The Phillies, Marlins, Rockies and Cards: Only National Teams Above .500

There are 16 teams in the National League.

Only the Philadelphia Phillies (19-9), the Florida Marlins (18-10), the Colorado Rockies (17-10) and the St. Louis Cardinals (17-13) are above .500.

Seventy-five percent of National League teams have not won more than one-half of their games.

The 2011 National League may be one of the weakest leagues or it may be one of the most unbalanced leagues in history.

There were several seasons during the 1950s when only three of the eight National League teams finished above .500, but that could be explained by the fact that the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and Milwaukee Braves usually had powerful teams.

In 1969, the first season of divisional play as well as the year that New York’s most beloved team, the New York Mets won the World Series. Only three of the 12 teams (the Philadelphia Phillies, the expansion Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres) were below the .500 mark.

The Philadelphia Phillies have the best record in the National League, but they are far from a team without major problems. The Phillies are averaging 4.46 runs a game, batting .260, have a .330 on base average and are slugging .386, which is 10th in the league.

Due to a severe injury to second base great Chase Utley, journey man Wilson Valdez is the regular second baseman. The departure of Jason Werth has forced manager Charlie Manuel to use Ben Francisco and John Mayberry in right field.

Catcher Carlos Ruiz, after a great 2010 season, is hitting only .226 and an aging Raul Ibanez is struggling to reach the .170 mark.

Closer Brad Lidge, who has had meteoric highs and lows in his checkered career, has yet to throw a pitch this season. Replacement Jose Contreras is also on the disabled list.

Still, the Phillies are the “class” of the Eastern Division and are a serious contender for the World Championship, thanks to four outstanding starters.

Roy Halladay may be as great as any pitcher in the last 40 years. Cliff Lee is more inconsistent than Halladay, but the left-hander is a major force. Roy Oswalt has been solid for years when he isn’t hurt and Cole Hamels is back on track.

The Florida Marlins offense is worse than that of the Phillies, but the Marlins have a deep pitching staff that rivals any in the league. Starters Josh Johnson, Rickey Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez will keep the Marlins in the race until the very end. The bullpen appears decent.

The Marlins are averaging 4.61 runs a game, batting .254, have a .327 on base average, and are slugging .401.

Jorge de la Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin have been the Rockies‘ best pitchers, which is not good because Ubaldo Jiminez, who faltered near the end of last season, is 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA. The Rockies lack strong starting pitching, but the bullpen, led by Huston Street, is fairly solid.

The offense, led by Troy Tulowitski, who is this decade’s Derek Jeter and a seemingly resurgent Todd Helton, averages 4.67 runs a game. The team is hitting an anemic .238, has a .324 on base average and is slugging .387.

Finally, we come to the Cardinals. They lead the league in scoring (5.37 runs a game) and are hitting .293. They have a great .363 on base average and are slugging .446.

Led by the greatest player in the game, Albert Pujols, and Matt Holliday, the Cardinals will continue to score.

Pujols is hitting only .231, while Holliday (.409) and Lance Berkman (.402) led the team in average. Both figure to cool off, but Pujols should pick up much of the slack.

The Cards’ pitching is above average, allowing 4.10 runs a game with a 3.43 ERA. The Pythagorean indicates that the Cards should be 19-11 instead of 17-13.

Something is wrong when 75 percent of the league is below .500.

Of course, it is early in May and things will change.

The Atlanta Braves have split 28 games and the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and defending World Champion San Francisco Giants should win more games than they lose.

In 1973, the Mets won a mere 82 games and were National League Champions. In 2006, the Cardinals won 83 games and won the World Series.

A team with a similar number of wins in 2011 could win the World Series.

To paraphrase Chester A. Riley: “What a revoltin’ development that would be.”

Reference:

Baseball Reference

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The 1964 Philadelphia Phillies: Not One of the Greatest Phillies’ Teams

1964 had been an almost magical year for the Philadelphia Phillies.

They acquired Jim Bunning from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Don Demeter to complement lefty ace Chris Short. On Father’s Day, Bunning hurled a perfect game against the New York Mets.

In the all-star game, Phillies’ outfielder Johnny Callison hit a ninth inning, game-winning home run off Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Dick “the Monster” Radatz.

Rookie Richie Allen, along with Callison, provided clutch offense until the last 12 days of the season..

There have been many fine first place teams that had seemingly “safe” leads late in the season only to be overtaken, but almost nothing compares to what happened to the 1964 Philadelphia Phillies.

At the height of the pennant race, the Phillies lost 10 consecutive games before finally getting a win. Some blamed manager Gene Mauch for starting Bunning and Short several times on only two days’ rest.

At the end of play on September 20, 1964, the Phillies led both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds, who were tied for second place, by six and one-half games.

It only took seven days for things to change radically.

At the end of play on September 27, the Reds led the second place Phillies by a full game. The Phillies lost a six and one-half game lead and were never again in first place.

On September 28, the Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Reds while the Cardinals beat the Phillies. The Cardinals and Reds were tied for the top spot with the reeling Phillies trailing each of them by one and one-half games.

The next day, the Pirates beat the Reds in sixteen innings, 1-0. Once the Reds reached first place, they didn’t score again until they were out of first place.

The Phillies weren’t the only team feeling the pressure.

The Cardinals beat the Phillies again, to take over first place from the Reds.

On October 1, the Cardinals weren’t scheduled. The Reds finally scored as they beat the Pirates to pull within one half game of the Cardinals, who would be at home for the final three games of the season to face New York’s most beloved team, the Mets, losers of 108 games.

The Phillies trailed the Cards by two and one-half games and were basically out of it.

Mets’ broadcaster Lindsey Nelson often told his viewers that late in the season, teams that are out of the pennant race can be extremely dangerous since they have nothing to lose and are loose.

How right he was.

The Cardinals ace, Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, faced the Mets’ little lefty, Al Jackson, in what seemed to be a mismatch. Jackson was 10-16. Gibson was 18-11.

The Mets scored a run in the third inning when Ed Kranepool singled home George Altman with two outs. That turned out to be the game’s only run, as Jackson blanked the Cardinals on five hits.

The Phillies beat the Reds, so the Cardinals still led the Reds by one-half game and the Phillies by one and one-half games.

On the next to last day of the season, Cards 20 game winner Ray Sadecki faced Mets’ 17 game loser Jack Fisher. It was no contest as the Mets scored four times in the first inning and slowly pulled away for a 15-5 victory.

The Reds, who were idle, were again tied with the Cards for first place. The Phillies, surprisingly, were still in it, trailing by a mere game going into the last day of the season.

The Phillies won again behind Bunning’s shut out, 10-0, but they needed help they would never receive.

The Cardinals sent Curt Simmons to face the Mets’ 18 game loser, Galen Cisco, in a game they had to win in order to avoid a three team tie for the pennant.

The Mets took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth, knocking out Simmons.

Manager Johnny Keane brought in Bob Gibson, who had pitched eight innings on Friday. The Cardinals scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth and went on to an 11-5 win to become National League champions.

The Phillies, the Cardinals and the Reds all felt the pressure. It is often easier to withstand pressure when trying to get something than when trying to defend it.

When each of the three teams reached first place, they faltered. The Cardinals were fortunate that after they beat the Mets and the Phillies beat the Reds, the season ended.

The 1964 Phillies were an excellent team. Third baseman Richie Allen hit .318 with 29 home runs, outfielder Johnny Callison hit .274 with 31 home runs, Bunning won 19 games, and Short won 17.

The problem was that the team lacked pitching depth, which explains why Mauch started Bunning and Short on two days rest.

It is ironic, but the only way the 1964 Phillies could be ranked among the best Philies’ teams would have been if they had not lost 10 consecutive games near the end of the season and had merely finished a consistent second or third.

References:

Retrosheet

Sports Illustrated

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Roy Halladay and Don Larsen: A World Series Game Is Not a Playoff Game

Enough is enough. There is no comparison between Roy Halladay and Don Larsen. The former is on his way to the Hall of Fame. The latter was a journeyman pitcher who caught lightning in a bottle.

Larsen faced the National League’s defending World Champion Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 World Series. Brooklyn had won 98 games and lost 55 for a .641 winning percentage.

Roy Halladay faced the National League Central Division champion Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2010 playoffs. Cincinnati won 91 games while losing 71 for a .562 winning percentage.

Roy Halladay pitched a no-hitter against the Reds in the opening game of the playoff series, missing a perfect game when he walked Jay Bruce with one out in the fifth inning. Halladay was not facing the best team in the league. He was facing a division winner.

Don Larsen was facing the best team in the National League in the World Series. There were no playoffs in 1956, so how could Roy Halladay have pitched the second no-hitter in playoff history?

The playoffs started in 1969. Roy Halladay pitched the first no-hitter in playoff history. Don Larsen pitched the only no-hitter and perfect game in World Series history. They are not the same.

Until the playoffs were initiated, the term “postseason” was not used. Each league had a pennant winner, and they met to determine the World Champion. The first goal was to win the pennant, and the second goal was to win the World Series.

Today, most teams consider making the playoffs a successful season. The Reds made the 2010 playoffs, and despite not winning a single game once they got to the playoffs, players and fans consider it to have been a successful season.

Would the 1975 Cincinnati Reds of Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose and Tony Perez have considered it to have been a successful season if they had lost the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Pirates?

In 1954, the New York Yankees won 103 games, which was the most they won under Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel. The most games they won during their streak of five consecutive pennants and World Championships was 99 in 1953.

The Yankees problem that season was that the Cleveland Indians won an American League-record 111 games. The Yankees and their fans considered 1954 an unsuccessful season.

Under today’s playoff system, mediocre teams often qualify for the playoffs. It is recognized that upsets occur, but it cannot be denied that in most cases, the better teams usually win.

Of course it is possible for a pitcher to pitch a no-hitter or even a perfect game in the first or second round of the playoffs and have faced the soon-to-be pennant winner, but it must be (and will not be) recognized that the playoffs and the World Series are not the same. Today, they are all considered playoff games. What a joke.

Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in the history of the World Series. Roy Halladay pitched the only no-hitter in the history of the playoffs. Both are great achievements, but they are not the same.

Reference: Retrosheet

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MLB Trade Rumors: Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt? Roy Oswalt

Who is the better pitcher, Roy Oswalt or Cliff Lee?

Based upon the opinions of the “experts,” the answer is Cliff Lee, but based on career performance, that is not the right answer.

Lee has pitched most of his seasons in the American League, which means that he didn’t have the luxury, at least in most instances, of facing the opposing pitcher.

Oswalt has spent his entire career in one of the few professional leagues that still plays the game the way it was meant to be played. The pitcher is part of the batting order.

Cliff Lee has had some outstanding seasons.

In 2008, he was a Preacher Roe-like 22-3, with a 2.54 ERA, a 168 ERA+, and a WHIP of 1.110.

In 2005, Lee went 18-5, with a 3.79 ERA, a 111 ERA+ and a WHIP of 1.218, which was not as good as his 2008 season, but it was still a very good year.

Cliff Lee has had some pretty bad seasons.

In his first full season, which was 2004, Cliff was 14-8, but as we all know, a pitcher’s won-lost record often doesn’t tell the rest of the story.

To go along with his 14 wins, Lee had a 5.43 ERA. His ERA+ was a minuscule 80, and his WHIP was 1.503.

In 2006, Lee again won 14 games, but he gave up 224 hits in just over 200 innings.

The following season was worse, in part due to injury. Cliff worked only 97 and one-third innings, won five, lost eight, and had a 6.29 ERA.

The point is that Cliff Lee has had some of the best seasons of any pitchers in the 21st century, but he has also had some terrible seasons, which is not befitting a pitcher who ranks behind only Roy Halladay in the “experts” estimation.

No pitcher has won more games since 2001 than Roy Oswalt, who has a total of 143 wins as a Houston Astro.

Oswalt has two 20-win seasons. Lee has won 20 once.

Oswalt has a lower lifetime ERA (3.24 to 3.81), a better ERA+ (134 to 113), which helps to statistically control the designated hitters Oswalt never faced, and a lower WHIP (1.196 to 1.258),

As a National Leaguer, Lee’s ERA is 3.39, his ERA+ is 126, and his WHIP is 1.130.

Roy Oswalt has been much more consistent than Cliff Lee.

Even this season, pitching for a bad Houston Astros team, Oswalt has a 3.42 ERA, a 120 ERA+, and a 1.109 WHIP. His won-lost record should improve now that he works for the Philadelphia Phillies.

On any given day, or in any given playoff series, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalt give their teams a tremendous advantage.

While it may be foolish and impossible to definitively conclude that one is a better pitcher than the other, Oswalt has been more consistent, but a disclaimer is necessary.

As New York’s other team discovered (they probably already knew from his days with the Cleveland Indians) in the 2009 World Series, Cliff Lee can dominate a team as well as Sandy Koufax (seventh game of the 1965 World Series), Bob Gibson (first game of the 1968 World Series), and Christy Mathewson (entire 1905 World Series).

The Phillies traded Lee last December. He won the only two games the Phillies won against New York’s other team. Now they have Roy Oswalt. Let’s see what happens.

Do you really think the Texas Rangers will meet the Philadelphia Phillies in November?  As Mr. Spock used to say, “fascinating.”

References:

Roy Oswalt at Baseball Reference

Cliff Lee at Baseball Reference

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Stealing Baseball Signs Is Not Cheating

Exactly what does “cheating” mean?

One dictionary definition is: “to act dishonestly; practice fraud.” That sounds good .

A second definition is: “to violate rules deliberately, as in a game.” That sounds good too.

In 1951, the New York Giants won the National League Pennant, overcoming the Brooklyn Dodgers’ 13.5 game lead.

In January 2001, an article in the Wall Street Journal claimed that the Giants had an elaborate sign-stealing scheme that allegedly used a telescope in the scoreboard, and a system of bells and buzzers that allowed Giants’ reserves Sal Yvars and Hank Schenz to tip off hitters.

No Rule Against Stealing Signs

If it is true, were the Giants cheating? Well, they were not acting dishonestly. They were acting surreptitiously.

Were they violating any rules? Absolutely not .

There was nothing in the baseball rulebook in 1951 that prohibited stealing signs by any methods a team choose to employ. There still isn’t.

Baseball’s Statement About Sign Stealing

When those in charge became aware of the allegations that besmirched the greatest miracle in sports history, they did what bureaucrats do. They made a statement.

On March 31, 2001, executive vice-president of baseball operations Sandy Alderson sent teams a memo that restricted the use of electronic equipment during a game.

Such equipment and technology “could not be used for communications or for the purpose of stealing signs or conveying information designed to give a club an advantage.”

Does the Method Matter?

Alderson mentioned nothing about using eyes, limbs, head, or any other part of the anatomy to obtain signs—only electronic equipment.

A contradiction exists. Keeping things simple, there must be no cheating in baseball. That is the premise that those in the game must accept. We all know the chances of successfully enforcing such a position.

What difference does it make if signs are stolen by an individual located in the center field scoreboard, or by the runner on second who sees the catcher’s signal to the pitcher?

Both are considered cheating, but some individuals refer to the latter as “gamesmanship.”

Mick Billmeyer

Philadelphia Phillies bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was using binoculars in a game against the Colorado Rockies a few days ago, allegedly watching Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo.

Billmeyer claims he was watching Phillies backstop Carlos Ruiz set up, and that he was not stealing the Rockies’ signs.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel told reporters, “We were not trying to steal signs, Would we try to steal somebody’s signs? Yeah, if we can. But we don’t do that. We’re not going to let a guy stand up there in the bullpen with binoculars looking in. We’re smarter than that.”

Two Choices

Stealing signs has been part of the game since the games began. It is not cheating because stealing signs does not violate any baseball rule. To allow stealing signs when technology is not involved is ridiculous.

If those who run the game are sincere, then they must either allow stealing signs by any methods sign-stealers choose, or they must add a rule not allowing it.

If stealing signs using technology is allowed, every baseball park will look like AT&T’s secret wire-tapping room in San Francisco.

If a rule is added to prevent sign stealing, a rule that is impossible to enforce will make a farce of the game.

Everyone knows that the success of prohibition during the Al Capone-Elliot Ness has been surpassed only by the success of the War On Drugs .

References:

Major League Baseball Rules

Marazzi, Rich. “Baseball Rules Corner: How Baseball Teams Steal Signs From Each Other in the Past and Present.” Baseball Digest . June 1, 2001.

Definition of Cheating

Phillies Deny Stealing Signs

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Jim Bunning’s Clutch Performances

In early December of 1963, the Philadelphia Phillies made one of the great trades of all time. 

They sent outfielder Don Demeter, a Dodgers reject, along with pitcher Jack Hamilton, who is remembered for throwing the pitch that ruined Tony Conigliaro’s career, to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for pitcher Jim Bunning and catcher Gus Triandos.

 

Two Masterpieces

Jim Bunning won 19 games each of his first three seasons with the Phillies, but in 1964, Jim pitched two masterpieces.  

It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon at the Mets‘ new ballpark on Jun. 21st. It was also Father’s Day. 

The first-place Philadelphia Phillies were at Shea Stadium to meet the Mets in a doubleheader. The Phillies were starting Bunning in the first game against the pitcher who gave up Roger Maris’ 61st home run, Tracy Stallard.

 

Close Calls

In the Mets’ third, Amado Samuel hit a line drive over shortstop Cookie Rojas’ head, but the future Mets coach leaped to snare the line drive.

In the fourth, Ron Hunt, whom the Mets announcers had compared favorably to Pete Rose when both were rookies in 1963, hit a pop fly down the right field line, clearly out of the reach of right fielder Johnny Callison, who was shading Hunt toward right center field. 

The ball fell harmlessly about a foot foul.

Bunning had retired the first 13 Mets when, with one out in the fifth inning, Jesse Gonder hit a hard shot on the ground between second baseman Tony Taylor and first baseman John Herrnstein. 

Taylor knocked the ball down with a diving stop to his left, reached down, grabbed the ball, and fired to Herrnstein to throw out Gonder.

John Stephenson stuck out to end the game. 

Jim Bunning became the first National League pitcher in the modern era (1901) to pitch a perfect game. He also became the first pitcher to hurl a no-hitter in each league. On July 20, 1958, Jim had no-hit the hard-hitting Boston Red Sox.

 

A Must-Win Shutout

The Phillies were in a heated pennant race late in September. On the last day of the season, they trailed the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals by a single game. 

Manager Gene Mauch sent his ace Jim Bunning to face the Reds. If the Phillies won and the Mets, who had already beaten the Cardinals on Friday and Saturday, could beat St. Louis again, there would be a three-way tie for the pennant.

Bunning did his job. He hurled a masterful six-hit shutout to pull the Phillies even with the Reds, but in St. Louis, the gritty, gutsy Mets just couldn’t do it. 

Curt Simmons started for the Cards against Galen Cisco. 

The Mets were trailing 2-1 in the fifth inning when they scored two runs on a single by George Altman, a Cisco sacrifice, and consecutive doubles by Billy Klaus and Roy McMillan. 

The Cardinals were desperate. Johnny Keane brought in Bob Gibson, who had worked eight innings in a losing effort in the first game of the series.

Today, it would be, as Red Barber used to say, as rare as a hen’s tooth to bring in a starting pitcher who worked eight innings after only one day off, but the pennant was on the line, and the pitcher was Bob Gibson. 

The Mets did get to Gibson for a pair of runs in his four innings of work, but the Cardinals pounded Cisco and those who followed for an 11-5 win.

Jim Bunning did all he could do for his team. 

He was 19-8 with a 2.63 ERA and a 132 ERA+. He pitched a perfect game, struck out 219 batters during the season, and pitched a shutout on the final day of the season when his team couldn’t afford to lose.

Bunning went on to record at least 200 strikeouts in 1965, and 1966, and led the league with 253 strikeouts in 1967. In 1996, then-Representative and future Senator Jim Bunning was elected to the Hall of Fame.

References

1964 Philadelphia Phillies

By GORDON S. WHITE Jr. (1964, June 22). Bunning Pitches a Perfect Game; Mets Are Perfect Victims, 6 to 0: Bunning Hurls Perfect Game Against Mets as Phils Take Twin Bill Here PITCHER FANS 10 IN A 6-0 TRIUMPH Perfect Game Is First Since 1880 in League — Mets Lose 2d Game, 8-2. New York Times (1923-Current file), 1. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851-2006). (Document ID: 106979528).

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Jim Bunning Was Not Up to the Task

At the end of play on Sept. 20, 1964, the Phillies led both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds by 6.5 games.

At the end of play on Sept. 27, the Reds led the second-place Phillies by a full game.

In the span of seven days, the Phillies lost a 6.5-game lead and were never again in first place.

Jim Bunning started against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 20 at Los Angeles. It was the last important game that future United States senator Bunning would win in 1964.

Jim Bunning to the Rescue?

When Bunning made his next start, the Phillies’ lead had been whittled to 3.5 games over the Reds and to five games over the Cardinals.

Facing the Milwaukee Braves, the 18-5 Phillies’ alleged ace found himself trailing, 3-0, after six innings. Bunning was taken out after yielding three runs in six innings.

The Braves won, 5-3, as Bunning had his personal six-game winning streak snapped. The Braves’ hitting hero was Joe Torre, who drove in three runs with a pair of triples.

The Cards won a doubleheader, the Reds were idle, and the Phillies’ lead was now only three games over the Reds and 3.5 games over the surging Cardinals.

A Quality Start

Today, some consider that a quality start, which is a measurement created by sportswriter John Lowe in an attempt to evaluate the performance of starting pitchers in terms other than the traditional values of ERA and wins and losses.

When Jim Bunning allowed the Braves three earned runs in six innings, his ERA was 4.50. In 1964, a 4.50 ERA belonged to pitchers who had trouble getting outs.

Up to Bunning to Stem the Tide

On Sept. 27, the Reds were only half a game behind the Phillies. It was up to Jim Bunning to stem the tide, but all Bunning could manage was to give a performance that ensured the Phillies’ offense didn’t stand a chance.

Felipe Alou led off the game by beating out a slow ground ball to second baseman Tony Taylor. Lee Maye doubled Alou to third, and Henry Aaron drove both home with another double.

After three hitters, Bunning trailed, 2-0.

Jim settled down until the fourth inning. The Phillies put Bunning ahead by scoring one run in the first and two more in the second.

Bunning went into his windup and fired a sidearm fastball to future Hall of Famer Joe Torre. The Braves’ slow-footed catcher hit a slow grounder to the left side of the infield.

Bunning, who often finished on his hands and knees after his follow-through, couldn’t get near the dribbler. Torre beat it out for a leadoff single.

Rico Carty singled Torre to third, and Denis Menke singled Carty to third, scoring Torre to tie the game. Ty Cline doubled, pitcher Tony Cloninger singled, and Bunning was through.

In three innings, Jim Bunning faced 18 batters. He gave up 10 hits, seven earned runs, and didn’t record a strikeout. The Cincinnati Reds were in first place.

A Game the Phillies Could Not Lose

On the last day of September, the Reds and Cardinals each were 1.5 games ahead of the Phils.

Jim Bunning started on two days’ rest for the second consecutive time, this time against Curt Simmons at St. Louis. It was a game that the Phillies, who now had a nine-game losing streak, could not lose.

Simmons no-hit the Phillies until Richie Allen singled with two outs in the seventh, but the game was really over as soon as Bunning, who retired the Cardinals in order in the first, took the mound for the second inning.

Dick Groat singled, and Tim McCarver, who became the announcer many fans love to hate, hit a home run. In the third, the Cardinals scored two more runs, one of which was unearned, to lead 4-0.

Bunning couldn’t get out of the fourth inning. He gave up one-out singles to Curt Flood and Lou Brock, and manager Gene Mauch removed Bunning. The final score was 8-5.

Five runs should be enough for a team’s top pitcher. During the waning days of the 1964 season, five runs were not enough for Jim Bunning.

A Shutout

On the last day of the season, the Phillies, who ended their 10-game losing streak, trailed the Reds and Cards by one game. Jim Bunning squared off against the Reds’ John Tsitouris.

Bunning pitched a six-hit shutout as the Phillies won, 10-0.

The Phillies had caught the Reds, but their problem was that in St. Louis, the Cardinals beat the Mets to win the pennant.

Jim Bunning pitched a shutout on the last day of the season, but the damage he had done in his previous three starts made it irrelevant and, even worse, almost regretful.

References

1964 Phillies at Retrosheet

Quality Start

BRAVES TRIUMPH ON 22-HIT ATTACK: Callison Hits 3 Home Runs, but Phils Fall From Lead First Time Since July 16. (1964, Sept. 28). New York Times (1923-Current file), p. 22. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851-2006). (Document ID: 118537846).

Special to The New York Times. (1964, Oct. 1). PHILLIES DOWNED BY SIMMONS, 8 TO 5: 14-Hit Attack Sends Losers to 10th Straight Defeat—Bunning Is Routed. New York Times (1923-Current file), p. 40. Retrieved March 2, 2010, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851-2006). (Document ID: 97277528).

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Philadelphia Phillies: What If Brad Lidge Had Started Game One?

The Yankees’ manager, in his second season at the helm, was confident that his team would beat the Phillies in the World Series.

The Phillies Were a Fast, Hustling Team

“Not that I’m underestimating these Phillies. My reports show they are a fast, hustling club and they have good pitching.

In fact, I respect their pitching more than anything else and if they do beat us it will be pitching alone that will turn the trick.

But we’re going to have some pretty good pitching too, and as I figure our club much the stronger at so many other points, I feel pretty sure that we’ll win.”

The Yankees Were the Favorites

The experts agreed, citing the Yankees’ solid pitching, outstanding long-ball power, and excellent defense. Almost every player on the roster had big-game experience.

Some National League players expressed the opinion that the Dodgers would be a more formidable opponent for the Yankees, and a few experts have given the Phillies less of a chance of winning than any team since the 1914 Boston Braves, who beat Connie Mack’s “invincible” Philadelphia Athletics.

The Phillies’ Game One Starter

The day before the first game, Phillies’ manager Eddie Sawyer announced that his starting pitcher would be the man who hadn’t started a game in more than two years, and who had made 74 relief appearances for the National League champions.

It was a sudden announcement that stunned the baseball world.

“Konstanty will start the first game. The decision was made in a conference just concluded among coaches Benny Bengough, Dupsty Cook and Cy Perkins, George Earnshaw, Jack Sanford, and myself. Konstanty is starting because we thing he is the best choice.”

Robin Roberts Needed More Rest

Phillies’ ace Robin Roberts had started on Sept. 27 against the Giants in the first game of a doubleheader.

He started again the next day against the Giants in the second game of a doubleheader, and then he started on the last day of the season, Oct. 1, against the Dodgers in the game that won the pennant.

Manager Eddie Sawyer explained to reporters that “We felt that one more day of rest for Robin would make him more fit for the second game, which he will pitch.”

Brad Lidge Against Mariano Rivera

Yes, let’s compare the game that was played almost 60 years to the entertainment spectacle that is watched today.

Imagine the reaction if Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel announced that Brad Lidge would be his Game One starter, or Mariano Rivera were to start for New York.

Jim Konstanty Was a Relief Pitcher, Not a Closer

There was surprise when Jim Konstanty was picked to start Game One, but few doubted that he was up to the task of pitching nine innings.

Konstanty was not a closer. He was a relief pitcher.

On Aug. 25, Konstanty worked the final nine innings against the Pirates in a 9-7, 15-inning win.

A few weeks later, he pitched 10 innings against the Reds. In his 74 relief appearances, Konstanty pitched 152 innings, winning 16 and losing 7, with a 2.66 ERA.

Game One Start

Jim Konstanty shut out the Yankees for the first three innings of Game One, but In the fourth, Bobby Brown doubled, moved to third on a Hank Bauer fly ball to center field, and scored the game’s only run when Jerry Coleman hit a fly ball to left.

Jim Konstanty pitched eight innings before being lifted for a pinch hitter.

He allowed the single run, four hits, and four walks, but Vic Raschi pitched a two-hitter as the Yankees won, 1-0.

Yes, the game has changed.

References:

RASCHI SELECTED FOR OPENING GAME. (1950, October 3). New York Times (1857-Current file),47. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 89754416).

By JOHN DREBINGER The New York Times . (1950, October 3). Yanks Favored to Beat Phils in World Series. New York Times (1857-Current file),48. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 89754426).

By ARTHUR DALEY. (1950, October 4). Sports of The Times :Awaiting the Series. New York Times (1857-Current file),51. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 89755740).

By ROSCOE McGOWEN Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES .. (1950, October 4). PHIL MOUND CHOICE DICTATED BY LOGIC :Sawyer Explains Selection of Konstanty at Conference With His Coaches. New York Times (1857-Current file),50. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 89755728).

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Why Cliff Lee Lost His Shutout

The defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies have known for almost two months that their chances of winning the National League’s Eastern Division crown were pretty good.

When they defeated the Astros on the last day in September, they achieved the first step necessary to repeat as the best team in baseball.

Cliff Lee, Not Cole Hamels, Starts the Opener

In a move that should not have been surprising to anyone who has followed the Phillies this season; manager Charlie Manuel picked Cliff Lee to start the opening game of the first playoff round against Jim Tracy’s Rockies.

Cole Hamels had an inconsistent season, and although Lee, who had a great start after being acquired from the Indians, had also been a little inconsistent in his last few starts, opening with Lee was a good move.

Where is the Lead Off Batter?

Cliff Lee warmed up in the bullpen for his first playoff start during the pregame ceremonies. Satisfied with his work, Lee went to the mound to start the game, but there was a problem.

After throwing his eight warm-up pitches, Cliff didn’t see lead off batter Dexter Fowler get into the batters’ box. He did see the home plate umpire holding up play because the television people weren’t ready.

Lee was a little upset, but he wasn’t about to let it affect his pitching.

Playoff Baseball

Despite some denials, playoff baseball is different from most regular season games, as Lee quickly discovered. After his complete game win, he spoke to reporters.

“I knew there was going to be a little bit more adrenaline, but for the most part, I tried to treat it like a normal game.”

Shane Victorino’s Explanation

Shane Victorino said that the Phillies prepared for the playoffs after they clinched the division. Winning the last few games was not the primary concern. Doing what was necessary to play effective playoff baseball was the goal.

“It’s a different atmosphere, but that’s not saying that it’s easy to turn that switch on.

I think once we clinched, I think some guys went out there and worked on some things—I know I did—at the plate. Kind of saying, OK, what was I doing wrong?

Not saying that the numbers didn’t matter, they do, but ultimately we’ve clinched, hey, now let’s try to get ourselves prepared for the post season.”

Lee’s Rhythm is Broken

The Phillies won by four runs, but the way Lee pitched, it was an insurmountable margin.

With two outs in the ninth inning, leading 5-0, Lee took a breath to observe the fans who were shouting, “Let’s Go Lee!”

He broke his own rhythm, and later admitted that might have cost him the shutout.

Dexter Fowler led off the ninth by hitting a fly ball to Jason Werth for the first out.

Carlos Gonzalez singled, but Raul Ibanez caught Todd Helton’s fly ball for the second out.

After his brief pause to savor the moment, Lee delivered a wild pitch to Troy Tulowitski, moving Gonzalez to second. Troy then doubled Carlos home with the only run the Rockies would score.

Lee took a few deep breaths as Garret Atkins stepped into the box. The count went to one ball and two strikes. Lee checked Tulowitzki, fired home, and the game was over.

Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels starts the second game. If he can come close to repeating last year’s performance in October, the Phillies will be a force once again, a fact that may really be of great concern to the Minnesota Twins.

Reference:

Murphy, David. “Lee strong to the finish in Phillies’ Game 1 win over Rockies.” Philadelphia Daily News. 8 October 8, 2009.

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The Philles-Dodgers Fight and Casey Stengel’s “War Dance”

At the beginning of August, 1934, the Brooklyn Dodgers were struggling to pass the Phillies for sixth place. The Phillies beat the Dodgers at Ebbets field in the first of a three-game set, and Brooklyn returned the favor the next day.

The rubber-game winner would be in sole position of sixth place, but the game was significant because it illustrated the attitudes that no longer exist.

Dick Bartell’s Hard Slide into Second

Lonny Frey was Brooklyn’s shortstop, and Dick Bartell was his Phillies’ counterpart. Earlier in the season, Bartell slid hard into Frey, attempting to break up a double play.

The Dodgers’ were not pleased by Bartell’s actions and in this particular game, the simmering aggression was finally released.

Brooklyn Runners Went After Dick Bartell

Brooklyn base runners slid hard into second base any time Bartell had to cover second. It was easily discerned that the Dodgers’ were going for the Phillies’ captain.

After six innings, Brooklyn was clinging to a 3-2 lead. Phillies’ pitcher Sylvester Johnson had not given up a hit since the third inning, which rankled Dodgers’ skipper Casey Stengel.

He ordered his hitters to bunt, which forced the defensively challenged Phillies’ to implode.

Joe Stripp and Buzz Boyle bunted safely, but the Phllies made three wild throws, the most critical by playing manager and catcher Jimmy Wilson, who threw wildly to first base. When the dust cleared, Brooklyn had scored three runs for a 6-2 lead.

Otto Miller Taunted Jimmy Wilson

Brooklyn coach Otto Miller taunted Wilson and challenged him to a fight after the game, as the Phillies rallied for three runs in the eighth, to make it a one-run game.

Brooklyn answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Phillies tied the game in the top of the ninth. Al Lopez led off Brooklyn’s ninth with a home run to win the game.

The Fight

As the teams walked off, Jimmy Wilson and Otto Miller confronted each other in the runway leading to the locker rooms. The two really went at it, exchanging blows until cooler heads prevailed.

Neither was hurt, as is usually the case with baseball fights. But the bad feelings between the teams persisted.

Bartell Was Beaned

A little more than a week later, Brooklyn visited Philadelphia.

In the third inning, Brooklyn knuckleballer Dutch Leonard hit Dick Bartell in the back of the head. Bartell was knocked out. He went to the dugout for treatment and continued.

The Phillies, aware that knuckle ball pitchers didn’t know where the ball was going, didn’t think that Leonard threw at Bartell.

Wilson’s Explanation

Brooklyn won, 5-3, and after the game, Jimmy Wilson addressed the fight with Otto Miller.

“I criticized Miller for his manner of sending youngsters like Frey down to second base. I told him it would result only in injury to them.”

Philadelphia Pay Back

The next day, Philadelphia enjoyed pay back.

Brooklyn scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning off Phillies’ pitcher Chief Euel Moore, a right-handed Chickasaw from Tishomingo, OK, to lead 5-4.

Brooklyn loaded the bases on a single and two safe bunts. Sam Leslie singled to put Brooklyn ahead, but not for good.

Casey Stengel’s Dance

Casey Stengel might have helped Brooklyn’s rally.

When Phillies’ pitcher Chief Euel Moore entered the game, Casey Stengel, it was written in the New York Times,

“…created considerable merriment and annoyed Chief Moore no little during the fifth and ninth innings by doing his own interpretation of an Indian war dance up and down the third base coaching box.”

It was a different game and a very different society in 1934.

Fighting was more accepted than today, the players didn’t all belong to the same union, bench-jockeying was part of the game, and almost anything that would help win was accepted,

Actions that are unacceptable today were viewed differently, especially in the context of trying to upset an opponent in order to throw him off his game.

Jimmy Wilson’s Winning Strategy

In the bottom of the ninth, nemesis Dick Bartell singled to right and moved to second on Lou Chiozza’s single.

The runners moved to second and third on a Johnny Babich wild pitch. Andy HIgh walked to load the bases and left-handed hitter Johnny Moore was announced as a pinch-hitter for the recently acquired Hack Wilson, who hit from the right side.

Casey Stengel countered by bringing in left-hander Watty Clark, which prompted Jimmy Wilson to send himself in to hit for Moore.

Clark made a wild pitch, which scored Bartell with the tying run, and with the infield in, Wilson hit a ground ball that managed to get through for the game-winning hit.

 

References

By ROSCOE McGOWEN.. (1934, August 3). DODGERS TRIUMPH ON LOPEZ’S HOMER :Drive in Ninth Stops Phils, 8-7, and Moves Brooklyn Into Sixth Place. FIST FIGHT AFTER GAME Manager Wilson and Coach Miller Battle as Climax to a Long Ill-Feeling. . New York Times (1857-Current file),21. Retrieved July 13, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 95053209).

By ROSCOE McGOWEN.Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. (1934, August 11). LEONARD, DODGERS, SUBDUES PHILS, 5-3. New York Times (1857-Current file),8. Retrieved July 13, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 95490622).

By ROSCOE McGOWEN.Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. (1934, August 12). DODGERS DEFEATED BY PHILS IN NINTH :Two Wild Pitches and Pinch Single by Manager Wilson Down Brooklyn, 6 to 5 . New York Times (1857-Current file),S4. Retrieved July 13, 2009, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 – 2006). (Document ID: 95053945).

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