69 METS TAKE GAMES 2 AND 3 TO WIN SERIES AT SHEA STADIUM

Game 1

1975 CIN 10 1969 NYN 3

It is all Reds in this one as Ken Griffey (Sr.) leads the way with a 4 for 5 night, including a double and 3 runs scored. Joe Morgan goes 2 for 3 with a double and 2 walks. The Reds lineup is incredible with the first SIX batters being Hall of Famers or guys who arguably should be in the HOF or close:

Griffey, Morgan, Rose, Foster, Bench and Tony Perez

Jack Billingham pitched a solid 8 innings for the win, allowing only 2 earned runs and 5 hits, as he is now 1-0 on the season. Gary Gentry did not have it today, giving up 9 runs in 4 1/3 while walking four. He is now 0-2 on the season. Tony Perez hit his 2d HR of the year for the Reds.

Game 2

1969 NYN 5 1975 CIN 4 (12 innings)

An instant classic as the Mets win a thriller in the bottom of the 12th when Art Shamsky hit a two out solo HR to RF off lefty reliever Wil McEnaney to win it for the Mets. Shamsky came in to the game as a pinch hitter in the 7th and went 2 for 3.

The Mets took an early 2-0 lead on RBI singles by Donn Clendenon and Tommie Agee off Reds starter Fred Norman. Cincy stormed back with a 4 run third to take the lead, as they sent 10 batters to the plate. Joe Morgan, Dan Driessen, Pete Rose and Cesar Geronimo drove in the runs, against Mets

starter Jim McAndrew.  The Mets came back to tie it in the 4th. Ken Boswell's ground out made it 4-3 and then a wild pitch by Norman allowed McAndrew to come home from third with the tying run.  The game stayed tied into extra innings as Mets relievers Ron Taylor and Nolan Ryan shut down the Reds (combined 4 1/3, 2 H, 0 R) while Cincy relievers Pedro Borbon, Rawly Eastwick and Clay Carroll combined for 5 innings of 1 hit shutout ball.  McEnaney (0-1) took the loss. Tug McGraw (1-0) pitched a scoreless 12th to get the win for the Mets as they even the series.

Game 3

1969 NYN 3 1975 CIN 2

Another great game as the Mets again rally to win it, this time with 3 in the 7th. Trailing 2-0 against Reds starter and loser Gary Nolan (1-2, 3.32), the Mets send 7 batters to the plate in the 7th. The rally started with 2out and no one on base. Jerry Grote started things with a single to center. Bud Harrelson then lined a single in the hole between 1st and second sending

Grote to 3d. With Mets starter and eventual winner Tom Seaver (1-2, 5.87) due up, Manager Raylesberg called on Rod Gaspar to pinch hit. Gaspar came through - big time - as he lined one down the left field line for a triple as Grote and Harrelson raced home to tie the game! Up came Tommie Agee and he came through with a liner over third for a single, scoring Gaspar and

giving the Mets the lead! 

Tug McGraw came on in relief and held the Reds scoreless for 1 2/3 before getting into trouble in the 9th. With 2 out and no one on, pinch hitter Doug Flynn drew a walk. Dave Concepcion then doubled down the right field line. And suddenly the Reds had 2d and 3d with 2 out with the tying run at 3rd and the go ahead run at second. McGraw appeared to be tiring so Raylesberg went to the pen again and brought in lefty Jack DiLauro to face the lefty swinging Griffey DiLauro came through as he got Griffey to ground out to second and secure the win, with his first save of the season.

The Mets are now 4-5, in a three team tie for second in the Federal Division

of the National League. Next, the Amazins will play the division leading

1977 Philadelphia Phillies in a big series at Shea. The Reds are also 4-5,

in that three way tie as they will next host the 69 Cubs (last in the

Federal Division with a 3-6 record).

--submitted by Alan Raylesburg--

80-KCR takes 2 of 3 from 05-CHW

The 2005 Chicago White Sox came to visit the 1980 Kansas City Royals. Paul Splittorff took the hill versus Jose Contreras. The Royals scored two runs in the bottom of the first on two walks and two errors. The Sox came back in the top of the second and tied the score. In the bottom of the fifth, the Royals put four more runs on the board, with two walks an error and two hits. The Sox in total committed four errors allowing four unearned runs and that was the story. KCR9-CWS3

Game two was thrown to the relievers as both starters were ineffective. Cliff Politte picked up the win and Dustin Hermanson got the save with a final shutout two innings pitched. Dan Quisenberry was not hard to solve again as he took his second loss while raising his ERA to 5.40. Carl Everett went 2-5 with a home run and 2 RBI. AJ Pierzynski was 3-4 and scored two runs. Scott Podsednik went 3-5 and stole two bags. For the Royals Brett went 3-4 with 2 RBI. CWS6-KCR5

The finale had both starters throwing well into the 7th inning. Dennis Leonard for Kansas City pitched 8 total innings allowing 3 hits and 1 earned run. Dan Quisenberry pitched the ninth picking up his third save. For the ChiSox, Mark Buhle pitched very well until he ran out of gas in the four run seventh inning. Buhrle took his third defeat.

--submitted by O--

Streaking '74 Dodgers take 2 of 3 from '77 Phightin's at the Vet

The Vet
GAME 1
Rau vs Lonborg
74-LAD 5, 77-PHI 2

Lefty Doug Rau braves the elements (81degrees/Light Rain) and the stacked Philly lineup to post a complete game win.  Raul threw 147 pitches (was anyone really counting back then?) and gave up 2 runs to complete the circuit.  Billy Bucks (3-5) knocked in 4 of LA's 5 runs.  Philly starter Jim Lonborg was a victim of 2 errors and gave up just 1 earned run (of 4).

GAME 2
John vs Carlton
77-PHI 10, 74-LAD 5

Neither lefty ace was in rare form.  Carlton braved it out and went the distance while giving up 5.  John gave up 8 and didn't make it out of the 6th.  Every Phightin' had at least one hit.  Catcher Bob Boone (2-4) knocked in 2, as did the Bull.  The Penguin knocked in 3 for the visitors, who were easily doubled up by Philly.

GAME 3

Messersmith vs Kaat
74-LAD 6, 77-PHI 5

A five run fifth turned a 2-0 Philly lead into a 5-2 LA lead.  Bake McBride's solo shot in the top of the 7th made it 5-3.  The "Toy Canon's" one out RBI single scored Buckner, who singled and stole second.  With Philly scoring 2 in the bottom of the 8th off reliever Mike Marshall, LA's insurance run in the top of the inning was the difference maker.  Billy Bucks (.426) continued his hot hitting (3-4).  Andy Messersmith (1-1, 3.04) wiggled his way in and out of trouble to get the win.  Marshall posted the save even though he made it interesting by giving up 2 runs in the 8th.  In the 9th he almost blew it by yielding consecutive 2 out singles to McBride and Maddox before Buckner bailed him out with a leaping catch at the wall off "the Bull".

O's Sweep Halos As Phoebus Bests Ryan with No-hitter!

Game 1
Anaheim Stadium
McNally Vs Hartzell
Baltimore 3 Angels 2

Paul Hartzell comes on strong in the opener shutting out the Orioles hitters for 8 innings as the Angels built a 2-0 lead on an RBI single from Dave Chalk in the 3rd and a sac fly by Jerry Remy in the 7th.  Heading into the top of the ninth Dave LaRouche came on for the Angels for the save, instead Baltimore rallied to tie the game on RBI hits by Dave Johnson and Merv Rettenmund while Moe Drabowsky held the Angels scoreless in the 8th and 9th.  In the 10th LaRouche was touched for a solo Home Run by Baltimore backup catcher Elrod Hendricks to put Baltimore ahead for the first time all night, 3-2.  Baltimore closer Pete Richert comes in for a 1-2-3 10th to earn the save.

Game 2
Anaheim Stadium
Phoebus Vs Ryan
Baltimore 1 Angels 0

There is never a better chance to see a no-hitter than when the Angels Nolan Ryan is on the mound.  But on this day, despite and outstanding effort from Ryan, it would be Baltimore's number 4 starter Tom Phoebus who would toss the no-no. Ryan and Phoebus would combine for 15 strikeouts on the day (Ryan had 9, including 5 in the first two innings).  Ryan gave up only 6 hits and 1 run, but Phoebus would yield 2 walks and a HBP while facing only 28 Angel hitters on the day.  Brooks Robinson would break up this classic pitching duel with a lead off triple in the top of the 7th for Baltimore.  and Etchebarren would ground out to Ryan before one of the most unlikely Baltimore hitters, Mark Belanger would drive a Ryan 1-2 pitch to right centerfield for the sac fly that would be the difference in this one.    On the day, Phoebus did not allow a single Angel past first base as one of the walks and a runner who reached on an error were cut down trying to steal.  I would have to say this was the best overall pitched game by both starters I have ever seen in KOD and so the Angels tough luck start to the KOD season continued for another day.
Game13
Anaheim Stadium
Cuellar Vs Brett
Baltimore 10 Angels 4

The Angels broke out early in this one as Cuellar was touched for 3 runs in the bottom of the second on 3 singles, a walk and a balk.  In the early part of the game Ken Brett looked much like his teammates in the previous two games, darn near un-hittable giving up only a single hit through 3 innings.  In the 4th Merv Rettenmund drove in Dave Johnson and Brooks Robinson with a 3 run HR of his own.  As Cuellar settled down and held California scoreless, another three run shot, this time by Boog Powell in the 6th would put Baltimore up for good at 6-3 in the 6th. In the 7th rank Robinson joined in with another three run HR to put the O's up 10 before this one would end in a 10-4 Baltimore victory.  Somewhere Earl Weaver had a smile on his face watching the series of 3 run home runs.

This was a series that was, despite the last score, very, very tight.  Alot of timely good fortune for the O's resulted in us winning the first two. The rest of the league better be forewarned, the Angels will be back and looking to take their vengeance out on someone.....please make it the Yankees! :-)

Mark

"Blue Jay Way"...'85-TOR sweeps '98-NYY

New York 3 Toronto 6

LP-David Wells , WP-Doyle Alexander, MVP-George Bell

Toronto finally reminded David Wells he really was a Blue Jay at one time. In the 4th inning David Wells pitched batting practice as Tony Fernandez singles, Garth Iorg up next singles, next up Jesse Barfield singles loading the bases for George Bell who triples. Later with one out Garcia grounds out but George Bell scores and the Jays are up 4-0. In the 5th David Wells floats one to Jeff Burroughs who sends it 392 feet over the left centre fence. Buck Martinez also gets a floater ball and it goes 341 feet over the right field fence. Blue Jays lead 6-0. In the 7th the Yankees start to play as Darryl Strawberry leads off with a double down the right field line.Tino Martinez singles advancing Strawberry to 3rd. Brosius grounds out to Alexander and Martinez advances to 2nd. Giradi is then walked to intentionally load the bases. Knoblauch singles scoring both Strawberry and Martinez. In the 8th the Yankees claw a little closer when O'Neil hits a solo home run 380 feet in right center. Doyle Alexander then shuts the door only allowing a single over the next two innings. George Bell was 1 for 4 but had 3 RBIs.

New York 5 Toronto 8

LP - Irabu, WP - Jimmy Key, MVP - George Bell

Davis opens the scoring for the Yankees in the 2nd as lead off batter Davis hits a 226 foot blast over left field line. Willie Upshaw ties it in the bottom with a 372 foot shot over the right field line. In the 3rd the Yankees regain the lead as Jeter walked, Knoblach singles and WIlliams flied to left advancing Jeter to third. O Neils singled scoring Jeter. Yankees ahead 2-1. That was short lived with 2 out in the bottom of the 3rd Rance Mulliniks singled between 1st and 2nd and then Jesse Barfield sent one 383 feet over left center. In the 6th Barfiled singled and the Yankees brought in Stanton who gave up a 386 foot blast by George Bell. The Yankees never give up and in the 7th when Brosius, Posada and Jeter singles with Brosius scoring on the Jeter single. Blue Jays up 5-3. The Jays Fernandez leads off with a walk the Yankees turn to Holmes. Fernandez steals 2nd, Al Oliver is walked but is forced at 2nd when Garcia grounds to 2nd but Gracia guts it out beating the relay. Mulliniks doubles off the left field wall scoring both Fernandez and Garcia. With 2 out George Bell singles scoring Mulliniks. Jays up 8-3. The Yanlees would add a run in the 8th which was Key's last inning and another in the 9th off of Bill Caudill but the Jays would go onto win. George Bell was once again Game MVP went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs and a HR

New York 1 Toronto 4

LP - Pettitte, WP - Clancy, MVP - Jim Clancy

Thorough out the 1st four innings this was a pitching duel. and Pettitte had not allowed a single hit. But with 2 out Fernandez doubled to right center and Iorg singled to right and Fernandez scored. The Yankees came back in the 5th when Brosius doubled to left,and Giradi sacrificed a bunt to move him to 3rd. Curtis with the sacrifice to left center tied the game at 1. George Bell lead the bottom of the 4th with a walk and later Buck Martinez homered 380 feet to left center. The Jays were up 3-1. In the 6th Iorg doubled off the wall in center, Moseby singled to right center with Iorg scoring. The Blue Jays went onto win 4-1. Jim Clancy went the distance allowing 4 hits, 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. The Blue Jays sweep the Yankees and as Marvin stated we need to get on a roll as they Yankees have been swept twice now and it could be a long season. The Yankees will have their chance for retribution when the two teams meet starting Sept 15 in Yankee Stadium.

 

--submitted by Chiz--

Don Gullett needs a facelift...

The 1975 SSPC card of Don Gullett that we are using in our PlayerPhoto pack in KOD25 looks like someone took a picture of a scared teenager with one of those old 110 Instamatic cameras (remember those) ?  Well we can't let the ace of the Reds staff go through our season not looking the part, so an upgrade was in order.  On the left we have exhibit "A".  The original.  On the right is exhibit "B", the updated photo that looks more like the lefty who dominated in the mid 70's.

To add it to your league file:  Right click on the photo and save it where you have your KOD25 PlayerPhotos stored.  It will appear in the game the next time you play either the '75 or '76 Big Red Machine...or every time if you are Bill Schneider or Larry Reeves.