March Madness 2015--OOTP Style
 

Well folks, it's that time of year again!! The insanity and craziness of a 64 team, single elimination tournament, to determine a champion. But this isn't basketball, it's OOTP baseball at it's finest!!

This tournament will have four regions of 16 teams battling it out one game at a time to determine a tournament champion. For 2015, the selection committee has decided to seed the top 64 historical teams based on their final regular season record/winning percentage. Some of these teams never went to a World Series, some went and lost, while some took home the World Series Championship! Let's take a look at our first region:

Babe Ruth Regional

The Babe Ruth Regional is led by #1 seed 1906 Chicago Cubs, who finished their season at 116-36, a .763 winning percentage!! Unfortunately, they fell four games to two in the World Series against the White Sox. They will face off against the #16 seed, the 1908 Chicago Cubs, who finished with a record of 99-55. The 1908 squad went on to win the Series 4-1 over the Tigers. The #2 seed is the 1931 Philadelphia Athletics, a team who were 107-45 and lost to the Cardinals in the Series in seven games. They will be matched up against #15, the 1915 Detroit Tigers, who finished 100-54, and 2.5 games out that year. The #3 seed are the 1939 New York Yankees, who ended their season at 106-45. The Yankees went on to win the World Series in a sweep over the Reds. The seeding did the Yankees no favors, however, as they face the #14 1994 Montreal Expos, who were 74-40 in a strike shortened season and whose destiny was potentially taken from them. The #4 seed is the 1905 New York Giants, who were 105-48 and Series champs in five games. They face off against #13 1918 Chicago Cubs. The Cubs were 84-45 and lost the Series in six games. At #5 are the 1919 Cincinnati Reds, who finished their year at 96-44, winning the series with controversy. They will face #12 1938 New York Yankees, who were 99-53 and World Series Champions in a sweep. The #6 seed are the 1946 Boston Red Sox, who finished the year at 104-50, but lost the Series to the Cardinals in seven. Their opponent is #11 1928 New York Yankees, who finished 101-53 and swept the Cardinals for the championship. At #7 are the 1910 Chicago Cubs, who were 104-50, losing to the Philadelphia Athletic in five in the Series. They face off against #10 1903 Boston Americans. The Americans were 91-47 and defeated Pittsburgh in eight games to win the Series. At #8 are the 1954 New York Yankees, who were 103-51, but finished eight games out of first. Their opponent is #9 1970 Baltimore Orioles, who finished 108-54 and went on to a World Series Championship.

Willie Mays Regional

The #1 seed in the Mays region is the 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates, who were 110-42 and Series champion in seven. The #16 seed are the 1929 Chicago Cubs, who finished their year at 98-54 and lost the Series in five games. The #2 seed are the 1907 Chicago Cubs, who were 107-45 that year, sweeping the World Series against the Tigers. #15 are the 2004 St. Louis Cardinals at 105-57. The Cardinals would lose the series in a sweep to the Red Sox. At #3 are the 1932 New York Yankees, who were 107-47 and World Series Champions. Their opponent is the #14 seed 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers, who finished at 100-54 and lost the Series in five. The #4 seed are the 1942 St. Louis Cardinals, who were 106-48 and World Series Champs. The #13 seed are the 1933 Washington Senators, who finished 99-53, losing the Series in five. At #5 are the 1944 St. Louis Cardinals, who ended their season at 105-49, winning the Series in six. The #12 seed are the 1998 Atlanta Braves, who were 106-56 and failed to reach the World Series. The #6 seed are the 1909 Chicago Cubs. The Cubs finished their year at 104-49 and 6.5 games back. The #11 seed are the 1941 New York Yankees, who were 101-53 and World Series Champions. The #7 seed are the 1942 Brooklyn Dodgers, who were 104-40, finishing two games out. Their opponent is the #10 seed 1930 Philadelphia Athletics. The A's were 102-52 and Series champs. The #8 seed goes to the 1942 New York Yankees, who were 103-51 and losers of the Series in five. Their opponent are the #9 seed 1936 New York Yankees, who finished their season 102-51, winning the Series in six.

Ted Williams Regional

The #1 seed in the Ted Williams region are the 1954 Cleveland Indians, who were 111-43 and losers of the World Series in a sweep. Their opponent is #16 seed 1909 Detroit Tigers, who finished 98-54 and lost the Series in seven. At #2 are the 1998 New York Yankees, who ended their year at 114-48, winning the World Series in a sweep. The #15 seed are the 1911 New York Giants, who finished at 99-54 and lost the Series in six. The #3 seed are the 1995 Cleveland Indians, who were 100-44, but lost the Series in six to the Braves. They face off against #14 1935 Chicago Cubs, who finished at 100-54 and lost the Series to the Yankees in six. At #4 are the 1912 Boston Red Sox, who ended their season at 105-47 and won the Series in seven. They will play #13 1914 Philadelphia Athletics, who were 99-53 and losers of the Series in a sweep. The #5 seed are the 1912 New York Giants, who were 103-48 and losers of the Series in seven games. The #12 seed are the 1940 Cincinnati Reds, who finished their year at 100-53 on their way to a World Series win. At #6 are the 1910 Philadelphia Athletics, who finished the season at 102-48, taking the Series in five games. Their opponent is #11 1953 New York Yankees. The Yankees were 99-52 and World Series Champs. The #7 seed are the 1961 New York Yankees, who were 109-53 and Series champs. They will face #10 seed 1937 New York Yankees, who finished their year at 102-52 and won the Series in five. At the #8 seed are the 1911 Philadelphia Athletics, who finished at 101-50 and took the Series in six games. The #9 seed are the 1975 Cincinnati Reds, who were 108-54 and World Series Champions.

Ty Cobb Regional

The #1 seed for the Cobb region is the best regular season team to NOT make the World Series. The 2001 Seattle Mariners finished their season at 116-46, only to lose in the playoffs. Their opponent is #16 seed 1923 New York Yankees, who were 98-54 and World Series champs. The #2 seed are the 1927 New York Yankees, who finished their season at 110-44 and took the Series in a sweep. The #15 seed are the 1963 New York Yankees, who were 104-57, but lost the Series in a sweep. At #3 are the 1929 Philadelphia Athletics, who ended their year at 104-46 and won the Series in five. The #14 seed are the 1917 Chicago White Sox, who finished at 100-54 and won the Series in six. The #4 seed are the 1904 New York Giants, who were 106-47. There was no World Series that year. At #13 are the 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates, who finished that year at 91-49 and were losers in the Series. The #5 seed are the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, who were 105-49, but losers of the Series in six. Their opponent is #12 1934 Detroit Tigers, who ended that year at 101-53 and lost the Series in seven. Coming in at the #6 seed are the 1943 St. Louis Cardinals, who ended their season at 105-49, but lost the Series to the Yankees in five games. They will face #11 1931 St. Louis Cardinals, who finished their year at 101-53 and won the Series. The #7 seed are the 1969 Baltimore Orioles, who were 109-53 and losers to the Miracle Mets in the Series. They will face the #10 seed 1913 New York Giants, who finished at 101-51 and losers of the World Series. The #8 seed are the 1915 Boston Red Sox, who were 101-50 and World Series Champs. Their opponent will be #9 1986 New York Mets, who were 108-54 and Series winners.

So, there you have it. The committee (me) has spoken. So agree or disagree, or agree to disagree, but the selections have been made. Fill out your brackets, make your predictions, lay down your bets and let the games and the madness begin!!!

This may just be the best idea I have ever seen on the forums:D

Day 1: March 19, 2015
 

Welcome to day one of the 2015 March Madness Tournament. I'm Allan Bell and I'll be guiding you through the days action as it's scheduled by OOTP. First, some ground rules you may want to know. The tournament will have injuries and suspensions turned on, but not drug suspensions. Also, there will be no DH. Scheduling will be similar to the NCAA basketball tournament, with teams playing either a Thursday-Saturday or Friday-Sunday schedule for the first four rounds. The Final Four will play a Saturday-Monday schedule. As a result, only a two man rotation has been set up, with the remaining pitchers placed in the bullpen.

So, let's get to it.

Game 1: Babe Ruth Region

#13 1918 Chicago Cubs vs. #4 1905 New York Giants
Lefty Tyler (19-8, 2.00) vs. Christy Mathewson (31-9, 1.28)

The Giants scored two runs in the first and held a 3-1 lead in the 6th, when they broke the game open with four runs, causing Tyler to be pulled. They added one more in the eighth. The Cubs score three in the top of the ninth to make it look close. Mathewson pitches 8.2, allows three hits, strikes out 10 and walks two.

Final: 1905 NY Giants 8 1918 Chicago Cubs 4


Game 2: Ty Cobb Region

#10 1913 New York Giants vs. #7 1969 Baltimore Orioles
Al Demaree (13-4, 2.21) vs. Mike Cuellar (23-11, 2.38)

New York scored first, plating a run in the top of the 2nd, but Baltimore countered with two of their own in the bottom half. Baltimore added a run in the 3rd, two in the 5th and one in the 6th to take the game, 7-1. Demaree lasts only 4.1. Cuellar goes 8.0, allows four hits, strikes out six and walks none.

1969 Baltimore Orioles 7 1913 New York Giants 1


Game 3: Willie Mays Region

#9 1936 New York Yankees vs. #8 1942 New York Yankees
Lefty Gomez (13-7, 4.39) vs. Hank Borowy (15-4, 2.52)

Personally, I thought it was ridiculous the 1936 Yankees started Gomez. Guess OOTP likes stamina better than performance. Interesting...anyway, the 1942 Yankees take an early lead, scoring two in the 1st and one in the 2nd. In the top of the 4th, Joe DiMaggio triples home Bill Dickey and Lou Gehrig to make it 3-2. DiMaggio then scores on a George Selkirk single to tie the game at 3. Both teams score runs in the 6th, making it 4 all. In the top of the 7th, Borowy gives up a home run to Red Rolfe, ending his day and giving up the lead for good. The '36 Yankees add two more runs in the 8th and win it 7-4. Gehrig and DiMaggio each go 2 for 5 in the win.

1936 New York Yankees 7 1942 New York Yankees 4


Game 4: Ted Williams Region

#11 1953 New York Yankees vs. #6 1910 Philadelphia Athletics
Vic Raschi (13-6, 3.33) vs. Chief Bender (23-5, 1.58)

Philadelphia scores a run in the 2nd and two more in the 6th to take a 3-0 lead, but the Yankees score two in the 7th to close the gap. Raschi last seven innings, while Bender goes eight, but now it's up to the bullpens. As we go to the bottom of the 9th, Eddie Plank is pitching for the Athletics as they hold onto a 3-2 lead. With 2 out in the top of the 9th, New York has Mickey Mantle on 2nd, with Hank Bauer at the plate. Bauer can't come through in the clutch, striking out swinging!!!

1910 Philadelphia Athletics 3 1953 New York Yankees 2


Game 5: Ty Cobb Region

#14 1917 Chicago White Sox vs. #3 1929 Philadelphia Athletics
Eddie Cicotte (28-12, 1.53) vs. Lefty Grove (20-6, 2.81)

Given the pitching matchup, I thought this would be a pitchers duel and it didn't disappoint. Chicago scores a run in the 4th and the 8th innings to hold a 2-0 lead. The manager decides to pull Cicotte after 115 pitches and seven innings of shutout ball. It would prove to be the wrong move. With Red Faber on the mound, Al Simmons singles with one out. Jimmie Foxx steps up to the plate and drives a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left to tie the game at 2. The White Sox, smelling upset, put a runner on 2nd in the top of the 9th, but can't score. Into extra innings we go!!! The Athletics manage to get a man 90 feet away in the 10th, but can't get him home. In the top of the 12th, Eddie Collins doubles and later scores on a Happy Felsch single to give Chicago the 3-2 lead!!! So, Joe Benz is on the mound in the bottom half of the 12th. There's two on and two out. Jimmy Dykes hits a liner past second to score Bing Miller and the game is tied at 3!!! Fast forward to the bottom of the 16th inning. Cy Perkins doubles and advances to third on a wild pitch. Rube Walberg, who is pitching in relief, steps to the plate and helps his own cause by singling home Perkins for the win!!

1929 Philadelphia Athletics 4 1917 Chicago White Sox 3 16 Innings


Game 6: Ted Williams Region

#10 1937 New York Yankees vs. #7 1961 New York Yankees
Lefty Gomez (21-11, 2.33) vs. Whitey Ford (25-4, 3.21)

Mickey Mantle hits a lead off home run in the bottom of the 4th to break the scoreless tie. In the 7th inning, Whitey Ford helps himself by doubling in Yogi Berra to give the '61 Yankees a 2-0 lead. Ford is still pitching in the top of the 9th. He gets Lou Gehrig to ground out to short, but then gives up a single to Bill Dickey. Tony Lazzeri strikes out swinging, bringing up Frankie Crosetti with two outs. Crosetti singles, putting men on first and second with two outs. The manager has seen enough and Ford gets pulled and replaced by Luis Arroyo. Tommy Henrich steps to the plate and flies out to right to end the game.

1961 New York Yankees 2 1937 New York Yankees 0


Game 7: Ted Williams Region

#14 1935 Chicago Cubs vs. #3 1995 Cleveland Indians
Larry French (17-10, 2.96) vs. Charles Nagy (16-6, 4.55)

Neither of the starting pitchers lasted long, as both teams struck early and often. After six innings, the game was tied 7-7. The Indians scored two in the bottom of the 7th to take a 9-7 lead, but the Cubs answered with two of their own in the top of the 8th to tie the game at 9. To the bottom of the 9th we go. Charlie Root is in relief for the Cubs. He promptly walks Sandy Alomar on four pitches and then gives up a single to Omar Vizquel. After a Tony Pena flyout and Kenny Lofton fielders choice, Root settles in with two outs and men on the corners to face Eddie Murray. After watching two balls, Murray finds his pitch and lines it into right to score Alomar.

1995 Cleveland Indians 10 1935 Chicago Cubs 9


Game 8: Willie Mays Region

#12 1998 Atlanta Braves vs. #5 1944 St. Louis Cardinals
Greg Maddux (18-9, 2.22) vs. Max Lanier (17-12, 2.65)

The Cardinals and the Braves trade punches throughout the game, with the Cardinals leading 4-2 going into the top of the 9th. Harry Brecheen is in relief for the Cardinals for the save. He promptly retires Chipper Jones and Andres Gallaraga. With two outs, Javy Lopez doubles. Andruw Jones then gets hit by a pitch. Walt Weiss steps into the batters box and singles home Lopez. So, with the score 4-3, pinch hitter Ryan Klesko steps to the plate. Klesko singles the second pitch he see into center, scoring Jones from second. The game is tied at 4!!! Into extra innings we go. The Braves can't do anything in the 10th, but the Cardinals do. Kerry Ligtenberg enters for his second inning of relief and gives up a double to Johnny Hopp. Ligtenberg then commits an error, allowing Hopp to go to third and relief pitcher Freddy Schmidt to get on base. Stan Musial steps to the plate and works to a full count, then fouls off two more pitches. Musial then lines a ball between first and second to score Hopp and win the game!!

1944 St. Louis Cardinals 5 1998 Atlanta Braves 4 10 Innings


Game 9: Babe Ruth Region

#12 1938 New York Yankees vs. #5 1919 Cincinnati Reds
Lefty Gomez (18-12, 3.35) vs. Hod Eller (19-9, 2.39)

In the bottom of the 6th, the Reds break open a 2-2 tie, scoring a run on a Jake Daubert double. Greasy Neale singles home two more runs in the bottom of the 7th to make it 5-2. The Yankees score one in the top of the 9th.

1919 Cincinnati Reds 5 1938 New York Yankees 3


Game 10: Ted Williams Region

#15 1911 New York Giants vs. #2 1998 New York Yankees
Red Ames (11-10, 2.68) vs. David Cone (20-7, 3.55)

The Yankees score two runs in the 2nd and one in the 3rd to take a 3-0 lead into the 9th. Cone is pulled after only 100 pitches and allowing only three hits in favor of Mariano Rivera. Rivera allows two hits and with two outs, faces off against Art Fletcher, who represents the tying run. Rivera catches him looking and strikes him out for the save!!

1998 New York Yankees 3 1911 New York Giants 0


Game 11: Babe Ruth Region

#9 1970 Baltimore Orioles vs. #8 1954 New York Yankees
Jim Palmer (20-10, 2.71) vs. Whitey Ford (16-8, 2.82)

Palmer and Ford take a pitching duel scoreless into the 5th inning. Palmer gives up three straight singles in the bottom of the 5th to load the bases, but then records two outs. Irv Noren hits the first pitch from Palmer through the hole between short and third to score two runs. It would be all the Yankees would need, as Ford holds the Orioles to two hits. Bob Kuzava comes in for the save and puts the Orioles down in order.

1954 New York Yankees 2 1970 Baltimore Orioles 0


Game 12: Willie Mays Region

#16 1929 Chicago Cubs vs. #1 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates
Pat Malone (22-10, 3.57) vs. Howie Camnitz (25-6, 1.62)

Bill Abstein hits a lead off single in the bottom of the 1st. Abstein steals second and then scores on a blooper single into shallow left field. It's still 1-0 going into the 7th inning, when the Cubs mount a threat by loading the bases with one out. But Woody English grounds into the 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. The Cubs get a man on base in the top of the 9th, but can't score him either. Chicago strikes out 14 Pirates in the game.

1909 Pittsburgh Pirates 1 1929 Chicago Cubs 0


Game 13: Ty Cobb Region

#15 1963 New York Yankees vs. #2 1927 New York Yankees
Al Downing (13-5, 2.56) vs. George Pipgras (10-3, 4.11)

The '27 Yankees score three runs in the 3rd inning on Lou Gehrig's three run double. The '63 Yankees score a run in the 7th, but that's all they can manage. Downing strikes out 12 in the loss.

1927 New York Yankees 3 1963 New York Yankees 1


Game 14: Ty Cobb Region

#11 1931 St. Louis Cardinals vs. #6 1943 St. Louis Cardinals
Paul Derringer (18-8, 3.36) vs. Mort Cooper (21-8, 2.30)

***UPSET ALERT***
The '43 Cardinals strike early, scoring two runs in the 1st and one in the 3rd. In the top of the 4th, the '31 Cardinals score three runs on five hits to tie the game. It stays that way until the top of the 8th, when the '31 Cardinals score two more runs to take the 5-3 lead. The '43 Cardinals can't recover and the first major upset of the tournament has arrived.

1931 St. Louis Cardinals 5 1943 St. Louis Cardinals 3


Game 15: Babe Ruth Region

#16 1908 Chicago Cubs vs. #1 1906 Chicago Cubs
Mordecai Brown (29-9, 1.47) vs. Mordecai Brown (26-6, 1.04)

Welcome to a game of firsts!! Mordecai Brown becomes the first player in Major League Baseball to start against himself!!! He will also become the first player in baseball history to both win and lose the same game!! It was a pitcher's duel until bottom of the 4th, when Frank Schulte hit a home run to right field with two outs to score the games only run. A rain delay of 56 minutes knocked out both starters after five innings.

1906 Chicago Cubs 1 1908 Chicago Cubs 0


Game 16: Willie Mays Region

#13 1933 Washington Senators vs. #4 1942 St. Louis Cardinals
General Crowder (24-15, 3.97) vs. Mort Cooper (22-7, 1.78)

***UPSET ALERT***
The Senators get to Cooper early, scoring a run in the 2nd and 3rd innings. The real damage came in the 5th, when Washington scored three more runs without recording an out. Down 5-0, Cooper's day is over. The Cardinals score two in the 7th.

1933 Washington Senators 5 1942 St. Louis Cardinals 2

So, there you have it. One day of action, sixteen games, two upsets. The updated bracket is attached below.

This is epic man. Epic!

The '61 Yankees vs. the '98 Yankees should be quite the match up.

This is great. Keep it up.

Day 2: March 20, 2015
 

Hi folks!! Welcome back to Day 2 action at the 2015 March Madness Tourney. Today the second half of the teams play their games to see who else makes it to the Round of 32. There were some great games, some upsets and some upset tournament bracket owners who had their brackets busted early. On to the action.

Game 1: Ted Williams Region

#12 1940 Cincinnati Reds vs. #5 1912 New York Giants
Paul Derringer (20-12, 3.06) vs. Christy Mathewson (23-12, 2.12)

The Giants take an early lead on Fred Merkle's homer in the bottom of the 1st. It's the only run of the game until the bottom of the 8th, when the Reds pull Derringer and replace him with Junior Thompson. Red Murray singles and advances to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt by Fred Snodgrass. Merkle is intentionally walked, bringing up Art Fletcher. Fletcher singles Murray to third, but an error on right fielder Ival Goodman allows Murray to score and the other runners to advance. Chief Meyers hits a single to score Merkle.

1912 New York Giants 4 1940 Cincinnati Reds 0


Game 2: Willie Mays Region

#10 1930 Philadelphia Athletics vs. #7 1942 Brooklyn Dodgers
Lefty Grove (28-5, 2.54) vs. Bobo Newsom (13-19, 4.73)

Honestly, I thought the Dodgers had no chance with Newsom on the mound. But he pitched well, shutting out the Athletics for eight innings, allowing only two hits. Brooklyn scores a run in the bottom of the 6th on a Dixie Walker RBI single and it's all they need. Les Webber came in to close the game out. Webber made it interesting, walking Mule Haas with one out, but he got Al Simmons to ground into the 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

1942 Brooklyn Dodgers 1 1930 Philadelphia Athletics 0


Game 3: Babe Ruth Region

#11 1928 New York Yankees vs. #6 1946 Boston Red Sox
George Pipgras (24-13, 3.38) vs. Tex Hughson (20-11, 2.75)

The Red Sox strike first in the bottom of the 2nd with two outs. George Metkovich walks, then scores on a Pinky Higgins double down the left field line. The Yankees tie the game in the top of the 4th with one out when Lou Gehrig homers. Babe Ruth then hits a triple and Bob Meusel singles Ruth home, giving New York the lead. In the bottom of the 6th though, Ted Williams is up to the plate with two outs. Williams draws a walk. Bobby Doerr singles and Williams advances to second. Rudy York then hits a single to score Williams and we're all tied up at 2. Neither team can score again and we go to extra innings. Al Shealy is in relief for the Yankees in the bottom of the 11th. He issues walked to both Doerr and York. A Hal Wagner single loads the bases. Metkovich draws the walk and wins the game for the Red Sox in walk-off fashion.

1946 Boston Red Sox 3 1928 New York Yankees 2 11 Innings


Game 4: Babe Ruth Region:

#15 Detroit Tigers vs. #2 Philadelphia Athletics
Harry Coveleski (22-13, 2.45) vs. Lefty Grove (31-4, 2.06)

***UPSET ALERT***
The Tigers score the game's only runs in the top of the 2nd when Sam Crawford walks to get on base, then steals second. Ossie Vitt singles Crawford home. An error on SS Jimmy Dykes allows Vitt to advance to third and he scores on Oscar Stanage's base hit. Coveleski pitches eight innings and holds the Athletics to two hits. Bill Steen comes in for the save.

1915 Detroit Tigers 2 1931 Philadelphia Athletics 0


Game 5: Ted Williams Region

#9 1975 Cincinnati Reds vs. #8 1911 Philadelphia Athletics
Gary Nolan (15-9, 3.16) vs. Eddie Plank (23-8, 2.10)

The Big Red Machine struck in the top of the 1st. Dave Concepcion doubles to lead off the game. Pete Rose then singles, moving Concepcion to third. After strikeouts by Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench, George Foster steps to the plate and doubles home both runners. It was in the bottom of the 2nd when things went bad for the Reds. Bris Lord works a full count and doubles to lead off the inning. Jack Lapp singles Lord to third. Rube Oldring hits into a fielder's choice, which scores Lord. Jack Barry works a full count before flying out to right for the second out. Down 2-1, Eddie Plank singles and Eddie Collins doubles to score two, giving the Athletics the 3-2 lead. Stuffy McInnis singles Collins home and later scores on a Danny Murphy base hit. That's it for Nolan, who only made it 1.2 innings, allowing seven hits and five earned runs. Lapp hits an RBI triple in the 7th inning.

1911 Philadelphia Athletics 6 1975 Cincinnati Reds 2


Game 6: Ty Cobb Region

#9 1986 New York Mets vs. #8 1915 Boston Red Sox
Sid Fernandez (16-6, 3.52) vs. Ernie Shore (19-8, 1.64)

Boston strikes hard and early in the bottom of the 1st. Harry Hooper singles, Hal Janvrin gets a base hit and Tris Speaker doubles, scoring Hooper and moving Janvrin to third. Duffy Lewis hits a sacrifice fly to center to score Janvrin and advance Speaker. Dick Hoblitzell grounds into the 6-3, but Speaker is fast enough to score and put the Red Sox up 3-0. In the bottom of the 3rd, Boston would score again. Janvrin doubles and advances to third on a wild pitch. Speaker then hits a sacrifice fly to center to score Janvrin and the Red Sox lead 4-0. The Mets would rally, though. With two out in the top of the 4th, Kevin Mitchell singles. Darryl Strawberry then hits the first pitch he sees down the right field line for a home run, cutting the lead in half!!! In the top of the 6th, the Mets would score again. Wally Backman singled, then stole second. After Mitchell popped out to first, Strawberry steps in and hits a 2-2 double to score Backman and get to within one run. Keith Hernandez flies out to center for the second out. Gary Carter reaches base on an error by Janvrin at third, which allows Strawberry to get 90 feet from home. Ray Knight steps into the batters box and grounds a single past the second baseman to score Strawberry and the Mets tie the game at 4!!! The magic was still working for the Mets in the top of the 8th when Strawberry gets a base hit with one out and then scores on a Hernandez double to give the Mets the lead and the win!!! Guess who the Player of the Game was?? Strawberry was 4 for 5 with a home run, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.

1986 New York Mets 5 1915 Boston Red Sox 4


Game 7: Ty Cobb Region

#12 1934 Detroit Tigers vs. #5 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers
Schoolboy Rowe (24-8, 3.45) vs. Carl Erskine (20-6, 3.54)

***UPSET ALERT***
Detroit scores a run in the 2nd, two runs in the 4th and one more in the 6th. Rowe pitches eight innings and allows only three hits. At the plate, Rowe was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI.

1934 Detroit Tigers 4 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 0


Game 8: Ty Cobb Region

#13 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates vs. #4 1904 New York Giants
Deacon Phillippe (25-9, 2.43) vs. Red Ames (4-6, 2.27)

***UPSET ALERT***
The Pirates break the scoreless tie in the top of the 5th when Ginger Beaumont scores on Claude Ritchey's RBI single. In the top of the 7th, the Pirates would strike again, scoring three more runs to take a 4-0 lead. Another run in the 8th makes the score 5-0. In the bottom of the 9th, relief pitcher Lave Winham can only get one out and allows the Giants to score two. But Kaiser Wilhelm would come in and record the final two outs for the save.

1903 Pittsburgh Pirates 5 1904 New York Giants 2


Game 9: Willie Mays Region

#14 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers vs. #3 1932 New York Yankees
Whit Wyatt (22-10, 2.34) vs. Red Ruffing (18-7, 3.09)

The game would remain scoreless until the bottom of the 8th, when the Yankees score two runs on Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth RBI singles. Ruffing pitches 7.1 innings and allows a single hit to Wyatt in the top of the 3rd. Ruffing had 14 strikeouts and allowed seven walks. Lefty Gomez get the win in relief and Jumbo Brown gets the save.

1932 New York Yankees 2 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers 0


Game 10: Ted Williams Region

#16 1909 Detroit Tigers vs. #1 1954 Cleveland Indians
George Mullin (29-8, 2.22) vs. Mike Garcia (19-8, 2.64)

***UPSET ALERT***
The Detroit Tigers have taken out the top seed Cleveland Indians in the 1st Round!!!! Detroit scores one in the 2nd and two more in the 8th, all with two outs. Mullin pitches eight innings, allowing six hits, while striking out five and walking two. Garcia makes it 6.2 innings, allowing seven hits, one earned run, 11 strikeouts and one walk.

1909 Detroit Tigers 3 1954 Cleveland Indians 0


Game 11: Babe Ruth Region

#14 1994 Montreal Expos vs. #3 1939 New York Yankees
Jeff Fassero (8-6, 2.99) vs. Lefty Gomez (12-8, 3.41)

***UPSET ALERT***
The Expos broke the scoreless tie in the 5th inning. Mike Lansing hits a single, then steals second. Two outs later, Lansing is on third. Marquis Grissom gets a base hit to score Lansing. In the top of the 8th, Grissom gets another hit. Two outs later, Grissom is on second. Larry Walker walks and Wil Cordero triples to score both runners. Lenny Webster then hits a two run shot to extend Montreal's lead. The Yankees load the bases in the bottom of the 9th. John Wetteland is on the mound in relief, facing George Selkirk. Three pitches later, Selkirk has struck out and the Expos advance!!

1994 Montreal Expos 5 1939 New York Yankees 0


Game 12: Ted Williams Region

#13 1914 Philadelphia Athletics vs. #4 1912 Boston Red Sox
Eddie Plank (15-7, 2.87) vs. Smoky Joe Wood (34-5, 1.91)

Philadelphia made a statement early, when Home Run Baker hit a home run in the top of the 4th to give the Athletics the early 1-0 lead. Philadelphia would threaten again in the top of the 5th with runners at second and third with one out. Eddie Collins would fly out to left for the second out. Plank tags up at third and heads home. Duffy Lewis rifles the ball home, throwing out Plank!!! That would be the momentum changing moment of the game. In the bottom half of the 5th, Larry Gardner singles home two runs to give the Red Sox a lead they would not relinquish. They would score again in the bottom of the 6th and add four more runs in the 7th. Boston advances to the 2nd round in a rematch of the 1912 World Series against the 1912 New York Giants!!

1912 Boston Red Sox 7 1914 Philadelphia Athletics 1


Game 13: Willie Mays Region

#11 1941 New York Yankees vs. #6 1909 Chicago Cubs
Marius Russo (14-10, 3.09) vs. Orval Overall (20-11, 1.42)

The Yankees are held to two hits, the first of which didn't come until the 6th inning. The Cubs score runs in all the even innings.

1909 Chicago Cubs 4 1941 New York Yankees 0


Game 14: Babe Ruth Region

#10 1903 Boston Americans vs. #7 1910 Chicago Cubs
Cy Young (28-9, 2.08) vs. Mordecai Brown (25-14, 1.86)

The game was scoreless until the 7th inning. The Americans get on the board with one out in the top of the 7th. Freddy Parent is able to draw the walk and gets home on a Jimmy Collins triple. The Cubs would answer in the bottom of the 7th. With one out, Solly Hofman hits a single. Frank Schulte then steps to the plate and launches the 3-1 pitch out of the park!! Brown gets the win with eight innings of work, allowing only three hits, striking out ten and walking two. Ed Reulbach comes in and gets the save in the 9th.

1910 Chicago Cubs 2 1903 Boston Americans 1


Game 15: Willie Mays Region

#15 2004 St. Louis Cardinals vs. #2 1907 Chicago Cubs
Chris Carpenter (15-5, 3.46) vs. Jack Pfiester (14-9, 1.15)

The Cardinals would score first in the top of the 2nd with two outs and Jim Edmonds on first. John Mabry hits a home run on the first pitch he sees from Pfiester and St. Louis has an early 2-0 lead. The Cubs would answer in the bottom of the 3rd. Johnny Evers hits an RBI single to score Joe Tinker from second and the lead is down to 2-1. Let's fast forward to the bottom of the 9th and face the agony that was all too familiar to those of us who are Cardinals fans. That's right, Jason Isringhausen was brought into the game for the save. The cloud of dread hangs over Cardinals fans as they watch Isringhausen get Evers to ground out, 1-3. Solly Hoffman singles, but Frank Chance flies out to center for the second out. The cloud grows into a raging thunderstorm, as Isringhausen allows Frank Schulte to single. Johnny Kling singles on an 0-2 pitch to score Hofman and blow the save!!! Another 0-2 pitch and another single, this one by Jimmy Sheckard and Schulte scores. Game over, thank you Isringhausen......stupid Isringhausen.....don't know why they kept putting that guy in...just goes to show you that OOTP is extremely accurate.

1907 Chicago Cubs 3 2004 St. Louis Cardinals 2


Game 16: Ty Cobb Region

#16 1923 New York Yankees vs. #1 2001 Seattle Mariners
Bullet Joe Bush (19-15, 3.43) vs. Freddy Garcia (18-6, 3.05)

Garcia pitches a complete game, holding the Yankees to two hits. Seattle scores two runs in the 7th and Mike Cameron adds a home run in the 8th.

2001 Seattle Mariners 3 1923 New York Yankees 0

That's the end of Day 2. Onto the Round of 32.

I like the concept. Why only one game to advance? That might not showcase teams with a strong starting rotation.

It's modeled after the NCAA tournament, so only one game. I am thinking of doing a tournament in the future that would be the best of seven but I have been debating whether to go single or double elimination.

I say leave it as is. Sure, it sometimes comes down to luck with one game, but luck plays a factor in the real tournament as well.

I agree keep it one game. This is awesome, great idea :D

Whoa. What a fantastic concept! :thumbup1:

Nick Soulis did a best-team-ever tournament like this a few years ago (before he started the Excellence Project) but I like the creative twist this has with its attempt to model the real-life tournament. Rooting for Seattle 2001.

go 1986 new york mets

The Mets had quite the game. I thought you'd be happy with the outcome. [emoji2]

Let's go Expos!

Day 3: March 21, 2015
 

Welcome back!!! It's Day 3 action and time for the Round of 32, or the 2nd Round of the Tournament, or as these eight games showed, the Round of Upsets!!! Incredible games played today. Let's get to them and see who advances to the Sweet 16!!

Game 1: Babe Ruth Region

#5 1919 Cincinnati Reds vs. #4 1905 New York Giants
Jimmy Ring (10-9, 2.26) vs. Red Ames (22-8, 2.74)

The game starts with each team scoring a run in the 1st inning. The Reds plate two more runs in the top of the 4th to lead it 3-1. The Giants score one of their own in the bottom of the 4th to cut the lead to one. But Cincinnati would break it open in the top of the 5th, scoring three runs to take a 5-2 lead. They added another in the 7th to make it 6-2. New York tries to make a comeback, scoring two in the bottom of the 9th, but they fall short.

1919 Cincinnati Reds 6 1905 New York Giants 4


Game 2: Ted Williams Region

#7 1961 New York Yankees vs. #2 1998 New York Yankees
Bill Stafford (14-9, 2.68) vs. David Wells (18-4, 3.49)

Yankees fans don't know who to cheer for in this game. It becomes a generational civil war in the stands, old timers taking on the younger generation. NYPD restores order and got to see a hell of a game!!! The '61 Yankees strike in the top of the 1st when Roger Maris hits a home run down the right field line to open up a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 3rd, the '98 Yankees answer. Jorge Posada hits a home run into left center to tie the game. After Wells flies out, Chuck Knoblauch singles. Derek Jeter flies out for the second out, bringing up Bernie Williams. Williams connects on a pitch, knocking it over the right field wall to give the '98 Yankees a 3-1 lead!!! We go to the top of the 5th with two outs. Maris again is at the plate and he connects AGAIN!!! Down the right field line it goes to cut the lead to 3-2. The '98 Yankees score two more runs on four singles in the bottom of the 5th to extend their lead to 5-2. But in the top of the 6th with one out, Bill Skowron singles, which brings Yogi Berra to the plate. Berra connects and hits one out to right center and over the wall. The lead has been reduced to 5-4!!! That's where it remains, until the top of the 9th. Mariano Rivera has been brought in to save the game. He gets Bobby Richardson to ground into the 5-3. Pinch hitter Lee Thomas flies out to right. Two outs and Maris is up. He draws a walk, breathing life into the '61 squad. Tony Kubek then smacks a double, scoring Maris and tying the game!!! Blown save for Rivera!!! Elston Howard then singles Kubek to third. Mickey Mantle steps into the batters box. He works Rivera to a 2-2 count, then hits a single past Knoblauch at 2nd, scoring Kubek and winning the game for the old timers!!!

1961 New York Yankees 6 1998 New York Yankees 5


Game 3: Willie Mays Region

#9 1936 New York Yankees vs. #1 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates
Monte Pearson (19-7, 3.71) vs. Babe Adams (12-3, 1.11)

The Yankees would score first in this game in the 3rd inning when Lou Gehrig draws a walk with the bases loaded. The Pirates would answer in the bottom of the 4th on an Honus Wagner home run to center. The score would remain 1-1 until the 9th inning. Relief pitcher Sam Leever is on the mound and gets one out. Tony Lazzeri draws the walk and Frankie Crosetti is hit by a pitch. Jake Powell hits into the fielder's choice, putting runners on the corners with two outs. Ben Chapman then delivers a double to score both runners. Leever gets pulled and replaced by Chick Brandom, who allows three more runs to score and another top seed bites the dust.

1936 New York Yankees 6 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates 1


Game 4: Ty Cobb Region

#7 1969 Baltimore Orioles vs. #2 1927 New York Yankees
Jim Palmer (16-4, 2.34) vs. Waite Hoyt (22-7, 2.63)

The game remains a pitching duel until the top of the 7th inning. Paul Blair is on second with two outs. Davey Johnson gets an RBI single to score Blair and break the scoreless tie. In the top of the 9th, the Orioles would extend their lead on a two out home run by Andy Etchebarren off of reliever Bob Shawkey. To the bottom of the 9th we go. Palmer gives up singles to both Babe Ruth and Tony Lazzeri. Pat Collins flies out to right, moving Ruth to third. In comes relief pitcher Dick Hall with runners on the corners and only one out. Hall get Joe Dugan to fly out to left, but Ruth is able to tag up and score!!! Ray Morehart steps up to the plate with the tying run on base and grounds out to the first baseman.

1969 Baltimore Orioles 2 1927 New York Yankees 1


Game 5: Ty Cobb Region

#11 1931 St. Louis Cardinals vs. #3 1929 Philadelphia Athletics
Bill Hallahan (19-9, 3.29) vs. George Earnshaw (24-8, 3.29)

The Athletics would score one run in the bottom of the 1st inning to take an early lead, but it would be the only run they would score. George Watkins hit a 2-2 pitch over the fence in right for the Cardinals to tie the game in the top of the 5th. St. Louis adds a run in the top of the 6th and top of the 9th to seal the win.

1931 St. Louis Cardinals 3 1929 Philadelphia Athletics 1


Game 6: Ted Williams Region

#6 1910 Philadelphia Athletics vs. #3 1995 Cleveland Indians
Jack Coombs (31-9, 1.30) vs. Dennis Martinez (12-5, 3.08)

If you thought this was going to be a pitching duel, then you were wrong. The Indians open up the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd with Carlos Baerga hitting a two run homer. The Athletics would answer in the top of the 3rd, scoring four runs on five hits to take a 4-2 lead. But in the bottom of the 3rd, Cleveland would score three runs on five hits to take back the lead, 5-4. Philadelphia scores in the top of the 4th to tie the game at 5. In the bottom of the 6th with two outs, the Indians would score two runs to take a 7-5 lead. The Athletics plate one run in the top of the 8th to cut the lead to one, 7-6. But Cleveland would send 12 batters to the plate in the bottom of the 8th, scoring seven runs to put the game out of reach.

1995 Cleveland Indians 14 1910 Philadelphia Athletics 6


Game 7: Babe Ruth Region

#8 1954 New York Yankees vs. #1 1906 Chicago Cubs
Bob Grim (20-6, 3.26) vs. Fred Beebe (15-10, 2.93)

The game remained scoreless until the top of the 5th inning with two outs. An Irv Noren double would score Gil McDougald, who got on base on a leadoff walk. Noren would score on an Andy Carey single and the Yankees have a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the 5th, Joe Tinker hits a sac fly to center to score Harry Steinfeldt, cutting the lead in half. But in the top of the 6th, the Yankees would strike again. With one out, Bill Skowron singles and moves to third on a Joe Collins double. McDougald is intentionally walked to load the bases. Willy Miranda strikes out looking, making it two outs. Grim, the pitcher, steps to the plate and delivers a GRAND SLAM over the left center wall to give the Yankees a 6-1 lead!!! Chicago would score two in the 6th and one more in the 8th, but it isn't enough.

1954 New York Yankees 6 1906 Chicago Cubs 4


Game 8: Willie Mays Region

#13 1933 Washington Senators vs. #5 1944 St. Louis Cardinals
Earl Whitehill (22-8, 3.33) vs. Mort Cooper (22-7, 2.46)

The Cardinals build an early lead starting in the 1st inning. The bases are loaded (all walks) with two outs. Danny Litwhiler singles to score two and the Cardinals are up 2-0. In the bottom of the 5th, St. Louis would open it up. Cooper hits a 2 run double and scores on Whitey Kurowski's 2 run homer. Up 6-0, the Cardinals would add to their lead in the bottom of the 6th when Mary Marion hits a 2 run home run to make it 8-0. The Senators, tired of getting beat up, start a beating of their own in the top of the 8th, scoring six runs on six hits. Down 8-6, Washington threatens again in the top of the 9th. With Harry Brecheen on the mound for the Cardinals, Sam Rice singles and Joe Cronin walks. Buddy Myer and Joe Kuhel both strike out, ending the game and their tournament hopes.

1944 St. Louis Cardinals 8 1933 Washington Senators 6

So, there you have it. Another day of action in the tournament. Day 4 will bring more exciting baseball!!!

Wow, lots of upsets in that last round

Day 4: March 22, 2015
 

Welcome back for day 4 action here at March Madness 2015. Eight more games today will reduce the tournament to it's Sweet 16. Who will make it? Who will get upset? Let's find out!!!

Game 1: Ted Williams Region

#5 1912 New York Giants vs. #4 1912 Boston Red Sox
Red Ames (11-5, 2.46) vs. Eddie Cicotte (10-10, 3.50)

It's a rematch of the 1912 World Series that went the distance. Do the Red Sox win again or do the Giants finally get revenge for that loss? Interestingly enough, Cicotte is starting for the Red Sox. The problem? He never played in the 1912 World Series, because he was traded that year to the Chicago White Sox. Should he play? Should he not play? Well, he's on the roster, so play he will.

The Giants break the scoreless tie in the top of the 3rd. Red Murray triples and later scores on Ames' sacrifice fly to left. The Red Sox would tie the game in the bottom of the 6th. Cicotte hits a triple and Larry Gardner hits a double to score him. In the bottom of the 7th, the Red Sox break the game wide open when Gardner hits a grand slam!!! Boston scores five runs on five hits to take a 6-1 lead. New York would score one in the top of the 8th to make it 6-2, but the Red Sox put the final nails in the Giant's coffin by scoring twice more in the bottom of the 8th.

1912 Boston Red Sox 8 1912 New York Giants 2


Game 2: Willie Mays Region

#7 1942 Brooklyn Dodgers vs. #2 1907 Chicago Cubs
Whit Wyatt (19-7, 2.73) vs. Mordecai Brown (20-6, 1.39)

It's the Cubs who score first. In the bottom of the 4th, Chicago's Solly Hofman reaches first bast on an error. Two outs later, Johnny Kling triples to score Hofman and put the Cubs up 1-0. Brooklyn would strike in the top of the 6th. With one out, Wyatt helps his own cause with a single. Arky Vaughan and Joe Medwick also single to load the bases. With Pete Reiser at the plate, a wild pitch scores Wyatt to tie the game. Reiser strikes out to make it two outs. Dolph Camilli walks to load the bases again and Dixie Walker clears them with a 3 RBI double to put the Dodgers in the lead 4-1. The Cubs load the bases in the bottom of the 8th, but fail to score a runner.

***UPSET ALERT***
1942 Brooklyn Dodgers 4 1907 Chicago Cubs 1


Game 3: Babe Ruth Region

#15 1915 Detroit Tigers vs. #7 1910 Chicago Cubs
Hooks Dauss (24-13, 2.50) vs. Orval Overall (12-6, 2.68)

The Tigers start the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning when Mary Kavanagh scores on a Red McKee single with two outs. The score remains 1-0 Detroit until the top of the 7th. Donie Bush draws a walk to get on base. After McKee flies out to left, Ralph Young walks. With Bobby Veach at the plate, Bush and Young steal 3rd and 2nd on the first two strikes thrown to Veach. Veach then singles Bush home to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. The Cubs, tired of the upset grumblings in the stands, go to work in the bottom of the 7th. Jimmy Sheckard and Johnny Kling both walk. Johnny Evers drops a sac bunt to advance the runners. Doc Miller hits an RBI single to cut the lead to 2-1. After Joe Tinker flies out to right, Frank Chance hits an 0-2 pitch for a 2 RBI single to give Chicago the 3-2 lead. The Tigers would answer in the top of the 8th, with Kavanagh doubling and later coming home on Bush's two out single. Game tied 3-3. In the top of the 9th, Detroit is able to load the bases with two outs, but Kavanagh doesn't come through, striking out and stranding the runners. To extra innings we go!!! The Cubs come up to bat in the bottom of the 11th. Sheckard walks and Kling doubles with no outs. Evers then hits the game winning RBI single to end it.

1910 Chicago Cubs 4 1915 Detroit Tigers 3 11 Innings


Game 4: Babe Ruth Region

#14 1994 Montreal Expos vs. #6 1946 Boston Red Sox
Pedro Martinez (11-5, 3.42) vs. Dave Ferriss (25-6, 3.25)

The Expos start the scoring with one out in the top of the 1st. Cliff Floyd singles and Larry Walker walks. Moises Alou then doubles Floyd home and Walker scores on Wil Cordero's ground out to short. Montreal 2-0. But the lead was brief. In the bottom of the 1st with one out, can you say deja vu? Dom DiMaggio singles and Ted Williams walks. Bobby Doerr doubles home DiMaggio to cut the lead to 2-1. After Rudy York strikes out with the bat on his shoulder, Hal Wagner steps to the plate and launches a three run shot out of the park in left center. Red Sox 4-2. In the bottom of the 2nd, Martinez goes out to the mound, only to be pulled by the manager and replaced by Kirk Rueter. Is he injured? Nope. Just on a very short leash, apparently. Boston scores again in the bottom of the 3rd with one out. Williams and Doerr single, followed by York walking to load the bases. Wagner hits a 2 RBI single and the Red Sox lead is 6-2. They would add to that lead in the bottom of the 5th with reliever Butch Henry on the mound for Montreal. Doerr and York both walk. Wagner's ground out advances the runners, but George Metkovich flies out to left for the second out. For some reason, Pinky Higgins gets the free pass to first to load the bases. Why didn't they do that to Metkovich? Anyway, Ferriss helps himself by hitting a 2 RBI single. Red Sox lead 8-2. Tired of getting beat up, the Expos mount a rally in the top of the 6th. Walker doubles and comes home on Alou's 2 run homer. After Cordero grounds out, Sean Berry doubles and moves to third on Darrin Fletcher's single. Mike Lansing singles to score Berry, but the others are stranded. Boston leads 8-5. To the top of the 8th we go and the Expos are scoring again. Cordero doubles and moves to third on Berry's single. Fletcher knocks Cordero in on a base hit. Boston lead 8-6. So, to the top of the 9th. Can the Expos come back and win the game? Relief pitcher Joe Dobson is on the mound for the Red Sox with two outs. Floyd hits a triple and scores on Walker's base hit. The lead is down to 8-7!!! Moises Alou is at the plate, but can't be the hero, as he grounds out to short, who takes it to second unassisted to force Walker out.

1946 Boston Red Sox 8 1994 Montreal Expos 7


Game 5: Ty Cobb Region

#9 1986 New York Mets vs. #1 2001 Seattle Mariners
Dwight Gooden (17-6, 2.84) vs. Jamie Moyer (20-6, 3.43)

What looks to be a pitchers duel is just that. In the top of the 2nd, the Mets would score their only runs of the game. With Ray Knight on first, Lee Mazzilli hits a two run home run to left center to give New York a 2-0 lead. Will it be enough for Doc? It's the bottom of the 6th with two outs. Ichiro Suzuki singles, as does Edgar Martinez, which advances Suzuki to third. With Bret Boone at the plate, Gooden unleashes a wild pitch, allowing Suzuki to score!!! But he gets Boone to fly out and the Mariners never threaten again.

***UPSET ALERT***
1986 New York Mets 2 2001 Seattle Mariners 1


Game 6: Willie Mays Region

#6 1909 Chicago Cubs vs. #3 1932 New York Yankees
Mordecai Brown (27-9, 1.31) vs. Johnny Allen (17-4, 3.70)

No one scores until the bottom of the 6th, when the Yankees take an early 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly. The Cubs would tie the game with a sac fly of their own in the top of the 8th. But in the bottom of the 8th, Ben Chapman triples for the Yankees. Two outs later, Babe Ruth hits an RBI double to give New York a 2-1 lead. Jumbo Brown come into the game to close it out. Brown strikes out all three batters he faces and the Yankees are going to the Sweet 16!!!

1932 New York Yankees 2 1909 Chicago Cubs 1


Game 7: Ted Williams Region

#16 1909 Detroit Tigers vs. #8 1911 Philadelphia Athletics
Bill Donovan (8-7, 2.31) vs. Chief Bender (17-5, 2.16)

The cinderella story of the tournament shows they belong in the top of the 1st when they take an early lead. Tom Jones walks with one out and advances to second on Ty Cobb's ground out. Sam Crawford doubles Jones home with two outs. George Moriarty then steps up and hits a two run homer. Detroit leads 3-0. The Athletics cut the lead to 3-1 when they score a run in the bottom of the 2nd. But the Tigers would add to their lead in the top of the 4th with two outs. Donie Bush hits an RBI single to make it 4-1. The real damage comes in the top of the 6th, when Detroit scores four runs on three hits and an error to take an 8-1 lead. The Athletics erupt in the bottom of the 6th, scoring five runs on five hits to cut the lead to 8-6. Philadelphia couldn't score again and that's the final.

***UPSET ALERT***
1909 Detroit Tigers 8 1911 Philadelphia Athletics 6


Game 8: Ty Cobb Region

[B]#13 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates vs. #12 1934 Detroit Tigers[/B]
Sam Leever (25-7, 2.06) vs. Elden Auker (15-7, 3.42)

The Tigers take the early lead in the bottom of the 1st on a Charlie Gehringer solo home run. The score is still 1-0 Tigers in the bottom of the 7th. Detroit's Mickey Cochrane doubles and scores, two outs later, on an error by the Pirate's third baseman, Tommy Leach. With the lead at 2-0, Detroit brings in pitcher Tommy Bridges for the save in the top of the 9th. Jimmy Sebring hits a solo shot to cut the lead to 2-1. But Bridges settles down and strikes out the next three batters to end it.

1934 Detroit Tigers 2 1903 Pittsburgh Pirates 1


So, there you have it. The Sweet 16 is set and there are NO #1 or #2 seeds left in the tournament. Only two #3 seeds are left and only one #4 seed. There's even a #11, a #12 and a #16 seed!!! So, how's your bracket holding up?? All teams will play on the same day, March 26, 2015, followed by the Elite 8 on March 28, 2015. Join us then.

Go 1986 New York Mets!! On to the Sweet 16!