A Second Time through the Order

St. Louis, Oct. 8 – The Detroit Tigers swept the World Series with their fourth one-run victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. Twenty-game winner Earl Wilson, knocked out of the Series opener, demonstrated why many considered the Tiger right hander to be the best hurler in the American League. In previous series games, the Cardinals squandered several scoring opportunities, and today was no different as the Birds could only nibble and peck against the strong arm of Wilson, never able to muster a knockout blow. Norm Cash drove in the game’s only run by slicing a double off the glove of third baseman Mike Shannon to score Bill Freehan in the second inning. Detroit once again cashed in on Cardinal miscues as Freehan had reached base after being hit by a Steve Carlton pitch. Don Wert moved Freehan into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt to set the stage for Cash. Carlton held the Tigers to a run despite opening singles by Detroit in the third and fourth innings. The southpaw used his strikeout pitch to dodge further trouble as Carlton finished with six whiffs before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning.
Continue reading Tigers sweep Series with Wilson shutout, 1-0.

St. Louis, Oct. 7 – The change of scenery in the World Series did not bring a different result. The Detroit Tigers continued to hold the advantage over the St. Louis Cardinals with their third consecutive one-run victory in the 1967 World Series. The clubs committed five errors in the game, but the Tigers were the team capable of taking advantage of key opportunities. Detroit starter Mickey Lolich closed out the game to leave the Cardinals in desperate straits.

Lou Brock opened the Cardinal first with a jam shot back to Lolich. The portly southpaw dropped the ball, yet despite stopping and restarting, Brock still beat Lolich’s throw to first. Brock is one of the few Cardinals enjoying his time at the plate, but on the base paths has been a different story. Bill Freehan erased Lolich’s gaffe by throwing Brock out stealing for the third consecutive time in the series. The play was like rain on the Cardinals’ homecoming parade. Brock was getting on base this series, but his speed has been neutralized by Freehan. A rejuvenated Lolich struck out Curt Flood and Roger Maris to end the inning. The Tigers then pounced on the reeling Cardinals. Willie Horton opened the second with a blast over the left field wall. After Northrup popped out to short, series hero Norm Cash launched the ball over Flood’s head in center field. The ball bounced off the wall, and Cash chugged around to third base. The Cardinals brought the infield in as Freehan stepped in to bat. With a full count, Briles got the ground ball he needed. However, second baseman Julian Javier uncharacteristically let the ball go between his legs, and the Tigers had a quick two-run lead. Freehan was thrown out attempting to steal second base. Don Wert struck out to end the inning, but a sense of concern, perhaps dread, draped itself over Busch Stadium.
Continue reading Lolich, Tigers shut down Cardinals, 2-1.

Detroit, Oct. 5 – Norm Cash continues to add to his legendary status in Detroit. Cash walloped a majestic home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth to lift his Detroit Tigers to a 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in the second game of the 1967 World Series. The victory gives Detroit a two-game advantage over the Cardinals as the clubs travel to St. Louis to resume the series this weekend. Last month, Norm hit three home runs in the final series against the contending Boston Red Sox to provide Detroit with their final nudge past the Red Sox. In the Series opener, Cash hit a ninth inning home run off Bob Gibson to send the game into extra innings. Detroit won the game in the twelfth on Al Kaline’s RBI single scoring Dick Tracewski from second base.

Continue reading Cash clouts Tigers past Cards, 2-1.

For those familiar with Diamond Mind Baseball, the 1967 World Series is being played in pitch-by-pitch mode with the bullpen warm up rule on. The computer manager makes base running and fielder throwing decisions. Game tactics for the visiting club are managed by the computer. Game tactics for the home club and substitutions for both clubs are manually done.

Detroit, Oct. 4 – If the remaining games of this Series match the drama of the opener, America should prepare for one of the greatest Fall Classics ever. The unfolding storyline twisted and turned every inning where potential goats turned heroes and heroes became goats. The St. Louis Cardinals drew first blood due the first gaffe of the Series by Tiger first baseman Norm Cash. Tim McCarver hit a two-out bouncer to Cash with Lou Brock stationed at third base. The ball went under Cash’s glove. Second baseman Jerry Lumpe recovered but was unable to get McCarver in time as Brock crossed home. The Tigers responded in the second with consecutive doubles by Willie Horton and Jim Northrup. But Northrup was stranded at third after Brock ended the inning with an unbelievable leaping catch of Don Wert’s fly to the left field wall.

Continue reading Extra Inning Thriller in Opener!

After all the hand-wringing in New England, the fact remains that it is the Detroit Tigers, not the Boston Red Sox, facing the St. Louis Cardinals in the latest edition of the World Series. The Cardinals are the favorites, but most experts do not predict any easy ride for the Redbirds. These two clubs ranked second (St. Louis, 2.88 team ERA) and third (Detroit, 3.03) in pitching among all clubs. Only the Chicago White Sox could boast a finer pitching staff. The key is whether the Cardinals’ young arms will perform in this series as they had over the summer. The Cardinals also finished second in batting (.265) in the major leagues while the Tigers (.243) were tenth among the twenty clubs. On the field, the Tigers hold a slight advantage over the Cardinals in team fielding percentage. Here’s a position by position comparison:

First base: Norm Cash (Det.) vs. Orlando Cepeda (StL)

Despite Cash’s heroics against the Red Sox, Cepeda gets the nod here. Cha Cha is the inspirational leader of El Birdos and is receiving MVP consideration in the National League. Eddie Mathews may also see some time at first for the Tigers.

Second base: Jerry Lumpe (Det) vs. Julian Javier (StL)

Javier. Though Tiger manager Mayo Smith may shift Dick McAuliffe to second, Joolie has been a key ingredient in the Cardinals resurgence.

Third base: Don Wert (Det) vs. Mike Shannon (StL)

The edge goes to St. Louis again. Shannon moved from the outfield to third base this season to open space for another bat. But it was Shannon’s bat that provided key hits time after time.

Shortstop: Dick McAuliffe (Det) vs. Dal Maxvill (StL)

The slick-fielding Maxvill was second in the NL in RBIs among shortstops, but McAuliffe led his club in home runs and runs scored. Slight nod to McAuliffe.

Left Field: Willie Horton (Det) vs. Lou Brock (StL)

A complete contrast in style. Horton was the club leader down the stretch with his power and timely hits. Brock is a speed demon and a distraction on the base paths to opposing hurlers. It is possible Brock will provide the greater threat if he gets on base, but this race is too close to call.

Center Field: Jim Northrup (Det) vs. Curt Flood (StL)

Northrup led the league in triples, and Flood was fifth in the senior circuit in batting. Give the edge to Flood and his Gold Glove.

Right Field: Al Kaline (Det) vs. Roger Maris (StL)

The veteran Al Kaline gets the nod over the 1967 edition of Roger Maris who contributed but clearly is not the threat he once was. The 32-year-old Kaline led his club in batting, doubles, and was tied with the 25-year-old Mickey Stanley in stolen bases.

Catching: Bill Freehan (Det) vs. Tim McCarver (StL)

A pair of All-Stars wear the tools of ignorance for these clubs, and neither can claim a true advantage over the other at or behind the plate.

Starting Pitching: Wilson, McLain, Lolich (Det) vs. Gibson, Hughes, Briles (StL)

Gibson (8-11) will be the first pitcher with a losing record to start a World Series Game One since 1944. His mound opponent will be 20-game winner Earl Wilson for a historic match-up of black aces. Lolich was the best Tiger pitcher down the stretch and could be a key ingredient for a championship. Should each manager decide to go with four starters, Carlton of the Cardinals has a decided edge over Detroit’s Joe Sparma. Even.

Bull Pen: Both managers were still using a piecemeal approach to their bull pens in September. Joe Hoerner and Ron Willis were the Schoendienst’s short men. Mayo Smith turned to a trio of rookies, Fred Lasher, Mike Marshall and John Hiller, after Fred Gladding was derailed with a sore wing. Slight edge to Detroit.

Bench: The Cardinals typically played a set nine all season while Mayo Smith rotated and platooned his players all season. Therefore, Smith’s players are experienced and game-tested. Detroit can boast of a 500 HR slugger in Eddie Mathews on their bench, and Mickey Stanley, Lenny Green and Jim Price are contributors. The Cardinals have rookie Bobby Tolan as a threat off their bench. Advantage Detroit.

This side-by-side comparison certainly predicts a tight series. Though the Redbirds are the listed favorites, the Tigers are entering the Series with the hotter hand. The key for St. Louis is Bob Gibson who has pitched much better than his losing record indicates. Gibson was a big-time performer on this World Series stage three years ago, and nobody is doubting the big right hander’s ability for a repeat performance. Detroit will rely on its deep pitching staff and bench to overcome the Cardinals’ starting nine.

Prediction: Cardinals in seven.