All-Time Tourney Rules and Explanation
The first round is done and we head to the semi-finals of our All-Time Phillies Tournament. The first match-up is all about the aces, Steve Carlton for 1980 and Robin Roberts for 1950. Off the top of my head, it’s hard to think of a franchise that can boast a better lefty/righty combination than that. And thanks to the magic of the internet, we can simulate what might happen if they matched up in real life.
Let’s get to the games…
Game 1: 1980 Phillies 5, 1950 Phillies 3 – (1980 leads series 1-0)
Lots of clutch hitting for the ’80 team leads to 1 run in each of the first four innings against Roberts, including an RBI by Carlton. Carlton was absolutely un-hittable for the first 7 innings and it seemed like he would just cruise through 9. However, 1950 broke through in 8th, scoring 3 runs, with the key hit a 2 RBI double by Granny Hamner. Tug McGraw relieved Carlton in the 9th to shut it down for ’80. Both Carlton and Roberts finished with 3 ER in 8 IP.
Game 2: 1980 Phillies 3, 1950 Phillies 2 – (1980 leads series 2-0)
Even though Game 1 was the big pitchers duel, Game 2 ended up as a better one. 1950 led 2-0 into the 8th behind Curt Simmons, but 1980 scored 1 in the 8th on a George Vukovich PH triple, and then 2 in the top of the ninth to take the lead on a 2-run 2B by Manny Trillo. For 1980, Dick Ruthven allowed 2 runs in 5 innings and then Ron Reed, Kevin Saucier and Tug McGraw allowed only 1 hit in the final 4 innings.
Game 3: 1950 Phillies 8, 1980 Phillies 7 – (1980 leads series 2-1)
With 1950 down 6-1 in 3rd (3 more RBI for Trillo), it seems that the series might be over quick. But, Bob Walk hilariously lives up to his name for 1980, walking six hitters, and allowing 1950 back in the game, and they cut it to 6-5 after 7. In the 8th, a series-changing blow comes in the form of a 2-run single by Dick Sisler, followed up by an RBI single by Andy Seminick. Jim Konstanty survives a 9th inning scare and 1950 takes the win.
Game 4: 1980 Phillies 9, 1950 Phillies 2 – (1980 leads series 3-1)
Both teams big back their big guns on 3-days rest, and it completely backfires on 1950 as Roberts gets creamed on short rest. Gary Maddox has 3 RBI, Trillo keeps it going with 2 more and Schmidt, McBride, Luzinski and Boone all add 1. However, you could say that Roberts was just not as lucky as Carlton, who allowed fifteen hits, but only gave up 2 runs, because the 1950 team left fifteen runners on base. Very frustrating loss for 1950.
Game 5: 1950 Phillies 6, 1980 Phillies 4 – (1980 leads series 3-2)
1950 bounces back from the Game 4 debacle behind Richie Ashburn and Eddie Waitkus. Waitkus sets the table at the top, getting on base all 5 times he goes the plate, and also knocking in 2. Ashburn does the same in 2-hole with 3 hits and 2 RBI.Curt Simmons puts together his 2nd quality start (8 IP, 3 ER), but this time gets the win.
Game 6: 1950 Phillies 5, 1980 Phillies 3 – (Series tied 3-3)
1950 completes their comeback, tying the series up at 3 with another close victory. Familiar names in this series, Ashburn and Seminick, lead a 4 run 5th for 1950, once again chasing Bob Walk. Bob Miller only goes 5 for ’50, but Ken Heintzelman and Konstanty lock down the last 4 innings. Luzinski is the goat for 1980, going 0-4 and leaving 5 on base.
Game 7: 1980 Phillies 7, 1950 Phillies 5 – (1980 wins series 4-3)
For the 3rd time in the series, Roberts and Carlton match-up, and for the 3rd time, Carlton emerges victorious. Neither pitcher pitches particularly well, but once again Roberts struggles mightily, giving up 6 ER in 6 IP. 1980 jumped all over him in the first 2 innings, with the Bull making up for his Game 6, knocking in Schmidt and Rose in the 1st. In the 2nd, Larry Bowa hits a rare HR and Schmidt adds an RBI single, giving 1980 a 5-1 lead they never give up. Carlton pitches himself into trouble in 9th (2 on, 0 out, 1 run in) but McGraw comes in, and of course, saves the series for 1980.
Summary
The Carlton/Roberts match-up didn’t materialize as we would have predicted, but you can bet that Roberts would be having nightmares about Lefty after this won. Carlton takes the MVP, going 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 25 innings pitched. He pitched 40% of the total innings in the series for the ’80 team.
1980 advances to the championship despite being the lowest seed in the tournament. They will either face last year’s 2009 squad, or their counterparts from 1977 in the finals.
NEXT UP! 2009 vs. 1977 in the other Semis match-up
No matter what happens can you do 1980 vs. 2008 match-up of WS winners for the heck of it?
I’d be very okay with the 77 club matching the 80 squad in the final series. As I suggested earlier, the 77 club drew unfavorable playoff matchups (Dodgers with Yanks in the wings) while the 80 club drew the Stros and Royals. Not that HOU and KC were not good, but the 77 club was quite good, and might have just drawn sterner competition.. I’d be interested to see how 80 versus 77 turns out.
Is there a reason Bake McBride is hitting 4th instead of Luzinski? Walk ahead of LC in the rotation? Does that effect the games? In 1980, Pete hit leadoff, Bowa second. I don’t remember where Bake hit, but it wasn’t fourth. I thought it was Bake, Schmidt, Bull, Maddox, Trillo, Boone after Pete and Bo. I don’t know if that effects the games, more curious than anything.
Any source of mild concern about Johnny Damon winding up with the Braves?
for the 1950 Phillies: Waitkus as lead-off and Ashburn as #2 hitter? Please explain.
Though it wasn’t his regular position in the order, Bake McBride did occasionally hit clean-up for the ’80 Phillies - including 4 times in the postseason.
B-R doesn’t have splits for the ’50 season. But, the regular lineup was Waitkus leading off and Ashburn batting second, according to books I’ve read about the season.