[Nick Soulis]

Series #37
Preliminary Round



1976 New York Yankees
Record: 97-62
Finish: Lost in WS
Manager: Billy Martin
Ball Park: Yankee Stadium
WAR Leader: Graig Nettles (8.0)
Hall of Famers (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1976.shtml

1983 Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 84-78
Finish: 2nd in NL East
Manager: Chuck Tanner
Ball Park: Three Rivers Stadium
WAR Leader: Johnny Ray (5.1)
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1983.shtml
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Game 1
At Yankee Stadium
1983 Pittsburgh Pirates 2
1976 New York Yankees 4
WP: R. Guidry (1-0) LP: J. De Leon (0-1) S: S. Lyle (1)
HR: G. Nettles (1), M. Easler (1), D. Berra (1), C. Chambliss (1)
POG: Dale Berra (4-4, HR, RBI)
Steve Yerkes 2-4 with 3 RBI
Nettles 2 run home run in the 1st

Gane 2
At Yankee Stadium
1983 Pittsburgh Pirates 2
1976 New York Yankees 1
WP: J. Candelaria (1-0) LP: C. Hunter (0-1) S: K. Tekulve (1)
HR: J. Thompson (1), L. Mazzilli (1)
POG: John Candelaria (7 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, W)
Lee Mazzilli 2-4 HR, RBI

Game 3
At Three Rivers Stadium
1976 New York Yankees 4
1983 Pittsburgh Pirates 5
WP: M. Sarmiento (1-0) LP: D. Pagan (0-1)
HR: J. Morrison (1), G. Nettles 2 (3), R. Wotus (1)
POG: Jim Morrison (3-4, HR, 2 RBI, R)
Ron Wotus Walk off 2 run HR in 10th

Game 4
At Three Rivers Stadium
1976 New York Yankees 0
1983 Pittsburgh Pirates 1
WP: L. McWilliams (1-0) LP: E. Figueroa (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Larry McWilliams (9 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 120 P)
McWilliams a one hit shutout

Game 5
At Three Rivers Stadium
1976 New York Yankees 7
1983 Pittsburgh Pirates 4
WP: D. Pagan (1-1) LP: K. Tekulve (0-1)
HR: T. Pena (1), C. Chambliss (2)
POG: Ron Guidry (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K)
Yankees 5 run 8th inning

Game 6
At Yankee Stadium
1983 Pittsburgh Pirates 2
1976 New York Yankees 3
WP: C. Hunter (1-1) LP: J. Candelaria (1-1)
HR: None
POG: Catfish Hunter (9 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 114 P)
Yankees three runs in bottom of ninth. Fred Stanley walkoff hit

Game 7
At Yankee Stadium
1983 Pittsburgh Pirates 7
1976 New York Yankees 3
WP: R. Rhoden (1-0) LP: K. Brett (0-1)
HR: L. Lacy (1), B. Madlock (1)
POG: Lee Lacy (4-5, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Lee Lacy and Bill Madlock 8 for 10 with 4 RBI and 2 HR

1983 Pittsburgh Pirates Win Series 4 Games To 3
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Pirates Win In Hard Ball Classic
Yankees Fall In Seven In Series Full Of Drama



In a clash of baseball titans, the 1983 Pittsburgh Pirates emerged victorious in a thrilling seven-game series against the formidable 1976 New York Yankees. The underdog Pirates, led by series MVP Bill Madlock, stunned the baseball world with a remarkable upset, securing their championship in a decisive Game 7 at Yankee Stadium. Let's revisit the dramatic journey of this historic series, starting with Game 1.

The series kicked off at the iconic Yankee Stadium, where both teams displayed their offensive prowess in a high-scoring affair. The 1976 Yankees managed to outslug the Pirates, winning 4-2. Graig Nettles set the tone with a two-run home run in the first inning, and Dale Berra went 4-for-4 with a home run and an RBI, earning Player of the Game honors. The Yankees' pitching trio of Ron Guidry, Catfish Hunter, and Sparky Lyle held off the Pirates, setting the stage for an intense series.

In a closely contested Game 2 at Yankee Stadium, the 1983 Pirates retaliated, securing a 2-1 victory. John Candelaria delivered a stellar pitching performance, going seven innings with just one earned run. The Pirates' offense was led by home runs from Jason Thompson and Lee Mazzilli, while Candelaria and Kent Tekulve closed the game to even the series at 1-1.

The series shifted to Three Rivers Stadium for Game 3, where the Pirates edged the Yankees 5-4 in a nail-biting contest. Jim Morrison's 10th-inning walk-off home run, coupled with Graig Nettles' two homers, propelled the Pirates to a crucial lead. The back-and-forth battle showcased the competitive spirit of both teams.

In a pitching duel at Three Rivers Stadium, Larry McWilliams delivered a masterpiece, throwing a one-hit shutout to give the Pirates a 1-0 victory. Ed Figueroa took the hard-luck loss for the Yankees, setting the stage for a pivotal Game 5.

The Yankees bounced back in Game 5, staging a remarkable comeback to win 7-4 at Three Rivers Stadium. Ron Guidry's solid performance on the mound, coupled with a five-run eighth inning highlighted by homers from Thurman Munson and Chris Chambliss, shifted the momentum in favor of the Yankees.

Back at Yankee Stadium for Game 6, Catfish Hunter pitched a gem, leading the Yankees to a 3-2 victory. Hunter went the distance, throwing a complete game with six hits and two earned runs. Fred Stanley's walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth sealed the win, forcing a decisive Game 7.

In the ultimate showdown at Yankee Stadium, the 1983 Pirates emerged victorious, winning 7-3 to clinch the series. Lee Lacy and Bill Madlock led the charge, going 8-for-10 with four RBI and two home runs. Rick Rhoden secured the win on the mound, completing the historic upset and etching the 1983 Pittsburgh Pirates into baseball lore.

The 1983 Pittsburgh Pirates' triumph over the 1976 New York Yankees in a hard-fought seven-game series stands as one of the most memorable moments in baseball history. Bill Madlock's MVP performance, combined with clutch hits and stellar pitching, secured the Pirates' place in the annals of baseball greatness, proving that in the world of sports, anything is possible when the underdog rises to the occasion.

Series MVP:

(7/10, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, 1.000 SLG)