1964 Round 1 – Cardinals take Colts in 4

Mike Shannon	Bob Aspromonte	Curt Simmons	Lou Brock

St. Louis 3, Houston 2
Turk Farrell vs Bob Gibson
St. Louis scores in the 3rd  on a single by Bill White scoring Curt Flood. Added to the lead in the 6th when a Tim McCarver single scored Ken Boyer. In the 7th back to back home runs by Al Spangler and John Bateman knotted the game at 2. Bottom of the ninth Jim Owens in to relieve Turk Farrell and 1st batter game MVP Mike Shannon homered to win it for St.Louis. Bob Humphreys was the winner and Jim Owens the loser.

Houston 4, St. Louis 3 - 13 innings
Bob Bruce vs Ray Sadecki
St.Louis took the lead in the 1st as Dick Groat doubled scoring Curt Flood and Ken Boyer sacrificed scoring Lou Brock who was injured in the 2nd while playing leftfield. In the 4th Houston came alive scoring 3 as starting pitcher Bob Bruce singled scoring 1 and Eddie Kasko singled scoring 2 more. Pinch hitter Johnny Lewis scored on a Dick Groat single to tie it in the 7th. Pitching and fielding took over until the top of the 13th when Jerry Grote singled home Joe Gaines who lead off the inning with a walk. Dave Guisti pitched 3 1/3 innings allowing 1 hit to get the win. Roger Craig took the loss. Game MVP Bob Aspromonte

St. Louis 6, Houston 0
Curt Simmons vs Don Larsen
Game MVP Curt Simmons was strong going the distance and allowing just 5 hits. A 3 run shot by Javier in the 2nd, a single by Curt Flood punched in 2 more in the 4th and a single by Dick Groat in the 9th scored the 6th and final St. Louis run. Curt Simmons the winner Don Larsen the loser.

St. Louis 6, Houston 2
Gordie Richardson vs Turk Farrell
St. Louis jumped to a 2 run lead in the 1st Ken Boyer singled scoring Lou Brock and Bill White scored on a Dick Groat ground out. Houston got 1 back in the bottom half when Walt Bond flew out to center scoring Eddie Kasko. In the 6th White scored on a Tim McCarver single. The Colt 45s pulled back within 1 when pinch hitter Sonny Jackson singled in Mike White. The game remained close until the 9th when Dave Guisti came in and fell apart pitching a single to Curt Flood, a wild pitch then a 2 run homerun to Lou Brock, followed by a single to Ken Boyer another single to Dick Groat scoring Mike White. It was now 6-2.  Gordie Richardson the win, Turk Farrell the loss and Barney Schultz the save.

St. Louis - Michael Roberts

Houston - Robert Chisholm (submitted article)

1964 Round 1 – Giants knock off Braves in classic 5 game series

GAME 1 - Candlestick Park
Braves 5, Giants 2
Denny Lemaster vs Juan Marichal
Jim Ray Hart's solo blast and Del Crandall's RBI single in the bottom of the second put the Jints up 2-0.  For Crandall, who was traded from the Braves, this knock must have been as sweet as candy.  Milwaukee answered right back with 3 in the top of the 3rd.  Dennis Menke's 2 run double with 2 out was backed up by Eddie Mathews RBI single.  Gene Oliver's 2 run shot in the 6th provided the final margin.  Lemaster was solid in 6 2/3 giving up just 2 and fanning 9.  Marichal's sub par effort (5 ER in 7 IP) helped the visitors draw first blood.
Braves lead series 1-0.

GAME 2 - Candlestick Park
Giants 5, Braves 2
Tony Cloninger vs Gaylord Perry
Once again the losing team drew first blood with 2 runs.  RBI's by Hank Aaron and Joe Torre gave Milwaukee a 2-0 lead.  Gaylord Perry would not allow another run, nor would reliever Jim Duffalo, who pitched 3 perfect innings.  Jesus Alou's 2 run single in the bottom of the 6th got the Jints on he scoreboard and tied the game up at 2-2.  A squeeze bunt by Jim Davenport scored Matty Alou and single by Willie Mays scored Jesus.  Jim Ray Hart's solo shot to lead off the 7th gave the Jints a 3 run lead, which Duffalo would never put in jeopardy.
Series tied 1-1.

GAME 3 - County Stadium
Giants 8, Braves 7 (11 inn)
Bob Hendley vs H Fischer
The bottom of the 7th saw the Braves break a 3-3 tie with two runs to go up 5-3 off of reliever Bob Shaw.  Bill Hoeft was tasked with protecting that lead, but he gave up a 2 run blast to "Stretch" McCovey, which again tied the game, which eventually headed to extras.  San Fran thought they blew the doors open with 3 big runs in the top of the 11th, but they were not home safely yet.  Gene Oliver hit his 2nd homer of the game to make it a 2 run game.  The next two batters would go down swinging, which made Rico Carty the final out.  Carty might not be Mr. Personality or Mr. Clutch fielder, but he's a certifiable hitting machine.  Ask Shaw, who he took deep to make it a one run game.  Dennis Menke walked and Hank Aaron represented the winning run at the plate.  Don Larsen was the man chosen to face Aaron in a tense moment.  Mr. Perfect was used to tight situations like this and he calmly jammed Aaron who hit a one hopper to third that Hart turned into a 5-4 out to end the game.
Giants lead series 2-1.

GAME 4 - County Stadium
Braves 2, Giants 1
Bobby Bolin vs Warren Spahn
A sad ending to the Warren Spahn's Brave career turned out to be a happy ending for the team.  With the Braves up 1-0 and their backs up against the wall facing elimination Spahn took the hill for the 3rd inning.  After Orlando Ceped singled home Jesus Alou and the Giants threatening to have a big inning, Braves manager Bill Keller was forced to shelve sentimentality in favor of practicality.  Turns out brining in Bob Sadowski was the right move.  Sadowski stopped the Giant rally and went on to pitch 5 more scoreless innings before handing it off to Hoeft and Tiefenauer to finish off the 9th.  Both of Milwaukee's runs would come by way of the long ball.  Hank Aaron's solo shot in the 2nd and Dennis Menke's shot in the 3rd provided the difference as Sadowski was the right man in the right spot today.
Series tied 2-2.

GAME 5 - Candlestick Park
Giants 6, Braves 2
Denny Lemaster vs Juan Marichal
Rest assured the Dominican Dandy does not put together back to back bad outings.  Juan Marichal might not have been dominating today, but he was awfully good in going the distance and giving up just 1 earned run (2 total).  A 3 run 4th by the Jints gave Marichal a 4-1 lead.  Tom Haller's 3 run shot was just the right prescription for any patient who has his back up against the wall in a deciding game.  An error by shortstop Jose Pagan led to Milwaukee's second run of the day to make it 4-1.  Jesus Alou's solo shot and Orlando Cepeda's RBI triple gave Marichal a 4 run cushion, which was like money in the bank.  The "Dandy" got the first 2 outs in the 9th then labored a bit.  Carty would again come to the plate with 2 outs in the 9th and once again get on base.  The ever so dangerous Gene Oliver walked to bring up Lee Maye who is still standing at home plate with the bat on his shoulder looking at a called strike 3.
Giants win series 3-2.

1964 Round 1 – Tribe knock off defending champ O’s

GAME 1 - Memorial Stadium
Orioles 7, Indians 2
Jack Kralick vs Robin Roberts
picked up in 1964 right where he left off in 1963.  Putting together another gutsy veteran pitching performance, Robin Roberts went 7 innings and gave up just 2 runs and let his offense do the rest.  Heading into the 6th the game was tied 2-2.  That's when Baltimore got their act in gear and scored 5 runs over the next two innings.  RBI singles by Boog Powell and Gil Brandt in the 6th gave the O's a 2 run lead.  A two run homer by Brooks Robinson in the 7th made it a 4 run bulge and Powell homer, which came right after Robinson's made it an insurmountable 5 run lead that Dick Hall and Chuck Estrada easily protected.
Orioles lead series 1-0

GAME 2 - Memorial Stadium
Orioles 3, Indians 2
Sam McDowell vs Milt Pappas
Sudden Sam was a bit wild (4 walks & 1 HBP), but Baltimore wasn't able to take full advantage of it. It finally took an error by McDowell in the 6th to give the O's a 2-1 lead.  McDowell's day ended in the 7th when 3 consecutive singles (Johnson, Bowens & Robinson) made it 3-1.  It could have been worse if McDowell didn't fan Powell and get Dick Brown to ground into a 4-6-3 DP.  Vic Davalillo singled home Chico Salmon in the top of the 8th to once again make it a 1 run ballgame, but "the kitten" (Harvey Haddix),   pitched a perfect 9th in relief of Milt Pappas to close out the game.
Orioles lead series 2-0

GAME 3 - Municipal Stadium
Indians 9, Orioles 4
Dave McNally vs Luis Tiant
In a contrast of styles the soft tossing McNally could not keep pace with the hard throwing Cuban Luis Tiant, who had 7 shutout innings going before the O's finally got to him.  By that time the Tribe was up 8-0, so there is a good chance Tiant was just letting them put the ball in pay.  Cleveland's tablesetters, Vic Davalillo and Dick Howser were on base 6 times today and accounted for 3 runs.  Johnny Romano chipped in with a 2 run homer as the Tribe staved off elimination.
Orioles lead series 2-1

GAME 4 - Municipal Stadium
Indians 3, Orioles 1
Steve Barber vs Dick Donovan
A low scoring close to the vest 1-1 game took a turn in the Tribe's favor in the bottom of the 8th.  With Dick Hall already having pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief the Tribe figured out how to get it done.  Tito Francona doubled with 1 out, but when Johnny Romano lined out to short it looked like the O's would get out of the inning.  Max Alvis would have nothing to do with that line of thinking and gave the hometown fans something to cheer about with his RBI double of the left center wall to make it 2-1.  Leon Wagner gave hurler Donovan a much needed insurance run with his RBI single to score Alvis.  Dick Donovan started the 9th and quickly got Brandt and Brown to pop up to the infield.  Little Luis Aparicio would leg out an infield hit and steal second, but when Johnson lined out to Chance at first the game was over and the series was now all knotted at 2 apiece.
Series tied 2-2

GAME 5 - Memorial Stadium
Indians 10, Orioles 4
Jack Kralick vs Wally Bunker
With their backs up against the wall for two straight games the Indians were used to pressure situations.  After blowing a 2-0 series lead the O's now had the pressure on them and a youthful Wally Bunker on the hill.  Cleveland's veteran Kralic and Baltimore's novice Bunker battled in a tight duel for 4 innings.  Sam Bowens' solo shot to lead off the bottom of the 4th gave the O's their only lead of the day.  Leading 1-0 and heading into the 5th Bunker collapsed like a 3rd world government.  A bases clearing triple by Vic Davilillo followed and RBI ground out by Dick Howser to make it 4-1.  Leon Wagner's sac fly made it 5-1 and Chico Salmon's ground out made it 6-1.  The O's were now on life support.  Cleveland would mercifully pull the plug on the O's season with 4 more runs over the final 3 innings to close out a fantastic series comeback.  Davalillo would compile 3 hits on the day and 5 RBI's.
Indians win series 3-2

1964 Rd 1 – Game 3 - “Short but Sweet”

Game 3 found the teams in a new location, Los Angeles, and the Dodgers on the brink of elimination. The Phillies would hand the ball off to 17 game winner lefty Christ Short. The Dodgers would put their fate in the hands of Joe Moeller , a 21-year old who went 7-13 for the Boys in Blue. The Phillies continued their habit of scoring early and often when they picked up 2 runs in both the first and second innings to take a 4-0 lead over the Dodgers. The big blows were a 2-run HR by Wes Covington in the first and a Tony Gonzalez single in the 2^nd that plated 2. Walter Alston had a quick hook today pulling Moeller after only 3 innings of work. A trio of Dodger relievers, Nick Willhite, Larry Miller, and Howie Reed combined to hold the Phillies to 2 more runs in the next 6 innings. Chris Short would pitch a shutout until the Dodgers scored 1 run in the 7^th inning. Willie Davis provided the single that drove home the Dodgers first run. Cal McLish pitched the 8^th and into the 9^th before Jack Baldschun came in with a run in and a runner on bases and coaxed Willie Davis into grounding into a series-ending double play.

Final Score Phillies 6 Dodgers 2

WP Chris Short LP Joe Moeller Save Jack Baldschun (2)

--submitted by Frank Selders--

1964 Rd 1 – Game 2 - “The Days of Wine and Roseboro”

Game 2 of the best of 5 series found Philadelphia righty Art Mahaffey, a 12 game winner, facing the Dodgers' Don Drysdale the right-handed half of their Dynamic Duo. The Phillies offense wasted no time in this game scoring 3 runs on 4 hits in the bottom of the first to take a 3-0 lead on the Dodgers. Big hits in the inning were a lead-off triple by Tony Taylor followed by a Tony Gonzalez double an Allen single and a Dalrymple double. The Dodgers came back on Mahaffey in the 2^nd inning scoring 2 runs on 3 singles and a double by 3^rd baseman Darrel Griffith. This Dodger comeback only seemed to infuriate the Phillies as they answered back in the bottom half of the inning with hits by Mahaffey, followed by an error by Dodger 3^rd baseman Griffith , followed by consecutive hits by Gonzalez, Allen, and Covington which brought in 3 more Philadelphia runs which made the score 6-2 after only 2 innings. Dodgers fan were shocked and Phillies fans delighted to find that for the second day in a row a Dodgers 'ace was brutalized by a Philadelphia offensive juggernaut. The Dodger scored 1 in the top of the 4^th when Darrel Griffith GDP with runners on 1^st and 3^rd and no one out. Tommy Davis came home on the play to bring the score to 6-3 Philadelphia. Drysdale settled down after the first 2 innings and pitched until the 7^th innings striking out 7 and walking only 1. Mahaffey lasted 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 9 hits striking out 2 and walking 1. The Dodgers bullpen would hold the Phillies scoreless until the end of the game and Philadelphia reliever Johnny Klippstein would uncork a wild pitch with runners on the corners to lead to the Dodgers 4^th and final run. Dodgers defense has been suspect in the first 2 games giving up 5 errors.

Final Score Philadelphia 6 Los Angeles 4

WP Art Mahaffey LP Don Drysdale Save Jack Baldschun

--submitted by Frank Selders--

1964 Round 1 – Phillies 10, Dodgers 8 - “Aces Wild”

To the knowledgeable fan, a game featuring Sandy Koufax and Jim Bunning would be a close match of the low scoring variety. However, that was not to be the case on this day. Bunning and Koufax would be long gone before this slug fest would be over. The Dodgers started the scoring in the second inning bringing 2 around on a Gilliam triple and a Koufax single. The Phillies came back to take the lead in the bottom of the third inning scoring 5 times helped by back-to-back Dodgers errors and a grand slam off the bat of Johnny Callison. The Dodgers, not deterred by the poor performance of the ace, would come back to tie the game at 5 with a 3-run 4^th inning which was highlighted by a Darrel Griffith triple that scored Roseboro and Tommy Davis. The Phillies would quickly regain the lead as they scored 2 more and chased Koufax in the bottom of the 4^th to take a 7-5 lead on Tony Gonzalez' 2-run single. Bob Miller was now on the mound for the Dodgers and Bunning would be pulled after completing 5 innings. The Philadelphia crew would add 1 run in the 6^th to make the lead 8-5. The ever-resilient Dodgers came back to tie the game in the 8^th inning scoring 3 runs off of Philly reliever and former

dodger Ed Roebuck. Pitcher Bob Miller doubled with 2 on and Willie Davis came through with a key single to lead the way. Looking at a possible extra-inning affair the Phillies would bring up the bottom of their order to face the Dodger reliever Jim Brewer. But extra-innings would not be in the cards as shortstop Bobby Wine blasted a 380-ft 2-run walk off HR to win the game for the Phillies

Final Score Philadelphia 10 Los Angeles 8.

WP Bobby Shantz LP Jim Brewer

--submitted by Frank Selders--

1964 Round 1 – Halos get Chance to outlast Tigers

This series breaks down like this:  Angels - 1 game, Tigers - 2 games, Dean Chance - 2 games.  Chance opted to allocate all his delegates to the Angles.  And so Los Angeles is awarded the series win 3-2.
Game 1 - LAA 13, Det 3; WP: Chance, LP: Wickersham; Save: none; HRs: LAA - Adcock, Fregosi, Det: none
Game 2 - LAA 4, Det 2; WP: Newman, LP: Lolich, Save: B.Lee; HRs: LAA - Green, Det: none
Game 3 - Det 5, LAA 2; WP: Sparma, LP: Belinsky, Save: Egan; HRs: LAA - Clinton, Det - Thomas
Game 4 - Det 7, LAA 1; WP: McLain, LP: Osinski; Save: none; HRs: none
Game 5 - LAA 4, Det 0; WP: Chance, LP: Wickersham; Save: none; HRs: none
In game 5, Dean Chance pitched 7.1 inning of no-hit ball.  Norm Cash singled with 1-out in the bottom of the 8th, and Chance finished with a 1-hitter.   

--submitted by Douglas Zaner--

1964 Qualifier Rd – Colt’s gallop over Cubbies in 2

GAME 1 - Wrigley Field
Houston 5 Chicago 2
Bob Bruce vs Ernie Broglio
John Bateman sacrifices in the 2nd to score Joe Gaines.In the 4th Joe Gaines gets a homerun and Chicago starter Ernie Broglio is ejected. It fires up the Cubbies in the bottom of the 4th Ron Santo sends a 2 run blast over the fence. In the 6th Don Elston who came in to pitch for Chicago allowed two singles to lead off the inning Joe Gaines and Eddie Kasko got RBIs to give the Colt 45s a 4-2 lead. The added another run in the 7th when Len Gabrielson errored. Bob Bruce remained strong on the mound striking out 8 to pitch a complete game win. Don Elston took the loss.
Houston leads series 1-0

GAME 2 - Colt Stadium
Chicago 2 Houston 3
Larry Jackson vs Don Larsen
Do or die for the Cubbies and they came to play first at bat Len Gabrielson doubles  scoring Joey Amalfitano and Billy Williams. Houston gets one back when Andre Rodgers errors and John Bateman gets to first later scoring on a Walt Bond single. Claude Raymond came into pitch for Houston and held the Cubbies off the board through to an including the 9th inning.  Houston ties it in the bottom of the 9th  when Lindy McDaniel came in to relieve Larry Jackson and blew the save with pinch hitter Rusty Staub doubled and the scoring on a Bob Aspromonte single.  In the top of the 11th Dave Guisti came in to relieve Hal Woodeshick and caused Ron Santo to groundout, Ernie Banks to line out and Len Gabrielson to ground out. In the bottom of the 11th to the delight of hometown fans when after a Jerry Grote flyout Mike White singled, Nellie Fox and Bob Aspromonte walked and the Walt Bond singles scoring Mike White with the winning run and a two game Colt 45s series sweep. Pitching was strong for Houston allowing only 4 hits in the 13 innings. Dave Guisti was the winner, Lew Burdette the loser and Don Larsen who pitched 6 innings allowing only 3 hits and a rough start to the game was Game MVP.   
Houston wins series 2-0

Chicago Gene Couture vs Houston Robert Chisholm
--submitted by Robert Chisholm--

1964 Qualfier Round - "Yaz-hoo" - Sox advance in nail biter

GAME 3 - Fenway Park
Red Sox 5, Senators 4
Buster Narum vs Earl Wilson

Red Sox nation began to rejoice as Yaz hit a 2 run shot and Lee Thomas followed that with a solo blast to put Boston up 3-0 after 1 inning of play.  An RBI double and an RBI single by Yaz in the bottom of the second chased Narum from the hill.  Boston had a 5-0 lead and the Nats looked like toast.  Alan Koch was given the ball to mop up and turned in a splendid 5 inning shutout performance.  By the time Koch's day was done the 5-0 Red Sox blowout was now a tenuous 5-3 lead.  Dick Radatz would start the 9th with a 2 run lead and a chance to close out the Nats.  Fred Valentine's pinch hit RBI single with 2 out made it a 1 run game.  Both Valentine and Jim King moved up 90 feet as Boston elected to go for a game ending play at the plate.  With runner on 2nd and 3rd game 2 hero Moose Skowron came to the plate and hit a rocket ship that found it's way into third baseman Frank Malzone's glove to end the series.  Yaz would have 3 RBI on the day as the Sox advance.

Red Sox win series 2-1

1964 Qualfier Round - "Moose-Slam"

GAME 2 - D.C. Stadium
Senators 5, Red Sox 3
Bill Monbouquette vs Bennie Daniels

Moose Skowron's grand slam in the 3rd seemingly blew the doors wide open in the contest, but the Sahx clawed their way back to make it a game.  When it became apparent that Daniels was incapable of protecting a 5-0 lead Jim Hannan was called in from the pen to pitch almost 4 scoreless innings of relief.  Ron Kline would pitch a perfect 9th for the save.

Series tied 1-1

1964 Qualfier Round - "Tony-C-U-Later"

GAME 1 - Fenway Park
Red Sox 6, Senators 1
Claude Osteen vs Bob Heffner

A six run outburst by the Sahx in the bottom of the 3rd spelled doom for the the visiting Nats.  Five consecutive singles accounted for the first 3 runs.  One ball deposited over the "Green Monstah" by Tony Conigliaro took care of the other 3.  Heffner, who was a surprise starter, went 7 1/3 and gave up just 1 run...a homer to Hinton in the 8th.

Red Sox lead series 1-0

1964: Bucs sweep Amazin's behind Clemente's 3 run clout

GAME 2 - Shea Stadium
Pirates 5, Mets 2 (10 inn)
Bob Friend vs Al Jackson

Newly christened Shea Stadium was the host for this extra inning extravaganza.  Al Jackson looked dominant as the Metsies clung to deer life to stay alive in the series.  Up 2-1 and heading into the 8th Jackson couldn't hold the lead.  With 2 out Bob Bailey singled home Schofield to tie the game at 2-2.  The game went to extras with the Bucs clearly capturing the momentum.  Willard Hunter took the hill for the Mets and walked Schofield to lead off the frame.  Maz hit a bullet to third that Charley Smith booted into the 3rd base dugout.  Up stepped Roberto Clemente with runners on the corners.  Hunter was not in a good spot and Clemente made him pay by lining a 3 run shot to dead center over the 410 marker.  New York did nothing in the bottom of the inning and Al McBean notched the win in relief of Bob Friend who was solid.

Pirates win series 2-0

1964 Qualfier Round - "Ducky Pins Mets to Wall"

GAME 1 - Forbes Field
Pirates 7, Mets 0
Galen Cisco vs Vern Law

The "Deacon", Vern Law scattered 8 hits while going the distance as the Bucs totally outclassed the Amazin's.  Every Pirate starter, including Law had at leas 1 hit.  Dick "Ducky" Schofield's 3 run shot in the bottom of the 2nd got the scoring started.  George Altman had 3 hits for New York.  Cisco gave up 6 runs in 4 innings before he was mercifully sent to the showers.

Pirates lead series 1-0

"Treaty of Versalles"

GAME 2 - Municipal Stadium
Twins 6, A's 1
Jim Kaat vs Diego Segui

For 8 innings KC fans were treated to a magnificent pitcher's due.  Bob Allison would lead off the game with a homer off of Segui, but that would be it for the Twins until the top of the 9th when Segui lost his dominance.  Minnesota would erupt for 5 unanswered runs in that inning to put the game away and clinch the series.  Zoilo Versalles 3 run shot was the big clout that put it away.  Jim Kaat was brilliant going the distance and giving up just 1 run.  Segui fanned 8 and looked like a world beater until that fateful 9th innings.

Twins win series 2-0

1964 Qualfier Round - Twins sweep A's in 2 straight

GAME 1 - Metropolitan Stadium
Twins 6, A's 4 (10 inn)
Orlando Pena vs Camilo Pascual

Pena pitched well over his head until he either ran out of gas in the 6th or the Twin bats caught up to him.  Still he left the game up by 1 run, but reliever Ken Sanders could not hold down the fort.  Bespectacled Rich Rollins smashed a homer in the bottom of the 7th to tie the game at 4.  Neither team could gain an advantage, so the game went to extras.  With one out in the bottom of the 10th Moe Drabowsky walked Tony Oliva.  Harmon Killebrew was up next and ended the game with one might swing.

Twins lead series 1-0

1964 – A Year of Change

1964 was a year of change.  In February the Beatles burst on the scene and the world of pop culture was never going to be the same.  The US saw incumbent President Lyndon Johnson defeat Barry Goldwater in a landslide election.  A war in a little know place called Vietnam began to heat up and a loud mouth named Casius Clay shocked the world by defeating the "unbeatable" bully Sonny Liston for the World's Heavyweight Title.

Future famous people like Eddie Vedder and Sarah Palin were born in 1964, so was Sandra Bullock and a former skinny kid named Barry Bonds.

In baseball, 1964 would be known as the final year of the Yankee dynasty.  From the early 1920's- 1964 the New York Yankees dominated baseball to the tune of 29 pennants in 40+ years.  By 1964 the Yankee dynasty was running on fumes and barely staying in contention.  This was an aging ball club trying to hold on for one last hurrah.  For most of the summer the team couldn't get out of it's own way, but somehow stayed close to contention.  By the first week of September they were 4 games out.  Ownership decided to fire the manager, Fan Favorite Yogi Berra, after the season ended no matter what.  What happened was the magical harmonica incident.  Utility infielder Phil Linz was playing his harmonica on a team bus ride after a painful late season loss.  Berra, who never lost his cool, yelled out to cut it out.  Linz asked Mickey Mantle what he said, and Mantle ever the team jokester said, "Yogi said play it louder".  Linz played it louder and of course a huge scuffle broke out.  Most teams would have folded up like a cheap suit, but not the Yankees who went on a tear and won their final pennant of their great stretch.

The Yankees were expecting to play the Phillies in the World Series and with the Phightin's up by 6 games with 8 left to play that was a logical conclusion.  Unfortunately for the Phills they forgot to tell the Reds and the Cardinals, who kept on winning, even though most thought the pennant was sewn up.  Philly controlled the NL since the Spring, but began fading down the stretch.  To magnify their swoon was the fact that their manager Gene Mauch went into panic mode and only pitched two starters over the final week of the season.  Mauch's panic burnt out Chris Short and Jim Bunning and opened the door for Cincy and St. Louis.  While the Phightin's were winning early on, the Cardinals were going nowhere fast.  That was until St. Louis made a block buster deal in June that sent sore armed starter Ernie Broglio to Chicago for enigmatic outfielder Lou Brock.  Most viewed the deal as a page 80 event in the newspaper and didn't pay much attention to it.  Some even thought that the Cardinals got fleeced since Broglio was one of their top tier pitchers and Brock was a singles hitter who struck out like a home run hitter.  That all changed, because the deal was a wake up call to Brock who shortened his stroke and began serving up line drives that became base hits.  Base hits from Brock became immediate doubles due to his base stealing prowess.  The Cardinals began feeding off Brock, who hit .348 over those final 100 games that he played for the Cards.

1964 featured one of the closest pennant races ever for both leagues.  This tournament can be anyone's.  I recommend that anyone participating read a copy of David Halberstam's book appropriately titled “October 1964”.  I read it twice and I have to say that it does not disappoint, as it compares and contrasts the declining Yankees and the ascending Cardinals.  You get to see how the Yankees became the poster child of an America of the past.  A team built in the image of corporate America.  Clean cut, supposedly wholesome and definitively white.  Contrasted to that were the Cardinals, who reflected the more integrated National League and a changing America  While the Yankees team leader was everyone's All-American boy, Mickey Mantle, the Cards team leader was Bill White.  Bill was an educated black man who spoke clearly and intelligently.  He was a tough competitor who represented a new era of black athletes.  White wasn't just glad to be in the majors, he was here to lead men of all colors to victory.  Men like Brock, Curt Flood, Julian Javier and the immortal Bob Gibson accented how an integrated professional team could win.  Halberstam does a great job in his book  contrasting how the Yankees had only one starter who was a man of color...Elston Howard when compared to the Cardinals or the rest of the NL for that matter.  I do think Halberstam did a dis-service to Howard as painting him as sort of a lackey or a man of the establishment.  Ellie Howard was one of the most respected players of his generation.

The World Series that year was a classic.  It went 7 games.  For the old guard it was Mickey Mantle's swan song.  The Mick was able to turn back the clock for one more fall classic and slam 3 homers, but that would not be enough as Gibson and company would win out in the end.  Speed and youth would win out over experience and power.

1964 is a crossroads year for baseball, where the old guard meets up against the young guns.  Any one of 7 teams has a shot at winning this tournament !  With 10 teams in each league, the bottom 4 teams will be seeded in a best of 3 qualifier round.  Round #1, or the LCS round will be a best of 5 and the LCS and WS rounds will be a best of 7 event.

Sit back and enjoy the games…I know I will !

1963 MLB Tournament World Champs – Baltimore Orioles

Congrats to Justin Ryan and the 1963 O’s for taking their second 1960’s Tournament championship.  The O’s won the 1960 event and in 1963 upset the favored defending champ Dodgers in 6 games.

1963 World Series - GAME 6 - "Duel for the Ages”

9/1/63 - Dodger Stadium
GAME 6 - Orioles 1, Dodgers 0
Milt Pappas (2-1, 2.45) vs Sandy Koufax (3-3, 3.38)
After his game 2 semi-meltdown Dodger fans were hoping that Sandy Koufax could rebound and be his Cy Young Award winning self again in this win or go home game.  Koufax was magnificent in allowing just 3 runs in a complete game effort that 99% of the time would result in a Dodger win.  Today was that 1% day.  While Koufax was magnificent, his opponent Milt Pappas, was mystifying.  Minus a 7th inning lead off double by Maury Wills, Pappas was perfect on the day.  Once could say he "Out Koufaxed" Koufax.  The game was scoreless until the top of the 6th.  Al Smith and Luis Aparicio led off the inning with back to back singles to put runners on the corners.  With the infield in and charging Pappas dropped down a bunt.  Smith broke for home as soon as Koufax released the ball and luckily for him Pappas put it on the ground.  Koufax charged hard, but had no play on Smith.  The only play was to first for the easy force.  Jerry Adair would follow that with a 4-6-3 DP, but the O's had a 1-0 lead on a day when runs would not come easy if at all.  The top of the 7th was LA's only opportunity to get back in this game.  Wills' lead off double was their first hit on the day.  Gilliam's sac bunt put Maury on 3rd with 1 out.   Pappas would give Fairly and intentional pass in order to face LA's hitting star Tommy Davis.  Facing Davis in a run producing situation is not what any pitcher would enjoy, but Pappas had no choice.  Walking Fairly created a double play scenario, which would end the inning and not allow LA to tie the game.  Pappas tried to paint the corners and ran the count to 3-1.  he could put Davis on and take his chances with the ever so clutch Wally Moon or let the chips fall where they may.  Pappas decided to go after Davis and take his chances.  The 3-1 offering came right down Broadway and Davis turned on it and hit a bullet that basically found Aparicio's gold glove.  Luis backpedaled, then flipped it to Adair to force Fairly easily.  Adair avoided the hard sliding Fairly and threw a pea to Bob Johnson at first to nip Davis for the inning and quite possibly series ending DP.  With Pappas going as well as he was going Davis' DP ball looked to be the kiss of death for LA.  As it would turn out that's exactly how it would work out.  Pappas easily set the Dodgers down in the 9th to clinch the O's second series of the decade for manager Justin Ryan over the 1962 defending champion Dodgers.
Orioles win series 4-2

1963 World Series - GAME 5 - "Robin-hood”

8/30/63 - Memorial Stadium
GAME 5 - Orioles 3, Dodgers 1
Don Drysdale (3-4, 2.54) vs Robin Roberts (4-2, 2.60)
This rematch of game 1 starters remained scoreless until the bottom of the 5th when Bob  Johnson doubled home Russ Snyder and Robin Roberts to make it 2-0 O's.  Drysdale looked rattled and gave free passes to Brandt and Gentile to load the bases.  John Wesley Powell, know around these parts as "Boog", crushed a 3-1 offering to dead center that Willie Davis had to crash against the wall to catch.  Davis bounced up from his glancing blow with the wall to hit the cutoff man perfectly, but he was way too deep to even have a play on Johnson who could have crawled home to make it 3-0.  Drysdale would get back on course and not allow a run the rest of the way, but LA was down 3-0 and Roberts was looking like it was 1950 all over again.  The top of the 9th saw Gilliam ground out back to the box for the first out.  Ron Fairly would serve a double down the left field line for the Dodgers first baserunner since the 6th.  Tommy Davis would hit a bullet off of the second base bag to easily score Fairly and finally get the Dodgers on the board.  Wally Moon would step up to the plate in hopes of recreating his game 3 heroics, but just got under Roberts 2-2 offering for a long fly ball to right that never seriously threatened anyone.  Willie Davis would be the Dodgers last hope.  Roberts jammed Davis, who popped up weakly to Johnson at second to end the game.  Chalk the win up to the veteran, Roberts, who gave up 1 run on 5 hits while going the distance.
Orioles lead series 3-2

1963 World Series - GAME 4 - "Johnny on the Spot”

8/29/63 - Memorial Stadium
GAME 4 - Dodgers 5, Orioles 1
Johnny Podres (4-0, 1.75) vs Steve Barber (3-2, 1.71)
Since 1955 the Dodgers have turned to one guy to be their stopper in big games.  That guy is Johnny Podres, who cemented his Dodger legend by winning game 7 of the '55 series 2-0 over the Bronx Bombers.  Podres saves his best for the big games. His undefeated 1963 post season is evidence that his star shines brightest while others just fade away.  Baltimore would jump out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second thanks to an error by third baseman Ken McMullen with 2 out.  That error would allow Aparicio the opportunity to single home Al Smith, for what would become Baltimore's only run of the day.  The Dodgers would tie it up with an unearned run of their own in the 3rd.  An error by Russ Snyder in left on Maury Wills' two out single allowed Junior Gilliam the chance to single the fleet footed Dodgers shortstop home to make it 1-1.  Podres would get some run support in the 5th as the O's defense went to pot.  Errors by Brown behind the plate and Adair at second allowed Willie Davis and Podres to score.  Tommy Davis would wack solo homers to lead off the 6th and 8th innings to give Podres more than enough cushion to take his game to the finish line.  Podres would finish the game and allow just 1 unearned run, while allowing just 4 hits and fanning 6.
Series tied 2-2

1963 World Series - GAME 3 - "Dark side of the Moon”

8/28/63 - Memorial Stadium
GAME 3 - Orioles 6, Dodgers 5
Bob Miller vs Dave McNally
Hyperbole aside, game 3 was the turning point of the series.  LA jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first and had McNally on the ropes for 7 innings but could not solve his version of the "rope a dope".  By inning number 3 the O's amassed a 5-2 lead courtesy of a 2 run single by Aparicio in the 2nd and another two run single in the 3rd.  While McNally was playing "rope-a-dope", Bob Miller was being held up by the ropes.  Miller rebounded from those 2 bad innings and did not allow a run for the next 4.  Still, as Yogi says, "It gets late real early out there" and the Dodgers were beginning to run out of outs.  Dick Hall would work his way out of trouble and pitch an untidy, but scoreless 8th, as did Dodger reliever Larry Sherry.  Ron Perranoski would pitch a scoreless 9th for the Dodgers, who were still down 5-2 with 3 outs to go.  Stu Miller would be called on to own the 9th for the O's, who had a 3 run lead.  Hitting cleanup hitter Frank Howard with his first pitch was not exactly how Miller planned to start things.  Willie Davis' 4-6 force out was a good start.  Howard moved into scoring position, but his run did not count for much.  "Popeye", Don Zimmer, worked out a walk after fouling off a boat load of pitches.  John Roseboro hit a bullet back to the box that Miller juggled then threw to third to cut down the lumbering Howard for out number 2.  The Dodgers were down to their final out in the form of Wally Moon, who entered the game in the 8th and struck out looking.  Goat or Hero, that's what it boils down to in these situations.  Moon chose hero and cemented his choice by taking Miller's 2-1 offering deep into the Maryland night for 3 run game tying homer.  You could have heard a pin drop on 33rd street.  Memorial Stadium now resembled a public library.  The game would head to extra innings and just about everyone in the house had this sinking feeling that Miller had let this one get away.  The game was still tied, but you wouldn't have known it from the crowd's reaction.  Perranoski was doing a beautiful job keeping the O's at bay.  After 3 scoreless innings or work he was sent back to the hill to attempt a 4th.  Brooksie walked on 4 straight pitches and that was all she rode for Perranoski, who was at his limit.  Dick Calmus strolled in from the pen and got the next two batters to ground out easily.  Sam Bowens emerged from the dugout to pinch hit for the pitcher and 2 pitches later lashed a rocket to left center for a walk off double.  In one mighty swing the momentum of the series switched and the crowd once more came to life.
Orioles lead series 2-1

1963 World Series - GAME 2 - "Truth Adair"

8/26/63 - Dodger Stadium
GAME 2 - Orioles 5, Dodgers 4
Milt Pappas (1-1, 3.38) vs Sandy Koufax (3-2, 3.76)
Simply put Koufax was not Koufax today as evidenced by the 5 runs he gave up in 9 innings.  That run tally is typical of 3 or 4 Koufax outings, not one.  Sandy had himself a 4-2 lead heading into the fateful top of the 6th when his crankcase began squirting oil.  Jackie Brandt doubled home Bob Johnson to make it 4-3. Sandy then got the next two outs and looked like a sure thing to get out of the jam, but once again this was just not the normally dominant southpaw's day.  RBI singles by Russ Snyder and Luis Aparicio gave the O's a lead that they would never relinquish.  Mike McCormick gave his team 3 outstanding innings of middle relief and Stu Miller closed it out with a perfect 9th to even the series.  Banjo hitting Jerry Adair's 2 run homer in the third got Baltimore on the board and served as a message to all that Koufax was not going to be himself today.
Series tied 1-1

1963 World Series - GAME 1 - "Coming up Roseboro’s"

8/25/63 - Dodger Stadium
GAME 1 - Dodgers 5, Orioles 3
Robin Roberts (3-2, 3.00) vs Don Drysdale (3-3, 2.41)
Both teams entered the 1963 fall classic by outlasting their LCS opponents in grueling 7 game series.  Both starters were working on 3 days rest.  The 1st innings saw both teams exchange runs.  Baltimore took the lead in the second on a squeeze play executed by Robin Roberts to score Brooks Robinson.  Jim Gentile would single home John Wesley Powell in the 6th to give the O's a 3-1 lead.  It would all come crashing down to the ground in the bottom of the inning thanks to the long ball.  Tommy Davis' homer with one out made it a one run game.  John Roseboro creamed a 3-1 offering from Roberts, who for years held the major league record for HR's allowed, for a 3 run shot to make it 5-3.  Drysdale would get stronger as the game went on and close it out for the complete game victory.
Dodgers lead series 1-0

1963 ALCS - GAME 7 - "Close-Shave by Barber"

Game 7

Phil Regan vs Steve Barber

Orioles 1, Tigers 0
After two games of extra innings both bullpens were hurting. This put a lot of pressure on the starters. A sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 1st by Boog Powell scored Luis Aparicio. Both starters were up for the pressure. Phil Regan went 7 1/3 innings  giving way to Willie Smith and then Bob Anderson. Barber went the distance allowed no late game heroics and ended Al Kaline's 7 game hitting streak allowed only 5 hits and struck out 8. Baltimore's pitching ace came through to advance them to the World Series. It was fitting game 7 was a pitching gem ending in a 1-0 shutout.  

Game MVP Steve Barber

--all press releases for this series were submitted by Roberts Chisholm--

1963 ALCS - GAME 6 - "Al-Aboard"

Game 6
Detroit 8 Baltimore 6 (14 innings)
Frank Lary vs Dave McNally
After a 13 inning game Detroit was looking to hang on and Baltimore looking to wrap it up. Baltimore tallied first in the 3rd inning as Jackie Brandt tripled scoring Dave McNally. A single by Al Kaline scored Smith. The Baltimore fans sang loud during the 7th inning stretch and the Orioles responded with 3 run shot by Bob Johnson. Back to back doubles in the 8th by Rocky Rocky Colavito and Norm Cash brought Detroit within 1. A Bill Freehan double tied it up in the 9th. In the 10th a Dick McAuliffe single gave Detroit a 1 run lead, but in the bottom of the 10th John Orsino put it ou to tie it at 5. In the 14th Al Kaline singled scoring 2, Rocky Rocky Colavito singled scoring a 3rd. In the bottom of the 14th relief pitcher Buster Narum put one out of the park, but Baltimore was not abe to score anymore. Series tied at 3 games a piece.
MVP Al Kaline

1963 ALCS - GAME 5 - "Brandt-ed"

Game 5
Baltimore 7 Detroit 6 (13 innings)
Milt Pappas vs Jim Bunning

After splitting te first 4 this series became a best of 3. Baltimore opened the game with singles to Luis Aparicio and Bob Johnson. Teams exchanged runs in the 1st. In the 3rd Jackie Brandt singled in Luis Aparicio. In the 5th Bob Johnson homered. In the 6th an error scored Brooks Robinson. A homerun by Boog Powell scored two more in the 7th. At the seventh inning stretch Baltimore was up 6-1. Detroit came back with 3 in the 7th with a homerun by Al Kaline, triple by Rocky Rocky Colavito. Bottom of 9th Bill Freehan in to pinch hit and gets a homerun. Detroit ties it up. 10th,11th,12 innings settled nothing as pitchers for both teams were very strong. Top of 13 Jackie Brandt nails a Terry Fox pitch and puts it out of the park Winning pitcher Mike McCormick.
MVP Jackie Brandt

1963 ALCS - GAME 4 - "Rockin' Robin"

Game 4
Baltimore 5 Detroit 2
Robin Roberts vs Hank Aguirre
Baltimore got 8 hits in the game. 5 were in the 2nd inning when they scored 4 runs. In the third Brooks Robinson homered giving Baltimore a 5-0 lead. By the end of 3rd Detroit starter Hank Aguirre was gone. Detroit staged a small rally in the 7th when an error by Luis Aparicio allowed 2 Tiger runs. Then winning pitcher Robin Roberts and Stu Miller who got his 7th save shut the door.
MVP Robin Roberts

1963 ALCS - GAME 3 - "Call me Al"

Game 3
Baltimore 4 Detroit 5
Steve Barber  vs Regan
Baltimore took the lead in the first as Boog Powell doubled in Jackie Brandt. Added two more in the third. Detroit tied it up in the bottom of the 3rd when Al Kaline doubled in 2 runs. Al Kaline grounded into a double play in the 7th but Jake Wood scored. Baltimore tied it up in the top of the 9th on a pinch hit single by Joe Gaines. In the bottom of the 9th Pinch hitting Brown sailed one off of reliever Dick Hall who took the loss over the fence. Although Tom Gladding got a blown save he ended up with the win.
MVP Al Kaline

1963 ALCS - GAME 2 - "Big Mac"

Game 2
Detroit 1 Baltimore 2
Frank Lary vs Dave McNally
A pitching duel. In the 1st Rocky Colavito doubles in Al Kaline for Detroit’s only run in the game. Jim Gentile homers in the 2nd  to tie the game. Boog Powell singles off of losing pitcher Tom Sturdivant and gets the GWRBI in the 7th. Herman Starrette gets the win and Stu Miller the save.
MVP Dave McNally

1963 ALCS - GAME 1 - "Big Game James"

Game 1
Detroit 3 Baltimore 2
Jim Bunning vs Milt Pappas
Dick McAuliffe starts game with a leadoff homerun. A double by Norm Cash scores 2 more in the 8th. Baltimore rallied in the bottom of the 9th scoring 2 runs Terry Fox struckout Jim Gentile with runners on 1st and 3rd. Jim Bunning the win, Milt Pappas the loss, Terry Fox the save.
MVP Jim Bunning

--submitted by Robert Chisholm--

Game 7 - "Johnny on the Spot" - Dodgers take series in 7

GAME 7 - Dodgers 7, Braves 2
Bob Hendley vs Johnny Podres

As great as Koufax and Drysdale are there is no bigger big game pitcher than the king of the change-up, Johnny Podres.  As a mere 23 year old lad Podres tossed a 2-0 shutout in game 7 of the 1955 World Series to supply Brooklyn with their only championship.  The brash Podres told his veteran teammates on the way to the game, "Just give me 1 run and I'll shut them out".  Time moves on and so did the franchise.  Podres was now a wiley veteran in his early 30's and the franchise was now 3,000 miles west of the borough of churches. Still Podres maintained that poise and special something that made him a big game pitcher.  After winning the series opener Podres returned to the hill for one more heroic effort.  After giving up an RBI single to Hank Aaron in the first Podres would shut the door on the Braves until the 8th when he gave up another solo run, an RBI single to Joe Torre.  In between those scores came 6 shutout innings of baseball and 4 Dodger runs off of Hendley.  LA would add 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th to make this close game look like a blow out.  Once again LA would get 2 homers from one player in a win.  Johnny Roseboro known more for the glove and less for the lumber went 4 for 4 on the day with 2 homers and 4 RBI's plus 3 runs scored.  On most days an offensive performance like that would qualify a player for MVP status, but not on a day when Johnny Podres tamed the great Brave lineup into submission to close out a tightly contested 7 game series.
Dodgers win series 4-3

Game 6 - "Sandy's Dandy"

Dodger Stadium
GAME 6 - Dodgers 1, Braves 0
Sandy Koufax vs Denny Lemaster

LA headed home needing 2 wins to stave off elimination.  On the hill was the incomparable Sandy Koufax, who had a rocky going in his last outing where he gave up 5 runs.  Koufax did however throw 5 shutout innings to finish up that game, so all fingers pointed to him having gotten his "mojo" back.  Koufax had his "mojo" and then some as he showed early on that he was going to give out hits like Jack Benny gave out cash.  Milwaukee would would get only 3 hits on the day and never see a runner advance past second.  With all of Koufax' dominance the Dodgers themselves weren't exactly knocking the cover off the ball.  Thanks to a heroic performance by Brave starter Denny Lemaster (8 IP / 1 ER), the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 6th.  Maury Wills singled to lead off the inning then advanced to second on a Junior Gilliam sacrifice.  Tommy Davis, who doubled in his last at bat, singled to center and watched Wills score easily to make it 1-0.  The way Koufax was pitching a 1-0 lead seemed like a 10-0 lead.  Milwaukee could not solve the great lefty as Koufax fanned 8 in this vintage 3 hit shutout.

Series tied 3-3