A Half Drunk ESPN Brings You a Tourney for Second Chances

[Keeks137]

(Apologies for the weird characters... I had typed this up elsewhere and copy-pasted and the occasional weird character shows up)

I run The Dugs. The majority of our content centers around OOTP driven simulations that we then show the highlights for in the form of a half drunk Sportscenter that weaves in a lot of interesting baseball stories and jokes.

Youtube's not for everyone, so I thought I'd write up of the initial rounds of our latest tourney here. If this, however, sounds interesting to you, please consider checking the videos out and getting a free subscription to the channel, hitting the thumbs up button, and leaving us some comments as IÂ’d love to make this channel a thing and thatÂ’s the quickest way to go about that.

The theme of this season is second chances. The tourney starts with a group stage consisting of 2 groups of 4 teams a piece. Those teams are:

(Links lead to the videos giving an overview of the rosters, or you can check out the playlist which has all of the videos in order and will update as new videos get released).

Group A:

The 1981 Reds - Finished the regular season with the best record in the MLB but due to a strike that divided the season into two halves, they did not qualify for the playoffs.

The Six Outta Fives - A team of the players most frequently cited as overrated, getting a second chance to prove that they wereÂ…properly rated.

The 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords - The best negro league team of all time who are getting a crack at major league talent in the prime of their careers for the first time.

The Diamonds in the Rough - A team of great players who spent most or all of their career without the proper support. Team captain: Mike Trout

Group B:

The Black Sox - The 1919 White Sox that had 8 players who threw the World Series and were subsequently banned by baseball. TheyÂ’re back, and weÂ’ve digitally made honest men out of them.

Club Snub - The biggest Hall of Fame snubs, attempting to snub the snubbers.

1994 Montreal Expos - They were having a season that was head and shoulders above any other season in their history when the ‘94 strike killed the season. By the time baseball came back, they had to dismantle their team, and eventually moved to a swamp.

The Tucson Too Soons - Players whose career endedÂ… you guessed itÂ… too soon.

Every team in each group plays each other twice, once home and once away, so letÂ’s get into it. The links lead to the relevant video of the games if you want to go that route, or you can just bookmark this page as this has all of the videos in order and updates as we add new videos.

Group A Game 1s:

1981 Cincinnati Reds @ 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords

PittsburghÂ’s firing their ace out of a cannon early as Satchel Paige gets the start in the opening matchup. No one is less happy about that than Bruce Berenyi. This dude struggles with run support (e.g., pitched 1 hitter - lost, 4 losses in 9 games when overall ERA was below 1.5, 3.36 ERA - led league in losses). Welp, itÂ’s happening again. We enter the 8th still scoreless after the starters combine for 24 Ks, but Oscar Charleston nets a clutch single and Josh Gibson sacrifices his fly to make it 2-0. ThatÂ’ll be your final. Poor Bruce.

Final: PIT 2 - CIN 0

Diamonds in the Rough @ The Six Out of Fives

Another stellar matchup as the Six Out of FivesÂ’ Gaylord Perry takes on the Diamonds in the RoughÂ’s Walter Johnson. Perry blinks first. Doubles by Ernie Banks and Joe Mauer and homers by Nap Lajouie and Mike Trout put the Diamonds up 3. ThatÂ’s all that Gaylord gives up but Walter Johnson was just better. He finishes the game with 8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER and 8 Ks. Among the stories we tell in the video is how Gaylord Perry is less afraid of sticking his fingers in questionable substances than my small children. Well, he should have skipped the WD 40 as a critical E1 allowed a crucial run home.

Final: DIA 5 - SIX 1

Group B Game 1s:

Club Snub @ The Black Sox

You know, I said that I digitally erased the Black SoxÂ’s propensity for cheating, but IÂ’ll admit, IÂ’m having my doubts. Eddie Cicotte (Black Sock, banned for life) gave up a home run to the very first batter. A few innings later, he botched a sac bunt. A few innings after that, Swede Risberg (Black Sock, banned for life) threw one away that would have ended the inning but instead broke a 3-3 tie in favor of the Snubs. Eddie Collins, who was considered the leader of the clean side of the club, to be fair, dropped a fly ball in that same inning. So, who knows, maybe theyÂ’re all just pissed off that theyÂ’re hanging out together again. All those blunders are enough to hand the Black Sox a four run loss despite the fact they outhit their competition 12-9. Shoeless Joe Jackson did all he could, going 3-5 with an RBI. Brett Saberhagen was excellent for the other side, going 7.1 and only giving up three runs.

Final: SNUB 7 - SOX 3

1994 Montreal Expos @ Tucson Too Soons

A young Pedro Martinez is taking the bump for the Expos but TucsonÂ’s Josh Hamilton does not care. He hits a two run home run in the first to get Tucson out to an early lead and follows with a second home run later in the game to come out of the gates strong. Pedro Martinez has the star power, but itÂ’s Smoky Joe Wood from the Too Soons that made headlines with his pitching, going 8, striking out 10, and leading his team to a shutout. Tucson appears to be content with using Rick Ankiel the closer duties, who we included in the pen to see if he can rewrite his yip-filled history. Today is a good start as he cleanly closes it out.

Final: TUC 4 - MON 0

Group A Game 2s:

(0-1) 1981 Reds @ (0-1) The Six Outta Fives

In my research, Nolan Ryan was the most frequently cited player as being overrated. We could sit here and argue about it, or we can shut up and let the man prove himself. I for one prefer action to thinking 10 out of 10 times, so let’s get it on. The Reds’ Johnny Bench is not sold. He goes yard off of Ryan to give the Reds an early two run lead. This may have been more significant if the Reds’ Mario Soto, a pitcher known for his temper highlighted by an incident where he punched someone with a ball still in his hand, didn’t completely lose his **** after Harold Baines hit a home run off of him. Walks and hit by pitches (3 in total… hitting Jason Varitek twice) started coming early and often and eventually help the Sixes tie it. We’re off to extras. This one ends controversially as it’s a balk that sends the winning run to third and it’s Jason “Please Stop Hitting me with Baseballs” Varitek winning it for the Sixes with a sac fly.

FINAL: SIX 4 - CIN 3

(1-0) 1935 Pittsburgh Crawfords @ (1-0) Diamonds in the Rough

This is another game where you think you’re going to have a lot to say about one pitcher (the Diamonds’ Felix Hernandez) and end up talking about the stellar performance of the other (the Crawfords’ Leroy Matlock). The Crawfords were not phased by the big name of Felix Hernandez as legendary slugger Josh Gibson went yard for the first time this tourney and Rap Dixon cleared the loaded bases with a double to stake the Crawfords to a 6-0 lead. A home run later in the game allowed me to utilize what might be my favorite home run call yet, “I hope you like being teabagged by rodents because here’s another gopher ball.” Sports announcing at its finest. They eventually win 9-3 but the big story here is Leroy Matlock. He set a Dugs record by recording 17 strikeouts in the game.

Final: PIT 9 - DIA 3

Group B Game 2s:

(0-1) Black Sox vs. (1-0) Tucson Too Soons

Surprising pitching results seems to be a theme. Sandy Koufax is going for the Too Soons but the Black Sox want to try to erase the embarrassment of their first game. They are staked to a 3-0 lead after two. The Too Soons fire back on the back of a two run Nomar Garciaparra home run. Then the 8th inning happens and everything goes ass over kettle. The Black Sox appear to be well on their way to victory as an unsuccessful relief performance out of Chris Carpenter stakes them to a 6-2 lead. But itÂ’s not over. We fielded a team of 25 offensive legends last yearÂ… which meant they also had to pitchÂ… and despite that, I still think that this Sox relief appearance is the worst IÂ’ve seen in our channelÂ’s history. Charlie Robertson came in in relief with the bags loaded and immediately surrendered a Tony Conigliaro grand slam to make it a tied ball game. Jackie Robinson followed him with a second home run. Josh Hamilton makes it back to back to back with his third homer of the tourney. Robertson comes out. So he saw 3 batters, surrendered home runs to all of them, and left. ItÂ’s no wonder his occupation after baseball was buying and selling nuts (true story). Rick Ankiel closed out the game for the Too Soons and they go to 2-0 while the Black Sox are still looking for their first win.

Final: TUC 8 - SOX 6

(0-1) 1994 Expos @ (1-0) Club Snub

Halfway through the game, things are looking good for the Expos as theyÂ’re up by two, highlighted by a Wil Cordero home run. In the first 5.2 IP Jeff Fassero was looking untouchable for the Expos. Something then snaps and he becomes an apparatus in the McDonalds play area. Despite having the bases empty with two outs in the fifth, he surrenders the lead as he gives up three runs highlighted by a Reggie Smith double. Felipe Alou doesnÂ’t care. EverythingÂ’s fine. He leaves Fassero in there who records 0 outs in the first three batters of the seventh, including 2 walks. Felipe Alou doesnÂ’t care. Jeff will get them out of this. Jeff does not get them out of this. Bill Dahlen hits a two run double, and THEN they take him out. Felipe has not heard the parable about horses and barn doors. ThatÂ’s enough to get it done and Club Snub remains undefeated.

Final: SNUB 7 - MON 2

So, let’s take a quick gander at the standings.



If there seems to be interest, I’ll be back next Friday with the next two group stage rounds in this thread. Thanks all for reading!

[luckymann]

Nice stuff - love the concept and just subscribed to your YT channel.

[Keeks137]

Thanks for the response! Didn't see it until today... email was passed along to my junk folder. I'll be posting more tomorrow!

[Keeks137]

(Links go to the videos that contain the highlights of the game)

Group A Game 3s

(1-1) Six Outta Fives @ (2-0) Pittsburgh Crawfords

It’s the second coming of Fernandomania as he takes the bump for the Six Outta Fives for the first time. He makes it through six only surrendering a single run which is good enough to stake the Sixes to a two run lead late and then the Crawfords bullpen let this one slip away in the seventh. Bertrum Hunter walked in three runs and then the Sixes’ Harold Baines put the icing on the cake in the ninth with a two run homer to secure a dominant win.

FINAL: SIX 11 - PIT 2

(0-2) 1981 Cincinnati Reds @ (1-1) Diamonds in the Rough

In the video we go over why Tom Brady isn’t allowed to touch the nickname Tom Terrific. Long story short, it’s because the nickname is so tied to the Reds starter Tom Seaver, and so we’re left referring to Tom as Floppy Balls Brady on the Dugs Sports Network. Well Seaver might be feeling his grasp slip from the terrific moniker as he didn’t quite live up to it today. The Reds get out to an early lead, but Seaver commits an E1 in the bottom of the inning that would have ended it with 0 runs scored. Like a turtle with a hurdle, it seems that he couldn’t quite get over it as he goes on to allow Tony Gwynn to tie the game and then he loses the lead when he starts walking people on the regular. He stops walking people a bit later but begins giving out singles quicker than a reformed Scrooge at a strip bar. He exits the game having given up 5 runs in 3 innings and it just gets worse from there. Ernie Banks records his first home run of the tourney for the Diamonds in a lopsided win.

FINAL: DIA 15 - CIN 3

Group B Game 3s

(0-2) 1994 Montreal Expos @ (0-2) Black Sox

One of these teams will be forced to get into the win column today. The Expos would like it to be them. A Sean Berry home run and Cliff Floyd double stake the Expos to an early lead, but the Black Sox’s Lefty Williams (one of the banned Sox) straightens the ship… until he doesn’t, once again making me wonder if the OOTP guys wrote the Sox’s game throwing tendencies into the game. He walks and hits a couple of batters to load up the bases and seemingly invites the next two hitters to go nuts with the ball. They do not oblige, so he decides to take matters into his own hands and hits another batter to give the Expos a third run. Swede Risberg (another banned Sox), makes yet another crucial error at short, allowing the Expos a fourth run. The Sox rally back to make it a one run game, but that is as close as they get.

FINAL: MON 4 - SOX 3

(2-0) Tucson Too Soons @ (2-0) Club Snub

Indian Guardian Bob Johnson gets the Snubs out to an early lead with a bases clearing 3 run double. The way Tommy John was pitching for Club Snub, it was looking like that’s all they would need to take this one down. Nomar Garciaparra homers for the Too Soons, but it’s not enough as Tommy John was just too good, going 7.2 IP, striking out 8, and only surrendering two runs.

FINAL: SNUB 6 - TUC 2

Group A Game 4s

(2-1) Pittsburgh Crawfords @ (0-3) Cincinnati Reds

The Reds are going to need to get their asses in gear as they have yet to see a win and were dominated in the previous game, which looms large when run differential plays into to final standings. Both the Reds Frank Pastore and the Crawfords Spoon Carter pitched well, combining for 12.2 IP and 5 ER, but those 5 runs shook out in favor of the Reds. Dan Driessen hit well for the Reds, going 3-3 with a double and a run scored. I spend most of the game overview trying to combat my Scottish co-host’s obsession with the World Cup.

FINAL: CIN 3 - PIT 2

(2-1) Six Outta Fives @ (2-1) Diamonds in the Rough

David Price is going for the Six Outta Fives and he’s beginning to wish he pulled a 2020 and sat out for the tournament. Goldschmidt, Trout, and Ernie Banks took him deep and to make things worse, he made an error followed by several walks that culminated in a Nap Jajoie grand slam. Catfish Hunter and Barry Zito were zero relief for the Sixes as the score sat at 14-0 at the end of four. Mike Trout actually picked up a second home run when it was all said and done which prompted us to tell stories about his affiliation with spaying and neutering pit bulls. Neat! This massive loss by the Six Outta Fives allow the Crawfords to remain in their #2 position, and thus the playoff picture, in the standings.

FINAL: DIA 14 - SIX 4

Group B Game 4s

(2-1) Tucson Too Soons @ (1-2) Montreal Expos

The Too Soons' Josh Hamilton is going buck nuts this tourney as he belts home runs number four and five to propel him to the tourney lead in that department. These home runs and additional dingers from Nomar Garciaparra and Tony Conigliaro give the Too Soons a 6-1 lead late. Not over yet though. JR Richard loses control in the 8th and walks help bring the score back to 6-3. Darren Fletcher adds a single. 6-4. Bases are loaded no one out. However, the next two hitters ground into a fielder's choice at the plate thanks to some Johnny on the spot defense by Freddy Sanchez to keep the score at 6-4. Lenny Webster takes a bean ball for team and country to make it 6-5 but that's where the rally ends as Rick Ankiel seems to have gotten over his yips as he records his second save of the tourney.

FINAL: TUC 6 - MON 5

(0-3) Black Sox @ (3-0) Club Snub

Black Sox are looking for a big upset here to get on the board but are going to have to topple David Cone to get it done. They do not get it, helped along by Eddie Murphy (not that Eddie Murphy) getting thrown out twice attempting to steal second base, making it three caught stealings on the tourney. He uh.. maybe should take a hint. The waffles in the morning are simply not worth it.

FINAL: SNUB 7 - SOX 1

So let's see what this does to the standings:

Team | Wins | Losses | Run Differential

Group A:
Diamonds in the Rough | 3 | 1 | +20
Pittsburgh Crawfords | 2 | 2 | -2
Six Outta Fives | 2 | 2 | -4
1981 Reds | 1 | 3 | -14

Group B:
Club Snub | 4 | 0 | +19
Tucson Too Soons | 3 | 1 | +3
'94 Expos | 1 | 3 | -9
Black Sox | 0 | 4 | -13

I'll be back next Friday with part 3!

If you check out the videos, subscriptions to the channel, likes on the video, and leaving comments is the quickest way to make The Dugs a thing and we need your help to make that happen.

Thanks again, and have a good weekend!

[Keeks137]

Group A Game 5s


(2-2) Six Outta Fives @ 1981 Cincinnati Reds (1-3)

The Reds need to get things going in order to stay in the playoff picture. Bernie Williams capped off an early Sixes rally with a two run home run to stake their squad out to a four run lead, but like a dog with a learning disability, the Reds have no idea how to just roll over. Dan Driessen went yard for the Reds to cut the lead in half. A series of singles and fielder’s choices eventually put the Reds up by 1. The lead waffled back and forth a bit, but eventually Barry Zito’s ineptitude loses it for the Six Outta Fives highlighted by a George Foster two run home run. Reds are still in it!

FINAL: CIN 8 - SIX 6

(3-1) Diamonds in the Rough @ (2-2) Pittsburgh Crawfords

Pittsburgh got out to an early five run lead, helped along by a home run from the Crawfords’ Josh GIbson, but the Diamonds fired right back with homers of their own out of Paul Goldschmidt and Nap Lajoie, who didn’t take my butchering of the pronunciation of his last name personally, as he’s killing it this tourney. Dr. Death Danny Darwin proves that we may not know what is in a name, but it sure as hell isn’t guarantees that they won’t **** the bed when taking the mound. He couldn’t retire anyone and gave up a second home run to Josh Gibson. The teams beat the crap out of each other a bit longer but the Crawfords always managed to stay ahead, netting themselves a win and matching the top record in the group as Group A is looking to be a nailbiter coming down the stretch.

FINAL: PIT 12 - DIA 9

Group B Game 5s

(3-1) Tucson Too Soons @ (0-4) The Black Sox

Revenge game! The Black Sox have embarrassed themselves this tourney, throwing away games they could have easily won. Last time these teams met, The Black Sox were comfortably in the lead in the 8th and then Charlie Robertson came in and surrendered three straight home runs, one of them being a grand slam. The Too Soons Dave Nilsson puts them down early with a solo shot but then the Black Sox show they’re a huge fan of death via papercuts as they start singling Darryl Kile to death and take a six run lead. The Too Soons say, “Hey, we can do that” and start firing back with a barrage of singles of their own. I’ve been in strip clubs with fewer singles. The Too Soons pull it back to within two, but Byrd Lynn, the backup catcher for the Sox that somehow got the start, racks up his third RBI of the day to put the Sox up for good in the eighth. It’s an upset and The Black Sox are finally on the board after soiling their trousers for the first four games.

FINAL: SOX 9 - TUC 5

(4-0) Club Snub @ (1-3) ‘94 Montreal Expos

That win by the Black Sox keeps the Expos alive but they’re going to need a win here. Club Snub appears to be getting bored as they decide to go with the opener strategy and start Dan Quisenberry. Why not. The Snubs lend some credence to traditional starting pitchers being a horrible idea because Jim Edmonds hits a 2 run homer, putting the Snubs up early and really, that’s all they needed. They eventually took a 7-1 run lead on the strength of a 4-5 Todd Helton performance that included a home run and finish this one out with a four run victory.

FINAL: SNUB 8 - MON 4

Group A Game 6s

(3-2) Pittsburgh Crawfords @ (2-3) Six Outta Fives

Playoffs are on the line here. The Sixes need to win by at least 4 here to hurdle the Crawfords in the standings and make it into the postseason. Tall task as the Crawfords have their ace going in Satchel Paige. He keeps the Sixes off the board until the 6th, but the first run he surrenders in the tourney is a game tying home run out of Alfonso Soriano. Gaylord Perry took the mound for the Sixes and is proving to be just as good as Satchel in this one as that 1-1 mark lasts until the ninth. In a crucial moment, Alex Gordon completely makes up for the 38 million dollars he made in 2016-2017 while playing like a AAA level ballplayer by throwing out a man at third with one out, which leads us to extras. Which means, the only way the Sixes can advance to the playoffs is with a walk off grand slam. And… AND… they don’t get it. In fact the Crawfords win this to put pressure on the Diamonds in the Rough when it comes to home field advantage in the first round.

FINAL: PIT 3 - SIX 1

(3-2) Diamonds in the Rough @ (2-3) Cincinnati Reds

So, the Diamonds need a win here to maintain their top spot in the group and home field for the playoffs. There’s also the outside chance that the Reds win by 15 and straight up steal the playoff spot from them. I’ve seen weirder things happen, but I’ve usually been on mushrooms when doing so. The Reds get 3 runs in the first. Anyone nervous yet? Well you shouldn’t be. The Reds put up a hell of an effort, supported by home runs out of George Foster and Ray Knight which got them the win, but it wasn’t the massive win they needed.

FINAL: CIN 7 - DIA 2

So The Crawfords lock up the 1 seed while the Diamonds in the Rough will have to go on the road for the first round of the playoffs.

Group B Game 6s

(1-4) Black Sox @ (1-4) ‘94 Montreal Expos

It’s our farewell matchup as neither of these teams will be making the postseason, but they’ll be telling themselves that pride of a not-last is on the line, even if we know differently. Pedro Martinez is taking the mound for the Expos which should give them a great chance. He was pitching like you would expect Pedro to be pitching as we still had a scoreless game in the sixth as the Black Sox’s Eddie Cicotte was also fantastic. Shoeless Joe Jackson unties it with a two run bomb, his first of the tourney. Just like he did in the 1919 World Series, he’s putting up fantastic numbers in the Dugs tournament, hitting .378 and knocking in 7. Mel Rojas comes in to relieve Pedro but is little help. A two run double by the Sox’s Buck Weaver makes it 5-0 and locks it up. The Expos do get a three run home run from Lenny Webster in the 9th, but that is where the rally ends.

FINAL: SOX 5 - MON 3

(5-0) Club Snub @ (3-2) Tucson Too Soons

Club Snub’s looking to make history and go undefeated in the Group Stage. Unfortunately they ran into Smoky Joe Wood who’s been dominant. He didn’t give up a run in his first appearance and he wouldn’t give up one here either as he went eight scoreless. It’s still a game however, as The Too Soons only managed a single run through 7. Too Soons’ Tony Conigliaro does something about that, going yard for the 4th time in the tourney and getting his 8th RBI which is tops among all hitters. In maybe the greatest redemption story of the tourney, Rick Ankiel came in to close it out for his tourney-leading third save. He has nipped the yips.

FINAL: TUC 3 - SNUB 0

So we have our playoff matchups. It’ll be Tucson hitting the road to take on the Pittsburgh Crawfords while Club Snub hosts the Diamonds in the Rough.

[Keeks137]

See top of thread for an overview of this tourney. Thanks for reading!

The Tucson Too Soons vs. The Pittsburgh Crawfords

Video for Games 1-2

Game 1

This series is filled with RBI leaders from the group stage, so it should be a goodÂ’un. Another contributor to the goodÂ’unness of this one will be that Sandry Koufax of the Too Soons is taking on Leroy Matlock of the Crawfords, who may not be a household name, but should be as he set the Dugs strikeout record with 17 in one game during the group stage. The Too Soons staked themselves to an early 2-0 lead and it took the Crawfords until the 7th inning to get on the board against Koufax as they cut the lead in half and made it 2-1. Hope was short lived however as a three run home run by Nomar Garciaparra in the 8th was the dagger.

FINAL: TUC 7 - PIT 1

Game 2

Very early in the game, Jackie Robinson took a bean ball from the Negro League legends, which you might see as a random 1s and 0s thing, but I see as high drama. We cover this more in the video, but Jackie played a season in the Negro Leagues but wasn’t crazy about the experience, while some of the legends of the Negro Leagues were rubbed the wrong way when Jackie was the one to break the barrier. We made history in this game as Tucson pitcher Mark “The Bird” Fidrych got to take the first swings of his career and recorded his first hit. All that excitement, but no scoring until the 5th when Jackie Robinson gave the Crawfords a receipt for that earlier hit by pitch (see, high ass drama), and cracked the scoreboard first with a two run home run putting the Too Soons up two. Josh Hamilton also homered, as he did in game 1, and Fidrych didn’t need much more insurance that as he went 7.2 IP and gave up only 2 hits.

FINAL: TUC 5 - PIT 1

Video for Games 3-5


Game 3

This should be another stellar pitching matchup as Pittsburgh sends Satchel Paige against TucsonÂ’s Smoky Joe Wood, likely the two best pitchers in the group stage. Well, today, Paige had the advantage as Cool Papa Bell and Rap Dixon both collected 2 RBIs. The Too Soons hit back to back dongs in the 8th as Satchel had to come out, but thatÂ’s where the bleeding stopped. Pittsburgh pulls one back.

FINAL: PIT 5 - TUC 2

Game 4

The Too Soons J.R. Richard would like a do over. As the Crawfords were attempting a sac bunt, he chucked it into the outfield, putting men on first and second with nobody in the third inning. He recorded what would have been outs 2-3 after before any runs crossed the plate. However that fourth out he gave the Crawfords was enough to net Pittsburgh 5 unearned runs, highlighted by a Josh Gibson triple. Josh Gibson actually went YABO this game as he added a grand slam and an additional triple later in the game. That was more than enough to get it done as the Crawfords take a laugher down to even the series at 2.

FINAL: PIT 10 - TUC 2

Game 5

We had a rematch of game 1 with Tucson’s Sandy Koufax taking on Pittsburgh’s Leroy Matlock so the pitching duel that resulted was no surprise. It was 1-1 in the bottom of the 8th with the series momentum hanging in the balance. The Too Soons Jackie Robinson said, “Yeah, uh, I’ll take me some of that,” as he connected for a huge three run blast and that was good enough to take the game down.

FINAL TUC 4 - PIT 1

Video for Games 6-7

Game 6

We talked about grabbing momentum in Game 5. Well, momentum was a long four letter word in game 6 as no one wanted it. Both sides must have been driving automatic because clutch was nowhere to be found as opportunity after opportunity went by the wayside. The Too Soons finally cracked the scoreboard in the 6th and went up 2-0 thanks to some wild pitching out of Roosevelt Davis. That was enough for Mark Fidrych who once again dominated, going 7 IP and only surrendering 3 hits. PittsburghÂ’s stars just didnÂ’t contribute enough in the series as Josh Gibson ended the series with a .167 average, Oscar Charleston was at .192, and Cool Papa Bell landed at .208.

So, the Too Soons are the first team through to the championship. IÂ’ll be back next Friday with the results of the other side of the playoff bracket.

[italyprof]

Very cool project! I will be watching the YouTube videos! Great choices of teams so far.

[Keeks137]

Thanks for the feedback!

[Keeks137]

See top of thread for an overview of this tourney. Thanks for reading!

The other side of the playoff bracket is... Diamonds in the Rough vs. Club Snub

Video for games 1-2


Game 1

This one started out as a pitcher’s duel despite Thin Tony Gwynn’s best efforts as he stole two bases in the first but was then stranded. It was a late squeeze play from the Snubs that eventually gave them the advantage and the bullpen made it hold up. The Hall of Fame has frequently snubbed closers and the back end of the Snubs bullpen makes that work to their advantage once again as Billy Wagner went for the 2 inning save, striking out 3 and only giving up 1 hit.

FINAL: SNUB 3 - DIA 1

Game 2

We explored the Snubs’ Bert Blyleven’s love to fart and strike hitters out, but he wasn’t currently gassy. Bert was the best we’ve seen him all tourney. On the offensive side of the ball, Jeff Kent and his mustache hit two home runs and Scott Rolen added a 3 run dinger to make this a comfortable win for the Snubs.

FINAL: SNUB 8 - DIA 1

Video for games 3-5


Game 3

Diamonds in the Rough’s Walter Johnson got off to a very uncharacteristically wild start to the game but it only cost him 1 run (that he walked home). He also later homered in the game so, I’d say he balanced it out. Also wild, was the Diamonds managerial strategy. Tony Gwynn must have just gone out for a taco or something, because he was announced as the starter, but immediately pinch hit for by Joe Torre in the first inning, and then Andre Dawson took over in right field in the second. When you’re down 2-0 in the series, I guess you just start flinging **** at the wall. Naturally, this close-your-eyes-and-swing-your-arms-wildly-in-the-air strategy worked, and Dawson paid dividends with a great performance, including a two run home run.

FINAL: DIA 5 - SNUB 2

Game 4

Early on in this one, the teams took turns choking in big situations. Finally someone squeezed the Diamonds hard enough to dislodge that popcorn kernel, and their team broke through first, going up 6-1. But they must have just been giving Heimlichs away for free because both teams were hocking out offense eventually. Back to back homers by Reggie Smith and Dwight Evans brought the Snubs back within 1. Everybody got good and lathered up over this excitement and it eventually boiled over when Scott Rolen charged the mound after getting hit by a pitch. This fight actually calmed things down a bit, potentially due to bodily injuries from the kerfuffle, and the Diamonds were able to hold on in the ninth for the win. Series is even at 2!

FINAL: DIA 11 - SNUB 8

Game 5

In the early innings of this one, home runs were fleeing the park like kids after the Catholic priest showed up to try out the slide. They were mostly solo shots however, so it resulted in a 3-1 advantage for the Snubs. That would not be the case in the fifth inning. Diamonds’ Felix Hernandez got himself in trouble, but pulled two outs back to give the team hope they were going to get out of it. They were not going to get out of it. The Snubs Jimmy Edmonds hit a grand slam to put them up 7-1. That’d be enough to put the Snubs one game away from the Championship Finals.

FINAL: SNUB 8 - DIA 1

Video for games 6-7*


Game 6

Diamonds got out to a great start as Paul Goldschmidt homered to put them up 2-0. They were throwing Fergie Jenkins today, so you would hope that lead might mean something. Fergie wasn’t sharp however, as it only took until the second for the Snubs to tie it up, and in the fourth, the Snubs took a 4-2 lead with back to back solo shots from Jim Edmonds and Bob Johnson. Nap Lajoie and Mike Trout answered for the Diamonds in the Rough with solo shots of their own, so it’s a wild one and we’re tied at 4. The key mistake in this game was the Diamonds in the Rough getting on the phone and calling Danny Darwin into the game. He’s been getting shellacked this tourney, giving up 8 earned runs in 3 innings collectively. Today was not a redemption story. Todd Helton gave the Snubs the lead with a two run shot of of Dr. Death Danny Darwin. The Snubs managed to get it to 6-5 in the 8th and had runners on the corners with one out but could not cash in. That would prove to be their last best chance as Billy Wagner is able to complete the two inning save and take down the series for the Snubs.

FINAL: SNUB 6 - DIA 5

So it’ll be the Tucson Too Soons and Club Snub vying for the title! I’ll have those games next week. If you enjoy what we're doing on the channel, clicking the subscribe button would help us out greatly. I hope you all have a stellar weekend, and see you next week for the conclusion!

[Keeks137]

Ok, it's the Tucson Too Soons taking on Club Snub in the championship!

Video for games 1-2


Game 1


It was group B domination as we'll be seeing a rematch of a couple of the group stage games. Club Snub had the best group record at 5-1, but the '1' was a loss to the Too Soons in their sixth game, spoiling their bid for an undefeated stage. No one's been better on the bump than the Too Soons Smoky Joe Wood, and he continued that trend in game 1. Additionally, in a move that I'm not at all going to speculate is racist in any way, the Too Soon's Jackie Robinson continues to rack up the bean balls, getting hit by another two, making it 3 on the postseason. He got his revenge however, driving in two runs on the day. Those runs, and a 2 home run by Tony Conigliaro were enough to put the Too Soons over the top in Game 1.

FINAL: TUC 5 - SNUB 1

Game 2


Jim Edmonds struck for a three run home run to stake the Snubs to an early lead, but Tucson would fight back to bring it back to within one run in the third. The Too Soons Sandy Koufax was as tough as he was the rest of the tournament after that three run shot, but the 3-2 score held steady until late in the game as the Snubs' Bret Saberhagen held serve. When Saberhagen came out, John Franco came in, and the long line of closers being snubbed from the Hall of Fame benefitted Club Snub once again as they're able to cling to that 1 run lead for the win.

FINAL: SNUB 3 - TUC 2

Video for games 3-5.

Game 3

Once again, the Bird Bird Bird, the Bird was the word as Mark The Bird Fidrych dazzled the opposition and had a no hitter for the Too Soons through 6. The Snubs' Bert Blyleven has also had his share of great games this tourney, but this one would be the exception to the rule. One of the stories we told centered on Bert casually assaulting a groundskeeper, so everyone holding a rake ran and hid as he came out in the fifth inning after surrendering five runs. That'd be enough as Fidrych completed the one hitter, which is the closest we've come to seeing a no hitter in any of our videos. That'd be enough... but Tucson went ahead and scored 17 runs before it was all said and done as both Jackie "Stop Hitting Me with Baseballs" Robinson and Josh Hamilton both hit two home runs.

FINAL: TUC 17 - SNUB 0

Game 4

Getting the piss beat out of him put the Snubs' Jeff Kent in a bad mood as the first two batches of runs that would score came off of home runs in his first two at bats of the game. Tucson's response came in the form of a home run out of the starting pitcher JR Richard. Weird. Tucson would tie the game up at 3 in the fourth via manufacturing some runs, so the fast start for the Snubs is mitigated. The big blow came in the fifth when Too Soons' Dave Nilsson, who ended his own career prematurely when he left the states to head up Australia's super power of a baseball system, hit a three run home run. Darryl Kile got hammered his first time out when he served as a starter. Since then, Tucson has moved him to the pen, and all he's done is go ten scoreless innings, striking out 12. He's able to hammer this one down as well, going for a two inning save and putting Tucson within one game of the championship.

FINAL: TUC 6 - SNUB 5

Game 5

It's once again Smoky Joe Wood today for the Too Soons, so the Snubs are in trouble. Snubs actually score first, but it's Smoky himself recording the game tying RBI an inning later. The Snubs' catcher Bill Freehan, who has been just god awful all tourney, gets his moment in the sun as he homered off of Smoky Joe to take the lead 3-2 late. Tucson evened it back up in the 7th however as John Franco couldn't get the third out of an inning as the Too Soons were able to rally after the first two hitters went down. The Snubs have more closers where he came from however. In comes Billy Wagner. Out goes the baseball. Nomar Garciaparra went yard to put the Too Soons 3 outs away from the championship. They get an additional insurance run as David Wright gets a rare at bat and makes the most of it by going back to back. That's enough to take it down. Too Soons win the title!

FINAL: TUC 5 - SNUB 3

I hope you all enjoyed reading these. We had a ton of fun putting the videos together. If you like this sort of thing, subscriptions to our channel are the most helpful thing you can do for us. We're transitioning to standalone simulations for the foreseeable future over there. As a bookend to this season, we've already posted a simulation of how 1994 would have turned out if there was no strike.

I appreciate your eyeballs, and thank you for the feedback!