Jints sweep Phightin's

Game 1 (Aug 8) Phils(Sanford) @ Giants(Montefusco)

 

Both SP's were on their games and went into the 8th inning with shutouts. In the Giants 8th with 1 out, D Gladden hit a shot into the hole @ SS where Rollins made a great diving play but threw it away and Gladden went to 2nd. Bottalico in to pitch and the Giants countered with "Mac" who smashed the opposite field HR to drive in the only runs of the game. H Wilhelm went the final 1.1 only allowing 1 BB and snatched the "W" Giants win 2 - 0

*******************************************

Game 2 (Aug 9) Phils (Culp) @ Giants (Herbal)

 

D Gladden lead off the 1st with a solo shot to put the Giants up early. Lopata tied it for the Phils with a HR in the 2nd. A throwing error by R Allen in the 3rd got the Giants started as Gladden walked to put 2 on. R Thompson and B Posey added RBI singles to stake a 3 - 1 lead for the Giants. The Phils battled right back with 1 run after a 2 out 2B by Howard and Luzinski knocked him home with a base hit. Still 3 - 2 into the 7th when the Phils got to Herbal with BB, HBP and a single to tie the game with no outs. J Barr came on the put out the fire striking out the final 2. Gladden grounds to SS and Rollins must have been thinking of his error in game 1 as he bobbled this one too. B Posey with the 2 out single drives him home and the Giants have the lead back. F Linzy on for the save and gets it done after allowing the leadoff single to the speedy J Samuel.

Giants win 4 - 3

******************************************

Game 3 (Aug 10) Giants(Willoughby) @ Phils (Happ)

 

The Giants jump out to a 5-0 lead after 3 1/2 innings. B Posey with the 2 run Bomb in the 1st and G Matthews and T Fuentes added RBI singles in the 3rd. J Hart added a Bomb of his own in the 4th and the Giants are cruising.

The Philly fans started cheering and yelling to try and get the Phils going and it worked as the Phils put up a 3 spot in their half of the inning and it took a nice peg at the plate to stop it from being 4 scored in the inning. The Phils make it 5 - 4 after a Rollins 2B and a Samuel 3B off of J Barr in the 6th. Wilhelm is now on for the save in the 9th and with 2 outs and BIG R Howard at bat he chases the manager back to the dugout so he can finish this himself.

BOOM Howard goes deep and were headed to extras.

The 10th was quiet but the Giants jumped all over M Scarce in the 11th for 4 runs and now lead the series 3 - 0.  Giants win 9 - 5

*******************************************

Game 4 (Aug 11) Giants(Bumgarner) @ Phils (Ruffin)

 

Both SP cruise into the 6th with Madison Bumgarner tossing a No Hitter. The Giants bats wake up as G Matthews and O Cepeda add RBI singles. With 1 out J Samuel breaks up the No Hitter with a 2B and R Allen doubles him home to make it a 1 run game. The Bullpens would not falter and that is how we ended the final game. Breining, Linzy & Wilhelm all pitch 1 shutout inning and the Giants sweep the Phils to start the season. Giants win 2 - 1.

--submitted by Larry Reeves--

blog

I would like to post a blog.  Please send me the invite.  Thanks

 

Frank

Twins take 3 of 4 from Royals

Game 1

Bert Blyleven for The Twins and Dick Drago for the Royals engaged in a pitcher's duel that ended with the Twins holding out 3-2. Blyleven scattered 4 hits across the first 7 innings before yielding to a succession of Twins relievers who held on for the victory. The score was still knotted at 1-1 in the top of the 9th, but the Twins got a walk by Jimmie Hall, a single by Corey Koskie, a walk to PH Tom Brunansky, and a single by Rod Carew to take the lead 2-1. Corbett retired 2 batters in the ninth and Mijares the last to preserve the 1-run margin. The Royals had no stolen bases in this game, but that was about to change. 

Game 2

Twins starter Dave Goltz was strong, yielding only 2 runs on 7 hits across 7 innings, as the Twins beat the Royals 4-2. KC started strong as Lead off batter Tom Goodwin singled, stole 2nd, stole 3rd, and scored on a Mike Aviles single. This was KC's only run until the 8th, when John Wathan singled, advanced on an error, was sacrificed to third, and scored on a sac fly to close the gap to 3-2. Goodwin would end up with 4 sb in the game. Twins' Marty Cordova hit a 2-run homer in the 4th to give a lead they would not relinquish. Doug Corbett, pitching for the second time in 2 games, pitched a perfect 8th and 9th to preserve Goltz' win. 

Game 3

The Royals scored 5 runs in the first 3 innings and added another 2 in the 5th to take a lead they would not relinquish, as they beat the Twins 10-5. Twins starter Kevin Tapani gave up 13 hits and 7 earned runs in a little over 5 inning worked. Tom Goodwin stole his 5th base of the season and Seitzer and Beltran hit homers for the Royals in support of starter Kevin Appier. 

Game 4

The Twins started with a bang, getting 4 runs in the bottom of the 1st as Denard Span tripled to lead off the inning and Justin Morneau homered to highlight it. Twins starter Francisco Liriano yielded 11 hits and 3 runs in a little over 6 innings, but pitched just well enough to win. Iron man Doug Corbett earned his 2nd save of the young season with a scoreless 9th. 

--submitted by Bill Schneider--

O's take 2 of 3 from Brew Crew

Game 1 – Memorial Stadium
August vs Bunker
Baltimore 10 Milwaukee 2

On a drizzly day in Baltimore the hometown team quickly fell behind the visiting Brew Crew in the top of the first on a Pat Listach bunt single followed by a stolen base and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Braun.  Baltimore’s Wally Bunker managed to wiggle his way out of the inning and the game appeared to be settling into a pitcher’s duel.   Baltimore, as if in honor of Earl Weaver, then broke this one wide open with an 8 run fourth inning with run scoring doubles by Bobby Grich, Brooks Robinson and Eddie Murray leading the way.  Bunker was not touched for another run until Casey McGehee took Bunker deep down the left field line in the 6th.   Bunker finished the game yielding only those two runs and the Birds of Baltimore sent the fans home happy.

Game 2 – Memorial Stadium
Parsons vs Estrada
Baltimore 3 Milwaukee 2

Again another drizzly day in Baltimore, but this time the fans were treated to a nailbiter of a game.  Once again Milwaukee got off to a quick start with one run in the first on another Pat Listach bunt single, a Scott Podsednik ground out that moved him to second and a Casey McGehee single to drive him in.   Unlike the day before, this game settled into a pitching duel.  Chuck Estrada held the Brewers in check until the ninth inning which allowed Baltimore to tie the score in the fourth on a Cal Ripken Jr. RBI single driving in Gus Triandos and take the lead with two more in the sixth on Ripken’s home run to left (again driving in Triandos). Milwaukee finally caught up with a tiring Estrada in the ninth forcing Baltimore to bring in closer Greg Olson to strike out Wayne Comer and Paul Molitor to close out a well played game with the two runner on base.

Game 3 – Miller Park
Boddicker vs Augustine
Milwaukee 9 Baltimore 3

Drizzle was not the name of the game this time (we were indoors), but good home cooking and 12 hits were enough to end this one early and send the Brew Crew fans home happy. Once again the visiting team got up a run early, but through 3 Milwaukee had staked itself to an 8-2 lead on the strength of three home runs off of Baltimore starter Mike Boddicker in just over 2 innings work.  Contributing blasts were Darrell Porter (3 RBI), Ryan Braun (2 RBI) and Casey McGehee (solo).  Porter knocked in 4 for the day.  Baltimore’s hitters had difficulty figuring out Jerry Augustine all day and did even less against relievers Jim Austin and Pete Ladd who pitched the last 2 1/3 innings to mercifully end this one.

--submitted by Ron Burnette--

A's take 3 of 4 from Tribe

GAME 1 - Municipal Stadium

Byrd vs Bearden

A's 4, Indians 2

The A's scored on a pair of productive ground outs in the top of the 6th off of lefty knuckleball ace Gene Bearden.  That pushed the score to 4-1 for the visiting A's.  A Duane Kuiper RBI single in the bottom of the 8th cut the A's lead in half and would hasten starter Harry Byrd's exit.  Relievers Steve Ontiveros and Tony Pierce (perfect 9th) closed it out as the A's took the opener.  Future HOF'ers Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson each had 2 hits as did Mark McGwire, who is not a future HOF'er.

GAME 2 - Municipal Stadium

Archer vs Score

A's 7, Indians 0

In a battle of rookie lefties the unheralded Jim Archer (9 hit shutout) bested 1955 AL ROY Herb Score 7-0.  Score gave up 4 runs in 4 innings on just 2 hits.  The hard throwing lefty walked 9 in his short stint.  Jim Perry came on in relief and wasn't much better (3 runs in 3.2 IP).  Archer just went along and took care of business.  Yeonis Cespedes (2-4) had 3 RBI's, 2 runs scored and a 2 run homer.  Purple haired Joe Charboneau was 3 for 4 for the Tribe, who came out on the short side of the ledger.

GAME 3 - Oakland Coliseum

M.Grant vs Blanton

Indians 4, A's 3

a one out 2 run homer by Luke Easter quickly erased a 1 run deficit as the Tribe battled back to win their first game of the year behind 4 shutout innings of relief by Mike Garcia.  Indian starter Jim "Mudcat" Grant" gave up 3 runs in 5 innings, so manager Keller pulled him after 5.  That stroke of genius gave the Tribe the spark that they needed.  Charboneau continued his hot hitting (2-3).  Dick Howser stole 2 bases off of Grant and battery mate Allanson, which accounted for the 2 runs that he scored.

GAME 4 - Oakland Coliseum

Eckersley vs J.Parker

A's 2, Indians 0

A Dan Johnson solo blast in the bottom of the 2nd and an RBI single by Walt Weiss (no relation) the following inning were all the runs that Jarrod Parker and company would need on the day.  Parker scattered 5 hits in 7 shutout innings worth of work before exiting after throwing 111 pitches.  Tony Pierce carried the A's until closer Andrew Bailey got the final 2 outs in the 9th.  Eckersley went 7 innings and was the hard luck loser who gave up just 2 runs.

Opening Series: Marlins & Mets split

Opening Series: Marlins versus Mets

Game One - Benny Agbayani comes off of the bench to hit a pinch-hit two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to send the Shea faithful home happy with a 5-3 Mets win. Doc Gooden strikes out 11 Marlins in six innings.

Game Two - In a battle of lefties, Scott Olsen out-battles Jerry Koosman to lead the Marlins in a 2-0 win over the Mets. Miguel Cabrera's sixth inning RBI single and Hanley Ramirez's RBI triple in the seventh were the only runs; while Steve Cishek and Matt Mantei support Olsen's start with 2.2 innings of shutout relief.

Game Three - David Wright has four hits and Darryl Strawberry has three hits and five RBI(including two homers) to support Tom Seaver in the Mets' 13-1 win. Seaver went the distance, scattering five hits and striking out eight Marlins.

Game Four - Preston Wilson perhaps ticked at the Mets for not including his Uncle/Father??? Mookie on their roster, slugs two homers, including a sixth-inning blast that unties the game, to lead the Marlins to a 3-2 win over the Mets to square the series at two games apiece. Chuck Smith and three relievers scatter five Mets' hits in the win.
--submitted by Chris Gotay--

Cubbies take 3 of 4 from 'Spos in Opening Series

KOD16 – Opening Series – Mon/Wash v Chicago Cubs
 

Game 1
Montreal 0 – Chicago 5
John Lannan vs. Kerry Wood

Kerry Wood was outstanding on Opening Day in KOD16. Wood went 7 innings allowing only 5 hits while striking out 10. Lannan pitched well until the 5th when control issues became a problem. Lannan walked 6 in 5 innings including walking in a couple of runs in the 5th. Kerry Wood was MVP.
 

Game 2
Montreal 3 – Chicago 12
Carl Morton vs. Rich Nye
 

This game was tied at 3 all going into the bottom of the 6th. Then the big lumber for the Cubbies went to work. Gene Baker hit a 2 run homer in the 6th off of Morton. Ryne Sandberg added a solo shot in the 3 run 7th. Then ‘Let’s Play Two’ Ernie Banks hit a 2 run shot off reliever Chad (pitching more like Will) Cordero. Nye went the distance giving 3 runs on 6 hits. Gene Baker was the MVP as he went 3-5 with 6 RBIs. As Manager Weiss said in his postgame news conference, at least we scored today.
 

Game 3
Chicago 4 – Montreal 9
Dennis Lamp vs. Dan Warthen
 

Just when it looked like the Cubbies were unbeatable they came crashing back to earth. The Expos jumped on Lamp for 5 runs in the first 2 innings. Future HOF’er Fergie Jenkins was roughed up for 2 more in 3 innings of work as Montreal raced out to a 7-0 lead. Brad Fullmer led the way with 2 homeruns and 4 RBIs. Warthen was solid until a mini rally by the Cubs in the 6th cut the lead to 7-4. But Fullmer went deep in the bottom of the 7th and David Palmer shut down the Cubs with 3 no run innings of relieve. Brad Fullmer was MVP.
 

Game 4
Chicago 6 – Montreal 1
Burt Hooton vs. Dustin Hermanson
 

Burt Hooton was dominating as he pitched a complete game giving up 1 run on three hits. It was a close game going into the 6th inning when Randy Hundley unloaded a three run shot against reliever Tim Burke. That gave the Cubs a 5 run lead that the masterful Hooton easily protected. Hermanson pitched well giving up 3 runs in 5 innings while striking out 9. But his pitch count was up 110 after those 5 innings and Manager Weiss had no recourse but to pull him. Burt Hooton was MVP.
The Cubs hit .305 for the opening series vs. .231 for the Expos. Cubs had 3.34 ERA vs. 6.35 for the Nationals. But as Cubbie fans the world over know, this is a marathon not a sprint, so expectations need to be tempered.

--sumbitted by Ron Burnette--

"Mr. President, The first pitch is all yours..."

As is a KOD tradition, the President of the United States (any president will do) gets to throw out the first ball.  Since the season opener was in Chicago we tapped the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, to have the honors.  Sadly the President showed up in Nationals Park wearing a Nationals pullover and the hated Cross-town rival White Sox cap.  He also threw the ball to the far left, which did not shock any of the political pundits in attendance :) !!!

Welcome to KOD16 - All Time Rookie Teams

Has it really been 3 months since we last played a KOD game ?  How is that possible that KOD withstood it's longest hiatus between seasons ?  With the release of Action PC Baseball 2013 the community now has a full fledged baseball environment to play in.  Enhanced sound, which includes:  Ambient Crowd noises, Umpire Calls and walk up music.  Even the foul balls on the video go foul and do not wind up in center field !

We are set to get going the first week of February.  For the first time in the history of KOD we have 28 teams.  That means we will be going to 5 playoff teams in each league and use the MLB play in format.  The divisional format will change too.  Instead of the traditional East/West divisional format we will be moving to a more competitive Charter/Expansion divisional format.  What does that mean and why will it be more competitive ?  It means that in each league we will divide the teams according to those that were charter members of the league (pre-1961) and those that are from the Expansion era (1961-present), with a few overlaps along the way.

So what is our theme for KOD 16 ?  You voted and we responded.  Our theme for KOD16 will be franchise composite teams made up solely of rookie seasons for players from 1947-present.  Ron Burnette did a masterful job assembling the 40 man rosters along with your guidance.  This should be a wonderful format & I can't wait to see how these teams play.  Douglas Zaner, our schedule maker, had to sharpen his pencil or fire up his copy of Excel 2010, in order to make our first 28 team schedule.

First week in February is just around the corner.  Keep an eye on your inbox for the league file.  A few final tweaks are being made.  We will be using each player's rookie card for his player photo.  For those w/out a rookie card or a proper one, I will be creating custom rookie cards using the 1952 Topps Format, because the grandaddy of all rookie cards came from that wonderful card set.  Good luck to all !!!

1952 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card - The most sought after rookie card by collectors