I've talked up the immortal Geoffrey Clark on here before. He's a classmate and friend from my North Central days, a blogger for Chicago Bulls Confidential, and he is also the host of the 90s Youth Life podcast. He's talked up a number of topics from when we grew up, including topics like the McDonald's Beanie Baby craze and the career of Ken Griffey, Jr. with another WONC alum we overlapped with.
So a couple weeks ago, I got a text from Geoff regarding my favorite tool on this blog, WhatIfSports. He'd been introduced to the tool through Confessions of a Sportscaster and was talking about how addicting it was. It was through that discussion that he brought up the lost postseason of 1994 due to the strike. One thing led to another and, well... I was a guest on a podcast.
In it we run through how the 1994 Major League Baseball postseason could have played out had the playoffs been the leaders in the standings when play stopped. After the jump I will post links to the box scores of the games, but if you want to keep the element of surprise... take a listen.
1994 Major League Baseball Postseason
CLICK HERE TO VIEW STATISTICS BY ROUND AND FOR THE ENTIRE POSTSEASON
ALDS
Cleveland Indians vs New York Yankees
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| Photo by Roberto Borea (AP) |
Cleveland leads 3-0 going into the bottom of the 8th, Danny Tartabull hits game-tying 3 run homer. Mike Stanley with walk off single in 10th.
Game 2: CLE 2, @ NYY 1 | W: Nagy (1-0) | LP: Abbott (0-1) | SV: Mesa (1)
The Yankees led 1-0 for most of the game, but Cleveland put up a two-spot in the 8th to take the lead. In a jam, Cleveland pulls starter Charles Nagy for Jose Mesa, who allowed the winning run the day before, but he redeems himself with a one out save.
Game 3: NYY 7, @ CLE 3 | W: Perez (1-0) | LP: Morris (0-1)
New York sandwiched a pair of one run innings around a one spot for the Indians, then broke it open with a four-run seventh. Wade Boggs drove in three in the victory.
Game 4: NYY 5, @ CLE 4 | WP: Wickman (2-0) | LP: Plunk (0-1) | SV: Howe (1)
In a tight game tied at two going into the eighth, the Yankees put up three runs to grab the lead and held on against a two run rally in the bottom half of the inning.
Texas Rangers vs Chicago White Sox
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| Photo by Otto Greule, Jr. (Getty Images) |
McDowell throws eight shutout innings and gets plenty of run support, with Frank Thomas homering and driving in two while Darrin Jackson hit a two run triple in the fourth.
Game 2: @ CHW 8, TEX 1 | W: Fernandez (1-0) | L: Rogers (0-1)
Pudge Rodriguez gave the Rangers their lone run with a solo shot in the fourth which tied the game, but the Sox took the lead for good with two in the fifth and broke it open with five in the sixth. Frank Thomas homered and drove in five to lead the South Siders in support of 8 2/3 strong innings from Alex Fernandez.
Game 3: @ TEX 9, CHW 8 | W: Dettmer (1-0) | L: Alvarez (0-1) | SV: Henke (1)
The White Sox put up a four spot in the first to chase starter Hector Fajardo, but the Rangers put up three in their half of the first, tied it at five in fourth, and took the lead for good with a three run fifth. Original Game 4 starter John Dettmer piched 4 1/3 innings of one run ball in relief to pick up the win.
Game 4: CHW 11, @ TEX 2 | W: Bere (1-0) | L: Brown (0-2)
I opted to start Kevin Brown on three days rest for the Rangers, but he got tagged for four runs in just four innings, and the Sox blew it open in the eighth to clinch the series. Backup catcher Mike Lavalliere started for Ron Karkovice and did not disappoint with a three run homer in that eighth as well as another run driver in. Jason Bere walked six Rangers but only allowed one run in the win.
NLDS
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Montreal Expos
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| Photo from Getty Images (Photographer uncredited) |
Moises Alou's three run shot in the bottom of the first erased a 1-0 lead, though the Dodgers would come back to tie the game at four in the sixth. Marquis Grissom delivered the game-winning hit in the eighth for Montreal.
Game 2: @ MON 11, LA 0 | W: Martinez (1-0) | L: Gross (0-1)
The Expos put up a five spot in the third, and that was all the support Pedro Martinez would need as he threw seven innings of two hit ball. Gil Heredia pitched two shutout innings of relief to close it out. Moises Alou homered, doubled three times, and drove in five for the Expos.
Game 3: MON 6, @ LA 3 (10) | W: Wetteland (1-0) | L: Gott (0-2)
Both pitchers made it through the eighth allowing just one run, but the Expos touched Tom Candiotti for two runs in the top of the ninth, but closer John Wetteland gave up a game-tying home run to Mike Piazza with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. But Moises Alou came through again with a two run double in the tenth and Wetteland pitched a perfect tenth to complete the sweep.
Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds
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| Photo from Getty Images (Photographer uncredited) |
The Braves rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the first, and added one more apiece in the second and third to support Greg Maddux, who allowed three runs over eight innings. Fred McGriff homered twice and drove in three for Atlanta. Tony Fernandez led the Reds with a 3-4 day with two runs driver in.
Game 2: @ CIN 7, ATL 1 | W: Smiley (1-0) | L: Glavine (0-1)
John Smiley threw eight innings of one run ball and helped his own cause with an RBI single, while Tony Fernandez drove in two for the Reds in the win. Roberto Kelly had three hits to lead Atlanta.
Game 3: @ ATL 8, CIN 3 | W: Avery (1-0) | L: Hanson (0-1)
Fred McGriff's three run homer in the second capped a five run inning, giving him four RBI's for the contest and breaking the game wide open. Steve Avery allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings in the victory, while Erik Hanson was chased after McGriff's homer, sending Cincy to the bullpen early. Kevin Mitchell had the Reds' big blow with a two run homer in the fifth.
Game 4: @ ATL 6, CIN 5 (10) | W: Bedrosian (1-0) | L: Carrasco (0-1)
Cincinnati made some key offensive plays late, with Bret Boone hitting a two run homer in the seventh to tie the game at three, but Jose Oliva hit a pinch hit homer in the bottom half, and the Braves would add an insurance run in the eighth. But the Reds tied the game with two outs in the ninth to force extras, where in the tenth the Braves clinched the series on a walkoff single by Terry Pendleton. The late bullpen issues for the Braves spoiled a quality start by John Smoltz. Tony Fernandez led the Reds with a 3-5 day at the plate.
ALCS
Chicago White Sox vs New York Yankees
Game 1: @ NYY 7, CHW 2 | W: Key (1-0) | L: McDowell (1-1)
The Yankees scored a pair of two out runs in the first off of Jack McDowell, then added a couple more in the third to back up Jimmy Key, who went 6 2/3 strong innings. Luis Polonia went 4-4 with four runs scored, Paul O'Neill doubled twice, and Bob Wickman didn't allow a hit over the final 2 1/3 innings to seal the Game 1 victory. Darrin Jackson and Lance Johnson knocked in the lone Chicago runs.
Game 2: CHW 8, @ NYY 0 | W: Fernandez (2-0) | L: Abbott (0-2)
Alex Fernandez tossed a four hit shutout while striking out only three batters. He got three runs of support in the third, including a Ron Karkovice solo homer, and the Sox broke it open with four runs in the fifth. Frank Thomas had two doubles and drove in three, and Karkovice drove in two to lead the way for the South Siders. Luis Polonia had two of New York's four hits.
Game 3: @ CHW 5, NYY 3 | W: McCaskill (1-0) | L: Perez (1-1) | SV: DeLeon (1)
Frank Thomas homered in the bottom of the first to give the Sox the early lead, and they led 2-0 going into the sixth, but Wilson Alvarez ran into some trouble, giving up three runs and the lead, but Julio Franco tied the game in the eighth with a single, and Robin Ventura put the Sox ahead for good with a single immediately following. Thomas scored twice in the game, the Sox bullpen fired 3 1/3 innings of one hit ball, an Ventura broke out of his funk with a two hit game including the game-winner. Paul O'Neill knocked in a pair for the Yankees, but Melido Perez took the loss despite going 7 1/3 innings.
Game 4: @ CHW 18, NYY 6 | W: Bere (2-0) | L: Mulholland (0-1)
Terry Mulholland got chased in the third in the midst of a five run Sox rally after Julio Franco hit a three run homer in the first. Chicago put it away in the fourth with a six run inning. Jason Bere went six innings in the win, every Sox batter reached base at least once, four guys scored three runs, and Ozzie Guillen drove in six for the Palehose. Wade Boggs paced the Yankees by going 3-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and two more driven in.
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| Photo by John Starks (Daily Herald) |
The Yankees grabbed the early lead in this one on an RBI single by Wade Boggs, though Frank Thomas drew a bases loaded walk in the fifth to tie it. Jim Leyritz, seeing his first action of the postseason, hit an RBI single in the sixth and the Yankees seemed poised to send the series back to the Bronx. But the Sox came through in the clutch in the eighth, with Darrin Jackson tying the game with an RBI single, and Lance Johnson put the Sox in front with an RBI groundout immediately after. Jack McDowell finished things off himself in the ninth for the complete game victory. Jimmy Key's seven innings of one (unearned) run ball were spoiled.
ALCS MVP: Frank Thomas (CHW)
NLCS
Atlanta Braves vs Montreal Expos
Game 1: ATL 7, @ MON 1 | W: Maddux (2-0) | L: Hill (0-1)
Mark Lemke's two run double in the top of the second was all the run support Greg Maddux needed, as he went the distance allowing just one run on eight hits. Javy Lopez homered and drove in three for insurance. Ken Hill took the loss for the Expos, allowing six runs over seven innings, while Mike Lansing led the offense with three hits and the lone RBI.
Game 2: ATL 8, @ MON 4 | W: Glavine (1-1) | L: Martinez (1-1)
Atlanta put up a two spot in the second inning and three more in the third to pull away early, and the Expos never really recovered. Tom Glavine threw seven strong innings allowing just two runs negated by the fact that he drove in two for the Braves. Roberto Kelly and Mark Lemke also drove in two apiece for Atlanta, while Larry Walker paced Montreal with a ninth inning two run homer. Pedro Martinez lasted just four innings allowing five runs.
Game 3: @ ATL 4, MON 3 | W: Stanton (1-0) | L: Rojas (1-1)
After starting out as a pitchers' duel, the offenses got going in the second half of the game. David Justice homered in the bottom of the fifth to get the Braves on the board first, but the Expos responded with a two spot in the top of the sixth. Moises Alou homered in the eighth to make it a two run game, but Fred McGriff tied the game in the bottom half with a two run single. Mike Stanton came in to relieve Tom Glavine, who'd been lifted for a pinch hitter in the eighth, and he got through the ninth to set up a walk off rally. Javy Lopez walked to lead off, Mark Lemke hit a one out single, and Tony Tarasco had a pinch hit walk off single to put Atlanta up 3-0. Brave starter Steve Avery went eight strong allowing just three runs, while Jeff Fassero's 7 1/3 inning outing was spoiled in the loss.
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| Photo by Doug Pensinger (Getty Images) |
The Braves complete the sweep with a late comeback. The Expos jumped out to a 4-0 lead with two runs in the first, one in the second, and one in the third, but the Braves got two back in the bottom of the third before Ken Hill, pitching on three days rest, went on cruise control. Then the bottom of the eighth inning happened, where Hill allowed the first three men to reach to load the bases. After a sac fly and a popout, Mel Rojas came in to try and get out of the jam, but Terry Pendleton and Jeff Blauser hit back to back single to give the Braves a 5-4 lead, and Greg McMichael got out of a first-and-third with one out jam to shut the door. John Smoltz allowed four runs over seven innings, Ryan Klesko had three hits including two doubles and drove in a pair, while Mark Lemke scored twice for Atlanta. Wil Cordero drove in three of Montreal's run, while Marquis Grissom had three hits for the Expos.
NLCS CO-MVP: Greg Maddux (ATL), Mark Lemke (ATL)
World Series
Chicago White Sox vs Atlanta Braves
Game 1: @ ATL 4, CHW 3 (10) | W: Wohlers (1-0) | L: Cook (0-1)
The White Sox jumped out to an early lead as Frank Thomas launched a two run homer in the first. The Sox made it 3-0 in the fourth with an RBI double by Lance Johnson to give Alex Fernandez a sizable lead. He made the most of it, retiring the order the first time through and had faced just one over the minimum through seven innings. But David Justice homered to lead off the bottom of the eighth, and after Terry Pendleton doubled and moved to third on a groundout the Sox went to the bullpen, with Roberto Hernandez getting out of the inning without any further damage. But he struggled in the ninth, allowing back to back singles to lead off the inning before Fred McGriff tied the game with a double. The Sox forced extras and had a nice chance in the tenth with Lance Johnson reaching on an infield single and stealing second with nobody out, but Joey Cora popped out with the bases loaded to end the threat. Dennis Cook came on to work the bottom of the tenth, and after striking out Javy Lopez, Jeff Blauser launched a walkoff home run to give Atlanta the early series lead.
Game 2: @ ATL 5, CHW 4 | W: Stanton (3-0) | L: Bere (2-1) | SV: McMichael (3)
Chicago grabbed the early lead in the second with a Ron Karkovice solo shot, but the Braves answered in the third with a three spot in the form of a solo shot by Roberto Kelly and a two run shot by Fred McGriff, and starter Tom Glavine would later help his own cause with an RBI single in the fourth. The Sox tied the game in the sixth with a two run shot by Frank Thomas and an RBI single by Robin Ventura, but the tie was short lived as David Justice hit a go-ahead homer in the bottom of the frame. Tom Glavine lasted just 5 1/3 innings allowing four runs but striking out eight, while the bullpen went the rest of the way allowing just two hits. Jason Bere took the loss for the Sox, throwing seven innings and allowing five runs on seven hits but striking out nine.
Game 3: @ CHW 4, ATL 3 | W: McDowell (3-1) | L: Smoltz (0-1) | SV: McCaskill (1)
The White Sox put up a two spot in the first on a Robin Ventura RBI single, and a Mark Lemke error allowed a second run to score in the inning. Frank Thomas launched a solo shot in the fifth to make it 3-0, and in the sixth Lance Johnson singled home another run. The Braves made a push in the seventh with a Lemke RBI single and a two run single by Ryan Klesko, but that was all the Braves would manage. Jack McDowell went 6 1/3 innings and allowed 12 hits, but only 3 runs, and the bullpen shut the door. Darrin Jackson doubled twice and scored a run, while Frank Thomas homered for the third straight game for the South Siders. Fred McGriff and Javy Lopez each had two hits for Atlanta and Mike Stanton fired two hitless innings in relief of John Smoltz.
Game 4: @ CHW 7, ATL 0 | W: Alvarez (1-1) | L: Maddux (2-1)
I started Greg Maddux on three days rest to maximize his starts in the World Series, something that backfired for Atlanta in this one. Frank Thomas was at it again, homering in the fourth to give the Sox the lead. It was all they'd need, though they put up a four spot in the fifth aided by a rare Maddux error, in support of a two hit shutout by Wilson Alvarez. Maddux, meanwhile, went the entirety of the game allowing seven runs (four earned). Thomas and Joey Cora each drove in two for the Sox.
Game 5: ATL 12, @ CHW 4 | W: Glavine (2-1) | L: Fernandez (2-1)
The Braves wouldn't let the Sox grab the early edge in Game 5, as Terry Pendleton hit a two run single with two outs in the first to open the scoring, though Frank Thomas continued his torrid series with a solo shot in the bottom of the inning to make it 2-1. Then the floodgates opened. Mark Lemke hit a one out RBI single to get the run back, and Fred McGriff crushed a three run shot to make it 6-1 and chase Fernandez from the game. David Justice would add a solo shot off new pitcher Jose DeLeon, and Jose Oliva capped the inning with a three run blast. That was more than enough for Tom Glavine, who went 7 2/3 allowing four runs. McGriff and Oliva each drove in three runs, while Mark Lemke went 3-6, and Jeff Blauser was hit by two pitches in the same inning. Robin Ventura went 2-3 with two runs scored to help lead Chicago's offense.
Game 6: @ ATL 11, CHW 10 | W: McMichael (1-0) | L: Cook (0-2)
World Series MVP: Jeff Blauser (ATL)
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