[Nick Soulis]

Series #227



1996 California Angels
Record: 70-91
Finish: 4th in AL West
Manager: Marcel Lachemann
Ball Park: Anaheim Stadium
WAR Leader: Jim Edmonds (5.0)
Franchise Record: 4-3
1996 Season Record: 4-2
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CAL/1996.shtml

1919 Philadelphia Athletics
Record: 36-104
Finish: 8th in AL
Manager: Connie Mack
Ball Park: Shibe Park
Franchise Record: 6-17
1919 Season Record: 2-2
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHA/1919.shtml
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Broadcasters for Series #227

For this series, the booth will feature:

Harry Caray — exuberant, colorful play-by-play voice.

Steve Stone — analytical and sharp color commentary.



This duo will call every pitch, bringing both fun and insight to a series steeped in contrast: one of the weakest clubs in baseball history against a free-swinging Angels team from the ’90s.
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Heaven’s Dugout Panel

Host: Bob Costas
Panelists:

Peter Gammons (historical and analytical depth)

Joe Morgan (player’s perspective, strategy)

Hawk Harrelson (big personality, emotional takes)

Dan Plesac (pitching expertise, bullpen focus)

Panel Discussion

Costas:
“Gentlemen, welcome. We have a fascinating matchup. The 1919 Philadelphia Athletics, one of the statistically poorest teams to ever take the field, meeting a 1996 California Angels team that could slug with the best of them. The question is, can Philadelphia possibly hang in here?”

Gammons:
“Bob, let’s be clear — the ’19 A’s are historically infamous. Connie Mack was rebuilding, and they simply had no pitching depth, no power, and very little defense. Against a ’90s lineup with Jim Edmonds, Tim Salmon, Chili Davis? On paper, this looks like a sweep waiting to happen.”

Morgan:
“I agree with the mismatch on talent, but baseball’s funny. You get a few key hits, maybe a strong outing from a pitcher like Scott Perry, and the underdog can steal one. The Athletics will have to manufacture runs — bunts, steals, anything. Because they can’t just sit back and trade homers with California.”

Harrelson:
“HA! You’re telling me the ’19 A’s are gonna scratch and claw? Mercy! This series is over before it starts. Angels in four, maybe three if they’d let us call it early. You got Edmonds in center, Salmon driving the ball… this thing’s a mismatch of biblical proportions.”

Plesac:
“I’ll play devil’s advocate for a second. You put the A’s in a dead-ball setting, maybe the lack of power neutralizes the Angels a bit. But the real issue is pitching. The Angels could beat you with big bats or with finesse arms like Chuck Finley and Jim Abbott. The A’s arms don’t match up. California’s bullpen isn’t great, but do the A’s ever get a lead to test it?”

Costas:
“So the tone is set — an overwhelming favorite in California, a massive underdog in Philadelphia. But as Joe said, baseball remains the most unpredictable of sports. The cornfield awaits, and we’ll see if the ghosts have any surprises in store.”

Closing Thoughts

The panelists each give predictions:

Gammons: Angels in 5.

Morgan: Angels in 4, but close games.

Harrelson: Angels sweep, and it won’t be close.

Plesac: Angels in 5, but maybe Philly steals one with small ball.

Costas closes the show:
“From the heartland, it’s the improbable Athletics of 1919 facing the thunder of 1996 California. Harry Caray and Steve Stone will have the call as Series #227 begins. Stay tuned — the cornfield has a way of writing its own story.”