The 1979 Oakland A's - (54-108)

[motnahp]

Dave Roberts scored on a Bump Wills sacrifice fly in the top of the 12th inning and the Rangers beat the A's, 1-0. Roberts had reached on a Dwayne Murphy error, then advanced to 3rd on a bunt by Larvell Blanks. Former "A" John Henry Johnson (10-11) was the winning pitcher, while Jim Kern picked up his 24th save. Tough-luck Dave Hamilton (8-9) took the loss. Starter Mike Norris turned in 9 scoreless innings for the A's. He struck out 9, walked 3, and allowed only 4 hits.

The A's will take Thursday off, then welcome the Royals for the final 3 home games of the season.

WED SEP 19

TEX_____1___5___1
OAK_____0___5___2

Season record: 66-87, 7th place in AL West, 1 GB 6th place Seattle

[motnahp]

Oakland pounded Kansas City pitching for 19 hits in a 13-4 drubbing of the Royals. Dave Revering led the way, going 4-4 with a homer (15) and 4 RBI. Mitchell Page was 2-5 and hit his 18th homer. Tony Armas joined in the fun, going 3-5 with 2 RBI. Joe Wallis, getting a rare start, took advantage, going 2-5 with an RBI. Steady Mario Guerrero was 2-4 with 3 RBI. Craig Minetto struggled in the middle innings, but settled down. The lefty went 9 and improved his mark to 11-5. He retired the last 11 batters. Steve Busby (0-2) was looking to regain his mid-1970's form. He was pummeled for 8 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

FRI SEP 21

KC______4___8___1
OAK____13__19___0

[motnahp]

The Kansas City Royals lit up Brian Kingman (6-5) for 6 earned runs in 4 + innings. Dennis Leonard (17-12) fired a 2-hitter, walking 2 and striking out 7, as the Royals trounced the A's, 12-1. The AL's leading hitter, George Brett, went 2-4 with 3 RBI. Darrell Porter was also 2-4, with 2 RBI. The Oakland bullpen duo of Mike Morgan and Alan Wirth combined for 2 1/3 innings pitched and allowed 6 earned runs. Oakland pitchers issued 11 walks and allowed 11 hits.

Final home game of the season on Sunday. Matt Keough takes the mound for the A's.

SAT SEP 22

KC_____12___11___2
OAK_____1____2___0

[motnahp]

George Brett was 2-5 with a double and 3 RBI to pace the Royals in a 6-5 win over the A's. Larry Gura (21-10) was the winner, while Matt Keough (6-14) allowed 6 runs in 6 innings to get the loss. Dwayne Murphy hit his 15th homer, a 1st inning grand slam, but it wasn't enough. Tony Armas was 3-5 for the A's.

The A's finish with a 37-44 home record for 1979.

SUN SEP 23

KC______6___13___1
OAK_____5____9___2

Season record: 67-89, 7th place in AL West, 1 GB 6th place Seattle

[motnahp]

John Henry Johnson shut down his former team, allowing the A's only 2 runs in 7 innings, as the Rangers beat the A's 5-2. Johnson is now 11-11. Jim Kern picked up his 26th save with a scoreless 9th inning. Steve McCatty falls to 10-15. Dave Revering provided the only offense for the A's with a 2-run homer, his 16th of the season.

TUE SEP 25

OAK_____2___9___0
TEX_____5___11___0

[motnahp]

With less than a week remaining in the season, all four division races are still in doubt.

In the AL East, Baltimore leads Boston by 1 1/2 games.

In the AL West, California leads Kansas City by 2.

In the NL East, Pittsburgh and the New York Mets are tied.

In the NL West, Los Angeles leads Cincinnati by 2.

[motnahp]

Doyle Alexander (13-16) held the A's to only 1 run on 5 hits, as the Rangers prevailed, 5-1. Alexander walked only 1 and struck out 6. He was supported with home runs by Al Oliver (13), Nelson Norman (2), and Eric Soderholm (12). Mike Norris (9-13) took the loss for the A's. Oakland's lone run came on a solo homer by Jeff Newman (15).

WED SEP 26

OAK_____1___5___1
TEX_____5___11___0

[motnahp]

The A's dropped their 5th straight and were swept by the Rangers, 2-1. Fergie Jenkins (10-18) and Jim Kern (SV 27) combined to again limit the A's to 5 hits. Tony Armas' solo homer (33) was the only damage done. Richie Zisk was 3-4 for the Rangers. Craig Minetto (11-6) allowed only 2 runs in 7 innings, but was tagged with the loss.

THUR SEP 27

OAK_____1____5___0
TEX_____2____9___1

Season record: 67-92, 7th place in AL West, 3 GB 6th place Seattle

Standings going into the final weekend:

[motnahp]

The A's made it very difficult for Kansas City in the AL West with a 4-2 win over the Royals. KC now trails California by 2 games with 2 to play. Brian Kingman (7-5), Bob Lacey, and Dave Hamilton (SV 14) combined to damage KC's playoff hopes. Derek Bryant hit his 9th home run, off losing pitcher Dennis Leonard (17-13). Oakland designated hitter Mitchell Page, who left yesterday's game at Texas with a shoulder injury, will miss the rest of the season.

FRI SEP 28

OAK_____4___8___0
KC______2__10___1

[motnahp]

On the final Saturday of the season, Tony Armas homered in the 1st inning, his 34th. Rob Picciolo (7) hit a grand slam in the 2nd inning and the A's were on top 5-0. Kansas City was not fazed, however. At the end of 7 innings, the Royals led 14-5. Al Cowens was 2-5 with 3 RBI and hit his 15th homer, Amos Otis hit his 20th, and Frank White was 2-4 with 3 RBI. Larry Gura (22-10) pitched into the 9th and got the win. Joe Wallis hit his first homer of the year in the 9th inning, a 2-run pinch-hit homer. Matt Keough (6-15) ended his season poorly, lasting only 1 1/3 innings. He allowed 5 hits and 6 earned runs. Mike Morgan and Dave Heaverlo weren't much better.

SAT SEP 29

OAK_____8___12___2
KC_____14___16___0

Two pennant races were decided and two are tied with one game remaining.

In the AL East, Boston and Baltimore are dead even at 91-70. The Red Sox are in Detroit, while the Orioles are in Cleveland.

The California Angels clinched the AL West with their 3-2 win in 10 innings at Texas.

The NL East is also a dead heat, with Pittsburgh the NY Mets sporting identical 92-69 marks. The Pirates host the Cubs. The Mets are at St. Louis.

The LA Dodgers are the NL West champs after a 9-0 win against the Astros. Rick Sutcliffe (19-9) tossed a 6-hit shutout.

[motnahp]

Willie Wilson had a bases-clearing double and the Royals doubled up the A's 6-3 in the season finale for both teams. Paul Splittorff (16-17) picked up the win, with relief help in the 9th from Dan Quisenberry (SV 14). With nothing at stake for either team, Oakland started rookie Alan Wirth (0-2). Wirth was brilliant, at times, but lasted only 4 innings. He allowed 8 hits, 6 runs, walked 3, and struck out 11.

SUN SEP 30

OAK_____3___9___0
KC______6__10___0

Final record: 68-94, 7th place in AL West, 4 GB 6th place Seattle

The Pittsburgh Pirates clinched the NL East when they beat the Cubs 5-2 and the Mets lost to the Cardinals 1-0. Bill Robinson won the game for the Pirates with a 3-run homer with one out in the bottom of the 10th. Ted Simmons' solo homer in the 8th was the only run of the game that knocked the Mets out of the division race.

In the AL East, Baltimore beat Detroit 8-2 and Boston beat Detroit 4-1. Boston was awarded the division title, having gone 7-6 head-to-head against the Orioles during the season.

Final regular season standings:

[motnahp]

Too tired to post this last night, but here are the league leaders in most categories:

Batting:

AL AVG: Brett .348
NL AVG: Hernandez .338

AL HR: Lynn 42
NL HR: Kingman 41

AL RBI: Lynn 135
NL RBI: Schmidt 136

AL Runs: Molitor 114
NL Runs: Cey 111

AL Hits: Brett 233
NL Hits: Garvery 225

AL Doubles: Chambliss 51
NL Doubles: Baker 50

AL Triples: Brett 19
NL Triples: McBride 11

AL Stolen Bases: W Wilson 48
NL Stolen Bases: Richards 41

AL Walks: Singleton 92
NL Walks: Cey / North 97

AL Strikeouts: Thomas 126
NL Strikeouts: Luzinski 120

[motnahp]

And the pitching leaders:

AL ERA: Eckersley 2.65
NL ERA: Halicki 2.48

AL WINS: Gura 22
NL WINS: Norman 22

AL LOSSES: Jenkins 18
NL LOSSES: McWilliams 19

AL SAVES: Gossage 35
NL SAVES: Sutter 47

AL INNINGS PITCHED: Wise 297 2/3
NL INNINGS PITCHED: Sutton 258

AL APPEARANCES: Darwin 54
NL APPEARANCES: LaCorte 81

AL COMPLETE GAMES: Koosman 27
NL COMPLETE GAMES: Sutton 11

AL SHUTOUTS: Eckersley 7
NL SHUTOUTS: J Niekro / Swan 4

AL STRIKEOUTS: Ryan 261
NL STRIKEOUTS: Richard 237

AL WALKS: Torrez 138
NL WALKS: Sutcliffe 101

ALCS and NLCS to follow sometime this week. I'm feeling a little melancholy about the end of the season. Although my A's exceeded expectations, it's tough to bring it to a close. The team provided excitement, disappointment, scorn, and humor. These often occured in the same game!

It sure is tempting to do a 1980 replay with these guys. If I remember correctly, they finished either 80-82 or 82-80 under Billy Martin in 1980. The starting pitchers would be much improved and able to pitch more innings, covering up for an obvious hole in the bullpen. I believe all the power hitters return, and Rickey Henderson hits for a decent average and runs wild on the bases.

OK, I've about talked myself into it. Can the 1980 A's challenge KC in the West? Not likely, but maybe we can make them sweat a little. This is also the year George Brett flirted with .400, Pete Rose helped Philly to a title, and J.R. Richard suffered a career-ending stroke.

[LetsPlay2]

Great reading !!  [;)]

Looking forward to 1980 !!

[motnahp]

Unexpected delay here. House was burglarized last week. They attempted to take the computer, as the CPU was on its side, the monitor was on its face, and the wireless mouse was gone. Everything was about halfway disconnected, but I guess they ran out of time or the heavy container of coins satisfied them or weighed them down too much.

Fret not, though, as the story has a "happy" ending. One of the items taken was my son's IPod. The following day, police arrested 3 adults and 2 juveniles following another break-in. One of the "poor souls" had the IPod in his possession. Initially, there was only a misdemeanor charge of possession/receiving stolen property. Apparently, one of the five clowns talked, as all five are now charged with felonies in the other break-in, as well as with mine.[:D]

One new alarm system installed: check.
One new back door: check.
One carpet cleaning (fingerprint dust is nasty): check.
Gone for good: over $400 in coins, one wireless mouse, and two wedding bands.

I instantly forgave the idiots, but they may have other worries. At least three of them may get to discover the real history and meaning of young men wearing their baggy pants low.[X(]

[LetsPlay2]

At least you and the family are OK !!  Thats good ! [&o]
 
 

[motnahp]

League Championship Series:

ALCS

CAL_____5___12___0
BOS_____4____8___0

California leads series 1-0

CAL_____1___9___0
BOS____10__11___0

Series tied 1-1

BOS_____1___4___0
CAL_____5___10___0

California leads series 2-1

BOS_____12___15___0
CAL______0____5___0

Series tied 2-2

BOS_____1___8___0
CAL_____4___11___0

California leads series 3-2

CAL_____1___5___0
BOS_____3___8___1

Series tied 3-3

CAL_____3___8___1
BOS_____1___6___0

California wins series 4-3


NLCS

PIT_____2___8___1
LA______1___7___0

Pittsburgh leads series 1-0

PIT_____12___12___0
LA______2____9___0

Pittsburgh leads series 2-0

LA______3___11___0
PIT_____6___10___0

Pittsburgh leads series 3-0

LA______0___5___0
PIT_____3___6___0

Pittsburgh wins series 4-0

[motnahp]

World Series:


CAL_____4___9___0
PIT_____5___9___0

Pittsburgh leads series 1-0

CAL_____2___10___1 10 innings
PIT______1___7____1

Series tied 1-1

PIT_____4___5___0
CAL_____0___5___1

Pittsburgh leads series 2-1

PIT_____2___11___1
CAL____17___24___0

Series tied 2-2

PIT_____8___11___0
CAL_____4___7___0

Pittsburgh leads series 3-2

CAL_____7___12___0
PIT______1____8___0

Series tied 3-3

CAL_____0___6___0
PIT______3__10___0

Pittsburgh wins series 4-3


Boston and Cincinnati swept the postseason awards.

Fred Lynn (.323, 42 HR, 135 RBI) won the AL MVP Award.
Dennis Eckersley (20-10, 2.65) won the AL Cy Young award.

George Foster (.321, 40 HR, 124 RBI) won the NL MVP.
Fred Norman (22-8, 3.20 ERA) won the NL Cy Young Award.