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#81 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB 1972 Eastern League Championship Sim
1972 Eastern League Championship Sim Indianapolis Racers vs. Charlotte Monarchs Game 1 See it live or recorded on ... Game 1 of the Eastern League Championship Sim promised to deliver excitement, and it certainly did. On a crisp October afternoon in 1972, the stage was set in Charlotte for a showdown that would set the tone for the remainder of the series. The Indianapolis Racers arrived with determination, but the local Charlotte Monarchs were equally poised to capitalize on the high stakes, knowing that every run and every play could be the difference in this championship battle. The game got off to a cautious start. In the top of the first, the Racers’ batters faced off against Monarchs’ right-hander Tom Seaver. Tito Fuentes and Dusty Baker each had their share of near-misses, with groundouts punctuating an otherwise quiet inning. The Monarchs, however, began to stir in the bottom half. With Andy Messersmith on the mound for the Racers, LHB Jose Cruz opened the scoring with a well-timed single, setting the stage for what looked to be an auspicious start. Following a fielders’ choice and a line drive single by Richie Scheinblum, the Monarchs’ bats were humming—Bill Melton eventually drove in a run after a daring baserunning play that sent his teammate scoring from second. By the second inning, the momentum had clearly swung. The Monarchs struck for themselves when RHB Carmen Fanzone blasted a solo home run—a shot that arced gracefully and cleared the park by an impressive 401 feet. The early lead was now comfortable, yet the tension in the ballpark was palpable as the Racers sought to respond. As the game progressed into the middle innings, both teams exchanged glances and challenges. In the third, the Racers managed a couple of singles, but the Monarchs’ pitchers were unyielding, shutting down any rally. Then came the fourth inning—a pivotal frame. With the Monarchs keeping a tight grip on the game, LHB Jose Cruz and RHB Bill Melton sparked a rally. Melton, in particular, ignited the crowd with a massive three-run homer that sent the ball soaring 397 feet, electrifying the stands and leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Despite the mounting pressure, the Racers’ offense continued to struggle. In the fifth and sixth innings, the Monarchs’ defense, despite timely hits, kept their lead intact, punctuated by an impressive triple from Billy Williams that demonstrated the team’s offensive potential. A brief rain delay in the eighth added to the suspense, as the field conditions and the weather both conspired to heighten the drama. After the delay, the Monarchs resumed their methodical approach. In the lower innings, as the Racers clung desperately to hope, the Monarchs methodically shut down any late surge. With every pitch, every swing, the narrative was one of calculated baseball—a game where one moment could tip the scales. Now, as the tension reached its peak in the top of the ninth, the Racers looked for a spark that might turn the tide. With a couple of hits, they mounted a brief rally, but the Monarchs’ pitching and steady defense had other plans. The atmosphere was electric, the fans holding their breath with every play, as the final outcome of this classic showdown hung in the balance. In the end, the meticulous execution by the Monarchs—punctuated by timely homers, sharp fielding, and strategic pitching—proved too much for the Racers to overcome. As Game 1 of the Eastern League Championship Sim series closed, it was clear that the Monarchs had sent a strong message to their opponents, setting a high bar for the battles to come. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-05-2025 at 05:54 PM. |
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#82 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB 1972 Western League Championship Sim
1972 Western League Championship Sim Houston Oilers vs. Seattle Cascades Game 1 See it live or recorded on ... In Game 1 of the Western League Championship Sim on October 11, 1972, the Seattle Cascades made their intentions unmistakably clear as they hosted the Houston Oilers. From the very first pitch, it was evident that the Cascades were here to dominate their home turf. The game opened in the top of the first with Houston’s bats falling silent against Seattle’s RHP Bob Moose. Lou Brock, stepping in from the left side, ended his at-bat with a ground out. Graig Nettles, still searching for his rhythm, ultimately struck out swinging after a foul ball, and Johnny Bench followed suit—his called-strike sequence culminating in a ground out. With no hits or runs, the Oilers trailed as the teams headed into the bottom of the first. And then, Seattle exploded into action. The inning ignited under the steady hand of LHP Don Gullett, whose clean pitch sequence set the stage, even as SHB Wes Parker registered a flyout. But the momentum truly surged when RHB Glenn Beckert stepped to the plate and delivered a double on a sharp line drive. The sparks kept flying as LHB Al Bumbry and RHB Frank Robinson approached. In a moment that would be etched in the minds of fans, Robinson ignited the inning with a two-run home run that sent the ball soaring 379 feet into the air. Not to be outdone, RHB Joe Torre answered with a two-run blast of his own, this one measured at an impressive 392 feet. Adding further insult to injury for the Oilers, RHB Dave Duncan contributed a single, and LHB Sonny Jackson added a groundball single. By the close of the first, the Cascades had piled up five hits, four runs, and left one runner on base, establishing an early lead of 4–0. Houston attempted to regroup in the top of the second. RHB Dave Kingman faced the Cascades’ pitching, battling through a couple of fouls before eventually striking out. Then, LHB Jim Northrup delivered a single that briefly sparked hope in the Oilers’ camp, only for that rally to sputter as RHB Freddie Patek’s appearance ended with a groundout that turned into a double play. With no further production in that half-inning, the score remained unchanged. Seattle, however, was far from finished. In the bottom of the second, the offensive machine continued to build. In a rare turn at bat, RHB Bob Moose laid down a masterful performance by working the count and then lining a double down the left-field line. SHB Wes Parker then worked a well-timed sequence of balls, and a subsequent fly out by Parker was misplayed—a critical error that allowed Moose to advance to third. Glenn Beckert stepped up again and, amid a mix of fouls and balls, reached base on a fielder’s choice that brought the runner home. The Cascades added another run. Although Al Bumbry’s subsequent ground out kept him off the scoreboard, Frank Robinson’s earlier homers were still echoing, draws a walk. RHB Dave Duncan flies out to end the second inning, with the Cascades leading 5–0. The third inning saw Houston make a brief bid to ignite their offense. RHB Tim Foli recorded a ground out, and RHB Tommie Agee managed to single, briefly stirring hope among the Oilers’ faithful. Yet the momentum was swiftly halted when RHB Don Gullett’s subsequent appearance resulted in a double play, extinguishing the rally. Meanwhile, in the bottom of the third, Seattle’s offense showed no signs of relenting. After RHB Joe Torre’s fly out and LHB Sonny Jackson’s ground out, RHB Mike Anderson stepped up and belted a solo home run, pushing the Cascades’ total to 6–0. The fourth inning unfolded as a pitcher's duel. In the top half, Houston’s LHB Lou Brock drew a walk, only to see his lead-off efforts quickly neutralized when RHB Johnny Bench grounded into a double play. Seattle’s pitching, however, remained resolute. In the bottom of the fourth, with RHP Bruce Dal Canton taking over—Seattle’s batters continued to register routine outs, and the inning concluded without additional runs, keeping the score at 6–0. Houston finally managed to chip away at Seattle’s lead in the top of the sixth. RHB Tommie Agee reached base on an error, and a pinch-hit appearance by RHB Jeff Burroughs yielded a double, followed by LHB Lou Brock's ground out that drove Agee in, cutting the deficit to 6–1. Yet that solitary run was a mere drop in the bucket compared to Seattle’s explosive start. As the game progressed into the later innings—the seventh, eighth, and into the ninth—Seattle’s pitching staff and timely defense ensured that Houston’s comeback bid would falter. Relievers including RHPs Rich Gossage and Bill Gogolewski held the Oilers to minimal contact. In the top of the ninth, despite efforts by Houston’s Johnny Bench and Dave Kingman, the offense remained stifled, and the inning closed with the Oilers still clinging to a one-run total. When the final out was recorded in the top of the ninth, the scoreboard read 6–1 in favor of the Seattle Cascades. Their explosive first two innings set the tone for a resounding victory in Game 1 of the Western League Championship Sim. With that emphatic win, the Cascades not only took Game 1 but also sent a clear message to the Houston Oilers: Seattle is a force to be reckoned with. Holding an early series lead in this thrilling seven-game championship battle, the Cascades now look poised to capture the Western League crown—and perhaps even secure a coveted berth in the World Sim, where they will eventually face the Eastern League champion for the ultimate Major Sim Baseball Championship. And so, as we look back on this remarkable contest, one thing is abundantly clear: in the game of baseball, as in life, momentum matters, and tonight, the Cascades had it in abundance. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL |
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#83 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB 1972 ELCS - Game 2
1972 Eastern League Championship Sim Indianapolis Racers (0) vs. Charlotte Monarchs (1) Game 2 See it live or recorded on ... Game 2 of the Eastern League Championship Sim promised another chapter in what’s quickly becoming a riveting postseason battle. On October 11, 1972, the Indianapolis Racers returned to Crown Coliseum in Charlotte, NC with renewed determination to answer the Monarchs’ opening salvo from Game 1. The atmosphere was electric at the ballpark as both sides sought to carve an early advantage in this high-stakes series. The Racers set the tone in the top of the first, with SHB Tito Fuentes working through a mix of fouls and balls before recording an early out. RHB Tony Perez broke the quiet with a well-timed single, though his efforts were soon tempered when on the first pitch to LHB Billy Williams, he was caught stealing second base. Williams drew a base on balls. An aggressive approach by RHB Dusty Baker, highlighted by a wild pitch that let Williams advance, resulted in him drawing a walk as well. This put two men on base with two outs, offering the Racers a glimmer of hope. Yet, RHB Buddy Bell’s inability to capitalize ended the inning with the Racers registering just one hit while leaving two men stranded. The Monarchs responded in the bottom of the frame. LHB Jose Cruz opened the attack with a measured single, setting the stage for a flowing rally. RHB Bill Melton struck out. SHB Richie Scheinblum’s line drive put Cruz in motion, and soon RHB Orlando Cepeda followed with a single that advanced the runners—one daring dash from third proved successful as a run scored. The play at the plate allowed the runners to advance. LHB Duke Sims then added his own single to the mix, bringing in two and stretching the Monarchs’ lead to three runs in the opening frame. In the second inning, the Racers continued to struggle for momentum. While RHB Juan Beniquez managed to spark a hit with a line drive single, the Monarchs’ pitchers maintained their composure, stifling further production. Down by three runs heading into the middle innings, the pressure was mounting on Indianapolis. The third frame saw a flicker of hope from the Racers. After a couple of quick outs, RHB Tony Perez ignited the crowd with a solo home run—a powerful drive measured at 388 feet that reduced the deficit to 3–1. Despite the spark, the Racers couldn’t string together enough offense to mount a significant comeback in that inning, as subsequent plate appearances fizzled. As the game wore on, both teams exchanged measured bursts of action. The fourth and fifth innings were marked by disciplined pitching and scattered hits. Indianapolis continued to chip away at the score, registering modest singles and walks, but the Monarchs’ lead held firm. A lengthy 44‑minute rain delay in the sixth inning only added to the tension. When play resumed, an error on a groundball allowed LHB Billy Williams to reach base, but even that opportunity couldn’t be converted into a run as the Monarchs’ pitchers kept their cool. Entering the seventh inning, fresh from a pitching change, the Racers tried once again to spark a rally. RHB Paul Schaal and RHB Ellie Rodriguez each had their moments at the plate—both striking out swinging. RHB Juan Beniquez’ steady approach produced a hit that momentarily lifted spirits. However, with RHB Garry Maddox pinch hitting, he was picked off attempting to steal second, and the inning closed with only one hit recorded for Indianapolis. In the bottom of the seventh, the Monarchs continued to apply pressure. A sharp single from LHB Ed Crosby opened the frame. RHB Angel Mangual reached base on a fielders choice. A line drive from LHB Jose Cruz advanced Mangual to third. Then, the wheels fell off quickly in the very next at bat when Cruz is caught stealing second and RHB Bill Melton pops out on the infield, leaving the would-be rally toothless. The Racers mounted another mini-rally in the top of the eighth. A pinch-hit double by LHB Ed Kranepool and a subsequent single from SHB Tito Fuentes signaled a potential shift, as Kranepool advanced to third. Yet, even a fielders’ choice at the plate on a groundball by RHB Tony Perez—though it advanced Fuentes to second—failed to yield the run they needed. LHB Billy Williams and RHB Dusty Baker’s couldn’t spark any momentum; their subsequent appearances kept the inning barren, as the visitors clung to their solitary run In the final frame, the Racers’ bats went silent. RHB Buddy Bell, RHB Paul Schaal, and RHB Ellie Rodriguez each fell short, their efforts culminating in a series of fly outs that sealed the inning—and the game. In a hard-fought battle marked by early rallies, critical baserunning, and timely defensive plays, the Monarchs’ measured performance proved just enough to stave off the Racers’ late-game surge. As Game 2 of the ELCS came to a close, the scoreboard reflected the Monarchs’ continued dominance—a result that promises to set the stage for an even more compelling battle ahead as the series shifts to Indy. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-07-2025 at 09:07 AM. |
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#84 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB 1972 WLCS - Game 2
1972 Western League Championship Sim Houston Oilers (0) vs. Seattle Cascades (1) Game 2 See it live or recorded on ... In Game 2 of the Western League Championship Sim on October 12, 1972, the Houston Oilers and Seattle Cascades traded blows in a riveting contest. The Oilers, visitors in Seattle, began the game on a cautious note, as their bats were held in check by Seattle’s RHP Steve Busby in the top of the first. Lou Brock managed to draw a walk for Houston, but subsequent at-bats from Graig Nettles and Johnny Bench fizzled out, leaving the frame scoreless. The Cascades answered in the bottom of the first when, under the steady arm of RHP Jim Palmer pitching for Houston, Wes Parker broke the silence with an infield single. Glenn Beckert’s presence and a well-timed fielders’ choice on Al Bumbry’s appearance set the stage for RHB Frank Robinson to spark a rally with a play that eventually drove Wes Parker home, putting Seattle up 1–0. Houston’s offense showed signs of life in the top of the third when Tim Foli and Tommie Agee worked the count and Agee drew a walk. However, a sac bunt by veteran Jim Palmer (serving as a batter in this instance) failed to ignite a scoring rally as Lou Brock grounded out to end the inning. Seattle’s bats, though, remained sharp in the bottom of the third. After Wes Parker and Glenn Beckert were retired in order, LHB Al Bumbry delivered a line-drive double that electrified the home crowd. RHB Frank Robinson followed up with a walk, and although Dave Duncan couldn’t capitalize, Seattle maintained their slender 1–0 advantage. The game remained a pitching duel through the fourth and fifth innings. In the top of the fourth, Houston’s Graig Nettles singled for their only hit of the frame before Johnny Bench grounded into a double play, and Dave Kingman recorded a ground out. Seattle’s pitchers, meanwhile, stifled the Oilers in the bottom of the fourth with routine outs from Joe Torre, Sonny Jackson, and Mike Anderson. In the top of the fifth, Jim Northrup and Freddie Patek provided a glimmer of hope for Houston—the latter’s groundball single moved a runner into scoring position via a successful sacrifice bunt by Tim Foli—but the inning ended without a run as Tommie Agee struck out swinging. The game’s momentum shifted dramatically in the top of the seventh. Houston’s bats finally broke through when Johnny Bench drew a walk, and after Dave Kingman’s unsuccessful swing, Freddie Patek roared a line drive double that brought Bench home to tie the game at 1–1. With RHP Darold Knowles now on the mound and Tim McCarver taking over as catcher, the stage was set for a titanic battle. Extra innings would prove decisive. In the top of the 10th, a series of disciplined at-bats by Houston saw pinch hitter Steve Yeager ground out, followed by Jeff Burroughs drawing a walk and advancing on a sacrifice bunt by Ron Hunt. Johnny Bench is walked with first base open. A single by Dave Kingman loads the bases. Only to have Jim Northrup fly out to Centerfield on the first pitch thrown, ending any hope of scoring. Seattle’s bats remained quiet in the bottom of the 10th as Tim McCarver’s fly out and subsequent defensive plays stalled any comeback. The tension carried into the 11th, with Houston’s Freddie Patek and Tim Foli both unable to produce further offense as the inning closed with the score still tied at 1–1. In the 12th inning, Houston’s fortunes finally turned. Facing Seattle’s RHP Bobby Bolin, LHB Joe Pepitone was the first to answer the call with a fly out, but then Jeff Burroughs reached on an error. The moment of truth arrived when RHB Johnny Bench stepped to the plate and launched a towering two-run home run—a ferocious drive measured at 415 feet—that gave the Oilers a 3–1 lead. A subsequent fly out by pinch hitter Jack Brohamer quelled any further tally. Seattle’s bats could not muster a response in the bottom of the 12th, as RHP Diego Segui shut down the Cascades for the frame. When the final out was recorded, the Houston Oilers emerged victorious by a score of 3-1. In a game marked by strategic pitching changes, timely hitting, and relentless defensive plays on both sides, Houston managed to overcome an early deficit and edge Seattle in extra innings. This hard-fought win evened the series, setting the stage for a dramatic continuation of the seven-game championship battle in the Western League as the series moves to the Oilerdome in Houston, TX. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-07-2025 at 09:08 AM. |
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#85 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB 1972 ELCS - Game 3
1972 Eastern League Championship Sim Charlotte Monarchs (2) vs. Indianapolis Racers (0) Game 3 See it live or recorded on ... Game 3 of the Eastern League Championship Sim Series delivered a tension-filled duel as the visiting Charlotte Monarchs squared off against the Indianapolis Racers at Victory Field on October 13, 1972. With the series finely poised, both teams were desperate to seize the momentum as the ball flew and the crowd roared in anticipation of the next twist in this high-stakes postseason battle. The contest opened with a bang in the top of the first as Charlotte’s bats wasted no time. LHB Jose Cruz kicked things off with a fly out, but the Monarchs quickly found their spark when RHB Bill Melton’s plate appearance was punctuated by a series of disciplined swings. The real fireworks came when SHB Richie Scheinblum worked a walk, setting the stage for RHB Orlando Cepeda to launch a monumental two-run home run—a towering drive measured at an astonishing 428 feet that gave Charlotte an early 2‑0 lead. LHB Duke Sims’ subsequent fly out closed the frame, leaving the visitors buzzing with promise. Answering in kind, the Racers took the bottom of the first under the watchful eye of Charlotte’s starter, RHP Luis Tiant. RHB Tony Perez got on base with a well-timed single, followed by RHB Dusty Baker’s timely ground ball that put Perez in scoring position. Later, RHB Buddy Bell’s single brought Perez home and narrowed the gap to 2‑1, as Indianapolis signaled that they would not go quietly. The early battle continued into the second inning. Charlotte’s offense looked to build on their explosive start, but after a series of balls, fouls, and a fly out by LHB Del Unser, the Monarchs couldn’t add to their lead despite a hit-by-pitch on LHB Ed Crosby and a modest single from the pitcher, Luis Tiant, who was thrown out attempting to advance to second. The Racers’ reply in the bottom of the second was equally muted, as Eric Soderholm, Juan Beniquez, and Ken Holtzman were stifled by disciplined pitching, leaving the score unchanged at 2‑1. By the third inning, the pressure was mounting. Charlotte’s batters continued to show flashes of brilliance—Bill Melton’s single punctuated the top of the frame—but a subsequent double play extinguished any hopes of further damage. Indianapolis, meanwhile, managed to answer in the bottom half when Tony Perez singled again, although a fly out by Dusty Baker and a double play involving Billy Williams kept the Racers’ total steady. In the fourth inning, the tension escalated further. Charlotte’s offensive hopes were dashed after RHB Orlando Cepeda flied out and LHB Duke Sims’ promising single, when coupled with a ground ball double play from Del Unser, which left the visitors still clinging to a 2‑1 lead. Not to be outdone, the Racers powered through in their half of the frame. A disciplined walk to Buddy Bell, a swinging strike out from RHB Tito Fuentes, and a timely line drive from RHB Ellie Rodriguez all coalesced to put RHB Juan Beniquez in position to get a clutch hit that tied the game at 2‑2. The battle’s momentum shifted yet again in the middle innings. In the fifth frame, both teams exchanged opportunities but neither could break through. Charlotte’s lineup sputtered as Carmen Fanzone and Ed Crosby were neutralized, while Indianapolis’ Billy Williams, Buddy Bell, and Tito Fuentes provided sparks that ultimately fizzled into a tense stalemate. A pivotal moment came in the sixth inning. With the Monarchs looking for answers, Charlotte’s SHB Richie Scheinblum delivered a crucial single, and RHB Orlando Cepeda followed by doubling—a hit that not only advanced runners but hinted at the potential for a comeback. However, when Indianapolis answered in their half, a combination of solid defensive plays and a clutch single from Tony Perez (driving in a run after a well-orchestrated baserunning play) gave the Racers a slender 3‑2 lead, a margin that would set the stage for the final chapters of the game. The seventh inning saw both teams jockeying for position. Charlotte’s batters, now under the emerging presence of Indy relief pitcher Clay Carroll, made a valiant effort. RHB Luis Tiant and contributed a single, and a subsequent spark from LHB Jose Cruz pushed runners into scoring positions. Yet, after a series of base advances and a hard-fought but ultimately fruitless rally by SHB Richie Scheinblum and RHB Orlando Cepeda, the Monarchs could not recapture the lead. In the eighth, Charlotte’s hopes took another hit. LHB Duke Sims’ early single gave a glimpse of promise, followed by a sac bunt from LHB Del Unser moving Sims into scoring position. LHB Pat Kelly walked to fill an open first base. However, a double play from LHB Ed Crosby stymied any momentum. The Racers, meanwhile, managed to hold their slim lead as the inning closed without further scoring. With the tension reaching fever pitch in the top of the ninth, the Monarchs sent in a pinch hitter, LHB Ed Goodson, but his swing fell short, and subsequent efforts by LHB Jose Cruz and RHB Bill Melton were met with timely outs by the Racers’ defense. As the final inning wound down, every pitch and every swing carried the weight of the championship series, and Indianapolis’ steadfast play proved too resolute for the visitors to overcome. In the end, the tightly contested Game 3—full of timely hits, strategic baserunning, and nail-biting defensive plays—seemed destined to hinge on that one critical run. With the scoreboard reading a narrow 3‑2 in favor of the home team as the final out was recorded, the stage was set for the next chapter in this epic Eastern League Championship Sim. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-07-2025 at 09:08 AM. |
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#86 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB 1972 WLCS - Game 3
1972 Western League Championship Sim Seattle Cascades (1) vs. Houston Oilers (1) Game 3 See it live or recorded on ... In Game 3 of the Western League Championship Sim on October 14, 1972, the Seattle Cascades visited the Oilerdome in Houston and made a powerful statement from the very first pitch. Houston’s starting pitcher, LHP Mickey Lolich, took the mound, but Seattle wasted no time in exploding at the plate. Wes Parker’s early appearance was unremarkable, but RHB Glenn Beckert quickly ignited the offense with a blistering double to left-center. LHB Al Bumbry followed with a double of his own that drove Beckert home to give Seattle a 1–0 lead. RHB Frank Robinson then singled, allowing Bumbry—who had advanced to third—to score, and RHB Dave Duncan’s subsequent single set the stage for RHB Joe Torre’s majestic two-run home run, a towering drive that sailed 423 feet, pushing the Cascades’ total to 4–0 before Sonny Jackson’s fly out closed the frame. Houston’s bats answered briefly in the bottom of the first when, facing Seattle’s RHP Skip Lockwood, LHB Lou Brock broke the silence with a double. However, subsequent outs by RHB Johnny Bench and RHB Dave Kingman kept the Oilers off the board, and the inning ended 4–0 in favor of Seattle. In the second inning, Seattle continued to press their advantage; RHB Mike Anderson singled to extend the momentum, while a bunt attempt by Skip Lockwood ended in a strikeout. Houston’s batters, however, were stifled in the bottom of the inning, as Jim Northrup and Freddie Patek produced routine outs that left the score unchanged. The Cascades maintained their offensive intensity in the third inning. Glenn Beckert’s next appearance was short-lived as he was retired on a called strike, while Al Bumbry’s at-bat produced a ground out. RHB Frank Robinson then singled again, though his attempt to steal second was thwarted, and Dave Duncan struck out to end the inning with Seattle’s 4–0 lead intact. Houston’s response in the bottom of the third came when RHB Tommie Agee singled, but after a failed steal attempt and a subsequent fly out by Lou Brock, the visitors failed to generate a run. In the fourth inning, Seattle’s hitters continued their efficient work against the Oilers. Dave Duncan was retired on a called strike and Joe Torre drew a walk before Sonny Jackson’s at-bat ended on a fielder’s choice that stranded a runner. Mike Anderson’s plate appearance produced a strikeout, and the inning closed 4–0. In the bottom of the fourth, Houston’s offense showed a glimmer of life; Graig Nettles recorded a fly out and Johnny Bench eventually reached on a line-drive single, while Dave Kingman grounded out, but the visitors were unable to add a run. The fifth inning saw Seattle’s offensive pressure remain unrelenting as Skip Lockwood struck out and Wes Parker flied out, followed by another fly out from Glenn Beckert, keeping the lead at 4–0. Houston’s bats remained dormant in the bottom of the fifth, with Tim Foli grounding out and Tommie Agee’s at-bat ending in a ground out, leaving the score unchanged. The sixth inning marked Houston’s first scoring attempt. In the top half, Al Bumbry appeared at the plate but popped out on a fly ball, and then Frank Robinson delivered a line-drive single. However, Dave Duncan’s subsequent strikeout—and Robinson being caught stealing second on the ensuing play—ended the rally without adding to Seattle’s total. In the bottom of the sixth, the Oilers finally chipped away when Lou Brock grounded out, and then Graig Nettles produced a fly ball single. Johnny Bench’s timely line-drive single advanced Nettles to second, and a subsequent walk to Dave Kingman advanced the runners, loading the bases. LHB Jim Northrup's flyout to center field allowed Nettles to tag up and score, cutting Seattle’s lead to 4–1. In the seventh inning, Seattle's momentum showed no signs of slowing. Joe Torre started things off with a sharp line-drive single. Sonny Jackson followed, reaching base on a fielder's choice. Jackson then made an impressive series of plays, stealing second base and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Despite all his efforts and skillful maneuvers, a subsequent fielder's choice prevented him from scoring the crucial insurance run. The inning then concluded with Skip Lockwood's fly out, leaving the team just short of extending their lead. Houston’s response in the bottom of the seventh was minimal, as Tim Foli’s fly out, Tommie Agee’s unsuccessful at-bat, and a ground out from Mickey Lolich left the score unchanged. Seattle’s firepower returned in the eighth inning when Wes Parker ignited the frame with a big double that energized the crowd. Glenn Beckert’s next appearance ended in a ground out, and although Al Bumbry’s subsequent at-bat produced a swinging attempt that ended in a pop out, Frank Robinson’s plate appearance also concluded with a ground out, keeping the score at 4–1. In the bottom of the eighth, Houston’s batters had an opportunity to respond. Lou Brock and then Graig Nettles both committed routine outs. Johnny Bench then worked the count and delivered a line-drive single. At that point, Seattle replaced Skip Lockwood with LHP Darold Knowles on the mound. Under Knowles, Dave Kingman’s subsequent plate appearance yielded a goundout via a fielders’ choice, and the inning ended with the score still 4–1. In the ninth inning, Seattle’s offense sprang to life. Dave Duncan battled through several pitches before being hit by one, earning his place on base. Joe Torre then grounded out, allowing Duncan to advance to second. Sonny Jackson followed with a fly out, but Mike Anderson stepped up with a powerful double, driving Duncan home. A timely pinch-hit single by Tim McCarver allowed Anderson to score from second on a close play at home, boosting Seattle’s lead to 6–1. The inning concluded with Wes Parker's fielder’s choice, sealing the team’s impressive offensive burst. In the bottom of the ninth, Seattle’s relief pitchers held firm. Jim Northrup grounded out, Freddie Patek flied out, and Tim Foli’s final plate appearance ended with a ground out, ensuring that the Oilers could not mount a comeback. When the final out was recorded, the Seattle Cascades emerged with a decisive 6–1 victory over the Houston Oilers. The Cascades’ explosive early innings, timely doubles, and that towering two-run home run from Joe Torre—combined with effective relief from Darold Knowles—proved too much for Houston, whose bats never fully recovered. This commanding win extended Seattle’s series lead and sent a resounding message in this championship battle. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-21-2025 at 07:34 AM. |
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#87 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB 1972 ELCS - Game 4
1972 Eastern League Championship Sim Charlotte Monarchs (2) vs. Indianapolis Racers (1) Game 4 See it live or recorded on ... Game 4 of the Eastern League Championship Sim promised a pivotal showdown as the visiting Charlotte Monarchs down 2 games to 1 faced the Indianapolis Racers on October 14, 1972. With each team winning at home and the series on the line, both clubs knew that every pitch and every swing could tilt the balance, and the atmosphere was electric as the teams took the field. The game opened under the bright lights with Indianapolis’ right-hander Sonny Siebert on the mound. In the top of the first, Charlotte’s bats looked to spark early offense. LHB Jose Cruz struggled against Siebert, striking out after a couple of swings, while RHB Bill Melton couldn’t find his rhythm and also fell victim to Siebert’s command on three pitches. The Monarchs’ only early glimmer came from SHB Richie Scheinblum, who singled on a crisp line drive, leaving a runner on base but no runs. Switching sides in the bottom of the first, the Racers’ offense came out with purpose against Charlotte’s left-hander Dave Lemonds. SHB Tito Fuentes started things off with a groundout, and although RHB Tony Perez and LHB Billy Williams couldn’t immediately capitalize, Indianapolis managed to keep a tight ship as the inning closed scoreless. In the second frame, Charlotte’s lineup got another opportunity. LHB Duke Sims and LHB Del Unser worked through their at-bats, though neither produced. RHB Carmen Fanzone broke through with a well-timed single, briefly lighting up the scoreboard for the visitors. But the Racers’ pitcher remained resolute, and when the inning ended, the game still hung in the balance at 0–0. The pivotal moment began to take shape in the third inning. After Charlotte's LHB Dave Lemonds and LHB Jose Cruz both flew out, RHB Bill Melton sparked a brief hope with a groundball single. However, that glimmer was short-lived as SHB Richie Scheinblum grounded into a fielder's choice. The tide then turned in favor of Indianapolis when RHB Juan Beniquez hit a single. A sacrifice bunt moved Beniquez to second, and he advanced to third on SHB Tito Fuentes' ground out. This set the stage for RHB Tony Perez, who delivered a crucial double through the infield, driving Beniquez home and securing a critical 1–0 lead for the Racers. Charlotte’s bats sputtered in the fourth as RHB Orlando Cepeda and LHB Duke Sims and LHB Del Unser failed to string together anything productive quelling any hopes of an early rally. In the bottom of the fourth, Indianapolis continued to press. Despite some tentative at-bats from Dusty Baker, Buddy Bell, and Paul Schaal, the Racers’ offense remained patient, and they held onto their slim one-run advantage. The offensive fireworks ignited in the bottom of the fifth inning. Indianapolis’ Ellie Rodriguez led off with a blistering line-drive single. RHB Juan Beniquez’s attempt at a bunt ended in a flyout, followed by the pitcher RHB Sonny Siebert striking out. Indy faced a dire situation with two outs and only one man on base when SHB Tito Fuentes sparked hope with a sharp line-drive single, moving Rodriguez into scoring position. RHB Tony Perez then stepped up and delivered a crucial single, loading the bases and setting the stage for LHB Billy Williams. Williams responded with a spectacular base-clearing double that demonstrated perfect baserunning skills—Fuentes, Rodriguez, and Perez crossed the plate effortlessly, without a throw. But the rally didn't end there. RHB Dusty Baker capitalized on the momentum with a back-to-back double, effortlessly driving Billy Williams home. As if that wasn’t enough, RHB Buddy Bell followed with a perfectly timed single, pushing Dusty Baker in from second. By the time the dust settled and the fifth inning closed, Indianapolis had mounted an explosive five-run rally, all with two outs, taking a commanding 5–0 lead. Charlotte’s bats remained largely silent through the sixth and seventh innings. In the top of the sixth, after LHB Jose Cruz singled for the visitors, RHB Bill Melton’s appearance ended with a strikeout, and SHB Richie Scheinblum’s ground ball resulted in a double play. In the seventh, although RHB Orlando Cepeda managed a solitary single, further efforts by LHB Duke Sims and LHB Del Unser fizzled, as the Monarchs couldn’t muster a rally against the disciplined Racers’ pitching. The decisive moment arrived in the bottom of the eighth inning. RHB Juan Beniquez of Indianapolis ignited the crowd with a rare triple, demonstrating his exceptional speed and precision at the plate. The tension built as SHB Tito Fuentes stepped up to bat, and a wild pitch allowed Beniquez to sprint home, further increasing the Racers' lead to a commanding 7–0. Although RHB Tony Perez's subsequent at-bat didn't result in additional runs, the momentum had decisively remained in favor of Indianapolis. In the top of the ninth, Charlotte made a final desperate push. RHB Bill Melton grounded out, and SHB Richie Scheinblum’s single couldn’t spark a rally, as RHB Orlando Cepeda’s flyout sealed the frame. With the final out recorded and the crowd in raucous celebration, the scoreboard told the story: the Indianapolis Racers had secured a 7–0 victory in Game 4, tying the series 2-2. In a match defined by Indianapolis' clutch hitting and precise pitching—and a string of missed chances for the Monarchs—the Racers held serve at home and took a crucial step in the series. Meanwhile, Charlotte was left to reflect on how the once fierce offense showcased in the initial games gradually dwindled away, inning by inning, in this contest. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-08-2025 at 02:12 AM. |
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#88 |
Major Leagues
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MSB 1972 WLCS - Game 4
1972 Western League Championship Sim Seattle Cascades (2) vs. Houston Oilers (1) Game 4 See it live or recorded on ... Good evening, ladies and gentlemen—what a day here at the ballpark on October 15, 1972. The atmosphere is electric as the Seattle Cascades take on the Houston Oilers in a contest that’s unfolding with all the drama and intensity you’d expect from a night of top‐notch baseball. The First Inning The action begins with Seattle’s Wes Parker stepping to the plate. With a measured approach, Parker turns a crisp pitch into a line drive single to right, igniting the hopes of the home crowd. Shortly after, Glenn Beckert comes up and, with the kind of precision that makes you believe in the fundamentals of the game, lays down a sacrifice bunt that moves Parker into scoring position. Then, in a twist of fate, left‐hander Al Bumbry reaches base—not by a hit of his own, but courtesy of a misplayed grounder by Houston’s shortstop. That error pushes Parker into the heart of the action on third base. But the promise of a run is dashed when Frank Robinson pops up and Dave Duncan’s ground ball forces a play at second, ending the top half with two men still waiting for their chance. Down in the bottom of the inning, Houston answers. Lou Brock, showing his veteran savvy, works the count and delivers a sharp ground ball single before boldly stealing second base. Johnny Bench and Dave Kingman add their chapters to this opening act, with a timely baserunning play that sees Brock rounding the bases for the Oilers’ first run. The frame closes 1–0 in favor of Houston, and the stage is set for a classic duel. The Early Rounds – Second and Third Innings In the second inning, both teams exchange measured approaches at the plate. For Seattle, Joe Torre, Sonny Jackson, and Mike Anderson step up, each showing flashes of promise but ultimately unable to add to their tally. Houston’s Freddie Patek, Tim Foli, and Tommie Agee mirror that cautious, tactical play, keeping the score locked at 1–0. Then, in the top of the third, the momentum shifts. With Houston’s Mel Stottlemyre on the mound and the score reading 0–1 in favor of the Oilers, Seattle’s Jim Willoughby steps up to the plate. After a swinging strike and a sharp foul ball, he grounds out for the first out. The Cascades answer with authority—Wes Parker roars a double deep into the night, setting the stage perfectly. Next, Glenn Beckert, with a burst of speed and vision, launches a blistering triple down the line that races Parker home, tying the game at 1–1 and sparking cheers among the visiting Seattle supporters. Then, Al Bumbry steps to the plate and produces a solid ground out; on that play, Glenn Beckert, patiently waiting on third, comes home to extend Seattle’s lead to 2–1. Finally, Frank Robinson steps to the plate; after drawing a ball and a called strike, he sends up a high, hanging fly ball that’s caught for the final out, neatly closing the top of the inning and setting the stage for the drama that was to follow. Houston’s batters return in the bottom of the third. Lou Brock once again shows his knack for getting on base, singing a single into the night, but the Oilers can’t capitalize immediately. Despite the efforts of Graig Nettles and Johnny Bench, the frame ends with Houston managing just one hit. Mid-Game Tensions – The Fourth and Fifth Innings In the fourth inning, Seattle’s offense continues its disciplined approach. Dave Duncan’s strikeout and Joe Torre’s well-hit double keep the inning in check, even as Sonny Jackson and Mike Anderson register outs. Meanwhile, Houston’s Jim Northrup and Freddie Patek spark a bit of hope in the bottom half with a line-drive double and a follow-up single. Despite Patek swiping second to put both runners in scoring position, an untimely grounder from Tommie Agee leaves the score unchanged. Then comes the pivotal fifth inning. In the top half, after a quiet start from Jim Willoughby and Wes Parker, Glenn Beckert steps up once more. A single puts him in the mix, and when Al Bumbry draws a walk, the stage is set. The tension builds as Frank Robinson’s line-drive single sends the runner on third into the open—thanks in part to a misplayed throw, Beckert rounds the bases and scores, giving Seattle a 3–1 lead. Not to be outdone, Houston’s batters in the bottom half—beginning with Mel Stottlemyre’s single—work the count before lefty Graig Nettles comes alive. With a mighty swing, Nettles launches a towering two-run home run, measured at an astonishing distance, that ties the game at 3–3. Johnny Bench and Dave Kingman add their pieces with outs, and the inning closes with the score level and every fan on the edge of their seat. The Battle Intensifies – Sixth and Seventh Innings The sixth inning is a study in tight, tactical baseball. For Seattle, Joe Torre, Sonny Jackson, and Mike Anderson do their part, each coming up against Houston’s stifling pitching as the Cascades’ bats fall silent. In response, Houston’s Freddie Patek’s base knock combined with a smart sacrifice bunt from Tim Foli attempt to keep their momentum, but they can’t break the deadlock. The score remains locked at 3–3. In the seventh, the game continues its measured pace. Seattle’s Tim McCarver earns a walk, a small but crucial step in a game that’s turning into a battle of inches. After a pitching change brings Fred Gladding into the picture, Seattle’s efforts from Wes Parker and Glenn Beckert—highlighted by a well-executed sacrifice bunt—fail to produce a run. Houston’s counterattacks, featuring Joe Pepitone and Lou Brock, also falter as the frame closes with the tension unabated. A Night of Twists – The Eighth and Ninth Innings The eighth inning brings flashes of brilliance. Seattle’s Frank Robinson ignites the game with a beautifully hit triple, setting the stage for a tense moment in the stadium. Don Baylor’s follow-up grounder momentarily checks the momentum, but then Joe Torre steps up and drills a single that brings Robinson home. The Cascades now lead 4–3. The home crowd remains subdued, but Houston isn’t finished. In the bottom of the eighth, after Johnny Bench battles through a challenging at-bat, Dave Kingman launches a solo home run that ties the game once again at 4–4, and the local fans erupt in cheers, hardly believing the seesaw battle unfolding before their eyes. In the ninth inning, every pitch feels monumental. Seattle’s Tim McCarver picks up a crucial single, followed by a pinch-hitting appearance by Roger Repoz that ends in a strikeout, maintaining the pressure. Glenn Beckert’s well-timed sacrifice bunt put McCarver in scoring position, but Al Bumbry’s fly out kept the Cascades from advancing further. Houston’s response sees Tim Foli grounding out, and a pinch-hitter, Don Buford, with a determined single, followed by Joe Pepitone and Lou Brock, who make contact—but the frame closes, leaving the score deadlocked at 4–4 and the tension almost unbearable. The Climactic Tenth Inning Now, as the evening deepens and the stadium holds its collective breath, the decisive tenth inning unfolds. Seattle’s batters, fueled by the scattered roar of the traveling faithful, look to break the stalemate. With Fred Gladding replaced by Diego Segui—Frank Robinson’s at-bat produces a fly out, and Don Baylor’s approach ends in a strikeout. But then, Joe Torre lights a spark with a well-hit single. The excitement mounts as Sonny Jackson steps up; with power and precision, he smashes a double that not only sends Torre from second to third but also propels the runner on third safely home. The lead shifts, and with the momentum now in their favor, Mike Anderson follows with a line-drive single that brings Jackson across the plate to make it 6–4. Tim McCarver’s subsequent ground out punctuates this thrilling offensive burst, and the visiting dugout erupts in celebration. Down in the bottom of the tenth, Houston mounts a final, valiant rally. Graig Nettles, Johnny Bench, and Dave Kingman all step to the plate—Kingman even drawing a hit by pitch—but a fly out from Jeff Burroughs quells the Oilers’ last hopes. A Night to Remember What a contest we’ve witnessed—a game defined by timely hits, daring baserunning, and the unpredictable twists that make baseball the game of champions. Every inning built on the last, each play a new chapter in a story that kept us all riveted until the final out. As the players shake hands on the field and the fans begin to file out of the stadium, one thing is clear: tonight’s baseball will be remembered as a masterclass in resilience, drama, and the sheer thrill of the game. Thank you for joining us on this remarkable journey through a contest that had every twist and turn you could imagine, right here at the Oilerdome. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL |
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MSB 1972 ELCS - Game 5
1972 Eastern League Championship Sim Charlotte Monarchs (2) vs. Indianapolis Racers (2) Game 5 See it live or recorded on ... Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. On October 15, 1972, in a ballpark charged with anticipation, the Charlotte Monarchs clashed with the Indianapolis Racers in a contest that would test every ounce of grit and determination. The game unfolded as a masterclass in small-ball baseball, with each inning adding a new twist to the story. The First Inning The Monarchs jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. Jose Cruz initiated the action with a steady eye, drawing a ball and fouling off a pitch before flying out to deep center. Then, Bill Melton stepped into the spotlight—he worked the count and unleashed a solo home run soaring to right-center, covering 389 feet and giving Charlotte a 1–0 advantage. Richie Scheinblum followed with a crisp line drive single, though subsequent fly outs by Orlando Cepeda and a strikeout by Duke Sims left one runner stranded. Not to be outdone, the Racers answered in the bottom of the first. Tony Perez, after a couple of swings and misses, ignited the inning himself with a solo home run to left, sending the game to a 1–1 tie. Dusty Baker drew a walk, and Billy Williams reached on an error, though subsequent outs by Buddy Bell and a double play on Tito Fuentes kept the score level. The Early Rounds In the second inning, both teams traded pitches and outs without adding to the scoreboard. For Charlotte, Del Unser, Carmen Fanzone, and Ed Crosby each had their turn at bat, but nothing materialized. Indianapolis’ batters—Ellie Rodriguez, Eric Soderholm, and Juan Beniquez—were equally stymied by sharp pitching, and the tie held. The Third Inning’s Tension In the top of the third, Charlotte’s bats tried to spark a rally. Tom Seaver appeared at the plate for the Monarchs. After a couple of balls and swings, Seaver couldn’t catch a break and struck out. Jose Cruz then drew a walk, and Bill Melton followed up by getting hit by a pitch—advancing Cruz to second. But it was Richie Scheinblum’s fly out—an effort deep to center—coupled with a determined Cruz tag-up and being thrown out at third, resulted in the third out with one man left stranded. Down in the bottom of the third, the Racers briefly stirred. Andy Messersmith, this time at bat, drew two balls before flying out to left. Tony Perez then had his turn, but after working a couple of strikes he couldn’t deliver, and Dusty Baker’s timely single was negated when he was picked off at first, ending the inning still locked at 1–1. The Fourth and Fifth Innings In the fourth inning, Charlotte’s offense remained patient. Orlando Cepeda started with a ball and then grounded out, while Duke Sims walked after a sequence of pitches. Del Unser and Carmen Fanzone both recorded fly outs, leaving one runner on base in the top half. The Racers, in their half, capitalized on a brief opportunity. Billy Williams hit a single, and Buddy Bell reached via a fielder’s choice. With Tito Fuentes drawing a walk and Ellie Rodriguez reaching on an error, Indianapolis loaded the bases, but the frame ended without a run as the pressure eased off. In the fifth inning, Charlotte’s efforts faltered further. Ed Crosby and Tom Seaver both flared out, and while Jose Cruz drew a walk—and even stole second—the subsequent at-bat by Bill Melton ended in a strikeout. For the Racers, Andy Messersmith struck out, Tony Perez grounded out, and Dusty Baker’s fly out closed the inning, keeping the score a stalemate. A Game of Fine Margins in the Middle Innings The sixth inning saw a glimmer for Charlotte when Richie Scheinblum singled on a ground ball, though Orlando Cepeda soon struck out and Duke Sims grounded into a double play to end the top half without further damage. The Racers’ bottom of the sixth was uneventful, as Billy Williams, Buddy Bell, and Tito Fuentes each recorded outs, maintaining the tie. In the seventh inning, Charlotte’s bats went quiet. Del Unser, Carmen Fanzone, and Ed Crosby combined for three outs in rapid succession. Indianapolis then began the bottom of the seventh by having Ellie Rodriguez draw a ball and later single with a line drive to center. After a sacrifice bunt by Juan Beniquez—who was put out at first—the Racers had a runner on base, but pinch hitter Garry Maddox couldn’t advance the rally, and the inning closed with the tie intact. The Eighth and Ninth: A Tight, Nerve-Wracking Affair In the eighth inning, a pitching change brought RHP Clay Carroll into the mix for the Racers. Charlotte’s Jose Pagan drew a called strike before flying out, and Jose Cruz then connected for a ground ball single that put him on base. Bill Melton followed with a line drive single, moving Cruz to second. However, Richie Scheinblum’s ground ball resulted in a double play that extinguished the rally. Indianapolis responded in the bottom of the eighth as Tony Perez grounded out, Dusty Baker drew a walk, but then Billy Williams and Buddy Bell recorded outs, leaving one runner stranded. In the ninth inning, Charlotte’s offense could not muster momentum as Orlando Cepeda flew out, Duke Sims struck out, and Del Unser’s fly out ended the top half. The Racers, in the bottom of the ninth, saw Tito Fuentes, Ellie Rodriguez, and Roy Foster all make outs, keeping the score tied at 1–1. The Tenth Inning: Still Searching for a Break In the top of the tenth, pinch hitter Pat Kelly grounded out, and then Ed Goodson reached on an error—briefly igniting hope for the Monarchs—before Jose Pagan flew out. Jose Cruz kept the threat alive with a well-timed single, moving Ed Goodson to second, but Bill Melton’s subsequent strikeout ended the frame with two runners still on base. In the bottom of the tenth, the Racers’ Juan Beniquez struck out, and pinch hitter Ed Kranepool drew a walk. Tony Perez then grounded out with a line drive, followed by Dusty Baker’s ground out to put an end to the inning, and the game remained knotted at 1–1. The Decisive Eleventh With the tension mounting, the eleventh inning began under the watchful eye of RHP Ray Bare for Charlotte. In the top half, Richie Scheinblum snapped the silence with a crisp single to center, but Orlando Cepeda promptly grounded into a double play, dampening the rally. Duke Sims reappeared with an infield single, and Del Unser followed suit with a popup single that managed to drive both men further into scoring position. However, pinch hitter Angel Mangual’s ground out sealed the top half without additional runs. Then, in the bottom of the eleventh, with every pitch laden with pressure, the Indianapolis Racers found their moment. Facing a new look from RHP Joe Coleman, Billy Williams stepped to the plate. With poise and power, Williams launched a line drive solo home run—a walk-off shot that carried 411 feet—securing the Racers a dramatic 2–1 victory. In a contest defined by tight defense, timely hits, and fine margins, the Indianapolis Racers emerged victorious by a slim 2–1 margin over the Charlotte Monarchs—a game that will be remembered for its unyielding tension and the ultimate triumph that came down to one spectacular swing. With each home team having claimed victory so far, the series now moves to Charlotte, where the Monarchs will look to seize the momentum on their home turf in the next chapter of this hard-fought battle. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL |
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MSB 1972 WLCS - Game 5
1972 Western League Championship Sim Seattle Cascades (3) vs. Houston Oilers (1) Game 5 See it live or recorded on ... Good evening, ladies and gentlemen—what a spectacle unfolded on October 16, 1972, at Houston’s Oilerdome. Game 5 of the WLCS featured the Seattle Cascades, on the road and hungry for a win, faced off against the Houston Oilers in a game that built its drama inning by inning. A Tense Opening The visitors began their night on a quiet note. In the top of the first, Wes Parker worked his count with a couple of fouls and two balls before ultimately striking out swinging. Glenn Beckert followed but could not spark any offense, grounding out to short. Al Bumbry, despite a couple of promising swings, also fell to a strikeout. Meanwhile, in the bottom of the frame, Houston’s attack was equally tentative. Lou Brock, after a mix of strikes and balls, struck out looking, while Graig Nettles popped a fly out. Johnny Bench eventually broke the silence with a line-drive single that put him on base, and Dave Kingman’s infield hit advanced Bench to second, though Jim Northrup’s fly out left the inning without any runs. Houston’s Early Attempts In the second inning, Seattle started to stir. After Frank Robinson grounded out, Dave Duncan drew a walk to set the stage, and Joe Torre soon followed suit, moving Duncan to second. Then came a burst of offense—Sonny Jackson exploded for a triple, a huge flyball carrying deep into the night that brought both Duncan and Torre home for two runs. Mike Anderson’s subsequent appearance ended in a strikeout, and a fly out by Bob Moose closed the top at 2–0. Houston’s reply in the bottom of the second was brief and methodical: Freddie Patek struck out amid a mix of fouls and balls, while ground-ball outs by Tim Foli and Tommie Agee ensured the frame ended scoreless. Seattle’s Emergence The third inning saw Seattle pressing their advantage. Wes Parker’s next appearance yielded only a fly out, but Glenn Beckert soon found his rhythm. After working a couple of strikes, he drilled a double into the gap. Al Bumbry then followed with a ground-ball single that advanced Beckert to third. Seizing the moment, Beckert dashed for home as a sharp throw from center field allowed him to score. Not long after, Frank Robinson’s line-drive single moved Bumbry from second to third, and a well-placed throw from left field saw Bumbry round the bases for another run. Despite a strikeout by Dave Duncan and a walk to Joe Torre afterward, Seattle finished the third inning having added two more runs. Building the Advantage In the fourth, the visitors continued with measured play. Mike Anderson struck out after a mix of balls and fouls, and Bob Moose grounded out on a well-hit ball. Then Wes Parker broke the quiet with a crisp line-drive single, and Glenn Beckert reached on a fielder’s choice that advanced the runner—but no additional runs materialized. Houston tried to answer in the bottom of the fourth when Dave Kingman worked his way to a double—a sharp line drive slicing through the outfield—but fly outs by Jim Northrup and Freddie Patek, followed by a line-drive fly ball from Tim Foli, kept the frame scoreless. A Pivotal Shift in the Sixth The fifth inning offered little for either side. Seattle’s offense sputtered as both Al Bumbry and Frank Robinson struck out, with Dave Duncan’s lone line-drive single proving to be the only hit before Joe Torre’s ground out ended the threat. In the bottom of the fifth, Houston was equally muted, with Tommie Agee grounding out, Don Gullett following with a ground out, and Lou Brock’s fly out closing the frame. Then came the pivotal sixth inning. After Sonny Jackson popped out on a ground ball, Mike Anderson drew a walk and Bob Moose reached on four balls to load the bases. A pitching change brought in Rich Gossage, and Wes Parker’s ground out advanced the runners—Anderson moving to third and Moose shifting to second. With the stage set, Glenn Beckert ignited the rally with a line-drive triple that sent both runners across the plate. The surge didn’t stop there; during Al Bumbry’s subsequent plate appearance, a wild pitch allowed Beckert to score once more before Bumbry ultimately struck out. By the close of the top of the sixth, the Cascades had surged ahead to a 7–0 lead. Houston’s Late Rally Not to be outdone, the Oilers fought back in the seventh. Jim Northrup started with a ball and a called strike before popping out on a popup. Freddie Patek’s turn ended in a strikeout, but then Tim Foli broke through with a line-drive single, promptly followed by a determined line-drive single from Tommie Agee that advanced Foli to second. A pinch-hit appearance by Jeff Burroughs produced a walk that loaded the bases, and Lou Brock drove in a run with a well-hit ground ball. Soon after, Graig Nettles powered a double that brought in two runs, as the runner also scored from second on the play. Despite a subsequent strikeout by Johnny Bench, Houston trimmed the deficit to 7–4. The Final Stages In the eighth inning, a pitching change brought in LHP Paul Lindblad for Seattle. Sonny Jackson’s at-bat resulted in a fly out on a line drive, Mike Anderson struck out after a couple of fouls, and a pinch-hit appearance by Don Baylor ended in a fly out, keeping Seattle’s offense quiet. Houston answered in the bottom of the eighth: Dave Kingman’s plate appearance ended with a strikeout, but then Jim Northrup’s line-drive double found the gap. Freddie Patek’s swing—helped by a passed ball that allowed Northrup to advance to third—resulted in a single that brought Northrup home. Tim Foli reached on a fielder’s choice, and Tommie Agee drew a walk to move Foli to second. A pinch-hit appearance by Don Buford produced a fielder’s choice that ended the frame, with Houston adding a run to make it 7–5. In the top of the ninth, Seattle sought to close out the game. Wes Parker struck out after a mix of fouls and a ball, and Glenn Beckert flew out to left. Then Al Bumbry’s line-drive single briefly sparked hope—but during Frank Robinson’s subsequent at-bat, Bumbry was caught stealing second, extinguishing the threat. In the bottom of the ninth, Houston had one final chance. Lou Brock’s at-bat featured a called strike, a ball, and a swinging strike before he grounded out on a line drive. A pinch-hit appearance by Ron Hunt yielded a foul and a called strike followed by his strikeout, and Johnny Bench’s plate appearance—after drawing a ball and two called strikes with a foul—ended with another strikeout. A Championship Sealed With that final out, the Seattle Cascades emerged victorious on the road at Houston’s Oilerdome. Having split the first two games at home, the series moved to Houston where the Cascades swept games three, four, and five to win the best-of-seven series 4–1. With this win, Seattle captures the 1972 NimBLe Western League Championship Sim—clinching the pennant and earning their berth in the World Sim. Seattle Cascades 1972 Western League Champions ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-11-2025 at 05:21 AM. |
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MSB 1972 ELCS - Game 6
1972 Eastern League Championship Sim Indianapolis Racers (3) vs. Charlotte Monarchs (2) Game 6 See it live or recorded on ... Good evening, ladies and gentlemen—what a day here at the ballpark on October 17, 1972. The atmosphere crackles with anticipation as the Indianapolis Racers take the field in Charlotte for Game 6 of the Eastern League Championship Sim. With the series poised on a knife’s edge—after Charlotte won games 1 and 2 at home and Indianapolis swept three home games—the stage is set for a dramatic showdown. A Quiet Start in the First Inning The action begins in the top of the first with the Racers up to bat against Charlotte’s Ace LHP Jon Matlack. Tito Fuentes steps into the box and, after a called strike and a foul ball, ultimately strikes out swinging. Tony Perez follows with a first-pitch fly out deep to center, and Billy Williams grounds out his first offering to end the frame without a hit. In the bottom of the first, the Monarchs answer under the arm of RHP Rick Wise. Jose Cruz works his pitch—drawing a ball, then a called strike and a foul—before flying out on a line drive. Bill Melton comes to the plate next and, after working his count, pops out on a fly ball. Richie Scheinblum’s ground out closes the inning, and the score remains 0–0. Gaining Early Momentum in the Second Inning The Racers break their silence in the top of the second. Dusty Baker’s at-bat produces a fly out, but Buddy Bell brings energy with a well-hit ground-ball single. Paul Schaal then smashes a grounder for a single that advances Bell to third ——and later, as Ellie Rodriguez works his plate apperance, Bell scores on a passed ball, advancing Schaal to second. Rodriguez strikes out swinging and Juan Beniquez’s subsequent ground out ends the frame, leaving Indianapolis with a 1–0 lead. In the bottom of the second, Charlotte’s offense is stifled as Orlando Cepeda grounds out, Duke Sims follows with another ground out, and Del Unser’s brief appearance yields no runs. Pressure Builds Through the Third Inning In the top of the third, the Racers continue their measured approach. Rick Wise leads off with a line-drive single, only to be sacrificed by a bunt from Tito Fuentes that advances him to second. Tony Perez then grounds out, and Billy Williams draws a walk, putting runners at first and second before Dusty Baker’s ground out is recorded. The top of the third ends with Indianapolis still holding a 1–0 edge. Down in the bottom half, Charlotte’s batters—Carmen Fanzone, Ed Crosby, and even Jon Matlack—fail to produce a hit, and the frame closes without a run. Expanding the Lead in the Fourth Inning Indianapolis builds further in the fourth. After Buddy Bell strikes out, Paul Schaal roars a flyball triple that energizes the Racers. Ellie Rodriguez follows with a single that drives Schaal home, pushing the lead to 2–0. A fielders’ choice on Juan Beniquez and a fly out by Rick Wise round out the top half. In the bottom of the fourth, the Monarchs finally spark some offense. Jose Cruz singles on a grounder, and Bill Melton works his way to a walk that advances Cruz. Richie Scheinblum reaches on a fielder’s choice, moving Cruz to third, and then a wild pitch during Orlando Cepeda’s appearance allows Cruz to score—trimming the deficit to 2–1. A subsequent ground out by Duke Sims ends the frame. A Steady, If Modest, Fifth Inning In the top of the fifth, the Racers keep their approach steady. Tito Fuentes gets on base with a ground-ball single, though Tony Perez later strikes out after a series of fouls and balls. Fuentes steals second—but Dusty Baker’s pop-up ends the threat. The top half of the fifth concludes with the score still at 2–1. In the bottom of the fifth, Charlotte’s offense sputters; Del Unser grounds out after a couple of balls, Carmen Fanzone reaches on an error, and Ed Crosby also benefits from a miscue, only to see Jon Matlack ground into a double play that ends the inning without further scoring. A Defensive Duel in the Sixth Inning In the top of the sixth, the Racers’ bats fell silent. Facing Charlotte’s LHP Jon Matlack, Buddy Bell stepped to the plate but was unable to string together a hit—he took a called strike, followed by two balls, before finally popping out on a fly ball. Paul Schaal followed with a steady approach, drawing two balls and a foul before grounding into a fly out. Ellie Rodriguez’s turn ended with a ground out, and the top of the inning closed without a run. In the bottom of the sixth, Charlotte’s offense was equally stifled; Jose Cruz flew out on a pitch, Bill Melton couldn’t catch a break and struck out, and Richie Scheinblum’s appearance ended with a ground out. The defensive efforts on both sides kept the score unchanged at 2–1 as the inning concluded. In the bottom half, Charlotte’s batters are unable to capitalize. Jose Cruz flies out, Bill Melton strikes out after mixing fouls with a ball, and Richie Scheinblum grounds out, leaving the score at 2–1. A Tense Battle in the Seventh and Eighth Innings In the top of the seventh, the Racers step to the plate with LHP Jon Matlack on the mound. Juan Beniquez opens the inning with a called strike followed by a fly out to left on a line drive. Pinch-hitter Ed Kranepool then comes in and delivers a well-hit ground-ball single. Next, Tito Fuentes singles on a ground ball, advancing Kranepool to second. However, a subsequent baserunning attempt—when the runner on second tries for third—ends in a rundown and an out. Tony Perez follows with a plate appearance that concludes on a fielders’ choice, and the top of the seventh ends with the Racers recording two hits while leaving one runner on base. Down in the bottom of the seventh, Charlotte’s offense struggles to get going. Under a pitching change bringing in Clay Carroll, Orlando Cepeda swings through twice—first registering two swinging strikes, then, after a ball, ultimately striking out. Duke Sims follows by drawing a called strike before flying out in the infield, and Del Unser’s turn ends with a swinging strike and a strikeout. The Monarchs fail to produce a hit in this frame. In the top of the eighth, the Racers continue their measured approach. Billy Williams draws a walk after receiving three balls and a called strike. Dusty Baker’s at-bat is short-lived as he strikes out swinging after two fouls. Buddy Bell then singles on a ground ball, advancing Williams to second. Paul Schaal’s subsequent plate appearance results in a fielders’ choice that moves Williams to third, though Ellie Rodriguez grounds out to end the inning, leaving two runners on base. The Monarchs finally muster some action in the bottom of the eighth. With Eric Soderholm now at third base, pinch-hitter Pat Kelly steps in and knocks a double—a line drive that finds the gap—putting him on base. Ed Crosby follows with a called strike, a ball, and then a fly out on a pop-up. Next, pinch-hitter Ed Goodson faces the mound but ultimately strikes out looking, and finally, Jose Cruz grounds out. Both halves of these innings leave the score unchanged at 2–1 in favor of Indianapolis. A Clutch Rally in the Ninth Inning With the tension mounting, the top of the ninth provides the turning point. Now under the guidance of LHP Tom Hilgendorf with Rich McKinney at second in the double switch, Juan Beniquez leads off with a line-drive single that moves him to second on a passed ball. Pinch-hitter Garry Maddox comes in but, despite a mix of balls and fouls, strikes out. Then Tito Fuentes singles on a ground ball, sending Beniquez to third. In a well-executed play at home, the runner from third scores on a throw from center field. Tony Perez follows with a line-drive single that brings another run home as he advances to second, and later, Dusty Baker’s line-drive single moves Perez to third—driving in yet another run. Buddy Bell’s subsequent reach on a fielders’ choice wraps up the top half as the inning produces three crucial insurance runs, bringing the score to 5–1 in favor of Indianapolis. In the bottom of the ninth, with RHP Ray Bare now on the mound for Indianapolis, the Monarchs make one final effort. Bill Melton flies out, Richie Scheinblum grounds out, and Orlando Cepeda swings through for a strikeout, leaving Charlotte unable to respond. A Championship Clinched on the Road With that final out, the game unfolds to its dramatic conclusion. In a pivotal Game 6, the Indianapolis Racers secure the hard-fought win in Charlotte. After dropping the first two games on the road, sweeping their three home contests in Indy, and now capturing their first road victory in this series, the Racers win the best-of-seven series 4–2 and clinch the Eastern League pennant. Tonight, the Racers’ resilience and determination have sealed their championship, etching their names into Eastern League history as they celebrate a trip to the World Sim with Game 1 in Seattle. Indianapolis Racers 1972 Eastern League Champions ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-13-2025 at 07:15 AM. |
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#92 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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PREVIEW -- The 1972 World Sim IND v SEA
⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time. The inaugural 1972 World Sim is upon us, and it's shaping up to be a clash for the ages. This is more than just a championship—this is where legends are born and history is written in the annals of simulated baseball. Representing the Eastern League of Sim Baseball Teams, we have the formidable Indianapolis Racers. They’ve displayed grit, determination, and an unparalleled drive throughout the season, earning their rightful place in this grand spectacle. On the other side, hailing from the Western League, stand the indomitable Seattle Cascades. With a season marked by spectacular plays and strategic brilliance, they too have proven they belong on this illustrious stage. In a seven-game series with a 2-3-2 format, these titans of the simulated diamond will battle it out, each pitch, swing, and catch infused with the anticipation of the ultimate prize. This isn’t just a game; it’s the culmination of a season's worth of hard work, sweat, and dreams. The best of the best will be decided, and only one team will emerge as the inaugural champions of NimBLe - The National Baseball League. So, brace yourselves, Sim Baseball fans. Prepare for epic moments, standout performances, and a level of competition that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The clash of champions is here, and the 1972 World Sim promises to redefine what we know about Major Sim Baseball. Let the games begin! The 1972 World Sim: A Historic Clash Begins In the inaugural 1972 World Sim, history is in the making as two powerhouse teams collide for the National Baseball League championship. The Indianapolis Racers, representing the Eastern League, stormed through the Northeast Region and clinched their spot with a thrilling League Championship Sim victory over the Charlotte Monarchs, 4-2. On the other side, the Seattle Cascades, the champions of the Western League and the Northwest Region, secured their berth by overcoming the Houston Oilers in their own championship showdown, 4-1. The best-of-seven series played in the distinctive 2-3-2 format is a strategic duel where home-field advantages and tactical decisions are put to the test. In the MSB World Sim with no interleague play save the ASG, both teams enter uncharted territory by never having met in a professional game that counts. Every pitch, hit, and play is poised to carve out a new chapter in the annals of sim baseball history. Team Profiles: The Clash of 1972 Indianapolis Racers (Eastern League): • Region: Northeast Region Champions • Championship Path: Clinched their title with a hard-fought victory over the Charlotte Monarchs in the League Championship Sim 4-2 • Key Strengths: A balanced roster known for clutch performances and consistent play under pressure Seattle Cascades (Western League): • Region: Northwest Region Champions • Championship Path: Secured their spot by overcoming the Houston Oilers in the Western League Championship Sim 4-1 • Key Strengths: An explosive offense paired with a pitching staff that thrives in high-stakes moments Managers: It’s rare for managers to not only guide their teams to regional championships over the grueling 162-game Major Sim season but also to triumph in the high-pressure gauntlet of a seven-game League Championship Sim (LCS). Ken Aspromonte of the Indianapolis Racers and Preston Gomez of the Seattle Cascades have done just that. Aspromonte’s tactical acumen and Gomez’s strategic brilliance have propelled their respective teams to the pinnacle of the World Sim, marking the first managers in history that have achieved such success. Their leadership has been nothing short of extraordinary, steering their squads through the playoff battles and emerging victorious in a fashion that will be remembered for years to come. Venues: Emerald Field (Seattle): With its modern facilities and stunning views, Emerald Field sets the perfect backdrop for the Cascades to unleash their full potential. Seattle, commonly nicknamed the "Emerald City" due to its lush, green landscape, is surrounded by dense forests, abundant parks, and evergreens that thrive in the region’s moist climate. This constant display of green—much like the vibrant hue of an emerald—has earned the city its nickname. The passionate fanbase, energized by the splendid ambiance of Emerald Field, plays a pivotal role in supporting the Cascades team. The park's environment creates an electric atmosphere that inspires the players and fills them with determination to win the championship of the NBL. The combination of home-field advantage and the unwavering support from the fans is a powerful force, driving the Cascades to strive for excellence and achieve victory. Victory Field (Indianapolis): Known for its storied history and vibrant atmosphere, Victory Field is more than just a ballpark; it embodies the spirit of Indianapolis. The stadium's name is derived from the famous race course and Victory Lane where auto racing champions are celebrated. This deep connection to the city's rich racing heritage resonates with the fanbase, who are as passionate about their baseball team as they are about their racing legends. The Indianapolis Racers hope to draw inspiration from this legacy of triumph and aim to hoist the NimBLe trophy in a manner befitting the champions celebrated at Victory Lane. The energy of the home crowd is poised to propel the Racers toward victory, creating memorable moments in the heart of Indianapolis. What to expect playing the NimBLe way The point of Major Sim Baseball is to represent the actual players of yesterday in new circumstances and see how they perform. As the series unfolds in a distinctive 2-3-2 format, both teams will need to capitalize on every advantage—be it the home crowd or a timely pitching change. Expect riveting pitching duels as each team’s ace takes center stage and clutch hitting performances that could swing momentum at any moment. Will the Racers’ methodical approach and precision on the mound overpower the Cascades’ explosive offense? Or can Seattle’s dynamic lineup and resilient strategy secure them the ultimate win on the road? Every game promises high stakes, as both teams navigate the unique challenges of home-field advantage and the strategic intricacies of this best-of-seven battle. With each pitch and play carrying the weight of potential history, this series isn’t just about claiming a title—it’s about etching a legacy. So, who do you think will emerge victorious in this epic showdown? The moment has arrived... As we gear up for the inaugural 1972 World Sim, the excitement is palpable. The Indianapolis Racers and Seattle Cascades are set to etch their names into Major Sim Baseball history, each with a unique blend of strategy, skill, and determination. This series isn’t just about a championship—it’s about creating a legacy, one pitch and one play at a time. Which team do you think has what it takes to emerge victorious? Whether you're drawn to the methodical precision of the Racers or the explosive flair of the Cascades, this series promises unforgettable moments and intense competition. Stay tuned for updates and let’s celebrate the thrill of sim baseball as history unfolds in the 1972 World Sim! ⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾ ⚾⚾ ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-11-2025 at 09:50 PM. |
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#93 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB - 1972 World Sim - Game 1
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen—what a thrilling start to the 1972 World Sim! On October 19th, under the lights at Emerald Field in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, the stage was set for an intense showdown as the Eastern pennant winning Indianapolis Racers clashed with the Western pennant securing Seattle Cascades in Game 1. Championship baseball was on full display as both teams battled for an early edge in the series. Top of the 1st – A Tough Start Against Busby’s Precision Facing Seattle’s right-hander Steve Busby, the Racers begin their offensive approach. Tony Perez steps into the box and sees the first pitch—a ball. The next two pitches are called strikes, and on the fourth pitch, Perez is retired on a strikeout looking. Dusty Baker follows; he puts the ball in play on a ground ball that is fielded smoothly by the shortstop and thrown to first for a 6–3 putout on a high throw. Next, Billy Williams comes to bat; he takes a ball, then swings hard and misses on the following pitch, fouls one off down the left–field line, and ultimately strikes out swinging. The top of the first concludes with no runners on base. Bottom of the 1st – Holtzman Sets the Tone with a Clean First Now on the mound for the Racers is left-hander Ken Holtzman. Leading off for the Cascades, Wes Parker steps to the plate. He gets a called strike on his first pitch, then takes two balls; on his next pitch, Parker pops out to short—an out that is crisp and decisive. Joe Torre follows, collecting three straight balls before two called strikes to bring the count full, then a ground ball is put into play for a 5–3 putout. Finally, Al Bumbry comes to bat and, on his very first pitch, pops out to the third baseman. The bottom of the first ends with both teams still scoreless. Top of the 2nd – A Walk, a Steal, but No Payoff for the Racers In the top of the second, Buddy Bell leads off for Indianapolis. After starting with two called strikes, he then draws two balls and fouls off a pitch down left–midfield before drawing his walk on a 3–2 count. Up next, Tito Fuentes comes to bat. He receives a ball; Bell promptly steals second. Fuentes then takes another ball, followed by a called strike and later another ball, but ultimately is retired on a strikeout looking on a full count. Ellie Rodriguez follows; he takes a ball, fouls off a pitch, and grounds out on a play from the catcher to first for a 2–3 putout. Eric Soderholm then appears; after receiving a ball and a called strike and fouling off a pitch down left–midfield, he flies out on a pitch to center field. The top of the second ends with one runner left on base, but no runs score. Bottom of the 2nd – Holtzman Keeps Seattle in Check Down in the bottom of the second, facing Indianapolis’s left-hander Ken Holtzman, Seattle’s Frank Robinson leads off; he takes a ball, then a called strike, adds another ball, and finally flies out on a pitch to right field. Dave Duncan follows; after two called strikes, he is retired on a strikeout looking. Glenn Beckert appears next and flies out on a pitch to short. The frame ends with the score still 0–0. Top of the 3rd – Seattle Silences the Racers’ Bats Returning to the plate, the Racers’ Juan Beniquez opens the third inning by grounding out on a ball hit to shortstop that is thrown to first. Then Ken Holtzman comes up again; he fouls off a pitch, swings and misses on the next pitch for a called strike, collects two balls to go to a 2–2 count, fouls off another pitch, and finally is retired on a strikeout swinging on a 3–2 count. Tony Perez returns; he starts with a called strike, fouls off a pitch, collects two balls to move to a 2–2 count, but ultimately strikes out looking. The top of the third ends without a hit. Bottom of the 3rd – A Spark from the Cascades In the bottom of the third, Seattle’s Sonny Jackson leads off; he takes a ball, then fouls off several pitches, then collects enough balls to complete his count at 3–2—and then pops out to the catcher. Mike Anderson then comes to bat and, after fouling off a pitch in the infield and taking a ball, launches a solo home run—a fly ball to left–center that carries 362 feet—giving the Cascades a 1–0 lead. Steve Busby, now at bat, sees a called strike, then two balls, then another ball before lining out to left–center. Finally, Wes Parker appears; after fouling off a pitch, he flies out on a popup to shortstop. The bottom of the third closes with Seattle leading 1–0. Top of the 4th – A Spark, Then a Sudden Halt for Indianapolis In the top of the fourth, the Racers return. Dusty Baker steps to the plate and fouls off a pitch down the left–field line, then takes a called strike, fouls off another pitch down the left sideline, and ultimately strikes out swinging. Billy Williams follows; he fouls a pitch, takes a called strike, fouls off a pitch to left field, then receives a ball, fouls off yet another pitch, and finally drives a line–drive single to center field. Buddy Bell then comes to bat, and after drawing three balls and a called strike, he lines out to first baseman Wes Parker and the runner on first is doubled off on an unassited double play! The top of the fourth ends with the Racers still scoreless. Bottom of the 4th – Torre’s Double, but No Further Damage for Seattle Now the Cascades respond. Joe Torre leads off; after fouling off a pitch down near the 5–foot marker and taking a ball, he launches a line–drive double to left–center at about 107.5 MPH. Al Bumbry follows and draws four straight balls for a walk. Frank Robinson appears next; he takes two balls, then a called strike, fouls off a pitch, and finally flies out on a line drive to left field. Dave Duncan then comes up; after taking a ball and fouling off a pitch, he strikes out looking on a 1–2 count. Glenn Beckert follows; after fouling off several pitches (to keep the count at 2–2), he finally grounds out. The bottom of the fourth ends with the Cascades holding a 1–0 lead and leaving two runners on base. Top of the 5th – Busby Continues to Stifle the Racers In the top of the fifth, Tito Fuentes comes to bat for the Racers. He starts with a called strike, then swings hard and is retired on a strikeout swinging on a 0–2 count. Ellie Rodriguez follows; he takes two balls, then swings and misses on the third pitch to go to a 2–1 count, receives another ball to move to 3–1, and finally flies out on a popup to shallow right field. Eric Soderholm is up next; after a called strike and a swinging strike, he collects two balls to reach a 2–2 count, fouls off a pitch, and then grounds out on a line drive to shortstop. The top of the fifth concludes with no additional hits. Bottom of the 5th – Seattle Threatens, but Indianapolis Holds Firm In the bottom of the fifth, the Cascades’ offense begins to roll. Sonny Jackson leads off with a line–drive single to left field. Mike Anderson comes to the plate next; a pickoff attempt to first yields no movement, but during his at-bat, Sonny Jackson is caught stealing second. Anderson then receives two balls, fouls off a pitch down the 25–foot line, and finally hits an infield ground ball and beats out the throw to first by the pitcher Holtzman. Steve Busby then executes a sacrifice bunt toward first base that results in an out (recorded as a 5–3 play) that advances Anderson to second. Finally, Wes Parker appears; after a called strike, a ball, another called strike, then a ball and yet another ball, he fouls off a pitch down left field and ultimately grounds out on a ball hit to the shortstop. The bottom of the fifth ends with the Cascades still leading 1–0 and one runner left on base. Top of the 6th – Busby Remains in Control as Racers Struggle Returning in the top of the sixth with Busby on the mound, Juan Beniquez leads off; he takes a ball, then a called strike, swings and misses on the next pitch, collects two more balls to fill the count, and finally grounds out on a ball hit to shortstop. Ken Holtzman comes up next; he receives two balls, then a called strike to get to a 2–0 count, fouls off several pitches, and ultimately strikes out looking on a 3–2 count. Tony Perez then appears; after fouling off a pitch and collecting two balls to bring the count to 2–1, he swings and misses on the next pitch to move to 2–2, and finally grounds out on a ball hit to third. The top of the sixth concludes with no runs or hits. Bottom of the 6th – Holtzman Keeps It Close as Seattle Stays Steady In the bottom of the sixth, the Cascades continue their steady play. Joe Torre leads off; he takes a ball, fouls off a pitch collects two additional balls, and then flies out on a popup to the first baseman. Al Bumbry then comes to bat; after receiving two balls, he hits a ground ball that is fielded for a 4–3 putout. Frank Robinson appears next; after fouling off several pitches and taking a ball to reach a 1–2 count, he ultimately strikes out swinging. The bottom of the sixth ends with the Cascades maintaining their 1–0 advantage. Top of the 7th – Missed Opportunities Keep Racers Off the Board In the top of the seventh, the Racers look for a breakthrough. Dusty Baker comes to the plate; after receiving two balls followed by a called strike and another ball to reach a 3–1 count, he drives a ground–ball single to the middle infield. Billy Williams then steps up; after a called strike, a ball, and fouling off a pitch down left field and later after receiving a 2-2 pitch that misses, Dusty Baker is caught stealing second. He draws a walk on the payoff pitch. Buddy Bell appears next but is retired on a fly out to right field. Finally, Tito Fuentes comes up; after receiving a called strike and facing a pickoff attempt with no movement, he gets another called strike, endures several foul balls, and ultimately flies out on a pitch to center field. The top of the seventh concludes with the Racers unable to score and leaving one runner on base. Bottom of the 7th – Seattle Stays Patient, but the Lead Remains Slim In the bottom of the seventh, the Cascades continue their measured play. Dave Duncan comes to the plate and grounds out to first for a 3–1 putout. Glenn Beckert follows, flying out on a line drive to right field at roughly 93.1 MPH. Then Sonny Jackson steps up; after a called strike, he singles on a ground ball to the middle infield. Mike Anderson appears next; after a called strike and a pickoff attempt that yields no movement, he fouls off two pitches—one toward left field and one near the 9–foot marker—before ultimately striking out swinging. The bottom of the seventh ends with the Cascades recording one hit and leaving one runner on base, keeping the score 1–0. Top of the 8th – Racers Can’t Capitalize as Seattle Holds Firm A pitching change brings in left–hander Darold Knowles, with Bob Heise now at second in the double switch, as the Racers return in the top of the eighth. Ellie Rodriguez leads off with a line–drive single to right field. Eric Soderholm follows; after a called strike, he bunts foul and then flies out on a popup to the first baseman. Juan Beniquez comes up next; following a pickoff attempt that yields no movement, he attempts a bunt but pops out to the pitcher. Pinch–hitter Garry Maddox then enters and flies out on a line drive to initiate the new second baseman Heise. The top of the eighth concludes with the Racers recording one hit and leaving one runner on base. Bottom of the 8th – Torre Delivers as Cascades Pad Their Lead Now, with RHP Ray Bare on the mound for the Racers, the Cascades look to add some insurance to their slim one-run lead in the bottom of the eighth. Bob Heise comes to the plate; fresh off his inning ending play. After taking two called strikes followed by two balls and fouling off a pitch, he draws a walk on a full count. Wes Parker follows; he drives a ground–ball single to the middle infield, advancing Heise to second, he makes the turn and he's safe on a throw to third base. Parker advances to second on the throw to third. Joe Torre then comes to bat; after taking a ball and a called strike, he smashes a ground–ball single up the middle. That hit drives in Bob Heise and Wes Parker attempting to score from second is called safe on a well–executed throw from center field. Next, Al Bumbry appears; after swinging and missing on the first pitch and then taking a ball, he grounds out on a ball hit to short, allowing Joe Torre to advance to second. Frank Robinson is then intentionally walked, and Dave Duncan follows; after fouling off a pitch down right and taking two balls, he flies out on a popup to right field. Finally, Darold Knowles comes to bat; he receives a ball, fouls off a pitch, and then pops out to short. The bottom of the eighth ends with the Cascades adding two runs, making the score 3–0. Top of the 9th – Knowles Seals the Win as Seattle Prevails In the top of the ninth, with LHP Darold Knowles still on the mound—the Racers mount their final attempt. Tony Perez comes to the plate; after a called strike, he flies out on a popup to the shortstop. Dusty Baker follows; he fouls off a pitch and then flies out on a fly ball to right field. Billy Williams then appears; after a called strike, he flies out on a line drive to right field. The game draws to a close. Game 1 of the 1972 World Sim Championship belongs to the Seattle Cascades, as they ride a masterful performance from Steve Busby and clutch late-inning insurance to secure a 3–0 victory over the Indianapolis Racers. Busby’s precision on the mound stifled the Racers’ offense, while Mike Anderson’s third-inning homer proved to be the only run Seattle needed. The Cascades’ bats remained patient, finally breaking through in the eighth with Joe Torre’s two-run single providing breathing room. Darold Knowles took care of the rest, shutting the door in the ninth to preserve the shutout. With a 1–0 series lead, Seattle sets the tone, but Indianapolis will look to answer back in Game 2 as they aim to even the championship battle. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-15-2025 at 06:22 AM. |
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#94 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB - 1972 World Sim - Game 2
1972 World Sim Indianapolis Racers (0) vs. Seattle Cascades (1) Game 2 See it live or recorded on ... Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Game 2 of the 1972 World Sim on October 20, 1972. The atmosphere at Emerald Field is electric as the Indianapolis Racers prepare to take on the Seattle Cascades. With the Cascades leading the series 1–0, the Racers are eager to even the score. Every pitch, every swing, and every play tonight could shift the momentum in this thrilling championship battle. Top of the 1st – Lockwood Wastes No Time in a Quick First Facing Seattle’s right-hander Skip Lockwood, the Racers begin their offensive approach. Tony Perez steps into the box and, on his first pitch, flies out to the center fielder. Next, Dusty Baker comes to the plate and, on the first offering he sees, grounds out to the shortstop. Then, Billy Williams appears; after fouling off a pitch, he flies out to the center fielder. Lockwood gets through the top of the first on only four pitches. Bottom of the 1st – Racers Escape Early Trouble with a Double Play Now on the mound for the Racers is right-hander Andy Messersmith. Wes Parker leads off for the Cascades, grounding out to the first baseman on his first pitch. Joe Torre follows by hitting his first pitch for a single on a ground ball that finds the gap. Next, Al Bumbry steps to the plate; after taking a ball and fouling off one to the left, he singles on a ground ball to the middle infield, allowing Torre to advance to second. Then, Frank Robinson comes to bat; after taking a ball and a called strike, he grounds into a double play, ending the frame. The bottom of the first closes with both teams scoreless. Top of the 2nd – Racers Struggle to Find Their Rhythm In the top of the second, the Racers continued their quest to get on track. Buddy Bell stepped to the plate and received three balls before taking a called strike. He then swung and missed on the next pitch, and on his final pitch, he flew out on a popup to the first baseman. Next, Tito Fuentes came to the plate; he took a ball on his first pitch and then, on his following pitch, flew out to right field. Finally, Ellie Rodriguez appeared; he started with a called strike, fouled off a pitch, took another ball, and then flew out to right field. The inning closed with no runs, no hits, and no errors, keeping the score 0–0. Bottom of the 2nd – Seattle Takes the Lead Dave Duncan leads off and takes a ball before a called strike evens the count. A swinging strike puts him behind, and after fouling one off, he is caught looking for strike three. Glenn Beckert follows and swings at the first pitch, sending a fly ball into right field for a single. Sonny Jackson steps in and takes a ball, then a called strike before grounding a single through the right side, advancing Beckert to second. Mike Anderson quickly falls behind 0-2 but then watches four straight pitches miss the zone and draws a walk to load the bases. Skip Lockwood lifts a fly ball to center field, deep enough for Beckert to tag and score easily. Wes Parker takes a ball, then a called strike, then another ball before sending a ground ball to second, where Fuentes makes the play to end the inning. The Cascades push across a run on two hits and take a 1-0 lead into the third. Top of the 3rd – Lockwood in Control Eric Soderholm leads off and takes a called strike before working the count to 2-1, but after fouling one off, he pops out to first for the first out. Juan Beniquez follows, taking a called strike, then evening the count before fouling a pitch off. He works it back to 2-2 but is caught looking for strike three. Andy Messersmith steps in and takes two balls before fouling off consecutive pitches to even the count. On the next pitch, he grounds out to third, ending the inning. Lockwood sets the Racers down in order, and Seattle holds a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third. Bottom of the 3rd – Cascades Extend Their Lead Joe Torre leads off for Seattle and swings at the first pitch, grounding out to second for the first out. Al Bumbry steps in and quickly falls behind 0-2 after a called strike and a swinging strike, then lays off a pitch to make it 1-2, but he strikes out swinging for the second out. With two down, Frank Robinson takes a big cut at the first pitch and fouls it off, but he stays on the next offering and singles on a ground ball to shortstop for an infield hit. Dave Duncan steps up and works the count to 2-2 before a pickoff throw keeps Robinson in check. After battling through five foul balls, Duncan finally launches a two-run home run, a deep fly ball to right that clears the fence, putting Seattle ahead 3-0. Glenn Beckert looks to keep the rally going and works the count to 3-2 before sending a fly ball to center, but it’s caught to end the inning. The Cascades strike for two runs on two hits, stretching their lead to 3-0 as the game moves to the fourth. Top of the 4th – Racers Get on Base but Come Up Empty Tony Perez leads off for Indianapolis and jumps on the first pitch, sending a line-drive single to center for the Racers’ first hit of the game. Dusty Baker follows and takes a ball, but on the next pitch, he grounds into a 4-6-3 double play, wiping out the baserunner and quickly bringing the Racers down to their final out of the inning. Billy Williams steps up and swings through the first pitch for a strike, then takes a ball to even the count. A called strike puts him behind 1-2, but he fights back with a fly-ball single to left, keeping the inning alive. Buddy Bell follows and takes two straight balls before a called strike makes it 2-1. He puts the ball in play on the next pitch, but it’s a fielder’s choice to short, forcing Williams at second to end the inning. The Racers manage two singles, but the double play kills their momentum as Seattle maintains a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. Bottom of the 4th – Messersmith Settles In Sonny Jackson leads off for Seattle and takes a called strike before working the count to 2-1, but he lines out to short for the first out. Mike Anderson steps in and takes a ball before fouling one off, then swings through a pitch to fall behind 1-2. On the next offering, he grounds out to short, making it two quick outs. Skip Lockwood follows and takes a ball, then fouls off a pitch before taking another ball to move ahead 2-1. He fights off another pitch but then rips a line-drive double to left-center, giving the Cascades a runner in scoring position. Wes Parker steps up and quickly falls behind 0-2 after a called strike and a swinging strike, then lays off a pitch to make it 1-2, but he strikes out swinging to end the inning. The Cascades leave a runner stranded, and the Racers still trail 3-0 as the game moves to the fifth. Top of the 5th – Racers Break Through Tito Fuentes leads off for Indianapolis and takes two straight balls before lining a single to left-center. Ellie Rodriguez steps in and fouls off the first pitch, then lays down a sacrifice bunt, but Seattle’s defense makes the play at second, forcing Fuentes out on a fielder’s choice. With one out, Soderholm takes a ball while Rodriguez steals second, putting himself in scoring position. Soderholm works the count to 3-1, fouls one off, and then lines a single into right field, moving Rodriguez to third. With runners on the corners, Juan Beniquez takes a called strike, then fouls one off to fall behind 0-2. He lays off a pitch, then stays alive with another foul ball before bouncing a ground-ball single to left, bringing Rodriguez home for the Racers’ first run while Soderholm moves to second. Andy Messersmith steps in but quickly falls behind after two called strikes. He fouls off a pitch but then strikes out swinging for the second out. Tony Perez steps up and puts the ball in play on a grounder to third baseman Torre, who fires to second for the force, ending the inning on a fielder’s choice. The Racers push across a run on three hits, but they still trail 3-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth. Bottom of the 5th – Messersmith Keeps It in Check Joe Torre leads off for Seattle and takes a ball before grounding out to the third baseman on a hard-hit ball for the first out. Al Bumbry steps in and quickly falls behind 0-2 after a called strike and a foul ball, then lays off a pitch before lining out to left for the second out. Frank Robinson follows and swings through the first pitch for a strike, then takes a called strike to fall behind 0-2. He watches two straight pitches miss to even the count, fouls one off, then works a walk, keeping the inning alive. Dave Duncan steps up and swings at the first pitch, grounding to the third baseman, who throws to second for the force, ending the inning on a fielder’s choice. Messersmith keeps Seattle off the board, and the Cascades hold their 3-1 lead heading into the sixth. Top of the 6th – Racers Miss a Big Opportunity Dusty Baker leads off for Indianapolis and fouls off the first pitch before taking a ball to even the count. On the next offering, he flies out to center, recording the first out. Billy Williams steps in and takes three straight balls before drawing a four-pitch walk, giving the Racers a baserunner. Buddy Bell follows and takes three straight balls as well, then works another walk, putting two on with one out. Tito Fuentes steps in and quickly falls behind 0-2 after two called strikes, then fouls off a pitch before flying out to right, keeping the runners in place. Ellie Rodriguez steps up and takes a ball, then fouls off a pitch before laying off another to move ahead 2-1. On the next pitch, he lines a single into right, sending Williams to third and Bell to second. With the bases loaded, Williams attempts to score on the play, but the right fielder throws him out at home, ending the inning. The Racers waste a key scoring chance, leaving two runners on, as Seattle maintains its 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth. Bottom of the 6th – Repoz Delivers Big off the Bench Glenn Beckert leads off for the Cascades and pops out to the first baseman for a quick first out. Sonny Jackson steps in and fouls off the first pitch before taking a ball, then fouls off another pitch to fall behind 1-2. On the next pitch, he strikes out swinging, bringing up Mike Anderson with two outs. Anderson works a four-pitch walk, giving Seattle a baserunner. Pinch-hitter Roger Repoz enters the game and takes a ball before fouling off a pitch to even the count at 1-1. Anderson steals second, putting a runner in scoring position. Repoz battles, fouling off three more pitches before crushing a two-run home run to left, extending Seattle’s lead. With the score now 5-1, the Racers go to the bullpen, bringing in Pedro Borbon. Wes Parker greets him by working a full count before drawing a walk, keeping the inning alive. Joe Torre steps in, and after a pickoff attempt, he takes two balls before a called strike makes it 2-1. On the next pitch, he lines a single up the middle, sending Parker to second. Al Bumbry steps up and takes a called strike, then a ball to even the count at 1-1. He swings and misses on the next pitch to fall behind 1-2, then takes a ball to even the count at 2-2, works it to a full count, and finally strikes out swinging, ending the inning. The Cascades plate two runs on Repoz’s big homer, stretching their lead to 5-1 as the game moves to the seventh. Top of the 7th – Holdsworth Shuts the Door Seattle turns to the bullpen as right-hander Fred Holdsworth takes the mound. Eric Soderholm leads off for Indianapolis and takes a ball, then a called strike to even the count at 1-1. He watches another ball go by to make it 2-1 but then rolls over a ground ball to shortstop, where it’s fielded cleanly and fired to first for the out. Juan Beniquez steps up next and takes a ball before fouling off a pitch to even the count at 1-1. He takes another ball to get ahead 2-1, but then Holdsworth paints the corner for a called strike to even it up. On the next pitch, Beniquez is caught looking at strike three, making it two quick outs. Paul Schaal comes in as a pinch-hitter, takes a ball, then fouls off a pitch to even the count at 1-1. He takes another ball, then a called strike, evening the count at 2-2. After working it full, Schaal lifts a routine popup to the second baseman, ending the inning. Holdsworth retires the side in order, preserving Seattle’s 5-1 lead. Bottom of the 7th – Alexander Enters as Cascades Add to Their Lead Doyle Alexander takes the mound for Indianapolis as Seattle looks to extend their lead. Frank Robinson leads off and fouls off the first pitch before taking a ball to even the count. He swings through the next offering for strike two, then goes down swinging for the first out. Dave Duncan steps in and wastes no time, crushing the first pitch he sees for a solo home run to left-center, extending Seattle’s lead. Glenn Beckert follows and takes a called strike, then another, quickly falling behind 0-2 before grounding out to the shortstop. Sonny Jackson steps in next and watches two pitches miss the zone. On a 2-0 count, he hits a routine grounder to the first baseman, who steps on the bag to retire the side. The Cascades add another run and now lead 6-1. Top of the 8th – Racers Scratch One Across Fred Holdsworth remains on the mound for Seattle as Indianapolis looks to cut into the deficit. Tony Perez leads off and takes two balls before watching a called strike. He works the count to 3-1 and then lines a single into left field. Dusty Baker steps up and takes a called strike before fouling one off to fall behind 0-2. On the next pitch, he pops out to the second baseman for the first out. Billy Williams follows and reaches on an error by the second baseman, allowing Perez to advance to second. With two on, Buddy Bell steps in and attacks the first pitch he sees, driving a double to right field. Perez comes around to score, but Williams is thrown out at home on the relay. Bell advances to third on the play. Tito Fuentes steps in with a chance to do more damage but takes a ball and then flies out to center field to end the inning. The Racers push across a run but leave one stranded as Seattle holds a 6-2 lead. Bottom of the 8th – Alexander Retires the Side Doyle Alexander remains on the mound for Indianapolis as Seattle looks to add insurance. Mike Anderson leads off and takes three straight balls before watching a called strike. He fouls off the next pitch to run the count full but then swings through strike three for the first out. Pinch-hitter Kurt Bevacqua steps in and takes a called strike before grounding out to the second baseman for the second out. Wes Parker follows, taking a called strike, then watching two balls to get ahead 2-1. He makes contact on the next pitch, but it's a routine ground ball to the second baseman, who throws to first for the final out. Alexander sets Seattle down in order, and the score remains 6-2 heading into the ninth. Top of the 9th – Knowles Seals the Win Seattle turns to left-hander Darold Knowles to close things out in the ninth. Ellie Rodriguez leads off for Indianapolis and takes two balls before a called strike makes it 2-1. On the next pitch, he lifts a fly ball to right field, where it’s caught for the first out. Eric Soderholm follows, taking a called strike before evening the count at 1-1 with a ball. He watches another ball go by to get ahead 2-1 but then rolls over a ground ball to the first baseman, who fields it and flips to the pitcher covering first for the second out. Down to their final out, Juan Beniquez steps in and fouls off the first pitch. He then takes a ball to even the count at 1-1, fouls off another pitch to fall behind 1-2, then takes another ball to make it 2-2. He fights off two more foul balls before slapping a ground-ball single through the right side to keep Indianapolis alive. Pinch-hitter Garry Maddox follows, taking two balls before watching a called strike. He swings through the next pitch to even the count at 2-2, then knocks a weak infield single to the right side, allowing Beniquez to move to second. With two on, Tony Perez comes up and takes a ball before fouling off two straight pitches to fall behind 1-2. He watches another ball to even it at 2-2, then bounces a grounder to the first baseman, who fields it and flips to the pitcher covering first for the final out. Knowles shuts the door, and Seattle secures a 6-2 victory. The Seattle Cascades delivered another strong performance at Emerald Field, securing a 6-2 victory over the Indianapolis Racers in Game 2 of the 1972 World Sim. With this win, Seattle takes a commanding 2-0 series lead as the teams prepare to shift to Indianapolis for Game 3. Seattle’s offense was steady, breaking through in the second inning with a sacrifice fly from pitcher Skip Lockwood. The pivotal moment came in the third when Dave Duncan crushed a two-run homer to extend the lead to 3-0. The Cascades added two more runs in the sixth, highlighted by a clutch two-run shot from Roger Repoz, and Duncan added a solo blast in the seventh to give Seattle breathing room. Indianapolis showed signs of life in the fifth with an RBI single from Juan Beniquez, but the Racers struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, stranding multiple runners in key moments. On the mound, Skip Lockwood turned in another impressive outing, navigating through six innings while limiting the Racers to one run. Seattle’s bullpen, anchored by Fred Holdsworth and Darold Knowles, kept Indianapolis in check, sealing the win with three scoreless frames. Now, the series shifts to Indianapolis, where the Racers hope to repeat the pattern they set in the Eastern League Championship Series. In that series, each home team won the first five games—Charlotte took the first two at home, but Indianapolis responded by sweeping their three home games before closing out the Monarchs on the road in Game 6. Can the Racers follow that same formula on the biggest stage and turn the tide at home, or will Seattle continue their dominance and move closer to the championship? Game 3 looms as a pivotal moment in this battle for the crown. ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-15-2025 at 06:21 AM. |
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#95 |
Major Leagues
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MSB - 1972 World Sim - Game 3
1972 World Sim Seattle Cascades (2) vs. Indianapolis Racers (0) Game 3 See it live or recorded on ... Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Game 3 of the 1972 World Sim on October 22, 1972. We are live from Victory Field in Indianapolis as the World Sim shifts to the heartland, where the Racers look to change the course of this championship series. The Seattle Cascades have seized control, winning the first two games at home to take a 2-0 series lead. Now, Indianapolis returns to friendly confines, hoping to follow the pattern they set in the Eastern League Championship Series—where each home team won the first five games before the Racers clinched the pennant on the road. Can they hold serve once again on the biggest stage, or will Seattle continue their march toward a title? The stakes are high, and the stage is set for a pivotal Game 3! Top of the 1st – Seattle Strikes First Seattle wastes no time getting on the board as Wes Parker steps in against Rick Wise and works a full count before driving a double into the gap in left-center. Joe Torre follows and quickly falls behind 0-2 but then hits a sharp ground ball that gets mishandled at second, allowing him to reach safely while Parker comes around to score. Al Bumbry shows patience at the plate, working a walk to put two men on. Frank Robinson steps in and fouls off a pitch before taking a ball, but a wild pitch sends Torre to third and Bumbry to second. With a chance to drive in more runs, Robinson gets under one and lifts a fly ball to left-center that is caught, holding the runners. Dave Duncan follows and, after evening the count at 1-1, lines a ball to left, but it hangs up for the second out. Glenn Beckert keeps the pressure on with an infield single off the pitcher toward the third base side, scoring Torre while Bumbry races to third. Sonny Jackson steps in and fights off a couple of pitches but ultimately goes down swinging to end the frame. The Cascades strike first, pushing across two runs on two hits with the help of an error to take an early 2-0 lead. Bottom of the 1st – Moose Starts Strong With Seattle right-hander Bob Moose on the mound, Indianapolis looks to cut into the early two-run deficit. Tony Perez leads off and works a 2-1 count before sending a line drive to right field, but it hangs up just enough for the outfielder to make the catch. Dusty Baker steps in next and takes a ball before grounding out to shortstop. Billy Williams follows, taking a called strike before rolling a ground ball to the second baseman, who throws him out at first to end the inning. A quick, efficient frame for Moose, and the Cascades maintain their 2-0 lead. Top of the 2nd – Wise Settles In Rick Wise looks to rebound after a shaky first inning as he takes the mound for the second. Mike Anderson leads off and quickly falls behind 0-1 before grounding out to the third baseman. Bob Moose steps in and takes a called strike, then fouls off a pitch to fall into an 0-2 hole before swinging through strike three. Wes Parker, batting for the second time tonight, wastes no time and sends a ground ball to the second baseman, who fields it cleanly and throws to first for the final out. A smooth, three-up, three-down inning for Wise as Indianapolis keeps the deficit at 2-0. Bottom of the 2nd – Racers Get on the Board Buddy Bell steps in to lead off against Bob Moose and works the count to 1-1 before lifting a fly ball into shallow right for a single. Tito Fuentes follows, taking a ball and then a called strike before sending a fly ball to deep right-center, but the center fielder tracks it down for the first out. Ellie Rodriguez steps up and fouls off the first pitch, then takes a ball before lining a sharp single into right field. Bell advances to second and, with aggressive baserunning, slides safely into third on the throw. Eric Soderholm follows and, after taking a ball and swinging through a strike, lifts a deep fly ball to right. The right fielder makes the catch, but Bell tags and comes home to score, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Juan Beniquez looks to keep the rally going and takes a ball before swinging and missing. He then works the count to 3-1 before lining a single past the shortstop into left, moving Rodriguez to second. With two men on, Wise steps in and fouls off the first pitch, then swings and misses to fall behind 0-2. He lays off a ball but then grounds one softly to the first baseman, who fields it and steps on the bag to retire the side. The Racers scratch across a run, making it 2-1 Seattle as we head to the third. Top of the 3rd – Torre Sparks Another Run Joe Torre leads off against Rick Wise and wastes no time, grounding a sharp double down the third-base line. Al Bumbry steps in and quickly works ahead 2-0 before taking a called strike. He then grounds one softly to the first baseman, who fields it cleanly and makes the unassisted putout as Torre advances to third. Frank Robinson follows, looking to bring in the run, and lifts a line drive to right. The right fielder makes the catch, but Torre tags up and beats the throw home, extending Seattle’s lead to 3-1. Dave Duncan then steps in, takes a ball, and evens the count with a called strike before fouling one off. He fights off another pitch but then swings through strike three to end the inning. The Cascades add a run on Torre’s leadoff double and sacrifice fly, pushing their lead to 3-1 as we head to the bottom of the third. Bottom of the 3rd – Racers Answer Right Back Tony Perez leads off for Indianapolis and patiently works a 3-2 count before bouncing a ground-ball single past the shortstop into left. Dusty Baker follows, taking a called strike and fouling one off before laying off a couple of close pitches to even the count. After fouling another pitch back, he lines a sharp single into left-center, with Perez hustling and sliding safely into third. That sets up Billy Williams, who takes the first pitch and then hits a sharp ground ball to the second baseman. It’s an easy 4-6-3 double play, but Perez comes home to score, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Buddy Bell steps in next and, after fouling off an offering, lines a single past the shortstop into left, keeping the inning alive. Tito Fuentes follows and grounds one to the second baseman, who fields it cleanly and makes the routine throw to first for the out, ending the inning. The Racers pull within a run, making it 3-2 Seattle as we head to the fourth. Top of the 4th – Wise Retires the Side in Order Glenn Beckert steps in to lead off the fourth against Rick Wise. He watches a first-pitch ball, then takes a called strike before fouling off a pitch. With the count at 1-2, he lays off another ball to even it up but then lifts a routine popup to the first baseman for the first out. Sonny Jackson follows, taking a first-pitch ball before grounding one softly to the first baseman, who fields it cleanly and steps on the bag for the unassisted putout. Mike Anderson steps in and takes a called strike before evening the count with a ball. He then takes another ball to move ahead 2-1, but Wise evens the count again with a called strike. Anderson watches another ball go by to work the count full but then rolls over a grounder to third, where it’s fielded cleanly and thrown across the diamond for the out. Wise keeps Seattle off the bases, holding it at a one-run game, 3-2. Bottom of the 4th – Soderholm Goes Deep to Tie It Up Ellie Rodriguez leads off the inning for Indianapolis and takes two balls before fouling off back-to-back pitches. He works the count full, then stays alive by fouling off another before grounding one to third, where the play is made to first for the out. Eric Soderholm steps in and wastes no time, launching a solo home run to right field, a blast that ties the game at 3-3. Juan Beniquez follows, taking a called strike before watching another go by for strike two. He then swings through the next pitch, going down on three pitches. Rick Wise comes to the plate and quickly falls behind 0-2 after taking a called strike and swinging through the next pitch. He lays off one in the dirt but then swings and misses for the strikeout. Indianapolis evens the score as the game moves to the fifth, now tied 3-3. Top of the 5th – Bumbry’s Speed Sparks Seattle Bob Moose leads off for Seattle and falls behind 0-1 on a called strike. He takes three straight balls to get ahead 3-1, then fouls off two pitches to run the count full. On the seventh pitch of the at-bat, he watches ball four go by, drawing a leadoff walk. Wes Parker lays down a sacrifice bunt on the first pitch, fielded cleanly by the pitcher, who throws to first for the out as Moose advances to second. Joe Torre steps in and fouls off the first pitch, then rolls over a ground ball to the pitcher, who makes the play to first for the second out, with Moose holding at second. Al Bumbry follows, taking two balls to get ahead 2-0, then fouling one off before sending a hard ground ball through the left side for a single. Moose rounds third and races home, sliding in safely ahead of the throw to put Seattle back in front. Frank Robinson works a full count, fouling off a pitch along the way, before drawing a walk to put two men on. Dave Duncan follows and quickly falls behind 0-2 after two called strikes. He watches two pitches miss the zone to even the count, then takes another ball to work it full. He fouls one off to stay alive but eventually lays off a close pitch to take ball four, loading the bases. Glenn Beckert steps in and swings through the first pitch for strike one but then rolls a grounder toward second, where the fielder steps on the bag for the force, ending the inning. Seattle regains the lead, 4-3. Bottom of the 5th – Moose Keeps Indy Quiet Tony Perez leads off the inning for the Racers and swings through the first pitch before taking a called strike. He lays off one in the dirt but then grounds one to the shortstop, who fields and fires to first for the out. Dusty Baker follows, working a full count before swinging through a high fastball for strike three. Billy Williams steps in next and fouls off the first pitch before taking a ball. He lifts a fly ball to right, where it’s caught to retire the side. Moose handles Indianapolis with ease, and Seattle holds onto a 4-3 lead heading into the sixth. Top of the 6th – Wise Settles Down Again Sonny Jackson starts the frame for Seattle, taking two straight balls before getting a called strike. He then lines a ball toward second, but it’s caught for the first out. Mike Anderson follows, taking a ball, then a swinging strike before evening the count. He fights off a two-strike pitch but then rolls over a ground ball to short, where it’s fielded cleanly and thrown to first for the second out. Bob Moose steps in and works a tough at-bat, fouling off a couple pitches, but ultimately flies out to left to end the frame. Wise keeps the Racers in it, and the score remains 4-3. Bottom of the 6th – Racers Battle Back Again Buddy Bell leads off for Indianapolis and lines a sharp shot to second, but it’s caught for the first out. Tito Fuentes follows and rips a double down the third-base line, giving the Racers a runner in scoring position. Ellie Rodriguez steps up and pops one up to second, where it’s caught for the second out. Indianapolis calls on Matty Alou to pinch-hit, and he comes through, lining a single into right. Fuentes rounds third and slides in safely at the plate, tying the game once again at 4-4. Juan Beniquez follows but strikes out swinging to end the inning. The Racers continue to fight, bringing the game even again as we move to the seventh. Top of the 7th – Cascades Surge Back in Front With the game tied at 4-4, Indianapolis calls on Clay Carroll to take over on the mound. Wes Parker leads off and works a patient at-bat, drawing a four-pitch walk. Joe Torre follows, taking a called strike before seeing a pickoff throw to first. He works the count even, then fouls off a pair of pitches before lining a single to left-center, moving Parker to second. Al Bumbry steps in and delivers again, lofting a bloop single into shallow center. Parker rounds third, hustling home to score just ahead of the throw, putting Seattle back on top 5-4. With runners still at first and second, Frank Robinson comes to the plate, but Carroll gets him to pop out to first for a much-needed out. Dave Duncan steps in next and, after fouling off a pitch, gets a hanging breaking ball and absolutely crushes it to deep right. It’s a no-doubt three-run homer, soaring over the fence to extend the Cascades’ lead to 8-4. Carroll regroups to get Glenn Beckert to fly out to right, then gets Sonny Jackson to ground out to the third sacker, but the damage is done. Seattle puts up a four-spot, breaking the game open and taking an 8-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Bottom of the 7th – Racers Keep Fighting Billy Parker steps in to lead off against Bob Moose, working the count before striking out swinging. Tony Perez follows and reaches on an error, as the shortstop boots a routine grounder. With Perez on, Dusty Baker steps up and takes a strike as Perez swipes second. Baker then works the count full, battling back after falling behind 0-2, but swings through strike three for the second out. Billy Williams follows and stays patient, taking three straight balls before lining a single into right-center. Perez rounds third and races home, sliding in safely as the throw is just late, cutting the deficit to 8-5. Buddy Bell steps in next and works the count, but lifts a soft liner to first, where it’s caught to end the inning. Indianapolis gets one back, but they still trail 8-5 heading into the eighth. Top of the 8th – Borbon Slams the Door Pedro Borbon takes the mound for the Racers, looking to keep the game within reach. Mike Anderson leads off and takes a called strike before evening the count. He works it to 2-2, but Borbon fools him with a breaking ball, getting him to swing through for strike three. Roger Repoz comes in as a pinch-hitter and quickly falls behind 0-2 before laying off a ball. Borbon goes back to the fastball, and Repoz swings right through it for back-to-back strikeouts. Wes Parker steps up, taking a ball before lifting a liner to left, but it’s caught to retire the side. Borbon does his job, keeping the deficit at three as we move to the bottom of the eighth. Bottom of the 8th – Knowles Takes Over, Keeps Racers Off the Board Seattle turns to lefty Darold Knowles out of the bullpen. Tito Fuentes leads off for Indianapolis and works ahead 2-0 before taking a strike. He then lifts a fly ball to left, but it’s caught for the first out. Ellie Rodriguez steps in next and fights through a long at-bat, fouling off multiple pitches before grounding out to second. Garry Maddox is called on as a pinch-hitter, but Knowles gets ahead in the count and eventually catches him looking at strike three to end the inning. The Racers go down quietly, and Seattle remains in control, leading 8-5 heading to the ninth. Top of the 9th – Seattle Adds Insurance Jim Lonborg takes the mound for the Racers in the ninth, looking to keep Seattle off the board. Joe Torre leads off and lines a hard grounder past first for a single. Al Bumbry follows but quickly falls behind 0-2 before striking out swinging. Frank Robinson steps up and battles to a full count before popping up to first for the second out. With two down, Dave Duncan puts the ball in play, hitting a grounder to second, but it’s mishandled for an error, allowing Torre to move up. Glenn Beckert follows and rips a single through the right side. Torre rounds third and beats the throw home, making it 9-5. The throw to the plate allows the runners to advance, and a wild pitch on the next batter brings in another run, stretching Seattle’s lead to 10-5. Lonborg regains control and strikes out Sonny Jackson to end the inning, but Seattle has added two more runs to all but seal this one. Bottom of the 9th – Knowles Finishes the Job Down by five, the Racers have one last chance to rally. Juan Beniquez leads off against Knowles and works a full count before drawing a walk. Billy Parker follows, grounding into a fielder’s choice on the first pitch, erasing Beniquez at second. Tony Perez steps in next and fights through a deep count before lofting a fly ball to left for the second out. With one on and two down, Dusty Baker works a full count before drawing a walk, keeping the inning alive. Billy Williams steps up, but after working the count to 3-1, he pops one up to first, where it’s caught to end the game. Final Score: Seattle 10, Indianapolis 5. The Cascades dominate late, putting up six runs over the final three innings to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the 1972 World Sim. Indianapolis now faces elimination, needing to win four straight to complete a historic comeback. Can they keep their season alive in Game 4? We’ll find out next! ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-18-2025 at 04:37 AM. |
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#96 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 448
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MSB - 1972 World Sim - Game 4
1972 World Sim Seattle Cascades (3) vs. Indianapolis Racers (0) Game 4 See it live or recorded on ... Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Game 4 of the 1972 World Sim on October 23, 1972. The Indianapolis Racers host the Seattle Cascades at Victory Field, facing elimination as Seattle leads the series 3–0. The Racers must respond to keep their championship hopes alive. Every pitch carries immense weight as these teams battle for baseball’s ultimate prize. Top of the 1st – Siebert Works Around Trouble Seattle looks to strike first in Game 4 as Wes Parker steps in against Indianapolis right-hander Sonny Siebert. Parker takes a ball before lining out to center field for the first out. Joe Torre follows, fouling off the first pitch before lifting a soft liner to the shortstop for the second out. With two down, Al Bumbry patiently works the count to 3-1 before drawing a walk. Frank Robinson follows by grounding a single past the second baseman into right field. Bumbry hustles to third, challenging the center fielder’s throw and sliding in safely, while Robinson advances to second. With two runners in scoring position, Siebert bears down, getting Dave Duncan to a 2-2 count before blowing a fastball past him for a swinging strikeout. Seattle threatens early but comes away empty-handed as Siebert keeps the game scoreless. Bottom of the 1st – Racers Get Two on but Come Up Empty Jim Willoughby takes the mound for Seattle as Indianapolis looks to strike first. Tony Perez steps in and swings at the first pitch, grounding it sharply to the shortstop, who fires to first for the out. Dusty Baker follows and shows patience, taking four straight balls to work a walk. Billy Williams steps up next and takes a ball, then watches a called strike to even the count at 1-1. He follows by grounding a single past the first baseman into right field, pushing Baker up to second. With two on and one out, Buddy Bell steps in and gets under one, lifting a fly ball to center field for the second out. Tito Fuentes looks to capitalize but falls behind 0-1 before evening the count. He then fouls off three consecutive pitches to stay alive, takes a ball to even it at 2-2, but then lines out to the third baseman to end the inning. The Racers threaten but leave two stranded as the game remains scoreless. Top of the 2nd – Siebert Cruises Through the Frame Sonny Siebert returns to the mound and quickly dispatches Glenn Beckert, who takes a called strike before rolling a grounder to the shortstop, who makes the throw to first for the out. Sonny Jackson follows, taking a ball before tapping a soft grounder back to Siebert, who fields it cleanly and tosses to first for the second out. Mike Anderson steps in, takes a called strike, then fouls one off to fall behind 0-2. He takes a ball to make it 1-2, then lifts a fly ball to right field, where it is easily handled to retire the side. A strong, efficient inning for Siebert as he keeps Seattle off the board. Bottom of the 2nd – Willoughby Sets Down the Racers in Order Jim Willoughby returns to the mound and quickly gets ahead of Ellie Rodriguez, throwing two called strikes before missing the zone. On the next pitch, Rodriguez rolls a grounder to the second baseman, who makes the throw to first for the out. Eric Soderholm steps in and takes a ball before watching a called strike even the count. Willoughby spots another strike on the outside edge, and after a foul ball, Soderholm swings through strike three for the second out. Juan Beniquez follows and fouls off the first pitch before lifting a routine popup to the first baseman, who makes the catch to retire the side. A clean inning for Willoughby as Seattle keeps it scoreless. Top of the 3rd – Torre Walks, but Baker Cuts Down a Run at the Plate Jim Willoughby leads off for Seattle and patiently works the count to 2-0 before grounding a routine ball to second baseman Tito Fuentes, who throws to first for the out. Wes Parker steps in and falls behind 0-2 but stays with a tough pitch, bouncing a ground ball past the diving third baseman into left field for a single. Joe Torre follows and watches three straight balls sail out of the zone before taking ball four for a walk, pushing Parker into scoring position. Al Bumbry steps up looking to capitalize and takes a swinging strike before evening the count at 1-1. He lays off a couple of close pitches and fouls one away before ultimately swinging through strike three for the second out. With two on and two out, Frank Robinson delivers a sharp line drive single into center field. Parker rounds third aggressively, but Dusty Baker charges in and fires a strong throw home, where catcher Ellie Rodriguez applies the tag to get Parker at the plate. Seattle threatens, but Baker’s quick reaction and strong arm keep the game scoreless. Bottom of the 3rd – Williams Sends Indy in Front Sonny Siebert starts things off for the Racers and jumps on the first pitch, lining a single into right-center. Tony Perez follows and fouls off a pitch to start the at-bat before taking a ball. He then swings through a pitch for strike two and, on the next delivery, goes down swinging for the first out. Dusty Baker steps in and takes a ball, then fouls one off before watching another miss the zone. He works the count to 2-1 but then lifts a liner to center, where it’s caught for the second out. That brings up Billy Williams, who takes a ball before Siebert swipes second base. Now with a runner in scoring position, Williams takes another ball, then gets a pitch to drive and launches a two-run homer deep to right-center, putting Indianapolis on the board. Buddy Bell tries to keep the rally going and takes a strike, then evens the count at 1-1 before grounding one to the third baseman, who makes the throw across to retire the side. The Racers strike first and take a 2-0 lead heading into the fourth. Top of the 4th – Seattle Breaks Through, Siebert Exits Injured Dave Duncan leads off the inning, taking a 1-0 count before flying out to center field for the first out. Glenn Beckert steps in next and aggressively swings at the first pitch, lining a double down the right-field line. As Sonny Jackson digs in, Siebert appears to be in discomfort, and after a brief visit from the trainer, Indianapolis is forced to make a pitching change, bringing in Pedro Borbón. Jackson resumes the at-bat, taking a 0-1 strike, evening the count at 1-1, then grounding a single past the shortstop into left field. Beckert moves up to third, and as Dusty Baker gets the ball in from center, his throw gets away for an error, allowing Beckert to come home and Jackson to advance to second. With a run in and a man in scoring position, Mike Anderson battles to a 2-2 count, fouling off two pitches before getting caught looking for strike three. Jim Willoughby follows and, after working a 1-1 count, grounds out to second to end the inning. Seattle takes advantage of the opportunity to cut into the deficit, but Indianapolis still leads 2-1. Bottom of the 4th – Soderholm Adds to the Lead Tito Fuentes starts the inning for Indianapolis and quickly finds himself in a 1-2 count before ripping a double into the gap in right-center. Ellie Rodriguez steps up next and grounds out to shortstop, but Fuentes remains at second. That brings up Eric Soderholm, who takes a called strike before evening the count at 1-1. He works the count to 2-1 and then connects on a 2-run home run, driving the ball deep over the right-field wall to extend the Racers’ lead. Juan Beniquez follows but lines out to the shortstop for the second out. Paul Schaal enters as a pinch hitter and battles to a 3-2 count, before grounding out to shortstop to end the inning. Indianapolis extends its lead with a pair of runs, now up 4-1 heading into the fifth. Top of the 5th – Alexander Keeps Seattle Quiet With Indianapolis now leading 4-1, Pedro Borbon exits, and Doyle Alexander takes the mound to begin the fifth. Wes Parker leads off for Seattle and shows patience, working a 3-0 count and draws a walk to put a runner on. Joe Torre steps in and quickly falls behind, 0-2, after fouling off four straight pitches. On the next pitch, he grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, as the shortstop fields it cleanly and starts the turn. With two outs, Al Bumbry takes a called strike before fouling one off to go down 0-2. He takes three straight balls to run the count full, but Alexander stays in command, getting Bumbry to strike out swinging on a 3-2 pitch. Another scoreless frame for Seattle as the Racers maintain their 4-1 lead. Bottom of the 5th – Willoughby Retires the Side Jim Willoughby remains on the mound for Seattle as Tony Perez steps in to lead off the inning. He watches three straight balls to get ahead 3-0, then takes a called strike before rolling over a 4-3 groundout to the second baseman. Dusty Baker follows, taking a ball, then a called strike before swinging through one to fall behind 1-2. On the next pitch, he chops a 5-3 groundout, as the third baseman makes the play. Billy Williams is up next and swings at the first pitch, sending a routine ground ball to first base, where he is retired unassisted. A quick, efficient inning for Willoughby, as he sets the Racers down in order. Seattle heads to the sixth, still trailing 4-1. Top of the 6th – Seattle Squanders a Chance Doyle Alexander continues on the mound for Indianapolis, looking to protect their 4-1 lead. Frank Robinson leads off and works the count to 3-0 and draws a walk, giving Seattle a leadoff baserunner. Dave Duncan steps in next and takes two balls to get ahead 2-0, then watches a called strike before swinging and missing to even the count 2-2. He takes anoter ball to fill the count. After fouling off two pitches, Duncan draws a walk, moving Robinson to second. With two on and no outs, Glenn Beckert tries to keep the rally going but bounces into a 3-6-1 double play, with the first baseman starting the turn to erase both lead runners. Robinson advances to third on the play. Don Baylor is called upon to pinch-hit and takes a strike, then fouls one off to fall to 0-2. He watches two pitches miss outside to work it to 2-2, but Alexander gets him to chase for a swinging strikeout to end the threat. Seattle strands a runner at third, failing to capitalize, as the Racers maintain their 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth. Bottom of the 6th – Racers Threaten but Can't Add On Jim Willoughby remains on the mound for Seattle, but Bob Heise takes over at shortstop for the Cascades. Buddy Bell leads off for Indianapolis and works the count full before fouling off a pitch, but then grounds a hard shot to shortstop, where it’s handled cleanly and fired to first for the 6-3 groundout. With one down, Seattle makes a pitching change, bringing in Dave Goltz, and Jerry Kenney replaces Heise at short. Tito Fuentes steps in and takes a called strike before bouncing a slow roller past the mound for an infield single, beating the throw from second. Ellie Rodriguez is next and takes a ball and a strike before lofting a fly ball to left field, where it’s easily caught for the second out. Fuentes remains at first as Eric Soderholm steps in. After two pickoff attempts to first, Goltz delivers, and Soderholm flies out to right field to end the inning. The Racers leave a man stranded but still hold a 4-1 lead heading into the seventh. Top of the 7th – Alexander Works Around a Double Doyle Alexander remains on the mound for Indianapolis as Mike Anderson leads off for Seattle. He takes a ball, then swings and misses for a strike. Another swinging strike puts him behind 1-2, and after fouling off a pitch, he chases a breaking ball for a swinging strikeout to start the inning. Jerry Kenney steps in next and takes two balls before fouling off a pitch to make it 2-1. He watches another ball go by, getting ahead 3-1, then laces a double down the third-base line, putting a runner in scoring position with one out. Wes Parker follows and bounces a grounder to second, where it’s fielded and thrown to first for the 4-3 putout, with Kenney advancing to third. With a runner 90 feet away, Joe Torre digs in and takes a ball before watching a called strike. A foul ball puts him in a 1-2 hole, followed by two more fouled away to stay alive. After working the count full, he lifts a fly ball to right field that is easily handled for the third out. The Cascades strand a runner at third as Indianapolis maintains its 4-1 lead. Bottom of the 7th – Racers Extend Their Lead Indianapolis looks to add to its lead against Seattle right-hander Dave Goltz. Juan Beniquez leads off, taking three straight balls before drawing a four-pitch walk, putting a leadoff runner aboard. Matty Alou steps in to pinch-hit and quickly falls behind 0-1 after fouling off a pitch. As Beniquez swipes second base, Alou takes a called strike, making it 0-2. He fights off a pitch, fouling it away, then takes a ball. Staying patient, he fouls off another before evening the count at 2-2. On the next pitch, Alou rips a line drive into center for a single, with Beniquez racing to third. With runners on the corners, Tony Perez takes a ball, and while he waits, Alou steals second base uncontested. Now with two in scoring position, Perez grounds one to short, where it’s fielded and thrown to first for the out, but Beniquez comes home to score, making it 5-1 as Alou moves up to third. Dusty Baker follows and grounds out to third, but it’s enough to bring Alou home for another run, extending the lead to 6-1. Billy Williams steps in looking to keep the inning alive but quickly falls behind 0-2 after a called strike and a swinging strike. He battles, fouling off three pitches in a row before finally grounding out to second, ending the inning. Indianapolis plates two more runs and heads to the eighth with a comfortable 6-1 lead. Top of the 8th – Carroll Keeps Seattle in Check Indianapolis turns to right-hander Clay Carroll to protect their five-run lead. Al Bumbry leads off for Seattle and quickly falls behind 1-2 after a foul ball and a swinging strike. He works the count full by laying off two close pitches, then fouls off another before Carroll gets him to chase for strike three. Frank Robinson steps in and fouls off the first pitch before lifting a fly ball to left field, where it’s easily handled for the second out. With two down, Dave Duncan digs in but grounds out to shortstop, who fields it cleanly and fires to first to retire the side. Carroll makes quick work of the Cascades, and Seattle remains down 6-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth. Bottom of the 8th – Goltz Retires the Side Seattle's Dave Goltz remains on the mound as Buddy Bell leads off for Indianapolis. Bell takes a ball, then lifts a high popup near home plate, where the catcher makes the catch for the first out. Tito Fuentes follows and grounds a sharp ball to the second baseman, who fields it cleanly and fires to first for the second out. Ellie Rodriguez steps up next, taking a called strike before evening the count at 1-1. He takes another called strike, then watches a perfect pitch paint the corner for strike three. Goltz sets the Racers down in order, keeping Seattle within five runs as they head to the ninth, trailing 6-1. Top of the 9th – Carroll Closes the Door Indianapolis turns to Clay Carroll to finish things off as Glenn Beckert leads off for Seattle. Beckert takes a ball, then watches a called strike to even the count at 1-1 before hitting a routine grounder to shortstop, who makes the easy throw to first for the out. Tim McCarver comes in to pinch-hit and takes a ball before lifting a fly ball to right field, where it’s caught for the second out. Down to their last chance, Mike Anderson takes a called strike, then swings through the next pitch to fall behind 0-2. On the next delivery, Carroll blows a fastball past him for strike three, sealing the victory for Indianapolis. Final Score: Indianapolis 6, Seattle 1. Facing elimination, the Indianapolis Racers responded with their best performance of the series, riding a combination of power hitting and lockdown pitching to force a Game 5. Billy Williams launched a two-run homer in the third, and Eric Soderholm added a blast of his own in the fourth to give Indianapolis a lead they would never relinquish. The game took an early turn when Sonny Siebert exited in the fourth inning due to injury, but the Racers’ bullpen delivered in a critical moment. Pedro Borbón, Doyle Alexander, and Clay Carroll combined for 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, keeping Seattle’s offense in check. Meanwhile, Indianapolis added key insurance runs in the seventh with Matty Alou’s clutch RBI single and Dusty Baker’s groundout that brought home another run. For Seattle, it was a frustrating night as they managed only one unearned run in the fourth inning following a throwing error in center field. Their best opportunity to rally came in the seventh, but they stranded a runner at third as Joe Torre’s deep fly ball was hauled in by the right fielder. Jim Willoughby took the loss, surrendering four runs over five innings, while Doyle Alexander earned the win in relief for Indianapolis. With the Racers securing their first victory of the series, the 1972 World Sim now moves to Game 5, where Seattle still holds a 3-1 series lead. Indianapolis needs another win at Victory Field to send the series back to Seattle and keep their championship hopes alive. Can they extend their fight, or will the Cascades close it out and claim the title? We’ll find out next! ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-18-2025 at 04:40 AM. |
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MSB - 1972 World Sim - Game 5
1972 World Sim Seattle Cascades (3) vs. Indianapolis Racers (1) Game 5 See it live or recorded on ... "Welcome, baseball fans, to Victory Field in Indianapolis, where the 1972 World Sim Championship continues! It’s Game 5 between the Seattle Cascades and the Indianapolis Racers, and we are in for a must-see showdown tonight!" "Just a few days ago, Seattle looked unstoppable, surging to a commanding 3-0 series lead. Their lineup was relentless, their pitching overpowering, and their path to a championship seemed inevitable. But the Indianapolis Racers had other plans. With their backs against the wall, they delivered—a 6-1 victory in Game 4, fueled by power hitting, clutch pitching, and a refuse-to-lose mentality." "And now, the question looms—can the Racers do it again? Can they turn this into a series? Or will Seattle respond, snuffing out the momentum and celebrating a championship right here, right now on enemy turf?" "For the Cascades, tonight is about finishing the job. They’ve dominated this series, winning the first three games with timely hitting and a bullpen that has shut the door every time. One more win, and they hoist the trophy. But if they let this one slip? The series heads back to Seattle, and suddenly, the pressure swings back on their shoulders." "For the Racers, tonight is all about survival. They’ve already shown they can fight back. But can they take it up another level? Can they extend this series one more day and send it back to Seattle with all the momentum?" "This is it. The stage is set. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Will the Cascades close it out, or do the Racers have another miracle in them? Buckle up, settle in, and get ready—because Game 5 of the 1972 World Sim starts now!” Top of the 1st – Seattle Strikes First Seattle looks to take early control in Game 5 as Ken Holtzman takes the mound for Indianapolis. Wes Parker leads off, taking a called strike before evening the count at 1-1. After fouling one off, he drills a ground ball, up the middle, past the second baseman into center field for a single. Joe Torre steps in, taking a ball before sending a grounder between first and second. The ball gets past the second baseman for a single, and as right fielder Buddy Bell makes a poor throw attempting to get Parker out at third base, he motors home to score while Torre advances to second on the error. Al Bumbry works a 1-1 count before rolling over a grounder to the shortstop, who makes the play to first for the out. Torre remains at second with one away. Frank Robinson follows by fouling off the first pitch before swinging through the next. Down 0-2, he takes two pitches in the dirt to even the count, then bounces a ground ball past the first baseman into right field for a single. Torre moves up to third, putting runners on the corners with one out. Holtzman stays composed and focuses on Dave Duncan, who launches a swinging strike before a called strike puts him in an 0-2 hole. After another ball misses high, Holtzman checks Robinson twice at first before a curve ball causes Duncan to swing and miss for the strikeout. With two down, Glenn Beckert steps in and takes a ball, then a called strike before fouling one off to fall behind 1-2. He lays off two close ones to work the count full but lines a soft out to the shortstop to end the inning. Seattle plates a run on three hits, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to take a 1-0 lead. Bottom of the 1st – Busby Works Around a Hit Steve Busby takes the ball for Seattle, looking to maintain the early 1-0 lead. Tony Perez leads off for Indianapolis and takes a called strike before working the count even at 1-1. Busby places a perfect pitch on the corner for strike two, but Perez holds off on two close pitches to bring it full. After fouling one off to stay alive, he lines a soft single into right field. Dusty Baker steps in next and quickly falls behind 0-2 after fouling off the first pitch and whiffing on the second. He stays disciplined, taking three straight balls to bring it full, but Busby wins the battle, getting Baker to chase a breaking ball for a swinging strikeout. With one down, Billy Williams digs in and watches back-to-back strikes paint the zone. He then rolls over a ground ball to second, where Glenn Beckert starts a smooth 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Despite the leadoff single, Busby faces the minimum and keeps Seattle in front 1-0 after one. Top of the 2nd – Busby Helps His Own Cause Seattle looks to build on its early lead against Ken Holtzman. Sonny Jackson leads off and takes a ball before watching a called strike even the count. After working ahead 3-1, he rolls over a ground ball to the second baseman, who makes the routine play for the first out. Mike Anderson steps in next and takes a ball before swinging through the next pitch to even the count. A called strike puts him behind 1-2, and Holtzman freezes him with a perfect pitch on the inside corner for a called strike three. With two down, pitcher Steve Busby helps his own cause, turning on a 1-0 pitch and lining a single down the third-base line for Seattle’s fourth hit of the game. Wes Parker follows and takes a ball before fouling one off, then tries to check his swing on a changeup but the ump at first rings him up to fall behind 1-2. He stays back and drills a line drive into the left-center gap for a double. Busby rounds third and heads for home, the throw from Dusty Baker to home plate is cut off, and a play is made on Parker at third. He slides into third safely with Busby scoring Seattle’s second run. With Parker now on third, Joe Torre has a chance to add on but pops up a 0-0 pitch to shortstop, ending the inning. Seattle extends its lead to 2-0 as Busby’s baserunning makes the difference. Bottom of the 2nd – Busby Strands Two Indianapolis looks to respond after falling behind early. Buddy Bell steps in first and watches a ball go by before fouling off the next pitch. With the count even, he lifts a soft line drive to left field, but it hangs up just long enough for the left fielder to make the catch for the first out. Tito Fuentes follows and quickly falls behind 0-1 after fouling off the first pitch. He works his way back into the count, taking two balls to go ahead 2-1, but then swings through a pitch to even it up. Fuentes stays alive by fouling off another offering before lining a sharp single into center field for the Racers’ second hit of the game. With a runner on, catcher Ellie Rodriguez digs in. After taking a first pitch ball, he watches several pickoff attempts. When Busby finally delivers the 1-0 pitch, it's hit to center and caught for the second out. Eric Soderholm takes a 1-0 pitch outside. With two down, Fuentes takes off and swipes second base without a throw, putting himself in scoring position. Soderholm then jumps on a 2-0 pitch and grounds a single past the diving shortstop into left field, but Fuentes is held at third. The Racers now have runners at the corners with Juan Beniquez stepping in. Beniquez fouls off the first pitch, falling behind 0-1, then chops a weak grounder to third. The throw across the diamond is in time, and Busby escapes the jam, stranding both runners. Indianapolis misses a prime scoring opportunity, and Seattle maintains its 2-0 lead heading into the third. Top of the 3rd – Holtzman Works Around an Error Seattle looks to extend its lead as Al Bumbry steps in to lead off the inning. He wastes no time, but his swing results in a soft popup to the shortstop near second base for the first out. Frank Robinson follows, taking a ball inside to start his at-bat. After swinging through a pitch to even the count, Robinson lifts a routine popup to the second baseman, who squeezes it for the second out. With two away, Dave Duncan steps in and makes solid contact, but his ground ball to the right side is misplayed by the second baseman Fuentes, allowing him to reach on an error. Glenn Beckert follows and takes a big cut, coming up empty for strike one. He then falls further behind 0-2 on another swing and miss. Holtzman stays in control, inducing a ground ball to third. The play is made cleanly, with the force out recorded at second base, ending the inning. Seattle fails to take advantage of the miscue, and Holtzman keeps it a 2-0 game as the Racers come up in the bottom of the third. Bottom of the 3rd – Busby Holds Steady Ken Holtzman leads off the inning for Indianapolis and quickly finds himself in an 0-2 hole after fouling off two pitches. He lays off a ball low and inside, but on the next pitch, Busby puts him away with a swinging strikeout for the first out. Tony Perez steps in and battles, fouling off multiple pitches to push the count full. He stays patient and draws a walk, giving the Racers a one-out baserunner. With Perez on first, Dusty Baker takes ball one, and on the next pitch, Perez takes off for second, successfully stealing the base beating the throw. Baker works the count even at 1-1 but gets under a pitch and lifts a fly ball to center field for the second out. With a runner in scoring position, Billy Williams looks to capitalize. He takes ball one, then makes contact, but it's a slow roller to the first baseman, who fields it and flips to the pitcher covering to retire the side. Indianapolis strands Perez at second, and Seattle maintains its 2-0 lead heading to the fourth. Top of the 4th – Holtzman Works Around Trouble Sonny Jackson leads off the inning for Seattle and takes a ball before grounding out to the second baseman, who makes the play to first for the out. Mike Anderson steps in next and takes a ball, then a called strike to even the count at 1-1. After working it full with a swinging strike and two balls, he fouls off a pitch to stay alive before lining a single into shallow center field. With Anderson aboard, Steve Busby drops down a sacrifice bunt right back to Holtzman, who fields it cleanly and makes the play to first, advancing Anderson to second. That brings up Wes Parker, who quickly falls behind 0-2 after fouling off two pitches. He lays off a ball low, but Holtzman finishes him off with a swinging strikeout to end the inning. Seattle leaves a runner stranded, but they still hold a 2-0 lead as we move to the bottom of the fourth. Bottom of the 4th – Seattle’s Defense Holds Buddy Bell leads off the inning for Indianapolis and shows patience at the plate, working the count to 3-1 before lifting a soft line drive to the third baseman for the first out. Tito Fuentes steps in and takes a called strike before evening the count at 1-1 with a ball low. He swings through the next pitch, falling behind 1-2, but puts the ball in play, sending a grounder to shortstop. However, the ball is mishandled, and Fuentes reaches safely on an error on the shortstop's peg. The ball gets away allowing Fuentes to makes it to second base. Ellie Rodriguez follows and takes a ball, then watches a called strike even the count at 1-1. Another called strike puts him behind 1-2, and after taking ball two, he then swings and misses for strike three on the next offering. Eric Soderholm comes up looking to extend the inning, taking two called strikes to fall behind 0-2. He gets under the next pitch, sending a routine fly ball to center field for the final out. Indianapolis fails to capitalize on the error, and after four innings, Seattle continues to lead 2-0. Top of the 5th – Holtzman Escapes Trouble Joe Torre steps in to start the fifth and quickly falls behind 0-1 after a called strike. He watches a ball even the count at 1-1, then connects on a ground ball that finds a hole on the left side for a single. Al Bumbry follows and swings at the first pitch, fouling it off. On the next pitch, he sends a high fly ball to center field for the first out. With one away, Frank Robinson steps in and takes a ball, then another to get ahead 2-0. On the next pitch, he lines a single into right field, moving Torre up to second. Ken Holtzman now finds himself in a jam with two on and one out as Dave Duncan digs in. The right-handed slugger takes a called strike to start, then fouls off the next pitch to fall behind 0-2. Holtzman goes for the putaway pitch, and Duncan swings through it for strike three. Glenn Beckert steps in next and takes a ball, then bounces a grounder to second base, where it’s fielded cleanly and tossed to first for the final out. The Cascades strand two, and their lead remains 2-0 as the game moves to the bottom of the fifth. Bottom of the 5th – Racers Rally to Tie Juan Beniquez leads off the inning for Indianapolis and wastes no time, sending the first pitch on the ground past the shortstop for a single. With a runner aboard, Paul Schaal steps in to pinch-hit and takes a ball to open the count. A pickoff attempt keeps Beniquez close at first before Schaal sees a called strike, evening the count at 1-1. He watches two straight balls to get ahead 3-1 before Busby battles back with a called strike to force the count full. On the payoff pitch, Schaal rips a line drive into right field for a single, and Beniquez races around second to third, with no play at third base. With runners at the corners, Tony Perez steps in, eager to capitalize. He fouls off the first pitch before taking a ball to even it at 1-1. A swinging strike puts him behind 1-2, but the next pitch results in a routine ground ball to short. It looks like a tailor-made double play, but the shortstop bobbles it, and everyone is safe! Beniquez comes home to score, cutting Seattle’s lead to 2-1. Schaal advances to second, while Perez reaches on the costly error. Now with two on and still no outs, Dusty Baker digs in and quickly gets ahead 2-0. He fouls off a pitch before watching ball three to take a favorable 3-1 count. Busby doesn’t challenge him, issuing ball four to load the bases. That brings up Billy Williams with a prime opportunity to do damage. He starts with a called strike, then evens the count with a ball. Busby comes back with another called strike, and on the 1-2 pitch, Williams swings through it for strike three, a huge out for the Cascades. Matty Alou steps in next as a pinch hitter and watches a ball to open the count. He then evens it at 1-1 with a called strike before lifting a harmless popup to the first baseman for out number two. It’s all on Tito Fuentes now with the bases still loaded. He works a 2-0 count when Busby uncorks a wild pitch, allowing Schaal to dash home and tie the game, 2-2! Perez advances to third, and Baker moves up to second. With two runners in scoring position, Fuentes gets back in the box, but Busby induces a routine grounder to third to retire the side. The Racers push two across to erase the deficit, and we’re all knotted up at 2-2 heading into the sixth. Top of the 6th – Holtzman Exits as Bare Takes Over Seattle looks to regain the lead as they face the new pitcher Ray Bare as that marks the end of Holtzman’s night here in the sixth. Roy Foster will take over for Bell in Right and will bat in the nine hole to complete the double switch. Don Baylor is called upon to pinch-hit and gets ahead 1-0 before watching a called strike even the count. After taking another ball, he tries to hold up on the next offering but the ump says he went around to make it 2-2. On the next pitch, he lifts a deep fly ball to center, but it hangs up just long enough for the outfielder to make the catch. Mike Anderson follows and quickly falls behind 0-1 after fouling off the first pitch. He takes a ball to even the count, then grounds one softly to the first baseman, who fields it cleanly and flips to the pitcher covering for the out. With two gone, Steve Busby steps in, hoping to keep the inning alive. He gets ahead 1-0 before bouncing a grounder to first, where it’s handled smoothly for an unassisted putout. Ray Bare keeps Seattle scoreless in the frame, and the game remains locked at 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth. Bottom of the 6th – Rodriguez Singles, But the Racers Come Up Empty With the game still tied, Ellie Rodriguez leads off the bottom of the sixth against Steve Busby. He falls behind 0-1 after taking a called strike but works the count full after a series of disciplined takes. On the payoff pitch, he lines a single into left-center, giving Indianapolis a leadoff baserunner. Eric Soderholm steps in, and with Rodriguez taking a cautious lead, Busby delivers a first-pitch strike as Rodriguez takes off, attempting to steal second. The throw from the catcher is on target, and Rodriguez is tagged out at second, erasing the leadoff runner. Soderholm refocuses but finds himself in a 1-2 hole after fouling off a pitch. He then grounds one to the shortstop, who fields it cleanly and throws to first for the second out. Juan Beniquez is up next and quickly falls behind 0-1 after fouling off the first pitch. He makes solid contact on the next one, sending a hard liner to right-center, but the center fielder makes a smooth running grab to retire the side. Seattle’s pitching continues to hold firm as the Racers strand another inning without scoring. It’s still 2-2 heading to the seventh. Top of the 7th – Seattle Struggles to Find an Answer With the score still tied 2-2, Wes Parker steps in to lead off the seventh against Indianapolis right-hander Ray Bare. Parker takes a ball to start but evens the count at 1-1 after a called strike. He then takes another ball then fouls off a pitch to even the count 2-2, before finally swinging and missing for strike three. Joe Torre follows, taking a first-pitch strike before grounding one sharply toward third base. The third baseman fields it cleanly and fires to first for the second out. Al Bumbry tries to get something going, showing patience as he works the count to 3-0. He lays off the next pitch, drawing a walk and putting the go-ahead run on first. That brings up Frank Robinson, who takes a first-pitch strike before watching a ball to even the count at 1-1. He fouls off a pitch, then watches strike three on the outside corner to end the inning. Seattle leaves another runner stranded as Indianapolis keeps the game locked at 2-2 heading to the bottom of the seventh. Bottom of the 7th – Indianapolis Threatens but Comes Up Empty Roy Foster leads off for the Racers against Seattle’s Steve Busby and takes a ball before slapping a grounder up the middle. The shortstop reacts quickly, making a diving stop, but he'll have to eat it, as Foster legs out an infield single. Tony Perez steps in next and takes a called strike before another is fired in for an 0-2 count. With Foster breaking for second base, the throw goes to second, and he’s caught stealing! The Cascades nail him with a perfect throw from the catcher Duncan to the shortstop covering. Perez stays in the box and watches a ball go by before lining a single over a leaping first baseman into right field, keeping the inning alive. Dusty Baker follows and works the count to 1-1. After fouling off a couple tough pitches, he sends a high fly ball to center field. The center fielder camps under it and makes the grab for the second out. Billy Williams steps up, looking to keep the pressure on. He fouls off the first two pitches to fall behind 0-2 but stays disciplined, working the count to 1-2. He then lines a single to right-center field, with Perez moving up to second. With two on and two out, Garry Maddox enters as a pinch-hitter. He takes a called strike before a ball evens the count. Suddenly, a balk is called! Perez advances to third, and Williams moves to second, putting two runners in scoring position. The crowd roars as Maddox gets back in the box. He works the count to 1-1 before lifting a fly to right field, but it hangs up just long enough for the right fielder to track it down for the final out! A big chance goes to waste for Indianapolis, and we remain tied 2-2 as we head to the eighth. Top of the 8th – Borbon Slams the Door Seattle looks to break the deadlock against Indianapolis reliever Pedro Borbon, but the right-hander is locked in. Dave Duncan steps up first and quickly falls behind 0-2 after a called strike and a foul ball. He watches a pitch off the plate, but Borbon comes back with another strike, freezing Duncan for a called third strike. Glenn Beckert follows and swings at the first pitch, sending a sharp grounder to shortstop. The fielder handles it smoothly and fires to first for the second out. Tim McCarver comes in as a pinch-hitter and takes a couple balls to start the at-bat. He then rolls a grounder to second base, and the play is made easily for the final out. Borbon retires the side in order, keeping the game tied at two as we move to the bottom of the eighth. Bottom of the 8th – Racers Threaten but Come Up Empty With the score still knotted at two, Indianapolis looks for a breakthrough against Seattle’s Steve Busby. Jerry Kenney is now playing shortstop for Seattle. Tito Fuentes leads off and quickly falls behind 0-1 after fouling off the first pitch. He then takes a called strike to go down 0-2, but fights back with a sharp groundball through the middle for a single. Ellie Rodriguez follows and takes a ball as Fuentes swipes second base, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. That's his second stolen base of the game. With a 1-0 count, Rodriguez swings through a pitch, then another, falling behind 1-2. He works the count even but on 2-2, he laces a grounder past short for a single. Fuentes races to third, putting runners on the corners with no outs. That prompts Seattle to make a move, bringing in left-hander Al Hrabosky from the bullpen to face Eric Soderholm. The righty hitter takes two quick strikes and battles to a 1-2 count, but Hrabosky overpowers him with a fastball for a huge strikeout. With one out, Juan Beniquez steps up. He takes a ball, then sends a slow grounder to third base. The fielder charges, fires home, and Fuentes is out on the force play. Rodriguez advances to second, but Seattle keeps the go-ahead run off the board. Roy Foster comes up next and works the count to 2-2 after a couple of foul balls. He puts up a tough battle, fouling off multiple pitches, but finally lifts a fly ball to deep center field. The ball hangs up just long enough, and the catch is made to retire the side. The Racers leave two runners stranded, failing to capitalize on a golden opportunity. We remain tied at two heading into the ninth inning! Top of the 9th – Borbon Slams the Door - Again With the score still tied at two, Indianapolis returns to Pedro Borbon to keep Seattle off the board in the ninth. Mike Anderson steps in first for the Cascades and swings at the first pitch, sending a high pop-up in foul ground and the third baseman easily handles it for the first out. Seattle sends up pinch-hitter Roger Repoz to bat for the pitcher. Borbon gets ahead quickly, as Repoz swings through two straight pitches to fall behind 0-2. On the next pitch, Borbon buries a cutter, and Repoz swings over it for a strikeout. With two outs, Wes Parker digs in, looking to spark a rally. He takes a called strike to open the at-bat, then works the count back in his favor at 2-1. But Borbon induces a soft grounder to the first baseman, who fields it cleanly and steps on the bag unassisted to end the inning. A dominant performance from Borbon sends us to the bottom of the ninth with Indianapolis needing just one run to stay alive in the series! Bottom of the 9th – Baker Keeps the Racers Alive! With their season on the line, Indianapolis looks for a hero in the bottom of the ninth. Seattle counters by bringing in right-hander Bobby Bolin, hoping to push the game to extra innings. Tony Perez leads off for the Racers and takes a called strike to start. He evens the count at 1-1, then fouls off a pitch to fall behind 1-2. Bolin fires a fastball on the inside corner, and Perez is rung up looking for the first out. That brings up Dusty Baker, who has a chance to send Indianapolis to Game 6. The first pitch is a ball. He then fouls one off to even the count at 1-1. On the next pitch, Baker unloads—crushing a deep fly ball to left-center field! The crowd erupts as it sails over the wall for a walk-off solo home run! Victory Field explodes in celebration as Baker rounds the bases. The Racers stave off elimination in dramatic fashion, taking Game 5 with a thrilling 3-2 victory! Victory at Victory Field! A World Sim Classic – Dusty Baker Saves the Racers! Game 5 of the 1972 World Sim will be remembered as one of the most thrilling contests of the season. With their backs against the wall, the Indianapolis Racers clawed their way to a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory, staving off elimination and sending this series back to Seattle. Seattle jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, capitalizing on a defensive miscue in the first and aggressive baserunning in the second. The Cascades looked poised to complete the sweep, but the Racers refused to go quietly. A two-run fifth inning, fueled by clutch hitting and a costly Seattle error, brought Indianapolis even at 2-2. The tension only built from there, with both teams squandering scoring opportunities and the bullpens trading zeroes into the late innings. Then came the bottom of the ninth. With one out and no one on, Dusty Baker delivered the moment Indianapolis had been waiting for, launching a towering blast to left-center for the walk-off home run. The stadium erupted as the Racers lived to fight another day, stunning Seattle and keeping their championship hopes alive. Now, the series shifts back to the Pacific Northwest for Game 6, where the Cascades will have another shot to close it out at Emerald Field. But momentum is now with Indianapolis, and with their ace set to take the mound, they believe they can force a decisive Game 7. Can Seattle regroup and finish what they started, or will the Racers ride this wave of confidence to another stunning victory? The tension is at an all-time high, and Game 6 promises to be another instant classic. We’ll see you in Seattle! ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-19-2025 at 07:10 PM. |
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MSB - 1972 World Sim - Game 6
1972 World Sim Indianapolis Racers (2) vs. Seattle Cascades (3) Game 6 See it live or recorded on ... "Emerald Field. Seattle, Washington. It ends here. Today… or tomorrow. The 1972 World Sim has come down to its final chapter, and we don’t know if we’re watching the closing scene or the setup for a dramatic finale. What we do know is this: the Seattle Cascades are back home, one win away from their first-ever championship, but the Indianapolis Racers refuse to let them have it easily. Seattle has been dominant on the road all postseason, a perfect 4-0 coming into Game 4, sweeping through Houston in the Western League Championship Series after a split at home. They carried that momentum into Indianapolis, jumping to a 3-0 series lead, and after winning Game 3, they looked unstoppable. Four wins. No losses. World Sim glory seemed inevitable. But the Racers had other ideas. They battled back with a decisive win in Game 4. And last night, in Game 5, with their season on the line, they shocked the baseball world—holding Seattle to just two runs before Dusty Baker’s dramatic walk-off home run sent this series back to the Pacific Northwest. And now, with Emerald Field packed to the rafters, we are on the verge of baseball history. Two teams. One title. One moment. For Seattle, this is their fortress, their city. They’ve been here before—winning in front of their fans, controlling the game, dictating the pace. But momentum is a funny thing, and right now, it’s riding in with the Racers. They’ve already defied the odds to force this trip back west. Can they do it again and push this to a Game 7? Or will Seattle rise to the occasion, shut the door, and claim their place in history? Six games in. One team on the brink. One team chasing the impossible. This… is Game 6 of the 1972 World Sim. Let’s play ball.” Top of the 1st – Lockwood Sets the Tone Seattle's Skip Lockwood takes the mound as Indianapolis looks to strike early. Tony Perez leads off and swings at the first pitch, grounding it to the second baseman, who makes the play to first for the out. Dusty Baker follows and also puts the ball in play on the first pitch, grounding out to the third baseman. With two away, Billy Williams steps in and takes a called strike before fouling off a pitch to fall behind 0-2. He takes a ball, working the count to 1-2, but Lockwood freezes him with a called third strike to end the inning. A quick 1-2-3 frame for Lockwood, and Seattle comes to bat in a scoreless game. Bottom of the 1st – Messersmith Works Around a Single Andy Messersmith takes the ball for Indianapolis, looking to keep Seattle off the board early. Wes Parker starts the inning by swinging through the first pitch, then taking a called strike to fall into an 0-2 hole. He lays off a ball before going down swinging for the first out. Glenn Beckert follows and lines a single past the shortstop into left field. With one on, Al Bumbry watches a ball, then another, as Beckert swipes second base. Now ahead 2-0, Bumbry takes a called strike before fouling one off to even the count. He works it full but pops out to the first baseman in foul territory for the second out. Frank Robinson steps in and takes a ball before evening the count at 1-1. He then lifts a deep fly ball to left field, but Williams tracks it down to retire the side. Seattle gets a man into scoring position, but Messersmith keeps them off the board, and we remain scoreless heading to the second. Top of the 2nd – Lockwood Sets Indy Down in Order Skip Lockwood quickly retires Indianapolis in the second. Buddy Bell leads off and chops a soft grounder in front of the plate, where the catcher fields it and throws to first for the out. Tito Fuentes works ahead 3-0 but takes a strike before lifting a fly ball to right for the second out. Ellie Rodriguez jumps on the first pitch and sends a fly ball to left-center, but the defense tracks it down for the third out. A clean frame for Lockwood as Seattle maintains the scoreless tie. Bottom of the 2nd – Messersmith Keeps Seattle Quiet Andy Messersmith works efficiently to keep the Cascades off the board. Dave Duncan starts the inning by getting ahead in the count 2-0 before grounding a routine ball to short, where the play is made to first for the out. Joe Torre follows and drives a deep fly ball to center, but it's caught for the second out. Sonny Jackson steps in and battles to a 2-1 count before rolling a grounder to second, where the throw to first is in time. Messersmith works a perfect inning, keeping the game scoreless through two. Top of the 3rd – Soderholm’s Leadoff Double Goes to Waste Indianapolis looks to break the scoreless tie as Eric Soderholm leads off the third with authority, ripping a double into right field on an 0-1 pitch. Juan Beniquez steps in but quickly falls behind 0-2 after a pair of called strikes. He fights off two pitches, but with a 1-2 count, he swings through strike three for the first out. Andy Messersmith follows and works the count to 1-2 before he, too, goes down swinging. With two outs, Tony Perez steps in and takes a pair of strikes before evening the count at 2-2. A wild pitch allows Soderholm to advance to third, but Perez can't capitalize, grounding out to short to end the inning. The Racers threaten but fail to score, keeping it 0-0 heading to the bottom half. Bottom of the 3rd – Seattle Leaves Two Stranded Seattle gets a leadoff baserunner as Mike Anderson draws a walk after working the count full. With a sacrifice bunt, the pitcher moves Anderson into scoring position at second. Wes Parker steps in next, taking a ball before fouling one off. After getting ahead in the count 3-1, he takes ball four, putting two men on with one out. Glenn Beckert looks to cash in but lifts a fly ball to right for the second out. Al Bumbry battles through a six-pitch at-bat but goes down swinging, stranding both runners and keeping the game scoreless heading to the fourth. Top of the 4th – Indianapolis Breaks Through Dusty Baker leads off for Indianapolis and jumps on the first pitch, ripping a double down the left side. Billy Williams follows, grounding out to second. Buddy Bell steps in and works the count to 2-2 before lining a single into center, scoring Baker from second to put the Racers on the board. Bell advances to second on the throw home. With a runner on second base, Tito Fuentes takes a ball before lifting a fly ball to right for the second out. Ellie Rodriguez follows but gets under one, popping out to second to end the inning. Indianapolis grabs the lead with one run on two hits, leaving one stranded. Bottom of the 4th – Messersmith Keeps Seattle Quiet Frank Robinson leads off the inning, taking a called strike before evening the count. He fouls off the next pitch but then rolls a ground ball to short, where the play is made to first for the out. Dave Duncan steps up next, taking a strike before grounding out to first on a routine play with the pitcher covering. Joe Torre follows, swinging at the first pitch and sending a grounder to short, where it's fielded cleanly and thrown to first for the third out. A quick inning for Messersmith as Seattle goes down in order. Top of the 5th – Lockwood Holds the Line Eric Soderholm steps in to start the inning and quickly falls behind 0-2 after two called strikes. He takes a ball but then bounces a grounder back to the mound, where the pitcher makes the play to first for the out. Juan Beniquez follows, swinging at the first pitch and lifting a fly ball to center, where it’s caught for the second out. Andy Messersmith works a 1-1 count but then grounds a routine ball to second, where the throw to first is in time for the third out. Lockwood keeps the Racers off the bases in a smooth inning. Bottom of the 5th – Messersmith Keeps Seattle in Check Sonny Jackson leads off the inning by taking a called strike before evening the count at 1-1. He fouls one off but then lifts a line drive to center, where it’s caught for the first out. Mike Anderson steps in and works a 3-2 count, but swings through strike three for the second out. The pitcher comes to the plate next and takes the count to 1-2, before bouncing a ground ball past second for a two out knock. Wes Parker comes up and pops the first pitch he sees to the catcher in foul ground and the side is retired. Indianapolis maintains its slim 1-0 lead as Messersmith continues to roll. Top of the 6th – Perez Swipes a Bag but Indianapolis Comes Up Empty Tony Perez leads off the inning by showing patience at the plate, taking three straight balls before a called strike brings the count to 3-1. He lays off ball four and takes his free pass to first. Dusty Baker follows and battles through a full count, fouling off one pitch along the way, but ultimately goes down swinging for the first out. With Billy Williams at the plate, a pickoff throw to first keeps Perez honest before the count starts. Williams takes a called strike, then lines out to right field for the second out. Perez, still on first, decides to make a move, successfully swiping second base. Buddy Bell steps in next, taking a strike before working the count even at 1-1. A second called strike puts him behind, and after taking a ball, he swings through strike three to end the inning. Despite the stolen base, Indianapolis fails to add to their lead, and it remains 1-0. Bottom of the 6th – Bumbry’s Speed Creates a Threat, but Seattle Strands Two Glenn Beckert leads off the inning, taking a called strike and a ball before bouncing a grounder to third, where the play is made for the first out. Al Bumbry steps in and quickly falls behind 0-1 before evening the count at 1-1. He watches two balls go by to move ahead 3-1 but then fouls off a pitch to bring it full. On the payoff pitch, he slaps an infield single to first and beats the throw. With Frank Robinson at the plate and the count 2-0, Bumbry takes off for second, successfully swiping the bag. A balk call moves him up to third, increasing the pressure. Robinson stays patient, drawing a four-pitch walk to put runners at the corners with one out. Dave Duncan digs in and takes a called strike, then a ball, before fouling off another to go down 1-2. He swings through the next pitch for strike three, and now it’s up to Joe Torre to bring the runner home. Torre takes a ball, then a called strike to even the count at 1-1. On the next pitch, he bounces a grounder to second, where the play is made to first, ending the inning. Seattle threatens, but Indianapolis holds on to the slim 1-0 lead. Top of the 7th – Lockwood Holds Firm Tito Fuentes leads off for Indianapolis and works a 2-0 count before taking a called strike. He then gets under a pitch and lifts a high fly ball to center, where it is caught for the first out. Ellie Rodriguez follows, taking two straight balls before grounding one to third, where the throw to first is in time for the out. With two down, Eric Soderholm steps in and watches three straight balls go by, eventually drawing a walk on a 3-0 count. With speed on first, Juan Beniquez takes a ball before Soderholm takes off for second and swipes the bag successfully. Beniquez works ahead to a 2-0 count but then gets under a pitch and sends it out to center, where it is tracked down for the third out. Lockwood keeps the Racers off the board again, and Seattle remains within a run, trailing 1-0. Bottom of the 7th – Messersmith Keeps Seattle in Check Sonny Jackson steps in for Seattle and takes a ball, then a called strike to even the count. He fouls off the next pitch before laying off a ball outside. At 2-2, he swings through strike three for the first out. Mike Anderson follows and quickly falls behind 0-2 after a called strike and a foul. He stays alive by taking a ball, but then ropes a hard line drive to third, where it finds a fielder's glove for the second out. Skip Lockwood, staying in to hit, takes a ball, then a called strike, before fouling off back-to-back pitches. He manages to make contact on the next, bouncing a ground ball up the middle for an infield single. With a runner on first, Wes Parker looks to extend the inning. He takes a ball, then a called strike, before swinging through another pitch to fall behind 1-2. The next pitch gets past him for strike three, and Seattle comes up empty again. Messersmith holds firm, and Indianapolis takes its 1-0 lead into the eighth. Top of the 8th – Indianapolis Adds Insurance Andy Messersmith leads off the inning for Indianapolis and works the count in his favor, taking three straight balls before drawing a four-pitch walk. With a runner aboard, Tony Perez steps in and takes a ball before fouling one off. On the next pitch, Messersmith takes off for second, and the throw down is off target, allowing him to advance to third on the error. Now with a runner ninety feet away, Perez looks to capitalize but lines out to center, unable to bring the run home. Dusty Baker follows, taking a ball, then a called strike, before working the count to 2-2. He lifts a deep liner to center, and Messersmith tags up and scores on the sacrifice fly, giving Indianapolis a 2-0 lead. Billy Williams steps in next and wastes no time, sending the first pitch in the air to center for a routine flyout. The Racers manufacture a key run without a hit, stretching their lead as they head to the bottom of the eighth. Bottom of the 8th – Seattle Breaks Through Seattle comes to bat trailing 2-0, looking for a spark. Glenn Beckert leads off and drives a liner to short left, but it's caught for the first out. Al Bumbry follows, putting the ball in play, and a defensive miscue at first allows him to reach on an error, giving the Cascades a much-needed baserunner. Frank Robinson steps in and remains patient, taking three straight balls before earning a walk, moving Bumbry into scoring position. With two on and one out, Dave Duncan digs in, watching a called strike before fouling one off to fall behind 0-2. He then lays off a pitch in the dirt but stays aggressive on the next offering, sending a sharp grounder down the third base line for a double. Bumbry comes around to score, cutting the deficit to 2-1, while Robinson advances to third. That prompts Indianapolis to make a move, calling on reliever RHP Clay Carroll. Joe Torre steps up, taking a ball, then a strike, then another ball, before grounding out to shortstop 6-3. The Racers' infield keeps the runners in place, recording the second out. With the tying run still on third and the go-ahead run at second, Seattle turns to pinch-hitter Don Baylor. He works the count to 3-1 but chops a grounder to third, where the play is made at first to end the threat. The Cascades get on the board, but Indianapolis clings to a 2-1 lead heading into the ninth. Top of the 9th – Indianapolis Looks for Insurance Indianapolis looks to add an insurance run in the ninth. Matty Alou comes off the bench to pinch-hit and takes a called strike before evening the count at 1-1. After working the count to 2-1, he lifts a fly ball to deep center, but it's hauled in for the first out. Tito Fuentes follows, fouling off the first pitch before grounding one to first with the pitcher covering for the second out. With two away, Ellie Rodriguez steps in, taking a ball before watching a strike even the count at 1-1. He swings and misses at the next pitch, then fights off a foul ball to stay alive. He lays off two close pitches to work the count full before ripping a line drive into right for a single, keeping the inning alive. Eric Soderholm follows, taking a ball, then swinging and missing to even the count at 1-1. He watches another ball go by before rolling a grounder to short, where the play is made for the fielder’s choice to end the inning. Indianapolis leaves one on and takes a slim 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth. Bottom of the 9th – Seattle Battles to Stay Alive Seattle enters the bottom of the ninth trailing by a run, needing a clutch rally to win the championship. Mike Anderson leads off and fouls off the first pitch before grounding a slow roller toward short. He hustles down the line, and the play is too close at first—Anderson is safe with an infield single. A pinch-hitter is called upon, and Tim McCarver steps in, taking a ball before lofting a fly ball to center field, where it is caught for the first out. Wes Parker follows, swinging through the first pitch before taking a ball to even the count. He fights off another pitch foul but then beats out a slow roller to the right side for another infield hit, putting the tying run in scoring position. Jerry Kenney enters as a pinch-runner at second, and the tension in Emerald Field rises. Glenn Beckert steps up and takes a called strike before fouling one off, falling behind 0-2. He takes a big swing and misses—strike three. Seattle is down to its final out. Al Bumbry steps in, taking a ball, then another to move ahead 2-0. He fouls one off before lining a sharp single into left. Kenney races around third as the throw comes in, but he slides in safely—Seattle ties the game at 2-2, and Parker advances to third. The Cascades are now a base hit away from a walk-off title. Frank Robinson steps to the plate, taking a ball before evening the count at 1-1. He swings through the next pitch, falling behind 1-2, takes a ball, fouls off the next one. He lays a close one to work the count full, then takes a mighty cut—strike three! The Racers escape with the game still tied, but Seattle delivers in the clutch to force extra innings. It’s 2-2 heading to the tenth! Top of the 10th – Indianapolis Goes Quiet With the World Sim hanging in the balance, Indianapolis looks to regain the lead in extra innings. Seattle turns to a fresh arm, bringing in left-hander Darold Knowles. Juan Beniquez steps in and takes a ball before rolling a routine grounder to third for the first out. The Racers send up pinch-hitter Garry Maddox, who fouls off the first pitch, then takes two straight balls. He watches a called strike before swinging through the next pitch for strike three. With two outs, Tony Perez digs in, swinging at the first pitch and lining a soft out to short to end the inning. A quick and efficient frame for Knowles as Seattle keeps the game tied at 2-2, heading to the bottom of the tenth. Bottom of the 10th – Bare Keeps Seattle in Check With a chance to walk it off and claim the championship, Seattle steps in against Ray Bare, who takes over on the mound for Indianapolis. Dave Duncan leads off, taking two called strikes to quickly fall behind 0-2. He then lifts a fly ball to center, but it's an easy out for the first out of the inning. Joe Torre follows, swinging through the first pitch before fouling another off, putting him in an 0-2 hole. Bare stays aggressive, getting Torre to chase for a strikeout. With two outs, Bob Heise steps in and works a 1-1 count before fouling another one back. He lays off the next pitch to even it at 2-2 but then lines out to left to end the inning. Indianapolis holds firm as Bare sends Seattle down in order, keeping the score tied 2-2 as we move to the 11th. Top of the 11th – Knowles Keeps Indy Quiet Darold Knowles takes the mound for Seattle, looking to keep the game tied. Dusty Baker leads off and fouls the first pitch down the right-field line before lifting a fly ball to center for the first out. Billy Williams follows, taking a ball before taking a called strike. On a 1-1 count, he lines a soft shot to second base, but it's caught for the second out. Roy Foster steps in, showing patience and working the count to 3-0 before Knowles battles back with a called strike. On 3-1, Foster makes solid contact, but he lines out to second, ending the inning. Seattle gets a clean frame from Knowles, keeping it 2-2 as they come to bat in the bottom of the 11th with a chance to win it all. Bottom of the 11th – Seattle Walks It Off to Win the World Sim! Ray Bare takes the mound for Indianapolis as Seattle looks to capture the championship in dramatic fashion. Roger Repoz leads off and quickly delivers, lining a single into center field to put the winning run aboard. Kurt Bevacqua comes in to pinch-hit and drops down a perfect sacrifice bunt, sprinting up the line as the throw to first is too late—everyone is safe! Seattle now has runners on first and second with nobody out. Wes Parker steps up and pops out in foul territory to first base for the first out. Glenn Beckert follows and takes a ball before swinging through a pitch to even the count. On 1-1, he rips a ground ball past the first baseman and into right field for a single. Repoz rounds third and races home, sliding in safely as the throw comes in too late—Seattle wins! The Cascades storm the field in celebration as they take Game 6 by a score of 3-2 in 11 innings, securing their first-ever World Sim championship! Seattle Claims the 1972 World Sim Championship in Extra-Inning Thriller! In a game that embodied the intensity of the entire series, the Seattle Cascades walked off in the bottom of the 11th to capture their first-ever World Sim championship. Indianapolis, riding a wave of momentum after winning Games 4 and 5 at home, came into Emerald Field determined to force a decisive Game 7. The Racers held the lead for most of the night, scratching across single runs in the fourth and eighth innings, but Seattle refused to go quietly. A crucial eighth-inning rally, capitalizing on an error and a clutch double from Dave Duncan, brought them within one before a dramatic ninth-inning single from Al Bumbry forced extras. The tension reached its peak in the 11th, with Roger Repoz setting the table with a leadoff single before a perfectly placed bunt by Kurt Bevacqua put two on with no outs. After a popout, Glenn Beckert stepped up and sent the city of Seattle into celebration mode, drilling a ground ball into right field to bring home the championship-winning run. Seattle’s pitching was the backbone of their championship run, with Skip Lockwood delivering an outstanding performance in Game 6, going nine strong innings while allowing just two runs. The bullpen, led by Darold Knowles, kept Indianapolis off the board in extras, setting the stage for Beckert’s heroics. For Indianapolis, it was a crushing end to a resilient postseason. The Racers battled back from a 3-0 deficit, extending the series to six games and proving they were never out of it. Their pitching was outstanding throughout, with Andy Messersmith delivering a stellar performance in Game 6, holding Seattle to just one unearned run through seven and a third innings. But in the end, it was Seattle’s year. The Cascades, dominant on the road throughout the playoffs, protected their home turf when it mattered most. They finished the postseason with an impressive 8-3 record, dismissing Houston in the Western League Championship Sim in five games before outlasting Indianapolis in a grueling six-game battle. The celebration belongs to Seattle, the first-ever World Sim champions. Indianapolis fought to the very end, but the Cascades were simply too strong. A season filled with drama, comebacks, and unforgettable moments comes to a close with Seattle hoisting the trophy. Congratulations to the Seattle Cascades the 1972 Champions of the National Baseball League! ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL Last edited by ZapMast; 02-21-2025 at 10:51 PM. |
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