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The Mets DID go on a hot streak finally in the final weeks of the season, and had pulled to within 3 games of first place behind PIttsburgh at one point in late September.
But we ended up coming up short. Still the narrow pennant race between the three top teams was close to historical accuracy and chance of course played a part in the RL outcome that year.
We ended up 82-80 about as close as RL as you could want, but the Pirates got hot the last week of the season and ended up with 89 wins, the Cardinals with 85.
The Orioles, Twins and Astros won their respective divisions to set up the postseason.
Hank Aaron hit 45 home runs to lead the majors, Reggie Smith 35 to lead the AL. Rod Carew at .344 and Richie Zisk at .341 were the batting leaders.
Lou Brock stole 89 bases - for Kansas City, but Cesar Cedeno stole 95.
The Astros beat the Twins 4 games to one to win the World Series !
This is another What If outcome as the Astros, with Joe Morgan .312 30 homers and 76 SB, Jim Wynn .286 30 Home runs, and Cesar Cedeno .291 17 home runs and 95 steals were backed up by Bob Watson and John Mayberry, Doug Rader and Chris Speier - we always suspected that the Astros traded away a dynasty and we now have some reason to think we were right.
Mike Cuellar, Larry Dierker, Rudy May, and Jack Billingham gave them a great rotation. And Doc Medich still young turned in a fine 8-6 performance as their fourth starter.
Our stats: Staub cooled off at the end to finish with .308 18 homers, Singleton hit 20 home runs and batted .262. Foli .297, Kranepool .302. Parker only .256 but it was his first year, so as a platoon player that was not bad.
Koosman won 16. Seaver was 12-11 with a 2.87 ERA. Ryan was 12-6 with a 2.45. Barr went 13-10, 2.79, Alexander 9-13, 3.46. Tug was 2.68 as the stopper with 110 innings pitched.
I will get back to this soon.
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