Congratulations to Andy Weinrib and his 2011 Philadelphia Phillies - KOD 20 Champs

It was a hard fought 7 game series that was completely enjoyable to watch.  Yes, I did watch it via the technology of Webex I got to see every play in all 7 games.  Game 1 ending in a triple play left both managers speechless and shocked.  The Yankees scoring a boat load of runs in the 10th inning off of Kyle Kendrick was certainly Andy's darkest hour during the series.  Yet KOD20's championship manager kept on fighting and his Phightin's delivered him his first ever KOD Championship.  Special congratualtions to Michael Hopcroft on winning his first KOD Pennant and taking his team all the way to the wire in game 7.  In the end a Met fan from Brooklyn wins it all managing a team from Philly that he rooted hard against !  What an awesome story !  Congratulations Andy !

World Series Game 7 - "Hall-a day Celebration in Philly"

GAME 7
Hamels vs Pettitte
Phillies 10, Yankees 5
You couldn't have drawn up a better script.  Hamels vs Pettitte for all the marbles.  Each manager couldn't have been happier to have their big game lefties out on the hill for Game 7.  On one had you have Cole Hamels, the 2009 NLCS and World Series MVP.  A man, who at 27 is in the prime of his career with the history of pitching in a Series clincher and a 7-4 (3.09) lifetime post season record.  In the other corner you have Andy Pettitte, who has pitched in 8 Fall Classics and sports 19 post season victories...the most in history.  With all that build up and emotion the truth is neither of these men were a factor in today's game.  Hamels was bad, giving up 4 runs in 6 innings.  Pettitte was worse, giving up 4 runs in 5 innings.  By the time Hamels left the game, in the middle of the 7th inning, he had given up 4 runs, but still had a 2 run run lead.  The real pitching story was Doc Halladay, who manager Weinrib tapped to finish the final 3 innings and protect a tenuous 2 run lead.  Doc was on 3 days rest and today would have been his normal "throw day".  With no more games to be played after today manger Weinrib elected to have Doc do his bullpen session in the fishbowl called game 7.  Doc was shaky at first allowing the runners Hamels put on to score, but he quickly righted the ship.  With the score 6-5 after 8 the tension began to mount.  Manager Hopcroft made the necessary decision that Torre and Girardi both would have made...he elected to give Mo the ball to start the 9th.  The strategy was sound.  You hand the ball to the greatest releiver of all time and have him

protect a one run deficit and you get 3 outs in the bottom of the inning to score 1 run to tie or two to win.  No one in their right mind would do otherwise.  What Hopcroft, and any other manager, couldn't predict was the melt down that would occur.  Mariano Rivera, the greatest reliever in the history of both the regular season and the post season gave up 4 runs in one inning and recorded just one out.  When all the dust cleared the Broad Street Bombers were sitting on a 5 run lead with 3 outs to go.  Manager Weinrib got both Bastardo and closer Madson up in the pen, but thought the better of it and said, "Doc, you got us this far, go finish it out".  Halladay made his skipper look like a crafty riverboat gambler by rolling 3 more sevens in a row to set the Yankees down in order to clinch the KOD20 title.  The first man to hobble over and hug his manager was injured 2B Chase Utley, who managed to play through the pain and deliver a big RBI triple against Mo in the 9th.  How he made it to third was a minor miracle.  There would be no celebrating in Stan's Bar on River Street tonight.  That celebration would be held on 9th and Passyunk as the crowd waiting on line in front of Genos and Pat's went ballistic.  Never before has a man born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and a lifelong Met fan (Andy Weinrib) been celebrated so much by the fickle fans of Philly !
Phillies win World Series 4-3

World Series Game 6 - "Tex Message"

GAME 6 - Yankee Stadium
C.Lee vs Burnett
Yankees 7, Phillies 4

Game six will go down in Yankee lore as Mark Teixeira (3-3) day.  New York's slick fielding 1st baseman sent two "Tex Messages" deep into the Bronx night to knock in 4.  The Bombers scored 7 times and chased Cliff Lee (7 runs 5.2 IP) once again from the hill.  Placido Polanco and Raul Ibanez each had 3 hit days in a losing effor.  A.J. Burnett (6IP/2ER) fanned 5 and finally came up big in a pressure situation, with the Bombers back up against the wall needing to stave off elimination.  The Phightin's most definitely missed Utley in the lineup and hope he can make it back for tomorrow's decisive game seven.
Series tied 2-2

World Series Game 5 - "Doc carves up Bombers"

GAME 5
Sabathia vs Halladay
Phillies 2, Yankees 1

 

In a rematch of game 1 starters, Doc Halladay once again bested C.C..  This was a classic battle of heavyweight (No puns intended) champs going toe to toe without either giving an inch.  The Phightins got on the board first when Doc singled home Polanco with one out.  A two out Robby Cano homer in the top of the 6th tied it up at 1-1, but Ryan Howard answered back in the bottom of the frame with a bomb of his own.  Halladay was finished after 8 innings and 108 pitches.  Ryan Madson took the ball and set the bombers down in order to notch the save and give the Phils a 3-2 series lead.  The only dark spot on this fantastic day in South Philly was the ankle injury that Chase Utley sustained.  Wilson Valdez did an amiable job replacing Philadelphia's perennial All-Star secondbaseman.  Utley twisted his ankle on a routine  grounder by Melky Cabrera with 1 out in the top of the 5th.  He is listed as day to day, but medical experts believe he is gone for the series.  This would be a huge blow to the Phightin's chances.
Phillies lead series 3-2

World Series Game 4 - "This is Wor"

GAME 4
Hughes vs Oswalt
Phillies 9, Yankees 4

2 runs in 1/3 of an inning was all that manager Weinrib needed to see before he played captain hook and yanked Roy Oswalt from the hill.  Vance Worley came on and threw 5 perfect innings in relief where he didn't allow a hit and fanned 9.  That performance was more than enough to help the Phils grab back the momentum.  A 3 run blast by Raul Ibanez in the bottom of the 2nd didn't hurt either.  JRoll chipped in a 2 run shot later in the game as the Phigtin's turned a early deficit into much ado about nothing en route to a big win.  Both JRoll and Ibanez posted 3 RBI games.  Polanco chipped in with 2 RBI's as every Phil reached base via the hit.  Phil Hughes was Yanked by skipper Hopcroft after 3 and a third.  Once again a small ballpark and the longball victimized this flyball pitcher.
Series tied 2-2

World Series Game 3 - "Handy Andy"

GAME 3 - Citizen's BB
Pettitte vs Hamels
Yankees 6, Phillies 1 (10 inn)

 

The night was electric as the Fall Classic returned to the City of Brotherly Love.  Yankee fans who traveled 90 miles south on the Turnpike were targets of abuse dished out by the Broad Street Faithful.  Wearing a Jeter jersey and sitting in the upper deck was a dangerous thing to do.  Philly fans were yelling "Yankees Suck" at the top of their lungs.  There is no love loss between Philly and New York.  With two big game lefties on the mound fans expected a tight one and they weren't disappointed in the least.  A Chase Utley solo shot in the first drew first blood for the Phightin's off of Andy Pettitte.  That would be the only blood they would from the winningest pitcher in post season history.  With Pettitte in rare form Cole Hamels was forced to step up his game, and boy did he ever step up.  The only blemish on his 8 inning tour was a RBI double by Swish in the 4th.  Other than that he fanned 13 Yankees, but couldn't get the run support to get the win.  Tied 1-1 after the 9 the game headed to extra innings.  At least 4-5 fights broke out in the stands as both fan bases went after each other. Yankee fans make up a loud minority and Philly fans weren't taking any more.  When Howie Kendrick gave up 5 runs in the top of the 10th all the air seemed to be sucked out of CBB.  Yankee fans who made the trip became even louder and more obnoxious.  Security had to respond to this powder keg in order to keep it from exploding.  All of the damage happened with two out thanks to 4 successive Yankee hits, which included RBI singles from Cano and A-rod.  Mark Teixeira's two bagger accounted for 2 runs and Swish'second double of the game ended the scoring.  Mo would get the win in relief as the Yanks took a 2-1 series lead and manager Weinrib was left cursing his porus pen.
Yankees lead series 2-1

World Series Game 2 - "Another Thrilla From Godzilla"

GAME 2
C.Lee vs Burnett
Yankees 6, Phillies 4

Cliff Lee spotted the Bombers a 3 run lead, but the Phightin's offense got in gear and rallied back with 4 unanswered runs to take a 4-3 lead which they held until the bottom of the 8th when Johnny Damon tied the game up with a leadoff homer.  Robby Cano doubled and scored on Hideki Matsui's 380 foot shot into the right field bleachers.  David Robertson, who fanned two in a perfect 8th got the win and Mo pitched a perfect 9th (what's new ?) to grab the save.
Series tied 1-1

World Series Game 1 - "Triple Play Saves the Day"

GAME 1 - Yankee Stadium
Halladay vs Sabathia
Phillies 5, Yankees 1

 

With the bunting all rolled out in the "Big Ball Orchard up in the Bronx" the KOD20 World Series was set to begin.  Managers Hopcroft (NYY) and Weinrib (PHI) shook hands and exchanged lineup cards at home plate after a 30 minute technical delay with the networks.  That delay didn't harm Doc Halladay (8IP/1ER) one bit.  Philly's ace scattered 10 Yankee hits as he avoided danger over and over again.  Shane Victorio stepped to the plate and led the series off with a homer.  The Bombers tied it up in the third when Godzilla singled home Damon.  It remained tied until the 6th when the Phightin's busted out with 3 big runs off of CC.  A lead off triple by Ryan Howard was followed by a Raul Ibanez single to make it 2-1.  Two batters later Chooch Ruiz hit one 332 feet down the left field line to plate two more to give Doc a 3 run lead.  Philly added another in the 9th to make it 5-1, but New York still had some life left.  Melky led off the 9th with a clean single off of Doc.  That was all she rode as manager Weinrib lifted his ace in favor of his close Ryan Madson.  El Cap-i-tan readjusted his batting gloves and stepped in and out of the box enough times to rattle Madson, which resulted in a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out.  If Johnny Damon goes yard now it's a one run ballgame and pandemonium would break loose up in the Bronx.  Damon worked the count to 3-1 and got that grooved fastball he was looking for.  He turned on it and hit a bullet to first that miraculously found Ryan Howard's glove.  An inch or two either way and we are looking at a bases clearing double.  Instead both runners are caught dead in their tacks in no man's land.  Howard immediately tags Jeets for the second out on the play then tosses to JRoll who steps on second to double Melky up for the completion of the most unlikely ending of a World Series game, a triple play.
Phillies lead series 1-0

Congratulations to Andy Weinrib (Phillies) and Michael Hopcroft (Yankees) in winning their respective pennants.

Congratulations to our KOD20 Pennant Winners:  Andy Weinrib (Phillies) and Michael Hopcroft (Yankees).  Both gentlemen are long time KOD members and first time pennant winners.

Join me in wishing them both the best of luck in the KOD20 Fall Classic

ALCS Game 5 - "No Mo' Chances" - 2009 New York Yankees clinch the KOD20 AL Pennant

Game 5: US Cellular

Sabatha vs Sirotka

 

Chicago would have one last chance to survive, but the start was not promising. The Yankees bot three runs in the first three innings, with a Johnny Damon solo shot heading it off, and Sirotka was chased in the fifth inning as New York put up three off a two-RBI Cano double and a sac fly from mark Teixeira. Sabathia was strong through six, but then came the seventh: and the deluge. After giving up an RBI single to Ray Durham with runners on first and second, Sabathia was lifted for Brian Bruney who proceeded to walk the next three men (walking in two runs), give up a two-RBI single to Paul Konerko, another two-run single to Herb Perry, and a go-ahead single to Mark Johnson. Phil Coke came in and gave up a walk to load the bases, but managed to lure Ray Durham into a flyball to mercifully end the inning. The Sox, however, were unable to close the deal as Matsui got New York the lead back with a two-run shot in the eighth. Frank Thomas doubled in the Chicago half off David Robertson but was stranded there. The White Sox’ last chance came against Mariano Rivera in the ninth, when Jose Valentin walked anf stole second. But Mo induced two grounders and a lineout to Derek Jeter. The Yankees hang on to win 8-7 and bring manager Michael Hopcroft his first trip to the World Series. WP: Coke LP: Wunsch S: Rivera

Yankees Win Series 4-1

--All series writeups submitted by Michael Hopcroft--

ALCS Game 4 - "A Thriller from Godzilla"

Game 4: US Cellular

Hughes vs Baldwin

A wilder playoff tilt than this one you will probably never see. It opened with back-to-back home runs from Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano, Swisher leading off the second with his fourth blast of the ALCS, and an incredible eight-run third in which in which the Yankees sent fourteen men to the plate. It looked like it would be easy sailing for ALDS hero Phil Hughes staked to an 11-0 lead, but then Hughes imploded to give up seven runs in the bottom of the inning capped off by a Lee Perry three-run shot. He remained in the game throughout the inning and came out to pitch the fourth but was lifted for Joba Chamberlain after a walk to Ray Durham (who would eventually score). It seemed like anything could happen, and it did when Hideki Matsui hit a grand slam in the fifth. Chicago was able to get a run in the eighth but otherwise the Yankee bullpen held, as New York wins it 15-9 to get within a win of clinching. WP: Chamberlain. LP: Baldwin

ALCS Game 3 - "(Big) Hurt so Good"

Game 3:  US Cellular

Pettite vs Parque

As the series moved to Chicago, Swisher opened the scoring with his third home run of the series in the third. Luckily for the Sox nobody was on base. Hideki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez hit solo shots of their own in the fourth and it looked grim for the home team. Petite was strong for seven innings, giving , but tired in the eighth and was lifted for Phil Coke who alloqws onw of Pettite’s runners to score as well as one of his own. After nine the game had been tied at three, and in the tenth Frank Thomas hit a one-out solo home run to give the White Sox new life with a 4-3 win. WP: Foulke LP: Aceves 

Yankees lead series 2-1

ALCS Game 2 - "Jorge's Day"

Game 2: Yankee Stadium

Eldred vs Burnett

 

The longball would be the key in this contest. To start the bottom of the third, Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada hit back-to-back shots off Carl Eldred to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead. Burnett would hold serve until the seventh, when he started to come unraveled, giving up two singles, a walk, and a run. Brian Bruney got the final out of the inning and Jorge Posada answered in the bottom of the inning with another solo shot. In the ninth Rivera again came in to close, and when Jose Valentin hit a solo home run off him it meant some anxious moments, but he got Chris Singleton to ground out to secure the save. New York wins 3-2 to leave the Bronx with a 2-0 series lead. WP: Burnett LP: Eldred S: Rivera

Yankees lead series 2-0

ALCS Game 1 - "Swish-a-licious"

Game 1: Yankee Stadium

Sirotka vs Sabathia

[AP Reporter - Michael Hopcroft]

The ALCS opens in the Bronx, with the Yankees starting CC Sabathia, their RL ace who has had a terrible KOD campaign, against Pale Hose ace Mike Sirotka. The scoring did not open until the top of the fifth, when Chris singleton scored from third on a Ray Durham ground ball. But the Yanks answered in the bottom of the inning as Nick Swisher smashed home a three-run shot. Yankee pitching held tight the rest of the way, with Sabathia going seven strong innings. David Robertson pitched a three-up three-down eighth, and Mariano Rivera gave up a leadoff single in the ninth to Magglio Ordonez, only to get him thrown out on a pitchout. Although Mo would give up a walk later in the innings, the Sox went quietly and the Yanks secured a 3-1 win to open the series. WP: Sabathia. LP: Sirotka. S: Rivera

Yankees lead series 1-0

NLCS Game 6 - "J-Rollin' to victory" - 2011 Phillies take KOD20 NL Pennant

GAME 6 - Citizens Bank BP
M.Morris vs Worley
Phillies 8, Cardinals 1
 

Matt Morris got shelled and Vance Worley cruised to 6 shutout innings.  Like in game 1 the Phightin's bats were once again live.  No long balls, but 8 runs on 8 hits carried the day.  Howard again had the big stick (2-3, 1 run scored) and Utley and J-Roll each had 2 RBI's.  Philly heads to the fall classic as Andy Weinrib, a charter member of KOD, wins his first Pennant.
Phillies win series 4-2

NLCS Game 5 - "Howard leaves Cards Cryan"

GAME 5
Oswalt vs Suppan
Phillies 6, Cardinals 5

 

For a long while it looked like Roy Oswalt was going to channel his inner Howard Ehmke once again.  "Ozzie" did author up a "quality start" by fanning 8 and allowing 3 in 6.1 IP.  When he left the game he was up 5-2, but Bastardo and Hamels blew the save as the Cards scored 3 in the 7th.  A Ryan Howard solo blast in the top of the 8th wasted the Redbirds comeback.  Hammels (gets the win) threw a clean 8th and Madson cut a scoreless 9th for the save.  Cardinal fans had their hearts ripped out with this loss.
Phillies lead series 3-2

NLCS Game 4 - "Rolen on the River"

GAME 4
C.Lee vs W.Williams
Cardinals 3, Phillies 2

Tied 2-2 after 3 this game looked to give the series it's first barn burner. When Scott Rolen hit his leadoff homer in the 4th no one realized that would actually turn out to be the winning run, which it did.  Williams was solid on the hill and Kline did a great job getting 4 outs before Izzy had to come on to get the final 2 outs.
Series tied 2-2

NLCS Game 3 - "Carpenter Nails Phightin's"

GAME 3 - Busch Stadium
Halladay vs Carpenter
Cardinals 2, Phillies 1

In a battle of aces Chris Carpenter out-slung Doc Halladay.  The Redbirds needed this win

to avoid going down 3-0 in the series and Carpenter and the pen came through big time.  Tony Womack led off the bottom of the first to give Carpenter a 1-0 lead with a homer.  Larry Walker's RBI double in the 3rd made it 2-0.  Philly would get on the board with a run on a error in the 5th and again threatened in the 9th by getting runners on 1st and 2nd with two out.  With Izzy on the mound looking for the save Cardinal fans had their hearts in their mouths as pinch hitter John Mayberry Jr. launched a bomb that John Mabry made a running stab on against the wall to save the day.
Phillies lead series 2-1

NLCS Game 2 - "Other-Worley Experience"

GAME 2
Marquis vs Worley
Phillies 2, Cardinals 1

 Manger Mike Roberts resorted to a little chicanery of his own by starting Staten Island's own Jason Marquis against Weinrib's Phightin's.  Marquis and Weinrib, both Staten Islanders have a heated rivalry in the borough as to who is the most famous baseball man from these parts.  The hurler was magnificent on the day giving up just 2 in 6 and 2/3's innings.  Philly's Vance Worley, who wanted to make his skipper proud, was better.  Worley went 7, fanned 7 and gave up just 1 run on 3 hits.  Bastardo and Madson preserved the victory and the Phightin's now had themselves a two zip lead in the series.  Both pitchers threw up goose eggs for 6 1/2 innings, before the Phightin's posted 2 in the home half of the 7th.  Ryan Howard broke the ice with a lead off homer in the 7th and Worley singled home Polanco with the bases loaded and 2 out later in the frame.  To say Mr. Worley did his skipper proud, in this un-official "Battle of Richmond County" is and understatement.
Phillies lead series 2-0

NLCS Game 1: "Oswalt has Cards come up Ehmke handed"

GAME 1 - Citizens Bank BP
Morris vs Oswalt
Phillies 6, Cardinals 2

Manager Andy Weinrib's decimated pitching staff was torn to shreds in the LDS, so the Phightin's skipper was forced to go to fourth starter Roy Oswalt, who rewarded his skipper with a near complete game result.  Manager Weinrib hoped Oswalt would be his version of Howard Ehmke and he was not disappointed in one bit.  The Philly bats came alive to chase Cardinal starter Matt Morris after 4 and a third.  Chooch, Utley and Howard all had 2 hit games with Chase Utley knocking in 2 of the 6 with a homer.  In all 4 Phils would go yard.  Ryan Madson came on in the 9th with one out to get the final 2 to seal the victory.  Jim Edmonds went deep for the Cards in a losing effort.
Phillies lead series 1-0