Fall Classic Rewind

Thursday October 11th, 1979 @ Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MD

The outfield is torn up, the warning track riddled with puddles, the infield is choppy, and the grass is wet. Suffice it to say, Memorial Stadium is a mess. But that won't stop the World Series. The Baltimore Orioles jumped out to an early lead in game one, but they just barely held off the Pirates late rally to secure a 5-4 victory. The Pittsburgh bullpen kept the O's bats quiet, while the offense chipped away at the lefty Flanagan. The 1979 AL Cy Young displayed impressive resolve, inducing a pop-out from '79 NL MVP Willie Stargell to end the game and strand '78 NL MVP Dave Parker at third base. The stars have come out to play these playoffs, and tonight will be no different. The pitching matchup is a pair of future Hall-of-Famers and longtime TV broadcasters, handsome Jim Palmer (10 - 6 3.30 ERA 155 IP) and the Dutchman Bert Blyleven (12 - 5 3.60 ERA 237 IP). Both will pitch well tonight, but neither will factor in the decision. The key hit from this game will come from an unexpected, yet quite familiar player. Tune in for an excellent game two.

Audioclips from joeydbball Youtube. ABC broadcast w/ Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Don Drysdale

As always shoutout to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

Wednesday October 10th, 1979 @ Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, MD

After a rainout the previous night, the 1979 World Series is set to begin at Memorial Stadium in weather fit for football (40 degrees and wet). A rematch of the 1971 Fall Classic, Earl Weaver's Baltimore Orioles look to get the edge on Chuck Tanner's Pittsburgh Pirates. These are two evenly matched ballclubs, the champions of their respective leagues. They share a lot of similarities in roster construction, boasting star power at right field and first base (Murray and Singleton for BAL: Stargell and Parker for PIT), productive platoon options in left (Lowenstein/Roenicke: Robinson/Milner), burners in center (Bumbry: Moreno), scrappy infielders (DeCinces, Belanger, and Dauer: Madlock, Foli, and Garner), top of the rotation aces (Flanagan and Palmer: Candelaria and Blyleven), and reliable bullpen arms who are no stranger to high leverage situations that (Stanhouse, Stoddard, and Martinez: Tekulve, Jackson, and Romo). This series will be quite a battle.

Taking the mound for Baltimore is lefty Mike Flanagan (23 - 9 3.08 ERA 265 IP), a workhorse whose addition of a changeup to his repertoire elevated him to a Cy Young caliber pitcher. Opposing him is veteran righty Bruce Kison (13 - 7 3.19 ERA 172 IP), who was just a rookie when the Pirates beat the O's back in '71. Coming into this game, Kison has allowed just one run in 22 career postseason innings (4 - 0 record, 1 GS). Who will take game? Tune in to an excellent start to this World Series.

Audioclips from joeydbball Youtube. ABC Broadcast w/ Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Don Drysdale

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

Friday Afternoon, October 5th, 1979 @ Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA

After two thrilling extra-inning victories in Cincinnati, the Pirates are headed home on the precipice of another World Series berth. The 'Family', as they are referred to by their loyal fans, have excelled in all facets of the game: great starting pitching (Candelaria and Bibby), tremendous defense (Foli, Madlock, and Ott), timely hitting (Stargell and Parker), and clutch bullpen heroics (Tekulve, Jackson, and unexpectedly Don Robinson!). Pittsburgh manager Chuck Tanner is confident those trends will continue, sending a veteran righty to the mound, Bert Blyleven (12 - 5 3.60 ERA 237 IP). The Dutch-born hurler will deliver one of the best games of his storied Hall-of-Fame career in his first career postseason start.

Reds manager John McNamara is hoping to keep the Pirates big bats at bay with young righty Mike LaCoss (14 - 8 3.50 ERA 205 IP), a 23 year old All-Star in just his second season in the big leagues. If the youngster runs into early trouble, expect McNamara to turn to veteran lefty Fred Norman (11 - 13 3.64 ERA 195 IP). If things don't go the Reds way, it will likely be the final time that Joe Morgan dons a Cincy uniform, signaling an end to the era of the Big Red Machine.

Tune in to another exciting conclusion of a championship series.

Audio clips from joeydbball Youtube. KDKA-TV broadcast w/ Milo Hamilton (final game as PIT PxP announcer), Lanny Frattare, and Nelson Briles

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

October 2, 1979 @ Riverfront Stadium

For the fourth time this decade, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds will face off for the National League Pennant. The Reds have had the advantage so far this decade, defeating the Buccos in the previous three series with a combined 9-2 record. Both of these teams have dominated their respective divisions throughout this decade (6th NL east crown for PIT, 5th NL West crown for CIN), but the teams look a bit different from their previous matchups. Yes, Willie Stargell and Dave Parker are still threats in the middle of the lineup; but now they are supported by the likes of Omar Moreno, Bill Madlock, Phil Garner, and others. Bert Blyleven and Jim Bibby have come in to stabilize the rotation. Danny Murtagh is long gone as manager; Chuck Tanner gets his first crack at the postseason. Ditto for John McNamara, who replaces legendary Reds skipper Sparky Anderson (who left for Detroit). Tom Seaver is the new ace for the Reds. Key cogs of the Big Red Machine, Pete Rose and Tony Perez, departed in free agency. Former MVPs Joe Morgan and George Foster have battled injuries all year, and it seems as if these games may be the last that Morgan will play in a Red uniform. The Great Johnny Bench and ever reliable Dave Concepcion are still solid as ever up the middle, but Cincinnati has needed the boost from others like Ray Knight and Dave Collins.

This game one figures to be a pitchers' duel, with two aces going at it. Tom Seaver (16 - 6 3.14 ERA 215 IP) takes the hill in his first, and surprisingly only postseason game for the Reds since he was traded in '77. On the bump for Pittsburgh is lefty John Candelaria (14 - 9 3.22 ERA 207 IP), one of the most dependable left-handed starters in all of baseball for the better part of a decade (averaged 15 - 9 3.19 ERA 216 IP between '76 - '80). This game and this series will be determined by great defense and timely hitting, as many thrilling postseason series are. Tune in for a fantastic game one.

Audio Clips from joeydbball Youtube. NBC Broadcast w/ Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, and Don Sutton.

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

The Angels staved off elimination in walk off fashion in game three, but they have their work cut out for them if they want to force a game five. The Orioles send their number four starter to the hill, but lefty Scott McGregor (13 - 6 3.35 ERA 174 IP) would be a number two on most staffs. The LA born workhorse doesn't have a reputation as a big-game pitcher, but this start would begin a string of postseason excellence. Opposing him for the Angels is righty Chris Knapp (5 - 5 5.51 ERA 98 IP), who struggled with injuries this season, but was 10 - 1 at Anaheim Stadium in his career. The Angels won the AL West with their high-powered offense, but their pitching leaves a lot to be desired. With a win today, the Orioles would reach their fourth World Series in the past ten years. Tune in to the conclusion of an exhilarating series.

Audio clips from joeydbball Youtube. NBC Broadcast w/ Dick Enberg, Wes Parker, and Sparky Anderson.

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

For the first time in their relatively short history, the Angels are hosting a playoff game in Anaheim. The bad news, they are down 2 - 0 int he series against the juggernaut Baltimore Orioles. Facing elimination, they send workhorse lefty Frank Tanana (7 - 5 3.89 ERA 90 IP) to the mound, hoping he will recapture some of his pre-injury glory (averaged 16 - 12 2.86 ERA 259 IP per season over the previous 5 seasons). Opposing him for Earl Weaver's Orioles is workhorse righty Dennis Martinez (15 - 16 3.66 ERA 292 IP), who led the league in innings and complete games (like Tanana had a couple of years prior). The previous two games have each had electric finishes, and this game will be no different. The crowd will be anxious and be ready to explode anytime the Angels come through. Tune in for an exhilarating playoff game.

Audio clips from joeydbball Youtube.

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1979 ALCS Game Two

After a thrilling walk-off win in game one, the Orioles look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead against the Angels. Baltimore sends their Cy Young winner, lefty Mike Flanagan (23 - 9 3.08 ERA 265 IP), to the mound. He has been a workhorse all season, but has been known to lose it quickly if he really gets in trouble. Opposing him is California righty Dave Frost (16 - 10 3.57 ERA 239 IP), who is having a career year, unfortunately the only one of his relatively short career. This game will once again be close at the end, but it will play out in a much different fashion than game one. Can the Orioles take control of this series, or will the Angels even it up. Tune in to this barnburner.

Audio clips from joeydbball Youtube - NBC Broadcast: Dick Enberg, Wes Parker, Sparky Anderson

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1979 ALCS Game One - 10/3/79 - Memorial Stadium - Baltimore, Maryland

California Angels

For the first time in their 19 year history, the California Angels (88 - 74) are in the playoffs! The trade for former MVP and seven time batting champ Rod Carew has paid off immediately. The Angels have the league's top offense, lead by an MVP performance by Don Baylor (.296/.371/.530 36 HR 139 RBI 145 OPS+) and bolstered by bounce back All-Star seasons from 2B Bobby Grich (.294/.365/.537 30 HR 101 RBI 145 OPS+) and C Brian Downing (.326/.418/.482 12 HR 75 RBI 142 OPS+). Nolan Ryan, Dave Frost, and Frank Tanana hold down the rotation, and rookie righty Mark Clear is the lone star out of the pen. Former All Star shortstop Jim Fregosi (who was famously traded for his star righty Ryan earlier this decade) is at the helm for California, in just his first full season as a manager. This feel-good team, these "Yes We Can" Angels have a tall task ahead of them in their first ever postseason series.

Baltimore Orioles

Pitching, defense, and three-run homers. That's how Earl Weaver's Orioles (102 - 57) get it done. This season marks the sixth American League East crown since '69 for Baltimore, and while the lineups and rotations have changed, their style of play has not. Sure, Jim Palmer, Mark Belanger, and Al Bumbry are still there, but gone are the Robinsons (Brooks and Frank), Boog Powell, Davey Johnson, Dave McNally, and Mike Cuellar, just to name a few. The rotation is strong once again, led by Cy Young winner Mike Flanagan, as well as Scott McGregor and Dennis Martinez. The bullpen is reliable, with Don Stanhouse and Tippy Martinez always on call. And the lineup is dangerous, with stars Eddie Murray (.295/.369/.475 25 HR 99 RBI 130 OPS+) and Ken Singleton (.295/.405/.533 35 HR 111 RBI 155 OPS+) packing plenty of punch in the heart of the order. The role players always shine under Weaver, with Gary Roenicke, Pat Kelly, and utility-man John Lowenstein providing timely hits time and again.

Game one of this series is a matchup of legends: Jim Palmer (10 - 6 3.30 ERA 155 IP) vs. Nolan Ryan (16 - 14 3.60 ERA 222 IP). Both have struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout the year; however, they will bring their best in the playoffs and keep their teams in it. Neither will factor in the decision, as this tight ballgame will go into extra innings. From there, an unexpected hero will shine. Tune in for a thrilling start to the 1979 postseason!

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Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

The two best words in baseball: Game Seven. The A's avoided elimination behind outstanding performances of stars Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter, besting fellow future Hall-of-Famer Tom Seaver in game six. For the third time in this series, we will see the matchup between lefties Ken Holtzman (21 - 13 2.97 297 IP) and Jon Matlack (14 - 16 3.20 242 IP). Matlack has been brilliant in the postseason so far, allowing zero earned runs in 23 innings pitched across three starts. Can he keep up his dominance, or will the A's bats have an answer for the budding star? Holtzman has been a workhorse all season for Oakland, but he didn't even make it out of the first inning in game four. For the A's to become back-to-back champs, they will need him to make a major adjustment in this winner-take-all game. There have been plenty of distractions in this series, partly due to meddlesome owners (Charlie O. Finley), controversial plays, porous defense (Felix Milland and Mike Andrews), abrupt retirement announcements (Willie Mays), and speculation about managers' next jobs (Dick Williams). But all of that goes to the wayside with a game seven. For all the marbles, for history, for legacy.

Audio Clips from Phenia Films Youtube - NBC Broadcasters - Monte Moore, Curt Gowdy, Tony Kubek

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.