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Nick Soulis · 01-01-2022, 03:25 PM

PRELIMINARY ROUND
Series #75
2002 Atlanta Braves (101-59) vs 1918 Philadelphia Athletics (52-76)

Still in the midst of their dominance, the Braves of the early 2000's were still among the best teams in baseball and in 02 they won 101 games. John Smoltz had taken on his new role as team closer saving an incredible 55 games, over half of the teams wins. The Braves starters had Tom Glavine winning 18 games and Greg Maddux who went 16-6 with a 2.62 ERA; both Maddux and Glavine were 36 years old and as good as ever. Third starter Kevin Millwood was fitting in just fine also winning 28 games and striking out 178. Damian Moss was an acceptable 4th starter while Jason Marquis struggled but Atlanta had more then enough on the pitching side to win big, including the three forementioned Hall of Famers. Chipper Jones drove in 100 runs and hit a cool .327 while still playing out in left field. Andruw Jones by now was the best defensive centerfielder in the game but also hit 35 bombs even if he struck out 135 times. At 33 Gary Sheffield was still dangerous hitting .307 with a .404 OBP. Rafael Furcal stole 27 bases and scored 95 runs at the top of the order and at first base 43 year old Julio Franco proved age was just a number hitting .284 in over 100 games. Bobby Cox has a good familiar roster and even if the Braves fell short in the post season like they did too many times, Cox and his team should have more then enough to close out the Athletics.

Still saving money and rebuilding his side, Connie Mack wasn't too hard on himself and his roster sitting 24 games under .500 in the war shortened season. The bats especially on this team were weak and will have a hell of a time hitting Atlanta pitching. George Burns lead the side with 22 doubles and 70 RBI with an impressive .352. Tillie Walker and Larry Gardner were next on the list of competent bats but they were not run producers and did not hit with power, they combined for a .290 average. Joe Dugan hit .195 and 21 year old Jimmy Dykes was even worse at .188 for a pathetic middle of the infield combo. Center fielder Merlin Kopp lead the team with 22 steals but a .320 OBP wasn't good enough. Mack's pithing staff was much better as Scott Perry could be proud of his effort winning 20 games even if he lost 19. Perry had a 1.98 ERA with three shutouts and even 2 saves. Vean Gregg lost 14 games but had a 3.12 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP and along side him was third starter Mule Watson who had a 3.37 ERA with 3 shutouts of his own. Willie Adams and Elmer Myers were too versatile arms Mack could use as starters or relief men, but the lack of any run support really made it a challenge to assess just how good this pitching roster could be. The A's surely will have their hands full in this series but should keep games low scoring and surely have nothing to lose in their efforts to pull the upset against a 100 win club.

Game 1 At Turner Field
Partly cloudy 60
1918 Athletics.............3
2002 Braves...............7
WP: K. Millwood (1-0) LP: S. Perry (0-1)
HR: J. Dugan (1), R. Furcal (1)
POG: Kevin Millwood
2002 Braves lead series 1-0
Kevin Millwood was the surprise starter in game one by Bobby Cox and the move paid off well. Millwood threw a complete game allowing three runs and walking only one in the win. Rafael Furcal hit a three run home run while Marcus Giles went 3-4 with 2 RBI for the Atlanta who draw first blood.

Game 2 At Turner Field
Partly cloudy 64
1918 Athletics...................4
2002 Braves.....................6
WP: J. Smoltz (1-0) LP: B. Geary (0-1)
HR: J. Franco (1), J. Lopez (1), T. Walker (1)
POG: Julio Franco
2002 Braves lead series 2-0
In dramatic style, Javy Lopez launches a 394 foot home run over the right field wall to walk off game two as Bob Geary takes the loss. Tillie Walker had hit a three run home run off Greg Maddux in the 4th but Atlanta fought back and tied the game in the 7th with a 2 run single by Gary Sheffield. Julio Franco went 3-5 with 2 RBI proving his worth and experience matters in big game. The A's needed this one, but now instead go back home with alot of work to do.

Game 3 At Shibe Park
Clear 61
2002 Braves..................4
1918 Athletics................2
WP: T. Glavine (1-0) LP: V. Gregg (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (1)
HR: None
POG: Tom Glavine
2002 Braves lead series 3-0
Smooth sailing continues for Atlanta as they win their third game behind a good Tom Glavine who struck out seven and handed over the close of the game to John Smotlz who put the A's away. Mark DeRosa had the biggest hit of this game when he ripped a two run double down the left field line in the 3rd as Atlanta would score three in the inning. The Braves now look for the sweep and they have been by far the better side in all three games played.

Game 4 At Shibe Park
Rain 59
2002 Braves.................9
1918 Athletics............10
WP: R. Johnson (1-0) LP: M. Remlinger (0-1) B. Geary (1)
HR: G. Burns (1), C. Jones (1), J. Franco (2)
POG: George Burns
2002 Braves lead series 3-1
A battle to survive the 18 Athletics squeeze by the Braves in a wild one. Down three runs in the 6th, Atlanta rallied to tie the game but in the bottom of the frame the home side plated five. Joe Dugan had the biggest hit clearing the bases with a double but the lead wasnt as comfortable as expected. The Braves fought back scoring 3 in the 8th and in the 9th Mark DeRosa cut the lead to one with an RBI double but was stranded on second as Bob Geary finally closed the door.

Game 5 At Shibe Park
Clear 55
2002 Braves...............2
1918 Athletics.............4
WP: B. Geary (1-1) LP: J. Smoltz (1-1)
HR: C. Jones (2), T. Walker (2), G. Burns (2)
POG: Kevin Millwood
2002 Braves lead series 3-2
Playing with their heart on the line, the 1918 A's pulled off a miracle finish and send the series back to Atlanta. Down two, George Burns toom John Smoltz out of Shibe Park in the bottom of the ninth for a walk off three run home run. A dramatic collapse for the Braves closer who couldnt get the job done after Kevin Millwood pitched 8 very strong innings. A classic game at Shibe Park.

Game 6 at Turner Field
Partly cloudy 52
1918 Athletics..............4
2002 Braves................6
WP: D. Holmes (1-0) LP: E. Myers (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (2)
HR: T. Walker (3)
POG: Tillie Walker
The Braves wasted no time upon returning home and giving Greg Maddux a three run lead in the first inning. Maddux would go six allowing three earned runs as the Athletics got to him tying the game up at three. Tied at four in the 8th, Tillie Walker hit his third home run of the series off of Darren Holmes to get a late lead. In the bottom of the 8th, the Braves had seen enough. Javy Lopez got the big two out, two run RBI single that turned the tide and the lead back the Atlanta. John Smoltz closed the ninth out as well as the series, as the Atlanta talent was just too much in the end.

2002 Atlanta Braves Win Series 4 games to 2

Series MVP:
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Javy Lopez
(.250, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, Walk off home run game two, 2 run single game six)

01-01-2022, 03:25 PM	#93
Nick Soulis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,394	PRELIMINARY ROUND Series #75 2002 Atlanta Braves (101-59) vs 1918 Philadelphia Athletics (52-76) Still in the midst of their dominance, the Braves of the early 2000's were still among the best teams in baseball and in 02 they won 101 games. John Smoltz had taken on his new role as team closer saving an incredible 55 games, over half of the teams wins. The Braves starters had Tom Glavine winning 18 games and Greg Maddux who went 16-6 with a 2.62 ERA; both Maddux and Glavine were 36 years old and as good as ever. Third starter Kevin Millwood was fitting in just fine also winning 28 games and striking out 178. Damian Moss was an acceptable 4th starter while Jason Marquis struggled but Atlanta had more then enough on the pitching side to win big, including the three forementioned Hall of Famers. Chipper Jones drove in 100 runs and hit a cool .327 while still playing out in left field. Andruw Jones by now was the best defensive centerfielder in the game but also hit 35 bombs even if he struck out 135 times. At 33 Gary Sheffield was still dangerous hitting .307 with a .404 OBP. Rafael Furcal stole 27 bases and scored 95 runs at the top of the order and at first base 43 year old Julio Franco proved age was just a number hitting .284 in over 100 games. Bobby Cox has a good familiar roster and even if the Braves fell short in the post season like they did too many times, Cox and his team should have more then enough to close out the Athletics. Still saving money and rebuilding his side, Connie Mack wasn't too hard on himself and his roster sitting 24 games under .500 in the war shortened season. The bats especially on this team were weak and will have a hell of a time hitting Atlanta pitching. George Burns lead the side with 22 doubles and 70 RBI with an impressive .352. Tillie Walker and Larry Gardner were next on the list of competent bats but they were not run producers and did not hit with power, they combined for a .290 average. Joe Dugan hit .195 and 21 year old Jimmy Dykes was even worse at .188 for a pathetic middle of the infield combo. Center fielder Merlin Kopp lead the team with 22 steals but a .320 OBP wasn't good enough. Mack's pithing staff was much better as Scott Perry could be proud of his effort winning 20 games even if he lost 19. Perry had a 1.98 ERA with three shutouts and even 2 saves. Vean Gregg lost 14 games but had a 3.12 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP and along side him was third starter Mule Watson who had a 3.37 ERA with 3 shutouts of his own. Willie Adams and Elmer Myers were too versatile arms Mack could use as starters or relief men, but the lack of any run support really made it a challenge to assess just how good this pitching roster could be. The A's surely will have their hands full in this series but should keep games low scoring and surely have nothing to lose in their efforts to pull the upset against a 100 win club. Game 1 At Turner Field Partly cloudy 60 1918 Athletics.............3 2002 Braves...............7 WP: K. Millwood (1-0) LP: S. Perry (0-1) HR: J. Dugan (1), R. Furcal (1) POG: Kevin Millwood 2002 Braves lead series 1-0 Kevin Millwood was the surprise starter in game one by Bobby Cox and the move paid off well. Millwood threw a complete game allowing three runs and walking only one in the win. Rafael Furcal hit a three run home run while Marcus Giles went 3-4 with 2 RBI for the Atlanta who draw first blood. Game 2 At Turner Field Partly cloudy 64 1918 Athletics...................4 2002 Braves.....................6 WP: J. Smoltz (1-0) LP: B. Geary (0-1) HR: J. Franco (1), J. Lopez (1), T. Walker (1) POG: Julio Franco 2002 Braves lead series 2-0 In dramatic style, Javy Lopez launches a 394 foot home run over the right field wall to walk off game two as Bob Geary takes the loss. Tillie Walker had hit a three run home run off Greg Maddux in the 4th but Atlanta fought back and tied the game in the 7th with a 2 run single by Gary Sheffield. Julio Franco went 3-5 with 2 RBI proving his worth and experience matters in big game. The A's needed this one, but now instead go back home with alot of work to do. Game 3 At Shibe Park Clear 61 2002 Braves..................4 1918 Athletics................2 WP: T. Glavine (1-0) LP: V. Gregg (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (1) HR: None POG: Tom Glavine 2002 Braves lead series 3-0 Smooth sailing continues for Atlanta as they win their third game behind a good Tom Glavine who struck out seven and handed over the close of the game to John Smotlz who put the A's away. Mark DeRosa had the biggest hit of this game when he ripped a two run double down the left field line in the 3rd as Atlanta would score three in the inning. The Braves now look for the sweep and they have been by far the better side in all three games played. Game 4 At Shibe Park Rain 59 2002 Braves.................9 1918 Athletics............10 WP: R. Johnson (1-0) LP: M. Remlinger (0-1) B. Geary (1) HR: G. Burns (1), C. Jones (1), J. Franco (2) POG: George Burns 2002 Braves lead series 3-1 A battle to survive the 18 Athletics squeeze by the Braves in a wild one. Down three runs in the 6th, Atlanta rallied to tie the game but in the bottom of the frame the home side plated five. Joe Dugan had the biggest hit clearing the bases with a double but the lead wasnt as comfortable as expected. The Braves fought back scoring 3 in the 8th and in the 9th Mark DeRosa cut the lead to one with an RBI double but was stranded on second as Bob Geary finally closed the door. Game 5 At Shibe Park Clear 55 2002 Braves...............2 1918 Athletics.............4 WP: B. Geary (1-1) LP: J. Smoltz (1-1) HR: C. Jones (2), T. Walker (2), G. Burns (2) POG: Kevin Millwood 2002 Braves lead series 3-2 Playing with their heart on the line, the 1918 A's pulled off a miracle finish and send the series back to Atlanta. Down two, George Burns toom John Smoltz out of Shibe Park in the bottom of the ninth for a walk off three run home run. A dramatic collapse for the Braves closer who couldnt get the job done after Kevin Millwood pitched 8 very strong innings. A classic game at Shibe Park. Game 6 at Turner Field Partly cloudy 52 1918 Athletics..............4 2002 Braves................6 WP: D. Holmes (1-0) LP: E. Myers (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (2) HR: T. Walker (3) POG: Tillie Walker The Braves wasted no time upon returning home and giving Greg Maddux a three run lead in the first inning. Maddux would go six allowing three earned runs as the Athletics got to him tying the game up at three. Tied at four in the 8th, Tillie Walker hit his third home run of the series off of Darren Holmes to get a late lead. In the bottom of the 8th, the Braves had seen enough. Javy Lopez got the big two out, two run RBI single that turned the tide and the lead back the Atlanta. John Smoltz closed the ninth out as well as the series, as the Atlanta talent was just too much in the end. 2002 Atlanta Braves Win Series 4 games to 2 Series MVP: Javy Lopez (.250, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, Walk off home run game two, 2 run single game six) Last edited by Nick Soulis; 01-02-2022 at 06:09 PM.