To Rule in Kansas City

[gosensgo101]

Could this be the end of the Bob Lemon era?

[CatKnight]

gosensgo101: Probable. Lemon did well, both here and IRL, but Kauffman thought he was 'too old.' Seems to be an odd statement, given Lemon went on to have a decent managing career elsewhere.
*******

Late September 1972

And so we swing into the last part of a tumultuous season. We began horribly, but for several months openly fought for control of the AL West and gave Charlie Finley something to think about before faltering in late August. Now we're doing pretty good again, but the damage is done.

Andy and Marcie have kinda made up. She still doesn't trust him. No one said she's a fool. I'm thinking of spending some of the offseason in Springfield, once signings and such are out of the way.

Signings...are going to be painful. Several people are up for contracts, and both Blyleven and Splittorff are eligible for arbitration. (Paul's a maybe - his status wavers.) Neither did particularly well this year, so I'm hopeful of keeping things sane.

In Cincinnati, Ralph Edwards, host of "This is Your Life" surprised catcher Johnny Bench by holding his show at Riverfront Stadium. As he narrated Bench's biography, friends and family came onto the field to stand with him.
*******

Kansas City (81-60) (2nd, -8g) at Baltimore (87-53) (1st, +5.5g)

16: Blyleven doesn't last 2 innings. Montgomery manages to go 4...but is hurt in the process and out for the season! Junior Kennedy makes his career debut, going 1 for 4 (a single in his first AB). Orioles 9-1
LP: Blyleven (5-10)

17: A well fought game with 25 hits..and only 5 runs. Thompson and Martinez get our only RBIs. Orioles 3-2
LP: Splittorff (12-11)

18: A 7-run 5th inning pretty much shuts down the O's. Soderholm goes 3 for 5 with a double, triple and 4 RBI. Royals 9-4
WP: Busby (9-1), SV: Cram (1)
*******

Bunker and Andrews return after their injuries.

The Chicago Cubs are NL East Champions!
*******

Kansas City (82-62) (2nd, -9.5g) at Washington (53-91) (6th, -37g)

20: Dierker can't go five, and our offense can't hit as we're formally eliminated. Senators 6-3
LP: Dierker (11-9)

21: We avenge ourselves with 18 hits, while the Sens give up 3 errors. Hart hits a walk-on grand slam, while Cardenal goes 5 for 6 with 3 doubles, 3 runs and 2 RBI. Royals 12-7
WP: Bunker (12-3), SV: Hedlund (2), HR: Hart (17)

22: Under the theory of 'What the heck,' Lemon gives Mike Krukow his career debut. He does well until the fifth and sixth when he tires, giving up a total of 9 runs. A 5-run eighth puts us back in the ballgame - not quite enough, but not for lack of trying. Russell and Robinson both get 4 hits, Thompson 3. Senators 9-8
LP: Krukow (0-1)
*******

As aforementioned, the Oakland A's are AL West Champions (******)
The Baltimore Orioles are AL East Champions!
The Los Angeles Dodgers are NL West Champions!

Well, that sorta takes the drama out of the rest of the season, doesn't it? Fans and media protest that if we'd actually played 162 games this year, some teams would still be alive.
*******

Kansas City (83-64) (2nd, -11.5g) at Baltimore (91-56) (1st, +7.5g)

23: We begin our final homestand at Municipal with a blowout. Against us. O's Palmer gets a CG, while Steve Busby gets his tail handed to him. Orioles 10-1
LP: Busby (9-2)

24: Dierker holds them to 5 hits. Martinez goes 2 for 2 with 2 RBI. Royals 4-2
WP: Dierker (12-9), SV: Clemons (13)

25: More solid pitching by Bunker, while we finally get a homer: Robinson gives us a solo blast. Royals 5-2
WP: Bunker (13-3), SV: Clemons (14), HR: Robinson (21)

26: Butler gives up 3 runs, which is one too many as our bats once more go silent. Orioles 3-2
LP: Butler (7-4)
*******

And so it ends...
*******

Washington (59-92) (6th, -34g) at Kansas City (85-66) (2nd, -11.5g)

27: Thompson's homer pulls us ahead for good. Russell gets 2 runs. Royals 6-5
WP: Acosta (5-9), HR: Thompson (36)

28: Dick Bosman shuts us out. Dierker does well, but not THAT well. Senators 4-0
LP: Dierker (12-10)

29: We call our last game at Municipal Stadium a "Look to the Future." The game opens with banners from every single team that ever called Municipal home: The Blues (AA), Monarchs (Negro League), Blues/Cowboys (NFL), Athletics (Boo), Chiefs (A/NFL), Spurs (NASL) and, of course, us, followed by a thank you to the stadium and our fans over the years.

Everyone plays. We intentionally go through our entire forty man roster (much to the annoyance of the Sens.) Despite the fact over half our people don't belong in the Majors, it takes an eighth inning homer by Winfield to put us down. Senators 4-3
LP: Butler (7-5)
*******

END REGULAR SEASON: (86-68) (2nd, -11.5g)

[CatKnight]

End Regular Season

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Baltimore       95   59   --
Boston          87   68    8.5
New York        81   73   14
Detroit         72   83   23.5
Cleveland       68   86   27
Washington      61   93   34

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         98   57   --
Kansas City     86   68   11.5    
Los Angeles     77   77   20.5
Milwaukee       76   79   22
Minnesota       69   85   28.5
Seattle         56   98   41.5

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago        105   49   --
St. Louis       89   64   15.5
New York        79   75   26
Philadelphia    71   83   34
Pittsburgh      59   95   46
Montreal        57   97   48

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
Los Angeles     97   57   --
San Francisco   91   64    6.5
Houston         80   74   17
Cincinnati      72   83   25.5
Atlanta         64   89   32.5
San Diego       60   94   37

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Tony Oliva (MIN) .343, Cecil Cooper (BOS) .343
HR: Joe Rudi (OAK) 41, Carlton Fisk (BOS) 40
RBI: Joe Rudi (OAK) 128, Carlton Fisk (BOS) 127
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 88, Sandy Alomar (MIL) 44

Wins: Fritz Peterson (OAK) 20, Dave McNally (BAL) 19
ERA: Jim Palmer (BAL) 2.61, Ron Guidry (NYY) 3.06
Strikeouts: Catfish Hunter (OAK) 189, Denny McLain (DET) 184
Saves: Al Severinsen (BAL) 26, Paul Lindblad (OAK) 24

National League Leaders
Average: Wes Parker (LAD) .341, Two tied with .327
HR: Reggie Jackson (LAD) 52, Johnny Bench (CIN) 41
RBI: Reggie Jackson (LAD) 150, Johnny Bench (CIN) 130
Steals: Joe Morgan (HOU) 50, Freddie Patek (PIT) 46

Wins: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 28, Nelson Briles (STL) 21
ERA: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 1.89, Juan Marichal (SF) 2.58
Strikeouts: Gaylord Perry (SF) 211, Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 208
Saves: Ron Taylor (NYM) 24, Cecil Upshaw (CHC) 23

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Pat Kelly .332 (5th)
HR: Will Thompson 36 (4th)
RBI: Will Thompson 122 (3rd)
Steals: Pat Kelly 13

Wins: Wally Bunker 13
ERA: Paul Splittorff 3.72
Strikeouts: Larry Dierker 155 (10th)
Saves: Clemons, Fingers 14
*******

Major Injuries

None affecting 1973
*******

Trades

None
*******

Milestones

ATL-RF Hank Aaron (84) [38] (.281 36-100 3 SB): 2,000 RBIs
SF-SP Juan Marichal (94) [34] (18-6 2.58 18 CG): 250 wins
STL-CF Vada Pinson (88) [34] (.325 15-95 8): 2,500 hits
DET-SP Cisco Carlos (72/73) [32] (10-8 4.37 1): No Hitter vs. Cleveland
OAK-SS Bert Campaneris (93) [30] (.277 3-41 28): 400 steals
*******

Notable Retirements

Nope.
*******

Created Players

Will Thompson (1B, Kansas City) (93/93) [20]
Year	Team	      G   AB   R   H  2B 3B HR  BI  BB IB   K SB CS SH HB  DP  AVG  OBP  SLG  OPS
1970	Royals       55  137  16  30   8  0  4  17  15  0  27  0  1  0  1   6  219  299  365  664
1971	Royals	     96  277  35  60  12  1  8  34  40  0  44  0  0  0  3  10  217  322  354  676
1972    Royals      150  567 112 183  37  2 36 122  99  2  95  1  1  0  5  15  323  425  586 1011
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        3 seasons   301  981 163 273  57  3 48 173 154  2 166  1  2  0  9  31  278  379  489  868

* All Star (1972)


Colin Merritt (SP, Cincinnati) (86/95) [19]
Year	Team          G  GS  W   L  PCT  ERA   IP   R    ER   H   HR   BB   K   BAA HB  WP CG SO SV BS DICE
1971	Reds         25  23  4  14  222  848 121.0 114  114  134  26  119  129  273  5  12  0  0  0  0  674
1972    Reds         24  20  6   8  429  640 133.2 101   95  145  20  106  122  269  3   5  1  0  0  0  557
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        2 seasons    49  43 10  22  313  739 254.2 222  209  279  46  225  251  271  8  17  1  0  0  0  612


The Emu (RF, Oakland) (55/57) [6]
Year	Team	      G   AB   R   H  2B 3B HR  BI  BB IB   K SB CS SH HB  DP  AVG  OBP  SLG  OPS
1972    D-Coos Bay   20   74   9  16   2  3  0   8   5  0  14  9  0  0  2   2  216  284  324  608
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        0 seasons

[gosensgo101]

What a bad end to such a great season.

But look on the bright side, it won't take as long to get to the drama of the winter meetings.

[CatKnight]

gosensgo101: Very true!
*******

All Time Records

Record		Career				Career/Active
Batting		Ty Cobb (.366) (05-28)		Rod Carew (.325) (67-) (19th-T)
Home Runs	Babe Ruth (714) (14-35)		Willie Mays (679) (51-) (2nd)
RBI		Babe Ruth (2213) (14-35)	Hank Aaron (2007) (54-) (2nd)
Stolen Bases	Billy Hamilton (912) (88-01)	Lou Brock (548) (61-) (12th)

Record		Single Season			Single Season/Active
Batting		Nap Lajoie (.426) (01 PHA)	None in Top 25
Home Runs	Roger Maris (61) (61 NYY)	Willie Mays (52) (65 SF) (T-11th)
                                                Reggie Jackson (52) (72 LAD) (T-11th)
RBI		Hack Wilson (191) (30 CHC)	Billy Williams (173) (69 CHC) (7th)
Stolen Bases	Maury Wills (104) (62 LAD)	Ron LeFlore (88) (72 NYY) (4th-T)

Record		Career				Career/Active
Wins		Cy Young (511) (90-11)		Don Drysdale (258) (56-) (17th)
ERA		Ed Walsh (1.82) (04-17)		Juan Marichal (2.68) (60-) (18th)
Strikeouts	Walter Johnson (3509) (07-27)	Don Drysdale (3279) (56-) (2nd)
Saves		Hoyt Wilhelm (206) (52-69)	Dick Radatz (183) (62-) (3rd)

Record		Single Season			Single Season/Active
Wins		Jack Chesbro (41) (04 NYY)	Denny McLain (31) (68 DET)
ERA		Dutch Leonard (0.96) (14 BOS)	Bob Gibson (1.12) (68 STL) (3rd)
Strikeouts	Sandy Koufax (382) (65 LAD)	Sam McDowell (325) (65 CLE) (4th)
Saves		Jack Aker (32) (65 KCA)		Jack Aker (32) (65 KCA)(T-1st)
		Kent Tekulve (32) (70 PIT)	Kent Tekulve (32) (70 PIT) (T-1st)

A great year for Reggie Jackson, who tied Willie Mays' 1965 performance with 52 homers. Ron LeFlore continues to shock and impress with his stealing capability in New York.

Don Drysdale continues to work his way up the charts in wins and total strikeouts. If he stays healthy he has tolerable odds of passing Walter Johnson for the all time record in the latter. Juan Marichal isn't far behind in wins, and Jim Bunning's a close third in all time strikeouts.
*******

1972 Playoff Preview

For the fourth straight year it's the Orioles and A's in the divisional championship. Yawn.

Baltimore Orioles (95-59)

Last Division Title: 1971 (3rd)
Last League Pennant: 1969 (3rd)
Last World Championship: 1966 (1st)

C: Johnny Oates (80) [26] (.247 2-53 0)
1B: Boog Powell (90) [31] (.274 18-51 0)
2B: Bobby Grich (95) [23] (.316 33-121 3) - RBI (4th)
3B: Doug DeCinces (80/93) [22] (.280 11-62 1)
SS: Mark Belanger (88) [28] (.267 0-38 10)
LF: Don Buford (90) [35] (.332 14-64 6) - BAvg (4th)
CF: Paul Blair (93) [28] (.312 22-99 10)
RF: Dave May (90) [28] (.292 26-88 6)

S1: Jim Palmer (94) [27] (17-10 2.61 11) - Wins (5thT), ERA (1st)
S2: Dave McNally (92) [29] (19-7 3.30 8) - Wins (2nd)
S3: Mike Cuellar (89) [35] (16-6 3.55 6)
CL: Al Severinsen (81/82) [27] (3-5 6.32 26) - Saves (1st)
SU: Daryl Patterson (81) [28] (3-3 3.12 2 for Phillies/Orioles)

DL: LF Frank Robinson (out)

Robinson's absence hardly affects the powerful Oriole offense. They have no real weaknesses, and an outstanding 1-2 punch in Palmer/McNally.
*******

Oakland A's (98-57)

Last Division Title: 1971 (3rd)
Last League Pennant: 1971 (11th) - Defending AL Champion
Last World Championship: 1971 (6th) - Defending World Champion

C: Gene Tenace (94/96) [25] (.242 21-60 0)
1B: Orlando Cepeda (83) [35] (.298 5-32 3 with Expos/Athletics)
2B: Jim Lefebvre (90) [30] (.285 23-84 0)
3B: Sal Bando (93) [28] (.268 19-76 2)
SS: Bert Campaneris (93) [30] (.277 3-41 28) - Steals (4th)
LF: Joe Rudi (94) [26] (.302 41-128 0) - HR (1st), RBI (1st)
CF: Rick Monday (95) [26] (.306 37-110 6) - HR (3rd)
RF: Mickey Stanley (86) [30] (.275 24-86 3)

S1: Catfish Hunter (94) [26] (18-9 3.21 13) - Wins (3rdT), ERA (4thT), K (1st)
S2: Fritz Peterson (86) [30] (20-6 3.77 8) - Wins (1st)
S3: Jim Nash (90) [27] (16-8 3.36 3)
CL: Paul Lindblad (85) [31] (8-11 6.11 24)
SU: Enrique Romo (75/77) [25] (5-5 4.25 3) - Saves (2nd)

DL: OF George Hendrick (until 10/24), SP Chuck Dobson (out)

Similarly, Oakland's losses don't signify. Like Baltimore they have no real weaknesses, though Cepeda is aging, while Peterson (an offseason pickup from Seattle - GRRR!) joins Hunter in providing great pitching.
*******

In the senior circuit, Chicago had an outstanding year. Outstanding enough that for awhie the Nationals were worried, though the Cubs finally fell below the dread .700 mark. Once more the NL West changes hands.

Chicago Cubs (105-49)

Last Division Title: 1971 (1st)
Last League Pennant: 1945 (16th)
Last World Championship: 1908 (2nd)

C: Duane Josephson (83) [30] (.289 2-46 0 with Indians/Cubs)
1B: Andre Thornton (86/93) [23] (.267 29-123 2) - RBIs (3rdT)
2B: Steve Huntz (82) [26] (.237 13-48 1)
3B: Ron Santo (95) [32] (.313 27-102 0)
SS: Don Kessinger (88) [30] (.277 1-52 7)
LF: Billy Williams (92) [34] (.302 28-99 5)
CF: Adolfo Phillips (86) [30] (.287 22-77 13)
RF: Oscar Gamble (86/90) [22] (.272 21-88 5)

S1: Fergie Jenkins (94) [29] (28-6 1.89 15) - Wins (1st), ERA (1st), K (2nd)
S2: Ken Holtzman (93) [26] (18-6 3.91 9) - Wins (3rdT)
S3: Rick Reuschel (93) [23] (15-9 4.09 4)
CL: Cecil Upshaw (80) [29] (4-4 2.01 23) - Saves (2nd)
SU: Tom Walker (83/84) [23] (7-3 3.41 10)

DL: None

Chicago is at full strength, and their record strongly suggests they're the most dangerous club in the Majors. Their field may not be the best in baseball, but Fergie Jenkins, a virtual lock for the NL Cy Young, is with a sub-2 ERA and 28 wins.
*******

Los Angeles Dodgers (97-57)

Last Division Title: First
Last League Pennant: 1966 (16th)
Last World Championship: 1965 (4th)

C: Joe Ferguson (81) [26] (.246 15-67 2)
1B: Wes Parker (93) [32] (.341 17-90 4) - BAvg (1st)
2B: Davey Lopes (86) [27] (.285 19-62 40) - Steals (3rd)
3B: Bill Sudakis (82) [26] (.282 9-28 0)
SS: Jim Fregosi (93) [30] (.224 12-62 3)
LF: Tommy Harper (86) [31] (.284 3-17 5)
CF: Willie Davis (93) [32] (.317 23-108 16)
RF: Reggie Jackson (96) [26] (.325 52-150 5) - BAvg (4thT), HR (1st), RBI (1st)

S1: Don Sutton (94) [27] (15-7 3.97 7)
S2: Don Drysdale (87/88) [36] (11-12 4.72 3)
S3: Charlie Hough (90/95) [24] (12-8 4.68 1)
CL: Jim Brewer (76) [34] (11-1 2.15 20) - Saves (4th)
SU: Bobby Darwin (81/82) [29] (6-7 10.45 3)

DL: IF Rich Severson (10/11), IF Billy Grabarkewitz (out), 3B Ron Cey (out)

LA has the opposite problem as Chicago: Decent, if not overpowering, pitching (though it would be a mistake to underestimate Sutton) and an incredible offense led by offseason pickup Reggie Jackson.

[CatKnight]

League Championship I

Orioles Blank A's
Palmer holds Oakland to two hits in masterpiece

BALTIMORE (Oct 2)- Memorial Stadium rocked as ace Jim Palmer put together the game of his career, holding the star studded A's to two hits as Baltimore took a 1-0 lead in the ALCS.

Bobby Grich went 2 for 3 with a triple, while Johnny Oates put together 3 RBI as the Orioles thrashed their western rivals 5-0.

Baltimore took the lead in the fourth when Oates singled with the bases loaded to score Bobby Grich and Dave May. They extended it one inning later when A's starter Jim Nash fell apart, loading the bases then walking home May and Boog Powell..

The final blow fell in the sixth when Grich tripled to score Don Buford. Only Oakland's Orlando Cepeda, acquired from Montreal mid-season, managed to respond with two singles of his own. When Palmer plunked him in the seventh several A's players charged from the dugout, leading to Rick Monday's ejection.

"Why would I throw at Cepeda?" Palmer demanded after the game. "First, sure, I'll brush batters back but I certainly don't try to hit them. Second, we were already winning 5-0. Why give them a chance to come back like that?"
*******

Long Night for Cubs and Dodgers
Reggie Jackson hits two homers to lift Dodgers in Game 1

LOS ANGELES (Oct 2)- A pitcher's duel ended on the stroke of Midnight Tuesday morning as the Cubs and Dodgers fought to draw first blood in this year's NLCS.

LA's Don Sutton and Chicago's Ken Holtzman both lasted eight innings, but it was Reggie Jackson's two powerful homers that lifted Los Angeles past the heavily favored Cubs 4-3 in fourteen innings.

The Cubs took the early lead when Ron Santo singled home Don Kessinger in the first. Willie Davis tied it in the fourth when he brought home Davey Lopes on a line single through the right side. Jackson gave his team the lead on a two-run shot (scoring Davis) in the seventh that barely cleared the left field wall.

Chicago tied it the ninth: Billy Williams doubled, advanced on Oscar Gamble's single, then scored on PH Roe Skidmore's hit. This ended Sutton's day, but Steve Huntz singled off of reliever Jim Brewer to tie it.

Though both teams would threaten over the next five innings, it wouldn't be until the fourteenth, when Jackson homered down the right field line off reliever Clint Compton, that another runner would cross the plate.

"You have to respect a bat like Jackson's," conceded Cub manager Leo Durocher. "I wish more of our players had his kind of heart."

"It takes nine men at a time to win a game," noted Jackson. "And so long as one of them is named Reggie, you'll do just fine."
*******

Orioles' Dave McNally Holds Oakland to Four Hits
A's' Catfish Hunter holds Baltimore to five - but two are home runs

BALTIMORE (Oct 3) - McNally and Hunter put on a pitching show for a capacity crowd. Both pitched complete games as Baltimore extended their lead to 2-0, and Oakland once more failed to cross the plate.

Two homers by third baseman Doug DeCinces were all the Os would get - or need - as the Orioles won 3-0. It's now been eighteen innings since Oakland's scored any runs.

Bert Campaneris threatened to open up the then scoreless game in the fourth when he singled, advanced on a grounder and stole third, but Rick Monday's strikeout stranded him. Campaneris again reached second on a double in the ninth with one out, but couldn't come home.

Baltimore and Oakland ended their season facing each other. Baltimore won that series 2-1. The series now finishes in California where, A's owner Charlie Finley promises, we'll see quite a different brand of baseball before loyal home town fans.
*******

Chicago Ties Series with Late Rally
Ron Santo hits three-run homer in eighth to lift Cubs

LOS ANGELES (Oct 3)- A capacity crowd watched Don Drysdale attempt to add to his already legendary career and give his Dodgers a two game lead in the NLCS. For the better part of eight innings he did just that. Chicago's Rick Reuschel also put together a respectable 7 inning performance.

A huge eighth inning, capped by Santos' homer, would break the game's delicate balance and eventually lead to Chicago's 5-3 win over the host Dodgers. The series is tied at 1 a piece.

Cub Oscar Gamble hit a homer to right-center in the second to give his team a 1-0 lead. It wouldn't be until the sixth when LA retaliated: Willie Davis singled with two on to score Drysdale, and Wes Parker tagged up on a Reggie Jackson fly to center.

The Cubs loaded the bases in the eighth. Steve Huntz scored when Andre Thornton hit a 4-6 grounder to second, putting runners on first and third for Ron Santo. Santo's homer over the left field fence gave his team a 5-2 lead.

Davey Lopes struck back in the bottom half with his own home run off reliever Tom Walker, but Walker settled and retired the side.

The series now finishes in Chicago.

[thegreatbambino]

Sorry for bothering you Cat, but I was just wondering that if you have time, would you mind creating a player for me. And that is too bad about this year, as Mets fans always say, Theres always Next Year

[Coach Owens]

Sorry for bothering you Cat, but I was just wondering that if you have time, would you mind creating a player for me. And that is too bad about this year, as Mets fans always say, Theres always Next Year

Or as the Mariners say, "Let's get rid of all of our prospects for overpriced veterans! We love eternal mediocrity!"

[gosensgo101]

Or as the Mariners say, "Let's get rid of all of our prospects for overpriced veterans! We love eternal mediocrity!"

I like to call it "Maple Leaf Syndrome"

In sports, mediocrity is the devil.

[Coach Owens]

I like to call it "Maple Leaf Syndrome"

In sports, mediocrity is the devil.

At least they've won 13 Stanley Cups! The Mariners have won nothing!

[gosensgo101]

At least they've won 13 Stanley Cups! The Mariners have won nothing!

I'm talking about the last 40 odd years in which they have also won none.

[Coach Owens]

I'm talking about the last 40 odd years in which they have also won none.

Point is that they've at least won a championship.

[gosensgo101]

Point is that they've at least won a championship.

True, but I like to poke fun at the Maple Leafs at every chance possible.

[CatKnight]

thegreatbambino: We'll see. It'll be a few game months yet. I'm wary about too many created players, so I want to see what's up with the bird. (And I don't mean Fidrych) It's likely Emu will be force retired this year for various reasons, including I tend to clean up the league of anyone with below 60 peak and the A's farm system isn't doing him any favors.

Coach Owens: What's wrong with overpriced vets? It works for the Yanks!

gosensgo101: Hey, it's only been 1967 since they won!
*******


League Championship II

Jenkins Dominates Dodgers!
Bruin earns 29th win as LA stumbles

CHICAGO (Oct 5)- Championship play resumed at Wrigley Field as ace Ferguson Jenkins stilled Dodger bats. Only twice did they get men in scoring position, and both times they came up empty handed as the Cubs take a crucial 2-1 lead in the NLCS.

Dodger starter Charlie Hough allowed 4 runs (2 earned) in 5 innings pitched, while Cub SS Don Kessinger led the club with two hits as Chicago defeated Los Angeles 4-0.

Jenkins himself would score Chicago's first run in the third, scoring on Andre Thornton's groundout. Hough then threw a wild pitch to bring home Kessinger. One inning later Steve Huntz hit a two-run shot to left field.

In the seventh Jenkins plunked Ron Fairly, then Jim Fregosi singled with two outs, but Bill Sudakis stranded both runners. In the eighth Joe Ferguson singled and advanced to second on a grounder to second, but Wes Parker left him there as well.

After the game, Jenkins complimented his teammates. "It's easy to pitch when you have such great guys on defense!" He wasn't so happy with manager Leo Durocher: "He did alright."
*******

A's Stay Alive!
Wild extra inning affair ends in Oakland victory

OAKLAND (Oct 5)- Baltimore went through four pitchers, Oakland three as the third game of the ALCS lasted twelve innings and saw both closers fail utterly. The A's stay alive, but still trail 2 games to 1.

Oriole starter Mike Cuellar went 7 innings and gave up 2 runs, while Fritz Peterson gave up 2 in 9. 2B Jim Lefebvre went 3 for 5 with a homer and 2 RBI as Oakland inched past the O's 5-4.

Baltimore's Bobby Grich scored in the fourth when he hit a solo shot to right. In the fifth Lefebvre answered with his 2 RBI shot giving Oakland the lead. Merv Rettenmund doubled, then scored on Mark Belanger's single in the eighth to lock the game at 2.

A's closer Paul Lindblad took over in the tenth. Don Buford homered with one out to put Baltimore up 4-2. In the bottom half Bert Campaneris walked off O closer Al Severinsen, took second on indifference, then scored on Joe Rudi's single. Rick Monday hit into a force play for out # 2, but scored on Gene Tenace's double once more tying the game.

Dave May singled with one out in the O eleventh, but Doug DeCinces hit into a double play. Mickey Stanley singled and reached second on a ground out, but Sal Bando's strikeout left him behind.

In the top of the twelfth Davey Johnson singled and advanced on a sacrifice, but he too couldn't score. Danny Frisella pitched for Baltimore in the bottom half, and gave up four consecutive walks.

"You can't win on pitching like that," said Oriole manager Buck Weaver. "You can be sure we'll be back tomorrow to finish this."
*******

Wrigley Field to Host World Series!
Holtzman outduels Sutton. Cubs get two homers to win NLCS

CHICAGO (Oct 6)- Cub pitcher Ken Holtzman pitched all nine innings, giving up six hits as his Cubs secured their first pennant since 1945. The Cubs, heavily favored after going 105-49 in the regular season, lost their first game but outplayed LA the rest of the way.

Dodger ace Don Sutton only lasted six innings, giving up eight hits and three runs. Andre Thornton and Billy Williams both homered to lift Chicago 3-2 over their western rivals.

The day started downright grim for the home town faithful when Reggie Jackson homered with two outs in the first and Wes Parker on base to put the Dodgers up 2-0. Then...they stalled.

"What happened?" asked Jackson after the game. "We had it, but we let it slip through!"

Thornton began the Cubs' comeback in the third with a homer of his own. Williams completed it one inning later.

The Dodgers threatened to blow the game open in the sixth, loading the bases with one out. Jim Fregosi lined out to left however, and Willie Davis ran for home. The umpire called him out on a close play.

Chicago retaliated for their scare when Ron Santo doubled, went to third on Williams' single, then scored on Oscar Gamble's fly out to left. 3-2 Cubs after 6.

That would be it. Joe Ferguson doubled in the seventh, Parker singled in the eighth, and Bill Sudakis walked in the ninth, but Los Angeles couldn't tie it up.

NLCS MVP Fergie Jenkins (1-0, 0.00, 9 IP, 6 H, 10 K) continued his career year. "This is just amazing," he said. "What a great game!"
*******

It's Over! Orioles Win Pennant!
O's come back from two run deficit as A's fall apart late

OAKLAND (Oct 6)- There is no joy in Mudville, for the mighty A's are out. Jim Palmer gave up 3 runs in 8 innings, while Don Buford hit another homer to secure the O's an invitation to the World Series.

Oakland's Blue Moon Odom gave up 3 runs in 7, but it was reliever Enrique Romo's disastrous two inning performance that stilled the Oakland crowd. Baltimore won 6-3.

Palmer looked shaky early on, offering a number of scoring chances. The A's finally took advantage in the third when Joe Rudi doubled, scoring Jim Lefebvre and Bert Campaneris to put Oakland up 2-0. Baltimore somewhat made up for this in the fifth when Dave May singled, advanced on another single and wild pitch, then tagged up and scored on Palmer's fly to left.

The A's retaliated when Campaneris tripled, then tagged up and scored himself to make it 3-1. Buford doubled to start the sixth though, then scored on Paul Blair's single. Blair also came home advancing on a single and grounder, then coming home on May's fly to center.

Oakland loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but Rudi struck out stranding them. Baltimore edged into the lead off Romo in the eighth when Blair singled, advanced on another hit, and came home on DeCinces' shot up the middle.

After the home team went down in order, Merv Rettenmund (PH for Palmer) started the ninth with a single. Buford then homered to put the game away.

Al Severinsen pitched the A's ninth and retired them in order.

The A's deny rumors that owner Charlie Finley confronted Romo after the game, threatening to send him to the D-league. Romo allegedly shoved Finley and made references to his parents before coaches intervened.

ALCS MVP Jim Palmer (2-0 1.59 17 IP 3 ER 8 H 8 K) epitomized a much happier Oriole clubhouse: "Bring on the Cubs!" This is the O's first pennant since 1969, the first year of divisional play.

[petrel]

Maybe Charlie O. will get thrown out of baseball for assaulting a player -- or at least, he'll get a punch in the stomach.

--Pet