploit it.

 

'04 Astros 10, '27 Yankees 9 (11 Innings)

WP: Brad Lidge (1-0)

LP: Myles Thomas (0-1)

Sv: Dave Weathers (1)

 

A wild affair. The Astros took a 7-3 lead heading into the sixth inning. The Yankees got a run back in the sixth. The Astros lined up lefty Mike Gallo against the Yanks in the seventh, and Gallo coughed up two baserunners followed by a three-run home run by Lou Gehrig. Both teams scored two in the eighth. Brad Lidge pitched two 1-2-3 innings. Brad Ausmus hit a home run off Myles Thomas in the 11th, and Dave Weathers held on to win the game for the 'Stros.

 

'04 Astros 7, '27 Yankees 6 (11 Innings)

WP: Dan Miceli (2-0)

LP: Dutch Ruether (0-1)

Sv: Chad Harville (1)

 

Wow. The Yankees took the lead in the bottom of the third inning with a three-run home run off the bat of Babe Ruth. The Astros tied the game in the fifth on a three-run home run of their own from Carlos Beltran. The score remained tied until the tenth when Craig Biggio hit a two-run home run off Bob Shawkey. Lou Gehrig followed with his own two-run home run in the bottom of the inning. Adam Everett hit a two-run home run in the eleventh. In the bottom of the inning, Mark Koenig tripled and scored on Babe Ruth's sacrifice fly. Chad Harville struck out Gehrig to end the game.

 

'27 Yankees 4, '04 Astros 3

WP: Herb Pennock (1-0)

LP: Chad Qualls (0-1)

Sv: Wilcy Moore (1)

 

Babe Ruth hit a two-run home run with two outs in the seventh to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead. Wilcy Moore pitched three scoreless innings for the save.

 

'04 Astros 3, '27 Yankees 2 (13 Innings)

WP: Dave Weathers (1-0)

LP: Myles Thomas (0-2)

 

The Yankees took a 2-1 lead with two runs in the eighth, but Carlos Beltran tied the game with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning. Lance Berkman led off the 13th with a home run to win the game.

 

'04 Astros 4, '27 Yankees 3

WP: Mike Gallo (1-0)

LP: Dutch Ruether (0-2)

Sv: Brad Lidge (4)

 

Trailing 4-3 in the eighth, Carlos Beltran led off with a home run. Jeff Bagwell singled, Lance Berkman walked, and Jeff Kent collected an RBI single to plate the go-ahead run. Brad Lidge pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to collect his fourth save of the tournament.

 

2004 Astros win series 4-1

 

Another surprising upset. The Astros won all four games by one run apiece, three in extra innings. Their bullpen and bench gave them an edge late in games, particularly when they outlasted Bob Shawkey and Wilcy Moore.

 

Up Next: '95 Braves vs. '85 Blue Jays

[vivalaultra 0]

Oh my...that's great.

[Broward83 0]

I would be surprised if the '04 Astros win more than a game in the next series.

 

Then be surprised my good man, be surprised.

[The Man in Blak 0]

Three extra inning games, one-run affairs in every game in the series? That would have been ridiculously entertaining for any two playoff teams, let alone the 2004 Astros and one of the greatest teams of all time. Great series.

 

With the inclusion of Beltran, those Astros are one of the more underrated teams of the last few years. Consider that, in addition to the Hall of Famers listed up there, they also had tremendous contributions from Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltran, Jeff Kent, Roy Ozwalt, and an absurd bullpen with Dotel, Qualls, Wheeler, and Brad Lidge at (arguably) his nastiest. I'd say that they've got a sound chance to win just about any series they come up against in this tournament.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Told you so. Sort of.

[Broward83 0]

WE SHOCKED THE WORLD! WE SHOCKED THE WORLD!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

1995 Atlanta Braves (Smeus) vs. 1985 Toronto Blue Jays (treble)

 

The Braves won 90 games in a strike-shortened season, and then won their first World Series since moving to Atlanta. The Blue Jays won 99 games and their first division title before dropping a seven game ALCS to the Kansas City Royals.

 

Hall of Famers

Braves: [Fred McGriff], [Chipper Jones], [Greg Maddux], [Tom Glavine], [John Smoltz]

Blue Jays: none

 

The Blue Jays enjoyed above average hitting and excellent pitching. Their rotation and bullpen were both excellent, and the late-season callup of Tom Henke gave them a lights-out closer. The Braves too had excellent pitching, led by a trio of Hall of Fame caliber pitchers in their primes. Greg Maddux's .905 winning percentage is the third best win percentage of all time among qualified pitchers (and one of the other two came from the Union Association). Their offense however was average at best, and their bench has no legitimate threats.

 

'95 Braves 13, '85 Blue Jays 7

WP: Greg Maddux (1-0)

LP: Dave Stieb (0-1)

 

The Braves crushed Stieb for nine runs in the first two innings and cruised to victory. Javy Lopez hit two home runs, and David Justice added three RBIs.

 

'95 Braves 8, '85 Blue Jays 2

WP: Tom Glavine (1-0)

LP: Doyle Alexander (0-1)

 

A four-run second inning, led by Ryan Klesko's two-run triple, paved the way for another Braves victory. The game remained close until the Braves tacked on three runs in the eighth. Javy Lopez drove in three runs for the Braves.

 

'95 Braves 2, '85 Blue Jays 1

WP: John Smoltz (1-0)

LP: Jimmy Key (0-1)

 

Tough loss for Key who allowed just two runs in eight innings of work. Key hit Mark Lemke with the bases loaded in the fifth to force in a run, and Dwight Smith followed with a sacrifice fly.

 

'85 Blue Jays 5, '95 Braves 1

WP: Jim Clancy (1-0)

LP: Steve Avery (0-1)

 

The Blue Jays hit Avery for three runs in the first inning and created some breathing room for the first time in the series. George Bell's RBI triple in the first provided the most important hit for the Jays.

 

'85 Blue Jays 5, '95 Braves 1

WP: Dave Stieb (1-1)

LP: Greg Maddux (1-1)

 

A four-run fifth inning won the game for the Jays. Tony Fernandez and Damaso Garcia picked up two RBIs apiece.

 

'95 Braves 4, '85 Blue Jays 2

WP: Mark Wohlers (1-0)

LP: Dennis Lamp (0-1)

 

The Blue Jays hit Tom Glavine for two runs in the first inning. The Braves battled back, tying the game on Javy Lopez's two-run double in the fourth inning. The game remained tied until the ninth, when Charlie O'Brien came off the bench with a two-run walkoff home run to win the game.

 

1995 Braves win series 4-2

 

The Braves' offense came out blazing in the first two games, and the Braves' pitching did their part the rest of the way. The Blue Jays' bullpen rarely got a chance to come through.

 

Up Next: Third Round!

[treble 0]

Damn.

 

Was this the only match-up where the 2 teams had the same manager?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I believe so, and I'm stunned I haven't made that connection.

[treble 0]

I call shenanigans. '95 Cox obviously knew what '85 Cox would do ahead of time.

[Dandy 0]

I would be surprised if the '04 Astros win more than a game in the next series.

 

Then be surprised my good man, be surprised.

 

 

I was, definitely!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

For similar matchups, there is a possibility the 1976 Reds and 1984 Tigers would meet in the finals, an All-Sparky Anderson matchup.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Third Round Matchups!

 

Third Round:

'01 Mariners (Criplercrosface9) vs. '03 Braves (Fokai)

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

'10 Athletics (HarleyQuinn) vs. '76 Reds (Imarkout4eldandy)

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

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

'46 Red Sox (humanoid92) vs. '04 Red Sox (Cheech13)

'86 Mets (Naiwf) vs. '84 Tigers (MFerXtreme87)

'04 Astros (UTBroward) vs. '95 Braves (Smeus)