Tonight's series pits the 1988-90 AS's against the 1949-50 "Whiz Kids" Phillies.

The A's romped to 3 straight pennants, although they were upset badly twice in the world series, losing to the Dodgers in 1988 and the Reds in 1990. In between they beat the Giants in the "Earthquake Series" in 1989. Their stars included Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Carney Lansford, Dave Henderson., Terry Steinvach, and Rickey Henderson, who came back midway through the 1989 season and was awesome in the post season that year, before winning the AL MVP in 1990. Dave Stewart and Bob Welch anchored the rotation, with Dennis Eckersley almost automatic as the closer. Tony LaRussa managed.

The 1950 Phillies shocked the world by edging the Dodgers to win the NL pennant, but were then swept by the mighty Yankees in the world series. They were led on the mound by Robin Roberts and Curt Simmons, along with league MVP Jim Konstanty, who threw an unheard of 152 innings in relief, going 16-7 with 22 saves. With Simmons called in for military duty. Konstanty made his first start of the season in game one of the world series. Their top hitter was Del Ennis (.311-31-126). Their other key players were Richie Ashburn (.303), Eddie Waitkus (102 runs scored), and 3Bman Willie "Puddin' Head" Jones, who had 25 HRs and 88 RBIs, along with 100 runs scored. Eddie Sawyer was the manager.

The A's are the favorites here, a #4 seed against the #13 seed Phillies.

By the way, the brackets I posted are updated after each series.

A's ROLL PAST PHILLIES, 89-73!

The 1988-90 A's handled the 1949-50 Phillies pretty easily here, outscoring them by 61 runs on the season.

Year........Team..........................W......L.......Pct..GB......RF....RA
1988-90 Oakland Athletics.........89....73......549..--......713..652
1949-50 Philadelphia Phillies......73....89......451..16.....652..713


Oakland's offense was led by...

Rickey Henderson with an OBP of .404 with 68 SB and 87 runs scored
Mark McGwire with 55 HRs and 128 RBI
Jose Canseco with 21 HRs and 86 RBI

The Phillies offense:

Richie Ashburn hit .309 and scored 106 runs
Del Ennis with 25 HRs and 104 RBI

Oakland's pitching:

Storm Davis - 11-9, 2.34
Dave Stewart - 15-8, 3.01 with 10 CG
Bob Welch - 14-16, 3.29
Mike Moore - 13-11, 3.63
Eckersley, 9-5, 1.53 with 33 saves in 37 chances

Phillies pitching:

Robin Roberts - 15-17, 3.57
Jim Konstanty - 8-9, 20 saves, 104 relief appearances totaling 146 innings
Bob J. Miller - 8-4, 2.59
Schoolboy Rowe - 5-4, 2.89

The A's will next take on the 1917-19 White Sox in round 2.

Tomorrow morning's series matches up the #2 seed 1996-97 Baltimore Orioles with the #15 seed 1888-89 Brooklyn Bridegrooms. The Dodgers were known as the Bridegrooms in those years because of one season where several of their players all got married. The Orioles made the playoffs as a wild card in 1997, and won the AL East in 1997. They beat Seattle in the Division series, but lost to the Indians in the ALCS. The 1888-89 Bridegrooms were one of the top teams in the American Association, winning the 1889 pennant with a record of 93-44. They lost the World Series that year to the Giants of the NL, 6 games to 3.

Brooklyn's best players were Dave Foutz and Oyster Burns. Bob Caruthers, who won 40 games in 1889, was their top pitcher. Adonis Terry was also very good. They played in Washington Park, which was a pretty extreme pitcher's park at that time. Their manager was Bill McGunnigle.

The Orioles of course played in Camden Yards, and were led By Cal Ripken Jr., Roberto Alomar, Rafael Palmeiro, Brady Anderson and B.J. Surhoff. Ripken was playing 3B at this time. Their top pitcher was Mike Mussina, but they also had Jimmy Key, Scott Erickson, and David Wells. Randy Myers was their closer. Eddie Murray and Harold Baines were each part time DH's. Davey Johnson was the manager.

ORIOLES OBLITERATE BRIDEGROOMS, 118-44!

The 1880s Bridegrooms were no match for the 1996-97 Orioles here. The Orioles beat them like a drum, outscoring them by 334 runs on the season.


Years......Team...........................W........L....Pct...GB......RF....RA
1996-97 Baltimore Orioles........118.....44...728....--.....865...531
1888-89 Brooklyn Bridegrooms...44...118...272...74.....531...865


ORIOLES HITTERS
Rafael Palmeiro - .324/.400/.606 - 45HRs, 125 runs, 135 RBI
Eddie Murray in 286 AB - .350/.420/.629 - 20 HRs - 78 RBI
Roberto Alomar - .317 - 19 HR, 124 runs
Bobby Bonilla - .296-25-116
Brady Anderson - 110 runs
Chris Hoiles - 25 HR, 98 RBI
Cal Ripken - 20 HR, 84 RBI

BRIDEGROOMS HITTERS
Dave Orr - ,306, 65 extra base hits, 74 RBI
Oyster Burns - .256-11-53

ORIOLES PITCHERS
David Wells - 16-6, 2.77
Jimmy Key - 15-3, 2.41
Mike Mussina - 18-9, 2.92
Scott Erickson - 20-5, 2.96
Arthur Rhodes - 10-1, 2.33

BRIDEGROOMS PITCHERS
Dave Foutz - 10-6, 4.07 (amazing on a team that was 44-118)
Bob Caruthers - 7-27, 4.36
Adonis Terry - 7-25, 5.17

The Orioles will take on the winner of tonight's series between the 1969-70 Twins and the 1977-78 Dodgers in round 2.

Tonight's series will be between the #7 seed 1969-70 Twins and the #10 seed 1977-78 Dodgers. The Twins won the AL West in both years, but lost the ALCS both time to the Orioles. The Dodgers won the NL pennant in both years, but lost the world series, both time to the Yankees.

Billy Martin managed the Twins in 1969, and Bill Rigney in 1970. Tom LaSorda was the Dodgers manager, in his first two seasons as a major league manager.

The Twins best players were Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva and Rod Carew. Their pitchers included Jim Perry, Jim Kaat, and rookie Bert Blyleven in 1970. Ron Perranoski was the closer.

The Dodgers stars included Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Davey Lopes, Dusty Baker and Reggie Smith. Their staff featured Don Sutton, Burt Hooton, Tommy John and Rick Rhoden. Charlie Hough was the closer.

Looks to be a pretty even series. There will not be a DH in this series.

1977-78 DODGERS ROLL OVER 1969-70 TWINS 91-71!

This the first upset of the tournament, as the #10 seed Dodgers beat the #7 seed Twins. And they beat them badly, winning the series by 20 games while outscoring them by 94 runs on the season.

Years......Team...........................W.....L....Pct....GB.....RF....RA
1977-78 Los Angeles Dodgers.....91...71..562.....--....797..703
1969-70 Minnesota Twins............71...91..438....20....703..797


DODGERS HITTERS
Reggie Smith - .282-35-116
Dusty Baker - .280-27-88
Rick Monday - .279-19-89 runs
Steve Garvey - .269-10-86, 94 runs
Ron Cey - 26 HR, 87 RBI

TWINS HITTERS
Rod Carew - .331, 15 triples, 13 HR, 104 runs
Tony Oliva - .305-15-85, 43 doubles
Bob Allison - 19 HR
Harmon Killebrew - .254-42-114

DODGERS PITCHING
Burt Hooton - 20-6, 3.00, 18 CG, 6 shutouts
Don Sutton - 14-10, 3.54
Rick Rhoden - 11-6, 3.78
Terry Forster - 4-4, 3.04, 16 saves
Tommy John was hit hard, going 11-13, 5.02, allowing 261 hits in 212 innings

TWINS PITCHING
Bert Blyleven - 10-9, 4.06
Dave Boswell, 9-8, 3.78
Jim Kaat - 9-18, 4.46
Jim Perry - 6-14, 4.70

The Dodgers will take on the 1996-97 Orioles in round 2.

Tomorrow morning's series matches up the #6 seed 1976-78 Phillies and the #11 seed 2001-02 A's. The Phillies won the NL East all 3 years, but lost the NLCS all 3 years, first to the Reds in 1976, and then to the Dodgers in '77 and '78. The 2001-02 A's won 102 games and were the wild card team in the AL playoffs. They blew a 2 games to none lead and lost to the Yankees in their Division series. In 2002 they won 103 games to win the AL West, but then lost to the Twins in a 5 game division series.

Oakland's top players were Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Eric Chavez, Jermaine Dye and Johnny Damon. The staff was led by Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. Jason Isringhausen and Billy Koch were the closers. They were managed by Art Howe.

The Phillies stars were Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, Richie Hebner, Larry Bowa and Garry Maddox. The staff was led by Steve Carlton, and also included Jim Lonborg, Jim Kaat and Larry Christenson. They had a great bullpen with Ron Reed, Gene Garber and Tug McGraw. Danny Ozark was the manager.

2001-02 A'S KNOCK OUT 1976-78 PHILS 86-76!


Another upset here as the #11 seed beats the #6 seed.

Years......Team...........................W.....L....Pct....GB.....RF....RA
2001-02 Oakland A's..................86...76..531.....--....668..619
1976-78 Philadelphia Phillies.......76...86..469....20....619..668


OAKLAND HITTERS
Jason Giambi - .292-39-95, 101 runs
Eric Chavez - 22 HR, 82 RBI
Jermaine Dye - .276-11-70
Miguel Tejada - 85 runs

PHILLIES HITTERS
Mike Schmidt - .235-40-89, 103 runs
Dick Allen - .360/.445/.595 in 264 AB
Greg Luzinski - 25 HR

OAKLAND PITCHERS
Tim Hudson - 12-14, 2.74
Barry Zito - 11-8, 3.58
Mark Mulder 11-11, 3.80
Billy Kock - 28 saves, 2.97
Jason Isringhausen - 18 saves, 2.89
Jim Mecir incredible at 7-0, 0.97 in 102 innings

PHILLIES PITCHERS
Steve Carlton - 17-16, 2.95
Jim Lonborg - 12-12, 3.35
Larry Christensen - 10-17, 3.53
Tig McGraw - 13-8, 2.24, 25 saves
Ron Reed - 5-2, 1.75 in 77 innings

The A's will play the winner of tonight's series between the 1949-53 Yankees and the 1930-31 Cardinals.

Tonight's series pits the #3 seed 1949-53 Yankees against the #14 seed 1930-31 Cardinals. The Yankees of course won 5 straight world championships. This Cardinal team won the NL pennant in both seasons, both times playing Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics in the world series. They lost in 1930, but won the series in 1931.

The Yankees stars include Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Mize, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Hank Bauer and Gil McDougald. Their pitching staff had Whitey Ford, Eddie Lopat, Vic Raschi and Allie "Big Chief" Reynolds. They were managed by Casey Stengel.

The Cardinals stars included Jim Bottomley, Frankie Frisch, Pepper Martin and Chick Hafey. Top pitchers were Burleigh Grimes, Wild Bill Hallahan, Paul Derringer and Jesse Haines. They were managed by Gabby Street.

1949-53 YANKEES SANDPAPER THE 1930-31 CARDINALS 105-57!

Casey Stengel's 5 time world champions made mince meat of the 1930-31 Cardinals here, outscoring them by 198 runs on the season.

Years......Team...........................W......L....Pct....GB.....RF....RA
1949-53 New York Yankees.......105....57..648.....--....813..615
1930-31 St. Louis Cardinals........57..105..352....48....615..813


YANKEES HITTERS
Joe DiMaggio - .333-33-114
Mickey Mantle - .309-35 HR, 109 runs
Johnny Mize - .305-25-75
Yogi Berra - .275-29-101

CARDINALS HITTERS
Ripper Collins - .329-15-70
Frankie Frisch - .297, 82 runs
Chick Hafey - 23 HR, 78 RBI

YANKEES PITCHERS
Vic Raschi - 18-7, 2.61
Whitey Ford - 18-7, 2.74, 5 shutouts
Allie Reynolds, 12-7, 3.23, 6 saves
Johnny Sain - 12-6, 3.40
Tommy Byrne - 13-7, 3.42
Ed Lopat - 16.8, 3.43

CARDINALS PITCHERS
Burleigh Grimes, 7-16, 3.90
Jesse Haines - 12-13, 3.92
Bill Hallahan - 10-21, 4,87

The Yankees will take on the 2001-02 A's in round 2.

Tomorrow morning's series looks like a blowout, as the #1 seed 1991-99 Braves take on the #16 seed 1912-1913 Senators. The Braves won 5 NL pennants in those 9 years, although only one world series, 1995. The Senators finished second in 1912 with a record of 91-61, and also finished second in 1913 with a record of 90-64.

The Braves pitching staff is well known, led by three hall of famers, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. Their other nstars included Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, David Justic, Fred McGriff and Javy Lopez. The manager was Bobby Cox.

The Senators were led by the greatest pitcher ever, Walter "The Big Train" Johnson, who was right in his prime here. In the two seasons represented here Johnson went 69-19 with an ERA well under 1.50. Other pitchers on the staff included Bob Groom and Long Tom Hughes. Their star position players were Clude Milan and Chick Gandil, with a great fielding SS in George McBride. The manager was Clark Griffith.

1991-99 BRAVES CRUSH THE 1912-13 SENATORS, 117-45!

Bobby Cox's Braves pummeled the 1912-13 Senators here, out scoring them by 325 runs on the season.

Years......Team..........................W......L....Pct....GB.....RF....RA
1991-99 Atlanta Braves............117....45..722.....--....799..474
1912-13 Washington Senators.....45..117..278....72....474..799


BRAVES HITTERS
Chipper Jones - .295-37-98, 119 runs
David Justice - .279-30-87, 107 runs
Fred McGriff - .297-31-117
Andruw Jones - 26 HR, 75 RBI, 112 runs
Javy Lopez - 20 HR, 77 RBI

SENATORS HITTERS
Clyde Milan - 12 HR, 65 runs
Chick Gandil - 53 RBI
Eddie Foster - .260 - 53 RBI
Walter Johnson - 2 HR, 13 RBI

BRAVES PITCHERS
Greg Maddux - 28-1, 1.79, 9 shutouts
John Smoltz - 26-6, 2.42, 6 shutouts, 4 saves
Tom Glavine - 16-11, 2.51
Kevin Millwood - 14-3, 2.36
Denny Neagle - 10-2, 2.48
Steve Avery - 10-4, 2.96
John Rocker got destroyed, 1-6, 5.71 in 17.2 innings

SENATORS PITCHING
Walter Johnson - 10-25, 3.49
George Mullin - 6-7, 3.60
Hippo Vaughn - 5-11, 3.61
Long Tom Hughes - 10-12, 4.09
Joe Engel - 1-17, 5.17
Bob Groom - 2-29, 5.53

The Braves will next take on the winner of tonight's series between the 1963-65 White Sox and the 1981-82 Brewers.

Tonight's series matches up the #8 seed 1963-65 White Sox and the #9 seed 1981-82 Brewers. The White Sox did not win anything, but they had a great pitching staff and they averaged 95 wins a year in finishing second in all 3 of these seasons. The Brewers made the playoffs in 1981, losing to the Yankees in a best of 5 series during that strike year. They then won the AL pennant in 1982, losing the world series to the Cardinals in 7 games.

The Brewers were managed by Buck Rodgers in 1981 and part of 1982, but Harvey Kuenn took over in May of 1982, and the team became known as "Harvey's Wallbangers." Their top players were Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Cecil Cooper, Ben Oglivie, Gorman Thomas, and brand new hall of famer Ted Simmons. The pitching staff included Mike Caldwell, Pete Vukovich, Moose Haas, and Rollie Fingers, who missed the entire 1982 world series with an injury.

The White Sox were managed by Hall of Famer Al Lopez. Their top players were Nellie Fox, Tom McCraw, Ron Hansen, Pete Ward, John Romano, Bill Skowron, Don Buford and Jim Landis. Pitchers included Gary Peters, Juan Pizarro, a young Tommy John, Joe Horlen and Hoyt Wilhelm. NBA Hall of Famer Dave DeBusschere was there for awhile too.

1963-65 WHITE SOX EDGE THE 1981-82 BREWERS, 83-79!

The Sox had a nice lead coming down the stretch, but the Brewers went 17-8 over the final 25 games to make things close. The White Sox cavernous ballpark was a big factor in neutralizing the Brewers huge advantage in HR power. The Sox were 49-32 at home. The Brewers only hit 18 more HRs than the White Sox. Meanwhile the Sox drew 115 more walks than Milwaukee. The White Sox won the series despite their closer Hoyt Wilhelm having a terrible season.

Years......Team..........................W......L....Pct....GB.....RF....RA
1963-65 Chicago White Sox......83....79...512.....--....746..706
1912-13 Washington Senators...79....83...488.....4....706..746


WHITE SOX HITTERS
Johnny Romano - .279-18-66, 83 runs
Nellie Fox - .290, 90 runs
Charlie Maxwell - 17 HRs, 61 RBI
Jim Landis - 1 HR, 69 RBI
Bill Skowron - .337-11-43 in just 246 AB

BREWERS HITTERS
Paul Molitor - .303-13-69, 84 runs
Ted Simmons - .296-10-73
Robin Yount - .280-13-75
Cecil Cooper - .273-15-88
Ben Oglivie - .252-22-85
Gorman Thomas - .226-22-81

WHITE SOX PITCHERS
Gary Peters - 14-13, 3.22
Joe Horlen - 21-9, 3.63
Juan Pizarro - 14-8, 3.80
Hoyt Wilhelm - 3-14, 3.90, 23 saves in 31 chances

BREWERS PITCHERS
Moose Haas - 14-14, 3.45
Jim Slaton - 15-12, 3.96
Mike Caldwell - 13-19, 4.51
Pete Vukovich - 16-18, 5.29
Rollie Fingers - 4-1, 2.88, 38 saves

The White Sox will take on the 1991-99 Braves in round 2