1982 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Old Mill vs. Fort Worth –

Game 1
M. Soto FWP – 1982 Season – 1st in wins, 2nd in win pct, 5th in ERA, 2nd in SO, and had the best run support in the league at 6.7 per game.
J. Niekro OML – 1982 Season – tied for 2nd in wins, 6th in ERA, 2nd in IP, 2nd in CG, tied for 3rd in shutouts, and had the 2nd best run support at 5.9 per game.
The Legends load the bases with no outs in the top of the first as the first 3 hitters reached on a pair of singles and a walk, but they could only manage one run on a sac fly by Harrah. The big defensive play for the Panthers to hold Old Mill to just one run was when Hernandez got Evans out trying to go to 2nd base on Harrah’s fly ball. Ft. Worth ties the game in the bottom of the first on a ground out by Lansford.
Panther 2B, Joe Morgan breaks the tie in the bottom of the 2nd slamming the first pitch he sees for a solo shot just inside the right field foul pole.
In top of the 3rd Legends LF, Evans redeems himself for his base running gaffe in the first, “MOLITOR extending his lead … SOTO into his motion … delivers a towering fly ball to left center … it’s back … way back … gone! … home run for EVANS SOTO kicks the rubber … not happy with that pitch … EVANS will touch all the bases and he’s sure taking his time … he’s greeted at the plate. LEGENDS 3, PANTHERS 2” In the home half of the 3rd inning the Panther re-took the lead made possible when twice batters made it to first base before a double play could be completed (Lansford and Gamble). Their hustling paid off as Panther catcher Parrish; the 1982 AL home run leader hit a 2 run shot putting Ft. Worth back into the lead at 4-3.
The two starting pitchers tamed the hitters over the next few innings. The Panthers had a chance for an insurance run in the 7th but Hernandez was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a sac fly.
In the top of the 8th Legend’s RF, Winfield greets Panther reliever, McLaughlin with a long home run to left to tie the game at 4.
In the bottom of the 9th Panther’s CF, Richards leads off with a single and steals 2nd. Then after pinch hitter May walked Ft. Worth LF, Bonnell stepped to the plate, “The runners take their lead … the pitch … sliced down the right field line will it stay fair? … yes! it’s in play … WINFIELD’s after it … it’s all over! RICHARDS scores And that’s it! … the PANTHERS have won it!” Final score PANTHERS 5, LEGENDS 4

Game 2
R. May FWP – 1982 Season – as a starter 8-1 58.2 IP, 0.92 ERA
S. Rogers OML – 1982 Season – tied for 2nd in wins, 2nd in ERA, 1st in IP, 1st in GS, and 1st in QS
Old Mill opens the scoring again in the opening frame scoring on a wild pitch and a fielder’s choice to go up 2-0 on the Panthers.
Panther’s starter May settles down and matches Legend’s starter Rogers with goose eggs over the next several innings.
In the bottom of the 5th the Panthers struck back. Morgan led off with a walk, stole 2nd and later scored on a Smalley single. It was Ft. Worth’s first hit of the game. Later in the inning game one hero Bonnell came up with two runners on and two outs and lances a double down the right field line. Hernandez running all the way from first scores ahead of Molitor’s relay throw from Winfield to give the Panthers the lead at 3 to 2.
The Panthers attacked again in the bottom of the 6th when Cedeno singles home two runs and then scores later in the inning on a throwing error as the Panthers expand their lead to 6 to 2.
It looked like Ft. Worth was going to cruise to victory, but Legends don’t die easily. In the 8th first Evans doubles home Molitor then Harrah singles home Raines to bring Old Mill to within 2. Both hits were line shots hit so hard the runners could only advance one base. With two outs and runners on the corners Winfield blooped a single past Panther SS Stanley to make it a 1 run game.
But Panther fireman, Scurry slams the door shut in the top of the 9th striking out the side. Ft. Worth goes up 2 games in the ALCS. Final score PANTHERS 6, LEGENDS 5

Game 3 – Fort Worth starts off fast and furious scoring 3 runs in the top of the 1st. Old Mill gets 1 back in the bottom of the 1st on an RBI single by Toby Harrah. Old Mill ties the score on a walk by Winfield and a 2 run homer by Money in the bottom of the 2nd. The Legends would take the lead in the 4th on an RBI single by Castillo, 4-3. The score would remain that way until the bottom of the 5th when the Legends would explode for 7 runs, led by a grand slam from Dwight Evans. The final would be 12-6. Lollar got the win and Stuper the loss. Fort Worth leads the series 2-1

Game 4 – The game would be scoreless until the bottom of the 3rd when Willie Aikens leads off with a solo homer to give the Legends a 1-0 lead. Raines and Evans would later score on hits to give the Legends a 3-0 edge. Top 4, Smalley would double in 2 runs to cut the lead to 3-2. Bottom 5, Raines would score on a double by Harrah to increase the Legends lead to 4-2. Harrah would later score on a hit by Zisk to make it 5-2 Legends. Bottom 6, Dwight Evans would put the game out of reach by hitting his 2nd grand slam in as many games and giving the Legends a 9-2 lead. The Legends would add 2 more to win 11-2 and tie the series at 2 game a piece. Sutton got the win and Christenson the loss.

Game 5 – The Panthers would jump out to a 1-0 lead on a homerun by Gamble in the 2nd. Panthers would increase their lead to 2-0 as Winfield drops out #3 in the 3rd. Hernandez would score on that error. Bottom 3, Winfield would hit a 3 run homer to give the Legends a 3-2 lead. Winfield would score in the bottom of the 5th on a fielders choice making the score 4-2. Winfield would later score that inning to make the score 5-2. Top 7, with runners on 1st and 3rd, Hernandez would knock both of them home to make the score 5-4. Old Mill would add 1 more to make the final 6-4. Niekro gets the win and Soto the loss. The series goes back to Fort Worth with Old Mill leading 3 games to 2.

Game 6 – featured a great pitching duel between May for FWP and Rogers for OLM. Old Mill gets the first run of the game when Money lead off the third inning, “Here’s the pitch … and a long one … into left field … LINARES looks up … adios! good-bye! … arrividerci! Legends 1, Panthers 0.” For Money it was his 2nd home run and 6th hit of the series. For Old Mill it would be the first of only 3 hits in the game.
Although the Panthers were getting a few more hits they were still stifled against Rogers until the bottom of the 9th when RF, Gamble led off the inning, “Now ROGERS pitches … GAMBLE blasts a drive to right center … it might have the distance it rattles the wall … RAINES plays the carom … GAMBLE’s going for two … here’s the throw and GAMBLE pulls in to second with a long double … so fasten your seat belts once again the tying run is now at second base” Rookie OF, McGee came on to pinch run for Gamble going to third on a bouncer back to the mound by Parrish and then scored on a wild pitch, “The LEGENDS are looking for the play at the plate … MCGEE at third with his arms out, crouched looks at third … he fakes the throw … now the pitcher’s back on the rubber the pitch comes in … way outside … and it gets by BOONE! … MCGEE’s coming down the line he’ll score … tie ballgame!” Ft. Worth’s double play combo couldn’t do anything with one out so we went to extra innings.
The Panthers again had a lead off double in the 10th this time by Cedeno. Old Mill walked Richards to create a force and Rogers faced Hernandez with two men on, “The runners take their lead … he brings it in … high and way wide BOONE would need a net to catch that one … it goes back to the screen both runners move up a base… The runners take their lead … he brings it in … the swing … his bat snaps it two! the barrel is headed out toward short … and the ball pops over second into shallow right it’ll be a base hit … it’s all over! … CEDENO scores” Final Panthers 2, Legends

Game 7 – FINAL SCORE : LEGENDS 3, PANTHERS 7

 
Valdosta vs. Germantown –

Hello from Germantown, where the Grays host the Bombers from Valdosta for the first two of a seven-game set for the League championship. Sit back and enjoy, it’s a clear brisk night at 27 degrees.

Game 1 – The Grays send righthander Charlie Lea out to face lefty legend Floyd Bannister. With 2-out in the 1st the bombers strike. Downing with a solo shot to left center. Cooper answers with DeCinces aboard in the second , Grays 2-1. Downing matches Cooper in the 3rd with Baker aboard, Bombers 3-2. IS THIS JACKSON IN DISGUISE? Cooper evens the feat with a solo shot in the 4th, 3-3. Let’s sit back and admire these to go at it. You probably didn’t expect this, but in the 5th after a Baker double, Downing delivers with his third homer of the day to put the Bombers up 5-3. He rounded the bases, clapped his hands and glanced over to first as if to say ‘match that’. Well sports fans with Yount and DeCinces aboard and Cooper coming to the plate the Bombers pulled Bannister and brought in old Gray teammate Koosman. Cooper lifted one deep to left, but not deep enough. I think the switching of the pitchers should nullify the challenge. The Grays go on to fill the bases and bring PH Petralli to the plate. Koosman gets the K and possibly the game against his old team. He may be celebrating tonight. In the 7th the Grays bring in Deleon to face Downing with Baker aboard. No matter, Downing put it way out over the right field wall. Okay Downing wins, we have had enough, Bombers err Downing 7 Grays 3. Mercy. ….Mercy, mercy. Grays fans you can open your eyes again. In the bottom of the 7th Otis draws a walk, Dawson doubles. Yount produces an RBI ground out, DeCinces an RBI single and you may of guessed it, Cooper ties it up with his 3rd homer of the day a 2-run shot around the pole just over the wall to right, 7-7. Yep fans, that was just out of Downing’s reach. What a barnburner, time to restart. In the top of the 9th, 2-out, Baker on second Downing, 4-4 on the day, comes to the plate. He grounds to short. Is this an omen? In the bottom of the 9th, 2-out, runners on first and second, you guessed it, Cooper to the plate, he lashes one to right (Downing), Cruz rounds third is heading home, Dawson rounds second is heading to third, Cooper rounds first is heading to second. Downing throws home, no cut, SAFE…ahead of the throw. You judge who won.

Bombers Bakers was 2-3 3R 2W 2b and Downing 4-5 7RBI 4R 4HR.
Grays DeCinces was 4-5 RBI 2R and Cooper 4-5 6RBI 3R 3HR. Flanagan and Burgmeier pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief to close it out.

Downing 7 9 2
Cooper 8 13 0

Game 2 – We’re still buzzing about game one, holy moley, but here we are at game two. The Grays send Dan Petry to the mound to face righty Bill Gullickson. So bedazzled I forgot to set Valdosta to auto. Gotta restart. Okay here we go. Bombers waste no time instantly filling the bases in the first. Garcia single, Baker single, Downing walk. Clark grounds into a double play as Garcia scores, 1-0. Porter and Ray reach in the 3rd and Landreaux brings them home with a 3-run dinger to right, Grays 3-1. In the 4th Kingman singled, Berra walked, Gullickson sacrificed them over and Garcia produced an RBI ground out and a 1-run game, 3-2 Grays. With runners on first and second in the 7th Downing grounded one past Yount and Gullickson beat the Cruz throw to the plate, 3-3. Clark followed with a double, Bombers 4-3. Dawson leads off the bottom half with a double, advances on a Petralli ground out and scores on a single by Ray, 4-4. Here we go again. PH Nichols then singled and PH Otis went downtown, Grays 7-4.

Bombers Garcia went 3-5 RBI 2R Sb, Baker 2-5, Clark 2-5 RBI 2-2b, Kingman 2-4 R and Gullickson 2-2 R 2b,
Grays Landreaux 1-3 3RBI R HR, Otis 2-2 5RBI R HR, DeCinces 2-3 2W and Ray 3-4 RBI 3R. DeLeon, Clancy, Armstrong and Caudill pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief to close it out.

Valdosta 4 12 0
Germantown 11 14 1

After dropping the 1st two games in Germantown it’s time for some home cookin’ for the Bombers. It turns out to taste really bad!

Game 3: Geoff Zahn (17-9, 3.27) against the old knuckleballer Phil Niekro (15-7, 2.57). The Grays get off to a quick 3-0 lead in the 1st after a 2 out Berra error, a RBI 2B by Doug DCinces and a 2-run tater by Cecil Cooper. The Bombers come right back with a 4 spot capped off by a Tim Wallach 3 run blast to make it 4-3 after 1!
The Bombers add runs in the 2nd (Dusty Baker SF) and in the 3rd (Bo Diaz HR) to make it 6-3 after 3 innings. A DeCinces solo shot in the 4th gets the Grays back in it as the Bombers lead is trimmed to two runs.
On to the top of the 6th where the Grays tie on a PH 2-out 2B by John Moses followed by a Johnny Ray 2B. Niekro is lifted in the 7th after a Geno Petralli lead off 2B. Bob Shirley is able to strike out Kenny Landreaux trying to SAC Petralli to 3rd but they score 2 off of Bedrosian thanks to RBI 2B’s from Yount and Cooper and take an 8-6 lead to the 7th inning stretch.
Bottom of the 7th, two out runner at 2nd for Dusty Baker and he comes up big with a 2-run shot off of Luis DeLeon to make it 8-8 going to the 8th. What a game!!!
After a scoreless 8th it’s on to the 9th. Bedrock issues a pair of two out BB’s which brings Doug DeCinces up. Yep, you guessed it…3-run blast and an 11-8 Grays lead going to the bottom of the 9th. Baker comes up as the tying run in tne bottom of the 9th but fouls out to end the game and the Bombers are in a big hole, down 3 games to zip. FINAL GRAYS 11 BOMBERS 8

Game 4: Grays score in the 1st as they push across a run thanks to an RBI FC by DeCinces. Jack Clark hits a solo HR in the 2nd to make it 1-1 but an Andre Dawson HR in the 3rd gives the lead back to the Grays, 2-1.
A Johnny Ray RBI hit in the 4th pads the lead a little to make it 3-1 Grays. Germantown adds 2 more in the 8th (another DeCinces solo HR included) to make it 5-1 and that’s the way it ends as the Grays sweep the 4 game set and are headed to the World Series!
DeCinces looks like the probable NLCS MVP with a .588 BA and 8 RBI’s. All in all, way too much offense for the Bombers to contain as they are outscored 35-20.

FIRST GAME FILE
DUE MONDAY 04/01/2024
AT 8:00 AM - ET!

Days
0
4
Hrs
0
1
Min
0
9
Sec
1
3