SCHEDULE: ROUND 1 - REGION 4
2) 1906 Chicago Cubs vs. 15) 1984 San Diego Padres
1906 Chicago Cubs:
2 Seed – Region 4
Record: 116-36
Result: Lost World Series 4-2 to Chicago White Sox
Entry to Tournament: Automatic bid (Best Cubs team ever)
Elo Rank: 2
Key Players:
Frank Chance (1B) .319, 71 rbi, 103 r, 57 sb, 158 OPS+
Harry Steinfeldt (3B) .327, 83 rbi, 81 r, 29 sb, 151 OPS+
Mordecai Brown (SP) 26-6, 1.04 era, 0.93 whip, 27 cg in 32 gs, 253 ERA+
Notes:
The original chokers, a sad way to remember this great team. Still hold the record for most wins in a single season. They did go on to win the next two World Series titles, but we HAD to take this team. Ranked 2nd overall in ELO, ML record for wins, “Three-finger” Brown’s 1.04 ERA even in the dead ball era! Plus, taking the lovable losers over the 1907 or ’08 title winners seems more appropriate for the Cubs….and gives them a chance at redemption.
Further reading:
https://sabr.org/research/1906-10-ch...league-history
http://www.thisgreatgame.com/1906-baseball-history.html
1984 San Diego Padres:
15 Seed – Region 4
Record: 92-70
Result: Lost World Series 4-1 to Detroit Tigers
Entry to Tournament: Automatic bid (2nd best Padres team ever)
Elo Rank: 769
Key Players:
Tony Gwynn (OF) .351, 71 rbi, 88 r, 33 sb, only 23 strikeouts!
Notes:
The best ranked Padres team ever was the 1998 team, but these guys get the auto bid for the lowly San Diego franchise. Why? Why not? The 1998 season already had two other entries in our tournament, and they really just fail the eyeball test when comparing to this roster. Also, I really wanted a younger Gwynn in the tournament, so that heavily factored in as well. I can’t see this team winning a single game, but I don’t think the ’98 team would’ve either so….
Further reading:
https://thesportsnotebook.com/1984-s...tory-articles/