Series #38
Preliminary Round
1991 Seattle Mariners
Record: 83-79
Finish: 5th in AL West
Manager: Jim Lefebvre
Ball Park: Kingdome
WAR Leader: Ken Griffey Jr (7.1)
Hall of Famers: (3)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/1991.shtml
1949 Chicago Cubs
Record: 61-93
Finish: 8th in NL
Manager: Charlie Grimm
Ball Park: Wrigley Field
WAR Leader: Hank Sauer (3.4)
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/1949.shtml
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Game 1
At Kingdome
1949 Chicago Cubs 1
1991 Seattle Mariners 6
WP: E. Hanson (1-0) LP: D. Leonard (0-1)
HR: R. Smalley (1)
POG: Erik Hanson (9 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 117 P)
Pete O'Brien 2 RBI
Game 2
At Kingdome
1949 Chicago Cubs 5
1991 Seattle Mariners 2
WP: B. Rush (1-0) LP: D. Fleming (0-1)
HR: A. Pafko (1), P. Cavaretta (1), E. Martinez (1)
POG: Bob Rush (9 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)
Pafko 2 run home run
Game 3
At Wrigley Field
1991 Seattle Mariners 4
1949 Chicago Cubs 5 (15 inn)
WP: E. Kush (1-0) LP: M. Schooler (0-1)
HR: A. Pafko (2), K. Griffey Jr (1)
POG: Bob Scheffing (5-7, RBI)
Randy Johnson 13 K
Scheffing RBI walk off single in the 15th
Game 4
At Wrigley Field
1991 Seattle Mariners 3
1949 Chicago Cubs 4
WP: M. Dubiel (1-0) LP: B. Krueger (0-1) S: B. Chipman (1)
HR: R. Smalley (2), H. Cotto (1)
POG: Roy Smalley (2-4, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R)
Mariners held to 4 hits
Game 5
At Wrigley Field
1991 Seattle Mariners 0
1949 Chicago Cubs 1
WP: D. Leonard (1-1) LP: E. Hanson (1-1)
HR: F. Gustine (1)
POG: Dutch Leonard (9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 91 P)
Leonard 5 no hit innings
1949 Chicago Cubs Win Series 4 Games To 1
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Determined Cubs Cruise In 5
Mariners Take Opener But Would Win No More
In a clash that transcended the boundaries of time, the 1949 Chicago Cubs emerged victorious over the 1991 Seattle Mariners in a best-of-seven playoff series that captivated baseball fans around the world. The Cubs, led by an outstanding performance from Roy Smalley and the pitching brilliance of Dutch Leonard, secured the series in just five games, winning three consecutive matchups at their iconic home ground, Wrigley Field.
The series kicked off at the Kingdome, where the 1991 Mariners aimed to establish dominance. However, the Cubs faced a tough challenge as Erik Hanson took the mound for Seattle. Despite a solo home run from Roy Smalley, the Cubs couldn't contain the Mariners' offense. Pete O'Brien's two RBIs contributed to Seattle's 6-1 victory. Hanson's stellar pitching performance earned him the Player of the Game, throwing nine innings with seven hits, one earned run, one walk, and seven strikeouts.
Undeterred by the Game 1 loss, the 1949 Cubs struck back in Game 2 at the Kingdome. Behind Bob Rush's remarkable pitching, limiting the Mariners to two earned runs on six hits, the Cubs secured a 5-2 victory. Rush was named Player of the Game, throwing a complete nine innings with five strikeouts. The Cubs' offense, powered by home runs from Andy Pafko, Phil Cavaretta, and Eddie Martinez, showcased their resilience.
As the series shifted to Wrigley Field for Game 3, fans were treated to an epic 15-inning showdown. The 1991 Mariners battled fiercely, but the Cubs emerged victorious in a 5-4 thriller. Andy Pafko's second home run of the series and a clutch RBI by Bob Scheffing were instrumental in the Cubs' triumph. Randy Johnson's impressive 13 strikeouts for the Mariners added to the drama, but Scheffing's walk-off single sealed the deal.
In Game 4, the Cubs continued their momentum at Wrigley Field. Roy Smalley delivered a standout performance, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBIs, and two runs. The Mariners struggled against Cubs pitcher Moe Dubiel, managing only four hits. The Cubs secured a 4-3 victory, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
In a series-defining Game 5 at Wrigley Field, Dutch Leonard delivered a pitching masterpiece. Leonard threw a complete game, allowing only three hits and no earned runs. Frank Gustine's solo home run in the seventh inning provided the lone run of the game, securing a 1-0 victory for the 1949 Cubs. Leonard's exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Game, and the Cubs clinched the series, winning four games to one.
The MVP of the series was undoubtedly Roy Smalley, who hit .333 with two home runs and played a crucial role in the Cubs' offensive firepower. Dutch Leonard's pitching brilliance was a defining factor, striking out 10 and walking only two in 15.2 innings.
The 1949 Chicago Cubs' triumph over the 1991 Seattle Mariners will be remembered as a historic clash that showcased the timeless beauty of baseball. The series provided fans with unforgettable moments, exceptional performances, and a unique blend of two eras colliding on the baseball diamond.
Series MVP:
(.333, .400 OBP, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 2B, 4 R, .778 SLG)