[Nick Soulis]

Season #215



2001 Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 86-76
Finish: 2nd in NL East
Manager: Larry Bowa
Ball Park: Veterans Stadium
WAR Leader: Scott Rolen (5.6)
Franchise record; 6-15
2001 Season Record: 2-3
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2001.shtml

1974 Houston Astros
Record: 81-81
Finish: 4th in NL West
Manager: Preston Gomez
Ball Park: Astrodome
WAR Leader: Cesar Cedeno (5.8)
Franchise Record: 2-3
1974 Season Record: 2-3
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1974.shtml
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Tim McCarver will be covering this series:

Hello, everybody — Tim McCarver here, and welcome to what promises to be another memorable best-of-seven here in the Field of Dreams. This time, we’ve got the 2001 Philadelphia Phillies hosting the 1974 Houston Astros — two clubs that may be separated by nearly three decades but share one thing in common: both have something to prove on this timeless stage.

Let’s start with the Phillies. Managed by Larry Bowa, the 2001 club came into the new millennium with a chip on their shoulder, trying to break out of a decade of mediocrity. They’ve got pop and they’ve got speed. Bobby Abreu is the name you’ll hear a lot — a complete hitter with a beautiful swing, dangerous in the gaps and on the bases. Pat Burrell can change a game with one swing, and Scott Rolen, if he’s healthy, anchors that infield with his Gold Glove defense and underrated power bat. The rotation is solid too, led by Robert Person and Randy Wolf — crafty lefties and righties who won’t overpower you but can spot the ball and keep hitters honest.

And then there’s the ’74 Houston Astros. A gritty team from an era when the Astrodome loomed large over the National League. These Astros bring speed, defense, and pitching. Cesar Cedeño might be the most exciting player in this matchup — a true five-tool talent, equally comfortable hitting line drives, stealing a bag, or tracking down a ball in center field. On the mound, look for guys like Don Wilson and Larry Dierker to set the tone. They’ll rely on movement, location, and that old-school toughness that defined mid-’70s Astros baseball.

Defensively, this could be a treat. Both teams can pick it, both outfields have good range, and neither club is going to give away extra bases without a fight.

So, what’s the key? For Philadelphia, it’s getting timely hits and keeping their bullpen out of trouble — that unit could be the difference between advancing or going home. For Houston, it’s about scratching out runs any way they can. Small ball, aggressive baserunning, taking the extra base — they have to make the Phillies play tight.

The setting? The Field of Dreams, where decades vanish, and the grass always seems a little greener. This one feels like it could go the distance. Buckle up, folks — we’ve got modern bats against vintage arms, and I can’t wait to see who steps up.

For now, I’m Tim McCarver — enjoy the series, everybody.
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Phinal Answer: Phillies Seal Series in Classic Fashion
Abreu Leads Charge As Houston No Match



Game 1
At Veterans Stadium
1974 Houston Astros 3
2001 Philadelphia Phillies 5
WP: E. Vosberg (1-0) LP: L. Dierker (0-1) S: J. Mesa (1)
HR: L. May (1), B. Abreu (1), T. Lee (1)
POG: Bobby Abreu (2-3, HR, 2B, RBI, 3 R, BB)
2001 Phillies Lead Series 1-0

Well, folks, Game 1 is in the books, and the 2001 Philadelphia Phillies have taken the early edge in this best-of-seven series with a 5–3 win over the 1974 Houston Astros here at the Vet. What a fun one to kick things off — and if this is any sign of how this series is going to play out, we’re in for quite a ride.
The story tonight was right fielder Bobby Abreu, who was simply sensational. You saw him do it all: a solo home run in the sixth to tie the game at 3–3, a double, a walk — and perhaps more importantly, he scored three of Philadelphia’s five runs. He was always in the middle of the rallies. That’s what stars do in October — or in this case, in our timeless Field of Dreams — they shine when the lights are bright.
And how about that big swing by Pat Burrell in the eighth? Down to his last strike, he takes an 0–2 curveball from Larry Dierker and just shoots it back up the middle for the go-ahead RBI. Those are the kind of clutch at-bats that can change the tone of a series.
Let’s not overlook the pitching. Randy Wolf for the Phillies gave his club a chance, going seven innings, giving up three runs — including that big two-run homer by Lee May in the fifth that put the Astros ahead for a bit. But Wolf settled down, and then the bullpen did the rest. Ed Vosberg and Jose Mesa closed the door. That’s exactly the formula Philadelphia manager Jim Smith wants to see: keep the game close, hand it to the bullpen, and let the bats do enough to push it across the finish line.
For Houston, Larry Dierker gave them length, but he’ll want a couple of pitches back — the solo shots to Travis Lee and Abreu made the difference. They’ll need more offense than just Lee May’s power next time out. The Astros had chances: they left seven men on base, including some opportunities late when the game was still up for grabs.The Phillies now lead the series 1–0, and momentum’s a funny thing in these matchups. The Astros know they can’t fall into a hole here. They’ve got to find a way to scratch out a win tomorrow, or they’ll be chasing the whole way.

Game 2
At Veterans Stadium
1974 Houston Astros 0
2001 Philadelphia Phillies 1
WP: D. Coggin (1-0) LP: D. Roberts (0-1) S: J. Mesa (2)
HR: None
POG: Dave Coggin (8 Ip, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 99 P)
2001 Phillies Lead Series 2-0

Well, folks, that was what you call a classic tightrope act by Dave Coggin tonight. The Philadelphia Phillies take Game 2 by the slimmest of margins — a 1-0 shutout that puts them up 2 games to none over the 1974 Houston Astros in this best-of-seven Field of Dreams series.
Let’s break it down. First off, Coggin was just outstanding. You don’t see many young arms pitch with that kind of poise in a postseason atmosphere, especially in a historical matchup like this. Eight shutout innings, only three hits allowed, and he made some big pitches when he absolutely had to. The Astros actually had traffic all night — they left nine runners on base — but every time they had a chance, Coggin just bared down and trusted his defense.
Give Mike Lieberthal credit behind the plate too. He called a smart game, and how about that two-out RBI single in the seventh? That’s the story of the night: timely hitting. That lone run came with two outs, and in a game like this, that’s what makes the difference. The Phillies only had eight hits but they made them count.
On the flip side, you’ve gotta feel for Dave Roberts and the Astros. Seven strong innings, just one run given up, but no run support. Houston turned three double plays tonight — that’s championship defense — but the bats were just ice cold when it mattered most. And look at Cesar Cedeño — still hitless for the series. If the Astros want to climb back in this thing, they’ve got to get their star in gear when they get back to the Astrodome.
One other thing — the baserunning pressure by the Phillies. Three stolen bases tonight. Rollins, Abreu, Glanville — they forced Houston to keep looking over their shoulders. That disrupts the pitcher’s rhythm, and in a game decided by one run, that’s huge.
So now the series shifts to the Astrodome for Game 3, and the Phillies have all the momentum. But don’t sleep on these Astros, folks — that’s a scrappy bunch. They’ll be back home, they’ll have that big dome roof over their heads, and they’ll look to claw their way back.
For now, though, the story is Dave Coggin — he was just magnificent. One of the better big-game pitching performances we’ve seen yet in this Field of Dreams project.

Game 3
At Astrodome
2001 Philadelphia Phillies 7
1974 Houston Astros 1
WP: B. Duckworth (1-0) LP: T. Griffin (0-1)
HR: P. Burrell (1)
POG: Brandon Duckworth (5 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 99 P)
2001 Phillies Lead Series 3-0

Well folks, if there was any doubt about the momentum of this series, the 2001 Philadelphia Phillies just erased it under the lights of the Astrodome. They came into Houston tonight with confidence, and left with a commanding 3-0 lead in this best-of-seven matchup after dismantling the 1974 Astros, 7-1.
Let me tell you about Brandon Duckworth — the young right-hander was in control from the start. His line may not scream dominance — 5 innings, 7 hits, 1 run — but it was his poise in traffic that impressed me most. Duckworth stranded runners inning after inning and never let the Astros get comfortable. He earned Player of the Game honors, and rightfully so.
Offensively, the Phillies did their damage early and often. Travis Lee got them on the board in the top of the first with a sac fly, and it only built from there. Scott Rolen ripped a double in the third, and Pat Burrell — oh boy — unloaded a solo homer in the sixth that absolutely stunned the crowd here. They kept the pressure on Houston starter Tom Griffin, who struggled to locate all night, allowing five runs in just five innings.
The Phillies lineup is just grinding at-bats. Marlon Anderson had two hits and scored twice, Doug Glanville sprayed a pair of hits around, and even Duckworth got in on the action with a single before being lifted for pinch-hitter Rob Ducey, who drove in two more with a sharp single. That’s what we call lineup depth, my friends.
Meanwhile, the Astros just couldn’t get the big hit. Cesar Cedeño and Lee May combined for four hits, but Houston left 10 men on base — including squandering a bases-loaded threat in the third. Their frustration was visible. These aren’t the same Astros who fought so hard in the regular season.And let’s not overlook the Phillies’ bullpen — Cliff Politte and Vicente Padilla slammed the door shut with four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit combined. That's how you finish a ballgame.

Game 4
At Astrodome
2001 Philadelphia Phillies 3
1974 Houston Astros 4
WP: K. Forsch (1-0) LP: J. Mesa (0-1)
HR: C. Johnson (1)
POG: Don Wilson (7.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 113 P)
2001 Phillies Lead Series 3-1

The Houston 1974 Astros refused to let their season end quietly, delivering a spine-tingling, walk-off victory in front of a roaring Astrodome crowd. Cliff Johnson’s pinch-hit, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Astros to a dramatic 4-3 win over the Philadelphia 2001 Phillies, extending the series and keeping Houston’s hopes alive.
Trailing 3-2 entering the ninth, the Astros mounted one final rally against Phillies closer José Mesa. Roger Metzger led off with a walk, and after a flyout by Tommy Helms, manager Jim Smith called on Johnson to pinch-hit. On an 0-1 pitch, Johnson launched a towering drive deep into the left-field seats—his first hit of the series, and one that will live in Houston postseason lore. “I was just looking for something I could drive,” Johnson said postgame. “He gave me a fastball, and I didn’t miss it.”
The walk-off blast erased what had been a stellar effort by Phillies starter Paul Byrd and reliever Robert Person. Byrd went six innings and allowed two earned runs, while Person pitched two perfect frames to bridge to the ninth. But Mesa couldn’t seal the deal, suffering both a blown save and the loss. Don Wilson, the Astros’ stoic ace, was masterful in his Game 4 start. He went 7.1 innings, allowing just six hits and three earned runs, keeping the Phillies’ bats mostly quiet until a three-run outburst in the eighth. Keith Forsch, despite blowing the save in relief, picked up the win thanks to Johnson’s heroics.
“Don kept his poise and got the job done,” said manager Smith. “And Cliff? That’s a big-time moment.”
Philadelphia had taken the lead with a furious eighth-inning rally, highlighted by Travis Lee’s bases-clearing double off Forsch. But that momentum was short-lived, as Johnson's swing flipped the script.
Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Anderson each had two hits for Philadelphia, while Bobby Abreu added a double and a walk. Houston’s offense was evenly spread, with Cesar Cedeno, Metzger, and Lee May all contributing key hits. With the victory, Houston trims the Phillies’ series lead to 3-1 and lives to fight another day. Game 5 will take place tomorrow at the Astrodome, with the Astros looking to keep the pressure on and the Phillies hoping to close out the series on the road.

Game 5
At Astrodome
2001 Philadelphia Phillies 14
1974 Houston Astros 3
WP: R. Wolf (1-0) LP: L. Dierker (0-2)
HR: None
POG: Bobby Abreu (5-6, 2B, 6 RBI, 3 R)

Well, folks… this one wasn’t just a win — it was a declaration. The 2001 Philadelphia Phillies came into the Astrodome tonight with one goal: end it. And boy, did they ever. Four runs in the first inning? That’s called grabbing the game by the throat. Bobby Abreu was the heartbeat once again — 5-for-6, 6 RBIs, a stolen base, and a sense of command every time he stepped into the box. He finishes this series hitting .588 — and if there was any doubt, it’s now gone: Abreu is your Field of Dreams Series #215 MVP. Rightfully so. Let me tell you something about Bobby Abreu: he doesn’t just hit — he performs. Every swing tonight felt like a message. That two-run double in the fifth? A dagger. The single to start the rally in the seventh? Cold-blooded. When you're playing in a close-out game and your star is this locked in, you start planning the parade route by the seventh inning.
And let’s not overlook the guy on the mound. Randy Wolf was superb. Seven-and-a-third innings, just two hits allowed, eight strikeouts, and he never let Houston breathe. He worked the inside edge, got weak contact, and most importantly — pitched with conviction. That's how you silence 48,000 inside the Dome.
Now for Houston — this was a team that showed grit in Game 4 with that walk-off from Cliff Johnson, but tonight, the well ran dry. Larry Dierker just didn’t have it. The Phillies were all over him from the jump, and from that point on, it was all about damage control… which never came.
Let me say this clearly: Philadelphia earned this one. This was a team win. Jimmy Rollins sparked the top of the order with three hits and two stolen bases, Travis Lee kept driving in runs, and Doug Glanville doubled in three more just for good measure.
As Jim Palmer said earlier tonight — sometimes, talent meets timing. And the Phillies were dialed in at the perfect time.

2001 Philadelphia Phillies Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

(10/17, 7 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 3 SB, .682 OBP, .941 SLG)