SO49 1964 ALCS - One for the Ages...

The Professor · 06-03-2005, 05:00 PM

Every once in a while, OOTP 'sims' up a game (or two or three) that just makes you go, "wow!"

We've seen a couple in SO49 during the times when we run sims live. The Cincinnati Reds have a reputation for heartbreak that was defined by a pair of games in 1952 in which they lost the pennant on consecutive nights with walk-off HRs. In 1958 Phillies ace Whitey Ford took the mound twice against the hated Tigers and gave up a combined 3 hits in both games, taking no-hitters into the late innings of both games. He single handedly pulled the Phillies from the brink of disaster, forcing a deciding seventh game after being down 3-1. The Phils ultimately lost, but I will always remember relaying the action as Ford hit the pinnacle of, IMO, a Hall of Fame career.

Now, the 1964 ALCS will take its place alongside those great games.

This classic featured a pair of franchises hamstrung by injury. The AL Eastern Division champ New York Yankees, riding high after unseating the dynastic Detroit Tigers for the first time in division history, entered without offensive cogs Ted Tappe and Wes Covington. The pressure fell squarely on 1B Orlando Cepeda and streaky slugger Wally Post to carry the load. Offensively, the Yankees figured to be lackluster, relying on their outstanding 3-man rotation and superb bullpen to carry them to the pennant.

Against superior Yankee pitching the Los Angeles Angels, winners of the AL West for the second straight year, would send up a powerful lineup - the game's most explosive in 1964 - featuring likely AL MVP Willie McCovey (who fell just points shy of the Triple Crown) and Rocky Colavito. Despite the presence of 20-game-winners Moe Drabowsky and Dave "Wick" Wickersham, the Angels pitching didn't match up to the Yankees. Even worse for L.A. skipper Walter Alston, the Halos would be without the services of their most effective starter, the dominating Jim O'Toole, who would watch from the bench.

For three games, Yankee pitching proved to be insurmountable. McCovey and Colavito were handcuffed and ineffective. With one game left at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees held a 3-games-to-1 edge and were poised to run away with the flag. Orlando Cepeda had stepped up in a big way, homering in each of the first three games, to pace the Bombers.

Oh, but this game can be crazy.

For eight innings it was another showcase of Yankee pitching might. Entering the ninth inning the Yankees held a tight 3-2 lead and had their outstanding closer Lee Wheat on the mound. Wheat hit a few bumps. The tying run was in scoring position. With two outs, though, he looked in at Angels backup Danny O'Connell, a virtual non-factor.

Danny O'Connell had enjoyed a productive career, almost entirely with the New York / Minnesota Giants. He had once been considered the best hitting shortstop in the game, especially after his sensational rookie and sophomore campaigns of 1950-51. He never did duplicate those years and despite helping the Giants ascend championship heights in 1955, 1959, '60 and 1962, he was phased out of the lineup. Signing with Los Angeles, O'Connell played sparingly. Now, he carried the hopes of Angels fans everywhere to the plate.

With an 0-2 count against him, O'Connell pushed a ball just past diving Yankees infielder Harvey Kuenn. The tying run raced home but, even so, the Yankees remained confident that they could seal a win in extra innings.

The next batter, Whitey Herzog, hit an easy roller towards SS Rocky Bridges.

Rocky Bridges, a 5-time Gold Glove winner, who had anchored the infield defense for the Tigers in the early years of their dynasty, played things perfectly. Gloving the ball neatly, he planted his feet and threw towards Cepeda at first.

...but this throw sailed over Cepeda's head and into the stands, allowing the go ahead run to score. The Yankees, stunned by this turn of rotten luck, could muster nothing against the Angels pen in their half and dropped the game. Still, there were two games left and they still owned the advantage.

There was hope that Rocky Bridges wouldn't become an early-day Bill Buckner.

Game Six, back in Los Angeles, was a rout, as the Angels rolled behind Moe Drabowsky, setting up a winner-take-all Game Seven.

The Yankees were confident as young ace Mickey Lolich took the mound. Lolich had been outstanding in two prior starts in the Series and had seemed to have the Angels number. To make matters worse for the Angels, just prior to game time they discovered that starter Gary Blaylock would be unable to pitch due to an injury suffered in his previous start. Alston turned to unproven youngster Dave Skaugstad and hoped for the best.

What followed was a tense pitcher's duel as Skaugstad, backed by an early Willie McCovey solo HR, blanked the Yankees through five innings. In the sixth he made his first, and only, mistake. A hanging curveball was launched out of the park by Wally Post. Two men were on and the Yankees grabbed the momentum and the lead, 3-1. The Angels clawed back, narrowing the gap to 3-2 heading into the ninth inning.

Two outs.

Wheat on the mound again. Two men on.

At bat: Danny O'Connell.

The result was the same as Game Four, a seeing-eye single past a lunging Kuenn. The tying run raced him and scored under the tag. The pennant winning run stood at second now as Rocky Colavito walked to the plate.

In the booth above, the Angels broadcaster had the call:

"2 and 2 the count on Colavito...the pitch from Wheat and Rocky swings...a slow roller into the hole in right....it sneaks through and is rolling into the grass in right...that might do it...it sneaks through...Kuenn up with it as Herzog races down the line...the throw to home. Herzog slides. He is...saaaaaafe! He is safe! Colavito delivers. Colavito delivers. Colavito delivers the pennant...and the Angels win!!!!"

As the Angels raced on to the field, the Yankees walked back into the clubhouse, heads down, victims of one of the great turnarounds in baseball history, just two nights removed from a home town pennant celebration that never was. Several players consoled a distraught Rocky Bridges as he wept, Lee Wheat foremost among them.

All of those Gold Gloves.

One of the game's premier defensive players.

One tragic throw.

And on the field, in a mob of Angels, a 'washed up' shortstop stood in the limelight one more time.

Simply put, one of the most amazing series I've witnessed as an OOTP commish. Wow!

rem · 06-03-2005, 05:27 PM

It's too bad it didn't involve the Tigers.

TonyJ · 06-03-2005, 09:50 PM

Awesome write-up Nate! Believe me, I feel very fortunate (read: lucky as hell) to have escaped that series.

RBLwebguy · 06-05-2005, 07:40 PM

and I was on the otherside of that unfortunate loss

My Yankees will retool and suffice to say that Rocky Bridges will (has) been released!

We will be back, as the Yanks boast one fo the finest OOTP staffs out there!

Tomootp · 06-05-2005, 09:14 PM

Thanks for posting this. It was a very enjoyable read.

bigsmooth · 06-07-2005, 11:53 PM

If I wanted to get into any league in OOTP - I would knocking on Nate's door. I have been in this for quite sometime and I enjoy it very much. Great write up...on what must have been an awesome series.

Rob

tward13 · 06-08-2005, 09:28 AM

Are the Pirates still available in this league?

rem · 06-08-2005, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tward13

Are the Pirates still available in this league?

No, they've been taken. Sorry. If you're interested in a team, I'd send Nate a note as openings usually don't make it to the boards.

tward13 · 06-08-2005, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remangiii

No, they've been taken. Sorry. If you're interested in a team, I'd send Nate a note as openings usually don't make it to the boards.

OK, thanks. I'd sent an email to the contact address also. I thought I was on a waiting list from a long time ago when this league was in the 1950's.

06-03-2005, 05:00 PM	#1
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	SO49 1964 ALCS - One for the Ages... Every once in a while, OOTP 'sims' up a game (or two or three) that just makes you go, "wow!" We've seen a couple in SO49 during the times when we run sims live. The Cincinnati Reds have a reputation for heartbreak that was defined by a pair of games in 1952 in which they lost the pennant on consecutive nights with walk-off HRs. In 1958 Phillies ace Whitey Ford took the mound twice against the hated Tigers and gave up a combined 3 hits in both games, taking no-hitters into the late innings of both games. He single handedly pulled the Phillies from the brink of disaster, forcing a deciding seventh game after being down 3-1. The Phils ultimately lost, but I will always remember relaying the action as Ford hit the pinnacle of, IMO, a Hall of Fame career. Now, the 1964 ALCS will take its place alongside those great games. This classic featured a pair of franchises hamstrung by injury. The AL Eastern Division champ New York Yankees, riding high after unseating the dynastic Detroit Tigers for the first time in division history, entered without offensive cogs Ted Tappe and Wes Covington. The pressure fell squarely on 1B Orlando Cepeda and streaky slugger Wally Post to carry the load. Offensively, the Yankees figured to be lackluster, relying on their outstanding 3-man rotation and superb bullpen to carry them to the pennant. Against superior Yankee pitching the Los Angeles Angels, winners of the AL West for the second straight year, would send up a powerful lineup - the game's most explosive in 1964 - featuring likely AL MVP Willie McCovey (who fell just points shy of the Triple Crown) and Rocky Colavito. Despite the presence of 20-game-winners Moe Drabowsky and Dave "Wick" Wickersham, the Angels pitching didn't match up to the Yankees. Even worse for L.A. skipper Walter Alston, the Halos would be without the services of their most effective starter, the dominating Jim O'Toole, who would watch from the bench. For three games, Yankee pitching proved to be insurmountable. McCovey and Colavito were handcuffed and ineffective. With one game left at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees held a 3-games-to-1 edge and were poised to run away with the flag. Orlando Cepeda had stepped up in a big way, homering in each of the first three games, to pace the Bombers. Oh, but this game can be crazy. For eight innings it was another showcase of Yankee pitching might. Entering the ninth inning the Yankees held a tight 3-2 lead and had their outstanding closer Lee Wheat on the mound. Wheat hit a few bumps. The tying run was in scoring position. With two outs, though, he looked in at Angels backup Danny O'Connell, a virtual non-factor. Danny O'Connell had enjoyed a productive career, almost entirely with the New York / Minnesota Giants. He had once been considered the best hitting shortstop in the game, especially after his sensational rookie and sophomore campaigns of 1950-51. He never did duplicate those years and despite helping the Giants ascend championship heights in 1955, 1959, '60 and 1962, he was phased out of the lineup. Signing with Los Angeles, O'Connell played sparingly. Now, he carried the hopes of Angels fans everywhere to the plate. With an 0-2 count against him, O'Connell pushed a ball just past diving Yankees infielder Harvey Kuenn. The tying run raced home but, even so, the Yankees remained confident that they could seal a win in extra innings. The next batter, Whitey Herzog, hit an easy roller towards SS Rocky Bridges. Rocky Bridges, a 5-time Gold Glove winner, who had anchored the infield defense for the Tigers in the early years of their dynasty, played things perfectly. Gloving the ball neatly, he planted his feet and threw towards Cepeda at first. ...but this throw sailed over Cepeda's head and into the stands, allowing the go ahead run to score. The Yankees, stunned by this turn of rotten luck, could muster nothing against the Angels pen in their half and dropped the game. Still, there were two games left and they still owned the advantage. There was hope that Rocky Bridges wouldn't become an early-day Bill Buckner. Game Six, back in Los Angeles, was a rout, as the Angels rolled behind Moe Drabowsky, setting up a winner-take-all Game Seven. The Yankees were confident as young ace Mickey Lolich took the mound. Lolich had been outstanding in two prior starts in the Series and had seemed to have the Angels number. To make matters worse for the Angels, just prior to game time they discovered that starter Gary Blaylock would be unable to pitch due to an injury suffered in his previous start. Alston turned to unproven youngster Dave Skaugstad and hoped for the best. What followed was a tense pitcher's duel as Skaugstad, backed by an early Willie McCovey solo HR, blanked the Yankees through five innings. In the sixth he made his first, and only, mistake. A hanging curveball was launched out of the park by Wally Post. Two men were on and the Yankees grabbed the momentum and the lead, 3-1. The Angels clawed back, narrowing the gap to 3-2 heading into the ninth inning. Two outs. Wheat on the mound again. Two men on. At bat: Danny O'Connell. The result was the same as Game Four, a seeing-eye single past a lunging Kuenn. The tying run raced him and scored under the tag. The pennant winning run stood at second now as Rocky Colavito walked to the plate. In the booth above, the Angels broadcaster had the call: "2 and 2 the count on Colavito...the pitch from Wheat and Rocky swings...a slow roller into the hole in right....it sneaks through and is rolling into the grass in right...that might do it...it sneaks through...Kuenn up with it as Herzog races down the line...the throw to home. Herzog slides. He is...saaaaaafe! He is safe! Colavito delivers. Colavito delivers. Colavito delivers the pennant...and the Angels win!!!!" As the Angels raced on to the field, the Yankees walked back into the clubhouse, heads down, victims of one of the great turnarounds in baseball history, just two nights removed from a home town pennant celebration that never was. Several players consoled a distraught Rocky Bridges as he wept, Lee Wheat foremost among them. All of those Gold Gloves. One of the game's premier defensive players. One tragic throw. And on the field, in a mob of Angels, a 'washed up' shortstop stood in the limelight one more time. Simply put, one of the most amazing series I've witnessed as an OOTP commish. Wow! __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are." Last edited by The Professor; 06-03-2005 at 05:02 PM.

06-03-2005, 05:27 PM	#2
rem Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: College Park, Md. Posts: 5,024	It's too bad it didn't involve the Tigers. __________________ OTBA: Washington Filibusters CLBR: Minnesota Twins 2005 Winner of LL's Pick the Loser Contest! - 15-0

06-03-2005, 09:50 PM	#3
TonyJ Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Gassin' Kurds Posts: 2,019	Awesome write-up Nate! Believe me, I feel very fortunate (read: lucky as hell) to have escaped that series. __________________ My Podcasts: Talk Democratic Dysfunction Name Two Bands with Andy and Andy

06-05-2005, 07:40 PM	#4
RBLwebguy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Canuckistan Posts: 5,162	and I was on the otherside of that unfortunate loss My Yankees will retool and suffice to say that Rocky Bridges will (has) been released! We will be back, as the Yanks boast one fo the finest OOTP staffs out there!

06-05-2005, 09:14 PM	#5
Tomootp Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 24	Thanks for posting this. It was a very enjoyable read.

06-07-2005, 11:53 PM	#6
bigsmooth Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 437	If I wanted to get into any league in OOTP - I would knocking on Nate's door. I have been in this for quite sometime and I enjoy it very much. Great write up...on what must have been an awesome series. Rob

06-08-2005, 09:28 AM	#7
tward13 All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,964	Are the Pirates still available in this league?