[Nick Soulis]

Series #194



1908 Cincinnati Reds
Record: 73-81
Finish: 5th in NL
Manager: John Ganzel
Ball Park: Palace of the Fans
WAR Leader: Hans Lobert (5.2)
Franchise Record: 14-8
1908 Season Record: 2-0
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/1908.shtml

1993 Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 75-87
Finish: 5th in NL East
Manager: Jim Leyland
Ball Park: Three Rivers Stadium
WaR Leader: Jay Bell (6.2)
Franchise Record: 11-8
1993 Season Record: 1-3
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1993.shtml
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Reds Run Their Way To Success
The Old Way Of Play Works Wonders Over Bucs



Game 1
At Palace Of The Fans
1993 Pittsburgh Pirates 2
1908 Cincinnati Reds 8
WP: B. Ewing (1-0) LP: P. Wagner (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Bob Ewing (9 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 141 P)
1908 Reds Lead Series 1-0

The 1908 Cincinnati Reds brought the ghosts of the deadball era to life with a thunderous sixth-inning rally, toppling the 1993 Pittsburgh Pirates 8-2 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series at the storied Palace of the Fans. Bob Ewing was masterful on the mound for the Reds, scattering eight hits across nine innings while striking out three and walking just one in a complete-game effort that earned him Player of the Game honors. After falling behind 2-0, Cincinnati stormed back with two runs in the fourth before exploding for six in the sixth inning. John Kane sparked the uprising by being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, while Rudy Hulswitt, Dode Paskert, and Miller Huggins each delivered clutch two-out RBIs. Jake Ganzel led the offensive charge with three hits and two RBIs, while Paskert added three hits of his own and a stolen base. Pittsburgh’s Paul Wagner struggled, allowing eight earned runs in 5.2 innings as the Pirates failed to generate offense after the fifth inning. Game 2 is set for tomorrow in Cincinnati, where the Reds look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

Game 2
At Palace Of The Fans
1993 Pittsburgh Pirates 6
1908 Cincinnati Reds 7
WP: B. Campbell (1-0) LP: S. Cooke (0-1) S: A. Coakley (1)
HR: None
POG: Hans Lobert (3-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2B)
1908 Reds Lead Series 2-0

The 1908 Cincinnati Reds withstood a furious offensive push by the 1993 Pittsburgh Pirates and emerged victorious in a 7-6 thriller, grabbing a 2-0 series lead in their Field of Dreams showdown. Third baseman Hans Lobert starred for the Reds, delivering a 3-for-4 day with a double, two singles, two runs scored, and two RBIs to earn Player of the Game honors. After Pittsburgh built leads of 2-0 and 6-5 behind strong bats from Jay Bell (3 hits) and Orlando Merced (3 hits, RBI), Cincinnati responded in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and the score tied 6-6, center fielder John Kane lined a clutch RBI single to bring home the go-ahead run. Despite five defensive errors, the Reds held firm, thanks to pitcher Art Coakley’s two scoreless innings in relief to secure the save. Starter Bob Campbell earned the win despite a shaky outing, while Pittsburgh’s Steve Cooke was tagged for all seven Cincinnati runs over 6.2 innings. The Reds’ aggressive base running (five stolen bases) and timely hits proved just enough to offset the Pirates’ 11-hit barrage. The series now shifts to Three Rivers Stadium on Sunday with the '93 Bucs desperate to avoid a 3-0 hole.

Game 3
At Three Rivers Stadium
1908 Cincinnati Reds 5
1993 Pittsburgh Pirates 6
WP: Z. Smith (1-0) LP: B. Spade (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Andy Van Slyke (2-3, RBI, 2B, R, BB)
1908 Reds Lead Series 2-1

In a tightly contested Game 3 of the Field of Dreams Series, the 1993 Pittsburgh Pirates rallied late to edge the 1908 Cincinnati Reds, 6-5, and trim the Reds' series lead to 2-1. Andy Van Slyke led the charge with a stellar performance, going 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, and a stolen base to earn Player of the Game honors. Despite a gritty outing from Reds starter Jack Rowan, who threw 144 pitches across 6.2 innings, Pittsburgh capitalized in the bottom of the eighth. With two outs and the game tied, Jay Bell drilled a clutch triple to right-center off Bob Spade, driving in the go-ahead run. Jeff King followed with a key RBI double to pad the lead. The Reds clawed back with a run in the ninth, but Pirates starter Zane Smith gutted out a complete-game victory, stranding the tying run on base. Despite outhitting the Pirates 11-9 and stealing two bases, the Reds were undone by timely Pittsburgh hits and two costly defensive errors. The series resumes tomorrow, with the Pirates looking to even things up on their home turf.

Game 4
At Three Rivers Stadium
1908 Cincinnati Reds 1
1993 Pittsburgh Pirates 2
WP: P. Wagner (1-1) LP: B. Ewing (1-1)
HR: None
POG: Paul Wagner (10 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 121 P)
Series Tied 2-2

In Game 4 of the Field of Dreams Series #194 at Three Rivers Stadium on October 5, 1908, the 1993 Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for a 2-1 walk-off victory in 10 innings against the 1908 Cincinnati Reds, knotting the best-of-seven series at 2-2 under clear 60-degree skies with a 9 mph breeze. Paul Wagner delivered a masterful 10-inning performance, allowing just 4 hits and an unearned run, outdueling Bob Ewing, who yielded 7 hits over 9.2 frames. The Reds scratched out a fifth-inning run on Mike Mitchell’s sacrifice fly, but Lonnie Smith’s ninth-inning single tied it, and Jeff King’s clutch single in the 10th—scoring pinch-runner Stan Bullett after Dave Clark’s leadoff double—sealed the win. Jay Bell’s 2-for-5 day and Pittsburgh’s timely hitting overcame two errors, setting up a pivotal Game 5 in this playoff thriller.

Game 5
At Three Rivers Stadium
1908 Cincinnati Reds 2
1993 Pittsburgh Pirates 1
WP: B. Campbell (2-0) LP: S. Cooke (0-2)
HR: None
POG: Paul Wagner (10 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 121 P)
1908 Reds Lead Series 3-2

On a crisp October afternoon at Three Rivers Stadium under bright Field of Dreams skies, the 1908 Cincinnati Reds leaned on the brilliance of southpaw Billy Campbell to seize a pivotal 2-1 win over the 1993 Pittsburgh Pirates, taking a 3-2 lead in the series. Campbell was masterful, going the distance while scattering six hits and allowing just one run, earning Player of the Game honors for his composed and efficient outing. The Reds scratched across runs in the fifth and eighth innings, capitalizing on a Pirates miscue and a clutch double by leadoff man Miller Huggins. Pittsburgh’s only breakthrough came in the bottom of the fifth on a John King RBI single following a triple by Orlando Merced, but they failed to mount further offense. Steve Cooke pitched well in defeat for Pittsburgh, allowing just one earned run over eight innings, but the home side was undone by two double plays, two errors, and a lack of timely hitting. With the series shifting back to Palace of the Fans for Game 6, the Reds will have a golden opportunity to close out the series in front of their roaring home crowd.

Game 6
At Palace Of The Fans
1993 Pittsburgh Pirates 5
1908 Cincinnati Reds 12
WP: A. Coakley (1-0) LP: Z. Smith (1-1)
HR: J. Kane (1)
POG: andy Coakley (7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 97 P)

**FIELD OF DREAMS - GAME 6**

On a cool, cloudy afternoon at the Palace of the Fans, the 1908 Cincinnati Reds delivered a rousing 12-5 victory over the 1993 Pittsburgh Pirates, clinching the Field of Dreams series 4-2 in front of 38,214 roaring fans. Hans Lobert, the series MVP, continued his torrid hitting with two more hits and an RBI, while outfielder Dode Paskert and catcher Larry McLean combined for five hits and three stolen bases to keep Pittsburgh’s defense on its heels. The Reds jumped out early, plating six runs in the first three innings before a 43-minute rain delay briefly paused the action. Starter Jack Rowan exited with an injury, but Andy Coakley emerged from the bullpen with a masterful seven-inning relief performance, holding the Pirates to just two unearned runs while striking out one. Despite a wild five-run ninth by Pittsburgh, highlighted by Jay Bell’s third hit and a pinch-hit RBI from Tim Foley, the damage had long been done. Jim Smith’s Reds capitalized on five Pirate errors and a relentless offensive approach that featured a towering three-run homer from John Kane in the eighth. As the wind blew out to center at 14 mph, Cincinnati rode that breeze to history, outscoring the Bucs 42-25 over the series and reminding fans that small ball and sharp fundamentals still reign supreme.

1908 Cincinnati Reds Win Series 4 Games To 2

Series MVP:

(.462, 10 H, 1 2B, 6 R, 4 SB, .519 OBP, 1.040 OPS)