MLB Replay....A new History

[George_Bell]

The Reds strike first, with a 2nd inning two run home run from catcher Tom Haller. Phil Niekro allows another solo shot, but that was it as he went the distance. Niekro would get the loss however, Juan Pizarro allowed 1 run in 7 innings. Reds edge the Indians 3-2.

Bob Gibson gets the game 2 start, and in the fifth inning, he hits a solo Home Run to open the scoring. Obviously feeling pretty good about himself, Gibson allows Jim Maloney and Bobby Cox to lead off the bottom of the inning with back to back singles. Both players would score on a ground out and a wild pitch, and the Reds led 2-1 after five innings. Starters Gibson and Jim Maloney would both complete the game for their teams, without allowing anymore runs. Reds win 2-1.

Hosting game three gave the Indians a boost. Starting pitcher Alfredo Ortiz highlights a 4 run third inning, with a 3 run blast. That was more than enough, as Cleveland climbs back into the series with a 4-2 win. The 23 year old Ortiz had never hit a professional home run before.

Surprise! Another low scoring game….Juan Pizzaro outduels Phil Niekro for second time, allowing just 1 run and 4 hits in almost 8 innings of work. Niekro gives up 3 runs, the winning run coming off the bat of Roberto Clemente, who singled home Bill Roman in the 7^th.
Reds win 3-2.

A back and forth game 5 needed more then nine innings to decide a winner. Bill Roman hit a 2 run double to give Reds the early 2 run lead. Tony Kubek’s fifth inning home run cut the lead to 2-1. An inning later, Coco Laboy gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead with a 2 run home run. Red’s pitcher Jim Maloney continued the pitchers using their bats well trend, tying the game with a 2 out RBI double in the seventh. In the 10^th, 2 walks set up a game winning RBI single by .237 hitter Ron Swoboda, and Cleveland will live to fight another day. 4-3 Indians!

Holy offense Batman! The Indians bats erupt. Rocky Colavito hits his first home run of the series and drives in 3. Cleveland starter Mel Stottlemyre gets a 2 run double. The Indians force a game 7 with the 8-3 win.

GAME 7


Ken Hubbs takes Juan Pizarro’s first pitch of the game over the center field wall. Wow, what a start!

After back to back singles, Rob Swoboda triples, which scores two, and the Indians are off to a fast start, leading 3-0 after two innings.

Tom Haller’s 2^nd home run of the series gives the Reds some life, and it’s 3-1 after four….

With 2 out in the bottom of the fifth, Bobby Cox, Bill Roman, and Ron Santo all hit consecutive singles, which scored a run on a throwing error. Dave Nicholson then singled, scoring 2. Roberto Clemente finishes the rally with a single of his own. 5 straight two out singles, combined with a throwing error, give the Reds a 5-3 lead.

Ron Santo keys a 3 run seventh inning for Cincinnati with a RBI double, and the game is getting out of hand. 8-3 Reds.

That’s how it ends. Cleveland squanders an early lead. Cincinnati almost blows a 3-1 series lead, but they hold on and are once again, World Champions!

[George_Bell]

[rjl518]

congrats to the reds...now make sure the mets get a good draft pick...no Wockenfuss this time..lol

[Lafayette53]

Heartbreaking for Indians fans who haven't tasted success in 30+ years, but a really good series even if the ultimate games were sort of duds.

[George_Bell]

[George_Bell]

1967-68 Offseason News and Notes

On December 19, 1960, Charles "Charlie" O. Finley purchased a controlling interest in the Athletics. Almost as soon as the ink dried on his purchase, Finley began shopping them to other cities despite promises that the A's would remain in Kansas City.

In 1961 and 1962, Finley attempted to move the team to Dallas but no formal motion was put in place and a deal could not be reached. In January 1964, he signed an agreement to move the A's to Louisville, promising to change the team's name to the Kentucky Athletics or Louisville Sluggers. By a 9–1 vote his request was denied. Six weeks later, by the same 9–1 margin, the A.L. owners denied Finley's request to move the team to Oakland.

Then on October 18, 1967, A.L. owners at last gave Finley permission to move the Athletics to Oakland for the 1968 season. U.S. Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri blasted Finley on the floor of the Senate, calling Oakland "the luckiest city since Hiroshima." When Symington threatened to have baseball's antitrust exemption revoked, the owners responded with a hasty round of expansion. Kansas City was awarded an American League expansion team, the Royals.

Ticket to the first game in Oakland

Houston selects first for the 2nd straight year, and for the 2nd straight year, they select a pitcher I’m not familiar with.The Astrospass on Vida Blue, and the guy I would have chosen, Thurman Munson to take SP Tom Bradley. I also really like the Braves selection of George Foster at 9.

Tom Bradley immediately becomes baseball's 2nd best prospect. #1 is Astros teammate Jon Matlack, so what do I know...

No HOF induction this year, as the committee didn’t feel good enough about any candidates to even nominate anyone!

With the pitchers doing so well with the bat in this years World Series, I though it would be interesting to look back at the best hitting pitchers in baseball history.

Here are the top hitting pitchers via batting average.


Here are the top power hitting pitchers

Drysdale showing a little power,
and Paul Bruno was a slugger!

Here’s a look at Nolan Ryan. Just because you’re a real life star, who was drafted high, doesn’t mean success in this universe. Big time talent drops, will probably never see a day in the majors.

[rjl518]

dont give up on Ryan just yet

here's bradley btw...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Bradley_(baseball)

and the A's move to oakland to play in that dump of a baseball stadium...Oakland-Alameda county coliseum...

ahh...the days when the pitcher had to grab a stick and step up to the plate..before the dreaded DH rule...well..at least the NL has a sense of tradition...hey, AL..get with the program and abolish the DH!

[Lafayette53]

There was nothing dumpy about the Coliseum at the time. Well relative to the rest of the dumps baseball was played in anyway.. It was still too cookie cutter and had bad sight lines, but it was more akin to Anaheim Stadium at the time which was/is far from the worst place to watch a game.

Also while IMO its greatly overrated by other nostalgic A's fans, the view of the Oakland hills hadn't been ruined by Oakland building Al Davis a monstrosity over centerfield at the time. It was certainly no worse than Three Rivers, Shea, the Kingdome, or Riverfront.

[rjl518]

okay..i like my mets pick of oscar gamble...good overall player...he can get the hits...some steals IMO...Garvey, Cooper, i feel bad for the Forsch brothers, one in NYY and the other in BOS, and yes...oakland getting Vida Blue...great pick!

[HerbertMcHoover]

Thanks for posting the round two selections. First two round two picks should be good players.

Annoyed the Yanks passed on Munson. Patton isn't going to play forever.

[George_Bell]

1968 MLB Preview

I forgot to take screen shots of the top players before the season started, so here they are on June 1st, 40 games into the season.

Top Player

Top Pitcher

Sandy Koufax is now 2nd on the list. He's still a month away from starting a rehab assignment.

[George_Bell]

1968 Regular Season

Reggie Jackson and Vida Blue have both made their respective teams out of training camp. Reggie was called up last season, and ended up playing in 99 games as a platoon player, but the Braves have him starting RF this year. Despite a .207 average last season, Reggie has developed extremely well, and looks like a future super star right now.

Reggie Jackson

Vida Blue was last years 2^nd overall pick. I question the Athletics decision here. Let’s face it though, a franchise that’s never won a championship doesn’t really make the best decisions. Vida could use some time in the minors. He probably won’t be bad this year, but there’s no reason to rush him. His movement rating is 3/15 right now.

Vida Blue

I know its early but the St. Louis Cardinals and the Oakland Athletics are leading their leagues at the quarter point. This won’t hold up, but these two teams have combined to play in 4 postseasons, with 1 win. Playing well is playing well though, and it bodes well for the future regardless of how the rest of this season goes.

Harmon Killebrew’s season is over on July 24^th. He fractured his ankle, which won't be healthy until November. His 20 home runs bring his home run total too…..

It's a very Phillie's flavoured list!

Wow!! What a great move by the 1^st place Indians

They get 24 year old star, Joe Morgan, who I think is the best 2^nd baseman in baseball. The Mets did a incredible job developing Joe. He was having a great year, and now, he’s an Indian, trying to win a World Series! Hahn is an ok prospect, and Thornton looks like he’ll be a good, power hitting first baseman some day, but I hate this deal for NY. Joe Morgan is a franchise player.

Entering September, the Indians hold a 7 game lead on Washington. I believe that lead is safe. They are the AL’s best team right now. The Reds are looking to defend their title, and have a 4 game lead on the Cardinals, who have no idea how to handle a pennant race. Most would think the Reds are safe, but who knows, this month maybe St. Louis’ coming out party….

Orlando Cepeda has hit his 400^th home run, at age 30. The Pirates slugger will definitely be a challenger for Lou Gehrig’s 629. Cepeda has hit over 40 four times, and never hit less then 25. His career reminds me of Hank Aaron’s real life career so far.

2 days later, 36 year old Eddie Matthews reached the mark! 2 days after Matthews, Willie McCovey got there. McCovey is also 30 years old, and did it in 400 less at bats. McCovey is probably more of a record challenger.


No pennant races this season. Both the Indians and the Reds were able to play strong in September, and pulled away easily to set up a World Series rematch.

[George_Bell]

It started 56 years ago, when the 1912 Cincinnati Reds defeated the Cleveland Naps 4 games to 1, to win their first World Championship.

The people of Cleveland have watched their cross state rivals win 9 World Series titles, the most ever. They have watched the Reds win the National League 14 times now. Their team, the Indians have only won 1 title, and it’s been 36 years.

Going up against the Reds in the World Series probably seemed like a long shot. The Reds are perpetual contenders, they have players who have won, they know how to win. They probably were scared to let themselves believe a win would be possible. Going down 3-1 meant it was just a matter of time. Ofcourse the Indians would lose to the Reds, the Reds always win. The Indians then won game 5. They dominated game 6. Could this be possible? The Indians go out in front 3-0 in game 7. The fans had to start believing. They had to finally let their guard down…….BOOOM! As soon as it looked like it could happen, the Reds come back, win the World Series, and the dream is crushed. That had to really hurt.

The 1968 World Series: The Rematch. Now they get another chance. I’d hope the city of Cleveland, and the Indians are angry and want revenge. This team, this fanbase can’t accept watching the Reds celebrate again. Their best player, Bob Gibson will not play, hurting himself in his final start of the season. It doesn’t matter though. Their chances will never be good. It’s not supposed to be easy. Can Cleveland finally end the years of suffering…Another edition of the battle of Ohio.

[HerbertMcHoover]

Hoping Cleveland wins this time!

[Lafayette53]

Originally Posted by HerbertMcHoover

Hoping Cleveland wins this time!

Yes. Its time for Bob Gibson to lay down some hurt like he did in real life!

[rjl518]

Go Tribe!

[prisonerno6]

Really like the 400 Home Run Club picture.

[George_Bell]

Rocky Colavito is the reason why Luis Tiant's World Series debut is successful. Rocky goes 3/5 with 3 RBI’s, while Tiant lasts 6 innings, giving up 4 runs. The Indians strike first, with a 6-4 win.

Juan Pizarro wins his 4^th straight World Series start against these Indians. He allows 2 runs over 8 innings, striking out nine! Catcher, Tom Haller hit’s his 2^nd and 3^rd home runs of the series, driving in 4 runs. Reds win game two, to even the series, 8-3.

Bill Roman’s 2 out, 2 run single in the first inning opens the scoring for the Reds. Phil Niekro settled down after that, allowing just 3 hits the rest of the way. The Cleveland offense could not solve Bill Singer though, who throws a complete game, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits. Reds win 2-1.

Luis Tiant puts in a ace’s effort, striking out 12, only allowing 1 unearned run. Coco Laboy hits a 2 run shot in the seventh inning, breaking a 1-1 tie. The Indians would add 1 more, and tie the series with a 4-1 win!

Juan Pizzaro starts game 5 for Cincinnati. That’s not good news for tribe fans. Reds SS Jim Ray Hart hits a 2 run home run in the sixth inning, breaking a scoreless draw. Pizzaro does not allow a run. He wins his 5^th straight World Series start. 3-0 Reds.

Jim Ray Hart comes to bat in the sixth inning, of game 6, with his squad leading 1-0. With the bases loaded, Hart sends a line drive down the right field line. It’s enough to score all three runs, and leave Hart standing on third. Reds starter, Bill Singer, allows the Indians 2 hits on the day. The Reds win again, 6-0!

[George_Bell]

[George_Bell]