The Field Of Dreams Project

[Nick Soulis]

Series #223



2003 Florida Marlins
Record: 91-71
Finish: World Champions
Manager: Jack McKeon
Ball Park: Pro Player Stadium
WAR Leader: Ivan Rodriguez (4.5)
Franchise Record: 3-4
2003 Season Record: 2-3
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/FLA/2003.shtml

1934 Washington Senators
Record: 66-86
Finish: 7th in AL
Manager: Joe Cronin
Ball Park: Griffith Stadium
WAR Leader: Heinie Manush (4.7)
Franchise Record: 3-14
1934 Season Record: 1-2
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSH/1934.shtml


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Heaven’s Dugout – Pre-Series #223 Special
Broadcast from the Field of Dreams, Iowa



Host – Mel Allen:
"Hello there, baseball fans, and welcome to a very special edition of Heaven’s Dugout. The cornfields have spoken, the teams have arrived, and Series #223 is set — the 2003 Florida Marlins and the 1934 Washington Senators. I’m joined today by an all-star panel: Vin Scully, Frank Thomas, and Bill James. Gentlemen, you’ve just heard from the managers — let’s talk about what’s ahead."

Vin Scully:
"Mel, there’s something beautiful about this matchup. You’ve got the Marlins, a team that in real life shocked the baseball world, young and fearless, going up against a Senators club that lived in an era of grinding baseball. Jack McKeon’s voice still carries that quiet confidence — he knows his team can beat you with pitching or with speed. And on the other side, Joe Cronin is one of the sharpest minds ever to put on a uniform. He’s telling his boys to control the tempo, and that’s going to be fascinating to watch play out."

Frank Thomas:
"You can tell both managers have respect for each other, but make no mistake — this is going to be a physical series. The Marlins have a lot of athleticism — Juan Pierre, Luis Castillo, those guys can wreak havoc on the bases. And then you’ve got big bats like Pudge Rodríguez and Mike Lowell who can change the game with one swing. But Washington’s got that old-school mentality. They’re gonna play hit-and-run, bunt you over, and they’ve got guys like Heinie Manush who can find the gaps all day long."

Bill James:
"From a numbers perspective, this is a fascinating series because the skill sets are so different. The Marlins’ strength lies in run prevention — Beckett, Pavano, Willis — and opportunistic offense. The Senators’ stats from ’34 tell us they weren’t a powerhouse offensively, but they maximized what they had. Cronin himself hit over .300 that year. The key here will be whether the Senators can manufacture enough runs before the Marlins’ pitchers settle in. And conversely, whether the Marlins can adjust to the small-ball tactics of a pre-war ballclub."

Mel Allen:
"Vin, let me circle back to something you said — the tempo of the game. How important is that here in Iowa, with this atmosphere?"

Vin Scully:
"Mel, it’s everything. In a place like this, every sound — the crack of the bat, the pop of the mitt — is magnified. A team that can impose its style early will have a mental edge. If the Marlins start running, the Senators may have to stretch themselves defensively. If the Senators keep the ball in play and force long innings, the Marlins’ pitchers might get frustrated. That’s the hidden chess match I’m looking forward to."

Mel Allen:
"Well folks, there you have it — the speed and swagger of 2003 Florida against the discipline and guile of 1934 Washington. The corn has parted, the stage is set, and soon we’ll hear that first pitch echo into the Iowa sky."

"Stay with us — Game 1 coverage is coming up, and you won’t want to miss it. From the cornfields to your living room, this is Heaven’s Dugout."

[Nick Soulis]

Broadcast team for series:
Ernie Johnson Sr and Tony Kubek

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Senators Slam Marlins In 4
Stone Walk Off Cements Misery For 03 Champs



Game 1
At Pro Player Stadium
1934 Washington Senators 4
2003 Florida Marlins 3
WP: E. Whitehill (1-0) LP: J. Beckett (0-1) S: J. Russell (1)
HR: M. Cabrera (1)
POG: Earl Whitehill (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 111 P)
1934 Senators Lead Series 1-0

Good evening, friends. Tonight here in Miami, we saw a little bit of history repeating itself — and a whole lot of baseball truth. The 1934 Washington Senators came into Pro Player Stadium, stared down a reigning champion-caliber Marlins team, and walked away with the opening game of Series #223, four runs to three.
It was the Senators’ brand of ball from the start — crisp defense, sharp pitching, and that one big moment. For Washington, Earl Whitehill wasn’t overpowering, but he was every bit the craftsman. He mixed speeds, he hit the corners, and when he did get touched up by Miguel Cabrera in the sixth for that two-run homer, he never unraveled. That’s the mark of a veteran pitcher.
And then there was the fifth inning. Two outs, the bases loaded, the crowd on its feet for Josh Beckett — and John Stone delivered. A bases-clearing double into the gap, the kind of swing that doesn’t just put runs on the board, it changes the entire feel of the ballpark. That 4–1 lead held, even as the Marlins made their push late.
Credit, too, to the Senators’ bullpen. Tommy Thomas, Ed Linke, Jack Russell — they took the ball and slammed the door. No runs allowed, no cracks in the armor. That’s how you win on the road.
For the Marlins, they’ll look back at this one as a missed opportunity. Nine hits, some loud contact, but they left nine men stranded and couldn’t find that last big swing. Cabrera’s homer gave them life, but the Senators snuffed out any thought of a rally.
Game One goes to Washington, and now the Marlins face a bit of pressure. Tomorrow night, they’ll need to even this series before it gets away from them. But tonight, the story belongs to John Stone, Earl Whitehill, and a 1934 ballclub proving they can stand toe-to-toe with anyone — no matter the era.
"This is Ernie Johnson, saying goodnight from Miami."

Game 2
At Pro Player Stadium
1934 Washington Senators 3
2003 Florida Marlins 2
WP: B. Burke (1-0) M. Redman (0-1) S: J. Russell (2)
HR: M. Lowell (1)
POG: Bobby Burke (6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 100 P)
1934 Senators Lead Series 2-0

"From high above home plate here at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, it’s the Senators walking away with another one-run win — 3 to 2 over the Marlins — and they now hold a commanding two-games-to-none lead in Series #223. Bobby Burke was the story early. The left-hander went six strong innings, keeping Florida hitters off balance with a steady diet of high fastballs and well-placed breaking balls. He pitched with poise, scattering five hits and allowing just a single run. Joe Kuhel’s sacrifice fly in the second inning loomed large all night, giving Washington the 3–0 cushion they’d need to weather Florida’s late push.
The Marlins did make it interesting. Mike Lowell’s eighth-inning solo shot cut the lead to one, and you could feel the energy in this ballpark spike. But Washington’s bullpen, with Linke and Russell, shut the door. Russell, in particular, looked sharp in the ninth — three up, three down for the save. For Florida, Mark Redman pitched well enough to win — just three hits allowed over seven innings — but two early defensive lapses and timely Washington execution proved costly. Now the series shifts to Griffith Stadium in D.C., and the Marlins will be fighting for their season come Saturday night.
Final again: Senators 3, Marlins 2 — Washington leads the series, two games to none."

Game 3
At Griffith Stadium
2003 Florida Marlins 3
1934 Washington Senators 4
WP: A. McColl (1-0) LP: T. Phelps (0-1) S: J. Russell (3)
HR: None
POG: General Crowder (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2BB, 4 K, 96 P)
1934 Senators Lead Series 3-0

Well folks, the Washington Senators of 1934 are one step from sweeping the 2003 Florida Marlins right out of this series. A crisp, chilly October night at Griffith Stadium saw General Crowder deliver a sturdy six-inning start, and the Senators once again found the big hit when it mattered most. It wasn’t all smooth sailing — the Marlins scratched back in the sixth and seventh to tie it up, but in the bottom of the eighth, with the crowd on edge, pinch-hitter Cliff Bolton worked a bases-loaded walk off Tommy Phelps to push Washington ahead 4–3. From there, Jack Russell shut the door for his third save of the series.
The frustration’s building for Florida. You can see it in their body language — every time they get close, Washington has an answer. The Senators are winning the little battles: working counts, moving runners, making plays in the field. And it’s putting Florida in a spot where they’re chasing, instead of dictating the pace. Dontrelle Willis wasn’t bad tonight — 5 innings, 3 runs, and he kept his team in it — but the Senators made him work for every out. And when your offense is leaving runners like Florida is, it’s hard to make up for even a couple of missed pitches.”

Game 4
At Griffith Stadium
2003 Florida Marlins 4
1934 Washington Senators 6
WP: M. Weaver (1-0) LP: B. Looper (0-1)
HR: J. Stone (1)
POG: John Stone (1-4, 4 RBI, walk off grand slam!)

History wasn’t just written tonight at Griffith Stadium. It was thundered into existence. Before a roaring crowd of 32,000 in the crisp October night, John Stone sent Washington into baseball immortality with a two-out, bottom-of-the-ninth walk-off grand slam to stun the 2003 Florida Marlins and clinch a sweep in Series #223.
The Senators trailed 4–2 entering the ninth, staring at the possibility of extending the series. But after two men reached and a walk loaded the bases, Stone stepped in against Braden Looper. On a 1-1 fastball, he turned on it, driving the ball deep into the right-field night. The crowd knew instantly — a no-doubter. As the ball cleared the fence, Griffith Stadium erupted into chaos Senators poured from the dugout, mobbing Stone at the plate in a frenzy of hugs, shouts, and pure disbelief. For a franchise that has lived so long in the shadows of baseball’s giants, this was their moment in the sun.

1934 Washington Senators Win Series 4 Games To 0

Series MVP:

(.438, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 2 2B, .750 SLG, Walk off game 4)

[Nick Soulis]

Series #224



1985 Philadelphia Phillies
Record: 75-87
Finish: 5th in NL East
Manager: John Felske
Ball Park: Veterans Stadium
WAR Leader: Mike Schmidt (5.0)
Franchise Record: 7-17
1985 Season Record: 2-2
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1985.shtml

2004 Kansas City Royals
Record: 58-104
Finish: 5th in AL Central
Manager: Tony Pena
Ball Park: Kauffman Stadium
WAR Leader: Zack Greinke (3.7)
Franchise Record: 5-6
2004 Season Record: 8-0
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/2004.shtml
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Heaven’s Dugout — Series #224 Preview





Host: Mel Allen
Panelists: Vin Scully, Bill James, Pete Rose, and Frank Thomas

Opening by Mel Allen

"Hello there, everybody! Welcome once again to Heaven’s Dugout, where the cornfields whisper, history walks, and baseball’s past and present clash in eternal competition. Today we turn our attention to Series #224, pitting the 2004 Kansas City Royals against the 1985 Philadelphia Phillies.

On paper, you might not expect these two clubs to cross paths — one a Royals team that finished a long year in transition, the other a Phillies club nearing the end of an era defined by Hall of Fame talent. But here in the Field of Dreams, reputations don’t matter — it’s about who rises in October. Let’s break it all down."

Vin Scully — The Storyteller’s View

"Well Mel, what a contrast we have. The 2004 Royals stumbled to 104 losses, but they do bring a few bright sparks to this field — young David DeJesus patrolling the outfield, Angel Berroa with his flash at shortstop, and the familiar veteran bat of Joe Randa. These are ballplayers hungry for redemption, hungry to prove that even forgotten teams can write golden chapters here.

And then across the diamond, there’s Philadelphia, the 1985 Phillies. You still see the embers of the great 1980 championship club — Mike Schmidt, the great third baseman who remains the centerpiece, alongside Von Hayes, Ozzie Virgil, and a pitching staff that can lean on veterans like Kevin Gross and Shane Rawley. It’s the feel of an aging empire looking to show it can still roar."

Bill James — The Analyst’s Breakdown

"If you strip away the narratives and just evaluate the matchups, the Phillies clearly hold the edge. They were a .500 club in a very competitive NL East, while Kansas City’s 2004 roster was threadbare after years of decline.

The Royals’ pitching staff is their biggest weakness here. Run prevention was abysmal that year, and it’s hard to imagine them stifling the bat of Schmidt or even role players like Juan Samuel and Glenn Wilson. The Phillies don’t have overwhelming pitching, but they’ll look like a juggernaut compared to what Kansas City can throw out there.

If there’s a path for the Royals, it’s chaos: timely hits, a bullpen miracle or two, and maybe someone like DeJesus or Matt Stairs getting hot at the right time. Otherwise, I expect the Phillies to control this."

Pete Rose — The Player’s Perspective

"I’ll tell ya straight — the Phillies are gonna love this matchup. They got my old buddy Mike Schmidt right there in the middle of the order, and if you give him mistake pitches, it’s gonna be a long series for Kansas City.

But I’ll give Kansas City this — no one comes into this tournament expecting them to win, and that can be dangerous. You play loose, you play with nothin’ to lose, and sometimes that bites the favorite. If I’m Philly, I come out swingin’, try to bury them early. Don’t give ‘em life."

Frank Thomas — The Slugger’s Eye

"You know I always look at who can change a game with one swing. The Phillies have Schmidt, no question, one of the greatest power bats we’ve ever seen. But don’t overlook Von Hayes — he could hit for pop and run a little too.

The Royals don’t have a ton of thunder, but Matt Stairs can still muscle one out, and Ken Harvey had some pop in that year. The big challenge is consistency. Philly’s lineup can grind pitchers down; Kansas City’s might go quiet for stretches. That’s dangerous in a best-of-seven."

Closing Thoughts — Mel Allen

"So there you have it. The panel sees the Phillies as heavy favorites, but warns against overlooking the scrappy Royals. It’s baseball, after all, and the unexpected has a way of stepping right out of the cornfields.

When the series begins, the 2004 Kansas City Royals will try to prove that even forgotten summers can yield October glory, while the 1985 Phillies seek to reclaim the magic of a franchise only a few years removed from the mountaintop.

Folks, it’s time to settle it on the diamond. Stay tuned — the corn is rustling, the players are ready, and Series #224 is about to begin."

[Nick Soulis]

Broadcasters For Series #224



Royals Rule In Stunner Of Phils
Greinke’s brilliance seals 4–1 triumph over 1985 Phillies; Schmidt solid but silent as power bat goes quiet



Game 1
At Veterans Stadium
2004 Kansas City Royals 6
1985 Philadelphia Phillies 1
WP: Z. Greinke (1-0) LP: K. Gross (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Zack Greinke (9 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 112 P)
2004 Royals Lead Series 1-0

Veterans Stadium was silent last night. What began as a cool October evening filled with hope turned sour in one ugly inning, as the 2004 Kansas City Royals stunned the 1985 Phillies with a six-run barrage in the seventh, rolling to a 6–1 victory in the opener of their Field of Dreams series. The Phillies had the early edge. Juan Samuel’s run-scoring single in the third gave Kevin Gross a slim cushion, and through six innings it looked as if Philadelphia might grind its way to a win. Then, suddenly, the wheels came off. Gross, who had battled control issues all night, saw the dam burst when Joe Randa tied the game with two outs in the seventh. Carlos Beltrán followed with a ringing double into right-center to put Kansas City ahead, and catcher Alberto Castillo dealt the decisive blow, driving in two more as the crowd of 32,000 groaned. By inning’s end, the scoreboard read Royals 6, Phillies 1, and the Veterans Stadium faithful were headed for the exits. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s 20-year-old ace, Zack Greinke, was nearly flawless. Mixing pinpoint fastballs with darting off-speed pitches, Greinke scattered just three hits over nine innings, never allowing the Phillies to mount a serious threat. He did not issue a walk, and struck out three.
“He looked like a veteran out there,” Phillies manager John Felske admitted. “We couldn’t get him off his rhythm.”
For Philadelphia, the loss cut deep. The Phillies must now win behind Shane Rawley tonight to avoid returning to Kansas City in a dire hole. The club’s veterans, particularly Mike Schmidt and Von Hayes, will be under the microscope after combining for just one hit in eight at-bats.
The Phillies faithful came ready to celebrate a throwback October night. Instead, they trudged home under clear skies, muttering about errors in the field and a flat lineup. Game 2 now looms as a must-win, less than 24 hours away.

Game 2
At Veterans Stadium
2004 Kansas City Royals 9
1985 Philadelphia Phillies 10 (11 inn)
WP: Z. Greinke (1-0) LP: K. Gross (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Zack Greinke (9 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 112 P)
Series Tied 1-1

If the 49,196 fans at Veterans Stadium came for drama, they got their money’s worth Wednesday night. In a game that swung like a pendulum from start to finish, the 1985 Philadelphia Phillies survived the furious 2004 Kansas City Royals, pulling out a 10–9 victory in 11 innings to even Series #224 at one game apiece.
It was veteran Garry Maddox, “the Secretary of Defense,” who found himself at the center of it all. With the bases loaded and no outs in the 11th inning, Maddox took a Jason Grimsley fastball squarely, forcing in the winning run. He walked toward first grimacing but was immediately mobbed by his teammates as the crowd roared into the cool Philadelphia night.“This place was electric at the end,” Maddox said. “I just wanted to get on base any way I could. That pitch hurt, but the win feels pretty good.” From the start, it looked like Philadelphia might coast. Ozzie Virgil ripped a bases-clearing double in the first, and Glenn Wilson added a two-run double in the second. By the time Von Hayes crossed the plate for the third time in the fourth inning, the Phillies had staked John Denny to a 7–2 advantage. But the Royals, unfazed, kept clawing back. Dennys Reyes struggled out of the gate, but Kansas City’s offense refused to fold. Andres Blanco drilled a solo homer in the sixth, and in the eighth Matt Stairs delivered the game’s most thunderous blow—a three-run shot to right off Don Carman that knotted the score at 9–9.
The Vet went silent. The Phillies’ bullpen was reeling, the Royals were surging, and suddenly Philadelphia’s six-run cushion had vanished.
If Maddox was the finisher, Von Hayes was the instigator. The lanky center fielder drew three walks, collected a single, and scored four times—a new Field of Dreams postseason record. His speed and patience wreaked havoc on Kansas City’s pitching staff all night.
“Von was the difference,” manager John Felske said. “He just kept finding ways to get on base, and when he did, we made them pay.”
Wilson finished with five runs batted in, and Mike Schmidt chipped in two more, keeping the Royals on their heels despite Kansas City’s ten-hit attack.
Kansas City’s offense wasn’t without its heroes. Carlos Beltran stole two bases and scored twice, Blanco finished with three RBI, and Stairs’ blast nearly turned the night into another upset. But Kansas City stranded five men, and by the time Grimsley lost control in the 11th, the bullpen had been stretched beyond its limit.
“We battled,” Royals manager Tony Peña said. “We gave ourselves every chance. But walks, hit batsmen—that’s no way to win in October.”
The Phillies, now tied 1–1 in the series, head to Kansas City with renewed momentum. Veterans Stadium had been restless after Tuesday’s collapse, but last night’s marathon left fans chanting and dancing in the aisles. “It wasn’t pretty, but it was Philadelphia baseball,” Schmidt said with a grin.

Game 3
At Kauffman Stadium
1985 Philadelphia Phillies 4
2004 Kansas City royaks 5
WP: J. Afeldt (1-0 ) LP: D. Carman (0-1)
HR: J. Samuel (1)
POG: Matt Stairs (3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R, walk off hit)
2004 Royals Lead Series 2-1


Walk off!

Good evening once again from Kauffman Stadium, and what a night of baseball we have witnessed here in Kansas City. The Royals have taken a 2–1 series lead in thrilling, walk-off fashion, edging the 1985 Phillies 5–4. It was Philadelphia who struck first, jumping out with three runs in the opening frame off starter Chris George. Juan Samuel belted a leadoff hit, and Mike Schmidt’s two-run double had the Phillies faithful in attendance believing this was their night. By the fifth, Samuel added a solo home run and it was 4–0. But the Royals, resilient as ever, chipped away. A run in the sixth, three more in the eighth—J. Buck coming off the bench with a huge pinch-hit two-run single to tie the score—and suddenly the ballpark was roaring.
Then came the ninth inning. Don Carman tried to hold Kansas City in check, but with two aboard, Matt Stairs, the stocky slugger, delivered the defining swing. A booming double to right-center, scoring the winning run and sending the Royals pouring onto the field in celebration.
Kansas City out-hit Philadelphia 14 to 9, with Stairs going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI. Chris George gutted through eight innings, and Jeremy Affeldt picked up the win in relief. The Phillies, despite strong showings from Von Hayes and Juan Samuel, now find themselves trailing in the series. And folks, this stadium is still vibrating—what a finish in Kansas City!”

Game 4
At Kauffman Stadium
1985 Philadelphia Phillies 4
2004 Kansas City royaks 7
WP: J. Afeldt (2-0) LP: S. Carlton (1-1)
HR: Mike Sweeney (1)
POG: Mike Sweeney (3-5, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)
2004 Royals Lead Series 3-1


Walk off again!

Hello again, everybody. From Kansas City, Missouri, the story of this Field of Dreams series has been one of heartbreak for the Phillies and jubilation for the Royals. And tonight, it came to its final chapter.
The Kansas City Royals of 2004, a club that endured its share of struggles in its own era, has found magic here in the cornfields. With the crowd roaring, with the pressure mounting, the Royals seized the moment, defeating the Phillies of 1985 and clinching this best-of-seven affair, four games to one.
For Philadelphia, it was a series of missed chances. They rallied in Game 2, only to be undone by consecutive walk-offs in Games 3 and 4. And tonight, they simply could not summon enough offense to extend their season. Mike Sweeney, Matt Stairs, Carlos Beltran — all played starring roles for Kansas City. And the pitching, though tested, stood tall in the late innings. The Royals showed resilience, grit, and just enough firepower to write their names into the lore of this tournament.
For the Phillies, Mike Schmidt fought valiantly, Von Hayes brought his spark, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. Their season closes here under the lights of Kauffman Stadium.
So the curtain falls on Series #224, with Kansas City advancing, and Philadelphia left to wonder what might have been. A tale of drama, of three straight walk-offs, of unforgettable October baseball.
From Kansas City… this is Harry Kalas, saying good night, everybody.”

Game 4
At Kauffman Stadium
1985 Philadelphia Phillies 1
2004 Kansas City royaks 4
WP: Z. Greinke (2-0) LP: K. Gross (0-2)
HR: None
POG: Zack Greinke (9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 129 P)

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, from Kauffman Stadium, where the Kansas City Royals of 2004 have just finished writing their own chapter in Field of Dreams history. For the first time, these Royals can call themselves champions, closing out the Philadelphia Phillies of 1985 with a decisive 4–1 victory to take the series, four games to one.
On this cool October night, Zack Greinke was magnificent—composure beyond his years. Nine innings, five hits allowed, one unearned run, nine strikeouts, and not a single walk surrendered to the heart of a Philadelphia lineup that was searching for answers all night long. Greinke painted the corners, trusted his defense, and slammed the door with poise. He is tonight’s Player of the Game, and rightfully so.
The Phillies tried to mount some pressure early—Juan Samuel doubled and scored their lone run in the third—but the big bats of Mike Schmidt and company couldn’t solve Greinke when it mattered most. Kansas City’s defense, particularly the double-play combination of Angel Berroa Blanco and Tony Graffanino, turned in key plays to extinguish rallies before they could spark. Meanwhile, the Royals’ lineup went about their business in workmanlike fashion. A two-out RBI double from Graffanino tied the game, and then a key knock by Angel Blanco put Kansas City in front. Alberto Castillo chipped in with three hits and a big RBI to give the Royals breathing room. Carlos Beltran even added another stolen base, reminding us of the athletic edge this club brings to the table.For the Phillies, it is a bitter end. Kevin Gross battled but couldn’t quite hold down the Kansas City order, and a club led by veterans like Schmidt and Von Hayes just never found the late-inning magic that had carried them in the past. Schmidt, always outspoken about the PED era, now walks away from this series with dignity intact but short of the prize.
But tonight, the story is Kansas City. The fans here at Kauffman Stadium roared as the final out was made—a ground ball scooped by Sweeney and stepped on first for the clincher. The Royals pile out of the dugout, celebrating their first taste of Field of Dreams glory. From the shadow of long, hard seasons in the early 2000s, this group stands alone as champions of Series #224. This is Harry Kalas, signing off from Kansas City, where the Royals of 2004 have defeated the Phillies of 1985, four games to one, in a memorable and hard-fought series."

2004 Kanas City Royals Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

Zack Grienke
(2-0, 18 IP, 0.50 ERA, 1 BB, 12 K, 0.50 WHIP, .163 OBA)

[Nick Soulis]

Series #225



2000 Cleveland Indians
Record: 90-72
Finish: 2nd in AL Central
Manager: Charlie Manuel
Ball Park: Jacobs Field
WAR Leader: Roberto Alomar (5.6)
Franchise Record: 10-8
2000 Season Record: 1-3
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/2000.shtml

1988 Texas Rangers
Record: 70-91
Finish: 6th in AL West
Manager: Bobby Valentine
Ball Park: Arlington Stadium
WAR Leader: Steve Buechele (4.3)
Franchise Record: 4-3
1988 Season Record: 1-1
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/1988.shtml
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Heaven’s Dugout: Series #225 Preview



Location: Jacobs Field, Cleveland, OH
Matchup: 2000 Cleveland Indians vs. 1988 Texas Rangers
Format: Best-of-Seven, Field of Dreams Tournament

Host: Mel Allen
Panelists: Peter Gammons, Frank Thomas, and Hawk Harrelson

Opening Scene

The camera pans across Jacobs Field under a crisp autumn evening sky. Fans in vintage Tribe and Rangers gear file into the stands, buzz already filling the stadium. The golden infield dirt gleams under the lights, and a large Series #225 banner hangs in center field. The Heaven’s Dugout crew sits at a desk perched just above the first-base dugout.

Mel Allen:
“Hello there everybody, and welcome to Heaven’s Dugout! We’re on site at Jacobs Field, and oh my, the energy is electric as we kick off Series #225. It’s the 2000 Cleveland Indians and the 1988 Texas Rangers, two franchises with power, pride, and something to prove. Peter, Frank, Hawk—let’s dive into this one.”

Team Breakdowns

Peter Gammons:
“This Indians team has thunder throughout the lineup—Manny Ramírez, Jim Thome, Roberto Alomar—they can turn a game with one swing. The pitching isn’t as deep as some clubs in this tournament, but Bartolo Colón and Chuck Finley give them a fighting chance. Cleveland’s key is whether that offense can overwhelm the Rangers before Texas exploits the back end of their rotation.”

Frank Thomas:
“And don’t sleep on Texas. Rafael Palmeiro is coming off one of his better power years in ’88, and Rubén Sierra gives them a dangerous young bat from both sides. Nolan Ryan’s not here yet, but Charlie Hough with that knuckleball could frustrate Cleveland’s power bats if he gets it dancing in this fall air.”

Hawk Harrelson:
“Yessir! And let me tell ya somethin’—momentum’s gonna be big in this series. The Indians have the crowd, and Jacobs Field is no easy place to play when it gets loud. But if the Rangers steal one here early, hoo boy, Cleveland’s gonna feel that pressure real quick. Don’t kid yourself, Texas can mash too. They’ll play cowboy baseball, grip it and rip it.”

Key Storylines

Mel Allen:
“So gentlemen, what storylines should the fans look out for?”

Peter Gammons:
“For me, it’s Manny Ramírez. He’s entering his prime and could absolutely dominate this series. If he gets on a tear, Cleveland wins in five.”

Frank Thomas:
“I’m watching Jim Thome. Big left-handed bat, perfect for this park. But he’ll have to stay disciplined against Texas’ mix-and-match pitching staff. On the Rangers’ side, Sierra’s speed and power could tilt a close game.”

Hawk Harrelson:
“Hey, I’ll say this—watch Charlie Hough. That knuckler could give Thome and Manny fits. If he wins one of his starts, this thing could swing the Rangers’ way fast. He’s the X-factor.”

Predictions

Mel Allen:
“Time for predictions, fellas. How do you see it shaking out?”

Peter Gammons:
“Indians in six. Too much firepower in that lineup.”

Frank Thomas:
“I’ll go bold—Indians in five. Thome and Manny will slug their way past Texas.”

Hawk Harrelson:
“I’m goin’ contrarian—Rangers in seven. If the knuckleball dances and the bats keep up, don’t be shocked if Texas rides outta here with an upset.”

Closing Thoughts

The crowd roars as both teams take batting practice behind the panel, Thome launching balls deep into the bleachers while Sierra shows off his whip-quick swing.

Mel Allen:
“Well there you have it—Series #225 is ready to roll. Two proud franchises, one golden ticket to advance. Stay tuned as Game 1 gets underway right here at Jacobs Field. This has been Heaven’s Dugout, and folks, it’s going to be a dandy.”
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Broadcast team for the series:
Jack Buck and John Smoltz



Camera sweeps across a crisp fall evening in Cleveland. The upper deck is buzzing, fans waving rally towels in red and navy as the lights glow over the field. The golden “Field of Dreams – Series #225” banner stretches across the outfield wall. Jack Buck’s voice cuts in over the roar.

Jack Buck:
“Good evening, baseball fans, and welcome to Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio. It’s a brisk October night, the stage is set, and the Field of Dreams tournament rolls on with Series Number 225. Tonight, the hometown 2000 Cleveland Indians square off against the 1988 Texas Rangers in Game One of this best-of-seven showdown. I’m Jack Buck, joined by John Smoltz, and John, you can feel the electricity in this ballpark.”

John Smoltz:
“Absolutely, Jack. These fans know their club has the bats to do some real damage. Manny Ramírez, Jim Thome, Roberto Alomar—there’s no soft spot in this Indians order. But don’t overlook Texas. Charlie Hough’s knuckleball, Ruben Sierra’s switch-hitting power, and a hungry lineup could make things very interesting. If Cleveland’s pitching falters, Texas has the firepower to keep up.”

Jack Buck:
“You can hear the crowd roar as the Indians jog out of the dugout. Bartolo Colón loosens up on the mound, and in a matter of moments, we’ll be underway here in Game One. Stay with us—first pitch is next, right here at Jacobs Field.”

Camera pans to Colón firing his last warmups, Thome pounding his glove at first, and Sierra waiting near the Rangers’ dugout, bat on shoulder.

[Nick Soulis]

Series #225

Jacobs Field Silenced: Rangers Dash Indians Hopes
Legacy Of Failure Plagues Franchise



Game 1
At Jacobs Field
1988 Texas Rangers 4
2000 Cleveland indians 2
WP: C. McMurty (1-0) LP: S. Karsay (0-1) S: M. Williams (1)
HR: None
POG: Bartolo Colon (8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K, 118 P)

On a brisk October night at Jacobs Field, Bartolo Colón delivered eight innings of dominance, but the Cleveland bullpen faltered late as the 1988 Texas Rangers stormed back with a three-run ninth to win Game 1 of the Field of Dreams Series, 4–2.
Colón struck out 11 and allowed just three hits through eight innings, leaving to a thunderous ovation with Cleveland clinging to a 2–1 lead. But reliever Steve Karsay couldn’t slam the door. With two outs, Geno Petralli singled in the tying run, Steve Buechele followed with a go-ahead knock, and Oddibe McDowell capped the rally with a double into the gap, giving Texas a two-run cushion.
Jose Guzman battled through five innings for the Rangers, and Craig McMurtry picked up the win with three scoreless frames in relief. Mitch Williams sealed the save despite a tense walk in the ninth. For Cleveland, Manny Ramirez and Kenny Lofton each drove in runs, but the Tribe left seven men on base. Jim Thome had two hits, including a double, but the bats fell silent in the late innings. With the win, Texas seizes a 1–0 series lead and all-important momentum. Game 2 is set for Monday night at Jacobs Field, with Cleveland aiming to even the series before heading to Arlington.

Game 2
At Jacobs Field
1988 Texas Rangers 7
2000 Cleveland indians 8
WP: J. Brewington (1-0) LP: B. Witt (0-1)S. Karsay (1)
HR: G. Petralli (1)
POG: Omar Vizquel (2-3, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB)
Series Tied 1-1

The ballgame was decided early—Bobby Witt was undone by his own lack of command in that fateful second inning. Four walks, a couple of well-placed hits, and suddenly the Indians had six runs across. Travis Fryman delivered the knockout blow with that two-run single, and the crowd here at Jacobs Field roared like it was October of ’95 all over again.
But baseball has a way of never letting you breathe easy. Texas chipped away—Pete Incaviglia doubled in a run, Oddibe McDowell kept finding gaps, and Geno Petralli drilled a home run that landed out by the bleachers in left. Suddenly, it was a one-run game and the noise that had once lifted Cleveland now turned into nervous silence.
The bullpen became the story from there. Jaret Brewington steadied the ship, and when Steve Karsay closed the ninth with authority, the Tribe faithful finally exhaled.
The star tonight? Omar Vizquel. Not for power, not for flash, but for his constant presence—two hits, two walks, two runs scored. He was the heartbeat of this lineup and the catalyst that made Witt’s wildness too costly to overcome.
So, here we stand, even at one game apiece. Texas showed they can slug with Cleveland, and Cleveland showed they can survive a slugfest. We go to Arlington now, where the crowd will be hostile, the weather warmer, and the pressure turned up.
This series, I believe, is only just beginning to show us its drama. And if tonight was any indication, we may be in for a long and thrilling ride.”

Game 3
At Arlington Stadium
2000 Cleveland indians 3
1988 Texas Rangers 2
WP: C. Finley (1-0) LP: M. Williams (0-1) S: S. Karsay (2)
HR: P. O'Brien (1)
POG: Chuck Finley (8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 120 P)
2000 Indians Lead Series 2-1

Baseball has a funny way of turning on the smallest of breaks. Tonight in Arlington, the Texas Rangers were three outs away from taking control of this series — and then it slipped right through their fingers.
Charlie Hough was absolutely masterful, dancing that knuckleball through eight scoreless innings. But the ninth brought heartbreak for the home crowd. With two outs and two men on, Manny Ramírez rolled a grounder to second. It should have ended the inning, should have sealed the Rangers’ win. Instead, a miscue at second base opened the door. Two runs raced home, Omar Vizquel added a two-out RBI of his own, and suddenly Cleveland had a 3–2 lead they would not surrender.
Chuck Finley deserves the spotlight — eight strong innings, just five hits allowed, and the poise of a man who’s seen it all. He kept the Indians afloat until opportunity finally knocked.
It’s the cruelest kind of loss for Texas, who wasted Hough’s gem and Pat O’Brien’s thunderous two-run homer. The Indians now carry a 2–1 series lead, thanks to clutch pitching and the bounce of fate. Game 4 looms as a must-win for the Rangers.”

Game 4
At Arlington Stadium
2000 Cleveland indians 4
1988 Texas Rangers 6
WP: J. Russell (1-0) LP: P. Rigdon (0-1) S: r. Hayward (1)
HR: D. Justice (1), T. Fryman (1), S. Buechele (1), R. Sierra (1)
POG: Jeff Russell (8 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, 103 P)
Series Tied 2-2

This was a night where the Rangers absolutely had to have it, and they got it. Jeff Russell — not a household name as a starter — gave Texas exactly what they needed: eight strong innings, pounding the zone, trusting his defense. The Rangers’ offense responded in kind, spraying 13 hits and applying pressure all night long. Pete Incaviglia’s sixth-inning triple broke it open, but it was really a collective effort: Sierra with the home run, Espy flying around the bases, and the Rangers infield turning three double plays. Cleveland didn’t go quietly — David Justice’s three-run homer in the eighth made it a ballgame again — but Russell steadied himself, and Hayward shut the door. With the win, the Rangers tie the series at two apiece. Folks, it’s now a best-of-three for the right to take this Exhibition League series. And after the last two nights in Arlington, we know one thing: momentum swings fast in October."*

Game 5
At Arlington Stadium
2000 Cleveland indians 9
1988 Texas Rangers 3
WP: B. Colon (1-0) LP: J. Guzman (0-1)
HR: R. Sierra (2)
POG: Richie Sexson (3-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R)
2000 Indians Lead Series 3-2

From Arlington, what a night for the Cleveland Indians of 2000. They came into this ballpark with the series tied and walked out with a commanding 3–2 lead. The story? A second inning that felt like it would never end for Juan Guzmán and the Rangers.
The inning started with traffic — a couple of walks, a hit — and then Richie Sexson, the big man at DH, absolutely unloaded the bases with a double that cleared the gaps and cleared any doubt. By the time the inning was over, Cleveland had put up eight runs, nine total for the night, and the Rangers never recovered.
Bartolo Colón didn’t have his sharpest stuff compared to Game 1, but he got the job done, working into the seventh inning, and Joe Speier was lights-out in relief to finish things off. Richie Sexson — 3-for-4, two doubles, three RBI — he’s the hero tonight. And as we head back to Cleveland, the Indians have two chances to close out this series, leading three games to two. The Rangers are officially on the ropes.

Game 6
At Jacobs Field
1988 Texas Rangers 13
2000 Cleveland indians 8
WP: C. McMurty (2-0) LP: D. Burba (0-1)
HR: P. Incaviglia (1), T. Fryman (2), J. Thome (1), M. Ramirez (1)
POG: Geno Petralli (4-5, 4 RBI, 2B, 3 R)
Series Tied 3-3

On a cold October night in Cleveland, the ghosts of heartbreak returned. With the Indians one win away from glory, the Texas Rangers came out swinging — and never stopped. A four-run first inning set the tone, Geno Petralli putting together a career-defining night with four hits and four RBIs, and by the end it was Texas, not Cleveland, who left Jacobs Field smiling. The Rangers battered Dave Burba, tagged the bullpen, and while Cleveland showed signs of life with a furious fourth-inning rally capped by Jim Thome’s three-run blast, it wasn’t enough. Texas kept piling on runs — thirteen in all — and even with Manny Ramirez homering late, the game was decided long before the final out.
Final score: Rangers 13, Indians 8. And this series is going the distance. One game tomorrow will decide it all."*

Game 7
At Jacobs Field
1988 Texas Rangers 6
2000 Cleveland indians 4
WP: P. Kilgus (1-0) LP: C. Finley (1-1) S: M. Willians (2)
HR: R. Sexson (1)
POG: Steve Buechele (3-4, 2 RBI, R)


The underdog story is complete. The 1988 Texas Rangers are moving on, defeating the heavily favored 2000 Cleveland Indians, 6–4, in a dramatic Game 7 at Jacobs Field.
Before a crowd that buzzed with anticipation, Texas delivered a decisive blow in the opening frame. A pair of timely hits and patient at-bats against left-hander Chuck Finley produced four first-inning runs, silencing the home crowd and putting Cleveland on its heels.
"Getting out in front was everything,” said Rangers third baseman Steve Buechele, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI and was named Player of the Game. “We knew if we scored early, we could make them chase us.”
Cleveland countered in the fourth, when slugger Richie Sexson belted a three-run homer off veteran knuckleballer Charlie Hough, pulling the Indians within a run. The crowd roared back to life, but Curtis Wilkerson’s booming two-run triple in the top half of the inning gave Texas breathing room it would not relinquish.
From there, the Rangers’ bullpen held firm. Paul Kilgus tossed three shutout innings in relief to earn the win, and flame-throwing closer Mitch Williams worked the final frame for his second save of the series. Hough, battling with his unpredictable knuckleball, left in the fifth after allowing four runs.
The Indians had chances late, but stranded 10 runners overall, including a bases-loaded opportunity in the fifth when Kilgus coaxed a weak grounder from Jim Thome.
“We just didn’t get the big hit when we needed it,” said Indians manager Charlie Manuel. “Texas played with confidence, and they deserved to win.” For the Rangers, who have rarely been remembered among baseball’s greats, this victory carries weight. They not only outlasted a star-studded Cleveland lineup featuring Manny Ramirez, Thome, and Sexson, but did so in front of a hostile Jacobs Field crowd.
Manager Bobby Valentine called the triumph a testament to his team’s resolve:“This club never stopped fighting. People didn’t expect much from the ’88 Rangers, but the players believed. And now, they’ve written their own story.” As the final out was recorded and Williams pumped his fist, the Rangers dugout spilled onto the field, celebrating an upset few saw coming. Cleveland fans filed out quietly, the sting of another October heartbreak settling in.


1988 Texas Rangers Win Series 4 Games To 3

Series MVP:

(.389, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .419 OBP, 2 SB, 2 2B, 6 R)

[Nick Soulis]

Series #226



1946 Boston Red Sox
Record: 104-50
Finish: Lost in World Series
Manager: Joe Cronin
Ball Park: Fenway Park
WAR Leader: Ted Williams (10.6)
Franchise Record: 8-6
1946 Season Record: 3-1
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1946.shtml

1963 Houston Colt 45's
Record: 66-96
Finish: 9th in NL
Manager: Harry Craft
Ball Park: Colt Stadium
WAR Leader: Hal Woodeshick (4.6)
Franchise Record: 2-4
1963 Season Record: 1-0
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1963.shtml
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Opening Montage

(soft strings play as black-and-white film of Ted Williams’ 1946 MVP season rolls, followed by gritty Houston footage of the young Colt .45’s scratching out runs at old Colt Stadium in the Texas heat. The montage closes with the words: “One team seeking validation, the other chasing immortality.”)

The Panel

Tonight’s panel has been shuffled to keep things fresh:

Host: Bob Costas

Analysts: Joe Morgan, Steve Stone, Dan Plesac, and Hawk Harrelson

Panel Discussion

Costas:
“Welcome, friends. It’s a series that matches tradition with expansion — the mighty 1946 Boston Red Sox, a team that came within one game of a World Series title, against the 1963 Colt .45’s, still finding their identity in just their second year of existence. Let’s get right into it. Joe, what jumps out at you?”

Joe Morgan:
“The Red Sox lineup — plain and simple. Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Dom DiMaggio — you’re talking about Hall of Fame caliber bats. They hit .271 as a team, led the league in runs scored. The Colts? They’re scrappy, but they finished 66–96 for a reason. It’s David versus Goliath.”

Steve Stone:
“I’ll add this: Boston’s rotation was underrated. Tex Hughson was excellent, Boo Ferriss was 25–6. This wasn’t just a one-man show with Williams. But Houston does have pitching that can steal a game. Turk Farrell and Dick Drott, if you catch them on the right day, they can frustrate hitters.”

Dan Plesac:
“Yeah, but how often is ‘the right day’ against Ted Williams? Look, I pitched in the American League East — you don’t beat elite bats by hoping they’re off. You’ve got to execute every pitch. I think Boston’s depth, especially in the bullpen with Earl Johnson, is going to be decisive.”

Hawk Harrelson:
“Now hold on — don’t count these Colts out yet, Hawk says! I love underdogs, and Houston’s got some grit. Bob Aspromonte can swing it, and Rusty Staub’s just a kid but already making noise. They’ll play loose, and sometimes a team with nothin’ to lose is the most dangerous kind.”

Costas:
“So Hawk, you’re calling for some Houston surprises?”

Hawk Harrelson:
“Surprises? You betcha. Are they gonna win the series? Probably not. But they’ll make Boston sweat at least once.”

Key Storylines

Ted Williams’ Legacy: This is our first Field of Dreams series involving Williams since his 1946 MVP year. Can the Splendid Splinter dominate the way Babe Ruth did in Series 225?

Youth vs. Experience: Houston is raw, young, and unproven. Boston is veteran-laden, polished, and battle-tested.

Pitching Matchups: Can the Colts’ arms contain Boston’s relentless lineup?

Upset Potential: One win for Houston would be historic — a full series upset would be seismic.

Prediction Time

Morgan: “Red Sox in 4 — too much offense.”
Stone: “Red Sox in 5 — Colts steal one at home.”
Plesac: “Boston sweeps, plain and simple.”
Harrelson: “Red Sox in 6, but Hawk says don’t be shocked if Houston pushes harder than people think.”

Costas (closing)

“There you have it. The Red Sox are heavy favorites, but the magic of the Field of Dreams is that nothing is guaranteed. It’s Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, and Dom DiMaggio against Bob Aspromonte, Rusty Staub, and the fightin’ Colts. Series #226 is about to begin.”

[Nick Soulis]

Series #226

Broadcast Team:
Curt Gowdy and Howard Cosell



Ted’s Triumph: Red Sox Conquer Houston, 4–2
Williams Focus On Team As Boston Thrives After Scare



Game 1
At Fenway Park
1963 Houston Colts 45's 2
1946 Boston Red Sox 1
WP: T. Farrell (1-0) LP: T. Hughson (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Turk Farrell (9 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 K, 119 P)

Ladies and gentlemen, what we have witnessed here tonight at Fenway Park was nothing less than a testament to perseverance, strategy, and, dare I say, the human will. The Houston Colt .45’s — a franchise still in its infancy in 1963, still clawing for relevance in a landscape dominated by baseball royalty — marched into Boston and, against the odds, struck first blood. Turk Farrell, the right-hander with grit more than glamour, stood tall on this autumn night. No, he did not dazzle with a blazing fastball or an array of strikeouts. Instead, he methodically dissected the Boston Red Sox, scattering but three hits, allowing but a single run. This was not pitching brilliance in the form of dominance, but rather in the form of defiance. Farrell refused to bend, even when Ted Williams, the Splendid Splinter himself, lashed a double and Rudy York threatened to turn the tide.
And what of Houston’s offense? Humble, opportunistic, and precise. Al Spangler — a name not destined for Cooperstown, perhaps not even destined for the long annals of memory — played the hero’s role. A single in the first, a double in the sixth. Two runs driven in, and in a game decided by a solitary run, that was enough.
The mighty Red Sox, with DiMaggio, Pesky, Doerr, and the iconic Williams, faltered when it mattered. The Fenway faithful, restless and hopeful, left the yard with questions. Can their club recover? Or has the upstart from Houston struck a psychological blow that will linger?
Yes, America — this is why they play the games. The great are tested, the overlooked rise, and the narrative unfolds, one inning at a time. The Colt .45’s lead this series, and Boston must now summon its pride, its heritage, its vaunted history, or face the ignominy of defeat.”

Game 2
At Fenway Park
1963 Houston Colts 45's 4
1946 Boston Red Sox 7
WP: M. Harris (1-0) LP: D. Nottebart (0-1)
HR: A. Spangler (1)
POG: Mickey Harris (8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 127 P)
Series Tied 1-1

Behind the steady arm of Mickey Harris and the timely power of Bobby Doerr, the 1946 Boston Red Sox evened their Field of Dreams showdown with the 1963 Houston Colt .45s, notching a 7–4 victory before a raucous Fenway Park crowd.
Harris, the left-hander who mixed craft with grit, tossed eight innings of three-hit ball, striking out seven and silencing Houston bats until the ninth. At the plate, he chipped in with a clutch two-run single in the second inning, sparking BostonÂ’s offense.
“It felt good to help myself out,” Harris admitted afterward. “But mostly, I just wanted to give our club a chance.”
Doerr delivered the knockout blow in the seventh inning, launching a three-run homer that cleared the Green Monster and pushed Boston’s lead to 7–1. Dom DiMaggio added a solo shot earlier, and the Red Sox offense fed off Fenway’s energy all night.
The Colt .45s refused to fold quietly, with Al Spangler hammering a three-run blast in the ninth inning off reliever Earl Johnson. But the comeback bid ended there, and Boston claimed its first win of the series.
The best-of-seven set now shifts to HoustonÂ’s Colt Stadium, where the Colt .45s will look to regain their footing. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday, October 4, with the series knotted at one game apiece.

Game 3
At Colt Stadium
1946 Boston Red Sox 1
1963 Houston Colt 45s 4
WP: K. Johnson (1-0) LP: J. Dobson (0-1)
HR: T. Willians (1)
POG; Ken Johnson (9 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 146 P)
1963 Colts 45's Lead Series 2-1

The underdog Houston Colt .45s rode the right arm of Ken Johnson to an improbable 4–1 victory over the Boston Red Sox of 1946 on Saturday night, seizing a 2–1 advantage in their best-of-seven Field of Dreams series. Johnson, the unheralded Houston right-hander, authored the game of his career, scattering five hits in a complete-game effort. His only blemish was a fourth-inning solo home run by Boston’s Ted Williams, who continues to provide the Red Sox’ lone offensive spark. Otherwise, Johnson dominated a lineup filled with Hall of Fame talent, striking out six while walking none. “Ken was terrific,” Houston manager Jim Smith said afterward. “He never rattled, not even when Williams got him. He stayed aggressive and gave us a chance to win.”The Colt .45s seized control in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bob Aspromonte ignited the home crowd with a run-scoring triple that tied the game at 1–1. Two batters later, Bobby Lillis punched an RBI single through the infield to put Houston ahead for good. An inning later, Al Spangler added insurance with a line-drive single to right that stretched the lead to 3–1. Boston starter Joe Dobson, effective early, unraveled in those middle innings. He lasted just over four frames, surrendering four runs on eight hits. Despite Williams’ solo blast — his second home run of the series — the rest of Boston’s offense was muted, as stars like Dom DiMaggio and Bobby Doerr were held hitless.
The 1963 Colts, a franchise barely out of its infancy, now find themselves two wins away from toppling one of baseballÂ’s historic clubs. For a Houston team that lost 96 games in real life that season, the victory was nothing short of transformative.
“We’re not supposed to be here, but here we are,” Johnson said on the field after the game. “This was for the fans in Houston. We’ve got momentum now, and we’re going to keep pushing.” The Red Sox, meanwhile, return to the drawing board. Manager Joe Cronin faces mounting pressure as his club, favored from the start, must find answers before Houston extends its lead further. Game 4 will be played tomorrow night at Colt Stadium, where the Red Sox will look to even the series and reassert their pedigree. But for now, the story belongs to Ken Johnson and the young Colts, who have turned this series on its head.

Game 4
At Colt Stadium
1946 Boston Red Sox 8
1963 Houston Colt 45s 2
WP: D. Ferriss (1-0) LP: B. Bruce (0-1)
HR: B. Lillis (1)
POG: Dave Ferriss (9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 134 P)
Series Tied 2-2

The magic that carried the Houston Colt .45s through the first three games met a harsh reality Tuesday night. A relentless Boston Red Sox attack and a stubborn Dave Ferriss combined to silence Colt Stadium, as Houston fell 8–2 in Game 4, squaring the series at 2–2.
BostonÂ’s third inning was a nightmare for Houston starter Bob Bruce. A string of disciplined plate appearances and timely contact produced four runs before an out could be recorded. Bruce lasted just three innings, yielding seven hits and five runs, leaving manager Harry Craft scrambling to his bullpen.
“Our guys are young, but they’ll learn from this,” Craft said. “Boston showed why they’re a championship club. They pounced on every mistake.”
The Colt .45s managed only two runs on five hits, their offense bottled up by Ferriss, who threw a complete game despite HoustonÂ’s best efforts to extend at-bats. John Bateman and Bob Aspromonte each knocked in a run, but it was never enough to overcome the early deficit.
Now, with the series even, Houston faces a must-win scenario in tomorrowÂ’s Game 5. A loss would send them back to Boston trailing, their once-surprising run in jeopardy.

Game 5
At Colt Stadium
1946 Boston Red Sox 6
1963 Houston Colt 45s 0
WP: T. Hughson (1-1) LP: T. Farrell (1-1)
HR: B. Doerr (1)
POG: Tex Hughson (9 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 123 P)
1946 Red Sox Lead Series 3-2

The Colt .45s came with their crowd, their grit, and the young spirit of a franchise trying to author a miracle. But on Monday night at Colt Stadium, all of that was silenced by one man. Tex Hughson, Boston’s tall right-hander, pitched the game of his life — a nine-inning, one-hit shutout that suffocated the Houston 1963 lineup and propelled the 1946 Red Sox to a 6–0 victory in Game 5 of Series #226. With the win, Boston seizes a 3–2 edge in the best-of-seven, heading home to Fenway Park with two chances to clinch. “This is what you dream of as a pitcher,” Hughson said afterward, his uniform soaked in sweat and champagne mist from the clubhouse celebration. “You want the ball when it matters most. Tonight it all came together.”
Hughson faced 29 batters, throwing 123 pitches. He walked none, struck out five, and allowed just one harmless single. Houston never mounted a serious threat, as Hughson kept them guessing with a darting sinker and a pinpoint fastball that pounded the corners.
“Tex gave us the start we needed,” Boston manager Jim Smith said. “He never gave them a chance to breathe. That’s how you take control of a series.”
Offensively, Boston struck early with a Bobby Doerr RBI single in the first, then broke the game open in the fourth. With the bases loaded and Colt .45s starter Turk Farrell fighting to escape, Johnny Pesky lashed a bases-clearing double into right center. The hit sent Colt Stadium into silence and gave Hughson a cushion he never came close to surrendering.
“I just wanted to put the barrel on the ball,” Pesky said. “Tex was throwing a masterpiece, and I wasn’t about to waste it.”
Even as Hughson owned the spotlight, eyes remained fixed on Ted Williams. The Splendid Splinter has yet to deliver the towering October moment so many expect, finishing Game 5 with two walks and a single. His presence, however, continued to alter the dynamic — Houston pitchers nibbled carefully, often choosing to battle others instead.
“Williams changes everything,” said Colt .45s manager Harry Craft. “Even when he’s not hitting the ball out of the park, he’s dictating how we pitch every inning.”
For the Colt .45s, the loss was a gut punch. After leading the series 2–1 and thrilling their fans in Game 3, they now face elimination on the road in one of baseball’s most storied cathedrals.
“This isn’t over,” Craft said defiantly. “We’ve come too far to roll over now.”

Game 6
At Fenway Park
1963 Houston Colts 45's 2
1946 Boston Red Sox 8
WP: M. Harris (2-0) LP: D. Nottebart (0-2)
HR: None
POG: Mickey Harris (9 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, 135 P)

On a crisp evening at Fenway Park, the ghosts of 1946 were silenced at last. With Ted Williams swinging a mighty bat and Mickey Harris delivering nine steady innings, the 1946 Boston Red Sox defeated the 1963 Houston Colt .45s, 8–2, to capture Field of Dreams Series #226, four games to two.
For Williams, the newly crowned Series MVP, the performance was as sweet as any in his storied career. The Splendid Splinter went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI, finishing the series at a blistering .409 with a .500 on-base percentage. His bat was not only productive but magnetic, bending the shape of every Houston strategy.The game began with a brief flicker of hope for the underdog Colt .45s. In the third inning, Al Spangler lined a single to right, plating a run and giving Houston a 1–0 lead. Fenway Park fell momentarily hushed.
But Boston responded like champions. Rudy York’s RBI single tied the contest in the bottom of the frame, and in the sixth, the Red Sox offense erupted. Catfish Metkovich lined a single to push Boston ahead, and Johnny Pesky — forever the scrappy heartbeat of this club — delivered the decisive blow, a two-run double that rattled the Green Monster and sent Fenway into delirium.
From there, the game belonged to Harris. The left-hander scattered four hits across nine innings, refusing Houston any path back into contention. He struck out four, walked none, and ended the evening with his arms raised as fans roared their approval.
“This was Ted’s series,” Harris admitted afterward, “but I’m proud I could do my part. All I wanted was to keep us steady until our bats came through. And boy, did they.”Houston fought gamely throughout the series, with Pete Runnels and Spangler providing bright spots, but in the end they could not overcome Boston’s balance and star power.For Boston, the victory is more than a line in the record book. In 1946 reality, the Red Sox came agonizingly close to a title, only to fall in Game 7 of the World Series. In the Field of Dreams, they have been given a second chance — and this time, they seized it.
As Williams jogged around the bases after his sixth-inning home run, the Fenway crowd stood and thundered, chanting his name. It was a moment of closure, of redemption, of baseball at its most poetic.The Red Sox of 1946 are champions of Series #226, and Ted WilliamsÂ’ legend has never shone brighter.

1946 Boston Red Sox Win Series 4 Games To 2

Series MVP:

(.409, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 4 2B, .500 OBP, .727 SLG)

[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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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.”

[Nick Soulis]

Series #227



Hudler’s Heroics Crown Angels
California Outlasts 1919 A’s in Seven-Game Classic



Game 1
At Anaheim Stadium
1919 Philadelphia Athletics 6
1996 California Angels 1
WP: W. Kinney (1-0) LP: C. Finley (0-1) S: W. anderson (1)
HR: T. Walker (1), F. Thomas (1)
POG: Walt Kinney (7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K, 118 P)

This wasn’t how the script was supposed to read.
Before a chilly Southern California crowd, the 1996 California Angels — armed with a modern roster, power bats, and their ace Chuck Finley on the mound — were supposed to brush aside one of baseball’s weakest historical entries, the 1919 Philadelphia Athletics. Instead, the visitors from another century flipped the narrative, riding the left arm of Walt Kinney to a stunning 6–1 victory Tuesday night at Anaheim Stadium.
Kinney, who won only 10 games in his entire major league career, pitched the game of his life. The southpaw silenced California’s bats for 7 2/3 shutout innings, striking out eight while allowing just five hits. He left to a standing ovation from the smattering of Philadelphia faithful who made the trip west, and even many Angels fans had to tip their caps.
“I just tried to keep it simple,” Kinney said afterward, his uniform still dirt-streaked from a rare slide into first base. “Fastball, curve, change — keep it down, make ‘em earn everything. Tonight it worked.”
The Athletics struck first in the opening inning when Tillie Walker connected on a two-run homer, stunning the crowd and putting Finley immediately behind. From there, the Angels never recovered. The Philadelphia lead held firm until the ninth, when Frank Thomas — the original 1910s corner infielder, not his modern namesake — clubbed a towering three-run shot to left that sealed the upset.
Finley, who threw 102 pitches, surrendered both long balls and six earned runs despite scattering five hits over 8 2/3 innings. “I let a couple of pitches get away,” Finley admitted. “In games like this, you can’t.”
The Angels managed only a lone run in the ninth on a double by George Arias. They stranded eight runners and hit into two double plays, squandering every chance to rally.
“It was a no-nonsense game,” said Philadelphia manager Jim Smith. “We played clean, Kinney gave us a masterpiece, and we got a couple of big swings. That’s how you win.”
For the Angels, the pressure now shifts squarely onto Game 2. A loss would send them to Philadelphia trailing 0-2 against a team many considered incapable of even stealing a game.
“We’ve got to regroup,” manager John McNamara said tersely. “This series is far from over.”
But in a night few saw coming, the ghosts of Shibe Park cast a long shadow over Anaheim. The 1919 Athletics, long dismissed as a footnote in baseball history, suddenly stand one win away from turning this best-of-seven into a genuine fight.

Game 2
At Anaheim Stadium
1919 Philadelphia Athletics 7
1996 California Angels 1
WP: R. Naylor (1-0) LP: M. Langston (0-1)
HR: F. Thomas (2), R. Hudler (1)
POG: Rollie Naylor (8.2 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 121 P)
1919 Athletics Lead Series 2-0

The miracle continues. The 1919 Philadelphia Athletics, one of baseball’s most maligned and forgotten clubs, stunned the California Angels once again on Wednesday night, seizing a 7–1 victory at Anaheim Stadium to take a commanding 2–0 lead in Series #227 of the Field of Dreams tournament.
Right-hander Rollie Naylor, a pitcher who once toiled in the shadows of obscurity, delivered the performance of his life. Naylor held the Angels scoreless until the ninth inning, scattering eight hits, striking out five, and walking just one over 8 2/3 innings. By the time Angels pinch of pride Rod Carew—err, Rex Hudler—hit a solo homer to break the shutout, the damage was long since done.
The Athletics’ offense was opportunistic and fearless. Fred Thomas, the unlikely slugger of this series, belted his second home run in as many games, finishing with two hits and two RBIs. George Burns doubled home two runs in the seventh to break the game open, part of a five-run uprising that sent the 19,073 fans in Anaheim into a stunned silence. “This is baseball,” Naylor said afterward, grinning as he tugged at his old wool uniform. “I had everything working tonight. When you get runs behind you, the game feels easy.”Meanwhile, the Angels looked paralyzed under the weight of expectation. Mark Langston, the staff ace, struggled through 6 1/3 innings, yielding four runs on six hits. Reliever Lee Smith fared no better, surrendering three more runs in a disastrous seventh inning.
The Angels’ hitters fared little better. Tim Salmon, the face of the franchise, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, and Garret Anderson stranded key runners in scoring position. Anaheim’s lone bright spot came when Hudler homered with two outs in the ninth, a swing that drew only a sarcastic cheer from the disheartened crowd.
Now, incredibly, the Athletics return home to Philadelphia with a 2–0 series advantage and the chance to clinch before their own fans at Shibe Park.
“We’re just playing loose,” manager Connie Mack said with a twinkle in his eye. “Nobody expects anything from us, and that’s the best way to play the game.”
The Angels, by contrast, stare down a nightmare: the possibility of being remembered forever not for their stars, but for falling victim to one of the greatest upsets in Field of Dreams history.
Game 3 is Friday night in Philadelphia. The A’s are two wins away from rewriting history.

Game 3
At Shibe Park
1996 California Angels 6
1919 Philadelphia Athletics 2
WP: J. Grimsley (1-0) LP: W. Anderson (0-1)
HR: J. Howell (1), B. Roth (1)
POG: Jason Grimsley (7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 95 P)
1919 Athletics Lead Series 2-1

The California Angels finally showed their fight. Facing a potential 3–0 series deficit, Jason Grimsley and Rex Hudler delivered in the clutch, carrying California past the Philadelphia Athletics, 6–2, before a hushed Shibe Park crowd.
Grimsley, usually a reliever, looked every bit the big-game starter. He worked seven steady innings, scattering six hits and striking out six. His only blemishes came on Braggo Roth’s solo homer in the fifth and an RBI single from Witt in the seventh. Beyond that, he kept the Athletics off balance, forcing grounders and silencing the Philadelphia momentum that had carried them through the first two games.
“I just wanted to attack,” Grimsley said. “This was a must-win, and I wasn’t going to hold anything back.”
The turning point came in the seventh. With two outs and the Angels trailing 1–0, Jack Howell pinch-hit and launched a solo home run to right, tying the score and flipping the atmosphere inside the old park.
One inning later, the Angels broke it wide open. Hudler, quiet all night, punched a two-run single into center to give California a 3–2 lead. The Angels tacked on three more, highlighted by Damon Mashore’s aggressive baserunning and DiSarcina’s double. By the time the dust settled, the scoreboard read 6–2, and the Angels had wrestled momentum back into their dugout.
On the Philadelphia side, starter Jing Johnson was excellent through seven innings, allowing just one run. But reliever Walt Anderson faltered in the eighth, yielding four runs without recording more than a single out.
“We had our chances,” said Athletics manager Connie Mack quietly. “Johnson pitched his heart out. One inning got away from us, and that was the difference.”
For the first time in the series, the Athletics looked human.
The win trims Philadelphia’s lead to 2–1 in the best-of-seven set, with Game 4 scheduled tomorrow night at Shibe Park. The Angels will look to even things behind a recharged lineup, while the Athletics will try to prove their magical start wasn’t a fluke.

Game 4
At Shibe Park
1996 California Angels 7
1919 Philadelphia Athletics 6
WP: J. Dickson (1-0) LP: W. Noyes (0-1) S: L. Smith (1)
HR: R. Hudler (2), G. Anderson (1), J. Dugan (1), G. Burns (1)
POG: Rex Hudler (2-4, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, BB)
Series Tied 2-2

A chilly October night at Shibe Park turned electric as the California Angels of 1996 fought off a furious charge from the 1919 Philadelphia Athletics to even Series #227 at two games apiece. The Angels escaped with a 7–6 victory, powered by the unlikely bat of Rex Hudler.
With the game tied 3–3 in the fifth, Hudler stepped in against Win Noyes with runners on the corners and two outs. The 35-year-old utility man jumped on a fastball, sending it soaring into the left-field bleachers. The three-run homer stunned the Philadelphia faithful and handed California a 6–3 lead they would never relinquish.
“Doesn’t matter how pretty it looks — a win is a win,” said Angels skipper John McNamara afterward. “And tonight, Hudler gave us the punch we needed.”
Jason Dickson, making his first start of the series, lasted 6.1 innings, scattering eight hits and allowing five runs while walking six. His outing was far from dominant, but it kept California afloat until the bullpen took over. Troy Percival silenced Shibe Park in the ninth, fanning two en route to his first save of the series.
Philadelphia, as they’ve done all series, refused to go quietly. George Burns drilled a solo homer in the seventh and Joe Dugan followed with a two-run blast that cut the Angels’ lead to one. But with the tying run at second, lefty Mike Holtz managed to escape further damage.
“We battled,” Athletics captain Tillie Walker said. “That’s what this team does. But you tip your cap to Hudler. That one swing made all the difference.”
Hudler finished the night 2-for-4 with four RBIs, a stolen base, and the game’s biggest hit. Garret Anderson also homered for California, while Jim Edmonds collected two doubles. For Philadelphia, Burns and Dugan combined for three extra-base hits and four RBIs in a losing effort.
With the series tied 2–2, all eyes turn to tomorrow’s Game 5, also at Shibe Park. The winner will move within a game of advancing, while the loser faces elimination.
“This series has turned into a dogfight,” noted broadcaster Harry Caray as fans filed out into the cool Philadelphia night. “And holy cow, it’s only going to get better from here.”

Game 5
At Shibe Park
1996 California Angels 8
1919 Philadelphia Athletics 3
WP: C. Finley (1-1) LP: W. Kinney (1-1)
HR: R. Hudler (3), T. Salmon (1), J. Edmonds (1), T. Walker (2)
POG: Chuck Finley (8.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, 128 P)
1996 Angels Lead Series 3-2

Chuck Finley delivered the performance the California Angels desperately needed. With Series #227 hanging in the balance, the veteran left-hander rose to the occasion, stifling the Philadelphia Athletics in an 8–3 victory at Shibe Park that gave the Angels a 3–2 lead in the best-of-seven set.
Finley, who had been shaky earlier in the series, was brilliant on Sunday night. After surrendering a two-run homer to Tilly Walker in the first inning, he settled into a rhythm that the Athletics could not disrupt. Over 8.2 innings, he scattered just three hits, struck out 10, and carried the Angels to within one win of advancing.
“Game 5 is huge,” Finley said afterward. “We needed this one before going back to Anaheim. I just wanted to go as deep as possible and give our lineup a chance to break through.”
The Angels’ offense did more than that. Rex Hudler, who has been a sparkplug all series, erupted for a triple, a double, and a three-run homer in the sixth inning that blew the contest wide open. Hudler finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs and nine total bases. Jim Edmonds added three hits, including a solo shot in the same inning, while Tim Salmon chipped in with a two-run homer in the third.
For the Athletics, the night started with promise but ended in frustration. Walt Kinney, the Game 1 hero, was tagged for four runs on nine hits in just 4.1 innings. Philadelphia mustered only four hits in the loss, with Walker’s first-inning blast providing nearly all of their offense.
The loss is particularly stinging for the Athletics, who had a chance to seize a 3–2 lead in front of their home fans. Instead, they now face elimination on the road in Anaheim. “This is where you find out what you’re made of,” said Philadelphia skipper Connie Mack. “We’ve battled before, and we’ll have to battle again. It’s not over.”
With the win, California moves one step closer to completing a comeback after dropping the first two games of the series. Game 6 will be played Tuesday, October 8, at Anaheim Stadium, where the Angels can clinch

Game 6
At Anaheim Stadium
1919 Philadelphia Athletics 6
1996 California Angels 4
WP: R. Naylor (2-0) LP: M. Langston (0-2) S: W. Anderson (2)
HR: B. Roth (2), T. Walker 2 (4), C. Davis (1), G. anderson (1)
POG: Tillie Walker (2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)
Series Tied 3-3

The Philadelphia 1919 Athletics are not done yet.
Behind two towering home runs from center fielder Tillie Walker and a gritty performance from Rollie Naylor, the A’s staved off elimination with a 6–4 victory over the California 1996 Angels on Tuesday night at Anaheim Stadium. The win evened the best-of-seven series at 3–3, setting up a decisive Game 7.
Philadelphia wasted no time putting the pressure on Angels starter Mark Langston. In the very first inning, Braggo Roth opened the scoring with a solo homer, and Walker quickly followed with a two-run shot to right-center. Red Shannon capped the five-run outburst with a two-run single that silenced the crowd of 18,920. Langston, battered for five runs in just two innings, took his second loss of the series.
“Getting out front early was everything,” said Philadelphia manager Jim Smith. “We knew Langston would attack the zone, and our guys didn’t miss.”
The Angels got a spark from Garret Anderson, who homered in the second, but Walker struck again in the fifth, driving a Doug Springer offering into the seats for his second home run of the night and fourth of the series. California rallied late as Chili Davis belted a solo homer in the ninth and Anderson added an RBI, but the comeback fell short. Reliever Walter Anderson induced the final out to preserve the win after Naylor’s strong 8.1 innings.
Walker finished the night 2-for-4 with two homers, two runs, and two RBI. He now owns a .304 average with four homers and eight RBI in the series.
Rollie Naylor improved to 2–0 in the series, striking out seven and scattering eight hits over 122 pitches. “He gave us everything,” said Smith. “That’s what you want from your guy in an elimination game.”
For California, Anderson and Davis combined for four hits and three RBI, but the Angels could never fully recover from the early deficit.
“We didn’t match their intensity early,” Angels skipper John McNamara admitted. “We’ve still got a chance in our ballpark tomorrow, but we need to play cleaner baseball from the start.” The stage is now set for Game 7 at Anaheim Stadium on Wednesday night — a winner-take-all battle to decide who moves on and who goes home.

Game 7
At Anaheim Stadium
1919 Philadelphia Athletics 3
1996 California Angels 6
WP: J. Grimsley (2-0) LP: J. Johnson (0-1) S: T. Percival (1)
HR: None
POG: Garret Anderson (3-3, 2 RBI)

The roar that shook Anaheim Stadium on Wednesday night marked the birth of a champion. The 1996 California Angels, a franchise with no postseason pedigree in the real annals of baseball, claimed their first-ever Field of Dreams series title with a 6–3 victory over the 1919 Philadelphia Athletics in the deciding Game 7 of Series #227.
The A’s struck first, pouncing on starter Jason Grimsley with two runs in the opening frame. Tillie Walker’s ringing double and Fred Thomas’ hot bat gave Philadelphia an early edge. The underdog Athletics, a club remembered in history for finishing last in the American League, looked poised to complete a Cinderella run.
But the Angels, resilient and relentless, answered inning after inning.
Tim Salmon delivered an RBI single to pull California within one in the third. Rex Hudler, the series’ surprise star, tied the game with a double in the sixth, his 12th RBI of the series. Then it was Garret Anderson who seized the spotlight, lining clutch RBI singles in both the sixth and eighth innings to give the Angels breathing room. By the time Troy Percival struck out Tillie Walker for the final out — the closer’s third strikeout of the ninth inning — 43,000 fans in Anaheim were on their feet, celebrating a piece of history.
“These guys never quit,” said manager Marcel Lachemann, beaming after the final out. “They believed in each other every step of the way. To fight through seven games and win it here at home, it’s something we’ll never forget.” Grimsley earned the win with six hard-fought innings, scattering seven hits and three runs. Left-hander Mike Holtz calmed the middle innings with two spotless frames, and Percival slammed the door shut in dominating fashion. The Athletics, for all their fight, were undone by stranded baserunners. They left 11 men on, including repeated chances with two outs. Fred Thomas finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Walker doubled and drove in one more, closing an outstanding series in defeat.
In the end, the night — and the series — belonged to Hudler. The fiery first baseman, known more for his clubhouse energy than his bat, was named Series MVP after hitting .419 with 3 home runs and 12 RBIs across the seven games.
“We’ve got grit, baby!” Hudler said, clutching his MVP trophy. “Nobody gave us much of a chance, but this group just kept swinging. We love each other, and we love this game. That’s how you win.”
For the 1996 Angels, it was a triumph of persistence and unlikely heroes. For the 1919 A’s, it was heartbreak — but also validation that even baseball’s forgotten clubs can rise to October glory in the Field of Dreams.

1996 California Angels Win Series 4 Games to 3

Series MVP:

(.419, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R, 3 2B, .871 SLG, 5 SB, 1.308 OPS)

[Nick Soulis]

Series #228



1942 Detroit Tigers
Record: 73-81
Finish: 5th in AL
Manager: Del Baker
Ball Park: Tiger Stadium
WAR Leader: Hal White (5.4)
Franchise Record: 15-11
1942 Season Record: 1-0
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/1942.shtml

1925 Cleveland Indians
Record: 70-84
Finish: 6th in AL
Manager: Tris Speaker
Ball Park: Dunn Field
WAR Leader: Tris Speaker (6.5)
Franchise Record: 10-9
1925 Season Record: 1-1
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1925.shtml
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Heaven’s Dugout – Series #228 Game 1 Pregame Show

Panelists: Bob Costas (host), Joe Morgan, Tony Kubek, and Vin Scully

Opening

Bob Costas:
“Good evening, everyone. The cornfield is glowing in Iowa, and tonight we open Series #228 of the Field of Dreams: the 1925 Cleveland Indians versus the 1942 Detroit Tigers. It’s a clash of styles, of decades, and of legacies. To help us break it down, I’m joined as always by our panel: Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, longtime Yankee and analyst Tony Kubek, and the incomparable Vin Scully.”

Discussion

Costas:
“Joe, let’s begin with you. The 1925 Indians are led by Tris Speaker, who was not only a star in center field but also player-manager. What kind of challenge does that leadership pose for the Tigers?”

Joe Morgan:
“Bob, when you’ve got a man like Speaker, you’ve got a strategist who’s still between the lines. That’s rare. He reads the game like a manager, but he acts like a player. That’s huge because he can shift an outfield on instinct or call for a bunt in real time. The Tigers, meanwhile, are a strong team but more traditional in their management. They’ll have to out-execute to make up for that tactical edge.”

Tony Kubek:
“I agree with Joe to a point, but let’s not forget — sometimes player-managers can be stretched too thin. When you’re thinking about double-switches or relief arms, you might miss that line drive screaming your way. And against a club like Detroit, with Rudy York waiting to unload, any lapse can cost you.”

Vin Scully:
“And that’s what makes this matchup so charming. The Indians of ’25 are the bridge between the dead ball and the live ball. They value positioning, bunting, execution. The Tigers of ’42 are wartime warriors — raw, rugged, unpolished at times, but oh so powerful. Imagine Speaker shading toward right as Rudy York digs in. The chess match is extraordinary.”

Costas:
“Let’s focus on Detroit now. Tony, Rudy York hit 34 home runs in ’42, a staggering number for the times. Can Cleveland’s pitching contain that power?”

Kubek:
“They’ll have to mix speeds. Guys like Sherry Smith and George Uhle aren’t going to blow the ball past York. They’ll rely on location, nibbling at the corners, and hoping York gets himself out. But if they hang one? Forget it. He could knock a ball clear into the corn.”

Morgan:
“Yeah, but I’ll tell you something. Cleveland’s defense behind those pitchers is stellar. Speaker, Jamieson, Sewell — they’ll cut off extra bases. York might get his homers, but the Indians won’t give away doubles and triples in the gaps. That could be the difference in close games.”

Scully:
“And don’t forget Dizzy Trout for Detroit. He’s capable of silencing a lineup. If this series turns into a pitcher’s duel, the Tigers will like their chances. But if it becomes a battle of wits and glove work, Cleveland might just slip away with it.”

Debate on Legacies

Costas:
“Vin, let me bring you in on this. How does this series fit into the larger tapestry of baseball history?”

Scully:
“Bob, these are two teams at fascinating crossroads. Cleveland in ’25 was still trying to live up to its 1920 championship — the shadow of Ray Chapman’s tragedy, the glow of Speaker’s leadership, all still lingering. Detroit in ’42 was caught between eras: the pre-Greenberg Tigers and the ’45 champions who would bring a flag home. Both teams have a chip on their shoulder, and here, in this cornfield, they finally get to settle something history left unanswered.”

Morgan:
“And let me say this — players from my generation respected guys like Speaker and York. Because they built the game. But now they’ve got to prove it, not just with nostalgia, but with execution. That’s why I love this tournament.”

Kubek:
“Exactly, Joe. Legacy is fine, but it won’t help you when the first pitch comes. What will help you is discipline, and frankly, I think Detroit has more of it than people give them credit for. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers outlast Cleveland in a grinding series.”

Morgan (jumping in):
“Tony, you underestimate how much intelligence matters. Detroit might muscle their way to a few runs, but over seven games? Give me the team with Speaker’s mind and that outfield defense.”

Scully (smiling):
“And isn’t it lovely? Two men disagreeing, but in the end, the truth will be told by the ball itself.”

Closing

Costas:
“Well said, Vin. The panel is split, the stakes are high, and the stage is set. The 1925 Cleveland Indians. The 1942 Detroit Tigers. Series #228 begins tonight at the Field of Dreams. And to our viewers, settle in. History is about to step through the corn once more.”

[Nick Soulis]

Series #228



Bridges’ Shutouts Lift Tigers Past Indians
Detroit 1942 rides dominant pitching to a 4–1 series win over Cleveland



Game 1
At Briggs Stadium
1925 Cleveland Indians 0
1942 Detroit tigers 4
WP: T. Bridges (1-0) LP: G. Buckeye (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Tommy Bridges (9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 125 P)
1942 Tigers Lead Series 1-0

Tommy Bridges dominated Game 1 at Briggs Stadium, tossing a complete-game three-hit shutout as the 1942 Detroit Tigers blanked the 1925 Cleveland Indians, 4–0, to seize a 1–0 lead in Series #228. Detroit broke through in the fifth inning with four runs, highlighted by clutch two-out RBIs from Johnny Bloodworth and Doc Cramer, while Garland Buckeye pitched well but was undone by shaky defense behind him. Cleveland never solved Bridges, as Tris Speaker and company were held quiet all afternoon, setting the tone for a Tigers series-opening victory.

Game 2
At Briggs Stadium
1925 Cleveland Indians 0
1942 Detroit tigers 1
WP: V. Trucks (1-0) LP: G. Uhle (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Virgil Trucks (9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 125 P)
1942 Tigers Lead Series 2-0

Game 2 of Series #228 at Briggs Stadium mirrored the opener in one important way: Detroit’s pitching simply would not budge. Rookie right-hander Virgil Trucks authored a masterful complete-game shutout, scattering four Cleveland hits and never allowing the Indians a moment of momentum. Mixing his trademark fastball with enough breaking stuff to keep hitters guessing, Trucks recorded 15 fly-ball outs and three strikeouts on his way to silencing Tris Speaker’s club.
For Cleveland, veteran George Uhle nearly matched him pitch for pitch, allowing just a single run across eight gritty innings. That lone blemish came in the sixth when pinch-hitter Don Ross laced a double into the gap to score what proved to be the game’s only run. Detroit’s lineup left 11 men on base, but with Trucks in command, they only needed one tally.
The Tigers now hold a commanding 2–0 lead in the best-of-seven, having shut out the Indians in back-to-back games at home. Cleveland heads back to League Park knowing they must not only solve Detroit’s pitching but also regain confidence at the plate, having yet to score a run in 18 innings of play. The series resumes Sunday, with the Indians desperate to find life before it slips away completely.

Game 3
At League Park
1942 Detroit tigers 3
1925 Cleveland Indians 2 (12 inn)
WP: H. Newhouser (1-0) LP: B. Karr (0-1) S: D. Trout (1)
HR: None
POG: Al Benton (9 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 131 P)
1942 Tigers Lead Series 3-0



he Detroit Tigers of 1942 are one step away from a sweep. Behind the grit of starter Al Benton and a clutch double from pinch-hitter Don Parsons in the 12th inning, Detroit edged the Cleveland Indians of 1925, 3–2, at League Park on Sunday afternoon to seize a commanding 3–0 lead in Series #228.
The Indians, desperate for a spark after being shut out in the first two games, finally broke through in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs and two on, catcher Glenn Myatt doubled into the right-center alley, driving in Tris Speaker and George Burns to put Cleveland ahead, 2–0. For the first time in the series, League Park roared with optimism.
That joy proved short-lived. Benton, a steady right-hander, settled down immediately, scattering four hits over nine innings and keeping the Tigers close. Detroit scratched across two runs to even the score, including a two-out RBI from slugger Rudy York.
From there, it was a marathon of missed chances. Detroit left a staggering 20 runners on base, while Cleveland’s offense went silent. Speaker, Joe Sewell, and Charlie Jamieson combined to go 0-for-12. Three costly errors by the Indians only deepened the frustration.
Finally, in the 12th inning, Detroit broke through. Parsons, summoned off the bench, lined a double to left off reliever Benn Karr. York’s ground ball brought him home, and the Tigers held on behind Dizzy Trout, who pitched a scoreless frame for the save.
Cleveland starter Jake Miller gave his team everything, throwing 145 pitches in 7.2 innings. But without offensive support, the Indians’ fate was sealed.
Benton earned Player of the Game honors for his nine-inning effort. “I just kept pounding the strike zone and trusted my defense,” Benton said afterward. “We had chances all day, and I knew eventually somebody would come through.”
With the win, the Tigers now lead the best-of-seven series, 3–0. One more victory will send them into the next round. The Indians, meanwhile, face elimination Monday in Game 4 at League Park.

Game 4
At League Park
1942 Detroit tigers 2
1925 Cleveland Indians 3 ( 11inn)
WP: B. Speece (1-0) LP: D. Trout (0-1)
HR: C. Jamieson (1)
POG: Hal White (8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB,1 K, 129 P)
1942 Tigers Lead Series 3-2

The 1925 Cleveland Indians, backed into a corner and staring down elimination, fought their way to an extra-inning triumph Monday at League Park, edging the 1942 Detroit Tigers, 3–2, in 11 innings. With the win, Cleveland staved off the brooms and trimmed Detroit’s series lead to 3–1 in the best-of-seven.
The hero was an unlikely one: utility infielder Rube Lutzke. Thrust into the game as a late substitute, Lutzke delivered the biggest swing of the series for Cleveland, a walk-off single against Tigers reliever Dizzy Trout that plated pinch-hitter Pat McNulty with the winning run.
“I just wanted to put the ball in play,” Lutzke said afterward, grinning as teammates mobbed him. “The fans have been waiting for something to cheer, and I’m glad I could give it to them.”
Cleveland’s breakthrough came after a tense pitcher’s duel. James Edwards, the veteran right-hander, battled through seven innings, allowing two runs while stranding runners in key moments. Relievers Johnny Shaute and By Speece held the Tigers scoreless over the final four frames, setting the stage for Lutzke’s heroics.
The Indians had struck first in the third inning when Charlie Jamieson blasted a solo home run — Cleveland’s first long ball of the series. Catcher Glenn Myatt later added a two-out RBI, giving Cleveland just enough offense to survive.
Detroit, meanwhile, missed chances to finish the job. Outfielder Nate Harris tripled home a run in the sixth to tie the game, and center fielder Doc Cramer added a two-out RBI single, but the Tigers stranded 10 runners in total.
Rookie right-hander Hal White deserved a better fate. He pitched eight strong innings, surrendering only two runs and showing the poise of a seasoned veteran. But in the end, Trout could not hold the tie.
For Cleveland, the win brings hope. The series still tilts heavily in Detroit’s favor, but the sting of three straight losses has been eased, if only for a day.

Game 5
At League Park
1942 Detroit tigers 4
1925 Cleveland Indians 0
WP: T. Bridges (2-0) LP: G. Buckeye (0-2)
HR: None
POG: Tommy Bridges (9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 117 P)

Baseball is a game of moments. Some stretch for days, others are gone in an instant. For the 1942 Tigers, their moment is now.
Tommy Bridges, the right-hander with the quiet demeanor and the unshakable presence, bookended this series with shutouts. Nine innings on the opening day, nine more to finish it. In between, Detroit’s staff smothered Cleveland like a heavy blanket over a fading fire.
The Indians of 1925 had their chance. They had history, they had legends, they had the ghosts of League Park in their corner. But they could not find a way past Detroit’s pitching, nor match the consistency of their bats. When it mattered most, their stars — Speaker, Sewell, Jamieson — went silent.
And so it fell to Detroit. Doc Cramer with his bat. Rudy York with his grit. Bridges with his arm. Together, they turned a series into a statement.
There is a beauty in this Tigers club. They were not built on flash, nor blessed with overwhelming power. They are patient, methodical, precise. They pitch, they defend, they deliver timely hits. It is baseball stripped to its purest form.
In another time, America was at war when these Tigers played. They represented resilience. Tonight, in this Field of Dreams, they remind us again what resilience looks like.
Cleveland leaves empty-handed, but not without dignity. Detroit moves forward, a team bound by belief and execution. Their October continues, carried on the shoulders of a man named Bridges.

1942 Detroit Tigers Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

(2-0. 2 CG, 18 Scoreless innings, 2 BB, 5 K, .146 OBA, 0.61 WHIP)

[Nick Soulis]

Series #229



1905 Chicago White Sox
Record: 92-60
Finish: 2nd in AL
Manager: Fielder Jones
Ball Park: South Side Park
WAR Leader: George Davis (7.2)
Franchise Record: 10-7
1905 Season Record: 0-1
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/1905.shtml

2021 San Diego Padres
Record: 79-83
Finish: 3rd in NL West
Manager: Jayce Tingler
Ball Park: Petco Park
WAR Leader: Fernando Tatis Jr (6.6)
Franchise Record: 4-2
2021 Season Record: 2-2
Hall of Famers: (0)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/2021.shtml




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Heaven’s Dugout – Series #229 Intro Show



Matchup: 1905 Chicago White Sox vs. 2021 San Diego Padres
Location: Field of Dreams, Dyersville, Iowa

Host: Bob Costas

Panelists: Vin Scully, Orel Hershiser, Harold Reynolds, Dan Plesac

Bob Costas – Opening

“Good evening from Iowa, where the ghosts of baseball past stand ready to greet the modern game. Tonight we preview a fascinating matchup: the 1905 Chicago White Sox, remembered forever as the ‘Hitless Wonders,’ against the 2021 San Diego Padres, a club built on firepower, charisma, and swagger. This is more than just baseball across eras — it’s a clash of identities. Let’s dive in.”

Panel Deep-Dive

Vin Scully:
“When you think of the White Sox of 1905, you think of resourcefulness. They didn’t win with bats — they won with arms. Doc White, Nick Altrock, Ed Walsh waiting in the wings. They won games 2–1, 3–2, games where one misplayed bunt or a stolen base made all the difference. Contrast that with the Padres of 2021, a team that quite literally thrives on the thunder of Tatís Jr. and the steadiness of Machado. What makes this series remarkable is that in Iowa, under the gaze of the corn and the silence of the ghosts, neither team’s identity will be hidden. One will prevail, the other will be swallowed by history.”

Orel Hershiser:
“Vin, you’re right — it’s identity. But let’s talk about matchups. In 1905, pitchers threw the ball with very little fear of the home run. Fielder Jones managed like every run was gold. Now you drop them into a series against San Diego, a lineup that lives on home runs, and suddenly it’s not just styles clashing — it’s comfort zones being disrupted. If the White Sox pitchers can induce grounders, turn double plays, keep Tatís and Machado in the park, then suddenly the Padres are forced to play the Sox’s game. But if San Diego breaks through early with power, that’s like dropping a hammer on a typewriter — the Sox might not have the capacity to respond.”

Harold Reynolds:
“I want to go even further — this is also about behavior. In 1905, baseball was a gentleman’s game in presentation: no bat flips, no celebrating on the field. The White Sox wore their stoicism like armor. Now here come the Padres — chains, dreads flying, bat flips soaring, dugout theatrics after every big hit. And let me tell you, the Sox are not going to like it. You might see some benches-clearing tension if San Diego gets loud in Iowa. But here’s the kicker — if the Sox let that emotion get to them, it could actually knock them off balance. The Padres play looser when they’re having fun, while Chicago might tighten up if the atmosphere doesn’t match their era.”

Dan Plesac:
“I’ve been thinking about bullpens. The Sox in 1905 didn’t have one — pitchers went nine innings, sometimes two games in a row. They’ll expect their starters to carry them here. The Padres? They’ve got a modern pen with fireballers, but it wasn’t always reliable in 2021. Emilio Pagán blew saves, Drew Pomeranz battled injuries, Mark Melancon was solid but hittable. If these games are close late, the Sox have a shot to steal wins by capitalizing on one mistake. And on the flip side, if their starters run out of gas in the seventh or eighth, the Padres’ hitters will feast. This series could swing entirely on that late-inning tug-of-war.”

Panel Back-and-Forth

Reynolds: “Dan, you’re making me think — what happens if the Sox starters can’t go the distance here? They’re not used to handing the ball off in the fifth or sixth inning.”

Hershiser: “Exactly, Harold. That’s an adjustment. Their mentality is: ‘This is my game.’ But against Tatís and Machado in the seventh? That’s a different animal.”

Scully: “And isn’t it poetic, gentlemen? A Deadball staff learning whether their ironman approach can withstand the fury of the modern swing. That’s baseball giving us its most timeless question: does endurance beat explosiveness?”

Plesac: “And I’ll say this: if Game 1 is low-scoring, the Sox get confidence. If it’s a blowout Padres win, this could be over quick.”

Panel Predictions

Scully: “I lean toward the Padres’ power, but I’d never count out guile and grit. I see it going six games.”

Hershiser: “Padres, but they’ll sweat. If Chicago steals a 1–0 or 2–1 early game, buckle up.”

Reynolds: “I think San Diego’s flair is a weapon here. Padres in five.”

Plesac: “Padres too, but late-inning drama is going to decide at least two of these games.”

Broadcast Team Announcement

Bob Costas:

“And with that, one final note. This series will be brought to life by one of the true giants of baseball broadcasting — Red Barber — who will call every pitch, every moment, solo. His voice will carry this unique collision of eras from the heart of Iowa.”

Closing – Costas

“So, the scene is set: small ball versus power, tradition versus expression, the stoicism of the Deadball era against the flair of the modern game. Welcome to Series #229 — where baseball’s past and present collide under the watchful eyes of its ghosts.”

Red Barber – Series Introduction



“Well, friends, settle in. We are coming to you from the heart of Iowa, where the corn grows tall and the game of baseball stands timeless. It’s Series number 229 in the Field of Dreams.

On one side, the 1905 Chicago White Sox — the ‘Hitless Wonders.’ A club built on grit, defense, and pitching that could squeeze the life out of any opponent. They come from an age when one run felt like a mountain, and bunts, steals, and strategy ruled the diamond.

On the other side, the 2021 San Diego Padres. They bring color, power, and personality. Fernando Tatís Jr., Manny Machado, a lineup full of thunder. They don’t nibble — they swing for the fences, and they make no apologies for the joy they bring to the game.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is baseball as it was and baseball as it is, standing face-to-face. The White Sox with their iron-willed hurlers, the Padres with their bats of lightning. Which will prevail here in the fields of Iowa? That is the story about to be written.

So from the past and the present, from cornfield to ballfield, let’s get this one underway. Series #229 begins now.”

[Nick Soulis]

Series #229



Deadball Dominance: 1905 Sox Silence Padres
Three Shutouts For Chicago Lead By White, Walsh



Game 1
At South Side Park
2021 San Diego Padres 1
1905 Chicago White Sox 2 (14 inn)
WP: E. Walsh (1-0) LP: J. Musgrove (0-1)
HR: F. Tatis Jr (1)
POG: Ed Walsh (14 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 12 K, 159 P)
1905 White Sox Lead Series 1-0

Well, friends, they’ll be telling stories about this one as long as baseball is played. The 1905 White Sox, written off by many as a team that couldn’t hit its way out of a paper bag, just outdueled one of the modern game’s strongest arms in Joe Musgrove.
Ed Walsh — what more can you say? Fourteen innings. Fourteen! Twelve strikeouts, just five hits allowed, and the only mistake was a home run to Fernando Tatís Jr. That ball was struck clean over the left-field wall in the seventh inning, and for a while it looked like it might stand as the difference.
But these Sox… they don’t go away. In the bottom of the 14th, Jiggs Donahue led off with a double. Two batters later, Nixey Callahan — the old captain, the steady hand — dropped a clean single into left, and the South Side erupted.
A 2–1 walk-off, and a reminder that in baseball, one run, however it comes, can be enough. Musgrove was magnificent, throwing more than 150 pitches of his own, but he is the hard-luck loser in a game that had to be decided by sheer willpower.
This, ladies and gentlemen, was baseball at its purest: Walsh with his spitball and steel nerves, Musgrove with his sliders and cutters, both pushing beyond the limits. But the ghosts smiled tonight on the White Sox.

Game 2
At South Side Park
2021 San Diego Padres 1
1905 Chicago White Sox 2 (11 inn)
WP: D. White (1-0) LP: C. Paddack (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Doc White (11 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 158 P)
1905 White Sox Lead Series 2-0

Well, friends, history has a funny way of repeating itself. Last night it was Walsh with fourteen innings of mastery. Today it was Doc White with eleven innings of brilliance. And for the second day in a row, the 1905 White Sox walked off the 2021 Padres in extra innings.
Chris Paddack and Doc White stood toe-to-toe, trading zeroes until the sixth, when Tatís Jr. finally broke through with a ringing double to drive in a run. But the White Sox tied it in the ninth on a clutch two-out plate appearance from Davey Holmes, pinch-hitting and showing once again how these Hitless Wonders can scrap for every inch.And then in the 11th — Danny Green delivered. A clean single to right, Donahue crossed the plate, and the Sox had another walk-off win.Paddack was valiant — 168 pitches, six hits, two runs, one earned — but he joins Musgrove in the hard-luck club. Two nights, two Padres aces giving everything, and two nights, the Sox finding just enough to win.The Sox are now up 2–0, heading to San Diego, and if you can hear it in my voice, the ghosts of the Deadball era are smiling.

Game 3
At Petco Park
1905 Chicago White Sox 3
2021 San Diego Padres 8
WP: Y. Darvish (1-0) LP: F. Smith (0-1)
HR: A. Nola (1)
POG: Yu Darvish (9 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 117 P)
1905 White Sox Lead Series 2-1

Well, friends, we’ve got ourselves a series. After two nights of agony, the San Diego Padres finally broke through here at Petco Park, and they did it in emphatic fashion — an 8–3 victory to cut the White Sox lead to 2–1.
For four innings it looked like another Deadball ambush. The Sox scratched across two runs, then added another in the fifth. But the Padres answered in thunderous fashion. Austin Nola’s home run lit the spark, and then came Jake Cronenworth with the swing of the night — a bases-loaded double that cleared the bags and flipped the scoreboard. From there, Yu Darvish took over. Nine innings, eight hits, just three runs, and complete control from start to finish. The Padres’ ace reminded everyone that this modern club still has plenty of firepower on the mound.
Fernando Tatís Jr. did his part again with three hits, two doubles, and a stolen base. When Tatís is electric, San Diego feeds off his energy — and tonight, Petco Park was alive in a way we haven’t seen yet in this series.
So the Sox still lead, two games to one, but the Padres have found their breath again. And for Chicago, four errors in the field told a story of cracks in the armor. Walsh and Doc White had been flawless, but Frank Smith stumbled, and the Padres pounced.
The ghosts may have followed the White Sox west, but tonight, the Padres sent them back into the corn with a reminder: this isn’t over yet.

Game 4
At Petco Park
1905 Chicago White Sox 3
2021 San Diego Padres 8
WP: J. Musgrove (1-1) LP: E. Walsh (1-1)
HR: None
POG: Joe Musgrove (9 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 130 P)
Series Tied 2-2

Well, friends, the Padres have answered back in this series with a roar. For six innings tonight, Petco Park was tight with tension. The 1905 White Sox had edged in front 3–2, looking every bit the team that had already stolen two games in extras. But then came the eighth inning, and the roof all but came off this ballpark.
Ed Walsh, the master who had thrown 14 innings in Game 1, finally showed cracks. A hit batsman, a couple of knocks, and then the pitcher on the other side, Joe Musgrove, stepped in with the swing that turned the night. A bases-clearing double from the Padres’ pitcher — the same man who was throwing a complete game gem — broke it wide open. The Sox never recovered. The Padres sent eight men to the plate in the frame, and when the dust settled, it was San Diego up 8–3. Musgrove closed it out himself, nine innings, 130 pitches, a performance equal parts redemption and defiance after that hard-luck loss in Game 1. This was modern baseball flexing its muscle, backed by a crowd of more than 31,000 roaring their club back into the fight. The White Sox still have their ghosts, but tonight, San Diego’s spirit was louder.

Game 5
At Petco Park
1905 Chicago White Sox 2
2021 San Diego Padres 0
WP: D. White 92-0) LP: C. Paddack )0-2)
HR: None
POG: Doc White (9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K, 139 P)
1905 White Sox Lead Series 3-2

“Well, friends, if you weren’t a believer in the Deadball era before, perhaps tonight has convinced you. Doc White, the tall left-hander with the calm face and tireless arm, came into San Diego and painted a masterpiece. Nine innings, four hits, no runs, four walks, five strikeouts — and every Padre batter walked away shaking his head.Chris Paddack matched him for much of the night, hurling nine strong innings of his own, but one mistake here, a misplayed ball there, and Chicago cashed in just enough to win. Nixey Callahan and Danny Green supplied timely hits, Jiggs Donahue set the table, and the Sox did what they always do — manufacture a couple of runs, then hand the rest to their pitcher.Petco Park was ready to roar, but instead they sat stunned as the Sox walked off with a 2–0 shutout victory. With this, the White Sox are now just one win away from capturing Series #229, and they’ll head home to South Side Park with the ghosts firmly in their corner.

Game 6
At South Side Park
2021 San Diego Padres 0
1905 Chicago White Sox 5
WP: F. Smith (1-1) LP: Y. Darvish (1-1)
HR: F. Isbell (1)
POG: Frank Smith (9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 124 P)

Well, friends, the story is written, and it is a story from another time. The 1905 Chicago White Sox, known to history as the ‘Hitless Wonders,’ have shut out the mighty San Diego Padres and claimed Series number 229 here at South Side Park.
Frank Smith, roughed up earlier in the series, returned home and threw the game of his life. Nine innings, five hits, no runs, six strikeouts, and never once did he let the Padres breathe. After Doc White’s masterpiece in Game 5, Smith followed with one of his own, and in the span of two games the Sox shut out San Diego back-to-back.The Sox struck early — Fielder Isbell’s two-run homer in the first sent the stands into bedlam, and the old park shook with every cheer. From there, the White Sox played their brand of baseball: bunts, steals, relentless pressure, and airtight pitching. By the time Smith doubled in the 8th, the game was as good as over.
Yu Darvish gave everything he had, but too many walks and too many pitches left him exposed. The Padres committed four errors, their swagger wilted, and when the final out settled into Donahue’s glove, the White Sox leapt into history — a 5–0 shutout, a 4–2 series win, and champions of the Field of Dreams.

1905 Chicago White Sox Win Series 4 Games To 2

Series MVP:

(2-0, 20 IP, 1 ER, 6 BB, 14 K, 0.95 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9)

[Nick Soulis]

Series #230



1912 Pittsburgh Pirates
Record: 93-58
Finish: 2nd in NL
Manager: Fred Clarke
Ball Park: Forbes Field
WAR Leader: Honus Wagner (8.1)
Franchise Record: 13-12
1912 Season Record: 0-1
Hall of Famers: (4)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/1912.shtml

1905 St. Louis Cardinals
Record: 58-96
Finish: 6th in NL
Manager: Kid Nichols
Ball Park: Robinson Field
WAR Leader: Homer Smoot (3.4)
Franchise Record: 9-6
1905 Season Record: 1-1
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/1905.shtml
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Heaven’s Dugout – Introductory Show



Series #230: 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates vs. 1905 St. Louis Cardinals
Theme: A Deadball Era clash & the enduring legacy of Honus Wagner

Host: Bob Costas

Panelists:

Steve Stone — cerebral analyst with pitcher’s insight

Hawk Harrelson — emotional, opinionated broadcaster, loves his one-liners

Vin Scully — poetic historian, master storyteller

Opening Segment — Setting the Stage



Bob Costas:
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Heaven’s Dugout. Tonight, we launch Series Number 230 — a Deadball Era collision between the 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates and the 1905 St. Louis Cardinals. The focus, inevitably, is on the man many call the greatest shortstop of all time — Honus Wagner. Before we dive into his legacy, let’s frame the matchup. Steve, what are we looking at here?”

Segment One — The Matchup

Steve Stone:
“This is a study in contrasts, Bob. The 1912 Pirates still had Wagner — 38 years old but still producing, still feared — alongside a disciplined roster that knew how to play station-to-station baseball. The 1905 Cardinals? They weren’t a powerhouse, but with Ed Konetchy anchoring first base, they had a cornerstone bat and a leader in the infield. If you’re looking for fireworks, this isn’t it. This is about grinding runs, stolen bases, and manufacturing victories.”

Hawk Harrelson:
“Stone, you can have your ‘grind.’ I’ll tell ya this: you got Honus Wagner in the lineup, you’re never out of a ballgame. The Cardinals can play as scrappy as they want, but Wagner is a one-man wrecking crew. He hits, he runs, he fields — he does it all. If I’m the Cardinals, I’m saying, ‘Somebody else beat us.’ Don’t let The Dutchman be the one.”

Vin Scully:
“Isn’t it marvelous, gentlemen, that here in 2025 we’re talking about a man who last played in 1917, yet his name still carries weight? Honus Wagner was the son of German immigrants, a coal miner’s boy from Pennsylvania, who turned his barrel chest and those massive hands into baseball poetry. Even Ty Cobb once said Wagner was perhaps the only man who could outshine him on a diamond. That is the shadow hanging over this entire series.”

Segment Two — The Legacy of Honus Wagner

Bob Costas:
“Vin, you’ve teed it up perfectly. Let’s talk Wagner’s legacy. Is he the greatest shortstop of all time?”

Steve Stone:
“I’d argue yes. Look at the metrics available to us — he led the league in batting eight times, he was a stolen base king, and his defensive range was legendary. People forget this was before specialized gloves and training regimens. Wagner did it with pure instinct and talent. By 1912 he wasn’t in his prime, but his presence alone changes this series.”

Hawk Harrelson:
“I’ll put it plain: You can have your modern stars, but I’ll take Honus Wagner any day of the week and twice on Sunday. He could beat you with his bat, his legs, or his glove. That’s a ballplayer. That’s why, even today, the Honus Wagner T206 card is the crown jewel — because he was the crown jewel.”

Vin Scully:
“Think of it this way: Wagner was baseball’s first complete player. In a time of spitballs, scuffed balls, and low scores, he found ways to shine. His career is a bridge — from the rough-and-tumble 19th century game into the modern era. And here he is again, in the Field of Dreams, bridging 1912 with today.”

Segment Three — Keys to the Series

Bob Costas:
“Before we close, let’s talk about what each team must do to win this series.”

Steve Stone:
“For the Pirates, it’s simple: keep Wagner upright, give him support. If the rest of the lineup does its job, he’ll find ways to break games open. For the Cardinals, they’ve got to outwork Pittsburgh. Konetchy has to be steady, and their pitching can’t afford mistakes. Every run will matter.”

Hawk Harrelson:
“I’ll go further: the Pirates win if Wagner plays like Wagner. The Cardinals win only if they make him look human. Easier said than done, Hawkeroo.”

Vin Scully:
“In the end, it’s not just about who wins or loses. It’s about honoring the game’s roots. These were men who played on dusty diamonds, traveled by train, and still made baseball magical. That’s the gift this series gives us.”

Closing Thoughts

Bob Costas:
“There you have it — the Pirates with their legend, the Cardinals with their hunger, and a Deadball Era matchup reborn in the cornfields of Iowa. Honus Wagner takes center stage, but as we’ve learned, the Field of Dreams has a way of making new heroes. Series #230 is officially underway.”

Broadcast Booth for this one will be Harry Carray:



Harry Caray, in full voice:

“Holy cow! Folks, welcome to the Field of Dreams, where we’ve got ourselves a real old-fashioned ballgame — the 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates against the 1905 St. Louis Cardinals! Can you believe it? We’re goin’ all the way back to the Deadball Era. No home run derbies here, no tape-measure shots, just good ol’ fashioned hard-nosed baseball.

And let me tell ya — the Pirates bring in one of the greatest players the game has ever known: Honus Wagner. The Flying Dutchman! At 38 years old in 1912, he could still hit, still steal, still make the plays at short. You get him on base, and buddy, you better keep your eyes open.

Now the Cardinals, they’ve got Big Ed Konetchy — a first baseman with a smooth glove and a strong bat. St. Louis wasn’t the toast of the league in 1905, but Konetchy could play with anybody. You give him a chance with men on, and he’ll drive in runs the hard way.

So what’s the key? Pitching, pitching, pitching! Runs are gonna be scarce, and every bunt, every stolen base, every sacrifice fly is gonna matter. These two clubs will scrap, claw, and fight for every single tally on that scoreboard.

So buckle up, folks! This one’s gonna be a beauty — Pirates, Cardinals, the Deadball Era come alive right here in Iowa. Holy cow, I can’t wait!”

[Nick Soulis]

Series #230



Pirates Soar to Glory
Wagner’s brilliance, Robinson’s dominance, and Adams’ steady hand carry Pittsburgh past 1905 Cardinals in five games



Game 1
At Forbes Field
1905 St. Louis Cardinals 0
1912 Pittsburgh Pirates 7
WP: H. Robinson (1-0) LP: K. Nichols (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Hank Robinson (9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 101 P)
1912 Pirates Lead Series 1-0

The Field of Dreams brought the Deadball Era roaring back to life on Tuesday afternoon, and the 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates made sure the first chapter of Series #230 belonged entirely to them. Behind a masterful complete-game shutout by left-hander Hank Robinson and a dazzling four-hit performance from leadoff man Max Carey, the Pirates rolled to a 7–0 victory over the 1905 St. Louis Cardinals at Forbes Field. Robinson was the unquestioned star. The southpaw, known more for steadiness than flash, elevated his game to historic heights. Over nine innings, he yielded just two singles, walked only one, and struck out nine — silencing the Cardinals with a mix of pinpoint control and late movement. His 101-pitch outing was the definition of efficiency, and his poise never wavered as he faced just 29 batters.
“They say the first rule of the playoffs is to win the home games,” Robinson remarked afterward. “It feels nice, but it is kind of what we were supposed to do.”
The Cardinals never advanced a runner beyond second base, undone by Robinson’s consistency and their own inability to solve him. Both Malachi Grady and Kid Nichols managed hits, but the rest of the lineup was blanked.If Robinson was the hammer, Carey was the spark. The fleet-footed left fielder went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, driving in three runs, lacing a double, and stealing a base for good measure. Every time he stepped into the box, the Pirates’ offense seemed to ignite.
“Max Carey set the tone right from the leadoff spot,” manager Fred Clarke said. “When he’s getting on and moving, we’re tough to beat.”
The Pirates’ attack didn’t stop there. Dots Miller added two hits and a booming triple in the eighth, scoring twice. Mike Donlin provided two more RBI with timely base knocks, and Artie McCarthy collected three hits to round out a relentless 14-hit assault. Even Honus Wagner, though quiet by his lofty standards, chipped in with a single to keep the pressure on.For St. Louis, the afternoon was a struggle from first pitch to last. Veteran ace Kid Nichols, pitching at age 35, was battered for 13 hits and six earned runs in six innings, unable to locate against a patient, aggressive Pittsburgh lineup. Reliever Jake Thielman fared only marginally better, surrendering a run in two innings of mop-up duty. The Cardinals’ offense, meanwhile, never found its footing. They struck out nine times, walked once, and squandered their lone opportunities on the basepaths with failed steal attempts. Ed Konetchy, the team’s leader, went 0-for-4, emblematic of the club’s broader futility.
With the win, Pittsburgh seized both momentum and control, leading the best-of-seven set 1–0. More importantly, they showed a complete balance of pitching, defense, and offense that St. Louis must counter immediately to avoid falling into a quick hole.
Bob Costas put it best on Heaven’s Dugout:
“Robinson was brilliant, Carey was electric, and the Cardinals looked overmatched. If St. Louis doesn’t regroup, this could be a very short series.”
The two clubs return to Forbes Field tomorrow for Game 2, where the Cardinals will attempt to reset and rediscover their offense. For now, though, the Pirates stand tall, with Honus Wagner’s presence looming and Robinson’s gem already etched into Field of Dreams lore.

Game 2
At Forbes Field
1905 St. Louis Cardinals 8
1912 Pittsburgh Pirates 9
WP: B. Adams (1-0) LP: W. Kellum (0-1) S: H. Camnitz (1)
HR: H. Wagner (1), J. Clarke (1)
POG: Honus Wagner (3-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2B)
1912 Pirates Lead Series 2-0

In a game that swung like a pendulum from one dugout to the other, the 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates found a way to prevail. Behind the timeless brilliance of Honus Wagner and just enough grit from their supporting cast, the Pirates edged the 1905 St. Louis Cardinals, 9–8, at Forbes Field to seize a 2–0 advantage in Series #230.
The Flying Dutchman was the difference. At 38 years old, Wagner once again showed why he is considered one of the game’s greatest. He went 3-for-4 at the plate, launching a rare Deadball Era home run in the third inning, ripping a late double, and driving in three runs while also stealing a base. His every swing seemed to alter the rhythm of the game.
“I’m just looking for a good pitch that I can hit well,” Wagner said humbly afterward. “And not try to do too much.”
Yet there was nothing modest about his impact. When the Pirates needed answers, Wagner delivered them.
The turning point came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Trailing 3–2, Pittsburgh erupted for six runs against St. Louis starter Win Kellum, who had been bending but not breaking. Wagner reached base and scored, while Max Carey added a two-run single that blew the game open. By the time the dust settled, the Pirates led 8–3, and Forbes Field thundered as if the series had been won right there.
Carey’s contribution, though overshadowed by Wagner, was vital. He finished with two hits, two RBIs, and his signature speed on the basepaths. “He’s our spark,” manager Fred Clarke said. “When he gets involved, the whole club seems to come alive.”
But the Cardinals refused to fold. Malachi Grady collected four hits, Jack Clarke smashed a seventh-inning home run, and John Dunleavy roped a pair of doubles to keep St. Louis within striking distance. Entering the ninth, Pittsburgh held what seemed a safe 9–5 lead, but the Cardinals mounted a furious rally. A pair of doubles and sharp line drives trimmed the deficit to one, and the tying run stood at third when the final out was made. Babe Adams, usually the picture of control, was exhausted after 176 pitches. Manager Clarke finally summoned Howie Camnitz, who needed just one pitch to record the last out and seal the win.
The box score shows Pittsburgh in command with a 2–0 series lead, but the story on the field told of a Cardinals club that found its offense and will not go quietly. Grady and Clarke proved the lineup can hit, and Kellum, despite his struggles, kept them close until the sixth.
For the Pirates, Wagner’s revival has become the heartbeat of the series. “He doesn’t just play the game,” broadcaster Vin Scully remarked on Heaven’s Dugout. “He defines it.”

Series #230, Game 3
Venue: Robison Field – St. Louis
Weather: Clear skies, 66°F, wind blowing out to center at 9 mph
Final Score: Pittsburgh 1912 Pirates 4, St. Louis 1905 Cardinals 6
Winning Pitcher: Chappie Macfarland (1–0)
Losing Pitcher: Marty O’Toole (0–1)
Home Runs: Honus Wagner (PIT, 2)
Player of the Game: Jake Beckley (STL) – 2-for-4, 2 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
Series: Pittsburgh leads 2–1

The 1905 St. Louis Cardinals finally gave their home crowd something to cheer about at Robison Field, pulling out a gritty 6–4 win over the 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 3 of Series #230.
Veteran first baseman Jake Beckley was the difference maker, pounding out two triples, driving in two runs, and scoring twice. His timely sixth-inning blast into the gap turned a tense 4–3 Pittsburgh lead into a St. Louis advantage they would not relinquish. The performance earned him Player of the Game honors and breathed life into a Cardinals club desperate to avoid a 3–0 hole.
“It’s a huge change in atmosphere versus last game,” Beckley said afterward. “I feel like we’re back in the mix now. We just can’t let up.”
Center fielder Homer Smoot drove in two runs, including the go-ahead RBI single in the sixth that swung momentum firmly to St. Louis. Catcher Malachi Grady added three walks, a stolen base, and an RBI, frustrating Pirates starter Marty O’Toole all afternoon. O’Toole had electric stuff at times but was undone by control problems, issuing an astonishing 11 walks over seven innings — a new Field of Dreams playoff record. For Pittsburgh, Honus Wagner continued his strong series with a two-run homer in the first inning, his second long ball of the matchup. Outfielder Owen Wilson chipped in with a two-run triple in the fifth to give the Pirates a brief 4–2 lead. But aside from those flashes, the Pirates’ bats were mostly contained by Chappie Macfarland, who went the distance for St. Louis, scattering nine hits in a complete-game victory.
The Cardinals now trail 2–1, but with momentum shifting in their favor and the home crowd behind them, the complexion of this series feels suddenly different. Pittsburgh still holds the upper hand, yet St. Louis has shown it won’t bow quietly.

Series #230, Game 4
Robison Field – St. Louis
Weather: Clear skies, 62°F, wind blowing out to right at 11 mph
Final Score: Pittsburgh 1912 Pirates 5, St. Louis 1905 Cardinals 1
Winning Pitcher: Hank Robinson (2–0)
Losing Pitcher: Kid Nichols (0–2)
Home Runs: Malachi Grady (STL, 1)
Player of the Game: Hank Robinson (9.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 7 K)
Pittsburgh leads 3–1

With the chance to seize firm control of Series #230, the 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates once again turned to left-hander Hank Robinson, and he delivered. Just as he had in Game 1, Robinson baffled the 1905 St. Louis Cardinals, tossing a complete game in Pittsburgh’s 5–1 victory at Robison Field.
The win gives the Pirates a commanding 3–1 series lead, placing them one step away from advancing.
Robinson was locked in from the first pitch, scattering seven hits over nine innings while striking out seven. The only blemish came in the sixth inning when catcher Malachi Grady launched a solo home run to left. Other than that, the Cardinals were muted, stranding eight runners on base and failing to mount sustained threats.
“He’s been unbelievable,” said Pirates manager Fred Clarke. “Every time he takes the mound, he gives us confidence. The boys feed off that.”
The Pirates offense wasted no time setting the tone. In the top of the first, Honus Wagner tripled in a run, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Robinson himself. In the second, Dots Miller doubled and came home on George Gibson’s RBI double, pushing the lead to 3–0.
Wagner added an RBI in the fifth with a sharp single, and Pittsburgh tacked on two insurance runs in the ninth behind hits from Gibson and McCarthy. In total, the Pirates racked up 11 hits, with Miller, Gibson, and Wilson leading the way.For the Cardinals, it was another frustrating night. Kid Nichols pitched a complete game but couldn’t match Robinson, yielding five runs on 11 hits. Aside from Grady’s homer and a two-hit night from Homer Smoot, the offense looked lifeless. Even red-hot Jake Beckley went 0-for-4. “Give the Pirates credit,” said losing manager Kid Nichols. “They played a better game than we did.”
With the series now 3–1, Pittsburgh has the chance to clinch tomorrow in Game 5. The Pirates have shown balance, power, and most importantly, a dominant ace in Robinson. The Cardinals must win three straight to survive.

Series #230, Game 5
Robison Field – St. Louis
Weather: Partly cloudy, 56°F, wind blowing in from center at 11 mph
Final Score: Pittsburgh 1912 Pirates 15, St. Louis 1905 Cardinals 2
Winning Pitcher: Babe Adams (2–0)
Losing Pitcher: Win Kellum (0–2)
Home Runs: None
Player of the Game: Honus Wagner (PIT) – 3-for-6, 3B, 2B, 5 RBI, 3 R

The 1912 Pittsburgh Pirates left no doubt in Game 5, unleashing a relentless 19-hit attack and steamrolling the 1905 St. Louis Cardinals, 15–2, at Robison Field to clinch their first Field of Dreams title. The Pirates broke the game open early, plating six runs in the second inning and never looking back. Honus Wagner delivered the decisive blow, a bases-loaded triple that silenced the St. Louis crowd and effectively ended Win Kellum’s night.
Wagner wasn’t done. He finished 3-for-6 with five RBIs and three runs scored, adding a double and continuing a series that will be remembered as one of the finest individual performances in Field of Dreams history.Around him, the lineup contributed from top to bottom: Max Carey went 4-for-5 and scored three times, Dots Miller drove in three runs, and Owen Wilson had two hits, including a double and triple, with three RBIs of his own.
On the mound, Babe Adams was steady and efficient, scattering 11 hits but yielding only two runs in a complete game effort. He walked two and struck out two, trusting his defense as the Pirates turned two double plays to keep the Cardinals at bay.
“It was a team win,” manager Fred Clarke said. “Hitting, pitching, fielding — but most importantly, belief. This group played for each other, and that’s what made the difference.”The Cardinals simply had no answer. Kellum was shelled for six runs in less than two innings, and relievers Jake Thielman and Will Egan could not contain the flood. Malachi Grady and Homer Smoot each had two hits, but there were no timely blows to match Pittsburgh’s relentless scoring.
Manager Kid Nichols of St. Louis summed it up bluntly: “Give the Pirates credit. They were better than us in every way.”
With the victory, the Pirates claimed the series 4–1, riding the arms of Robinson and Adams and the bat of Wagner. In five games, Pittsburgh outscored St. Louis 40–17 and looked every bit like champions destined for Field of Dreams lore.

1912 Pittsburgh Pirates Win Series 4 Games To 1

Series MVP:

(.429, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, 1 SB, 1.000 SLG)

[Nick Soulis]

Tournament Progress Report 230 Series Played

Every 10 series I will give a progress report on the competition including stats.

Leaders (single series)
Hits.............................................. ....Barney McCosky (1939 Tigers) - 16
HR................................................ ....Aaron Judge (2022 Yankees) - 6
RBI............................................... ....Babe Ruth (1920 Yankees) - 20
Strikeouts........................................ .Ed Walsh (1911 White Sox) - 25
Longest HR......................................Andy Carey (1958 Yankees) - 554 FT
Hardest Hit Ball................................Andy Carey (1958 Yankees) - 118.8
Best Game Performance Score.......Babe Ruth (1920 Yankees) - 138


Managerial Leaders
Most Wins...........Miller Huggins/Lou Piniella - 24
Winning %...........Eight tied - 100%

Championship Clubs Eliminated
1. 1920 Cleveland Indians - Lost to 2013 Yankees
2. 2008 Philadelphia Phillies - Lost to 1940 Yankees
3. 1940 Cincinnati Reds - Lost to 2004 Pirates
4. 2006 St. Louis Cardinals - Lost to 1944 Braves
5. 1990 Cincinnati Reds - Lost to 1947 Indians
6. 2003 Florida Marlins - Lost to 1934 Senators

Incredible Comebacks (Teams down 0-3 to come back and win series)
1976 Baltimore Orioles over 2012 Miami Marlins

Franchise Records
Arizona Dbacks....................3-1
Atlanta/Mil Braves................11-2
Baltimore Orioles..................6-7
Boston Braves/Beans...........2-7
Boston Red Sox...................9-6
Brooklyn/LA Dodgers...........6-9
Chicago Cubs......................11-8
Chicago White Sox..............11-7
Cincinnati Reds....................15-8
Cleveland Indians/Naps.......10-10
Colorado Rockies................3-4
Detroit Tigers.......................16-11
Florida/Miami Marlins......... 3-5
Houston Astros....................2-5
KC Royals...........................6-6
Los Angeles Angels.............5-3
Milwaukee Brewers.............5-8
Minnesota Twins..................5-3
Montreal Expos...................3-4
New York Mets....................2-5
New York Yankees...............17-3
New York/SF Giants.............9-11
Philadelphia Phillies.............7-18
Philadelphia/Oak A's............6-18
Pittsburgh Pirates.................14-12
San Diego Padres................4-3
Seattle Mariners...................4-5
St. Louis Browns..................2-3
St. Louis Cardinals...............9-7
Tampa Bay Rays..................3-2
Texas Rangers.....................5-3
Toronto Blue Jays.................4-1
Washington Nationals..........1-4
Washington Senators...........4-14


Best/Worst Winning Percentage by Franchise:
New York Yankees - 17-3(.85)
Washington Senators - 4-14 (.220)

Records By Decade
1900's.............................8-6
1910's.............................12-13
1920's.............................14-14
1930's.............................15-16
1940's.............................18-20
1950's.............................13-14
1960's.............................15-16
1970's.............................20-21
1980's.............................18-19
1990's.............................27-23
2000's.............................34-25
2010's.............................26-27
2020's.............................7-9

Best Season - 2004 - 9-0

Accomplishments Single Game
No Hitter - Vida Blue (1974 Athletics)
6-6 Jacoby Elsbury (2010 Red Sox)
10 RBI - Babe Ruth (1920 Yankees)
3 HR - Willie Mays (1961 Giants)
3 HR - Bernie Williams (2000 Yankees)
No Hitter - Sonny Gray (2019 Reds)

[Nick Soulis]

The last ten series delivered some of the most captivating baseball we’ve yet seen on the Field of Dreams stage—three decisive Game Sevens, generational duels, and iconic names who either elevated their legacies or had them stripped away.

Honus Wagner answered every lingering doubt about his greatness with a series that felt more like a coronation than a contest. Against the 1905 Cardinals, Wagner not only drove in 11 runs for the 1912 Pirates but sent a ball literally sailing out of Robinson Park—an act that blurred the line between myth and reality. The deadball era flexed its muscles elsewhere too, when the 1905 White Sox, led by Ed Walsh and Frank Smith, humiliated the 2021 Padres by proving that power bats mean little when pitching guile rules the day.

Speaking of arms, few shone brighter than Tommy Bridges. With two complete-game shutouts and 18 consecutive scoreless innings, he carried the 1942 Tigers past Tris Speaker and the 1925 Indians in five brisk games. In Kansas City, Zack Greinke embodied modern brilliance, baffling Mike Schmidt and the 1985 Phillies as the Royals stormed to victory in five, a new banner moment in their power-era identity.

Three other clashes demanded the full seven. John McGraw’s 1907 Giants leaned on Dan McGann, whose 4-for-4 masterpiece in Game 7 punctuated a late rally to topple the 2021 Twins. In Philadelphia, the lowly 1919 Athletics nearly authored the upset of the century against the 1996 Angels, but Garrett Anderson and company barely escaped in the deciding game. Meanwhile, Bobby Valentine and his 1988 Rangers stunned Jacobs Field, using Charlie Hough’s veteran arm and relentless pressure to oust the 2000 Indians in seven and etch an unlikely triumph into tournament lore.

Not every champion could withstand the test. The 2003 Florida Marlins, so often remembered for improbable October magic, were not only defeated but swept—rattled and humbled by the 1934 Senators in one of the tournament’s most shocking outcomes. They leave as the first Field of Dreams title club to be swept, their legitimacy now openly questioned. The 1999 Marlins soon followed them out, dismissed by the unheralded 1936 Boston Bees, a “forgotten” team now loudly reclaiming their respect.

And then there was Ted Williams. The Splendid Splinter bore the weight of expectation and delivered, guiding his 1946 Red Sox past a spirited 1963 Houston Colts side in six games. Williams stood tall, determined to lead Boston toward a rewritten history and to redefine his own legacy—not only as one of the greatest to swing a bat, but as a man who finally conquered the ghosts that have long shadowed him.

[Nick Soulis]

Series #231



1977 Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 98-64
Finish: Lost in World Series
Manager: Tommy LaSorda
Ball Park: Dodger Stadium
WAR Leader: Reggie Smith (6.1)
Franchise Record: 6-9
1977 Season Record: 1-2
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/1977.shtml

1975 California Angels
Record: 72-89
Finish: 6th in AL West
Manager: Dick Williams
Ball Park: Anaheim Stadium
WAR Leader: Frank Tanana (7.4)
Franchise Record: 5-3
1975 Season Record: 4-0
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CAL/1975.shtml
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Heaven’s Dugout — Pregame Show (Series #231)



Host: Bob Costas
Panelists: Vin Scully, Steve Stone, Dan Plesac, Brian Kenny

[Opening montage: Golden cornfields sway under a twilight sky. The camera cuts to vintage Dodger Stadium packed in 1977, then Anaheim Stadium in 1975 with Nolan Ryan on the mound. A booming voiceover: “Two California clubs. One stage in Iowa. A freeway rivalry reborn in the corn.” Theme music hits.]

Costas (smiling, leaning in):
“Welcome, everyone, to Heaven’s Dugout. Tonight begins Series #231, a uniquely California affair — the 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers against the 1975 California Angels. You’ve got Lasorda’s big blue machine against Dick Williams’ gritty underdogs. To break it all down with me: the voice of baseball, Vin Scully… former All-Star and Cy Young winner Steve Stone… the ever-blunt Dan Plesac… and our resident number-cruncher and historian, Brian Kenny. Gentlemen, welcome.”

Opening Thoughts

Scully (soft, melodic):
“Bob, this is a tale of two ballclubs separated by just a freeway, yet a world apart in stature. The Dodgers — household names, an infield carved in granite: Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey. Dusty Baker and Reggie Smith adding the thunder. And across the way, the Angels, still trying to establish their identity, but armed with Nolan Ryan’s fastball and Frank Tanana’s curveball, they had the tools to scare anyone. This is a chance for the Angels to prove they were more than just neighbors playing second fiddle.”

Stone (leaning in, matter-of-fact):
“And that’s the key, Vin. Everyone remembers Ryan and Tanana, but people forget how deep the Dodgers’ rotation was. Don Sutton, Burt Hooton, Tommy John — that’s three guys who could be aces elsewhere. When you’ve got that kind of depth, it’s not just about stealing a game with an ace. It’s about consistency over seven. I don’t think the Angels have the horses to keep up after their big two.”

Plesac (chuckling, shaking his head):
“Steve, you pitchers always fall back on depth. Look, I love Sutton as much as the next guy, but this isn’t about the third or fourth starter — this is about who takes the ball in the spotlight. Ryan can throw a no-hitter in Iowa, and Tanana was devastating in ’75. If those guys get rolling, the Angels don’t need depth — they need four games. And I’ll tell you something: Bobby Bonds in that lineup? He can swing a series with one hot week.”

Kenny (animated, gesturing):
“Dan, that’s great TV, but history says otherwise. The ’77 Dodgers hit 191 home runs — tops in the National League. They had Reggie Smith with a 166 OPS+, Garvey driving in 115, and Dusty Baker mashing 30 bombs. That was unusual for Dodger baseball, but it tells us something: they weren’t just about pitching and defense. They could score in bunches. The ’75 Angels? Middle of the pack in nearly every category. Great arms, yes. But over the long haul, the numbers don’t lie — the Dodgers should overwhelm them.”

Spirited Back-and-Forth

Plesac (pointing across the desk):
“Brian, you can throw OPS+ at me all night, but games aren’t played on spreadsheets. What happens when Bonds hits a leadoff homer off Sutton? What happens when Ryan strikes out 12 and throws a two-hit shutout? That changes everything.”

Stone (interrupting):
“Sure, but then who pitches Game 3? Who pitches Game 4? That’s the problem, Dan — the Angels don’t have the depth to sustain that success. After Tanana and Ryan, you’re looking at guys like Dick Lange or Bill Singer against a stacked Dodger lineup. That’s not a fair fight.”

Scully (smiling, poetic):
“And yet, Steve, isn’t that the beauty of it? Baseball so often belongs not to the obvious star, but to the unexpected hero. Perhaps it’s a pinch-hit single into the cornfield shadows. Perhaps a journeyman reliever shuts down the mighty Dodgers in a jam. These Angels have lived their existence as the ‘other team’ in California. What a story it would be if here, in Iowa, they finally had their day.”

Kenny (cutting in):
“Vin, I love that imagery, but let’s ground this — the Angels finished 80–82 that year. They weren’t contenders. The Dodgers, by contrast, went to the World Series. If the Angels win this series, it’s one of the great upsets we’ve seen on this field.”

Legacy & Historical Significance

Costas:
“Let’s talk legacy. If the Dodgers win, it cements them as the juggernaut they were in the late ’70s. But if the Angels win…?”

Stone:
“If the Angels win, it’s validation. It tells us Ryan and Tanana weren’t just a two-man show — that club could rise to the moment. It would rewrite how we look at mid-’70s baseball in California.”

Plesac:
“And it would give the Angels fans something they’ve always wanted — to beat the Dodgers when it really mattered. Forget the standings, forget the payroll. This is bragging rights for Southern California.”

Scully (soft, reflective):
“And imagine, Bob — here in Iowa, where the game feels eternal, perhaps the Angels could find immortality too. That is the magic of this place. Nothing is impossible.”

Predictions

Costas (smiling):
“All right, time to put your names to it. Who wins?”

Scully: “Dodgers in six. But with a few unforgettable Angels moments along the way.”

Stone: “Dodgers in five. Too much depth.”

Plesac: “Angels in six. Ryan and Tanana make legends of themselves.”

Kenny: “Dodgers in five. The bats are too strong.”

Costas (closing):
“There you have it — a freeway rivalry transported to the cornfields of Iowa. The legends of ’77 and the hungry Angels of ’75, battling not just for a series, but for a place in the eternal conversation. First pitch is moments away.”

[Theme rises, cameras pan over the players loosening in the dugouts, the panel fades out to the cornfield twilight.]
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The Broadcast For this series will be done by Al Michaels and Tim McCarver.



Broadcast Booth — Series #231 Preview

Booth Team: Al Michaels (play-by-play), Tim McCarver (color analyst)

[Camera cuts from the panel to the booth overlooking the diamond. Fans are filing in, the cornfield glows in the fading light.]

Al Michaels (measured, clear):
“From the cornfields of Iowa, good evening everyone and welcome to the Field of Dreams. It is Series #231, and for the first time, we’ve got an all-California battle on this hallowed ground. The 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the most balanced and star-powered clubs of their era, meet the 1975 California Angels, a team remembered for its grit, pitching firepower, and the relentless arms of Frank Tanana and Nolan Ryan. I’m Al Michaels, alongside Tim McCarver — and Tim, there’s no shortage of storylines here.”

Tim McCarver (animated, leaning in):
“That’s right, Al. For the Dodgers, you’re talking about one of the most famous infields in baseball history: Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey. Add Dusty Baker and Reggie Smith in the outfield, and it’s no wonder they hit more home runs than any other National League club in ’77. They’ve got depth in their lineup, depth in their pitching staff, and they’re built for the long haul.

But across the field — and make no mistake about it — the Angels are dangerous. Frank Tanana was electric in ’75, his curveball devastating hitters. Nolan Ryan? Well, when you talk about him, you talk about the possibility of dominance every time he takes the mound. And don’t sleep on Bobby Bonds — he was one of the game’s great power-speed threats. The Angels don’t have the same pedigree as the Dodgers, but they’ve got enough firepower to make this interesting.”

Michaels:
“And Tim, this is more than just a series between two ballclubs. It’s a chance for the Angels to step out of the Dodgers’ shadow, even here in Iowa. The Dodgers were a World Series team in ’77; the Angels were still trying to find their way. But that’s what makes this matchup so compelling: two clubs with very different legacies, meeting on level ground, in the corn.”

McCarver (smiling):
“Al, that’s what makes baseball timeless. You put them on the same field, on the same stage, and history doesn’t matter as much as who executes over the next seven games. And with these pitching matchups, we could see some real classics.”

Michaels (closing):
“We’ll find out soon enough. The Dodgers and Angels are ready, the crowd is set, and so are we. First pitch of Series #231 is coming up, right here on the Field of Dreams.”

[Camera pans across the diamond, catching Tommy Lasorda and Dick Williams exchanging lineup cards at home plate.]

[Nick Soulis]

Series #231



Dodgers Storm Past Angels, Claim Cali's Best
Baker named MVP as Los Angeles captures win behind power bats and dominant pitching



Game 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Weather: Clear skies, 63°, wind blowing in from right at 7 mph
Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers 5, California 1975 Angels 0
Winning Pitcher: Burt Hooton (1-0) — 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Losing Pitcher: Frank Tanana (0-1) — 7.0 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Home Runs: Dusty Baker (LAD, 7th inning solo)
Player of the Game: Burt Hooton — Complete-game shutout, 97 pitches, 12 groundouts, 11 flyouts
1977 Dodgers Lead Series 1-0

Tonight at Dodger Stadium, the 1977 Dodgers reminded us why they were one of the most balanced clubs of their era. A 5–0 shutout win over the 1975 California Angels, and it was all about Burt Hooton.Hooton wasn’t flashy — just efficient. Ninety-seven pitches, two hits, no runs. He mixed speeds, worked the corners, and kept an Angels lineup that came in hoping to rattle him completely off balance. For Los Angeles, that’s the kind of tone-setting performance that changes a series.
On the offensive side, the Dodgers did what they do best: strike early. Reggie Smith’s two-run double in the first got the crowd into it, Ron Cey added another RBI, and Dusty Baker capped things with a towering solo homer in the seventh. Eleven hits total — everyone in that lineup seemed locked in.For California, Frank Tanana struck out nine, but he also labored through 139 pitches. He never quite figured out how to put the Dodgers away, and that’s the difference between a team still searching for an identity and one built for October.
So, Los Angeles strikes first — five runs, a shutout, and a statement. They now lead the series 1–0, with Nolan Ryan looming tomorrow in Game 2. If the Angels are going to make this a fight, it has to start with Ryan matching Hooton’s brilliance.

Game 2
California 1975 Angels at Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Weather: Partly cloudy, 56°, wind blowing out to right at 8 mph
Final Score: Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers 3, California 1975 Angels 0
Winning Pitcher: Tommy John (1-0) — 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K
Losing Pitcher: Ed Figueroa (0-1) — 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
Save: Charlie Hough (1) — 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
Home Runs: Reggie Smith (LAD, solo, 1st inning)
Player of the Game: Tommy John — 7.2 shutout innings, 131 pitches, induced 12 groundouts
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series, 2-0.

Game 2 here at Dodger Stadium was a mirror image of last night — another shutout for the Dodgers, another frustrated night for the Angels. This time it was Tommy John who set the tone, mixing that sinking fastball with pinpoint command, inducing a dozen groundouts and letting his infield do the heavy lifting. Over 131 pitches, John never lost his rhythm, and when he finally tired in the eighth, Charlie Hough came in to slam the door. For Los Angeles, the formula was simple: strike early and control the tempo. Reggie Smith homered in the first inning to get the crowd buzzing, Davey Lopes drove in a run with a sharp single in the fifth, and Dusty Baker doubled in another insurance tally in the sixth. Three runs was more than enough, because the Dodgers’ pitching staff has now thrown 18 straight scoreless innings to open this series.
For the Angels, it’s the same story: chances but no results. Dave Chalk had a double and a triple, yet both times he was left stranded. California went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and once again left seven men on base. That’s the difference between a contender and a pretender.
So the Dodgers head to Anaheim with a commanding 2–0 lead. Nolan Ryan will finally get the ball in Game 3, but make no mistake — he’s not just pitching for a win, he’s pitching to save the Angels’ season.

Game 3
Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers at California 1975 Angels
Venue: Anaheim Stadium
Weather: Clear skies, 62°, wind blowing out to center at 7 mph
Final Score: California 1975 Angels 2, Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers 1
Winning Pitcher: Nolan Ryan (1-0) — 8.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 8 K, 140 pitches
Losing Pitcher: Doug Rau (0-1) — 8.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Save: Don Kirkwood (1) — 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Home Runs: Steve Garvey (LAD, solo, 7th inning)
Player of the Game: Nolan Ryan — 8 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 8 strikeouts, vintage dominance
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1

Tonight in Anaheim, the Angels finally found the formula — Nolan Ryan on the mound, a crowd behind him, and just enough offense to make it count. After being shut out for 18 innings in this series, California pushed across two runs in the fourth, and that was all Ryan needed.
Ryan was nothing short of sensational: 140 pitches, eight innings, eight strikeouts, and only three hits allowed. He was in command from the very start, and when Steve Garvey’s solo home run in the seventh cut the lead to one, Ryan bore down and finished his night with the kind of power and presence that has defined his career. Doug Rau deserves credit for keeping the Dodgers close — nine hits scattered across eight innings — but the Angels capitalized when it mattered. Leroy Stanton, Dave Chalk, and Ellie Rodriguez delivered the key hits, and Don Kirkwood secured the save in the ninth.
So, the Angels climb back into the series, now trailing 2–1. The Dodgers still hold the edge, but tonight belonged to Nolan Ryan — and Anaheim Stadium roared with every pitch he threw. If the Angels are going to make this a real fight, this was the night they had to win, and Ryan made sure they did.

Game 4
Venue: Anaheim Stadium
Weather: Partly cloudy, 56°, wind blowing out to center at 8 mph
Final Score: Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers 3, California 1975 Angels 2
Winning Pitcher: Don Sutton (1-0) — 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Losing Pitcher: Don Kirkwood (0-1, BS 1) — 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Save: Charlie Hough (2) — 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K
Home Runs: Davey Lopes (LAD, solo, 1st inning); Reggie Smith (LAD, 2-run, 8th inning)
Player of the Game: Don Sutton — 8 innings, 125 pitches, 16 groundouts, anchored Dodgers’ third win
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series, 3-1

Here in Anaheim, the Dodgers showed once again why they’re a championship club. Don Sutton was vintage Sutton tonight — eight innings of command, poise, and big outs when he needed them most. He gave up seven hits but never broke, forcing ground balls, leaning on his defense, and keeping the Angels from stringing anything together.The Angels had their moment in the seventh, tying the game on Jerry Remy’s pinch-hit sequence, and for a brief time this stadium felt like it might see another night of magic. But baseball can be cruel — Don Kirkwood left one up in the zone, and Reggie Smith made him pay. A towering two-run homer in the eighm there, Sutton turned it over to Charlie Hough, and the knuckleballer calmly closed it out in the ninth. Dodgers win it, 3–2, and they now take a commanding 3–1 leath inning silenced Anaheim Stadium and pushed the Dodgers back in front.
Frod in this series. For California, Andy Hassler was valiant, seven strong innings and seven strikeouts. But once again, the Angels couldn’t find enough offense. For Los Angeles, it was Sutton’s steadiness and Smith’s thunder that carried the night.
So the Dodgers are on the cusp, one victory away from wrapping up this series. Tomorrow, Nolan Ryan gets the ball again for California — but the Angels will need more than just one arm if they hope to extend their season.

Game 5
Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers at California 1975 Angels
Venue: Anaheim Stadium
Weather: Clear skies, 59°, wind blowing out to right at 11 mph
Final Score: California 1975 Angels 7, Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers 3
Winning Pitcher: Frank Tanana (1-1) — 9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 156 pitches
Losing Pitcher: Burt Hooton (1-1) — 4.1 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Home Runs: None
Player of the Game: Frank Tanana — complete-game win, 8 strikeouts, 156 pitches, kept Angels alive
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series, 3-2

The Angels refused to bow out on their own turf. Behind a gutty complete game from Frank Tanana and a thunderous five-run fourth inning, California stunned the Dodgers 7-3 in Anaheim, forcing the series back to Los Angeles.
Tanana, who was battered in Game 1, flipped the script in front of a roaring home crowd. Over 156 pitches, he struck out eight and never allowed the Dodgers to seize momentum. Every time Los Angeles threatened, Tanana found another gear.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the fourth, when Tommy Harper ripped a bases-loaded double into the right-center gap off Burt Hooton, clearing the bases and igniting the stadium. Bob Bochte followed with another RBI double, and suddenly the Angels led 5-1. Leroy Stanton’s double in the fifth widened the gap.
For the Dodgers, Hooton looked nothing like the man who tossed a Game 1 shutout. He gave up seven earned runs in 4.1 innings, leaving the Dodgers in a hole they could not climb out of. Reggie Smith, Ron Cey, and Steve Yeager drove in runs, but it was too little, too late.
Now, the Angels head to Dodger Stadium trailing 3-2, with new life — and perhaps with momentum swinging in their favor.

Series #231, Game 6
California 1975 Angels at Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Weather: Clear skies, 54°, wind blowing out to center at 9 mph
Final Score: Los Angeles 1977 Dodgers 9, California 1975 Angels 3
Winning Pitcher: Tommy John (2-0) — 8.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 135 pitches
Losing Pitcher: Chris Hockenbery (0-1, BS 1) — 1.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Home Runs: Dusty Baker (LAD, solo, 7th inning); Steve Garvey (LAD, 2-run, 8th inning)
Player of the Game: Steve Garvey — 3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored.

The Dodgers finished what they started. Before a packed house at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles poured on late offense and rode Tommy John’s steady hand to a 9-3 victory over the Angels, clinching Series #231 by a 4-2 margin.
California struck first in the sixth with Dave Chalk’s two-run double, briefly putting the Angels on top 3-2. But the Dodgers roared back. In the bottom half, Steve Yeager doubled home two runs, then Dusty Baker and Steve Garvey slammed back-to-back innings with long balls, breaking the game open. By the time Garvey’s 2-run shot sailed into the left-field pavilion, the crowd was in full celebration mode.
Tommy John gutted through 135 pitches, scattering five hits while inducing 13 groundouts. He wasn’t flawless, but every time the Angels sniffed a rally, he cut it off. Lance Rautzhan recorded the final two outs as fireworks streaked above Chavez Ravine.
For the Angels, Nolan Ryan battled but left after five innings with the game tied. The bullpen collapsed behind him, surrendering seven runs across the final three frames. Dave Chalk was a bright spot with two doubles and three RBIs, but California simply ran out of arms and opportunities.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, flashed everything that made them great — power, pitching, timely hitting, and the ability to seize momentum. Dusty Baker was named Series MVP, hitting .375 with two home runs and clutch performances throughout.

Los Angeles Dodgers wins the best-of-seven series, 4-2

Series MVP:

(.375, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 2B, .400 OBP, 1.067 OPS)