1985 WORLD SERIES
MID-WEST WINTER LEAGUE 1985 WORLD SERIES
GAME #1
Tension and excitement filled the air at Hollywood stadium, as the 2-time World Champion and 4-time National League Champion squared off against the AL Champions, Washington Past Timers, to start the MWWL 1985 World Series.
The opening game featured Rick Reuschel (16-2 1.86) against Roger Mason (4-2 2.43).
Both pitchers kept the hitters at-bay until the to of the sixth.
After George Brett stuckout to start the 6th, Bill Buckner hit a ground ball that 3rd Baseball Tim Flannery had trouble with and Buckner reached first on an error. Mike Davis then forced Buckner at 2nd and held 1st base until Fisk singled to right. Pedro Guerrero (World Series MVP candidate), had trouble with the ball as it hit off his glove allowing Davis to score from 1st. Moseby than struck out to end the inning.
So, after 5 1/2 innings, the score Washington 1 – Hollywood 0.
That score remained until the bottom of the 9th. A.L save leader, Bob James came in
to pitch to Hollywood and try to save the game for Reuschel.
James started the 9th by striking out Tony Armas. Then Ricky Henderson tied the game by launching one into the left-field bleachers. Hollywood stadium erupted in pandamonium. James responded by striking out the next 2 hitters. Extra innings.
Washington failed to score in the top of the 10th.
Greg Harris came into pitch for Washington. Pedro Guerrero reached 1st base on a one-out walk and then stole second base. Flannery (trying to make up for the earlier error), singled to right-field scoring Guerrero. FINAL HOLLYWOOD 2 – WASHINGTON 1
GAME #2
Hollywood took the field confidently after winning the 1st game. The starting pitchers were Dave Stieb (17-4 2.05) for Washington and Mickey Mahler (4-1 2.22) for Hollywood. Washington failed to score in the 1st. After quickly getting the first 2 outs, Stieb walked Dale Murphy. Eddie Murray then lined a double down the right-field line scoring Murphy to give Hollywood an early 1-0 lead. Pedro Gurrero then hit a towering homerun to left-center field. Hollywood now was leading 3-0, hoping to take a 2-0 lead in the series, however Washington came back in the top of the 2nd.
Fisk leadoff the inning with a walk and stole 2nd base. Buckner then grounded out to Templeton at short and Fisk held 2nd. Keith Moreland then singled to left-field scoring Fisk, making it a 3-1 game. Ozzie Smith then doubled into left field scoring Moreland and making it a 3-2 Hollywood lead going into the bottom of the 2nd second.
That score held up until the bottom of the 3rd, After one-out, Murphy singled to left-field.
Eddie Murray then grounded to short advancing Murphy to 2nd.
Guerrero then hit another homerun, in the same spot to make it Hollywood 5 and Washington 2. Stieb was replaced with Donnie Moore and he promptly retired Flannery on a fly out. So after 3 its Hollywood 5 – Washington 2.
Mahler developed some trouble in the top of the 4th. Buckner lead off the inning with a single to right-field. LLoyd Moseby then forced Buckner at 2nd. Moreland than flew out to make it 2 outs. Smith dropped a double into right-field scoring Moseby making it 5-3 in favor of Hollywood. Paciorek,pinch hitting for Moore, singled down the right-field line scoring Smith and making it 5-4 Hollywood lead. Gary Lucas came into to relieve Mahler and got Greg Pettis to ground out to Murray at 1st. Hollywood failed to score in the bottom of the 4th, so after 4 innings the score: Hollywood 5 – Washington 4.
That remained the score until the top of the 8th inning.
Hollywood brought in Lee Smith to pitch. Tommy Herr started the inning by flying out.
With one out, George Brett doubled off the centerfield wall. Carlton Fisk then dropped a double between Henderson & Murphy tying up the game the at 5.
Hollywood then brought in NL save leader Al Holland to face Buckner who grounded to Templeton. Fisk held 2nd with 2 outs. Moseby walked. Moreland then hit a Texas-leaguer into left-field scoring Fisk, with Moseby taking 3rd, Washington now led 6-5. Ozzie Smith walked loading up the bases with 2 outs. Gary Roenicke pinch hit for Dave Smith. Hollywood countered by bringing in Jeff Calhoun to face Roenicke.
Roenicke singled to right field scoring 2 runs and now making the score 8-5 in favor of Washington. Pettis then struckout to end the inning.
That scored carried to the bottom of the 9th. Bob James came in to save the game.
FINAL: WASHINGTON 8 – HOLLYWOOD 5 (SERIES TIED AT 1)
GAME #3
An unfamiliar site occurred on October 28th in Washington. The Past Timers were playing host to a World Series game. Never in the history of the franchise had this event taken place. The Past Timers had resided in different locales, before settling down in Washington. Mowtown, Sandusky, Texas and Sykesville, all saw this franchise end its season without making it to the Fall Classic. 1985 proved to be different.
An over anxious crowd anticipated the game to begin with pitchers; Rick Sutcliffe (14-5 2.85) facing off against the Washington’s crowd favorite, Fernando Valenzuela (18-5 2.21).
Hollywood wasted no time jumping on Valenzuela for 2 runs. Ricky Henderson ledoff the game with a walk. Gantner tapped to the pitcher and Henderson took 2nd. Murphy grounded out to Brett a 3rd and Henderson took 3rd on the play. It looked like Valenzuela was going to get out of the inning but Murray dropped a double into leff-field scoring Henderson. Guerrero followed with another double scoring Murray before the inning ended. After 1/2 inning Hollywood 2 – Washington 0. Washington failed to score in the 1st afer loading the bases. Hollywood added another run in the top of the 2nd. With 1 out, Templeton doubled off the center-field wall. Pena then singled to left scoring Templeton. After 1 1/2 innings the score was Hollywood 3 -0 Washington 0. Washington came to bat in the 2nd. After Moseby and Moreland both struckout to start the inning, Ozzie Smith then looped a single to left-field. Bosley then dunked a double on the right-field line scoring Smith to make it a 3-1 game. Herr then reached on an error by Templeton putting runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs. Brett took advantage of the error and tripled over rightfielder Tony Armas, tying the score at 3. After Buckner walked, Davis then grounded out to Murray to end the 3rd. So after 3, Hollywood 3 – Washington 3. That scored remained intact until the bottom of the 7th. With Ricky Horton now pitching for Hollywood, Tommy Herr ledoff the inning with a double to right-center. Brett then doubled to right-field scoring Herr and putting Washington up 4-3. The inning ended quietly and the score after was Washington 4 – Hollywood 3.
That remained the score until the top of the 9th when relief ace Bob James came in to get his second save. The Washington crowd was hopeful in seeing their hometown heroes win their first Series game at home. Well, that didn’t happen. Templeton ledoff the inning with a double to right-field. Flannery pinch hit for Pena and walked, putting runners on 1st and 2nd with 0 outs. Wiggins then came into to pinch run for Flannery. As in game one and again in the 9th inning, Henderson homered off Bob James to put Hollywood up 6-4. That score carried over into the bottom of the 9th.
Calhoun needed some help from Lee Smith after Calhoun walked the tying run on base.
Smith got Fisk to fly out to end another comeback victory for the Vampires.
FINAL: HOLLYWOOD 6 – WASHINGTON 4 (Hollywood leads series 2-1)
GAME 4
Again a hopeful Washington crowd filled Washington Park hoping to see the Past Timers even up the series against Hollywood. Jauquin Andujar (18-9 3.41) vrs Charlie Leibrandt (17-4 2.07).
Neither team scored until the bottom of the 2n inning.
Mike Davis, ledoff the inning with a single to left-center. and Fisk followed with a walk putting runners on 1s & 2nd with 0 outs.
Mseby then sacrificed the runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Moreland then walked to load the bases. Ozzie Smith then hit a double play ball to Gantner, but Smith beat the relay to 1st scoring Davis. The inning ended with Washington up 1-0.
That score held up all the way to the top of the 9th inning when Hollywood staged another comeback. With Dave Smith pitching for the Past Timers, Tony Armas started the inning with a walk. Wiggins then came into run for Armas. Wayne Krenchicki pinch hitting for Landrum, doubled into the right-field corner scoring Wiggins and tying up the game. Jeff Kunkel pinch ran for Krenchicki. Templeton after failing to sacrifice then walked. Tony Pena tried to sacrifice the runners over, but Dave Smith made a nice play and turned a double play putting Kunkel on 3rd. With Ricky Henderson (9th inning hero man) up, Washington decided to intentionally walk him putting runners on 1st & 3rd.
Gantner ended the inning popping out to Herr. The game was tied at 1, going to the bottom of the 9th. Washington failed to score in their half of the 9th. The game moved to extra innings. With 1 out, Dave Smith walked Eddie Murray.
Pedro Guerrero, another late inning hero for Hollywood, lined a double into the right-filed corner scoring Murray to give Hollywood the lead 2-1. Greg Harris came in for Washington to retire Hollywood in the 9th. Andujar set down Washington 1-2-3 to again complete their 3rd late inning rally victory. In what proved to be one of the top bullpens in the MWWL this season, the Washington bullpen has blown three 9th inning leads in the World Series to Hollywood. FINAL: HOLLYWOOD 2 – WASHINGTON 1 (Hollywood leads the series 3 -1 )
GAME #5
A large and loud Washington crowd filled the park, hoping to not see their heroes be eliminated at home. With their backs against the wall the Past Timers would be again facing Roger Mason. Washington countered with Rick Reuschel, duplicating game 1’s pitching matchup.
Hollywood wasted no time, jumping on Reuschel in the 1st inning, as the Vampires moved in for the kill. Henderson ledoff the game with a base on balls. After Krenchicki executed a perfect hit & run play putting runners on 1st & 3rd, Murphy forced Krenchicki at second with Henderson scoring. Eddie Murray then followed with a 2-run shot just out of reach of the leaping center fielder, Moseby, putting Hollywood up 3-0 after 1 inning.
A still hopeful Washington crowd, urged on their team as Thad Bosely ledoff the inning with a double to right-field. 2 outs later, Mike Davis, kept Washington’s hopes alive by hitting a tape measure shot into the right-field stands. The inning ended with Hollywood up 3-2. The score remained intact until the top of the 3rd when Hollywood added another run on a Eddie Murray home run. Hollywood took a 4-2 lead all the way until the bottom of the 8th inning.
Thad Bosley ledoff the Washington 8th with a bloop single to left and then stole 2nd base. 2 outs later, with Bosley on 3rd base,Mike Davis walked. This prompted a change in Hollywood pitchers to lefty Jeff Calhoun to face Bill Buckner. The Washington crowd, hoped and prayed Buckner could come thru with a hit. Well, Buckner didn’t disappoint the large crowd, he greeted Calhoun with a 2-out, 3-run tape measure shot to right-field giving Washington the lead 5-4. Washington now took their 4th (3rd consecutive), 1-run, 9th inning lead, here against Hollywood in game #5 With a full capacity crowd standing on their feet, urging on the Past Timers to their 1st home World Series game victory ever, Donnie Moore set down the Hollywood Vampires 1-2-3. Washington had won it, forcing the series to return to HollYwood. (The Buckner homerun, actually turned out to be the turning point in the series)
FINAL: WASHINGTON 5 – HOLLYWOOD 4 (Hollywood leads series 3-2 )
GAME #6
A full capacity crowd filled the Hollywood stadium, anticipating the home town heroes to wrap up the series today. Fernando Valenzuela was pitted against Mickey Mahler.
Washington started the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning. Ketih Moreland hit a 2 out double to right-center and then scored on a Lloyd Moseby single. 1-0 Washington.
Bottom of 2, Hollywood came right back with a run of their own.
With one out, Pedro Guerrero hit his 3rd homerun of the Series tying up the game at 1, at the end of 2 innings.
Washington came right back with a run in the top of the 3rd. With one out, Pettis walked. With the hit and run on, Herr poked a single to right-field putting Pettis on 3rd.
Pettis scored on a single by George Brett putting Washington back up 2-1.
Hollywood was able to retire the side with no further damage.
Hollywood failed to score in the 3rd. Washington added a 3rd run in the top of the 4th.
With 1 out, Moseby reached base by walking to 1st and then stole 2nd base.
Ozzie Smith then hit a ground ball to Templeton who fired it right past Murray, scoring Moseby. Washington now up 3-1. Valenzuela attempted to sacrifice Smith over, but popped out on a great play by former Washington catcher, Tony Pena. Pena, dived for the ball, caught it and double Smith off 1st to end the inning. After 3 1/2, Washington led 3-1. That score held up until the bottom of the 6th.
With one out in the 6th, Murray walked and advanced to 2nd base after Guerrero grounded out to short. Tony Armas then singled in Murray to make it a 3-2 game.
Valenzuela was able to get out of the inning with no further damage.
This score held up until the bottom of the 9th. AGAIN, Washington carried a 1-run, 9th inning lead. Bob James pitching, trying to get his 2nd save.
Templeton ledoff the 9th, hitting the ball to the wall in left. This time the ball didn’t clear the fence as Moreland was able to catch it! Hollywood had almost struck again in the 9th inning! After getting the next out on a lineout to center, here came Ricky Henderson AGAIN in the 9th inning against Bob James with a 1-run lead. Twice before, Henderson hit a homerun to either tie the game (game 1) or put his team ahead (game 3) facing Bob James. This time was different. Henderson grounded out to Smith and Washington forced a 7th and decisive game. It was the 4th game, out of 6, that was decided by one run.
FINAL: WASHINGTON 3 – HOLLYWOOD 2
GAME #7
Every players dream. The 7th game of the World Series. For Washington & Hollywood it became a One-Game-Season, winner take all. After 7 months of play, nothing mattered now, except this one game. Who’s pitching would hold up the longest?
Could the unthinkable happen? Could the Washington Past Timers comeback after trailing the great Hollywood Vampires team 3 games to 1 ? The Vampires were determined not to let that happen, especially on their own ground.
Rick Sutcliffe opposed Rick Reuschel in the decisive 7th game.
Hollywood struck first blood in the bottom of the 1st inning.
Henderson ledoff with a single to left and then stole 2nd base. Krenchicki then walked.
Guerrero then singled to left-field, loading up the bases.
The feared slugger Eddie Murray came to the plate. Murray grounded in to a double play, but Henderson scored. Hollywood led 1-0. Then Dale Murphy hit a ground ball that looked like it would end the inning, but Smith threw high pulling Buckner off the bag.
An error on Smith and Krenchicki scored making it a 2-0 Hollywood lead after 1 inning.
The lead didn’t last long as Washington mounted a comeback in the top of the 2nd.
Buckner doubled to right-field to lead off the 2nd. Mike Davis then singled to right center scoring Buckner and took 2nd on the throw to the plate. Carlton Fisk (former Hollywood catcher), then bit-the-hand-that-once-fed-him by hitting a homerun into the left-center field bleachers. This gave Washington a 3-2 lead going to the bottom of the 2nd.
Hollywood failed to score in the 3rd.
Washington, batting in the top of the 3rd added 2 more runs. With one out, Herr singled to right-field. After Herr stole 2nd base, Brett doubled over Guerrero’s head scoring Herr.
Washington lead 4-2. Ricky Horton then came in for Hollywood relieving Sutcliffe.
Buckner grounded out to Templeton advancing Brett to 3rd base. Mike Davis, hit a Texas-leaguer scoring Brett. Washington lead 5-2 after 2 1/2 innings.
Hollywood was not to be denied. They added 2 of their own in the bottom of the 3rd.
Henderson led off the inning with a single to left-field. Krenchicki then connected and hit a 2-run homer, making the score 5-4 Washington leading.
Reuschel was removed and strikeout artist Scott Garrelts came in to pitch.
Garrelts was able to put out the fire and maintain the Washington lead 5-4 after 3 innings. The score remained 5-4 until the top of the 5th inning.
With Al Holland now pitching, Thad Bosley homered to center-field giving Washington a 6-4 lead. Holland was able to retire the side with no further damage. So, after 4 1/2 innings it was Washington 6 – Hollywood 4. It remained 6-4 until the top of the 7th.
Bosley led off the inning with a base on balls. Herr failed to sacrifice and grounded out to Krenchicki, but Bosley advanced to 2nd base anyway. Brett followed with a bloop single just out of the reach of Gantner extending Washington’s lead to 7-4.
Lee Smith came on to pitch to Buckner. Buckner connected on Smith’s fastball and lined it over the right-field wall giving Washington a 9-4 lead. The Washington bench went crazy. They sensed something unbelievable was about to happen. A big hush came over the Hollywood crowd as their team was now down by 5 runs with 9 outs left.
Hollywood was stymied so far by Dave Stieb, who had come into the game in the 4th inning. Stieb was dominant over his first 5 innings of work yielding only 2 hits and no runs. Could Stieb bring home the ultimate prize?
Dale Murphy lined out to a running Mike Davis to start out the 9th. ONE OUT.
Templeton then struck out. TWO OUT !
Tito Landrum then came on to pinch hit for Calhoun.
He comes home … it’s hopped to the right side … BUCKNER fields it on the big bounce
he will flip to STIEB … and LANDRUM is retired.
Washington Past Timers are World Champs !
FINAL: WASHINGTON 9 – HOLLYWOOD 4
After the series, both managers, Steve Cutler and Hank Konkel, complimented each other on a great series. Either team could have won it. In the end, Washington’s pitching was able to out last Hollywood’s power, BARELY.
MVP: Pedro Guerreo – Even though Hollywood lost the World Series, the MVP went to Pedro Guerreo. Guerreo lead the World Series in hitting, .375 going 9 for 24 with 3 Doubles, 3 Home Runs, 9 RBI’s and 21 total Bases. Guerrero finished the Series at .375/.375/.875
1985 WORLD SERIES