Wednesday, October 23, 1985 - World Series - Game 4 vs Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium II - Attendance: 53,634 - Starting Pitchers: John Tudor vs Bud Black
John Tudor blanked the Royals on five hits - while the Cardinal offense played a long-ball/Whitey Ball parlay - en route to a 3-0 Game Four World Series victory. With a three games to one lead over Kansas City in the Fall Classic, the Cardinals were on the cusp of their second world championship in four years.
With methodical efficiency, Tudor had this game under control from start to finish - issuing just one base on balls while striking out eight.
Meanwhile, Kansas City starter Bud Black made few mistakes in his five innings of work, but when he did, the Cardinals were able to capitalize. With one out in the second-inning, Tito Landrum's opposite-field solo home run down the right field line gave Tudor the only run he would need.
The unexpected power surge continued - when 1982 World Series hero Willie McGee launched another solo home run off Black - this one coming with two out in the third-inning.
In the fifth-inning, the Redbirds scored their final run of the night in a more conventional manner - at least for Whitey Herzog's '85 Cardinals. With one out, Terry Pendleton lined a triple in the right center field gap - then scored when catcher Tom Nieto laid down a perfect squeeze-play bunt. In fielding the ball, a distracted Black threw wildly past first base, allowing Nieto to reach second, but that was inconsequential. Nieto didn't score, but three runs were plenty tonight.
Those three runs would've come in handy in Game Six - the devastating 2-1 loss when Cardinal fans are still blaming a blown call at first base for costing the team a world championship. What really cost the Cardinals was their inability to hit - and score runs. Credit the Royals' pitching staff for doing their job against a once-potent Cardinals' offense.
With this Game Four win, manager Whitey Herzog still had his trump card available for a possible seventh game showdown - John Tudor - who had been so flawless for the Cardinals in his first two World Series starts.
Showing posts with label john tudor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label john tudor. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Friday, September 26, 2014
September 26, 1985 - Tudor Blanks Phillies, 5-0 - Notches 20th Win
Thursday, September 26, 1985 - At Busch Stadium II (John Tudor - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Philadelphia Phillies (Kevin Gross - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 23,598
The Cardinals completed a perfect 7-0 home-stand with a 5-0 win over the Phillies, as John Tudor went the distance - allowing just four hits to notch his twentieth win of the season. Most importantly, the Cardinals (97-56) maintained their four game lead over the New York Mets (93-60) - as their ace - Dwight Gooden - tossed a shutout of his own - blanking the Cubs at Wrigley Field by a 3-0 score.
Tudor, who didn't walk a batter, had little trouble keeping the Phillies off the bases - aside from right fielder Glenn Wilson, who was three for three (two singles and a double). The only other hit Tudor surrendered to anyone not named Glenn didn't happen until the ninth-inning - when third baseman Rick Schu singled. By that time, the Redbirds had already built-up a 5-0 lead - scoring in a variety of ways - just not hitting any home runs.
Their first run came in the second-inning when Terry Pendleton - batting with Andy Van Slyke on first and Darrell Porter on third - grounded into a 6-4-3 double play while Porter scored.
Porter started a two-out fourth-inning rally with a base on balls. Then, with Van Slyke batting, Porter surprised everyone by stealing second. Van Slyke also drew a free pass, then both runners scored on Pendleton's triple.
Strangely enough, the fastest man in baseball - Vince Coleman also grounded into a 6-4-3 double play in the fifth-inning, with John Tudor on first and Ozzie Smith on second. Ozzie advanced to third on the play, and scored when Willie McGee singled. After Phillies starter Kevin Gross (14-12) retired the side, his night was over after five innings - allowing four runs on four hits and three walks.
In the sixth, with goofball Larry Andersen working in relief, Porter started another rally by getting hit with a pitch - although Van Slyke forced him at second on a ground ball to first baseman Mike Schmidt. With Pendleton batting, Van Slyke decided the best way to atone for failing to advance Porter was to steal second - just like Porter. Pendleton then singled him over to third, which gave the Cards the chance to execute a double steal while Ozzie was taking his turn at bat. It worked to perfection - as Pendleton swiped second, Van Slyke made a mad dash for home - and made it, easily.
A double play, a two-run triple, a two-out single and a steal of home - that's a typical Cardinal run-scoring formula for manufacturing runs.
Tonight, with Tudor's performance, that second-inning double play grounder was all the run support needed to put this one in the "win" column.
The Cardinals completed a perfect 7-0 home-stand with a 5-0 win over the Phillies, as John Tudor went the distance - allowing just four hits to notch his twentieth win of the season. Most importantly, the Cardinals (97-56) maintained their four game lead over the New York Mets (93-60) - as their ace - Dwight Gooden - tossed a shutout of his own - blanking the Cubs at Wrigley Field by a 3-0 score.
Tudor, who didn't walk a batter, had little trouble keeping the Phillies off the bases - aside from right fielder Glenn Wilson, who was three for three (two singles and a double). The only other hit Tudor surrendered to anyone not named Glenn didn't happen until the ninth-inning - when third baseman Rick Schu singled. By that time, the Redbirds had already built-up a 5-0 lead - scoring in a variety of ways - just not hitting any home runs.
Their first run came in the second-inning when Terry Pendleton - batting with Andy Van Slyke on first and Darrell Porter on third - grounded into a 6-4-3 double play while Porter scored.
Porter started a two-out fourth-inning rally with a base on balls. Then, with Van Slyke batting, Porter surprised everyone by stealing second. Van Slyke also drew a free pass, then both runners scored on Pendleton's triple.
Strangely enough, the fastest man in baseball - Vince Coleman also grounded into a 6-4-3 double play in the fifth-inning, with John Tudor on first and Ozzie Smith on second. Ozzie advanced to third on the play, and scored when Willie McGee singled. After Phillies starter Kevin Gross (14-12) retired the side, his night was over after five innings - allowing four runs on four hits and three walks.
In the sixth, with goofball Larry Andersen working in relief, Porter started another rally by getting hit with a pitch - although Van Slyke forced him at second on a ground ball to first baseman Mike Schmidt. With Pendleton batting, Van Slyke decided the best way to atone for failing to advance Porter was to steal second - just like Porter. Pendleton then singled him over to third, which gave the Cards the chance to execute a double steal while Ozzie was taking his turn at bat. It worked to perfection - as Pendleton swiped second, Van Slyke made a mad dash for home - and made it, easily.
A double play, a two-run triple, a two-out single and a steal of home - that's a typical Cardinal run-scoring formula for manufacturing runs.
Tonight, with Tudor's performance, that second-inning double play grounder was all the run support needed to put this one in the "win" column.
Monday, August 11, 2014
August 11, 1987 - Cards Win See-Saw Battle in Pittsburgh
Tuesday, August 11, 1987 - At Three Rivers Stadium (John Tudor - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Pittsburgh Pirates (Rick Reuschel - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 14,637
In a see-saw battle with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cardinals broke a 4-4 tie - scoring two runs in the top of the ninth - and then held on for dear life to come away with a nail-biting 6-5 win. Ken Dayley - who pitched two perfect innings of relief - improved to 7-2, as Todd Worrell minimized the calamity in the bottom of the ninth to record his 24th save of the season.
John Tudor had a rough outing - allowing four runs in just five innings of work - but had been sidelined for most of the season after a freak dugout mishap in mid-April resulted in a smashed kneecap. He would eventually return to form as the season progressed, but would only make sixteen starts - about half of what he would normally log had he been able to avoid any trips to the DL.
For the Pirates, Rick Reuschel was hit hard, but manager Jim Leyland left him in for a full nine innings of work, almost as if his entire bullpen crew had been kidnapped. In nine innings, the soon-to-be-traded veteran (to San Francisco) coughed up six runs on twelve hits - but at least he got the complete game. To the casual observer, it seemed that Leyland either lost his senses, or fell into a coma - right in the middle of a very important game. But that's okay - the Cardinals won.
The Redbirds scored first, on Terry Pendleton's solo second-inning home run off the durable but ineffective Reuschel.
However, the Pirates quickly took the lead in the bottom of the second off a rusty Tudor - when Andy Van Slyke led-off with a single - then scored on Sid Bream's two-run shot deep to right.
St Louis tied the game in the fourth - on John Morris' two-out single - scoring Tommy Herr from third.
Pittsburgh untied it in the bottom of the fourth - on Johnny Ray's two-out solo blast.
After the Cardinals failed to score in the top of the fifth, the Pirates added another run in the bottom half - when Darnell Coles singled home Reuschel (who walked) from third.
Nursing a two-run lead, a tiring Reuschel went back to work in the sixth-inning - but couldn't hold the lead. Ozzie Smith started the rally with an infield single which third baseman Bobby Bonilla couldn't make a play on. Herr then doubled home Ozzie, as the Pirates bullpen was still missing in action. Meanwhile, Leyland began nodding off in the Pirates dugout, incredibly, with a lit cigarette dangling from his lower lip.
In the meantime, Willie McGee advanced Herr to third on a ground out to first baseman Bream - to Reuschel for the putout. Pendleton then tied the game once again - with a base hit to center.
Herzog - who rarely fell asleep in the dugout - brought in reliever Steve Peters to pitch the sixth-inning - and he survived it - two hits but no runs.
Meanwhile, Reuschel worked a scoreless seventh and eighth, while Ken Dayley - in relief of Peters - did the same.
The Cardinals broke through again in the ninth, when Tony Pena started a one-out rally with a single to left. Pinch hitting for Ken Dayley - Jose Oquendo - reached on another infield single which Bonilla could do nothing with. Vince Coleman also reached on an infield single to Bonilla - loading the bases. Concerned fans now were contacting local authorities as to the whereabouts of anyone matching the description of any relief pitcher currently under contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Ozzie then scored Pena from third on what is referred to as a "fielder's choice". The name and position of the "fielder" remains a mystery to this day; however, we do know that Smith was safe at first to re-load the bases for Herr - who scored Jose from third with a sacrifice fly to right field. That ended the scoring. As it turned out, those two extra runs were just enough to ensure victory.
Todd Worrell made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Consecutive singles by Cangelosi and Bonds put runners on first and second. The situation turned grave when the devious Al Pedrique laid down a perfect bunt which Worrell couldn't reach in time to get the speedy Pedrique.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, Worrell decided it was time to wriggle out of this predicament. He retired R.J. Reynolds on a fly ball to right - although it scored Cangelosi from third. Bonilla - who had a tough day in the field and especially at the plate (0 for 5) - struck out on some high heat. Worrell then got the dangerous Van Slyke on a pop fly to Ozzie - to end this crazy game.
Reuschel took the hard-earned complete game loss (8-6) - but proved he could pitch nine innings - regardless of the circumstances. He would make just one more start as a member of the Pirates - a six-inning no decision effort - before being shipped off to bolster the Giants' stretch run to the postseason.
Big Daddy would make two starts against the Cardinals in the '87 NLCS - losing Game 1 and getting a no decision in Game 5 - a game eventually won by the Giants. Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of this trade were the Cardinals. After all, had they lost Game 1, they would have lost the series to San Francisco in five games.
In a see-saw battle with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cardinals broke a 4-4 tie - scoring two runs in the top of the ninth - and then held on for dear life to come away with a nail-biting 6-5 win. Ken Dayley - who pitched two perfect innings of relief - improved to 7-2, as Todd Worrell minimized the calamity in the bottom of the ninth to record his 24th save of the season.
John Tudor had a rough outing - allowing four runs in just five innings of work - but had been sidelined for most of the season after a freak dugout mishap in mid-April resulted in a smashed kneecap. He would eventually return to form as the season progressed, but would only make sixteen starts - about half of what he would normally log had he been able to avoid any trips to the DL.
For the Pirates, Rick Reuschel was hit hard, but manager Jim Leyland left him in for a full nine innings of work, almost as if his entire bullpen crew had been kidnapped. In nine innings, the soon-to-be-traded veteran (to San Francisco) coughed up six runs on twelve hits - but at least he got the complete game. To the casual observer, it seemed that Leyland either lost his senses, or fell into a coma - right in the middle of a very important game. But that's okay - the Cardinals won.
The Redbirds scored first, on Terry Pendleton's solo second-inning home run off the durable but ineffective Reuschel.
However, the Pirates quickly took the lead in the bottom of the second off a rusty Tudor - when Andy Van Slyke led-off with a single - then scored on Sid Bream's two-run shot deep to right.
St Louis tied the game in the fourth - on John Morris' two-out single - scoring Tommy Herr from third.
Pittsburgh untied it in the bottom of the fourth - on Johnny Ray's two-out solo blast.
After the Cardinals failed to score in the top of the fifth, the Pirates added another run in the bottom half - when Darnell Coles singled home Reuschel (who walked) from third.
Nursing a two-run lead, a tiring Reuschel went back to work in the sixth-inning - but couldn't hold the lead. Ozzie Smith started the rally with an infield single which third baseman Bobby Bonilla couldn't make a play on. Herr then doubled home Ozzie, as the Pirates bullpen was still missing in action. Meanwhile, Leyland began nodding off in the Pirates dugout, incredibly, with a lit cigarette dangling from his lower lip.
In the meantime, Willie McGee advanced Herr to third on a ground out to first baseman Bream - to Reuschel for the putout. Pendleton then tied the game once again - with a base hit to center.
Herzog - who rarely fell asleep in the dugout - brought in reliever Steve Peters to pitch the sixth-inning - and he survived it - two hits but no runs.
Meanwhile, Reuschel worked a scoreless seventh and eighth, while Ken Dayley - in relief of Peters - did the same.
The Cardinals broke through again in the ninth, when Tony Pena started a one-out rally with a single to left. Pinch hitting for Ken Dayley - Jose Oquendo - reached on another infield single which Bonilla could do nothing with. Vince Coleman also reached on an infield single to Bonilla - loading the bases. Concerned fans now were contacting local authorities as to the whereabouts of anyone matching the description of any relief pitcher currently under contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Ozzie then scored Pena from third on what is referred to as a "fielder's choice". The name and position of the "fielder" remains a mystery to this day; however, we do know that Smith was safe at first to re-load the bases for Herr - who scored Jose from third with a sacrifice fly to right field. That ended the scoring. As it turned out, those two extra runs were just enough to ensure victory.
Todd Worrell made things interesting in the bottom of the ninth. Consecutive singles by Cangelosi and Bonds put runners on first and second. The situation turned grave when the devious Al Pedrique laid down a perfect bunt which Worrell couldn't reach in time to get the speedy Pedrique.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, Worrell decided it was time to wriggle out of this predicament. He retired R.J. Reynolds on a fly ball to right - although it scored Cangelosi from third. Bonilla - who had a tough day in the field and especially at the plate (0 for 5) - struck out on some high heat. Worrell then got the dangerous Van Slyke on a pop fly to Ozzie - to end this crazy game.
Reuschel took the hard-earned complete game loss (8-6) - but proved he could pitch nine innings - regardless of the circumstances. He would make just one more start as a member of the Pirates - a six-inning no decision effort - before being shipped off to bolster the Giants' stretch run to the postseason.
Big Daddy would make two starts against the Cardinals in the '87 NLCS - losing Game 1 and getting a no decision in Game 5 - a game eventually won by the Giants. Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of this trade were the Cardinals. After all, had they lost Game 1, they would have lost the series to San Francisco in five games.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
August 8, 1985 - Tudor Blanks Cubs on One Hit
Thursday, August 8, 1985 - At Busch Stadium II (John Tudor - Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Chicago Cubs (Scott Sanderson - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 39,203
John Tudor pitched the finest game of his major league career - a one-hit shutout of the Chicago Cubs - and got more than enough offensive support, as the Cardinals cruised to an easy 8-0 win. Tudor (14-8) allowed just two base runners all night - a two-out fourth-inning walk to Gary Matthews, and a one-out fifth-inning single off the bat of Leon Durham - while striking out six.
In essence, the game was decided just two batters into the game - when Vince Coleman doubled off Cubs starter Scott Sanderson (5-5) - advanced to third when right fielder Keith Moreland misplayed the ball - then scored when Willie McGee singled.
But the Cardinals were far from finished plating first-inning runs. Tommy Herr then scored McGee with a double to give the Redbirds a 2-0 lead. After Jack Clark flew out to left field, Andy Van Slyke hit one out to right - the two-run shot gave St Louis a 4-0 lead. Terry Pendleton then made it 5-0 with another home run - a rare back-to-back power display from a team known for its base stealing prowess - not the long ball.
The Cardinals knocked Sanderson out of the game in the fifth-inning - when Tudor led-off with a triple, then scored on Coleman's single. The relentless Vincent Van Go immediately stole second, then scored on McGee's single. That was it for Sanderson - as reliever Warren Brustar came in to pitch to Herr - who singled McGee over to third. Clark then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to make it an 8-0 game. At that point, the Cardinal offense took the rest of the night off - joining the Cubs in that capacity - at least for their final three at bats.
The Cardinal win enabled them to remain just a half-game behind the first-place New York Mets - who had already clobbered Montreal by a 14-7 score. The NL East would be a two-team race for the remainder of the season, as the Cards and Mets jockeyed for the top spot in the division, almost on a daily basis. In the end, St Louis would prevail, thanks in large part to the exceptional work from their left-handed ace - John Tudor - who had a few more sensational outings in his bag of tricks - although none would quite measure up to the performance he came up with on August 8.
John Tudor pitched the finest game of his major league career - a one-hit shutout of the Chicago Cubs - and got more than enough offensive support, as the Cardinals cruised to an easy 8-0 win. Tudor (14-8) allowed just two base runners all night - a two-out fourth-inning walk to Gary Matthews, and a one-out fifth-inning single off the bat of Leon Durham - while striking out six.
In essence, the game was decided just two batters into the game - when Vince Coleman doubled off Cubs starter Scott Sanderson (5-5) - advanced to third when right fielder Keith Moreland misplayed the ball - then scored when Willie McGee singled.
But the Cardinals were far from finished plating first-inning runs. Tommy Herr then scored McGee with a double to give the Redbirds a 2-0 lead. After Jack Clark flew out to left field, Andy Van Slyke hit one out to right - the two-run shot gave St Louis a 4-0 lead. Terry Pendleton then made it 5-0 with another home run - a rare back-to-back power display from a team known for its base stealing prowess - not the long ball.
The Cardinals knocked Sanderson out of the game in the fifth-inning - when Tudor led-off with a triple, then scored on Coleman's single. The relentless Vincent Van Go immediately stole second, then scored on McGee's single. That was it for Sanderson - as reliever Warren Brustar came in to pitch to Herr - who singled McGee over to third. Clark then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to make it an 8-0 game. At that point, the Cardinal offense took the rest of the night off - joining the Cubs in that capacity - at least for their final three at bats.
The Cardinal win enabled them to remain just a half-game behind the first-place New York Mets - who had already clobbered Montreal by a 14-7 score. The NL East would be a two-team race for the remainder of the season, as the Cards and Mets jockeyed for the top spot in the division, almost on a daily basis. In the end, St Louis would prevail, thanks in large part to the exceptional work from their left-handed ace - John Tudor - who had a few more sensational outings in his bag of tricks - although none would quite measure up to the performance he came up with on August 8.
Monday, June 23, 2014
June 23, 1984 - The Ryne Sandberg Game & June 23, 1985 - Revenge
Saturday, June 23, 1984 - At Wrigley Field (Ralph Citarella - Starting Pitcher) - Opposition: Chicago Cubs (Steve Trout - Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 38,079
The Ryne Sandberg Game. For fans of the Chicago Cubs, it's the closest thing to winning a World Series. For fans of the St Louis Cardinals, it's one of the most irritating regular season losses in the last thirty years; however, what makes it easier to accept is the fact that it wasn't an irritating postseason loss. Also, it happened in a lost season, anyway. Had the Cardinals managed to win that game, it wouldn't have changed their destiny.
Even for Bruce Sutter - who gave up both game tying home runs to Sandberg - he still made it to Cooperstown.
For Ryne Sandberg, however, his exploits in this nationally televised event catapulted him from a relatively obscure player to the odds-on favorite to win the NL Most Valuable Player Award. Of course, he did win the award - and he deserved it, with a league-best 8.5 WAR as proof.
For optimistic Cardinal fans, looking back thirty years ago - Sandberg's first game tying home run - in the ninth-inning - gave the beloved Willie McGee another chance to hit for the cycle.
McGee's first hit of the game - a bases-loaded second-inning triple - got him started in his elusive quest. It also helped his team establish a 7-1 lead, which would be impossible to protect on this day. The two biggest reasons:
(1) Ralph Citarella was the starting pitcher for St Louis.
His entire big league career consisted of two games started. This was his first - four days later he would start another game and be charged with the loss.
(2) Neil Allen was the next pitcher brought into this game for St Louis.
In the sixth-inning, nursing a comfortable 9-3 lead, Citarella walked Keith Moreland, leading off the inning. Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog had Citarella on a short lease and was prepared to bring in Neil Allen to restore order if another Cubs batter reached base. After striking out Jody Davis, Citarella probably had a little too much adrenalin rushing through his veins, hitting the next batter - Ron Cey - with a pitch. That was it, as far as Herzog was concerned. Neil Allen to the rescue.
Not only did Moreland and Cey come in to score in the sixth-inning, Neil Allen also coughed up three more runs of his own, to turn a Cardinal blowout into a nail-biting journey into the abyss. After more trouble ensued in the seventh-inning, Herzog then brought in his closer - Bruce Sutter - to get the final out.
Meanwhile, after his second-inning triple, McGee singled in his next trip to the plate, in an uneventful fourth-inning. Then, after Ozzie Smith singled in the sixth-inning, McGee got his third hit - a two-run home run - which gave the Cardinals that comfortable 9-3 lead to begin with.
McGee still needed a double to complete the cycle - but came up empty as he grounded out in the top of the eighth-inning, with the Cardinals clinging to that way-too-slim 9-8 lead.
Sutter remained in the game to pitch the eighth - and he did his job, keeping it a one-run ballgame. Unfortunately, Ryne Sandberg was the first hitter for Sutter in the bottom of the ninth - and he promptly tied the game with his first legendary home run deep to left.
Sutter still had his work cut out for him to escape the inning, but he got through it with the game still tied.
And that gave Willie McGee one more shot at the elusive cycle - in the tenth-inning.
After Ozzie singled to lead off the inning, McGee drove him in with the two-base hit he needed for the personal milestone. When Willie also scored an insurance run to give St Louis a comfortable 11-9 lead, this game seemed destined to be forever known as The Willie McGee Game.
Not only had the Cardinals' center fielder hit for the cycle, he had also driven in six runs. At this point, Sandberg had only driven in five. It would take a miracle for him to top McGee's performance.
Sutter had already blown a save - which would have earned Ralph Citarella his one and only major league win. Now, he was in line for the win - if he could protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the tenth.
After retiring the first two batters, light-hitting Bob Dernier was Sutter's next challenge - with Ryne Sandberg lurking in the on-deck circle for Chicago. Dernier, who hit three home runs in 1984, was hardly a threat to go deep against Sutter - unlike the guy in the on-deck circle. In this situation, a walk is as good as a home run - and that's precisely what Dernier accomplished.
After Sandberg connected for his second home run in as many innings off the stunned Sutter, Bob Costas - who was calling the game in the NBC broadcast booth - exclaimed, "Do you believe it!?"
No Bob, at the time, I couldn't believe it - and neither could Sutter, whose flinching reaction to the second Sandberg home run was uncharacteristic for the usually stoic Sutter. Alas, The Willie McGee Game suddenly became The Ryne Sandberg Game - just like that.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Cubs would win the game in the eleventh - and they did. The Ryne Sandberg Game was finally over - an eleven-inning 12-11 win over the Cardinals. It was an excruciating loss - no doubt - but revenge was just one year away.
Sunday, June 23, 1985 - At Busch Stadium II (John Tudor-Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Chicago Cubs (Dick Ruthven- Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 45,881
One year had passed since The Willie McGee/Ryne Sandberg Game. The Cardinals' roster had some noticeable additions in this game - Jack Clark (acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants), rookie sensation Vince Coleman, and of course, John Tudor (acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates).
John Tudor did it all tonight - driving in the first run of the game for the Cardinals - the only run he'd need - (although they added six more runs just for fun) shutting out the team that had mauled the Cardinals for 12 runs just one year ago. Shutting them out on two hits, one walk and six strikeouts. Shutting them out to give the first-place Cardinals their second straight three-game series sweep over their bitter rivals - which is exactly what the Cubs did to the Cardinals the previous year.
Sweet revenge.
The Ryne Sandberg Game. For fans of the Chicago Cubs, it's the closest thing to winning a World Series. For fans of the St Louis Cardinals, it's one of the most irritating regular season losses in the last thirty years; however, what makes it easier to accept is the fact that it wasn't an irritating postseason loss. Also, it happened in a lost season, anyway. Had the Cardinals managed to win that game, it wouldn't have changed their destiny.
Even for Bruce Sutter - who gave up both game tying home runs to Sandberg - he still made it to Cooperstown.
For Ryne Sandberg, however, his exploits in this nationally televised event catapulted him from a relatively obscure player to the odds-on favorite to win the NL Most Valuable Player Award. Of course, he did win the award - and he deserved it, with a league-best 8.5 WAR as proof.
For optimistic Cardinal fans, looking back thirty years ago - Sandberg's first game tying home run - in the ninth-inning - gave the beloved Willie McGee another chance to hit for the cycle.
McGee's first hit of the game - a bases-loaded second-inning triple - got him started in his elusive quest. It also helped his team establish a 7-1 lead, which would be impossible to protect on this day. The two biggest reasons:
(1) Ralph Citarella was the starting pitcher for St Louis.
His entire big league career consisted of two games started. This was his first - four days later he would start another game and be charged with the loss.
(2) Neil Allen was the next pitcher brought into this game for St Louis.
In the sixth-inning, nursing a comfortable 9-3 lead, Citarella walked Keith Moreland, leading off the inning. Cardinals manager Whitey Herzog had Citarella on a short lease and was prepared to bring in Neil Allen to restore order if another Cubs batter reached base. After striking out Jody Davis, Citarella probably had a little too much adrenalin rushing through his veins, hitting the next batter - Ron Cey - with a pitch. That was it, as far as Herzog was concerned. Neil Allen to the rescue.
Not only did Moreland and Cey come in to score in the sixth-inning, Neil Allen also coughed up three more runs of his own, to turn a Cardinal blowout into a nail-biting journey into the abyss. After more trouble ensued in the seventh-inning, Herzog then brought in his closer - Bruce Sutter - to get the final out.
Meanwhile, after his second-inning triple, McGee singled in his next trip to the plate, in an uneventful fourth-inning. Then, after Ozzie Smith singled in the sixth-inning, McGee got his third hit - a two-run home run - which gave the Cardinals that comfortable 9-3 lead to begin with.
McGee still needed a double to complete the cycle - but came up empty as he grounded out in the top of the eighth-inning, with the Cardinals clinging to that way-too-slim 9-8 lead.
Sutter remained in the game to pitch the eighth - and he did his job, keeping it a one-run ballgame. Unfortunately, Ryne Sandberg was the first hitter for Sutter in the bottom of the ninth - and he promptly tied the game with his first legendary home run deep to left.
Sutter still had his work cut out for him to escape the inning, but he got through it with the game still tied.
And that gave Willie McGee one more shot at the elusive cycle - in the tenth-inning.
After Ozzie singled to lead off the inning, McGee drove him in with the two-base hit he needed for the personal milestone. When Willie also scored an insurance run to give St Louis a comfortable 11-9 lead, this game seemed destined to be forever known as The Willie McGee Game.
Not only had the Cardinals' center fielder hit for the cycle, he had also driven in six runs. At this point, Sandberg had only driven in five. It would take a miracle for him to top McGee's performance.
Sutter had already blown a save - which would have earned Ralph Citarella his one and only major league win. Now, he was in line for the win - if he could protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the tenth.
After retiring the first two batters, light-hitting Bob Dernier was Sutter's next challenge - with Ryne Sandberg lurking in the on-deck circle for Chicago. Dernier, who hit three home runs in 1984, was hardly a threat to go deep against Sutter - unlike the guy in the on-deck circle. In this situation, a walk is as good as a home run - and that's precisely what Dernier accomplished.
After Sandberg connected for his second home run in as many innings off the stunned Sutter, Bob Costas - who was calling the game in the NBC broadcast booth - exclaimed, "Do you believe it!?"
No Bob, at the time, I couldn't believe it - and neither could Sutter, whose flinching reaction to the second Sandberg home run was uncharacteristic for the usually stoic Sutter. Alas, The Willie McGee Game suddenly became The Ryne Sandberg Game - just like that.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Cubs would win the game in the eleventh - and they did. The Ryne Sandberg Game was finally over - an eleven-inning 12-11 win over the Cardinals. It was an excruciating loss - no doubt - but revenge was just one year away.
Sunday, June 23, 1985 - At Busch Stadium II (John Tudor-Starting Pitcher) - Opponent: Chicago Cubs (Dick Ruthven- Starting Pitcher) - Attendance: 45,881
One year had passed since The Willie McGee/Ryne Sandberg Game. The Cardinals' roster had some noticeable additions in this game - Jack Clark (acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants), rookie sensation Vince Coleman, and of course, John Tudor (acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates).
John Tudor did it all tonight - driving in the first run of the game for the Cardinals - the only run he'd need - (although they added six more runs just for fun) shutting out the team that had mauled the Cardinals for 12 runs just one year ago. Shutting them out on two hits, one walk and six strikeouts. Shutting them out to give the first-place Cardinals their second straight three-game series sweep over their bitter rivals - which is exactly what the Cubs did to the Cardinals the previous year.
Sweet revenge.
Friday, June 13, 2014
June 13, 1985 - Clark & Tudor Doing What They Do Best
Thursday, June 13, 1985 - At Three Rivers Stadium: In a game played before an intimate gathering of 4,833 innocent bystanders, the Cardinals used a little power from their main source and another nice pitching performance from the lefty acquired in a trade with these Pittsburgh Pirates - to post a 2-1 win.
Jack Clark's second-inning solo home run off Pirates starter Larry McWilliams (3-5) gave John Tudor (4-7) just about all the run support he'd need today - at least through the first six innings. In the seventh, Tito Landrum gave Tudor an insurance run with a run scoring double - bringing Tommy Herr in from second, to make it a 2-0 ballgame.
Those were the only two hits McWilliams would allow in his seven innings of work, but he also issued four walks - and one of those - to Herr - proved costly.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jason Thompson connected for a solo home run of his own, to cut the deficit to a single run - giving manager Whitey Herzog a reason to get activity going down in the Cardinals' bullpen.
Tudor, who would complete 14 of his 34 starts in '85, got the first two out in the ninth-inning - but when the dangerous George Hendrick came up to bat, Herzog went to the bullpen.
Hendrick had been a mainstay in the Cardinals lineup during their '82 World Championship season - but the Cardinals needed another reliable starter and the Pirates needed another reliable bat - so the trade was made: Hendrick for Tudor.
Herzog knew Silent George was particularly dangerous against left-hand pitching, so didn't hesitate to yank the disappointed Tudor out of this one, nursing just a one-run lead. Jeff Lahti took care of his former teammate - blowing a third strike past him - for his fourth save of the season.
With the departure of closer Bruce Sutter to Atlanta via free agency, Herzog employed the Closer By Committee formula for most of the '85 season - and it worked beautifully. Remarkably, the Cardinals never lost a game all season long when they held a ninth-inning lead. Never. Until the postseason. Game 6 - World Series...
Jack Clark's second-inning solo home run off Pirates starter Larry McWilliams (3-5) gave John Tudor (4-7) just about all the run support he'd need today - at least through the first six innings. In the seventh, Tito Landrum gave Tudor an insurance run with a run scoring double - bringing Tommy Herr in from second, to make it a 2-0 ballgame.
Those were the only two hits McWilliams would allow in his seven innings of work, but he also issued four walks - and one of those - to Herr - proved costly.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jason Thompson connected for a solo home run of his own, to cut the deficit to a single run - giving manager Whitey Herzog a reason to get activity going down in the Cardinals' bullpen.
Tudor, who would complete 14 of his 34 starts in '85, got the first two out in the ninth-inning - but when the dangerous George Hendrick came up to bat, Herzog went to the bullpen.
Hendrick had been a mainstay in the Cardinals lineup during their '82 World Championship season - but the Cardinals needed another reliable starter and the Pirates needed another reliable bat - so the trade was made: Hendrick for Tudor.
Herzog knew Silent George was particularly dangerous against left-hand pitching, so didn't hesitate to yank the disappointed Tudor out of this one, nursing just a one-run lead. Jeff Lahti took care of his former teammate - blowing a third strike past him - for his fourth save of the season.
With the departure of closer Bruce Sutter to Atlanta via free agency, Herzog employed the Closer By Committee formula for most of the '85 season - and it worked beautifully. Remarkably, the Cardinals never lost a game all season long when they held a ninth-inning lead. Never. Until the postseason. Game 6 - World Series...
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
June 3, 1985 - Runnin' Redbirds Run Ryan Ragged
Monday, June 3, 1985 - John Tudor felt confident going into this game with the Houston Astros, although his last start, in Atlanta, hadn't gone so well. For that matter, the entire season hadn't gone so well for the taciturn Tudor. In his latest six innings of futility, he had been hit hard - five runs on eight hits - losing to the Braves, 5-3. With just one win against seven losses, Tudor had hit rock bottom.
A buddy of his, who happened to be watching the game on Braves' Super Station WTBS, also happened to discover a subtle flaw in Tudor's delivery. One phone call later, Tudor had been enlightened. Now, he could hardly wait for his next start.
Nolan Ryan was Tudor's mound opponent for this game at Busch Stadium II, as a crowd of just 18,891 filed through the turnstiles - an indication that the Cardinal fan base hadn't bought into how good this team really was. They were about to find out, right off the bat.
After Tudor retired the Astros in order in the first-inning, the Cardinals went to work in the bottom half. Vince Coleman coaxed a walk out of Ryan, then wasted no time in stealing second with Willie McGee at the plate. Willie then beat out an infield hit, as Coleman moved to third. With Tommy Herr batting, McGee took off for second, but was nailed for the first out of the inning. Ryan - a bit wild tonight - walked the patient Herr. With cleanup hitter Jack Clark batting, Coleman decided to surprise the whole world by stealing home. Not to be outdone, Herr then stole second and advanced to third as the throw from the catcher skipped into center field. Clark, probably a bit distracted by all the activity on the bases, struck out; but Andy Van Slyke picked up the two-out RBI with a double down the right field line. The next hitter, Terry Pendleton popped up to the first baseman as Van Slyke became the first Cardinal base runner in the inning to not attempt a stolen base.
The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the third, when McGee singled with one out, then scored on Herr's double. With Clark batting, Ryan uncorked a wild pitch, moving Herr to third. After Clark popped out to the first baseman in foul territory, Van Slyke once again delivered a two-out run-scoring hit - a single to center. Pendleton flew out to left to end the inning, but Tudor now had a comfortable 4-0 lead to work with.
After Houston failed to score in the fifth-inning, St Louis broke the game wide open in the bottom half. Coleman led off with a single, but this time was nailed trying to steal second. McGee, who had already been thrown out stealing in the first-inning, decided to give it another try, after lining a single to center. He made it this time, then came around to score on Herr's base hit to right. Before Herr had a chance to do anything funny, Clark deposited a Ryan fastball into the left field bleachers. Van Slyke then got his third straight hit, advanced to second on a two-out walk to Ozzie Smith - which ended Ryan's nightmarish outing - then scored the fourth and final run of the inning when Tom Nieto greeted new pitcher Bill Dawley with a base hit to center.
Tudor may have lost his concentration with that eight-nothing lead as he faced the Astros in the sixth-inning. A walk and two singles had a run in for Houston, with runners at the corners with nobody out. At that point, Tudor was replaced by Ken Dayley, who had some issues of his own in the inning, as the Astros scored four runs - two of which were unearned. He went on to pitch the final four innings, securing an eventual 9-5 win with his fifth save of the season.
Things got a little sloppy at the end of this game, but Tudor was now on track, really for the first time all season. In his next start against the Mets at Shea Stadium, there would be no momentary lapses in concentration. He'd win a 1-0 thriller over Dwight Gooden - the first of a league-leading ten shutouts he'd bag in '85. After that dreadful 1-7 start, and some helpful advice from an old friend, Tudor would become the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, winning 20 out his next 21 decisions.
As for this game, it was pretty obvious the Cardinals were a running team. They stole four bases, got caught stealing three times. Even Tudor tried to steal a bag - unsuccessfully. The '85 Cardinals were a team built for speed. They would run whenever they had a chance to run, which was just about anytime they got on base. They would wreck havoc on the bases, causing the opposition to get out of sync - make bad throws, mishandle otherwise routine plays.
The strategy worked to perfection tonight. It undoubtedly affected Nolan Ryan's game - his concentration. In short, these runnin' Redbirds ran Ryan ragged tonight. They were just getting started. After this game, the Cardinals (25-23) were still a fourth-place team in the National League East - still 5 games behind the New York Mets. After tonight, however, St Louis would post the best record in baseball - 76-38 - a .667 winning percentage - good enough for a division title.
Not bad for a team universally picked to finish last by all the baseball experts.
A buddy of his, who happened to be watching the game on Braves' Super Station WTBS, also happened to discover a subtle flaw in Tudor's delivery. One phone call later, Tudor had been enlightened. Now, he could hardly wait for his next start.
Nolan Ryan was Tudor's mound opponent for this game at Busch Stadium II, as a crowd of just 18,891 filed through the turnstiles - an indication that the Cardinal fan base hadn't bought into how good this team really was. They were about to find out, right off the bat.
After Tudor retired the Astros in order in the first-inning, the Cardinals went to work in the bottom half. Vince Coleman coaxed a walk out of Ryan, then wasted no time in stealing second with Willie McGee at the plate. Willie then beat out an infield hit, as Coleman moved to third. With Tommy Herr batting, McGee took off for second, but was nailed for the first out of the inning. Ryan - a bit wild tonight - walked the patient Herr. With cleanup hitter Jack Clark batting, Coleman decided to surprise the whole world by stealing home. Not to be outdone, Herr then stole second and advanced to third as the throw from the catcher skipped into center field. Clark, probably a bit distracted by all the activity on the bases, struck out; but Andy Van Slyke picked up the two-out RBI with a double down the right field line. The next hitter, Terry Pendleton popped up to the first baseman as Van Slyke became the first Cardinal base runner in the inning to not attempt a stolen base.
The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the third, when McGee singled with one out, then scored on Herr's double. With Clark batting, Ryan uncorked a wild pitch, moving Herr to third. After Clark popped out to the first baseman in foul territory, Van Slyke once again delivered a two-out run-scoring hit - a single to center. Pendleton flew out to left to end the inning, but Tudor now had a comfortable 4-0 lead to work with.
After Houston failed to score in the fifth-inning, St Louis broke the game wide open in the bottom half. Coleman led off with a single, but this time was nailed trying to steal second. McGee, who had already been thrown out stealing in the first-inning, decided to give it another try, after lining a single to center. He made it this time, then came around to score on Herr's base hit to right. Before Herr had a chance to do anything funny, Clark deposited a Ryan fastball into the left field bleachers. Van Slyke then got his third straight hit, advanced to second on a two-out walk to Ozzie Smith - which ended Ryan's nightmarish outing - then scored the fourth and final run of the inning when Tom Nieto greeted new pitcher Bill Dawley with a base hit to center.
Tudor may have lost his concentration with that eight-nothing lead as he faced the Astros in the sixth-inning. A walk and two singles had a run in for Houston, with runners at the corners with nobody out. At that point, Tudor was replaced by Ken Dayley, who had some issues of his own in the inning, as the Astros scored four runs - two of which were unearned. He went on to pitch the final four innings, securing an eventual 9-5 win with his fifth save of the season.
Things got a little sloppy at the end of this game, but Tudor was now on track, really for the first time all season. In his next start against the Mets at Shea Stadium, there would be no momentary lapses in concentration. He'd win a 1-0 thriller over Dwight Gooden - the first of a league-leading ten shutouts he'd bag in '85. After that dreadful 1-7 start, and some helpful advice from an old friend, Tudor would become the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, winning 20 out his next 21 decisions.
As for this game, it was pretty obvious the Cardinals were a running team. They stole four bases, got caught stealing three times. Even Tudor tried to steal a bag - unsuccessfully. The '85 Cardinals were a team built for speed. They would run whenever they had a chance to run, which was just about anytime they got on base. They would wreck havoc on the bases, causing the opposition to get out of sync - make bad throws, mishandle otherwise routine plays.
The strategy worked to perfection tonight. It undoubtedly affected Nolan Ryan's game - his concentration. In short, these runnin' Redbirds ran Ryan ragged tonight. They were just getting started. After this game, the Cardinals (25-23) were still a fourth-place team in the National League East - still 5 games behind the New York Mets. After tonight, however, St Louis would post the best record in baseball - 76-38 - a .667 winning percentage - good enough for a division title.
Not bad for a team universally picked to finish last by all the baseball experts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)