[Nick Soulis]

Series #160



2002 Atlanta Braves
Record: 101-59
Finish: Lost in ALDS
Manager: Bobby Cox
Ball Park: Turner Field
WAR Leader: Andruw Jones (6.5)
Franchise Record: 9-2
2002 Season Record: 0-2
Hall of Famers: (4)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2002.shtml

1980 St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 74-88
Finish: 4th in NL East
Manager: Ken Boyer
Ball Park: Busch Stadium
WAR Leader: Keith Hernandez (6.6)
Franchise Record: 7-5
1980 Season Record: 2-0
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/1980.shtml
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All Around Effort Lifts Atlanta In Six
Bobby Cox Pushes Rights Buttons Against Game Cards



Game 1
At Turner Field
1980 St. Louis Cardinals 1
2002 Atlanta Braves 2
WP: K. Millwood (1-0) LP: B. Forsch (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (1)
HR: None
POG: Kevin Millwood (8 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 100 P)
2002 Braves Lead Series 1-0

In a tightly contested Game 1 of the Exhibition League series, the 2002 Atlanta Braves prevailed 2-1 over the 1980 St. Louis Cardinals at Turner Field. Kevin Millwood delivered a stellar performance, scattering nine hits across eight innings while allowing only one run and striking out five. Despite trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the eighth, Atlanta rallied with Andruw Jones’ clutch two-out, two-run double to take the lead. Bob Forsch pitched valiantly for St. Louis, allowing seven hits over eight innings, but Atlanta’s late offensive surge proved decisive. John Smoltz closed the game with a flawless ninth inning to earn the save. The Braves take a 1-0 series lead, with Game 2 set for tomorrow evening in Atlanta.

Game 2
At Turner Field
1980 St. Louis Cardinals 8
2002 Atlanta Braves 6
WP: J. Urrea (1-0) LP: M. Remlinger (0-1) S: J. Littlefield (1)
HR: K. Reitz (1), V. Castilla (1), M. Franco (1)
POG: Ken Reitz (2-5, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Series Tied 1-1

The 1980 St. Louis Cardinals rallied back to even the series at 1-1 with a thrilling 8-6 victory over the 2002 Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the Field of Dreams playoffs. After a rocky start, where pitcher Pete Vuckovich surrendered a grand slam to Julio Franco in the first inning, the Cardinals clawed back with timely hitting and a standout performance from Ken Reitz. Reitz went 2-for-5, including a decisive solo home run in the eighth inning that gave the Cardinals breathing room. Atlanta’s lineup matched St. Louis hit for hit, with Vinny Castilla launching a late solo homer, but St. Louis's bullpen trio of John Urrea, Jim Little, and John Littlefield shut the door in the final innings. The teams now head to Busch Stadium for Game 3, with momentum firmly in the Cardinals’ favor.

Game 3
At Busch Stadium
2002 Atlanta Braves 2
1980 St. Louis Cardinals 7
WP: A. Rincon (1-0) LP: A. Lopez (0-1)
HR: C. Jones (1), G. Hendrick 2 (2), T. Simmons (1)
POG: George Hendrick (3-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R)
1980 Cardinals Lead Series 2-1

The 1980 St. Louis Cardinals took control of their best-of-seven series with a decisive 7-2 victory over the 2002 Atlanta Braves in Game 3 at Busch Stadium. George Hendrick powered the Cardinals' offense, delivering a pair of home runs in a stellar 3-for-4 performance, driving in three runs and scoring twice. The Braves took an early 2-0 lead with Chipper Jones homering in the first and Vinny Castilla adding a sacrifice fly in the second. However, St. Louis roared back in the fourth with Hendrick's two-run blast, followed by Ted Simmons' three-run homer in the fifth, which broke the game open. Allan Rincón steadied the Cardinals on the mound, pitching six innings of two-run ball before handing it over to the bullpen, which shut the Braves down. With the win, the Cardinals lead the series 2-1 as the teams prepare for Game 4 tomorrow in St. Louis.

Game 4
At Busch Stadium
2002 Atlanta Braves 4
1980 St. Louis Cardinals 3
WP: T. Glavine (1-0) LP: D. Hood (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (2)
HR: T. Simmons (2)
POG: Tom Glavine (8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 101 P)
Series Tied 2-2

In a thrilling Game 4 of the best-of-seven series, the 2002 Atlanta Braves edged the 1980 St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 at Busch Stadium to tie the series 2-2. Atlanta's offense erupted in the top of the first inning, fueled by a bases-loaded walk from pitcher Tom Glavine, followed by key hits from Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones, and Julio Franco to plate four runs. Glavine delivered a masterful performance on the mound, tossing eight innings of three-hit ball while allowing just one earned run, a solo homer by Ted Simmons in the second. The Cardinals mounted a late rally with two runs in the eighth, but closer John Smoltz secured the save in the ninth. Atlanta’s 10 runners left on base loomed large, but their pitching held firm. With clear skies and a crisp 62-degree evening setting the stage, Glavine earned Player of the Game honors, keeping the Braves' championship hopes alive.

Game 5
At Busch Stadium
2002 Atlanta Braves 6
1980 St. Louis Cardinals 3
WP: K. Millwood (2-0) LP: B. Forsch (0-2) S: J. Smoltz (3)
HR: M. DeRosa (1), K. Oberkfell (1)
POG: Gary Sheffield (3-4, 2 2B, RBI, BB)
2002 Braves Lead Series 3-2

The 2002 Atlanta Braves surged past the 1980 St. Louis Cardinals with a decisive 6-3 victory in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series at Busch Stadium. Gary Sheffield's electric three-hit performance, highlighted by two doubles, set the tone for Atlanta’s offense. A pivotal sixth inning saw the Braves erupt for five runs, punctuated by Kevin Millwood’s clutch two-run double and Mark DeRosa’s solo homer. Millwood also delivered on the mound, navigating seven innings despite some early struggles, while the bullpen duo of Darren Holmes and John Smoltz shut the door on St. Louis’s comeback hopes. The Cardinals’ lineup produced 13 hits, including a two-run homer by Ken Oberkfell, but defensive miscues and missed opportunities with runners in scoring position ultimately sealed their fate. With the win, the Braves took a 3-2 series lead and now head home to Turner Field with a chance to clinch the series in Game 6.

Game 6
At Busch Stadium
1980 St. Louis Cardinals 4
2002 Atlanta Braves 7
WP: G. Maddux (1-0) LP: P. Vuckovich (0-1) S: J. Smoltz (4)
HR: G. Hendrick (3), J. Lopez (1), A. Jones (1)
POG: Andruw Jones (1-3, HE, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB)

The 2002 Atlanta Braves secured a historic victory with a 7-4 win over the 1980 St. Louis Cardinals in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series at Turner Field. Andruw Jones powered the Braves' offense with a home run, a sacrifice fly, and two RBIs, earning Player of the Game honors. Atlanta's offense ignited in the fifth inning with a three-run burst, including Jones’ solo homer and Vinny Castilla’s two-run double. Greg Maddux battled through 6.2 innings, allowing four runs while striking out three before handing the reins to the bullpen. Relievers Mike Remlinger and John Smoltz closed the door, with Smoltz notching his fourth save of the series. The Cardinals’ Garry Templeton shined in defeat, collecting four hits, but defensive miscues and a lack of timely hitting sealed their fate. Braves fans celebrated their team's historic triumph under clear skies, with temperatures dipping to 50 degrees, as the series-clinching win brought the Turner Field faithful to their feet.

2002 Atlanta Braves Win Series 4 Games To 2

Series MVP:

(.417, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 2B, 1 3B, .708 SLG, 4 R, 1 SB)