RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 3/16/2007 3:56:13 PM

motnahp

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Clay Kirby allowed only four singles as the Reds shut out the Pirates 8-0. Kirby struck out nine and walked three. Johnny Bench swatted a pair of two-run homers to lead a 13-hit attack. Joe Morgan had four hits and Cesar Geronimo added three. The Pirates' John Candelaria allowed 8 hits and five earned runs in 2 2/3 innings. The Pirates hope to even the series in Game Four, sending Jerry Reuss (14-4, 2.36) against the Reds' Fred Norman (10-12, 3.76).

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 3/16/2007 4:08:32 PM

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The Pittsburgh Pirates pounded out 16 hits, as the Bucs evened the series with the Reds 2-2 with a 10-6 victory. Willie Stargell homered twice and drove in three. Al Oliver and Dave Parker had three hits. Richie Zisk added a two-run homer. Tony Perez homered for the Reds. Game One starters Ken Brett and Gary Nolan will take the mound again in Game Five.

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Post #: 62

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 3/16/2007 4:19:13 PM

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The Cincinnati Reds broke open a 1-1 game in the bottom of the sixth with four runs and beat Pittsburgh 5-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. The Reds scored on a bases-loaded walk to George Foster, and RBI single by Merv Rettenmund, a sacrifice fly by Cesar Geronimo, and finally an RBI single by Pete Rose. Gary Nolan allowed only one run in six innings. Jack Billingham pitched the final three innings for the save.

The series shifts back to Pittsburgh for Game Six. The Reds will try to close it out with Don Gullett, opposed by the Pirates' Dock Ellis.

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Post #: 63

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 3/16/2007 4:33:21 PM

motnahp

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The Cincinnati Reds won the title with a 4-1 victory in Game Six. Don Gullett pitched six scoreless innings. Will McEnaney and Rawly Eastwick finished up on the mound. The Reds opened the scoring in the first on Tony Perez' RBI double. They increased the lead to 3-0 in the fourth, when Joe Morgan drove in two with his own double. Richie Hebner's solo homer off McEnaney in the bottom of the seventh brought Pittsburgh to within 3-1. Johnny Bench blasted a solo shot in the eighth to make it 4-1.

Cincinnati's Gary Nolan won the Cy Young, while the Mets' Dave Kingman took MVP.

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Post #: 64

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/12/2007 9:05:02 PM

motnahp

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Through the All-Star Break of 1976 and the beginning of (no) free agency:

The Phillies lead the NL East at 50-36, one game better than both Pittsburgh and the Mets.
In the West, Cincinnati has opened up a 12 game lead on the Giants. The Reds are 57-32.

Montreal's Jose Morales leads in batting at .342. LA's Bill Buckner is second at .330. Dave Kingman leads in both HR and RBI with 26/61. He is 10 homers up on the rest of the league. Pittsburgh's Richie Zisk has 60 RBI.

Cincy's Fred Norman leads in ERA with 1.41 (9-2), followed by Houston's Ken Forsch (1.68, 6-1) and Pittsbutgh's Doc Medich (1.70, 6-4). Philly's Wayne Twitchell paces the league with 11 wins (11-4, 3.03), followed by the Mets' reliever Hank Webb (10-6, 3.96), the Cardinals' Pete Falcone (10-4, 3.27) and Pittsburgh's Jerry Reuss (10-3, 2.80). The Mets' Tom Seaver leads in strikeouts with 104, followed by LA's Don Sutton with 92. The Giants' John Montefusco and Reds' Gary Nolan both have 91.

One odd fact: The first team to "keep" a free agent is the Dodgers with Andy Messersmith. It has not helped LA, as they are 35-53 and in last place in the West. Andy himself is struggling along at 3-8, with a 3.81 ERA.

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Post #: 65

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/13/2007 6:03:19 PM

motnahp

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1976 regular season complete:

NL EAST_______W___L___GB__________NL WEST________W___L___GB_____________
PITT__________96__66__---___________CINN___________101__61__---____________
PHA__________95__67___1____________SF_____________84___78__17____________
NYM__________87__75___9____________HOU___________80___82__21_____________
MONT________86__76___10___________ SD_____________73___89__28____________
STL__________79__83___17___________LA_____________66___96__35_____________
CHC_________69__93___27___________ATL_____________56__106__45____________

The Expos' Jose Morales took the batting title at .328. The Mets' Ed Kranepool was second with .320. Dave Kingman took both the HR and RBI crowns with 42/109. Joe Morgan was well back with 25 HR. The Cubs' Rick Monday had 103 RBI.

Cubs' pitcher Steve Stone won the ERA title with 1.98 (7-7). Cincinnati's Fred Norman finished at an even 2.00 (14-5), while Atlanta's Dick Ruthven was at 2.09 (7-13). Montreal's Steve Rogers (18-9, 2.43) and St. Louis' Bill Greif (18-8, 2.86) tied for the lead in victories. Cincy's Gary Nolan (17-10, 2.64) and Pittsburgh's Jerry Reuss (17-5, 2.44) were close behind. The Mets' Tom Seaver finished atop the K pile with 190. Montreal's Dan Warthen was second with 180.

In the NL East, Philadelphia held a 2-game lead over Pittsburgh headed into the season's final weekend. The season wrapped up with the Phillies visiting the Pirates for a three-game series. The Pirates took the first two games by 2-1 scores, the second one on Richie Zisk's two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth off Tug McGraw. That blast brought the teams even with one game remaining. Pittsburgh's Doc Medich twirled a 4-hit shutout to clinch the division for the Pirates with a 5-0 win.

In Game One, Pittsburgh's John Candelaria (12-10, 3.37) is opposed by Cincinnati's Gary Nolan (17-10, 2.64).

< Message edited by motnahp -- 4/13/2007 6:15:25 PM >

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Post #: 66

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/13/2007 6:28:13 PM

motnahp

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Game One goes to the Reds in dramatic fashion, 4-3. Pete Rose singled in the winning run with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Pittsburgh had taken a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth on Al Oliver's RBI double. Kent Tekulve could not hold the lead, as the Reds loaded the bases with no outs. Joe Morgan's sac-fly tied the score, before Rose won it.

It will be Jerry reuss (17-5, 2.44) facing off against Pat Zachry (11-9, 3.68) in Game Two.

< Message edited by motnahp -- 4/13/2007 6:38:29 PM >

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/13/2007 6:41:58 PM

motnahp

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The Reds are up two games to none following a 7-4 victory in Game Two. George Foster's grand slam capped a 5-run second inning. Pittsburgh tallied four runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 5-4. The Reds added the final two runs in the sixth on Joe Morgan's RBI single and a Larry Demery wild pitch.

The teams travel to Pittsburgh for Game Three. Don Gullett (11-7, 2.55) takes the mound for Cincinnati against the Pirates' Bruce Kison (13-8, 3.20).

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/13/2007 7:10:08 PM

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Bob Robertson smacked a two-run pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the 8th to give the Pirates a come-from-behind 5-4 victory in Game Three. The Reds led 4-0 until Dave Parker's three-run homer in the sixth. Robertson's blast off of Will McEnaney gave Bob Moose the win in relief. Kent Tekulve picked up the save.

Cincinnati sends Fred Norman (14-5, 2.00) to the mound in Game Four. The Pirates counter with Doc Medich (14-9, 2.19).

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Post #: 69

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/13/2007 7:21:13 PM

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Bill Robinson homered twice and drove in five runs as Pittsburgh defeated Cincinnati 7-3 to even the series at two games apiece. Robinson's two-run double in the bottom of the fourth broke a 2-2 tie. He added a two-run homer in the sixth and a solo homer in the eighth.

Game One starters John Candelaria and Gary Nolan will go to the mound in Game Five.

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Post #: 70

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/13/2007 7:34:22 PM

motnahp

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Richie Zisk's RBI single in the bottom of the tenth gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 6-5 win and put the Pirates up three games to two in the series. Pittsburgh got out to a 5-0 lead with a two-run triple by Frank Taveras in the second and a bases-loaded triple by Willie Stargell in the fifth. The Reds trailed 5-2 entering the ninth, but scored three times off of Pirate closer Kent Tekulve on a pinch-hit double by Joel Youngblood, followed by RBI singles from Pete Rose and George Foster.

The teams travel back to Cincinnati, where Jerry Reuss and Pat Zachry will take the mound in Game Six.

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/13/2007 7:44:24 PM

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Cincinnati's Dave Concepcion homered and drove in three runs as the Reds forced the series to a seventh game with a 5-3 victory in Game Six. Concepcion's two-run homer in the sixth gave the Reds a 5-1. Rawly Eastwick shut down the Bucs in the 9th for the save.

Don Gullett and Bruce Kison face off in Game Seven.

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Post #: 72

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/13/2007 11:08:49 PM

motnahp

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The Cincinnati Reds captured their second straight title with a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game Seven. Willie Stargell opened the scoring for the Bucs with a two-run triple in the first. Pete Rose cut the lead in half with an RBI single in the third. Pitcher Don Gullett helped his cause with a game-tying single in the fourth. Cesar Geronimo put the Reds up 4-2 with a two-run double in the seventh. The Pirates cut the lead to one with a Dave Parker RBI single in the eighth. Rawly Eastwick retired the first two Pirates in the ninth before getting into trouble. He faced Stargell with runners on second and third, before inducing Stargell to ground out and end the series.

Montreal's Steve Rogers (18-9, 2.43) captured the Cy Young Award. Cincinnati's Joe Morgan took home MVP honors. Morgan batted .302, with 25 HR and 93 RBI. He also stole 30 bases and scored 103 runs.

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Post #: 73

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 4/26/2007 10:43:13 PM

motnahp

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Through the All-Star Break of 1977:

The Montreal Expos jumped quickly out of the gate and led the NL East into June, but have since faded. The Phillies lead with a record of 57-31, 4 1/2 games ahead of Pittsburgh. Montreal is third, 7 GB, and St. Louis sits fourth, at .500 and 13 GB.

In the West, the Dodgers have led all the way, and currently sit at 51-37, six games ahead of the Reds. All others are under .500.

The Cardinals' Ted Simmons is off to a great start, leading the league in hitting at .368, a full forty points ahead of the Dodgers' Reggie Smith. Ron Cey of the Dodgers leads with 24 HR, followed by Willie Stargell and Reggie Smith with 23 apiece. Philly's Mike Schmidt has 72 RBI, followed by Stargell's 69.

Pittsburgh's Jerry Reuss heads the ERA list with 1.91 (8-3). The Giants' John Montefusco is second at 2.34 (also 8-3). Pete Falcone of St. Louis leads in wins at 11-7 (3.80), followed by Philly's Larry Christenson at 10-3 (2.87). Several others have 9 wins. Montefusco leads in Ks with 110. The Braves' Phil Niekro has 104.

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 5/4/2007 8:18:53 PM

motnahp

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1977 regular season compete, and it provided one of the best pennant races I've enjoyed. The Phillies led most of the way and took the East. On September 19, with two weeks remaining in the season, there was a three-way tie in the West. LA, Houston, and Cincinnati were all 78-71. The Giants were two back. Going into the final weekend, Houston had assumed the lead, with LA two back, SF three back, and the Reds eliminated and 5 back. Houston hosted SF and the Dodgers traveled to Cincy. Both Houston and LA won their Friday night games, with the Houston win eliminating the Giants. On Saturday, the Giants bested Houston 6-4 in 10 innings, while the Dodgers squeaked out a 2-1 win over the Reds. Entering the last day, Houston held a one-game lead over LA. The Giants played spoiler in the Astrodome, topping Houston 2-1. LA, knowing they must win to tie, used a combined three-hitter from Burt Hooton, Charlie Hough, and Elias Sosa to blank the Reds 1-0. LA went 13-5 against Houston during the season and was awarded first place.

EAST
PHA 100-62
MON 94-68
PIT 86-76
STL 81-81
CHC 77-85
NYM 70-92

WEST
LA 86-76
HOU 86-76
SF 84-78
CIN 80-82
ATL 66-96
SD 62-100

Ted Simmons could not keep up his first-half pace, but still won the batting title at .335. Reggie Smith and Bill Madlock followed at .307 and .306, respectively. Reggie captured the home run crown with 41, three better than George Foster and five better than Willie Stargell. Mike Schmidt topped the league in RBI with 123. Foster had 114 and Simmons 111.

Andy Messersmith had the lowest ERA at 2.16 (9-6). Jerry Reuss had 2.23 (15-7) and Jerry Koosman ended up at 2.46 (11-13). San Diego's Randy Jones led the league in wins at 17-5 (2.85). Four pitchers had 16: Randy Lerch (16-5, 3.13), Wayne Twitchell (16-6, 3.33), Pete Falcone (16-16, 3.63), and Don Sutton (16-4, 3.28). The Giants' John Montefusco led the league in strikeouts with 184. Phil Niekro had 174 and J.R. Richard had 172.

It will be LA vs Philly in the postseason, mirroring real life.

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 5/4/2007 8:33:05 PM

motnahp

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Game One: Messersmith (9-6, 2.16) against Christensen (15-9, 2.94).

Mike Schmidt broke a 1-1 tie when he smacked a three-run homer in the fifth inning. Greg Luzinski followed with a solo shot, increasing the Philly lead to 5-1. Reggie Smith's solo shot in the 8th accounted for the final run in the Phillies' 5-2 win over the Dodgers.

Game Two has LA's Don Sutton (16-4, 3.28) opposing Philly's Steve Carlton (14-3, 2.57).

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 5/4/2007 8:46:44 PM

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The LA Dodgers scored four times in the eighth inning and took Game Two 4-2. Philly went up 2-0 on a Bake McBride solo homer and a pinch-hit RBI double by Bob Boone. Steve Carlton held LA scoreless through seven innings. Reliever Dan Warthen allowed an RBI single by Dusty Baker and a two-run triple by Steve Yeager. Ron Reed came on and allowed an RBI single by Reggie Smith. Warthen allowed four runs, three earned, and took the loss.

Following an off-day, the teams travel to the west coast for Game Three. It will be Randy Lerch (16-5, 3.13) for the Phillies against the Dodgers' Rick Rhoden (12-7, 3.08).

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 5/20/2007 4:13:08 PM

motnahp

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Wow, the weather on the west coast has never been worse. Tsunamis (travel league baseball), earthquakes (Tiger Woods EA golf game), wildfires (fishing with my son), and the like, have delayed the series. Has it really been over two weeks?

I'll try to get things back up and running in a few days, but a recent power outage in California (Statis-Pro Football for Windows) has meant additional delays. Watching the Falcons and Patriots go at it on Saturday in Fenway has re-kindled my interest in the game. Scores of 13-3 and 14-0? What's up with that?

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Post #: 78

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 5/21/2007 4:45:29 AM

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Dave Johnson collected three hits and drove in three runs to support pitcher Randy Lerch as the Phillies took Game Three 7-1. Lerch allowed only one unearned run in 7 2/3 innings. Dodger pitchers walked eight men, including five by losing pitcher Rick Rhoden, who allowed five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. Dave Cash added two RBI for the Phils on a single and a bases-loaded walk.

It will be Jim Kaat (14-7, 3.11) and Burt Hooton (13-11, 2.95) taking the mound in Game Four.

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 5/21/2007 5:00:45 AM

motnahp

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Bake McBride homered on the game's first pitch, setting the tone for a 20-hit Philly attack and a 14-1 rout of LA in Game Four. Mike Schmidt and Tim McCarver added three-run homers. Dave Cash had four hits. Every Phillie starter, including pitcher Jim Kaat, had at least one hit. Kaat helped his own cause with an RBI single, while allowing only one earned run in 7 2/3 innings. LA starter Burt Hooton lasted only 3 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs.

With the Phillies looking to clinch the title, Game One starters Christensen and Messersmith take the mound.

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Post #: 80

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 5/21/2007 5:17:32 AM

motnahp

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The Philadelphia Phillies capped a great season with their first title, shutting out the Dodgers 3-0 in Game Five. Larry Christensen, Ron Reed, and Tug McGraw combined to stifle LA, holding them to two hits while striking out seven.

A brief look at some of the series averages:

PHA: Maddox .474.....Cash .429.....Johnson .389.....Luzinski .368.....McBride .348.....Schmidt .333

LA: Monday .067.....Russell .077.....Garvey .111

For the league awards, LA's Reggie Smith (.307, 41, 105) took the MVP honors, while Pittsburgh's Jerry Reuss (15-7, 2.23) won the Cy Young Award.

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/1/2007 9:16:17 PM

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Through the All-Star Break of 1978:

NL_EAST_____W_____L_____GB
PITT________58_____28____---
PHA ________55_____33_____4
MONT_______46_____42_____13
STL_________43_____45_____16
CHC________40_____47_____18 1/2
NYM________35_____53_____24

NL_WEST____W_____L_____GB
LA_________56_____32_____---
CINN_______53_____36_____3 1/2
HOU_______41_____47_____15
SF_________40_____48_____16
SD_________34_____53_____21 1/2
ATL________26_____63_____30 1/2

Cincinnati's Dan Driessen leads all hitters with a .337 AVG. Atlanta's Glenn Hubbard is second with .326, and the Reds' Ken Griffey is at .325. The Big Red Machine's George Foster paces the league in both HRs and RBI with 23/80. Willie Stargell has 20 homers. LA's Lee Lacy is second in RBI with 63.

LA's Don Sutton leads the league in ERA with a miniscule 1.15 (10-4). Pittsburgh's John Candelaria is at 1.57 (7-2). The Bucs' Bert Blyleven leads in wins at 12-5 (2.42), with LA's Rick Rhoden at 11-4 (2.29). Six pitchers are tied with 10 wins apiece. The Cardinals' Pete Vuckovich and Blyleven are tied with 101 strikeouts. Houston's J.R. Richard has 100.

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/7/2007 10:09:48 PM

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1978 regular season complete. In the East, Philly could never get closer than three games after the break, due, perhaps, to the Pirates' stellar pitching. The Dodgers were never challenged at all in the West.

NL EAST
PITT 98-64
PHA 95-67
STL 84-78
MON 79-83
CHC 76-86
NYM 69-93

NL WEST
LA 97-65
CINN 87-75
SF 84-78
HOU 78-84
SD 72-90
ATL 53-109

The Reds' Dan Driessen took the batting title at .318. St. Louis' George Hendrick finished second at .309, followed by Atlanta's Glenn Hubbard (.308) and the Giants' Bill Madlock (.307). The Reds swept the batting leader lists, as George Foster led in both HR and RBI with 38/125. LA's Reggie Smith swatted 36 homers and his teammate Ron Cey belted 35. Johnny Bench finished a distant second to teammate Foster with 103 RBI.

Teammates battled it out for the ERA title. The Pirates' John Candelaria edged staff mate Bert Blyleven, 1.94 to 1.95. Blyleven tied for the league lead in victories. Both Bert and Houston's J.R. Richard finished with 18-9 marks. Chicago's Ray Burris was 17-10, while Montreal's Wayne Twitchell went 17-2 out of the Expos' bullpen. Richard led the league in K's with an even 200, well ahead of Blyleven's 176.

On to the Series, where LA visits Pittsburgh for Game One. Bert Blyleven (18-9, 1.95) opposes Don Sutton (16-6, 2.36).

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/7/2007 10:49:12 PM

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Pinch hitter Dave May's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning scored pinch runner Omar Moreno with the decisive run in Pittsburgh's 3-2 opening game victory over Los Angeles.

Both teams tallied two runs in the first inning. The Dodgers scored on a Steve Garvey double and a Reggie Smith RBI groundout. The Pirates tied the game in their half of the first on Willie Stargell's two-run homer.

Pirate catcher Manny Sanguillen led off the bottom of the seventh with a single off Dodger reliever and losing pitcher Bob Welch. Omar Moreno ran for Sanguillen and promptly stole second. Moreno advanced to third on Frank Taveras' fly ball, then scored the eventual game winner on May's fly out. Pirate relievers Jerry Reuss, Terry Forster and Rich Gossage shut down the Dodgers over the final three innings. Reuss picked up the win in relief.

In Game Two, LA's Rick Rhoden (16-10, 2.59) will face off against Pittsburgh's Don Robinson (16-13, 2.96).

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/7/2007 11:08:52 PM

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The LA Dodgers evened the series at one game apiece as they broke out the lumber against the Pirates with an 11-2 victory at Three Rivers Stadium. Lead-off man Dave Lopes led the attack, as he collected three hits and drove in three.

The Dodgers plated five runs in the second off losing pitcher Don Robinson. Lee Lacy smacked an RBI double. Bill Russell drove in Lacy with a single. Following a walk to Rick Rhoden, Lopes plated two with a triple. Lopes then scored on a fielding error by pitcher Robinson to make the score 5-0.

The onslaught continued in the fourth inning. Lopes singled in Rhoden, who had tripled. Reggie Smith and Johnny Oates collected RBI singles to make the score 8-0 and chase Robinson, who allowed eight runs, seven of them earned, in only 3 2/3 innings. The Pirates' lone runs came on a two-run homer by Richie Hebner in the bottom of the fifth. LA's Lacy answered with a two-run shot of his own in the sixth, making the score 10-2. Ron Cey's sac-fly in the seventh accounted for the final LA run.

Rick Rhoden picked up the win, as he went 7 2/3 innings. Bob Welch pitched the final 1 1/3 innings.

The teams fly west for Game Three. The Pirates will send Bruce Kison (9-6, 2.40) to the mound. LA counters with Andy Messersmith (10-6, 3.82).

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/7/2007 11:28:30 PM

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The Pittsburgh Pirates broke open a low-scoring battle, scoring five runs in the top of the 14th inning on the way to a 6-1 win over LA and a 2-1 lead in the series.

The teams battled 1-1 into the 14th, before Dave Parker singled in a run off LA reliever and losing pitcher Lance Rautzhan. With two outs, Pittsburgh scored another run on a Dave Lopes error to go up 3-1. Rennie Stennett then cleared the bases with a 3-run triple to give the Pirates their final runs. Pirate reliever Will McEnaney went the final 3 1/3 innings to collect the win. McEnaney played a key role at the plate, as well. He failed to get down the bunt after Frank Taveras' leadoff single in the 14th. Unfazed, McEnaney then stroked a single into right field, giving the Bucs two baserunners with no one out. Parker followed with his RBI single, giving the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

Game Four will see the Pirates sending lefty John Candelaria (14-7, 1.94) going up against the Dodgers' Burt Hooton (14-8, 3.65).

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/8/2007 4:24:40 AM

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The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled to within a game of the title with a 3-2 win in Los Angeles. Dodger starter Burt Hooton shut out the Pirates through six innings, but Bob Welch allowed three runs in the seventh. Richie Hebner drove in two with a bases-loaded single. Phil Garner followed with a sacrifice fly. LA had taken a 1-0 lead into the seventh, as the game's only run to that point scored on a Lee Lacy sac-fly in the home fifth.

Jerry Reuss picked up the win in relief. Goose Gossage earned the save.

Pittsburgh goes for the clincher tomorrow, sending Game One starter Bert Blyleven to the mound against LA's Don Sutton.

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RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/8/2007 4:52:56 AM

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The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped their third championship with a 9-5 victory and a 4-1 series win against the LA Dodgers.

The Bucs got out of the gate quickly, scoring four times in the top of the first on a Bobby Tolan 2-run double, Phil Garner sacrifice fly and a Manny Sanguillen RBI double. They increased their lead to 5-0 in the top of the second when a run scored as Lee Lacy of the Dodgers mishandled a fly ball in left field.

The Dodgers pulled close in their half of the third on a grand slam homer by Ron Cey. It stayed 5-4 until the Pirate half of the seventh. Willie Stargell's two-run homer was immediately followed by a Richie Hebner solo shot, giving the Bucs an 8-4 lead. Pittsburgh added an insurance run in the eighth on a Bill Robinson RBI double, making the score 9-4. Davey Lopes drove in a run with a single in the last of the ninth, but LA fell short, losing in five games for the second straight season.

Pittsburgh also won titles in 1971 and 1973. They now stand 3-3 in Series appearances. The Dodgers have appeared in four Series, losing three of them. Their lone title came in 1972.

Cincinnati's Dan Driessen captured the MVP award. Driessen led the league in batting (.318), OBP (.410), hits (218), walks (108), and runs scored (117).

Pittsburgh's Bert Blyleven took home Cy Young honors. Blyleven finished 18-9 with a 1.95 ERA. His 18 victories tied for the league lead. He finished second in both ERA and strikeouts. His six complete games led the league. In 249 innings, Blyleven allowed only a mere six home runs.

(in reply to motnahp)

Post #: 88

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/17/2007 6:15:18 AM

motnahp

Posts: 1837
Joined: 8/22/2005
Status: offline

At the All-Star Break of 1979:

NL EAST

PHA___52-34___---
PITT___53-35___---
STL____46-41___6 1/2
CHC___44-44____9
MON___39-49___14
NYM___37-51___16

NL WEST

ATL___50-39___---
LA____45-42____4
HOU__45-43____4 1/2
SF____40-49___10
CIN___39-49___10 1/2
SD____37-51___12 1/2

The Pirates led most of the way in the East. Philly caught and tied them just before the break. Atlanta has been a shocker in the West, leading since early April.

Recently traded (from SF to PITT) Bill Madlock leads the league with a .328 AVG. The Cardinals' Ken Reitz sits at .319. "Pops" Willie Stargell leads in both HR and RBI with 28/63. Atlanta's Bob Horner is second in HR with 19, while Philly's Mike Schmidt is on Stargell's heels with 61 RBI.

Padre reliever John D'Acquisto leads the league in ERA with 1.82 (4-3). Cincy's Tom Seaver is second at 2.05 (3-3), with the Cubs' Steve Stone right behind at 2.17 (5-1). The Pirates' Don Robinson looks headed for a huge season. The big righthander is 15-5 (2.28), easily leading the league in wins. Four are tied with 10 wins apiece: Philly's Randy Lerch (10-8, 2.71), Pittsburgh's Bert Blyleven (10-6, 3.23), Houston's Joaquin Andujar (10-4, 2.20) and the Cards' Bob Forsch (10-4, 2.86). Blyleven leads in Ks with 98, eight better than the Dodgers' Burt Hooton.

(in reply to motnahp)

Post #: 89

RE: The NL No-Free Agency Assn - 6/19/2007 6:18:55 AM

motnahp

Posts: 1837
Joined: 8/22/2005
Status: offline

1979 regular season complete and we have a rematch between the Pirates and the Dodgers.

NL EAST

PIT___99-63____---
PHA___90-72____ 9
STL___88-74___ 11
CHC__82-80____17
MON__74-88____25
NYM__73-89____26

NL WEST

LA___ 86-76___---
ATL___86-76___---
HOU__85-77____1
SF___ 74-88___12
CIN___69-93___19
SD___ 66-96___20

Pittsburgh surged ahead in August and cruised to an easy title in September. LA's win was a different story. Both Houston and LA overtook the Braves in August. Atlanta got hot in late August / early September and got as much as 4 games up on both the Dodgers and Astros. Eventually, the Braves' youth and lack of quality starting pitching did them in. Going into the last weekend of the season, the Braves led both LA and Houston by 3 games with 3 to play. Houston hosted the Padres for a 3-game set, while the Braves visited LA for a head-to-head showdown.

On Friday, Houston easily beat the Pads 7-0. LA edged Atlanta 4-3 and the race got closer. On Saturday, Houston blanked San Diego again, 2-0. LA again edged Atlanta by the score of 2-1. On the season's final day, San Diego eliminated Houston , beating the 'Stros 8-1. The Braves were in a must-win situation against LA, as the Dodgers led the season series 9-8 going into the final game. Atlanta sent lefty Larry McWilliams (8-12, 4.10) against he Dodgers knuckle-curving Burt Hooton (14-9, 2.68). Davey Lopes and Dusty Baker smacked RBI singles in the bottom of the 4th for the game's only runs as LA won 2-0 and took the division. Hooton allowed only six hits, struck out nine and walked but one. Charlie Hough picked up the save. The Braves' only real threat came in the top of the 8th, as Dale Murphy came to the plate with two on and two out. Murph was retired on a deep fly out to left center.

For the season, Dan Driessen held on to win the batting title at .307. Montreal's Ellis Valentine and the Pirates' Bill Madlock finished at .299. Willie Stargell won the home run title with 38. The Braves' Bob Horner had 37 and Philly's Mike Schmidt cracked 36. Schmidt led the league in RBI with 115. Cincy's George Foster was second with 111.

Pitching-wise, Houston's J.R. Richard had the lowest ERA at 1.97 (17-5), followed by Philly's Larry Christenson at 2.27 (12-4). Pittsburgh's Don Robinson set the single season mark for wins with a stellar record of 25-10 (2.68). Teammate Bert Blyleven was 19-9 (2.72) and Philly's Randy Lerch finished 18-11 (2.91). Blyleven led the league in strikeouts with 174. Burt Hooton followed with 160.

I expected to play out the series tonight and crown a 1979 champion, but when the Braves "choked" the final weekend, it bummed me out. There's a big storm in the Midwest now and it looks like it's headed straight for western PA. It appears that the series will be"delayed by rain" two or three days. Did I really expect a team with Eddie Solomon, Preston Hanna and Tony Brizzolara in the rotation to win the division against the Dodgers with Sutton, John, Reuss, Hooton and Sutcliffe in their rotation? I guess not.