[Nick Soulis]

Series #204



1940 Detroit Tigers
Record: 90-64
Finish: Lost in World Series
Manager: Del Baker
Ball Park: Briggs Stadium
WAR Leader: Bobo Newsom (7.3)
Franchise Record: 13-9
1940 Season Record: 3-4
Hall of Famers: (4)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1940.shtml

1982 San Francisco Giants
Record: 87-75
Finish: 3rd in NL West
Manager: Frank Robinson
Ball Park: Candlestick Park
WAR Leader: Greg Minton (5.5)
Franchise Record: 8-10
1982 Season Record: 2-1
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/1982.shtml
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Greenberg And Tigers Roll Over SF
Giants Can Not Contend; Bow Out In 5



Game 1
At Briggs Stadium
1982 San Francisco Giants 2
1940 Detroit Tigers 6
WP: T. Bridges (1-0) LP: F. Breining (0-1) S: A. Benton (1)
HR: None
POG: Tommy Bridges (7.2 IP, 7 H, 2 Er, 3 BB, 6 K, 145 P)
Jeffrey Leaonard leaves game with injury
1940 Tigers Lead Series 1-0

In a crisp autumn afternoon at Briggs Stadium, the 1940 Detroit Tigers took control early and never looked back, defeating the 1982 San Francisco Giants 6-2 to open their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series. Detroit struck swiftly in the bottom of the first, with Hank Greenberg’s thunderous 2-run triple setting the tone and energizing the home crowd. Charlie Gehringer and Dick Bartell added timely hits to extend the lead, while Tommy Bridges delivered a masterful performance on the mound. The Tigers’ right-hander went 7.2 innings, scattering eight hits and allowing just two earned runs while fanning six. Though the Giants put runners aboard, they failed to capitalize, stranding 10 men and missing their best scoring chances. Jeffrey Leonard was forced to exit after being hit by a pitch in the fifth, further dampening the San Francisco offense. Reliever Al Benton shut the door in the final frame, earning the save. With the Tigers leading the series 1-0, both teams prepare to clash again tomorrow under the shadow of the cornfields.

Game 2
At Briggs Stadium
1982 San Francisco Giants 6
1940 Detroit Tigers 5
WP: A. Hammaker (1-0) LP: B. Newsom (0-1) S: J. Barr (1)
HR: J. Clark )1)
POG: Jack Clark (1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R)
Series Tied 1-1

At a breezy, partly cloudy Briggs Stadium, the 1982 San Francisco Giants clawed their way to a nail-biting 6–5 win over the 1940 Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of this Field of Dreams best-of-seven showdown, evening the series at one game apiece. The Giants struck early and often, plating three in the first and three more in the fourth, highlighted by Jack Clark’s thunderous three-run homer off Bobo Newsom with two outs. Clark’s blast, his first of the series, earned him Player of the Game honors despite an 0-for-4 day otherwise. While Detroit outhit San Francisco 11 to 7—led by Hank Greenberg’s 4-hit performance and Dick Bartell’s two-run triple in the seventh—the Tigers’ rally fell just short. Giants starter Atlee Hammaker gutted through 6.2 innings before turning it over to reliever Jim Barr, who secured the save despite allowing two runs. Three Tigers errors and nine walks issued by Detroit pitchers proved costly. With the series tied 1–1, the scene now shifts west to Candlestick Park in San Francisco for Game 3 on Friday.

Game 3
At Candlestick Park
1940 Detroit Tigers 4
1982 San Francisco Giants 1
WP: D. Trout (1-0) LP: A. Holland (0-1)
HR: H. Greenberg (1)
POG: Dizzy Trout (7.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 125 P)
1940 Tigers Lead Series 2-1

Behind a masterful pitching performance from Dizzy Trout, the 1940 Detroit Tigers stifled the 1982 San Francisco Giants 4-1 to seize a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Field of Dreams series. Trout was nearly untouchable through 7.2 innings, scattering four hits while walking two and striking out three on 125 pitches. His dominance kept the Giants off the board until the ninth inning, when a wild pitch by reliever Al Benton allowed San Francisco’s lone run. The Tigers broke through in the sixth thanks to a clutch two-out rally — Barney McCosky doubled home a run, followed by a towering two-run homer from Hank Greenberg. Rudy York added an RBI single in the eighth to pad the lead. Despite a solid effort from Giants starter Atlee Hammaker (7.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 K), San Francisco's bats remained largely silent, stranding six runners and grounding into two key double plays. With Trout leading the way and the Tigers flashing timely offense and clean defense, Detroit now sits two wins away from clinching the series. Game 4 is set for tomorrow at Candlestick Park.

Game 4
At Candlestick Park
1940 Detroit Tigers 11
1982 San Francisco Giants 10
WP: J. Gorsica (1-0) LP: B. Laskey (0-1) S: A. Benton (2)
HR: H. Greenberg 2 (3), D. Bergman (1)
POG: Hank Greenberg (3-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
1940 Tigers Lead Series 3-1

In a wild Game 4 at Candlestick Park, the 1940 Detroit Tigers outlasted the 1982 San Francisco Giants in an 11-10 slugfest, moving one win away from clinching Series #204. The Tigers rode the power of Hank Greenberg, who put on a legendary display by blasting two home runs, driving in five, and scoring three times en route to earning Player of the Game honors. Detroit jumped ahead early with Greenberg’s two-run homer in the first, but the Giants answered back immediately and even held a brief lead in the second. However, Detroit reclaimed control in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk by pinch-hitter Birdie Tebbetts and then erupted for five more in the seventh, highlighted by Greenberg’s second homer. Despite a furious Giants rally, capped by Dave Bergman’s dramatic pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth, the Tigers bullpen barely held on. Chief Smith nearly let it slip, but closer Al Benton recorded the final out with the tying run on base. With the Tigers now leading the series 3-1, they’ll look to close it out tomorrow at Candlestick.

Game 5
At Candlestick Park
1940 Detroit Tigers 6
1982 San Francisco Giants 4
WP: T. Bridges (2-0) LP: R. Gale (0-1) S: A. Benton (3)
HR: J. Clark (2)
POG: Tommy Bridges (8 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 133 P)

On a crisp October afternoon under clear skies at Candlestick Park, the 1940 Detroit Tigers emerged victorious in Game 5 of the Field of Dreams Series, defeating the 1982 San Francisco Giants 6-4 to secure the series four games to one. Tommy Bridges turned in a gritty eight-inning performance, allowing four runs on five hits and earning his second win of the series, while ace closer Al Benton slammed the door in the ninth for his third save. Detroit capitalized early with back-to-back multi-run innings in the second and third, highlighted by Rudy York's leadoff triple and Birdie Tebbetts' clutch pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth that gave them a two-run cushion. Charlie Gehringer continued his steady play with two doubles and an RBI, while Billy Sullivan’s 2-for-4, 3-RBI effort proved critical. The Giants fought back behind Jack Clark’s two-run homer in the sixth and a pinch-hit double by Dave Bergman in the seventh, but it wasn't enough. The win marked the Tigers expected success, with Hank Greenberg being named series MVP after batting .450 with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs.

1940 Detroit Tigers Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

(.450, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 6 R, 1.050 SLG, 1.505 OPS)