The NL No-Free Agency Assn

[motnahp]

The Philadelphia Phillies capped a great season with their first title, shutting out the Dodgers 3-0 in Game Five. Larry Christensen, Ron Reed, and Tug McGraw combined to stifle LA, holding them to two hits while striking out seven.

A brief look at some of the series averages:

PHA: Maddox .474.....Cash .429.....Johnson .389.....Luzinski .368.....McBride .348.....Schmidt .333

LA: Monday .067.....Russell .077.....Garvey .111

For the league awards, LA's Reggie Smith (.307, 41, 105) took the MVP honors, while Pittsburgh's Jerry Reuss (15-7, 2.23) won the Cy Young Award.

[motnahp]

Through the All-Star Break of 1978:

NL_EAST_____W_____L_____GB
PITT________58_____28____---
PHA ________55_____33_____4
MONT_______46_____42_____13
STL_________43_____45_____16
CHC________40_____47_____18 1/2
NYM________35_____53_____24


NL_WEST____W_____L_____GB
LA_________56_____32_____---
CINN_______53_____36_____3 1/2
HOU_______41_____47_____15
SF_________40_____48_____16
SD_________34_____53_____21 1/2
ATL________26_____63_____30 1/2

Cincinnati's Dan Driessen leads all hitters with a .337 AVG. Atlanta's Glenn Hubbard is second with .326, and the Reds' Ken Griffey is at .325. The Big Red Machine's George Foster paces the league in both HRs and RBI with 23/80. Willie Stargell has 20 homers. LA's Lee Lacy is second in RBI with 63.

LA's Don Sutton leads the league in ERA with a miniscule 1.15 (10-4). Pittsburgh's John Candelaria is at 1.57 (7-2). The Bucs' Bert Blyleven leads in wins at 12-5 (2.42), with LA's Rick Rhoden at 11-4 (2.29). Six pitchers are tied with 10 wins apiece. The Cardinals' Pete Vuckovich and Blyleven are tied with 101 strikeouts. Houston's J.R. Richard has 100.

[motnahp]

1978 regular season complete. In the East, Philly could never get closer than three games after the break, due, perhaps, to the Pirates' stellar pitching. The Dodgers were never challenged at all in the West.

NL EAST
PITT 98-64
PHA 95-67
STL 84-78
MON 79-83
CHC 76-86
NYM 69-93

NL WEST
LA 97-65
CINN 87-75
SF 84-78
HOU 78-84
SD 72-90
ATL 53-109

The Reds' Dan Driessen took the batting title at .318. St. Louis' George Hendrick finished second at .309, followed by Atlanta's Glenn Hubbard (.308) and the Giants' Bill Madlock (.307). The Reds swept the batting leader lists, as George Foster led in both HR and RBI with 38/125. LA's Reggie Smith swatted 36 homers and his teammate Ron Cey belted 35. Johnny Bench finished a distant second to teammate Foster with 103 RBI.

Teammates battled it out for the ERA title. The Pirates' John Candelaria edged staff mate Bert Blyleven, 1.94 to 1.95. Blyleven tied for the league lead in victories. Both Bert and Houston's J.R. Richard finished with 18-9 marks. Chicago's Ray Burris was 17-10, while Montreal's Wayne Twitchell went 17-2 out of the Expos' bullpen. Richard led the league in K's with an even 200, well ahead of Blyleven's 176.

On to the Series, where LA visits Pittsburgh for Game One. Bert Blyleven (18-9, 1.95) opposes Don Sutton (16-6, 2.36).

[motnahp]

Pinch hitter Dave May's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning scored pinch runner Omar Moreno with the decisive run in Pittsburgh's 3-2 opening game victory over Los Angeles.

Both teams tallied two runs in the first inning. The Dodgers scored on a Steve Garvey double and a Reggie Smith RBI groundout. The Pirates tied the game in their half of the first on Willie Stargell's two-run homer.

Pirate catcher Manny Sanguillen led off the bottom of the seventh with a single off Dodger reliever and losing pitcher Bob Welch. Omar Moreno ran for Sanguillen and promptly stole second. Moreno advanced to third on Frank Taveras' fly ball, then scored the eventual game winner on May's fly out. Pirate relievers Jerry Reuss, Terry Forster and Rich Gossage shut down the Dodgers over the final three innings. Reuss picked up the win in relief.

In Game Two, LA's Rick Rhoden (16-10, 2.59) will face off against Pittsburgh's Don Robinson (16-13, 2.96).

[motnahp]

The LA Dodgers evened the series at one game apiece as they broke out the lumber against the Pirates with an 11-2 victory at Three Rivers Stadium. Lead-off man Dave Lopes led the attack, as he collected three hits and drove in three.

The Dodgers plated five runs in the second off losing pitcher Don Robinson. Lee Lacy smacked an RBI double. Bill Russell drove in Lacy with a single. Following a walk to Rick Rhoden, Lopes plated two with a triple. Lopes then scored on a fielding error by pitcher Robinson to make the score 5-0.

The onslaught continued in the fourth inning. Lopes singled in Rhoden, who had tripled. Reggie Smith and Johnny Oates collected RBI singles to make the score 8-0 and chase Robinson, who allowed eight runs, seven of them earned, in only 3 2/3 innings. The Pirates' lone runs came on a two-run homer by Richie Hebner in the bottom of the fifth. LA's Lacy answered with a two-run shot of his own in the sixth, making the score 10-2. Ron Cey's sac-fly in the seventh accounted for the final LA run.

Rick Rhoden picked up the win, as he went 7 2/3 innings. Bob Welch pitched the final 1 1/3 innings.

The teams fly west for Game Three. The Pirates will send Bruce Kison (9-6, 2.40) to the mound. LA counters with Andy Messersmith (10-6, 3.82).

[motnahp]

The Pittsburgh Pirates broke open a low-scoring battle, scoring five runs in the top of the 14th inning on the way to a 6-1 win over LA and a 2-1 lead in the series.

The teams battled 1-1 into the 14th, before Dave Parker singled in a run off LA reliever and losing pitcher Lance Rautzhan. With two outs, Pittsburgh scored another run on a Dave Lopes error to go up 3-1. Rennie Stennett then cleared the bases with a 3-run triple to give the Pirates their final runs. Pirate reliever Will McEnaney went the final 3 1/3 innings to collect the win. McEnaney played a key role at the plate, as well. He failed to get down the bunt after Frank Taveras' leadoff single in the 14th. Unfazed, McEnaney then stroked a single into right field, giving the Bucs two baserunners with no one out. Parker followed with his RBI single, giving the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

Game Four will see the Pirates sending lefty John Candelaria (14-7, 1.94) going up against the Dodgers' Burt Hooton (14-8, 3.65).

[motnahp]

The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled to within a game of the title with a 3-2 win in Los Angeles. Dodger starter Burt Hooton shut out the Pirates through six innings, but Bob Welch allowed three runs in the seventh. Richie Hebner drove in two with a bases-loaded single. Phil Garner followed with a sacrifice fly. LA had taken a 1-0 lead into the seventh, as the game's only run to that point scored on a Lee Lacy sac-fly in the home fifth.

Jerry Reuss picked up the win in relief. Goose Gossage earned the save.

Pittsburgh goes for the clincher tomorrow, sending Game One starter Bert Blyleven to the mound against LA's Don Sutton.

[motnahp]

The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped their third championship with a 9-5 victory and a 4-1 series win against the LA Dodgers.

The Bucs got out of the gate quickly, scoring four times in the top of the first on a Bobby Tolan 2-run double, Phil Garner sacrifice fly and a Manny Sanguillen RBI double. They increased their lead to 5-0 in the top of the second when a run scored as Lee Lacy of the Dodgers mishandled a fly ball in left field.

The Dodgers pulled close in their half of the third on a grand slam homer by Ron Cey. It stayed 5-4 until the Pirate half of the seventh. Willie Stargell's two-run homer was immediately followed by a Richie Hebner solo shot, giving the Bucs an 8-4 lead. Pittsburgh added an insurance run in the eighth on a Bill Robinson RBI double, making the score 9-4. Davey Lopes drove in a run with a single in the last of the ninth, but LA fell short, losing in five games for the second straight season.

Pittsburgh also won titles in 1971 and 1973. They now stand 3-3 in Series appearances. The Dodgers have appeared in four Series, losing three of them. Their lone title came in 1972.

Cincinnati's Dan Driessen captured the MVP award. Driessen led the league in batting (.318), OBP (.410), hits (218), walks (108), and runs scored (117).

Pittsburgh's Bert Blyleven took home Cy Young honors. Blyleven finished 18-9 with a 1.95 ERA. His 18 victories tied for the league lead. He finished second in both ERA and strikeouts. His six complete games led the league. In 249 innings, Blyleven allowed only a mere six home runs.

[motnahp]

At the All-Star Break of 1979:

NL EAST

PHA___52-34___---
PITT___53-35___---
STL____46-41___6 1/2
CHC___44-44____9
MON___39-49___14
NYM___37-51___16

NL WEST

ATL___50-39___---
LA____45-42____4
HOU__45-43____4 1/2
SF____40-49___10
CIN___39-49___10 1/2
SD____37-51___12 1/2

The Pirates led most of the way in the East. Philly caught and tied them just before the break. Atlanta has been a shocker in the West, leading since early April.

Recently traded (from SF to PITT) Bill Madlock leads the league with a .328 AVG. The Cardinals' Ken Reitz sits at .319. "Pops" Willie Stargell leads in both HR and RBI with 28/63. Atlanta's Bob Horner is second in HR with 19, while Philly's Mike Schmidt is on Stargell's heels with 61 RBI.

Padre reliever John D'Acquisto leads the league in ERA with 1.82 (4-3). Cincy's Tom Seaver is second at 2.05 (3-3), with the Cubs' Steve Stone right behind at 2.17 (5-1). The Pirates' Don Robinson looks headed for a huge season. The big righthander is 15-5 (2.28), easily leading the league in wins. Four are tied with 10 wins apiece: Philly's Randy Lerch (10-8, 2.71), Pittsburgh's Bert Blyleven (10-6, 3.23), Houston's Joaquin Andujar (10-4, 2.20) and the Cards' Bob Forsch (10-4, 2.86). Blyleven leads in Ks with 98, eight better than the Dodgers' Burt Hooton.

[motnahp]

1979 regular season complete and we have a rematch between the Pirates and the Dodgers.

NL EAST

PIT___99-63____---
PHA___90-72____ 9
STL___88-74___ 11
CHC__82-80____17
MON__74-88____25
NYM__73-89____26

NL WEST

LA___ 86-76___---
ATL___86-76___---
HOU__85-77____1
SF___ 74-88___12
CIN___69-93___19
SD___ 66-96___20

Pittsburgh surged ahead in August and cruised to an easy title in September. LA's win was a different story. Both Houston and LA overtook the Braves in August. Atlanta got hot in late August / early September and got as much as 4 games up on both the Dodgers and Astros. Eventually, the Braves' youth and lack of quality starting pitching did them in. Going into the last weekend of the season, the Braves led both LA and Houston by 3 games with 3 to play. Houston hosted the Padres for a 3-game set, while the Braves visited LA for a head-to-head showdown.

On Friday, Houston easily beat the Pads 7-0. LA edged Atlanta 4-3 and the race got closer. On Saturday, Houston blanked San Diego again, 2-0. LA again edged Atlanta by the score of 2-1. On the season's final day, San Diego eliminated Houston , beating the 'Stros 8-1. The Braves were in a must-win situation against LA, as the Dodgers led the season series 9-8 going into the final game. Atlanta sent lefty Larry McWilliams (8-12, 4.10) against he Dodgers knuckle-curving Burt Hooton (14-9, 2.68). Davey Lopes and Dusty Baker smacked RBI singles in the bottom of the 4th for the game's only runs as LA won 2-0 and took the division. Hooton allowed only six hits, struck out nine and walked but one. Charlie Hough picked up the save. The Braves' only real threat came in the top of the 8th, as Dale Murphy came to the plate with two on and two out. Murph was retired on a deep fly out to left center.

For the season, Dan Driessen held on to win the batting title at .307. Montreal's Ellis Valentine and the Pirates' Bill Madlock finished at .299. Willie Stargell won the home run title with 38. The Braves' Bob Horner had 37 and Philly's Mike Schmidt cracked 36. Schmidt led the league in RBI with 115. Cincy's George Foster was second with 111.

Pitching-wise, Houston's J.R. Richard had the lowest ERA at 1.97 (17-5), followed by Philly's Larry Christenson at 2.27 (12-4). Pittsburgh's Don Robinson set the single season mark for wins with a stellar record of 25-10 (2.68). Teammate Bert Blyleven was 19-9 (2.72) and Philly's Randy Lerch finished 18-11 (2.91). Blyleven led the league in strikeouts with 174. Burt Hooton followed with 160.

I expected to play out the series tonight and crown a 1979 champion, but when the Braves "choked" the final weekend, it bummed me out. There's a big storm in the Midwest now and it looks like it's headed straight for western PA. It appears that the series will be"delayed by rain" two or three days. Did I really expect a team with Eddie Solomon, Preston Hanna and Tony Brizzolara in the rotation to win the division against the Dodgers with Sutton, John, Reuss, Hooton and Sutcliffe in their rotation? I guess not. [:(]

[motnahp]

Well, the weather cleared up earlier than expected and the 1979 series begins. In fact, it was LA weather in Pittsburgh, 67 degrees and no wind. The Dodgers took advantage and posted a 2-1 victory to open things up.

Dusty Baker went 3-for-5, including a solo homer. Rookie Rick Sutcliffe pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only 3 hits and collecting the win. Baker's solo blast gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the 3rd. Rookie Pedro Guerrero added an RBI double in the 8th to put LA up 2-0. The Pirates answered with a run of their own in the eighth. Dave Parker's double off LA reliever Ken Brett cut the lead in half. Dodger closer Bob Welch survived the ninth, allowing two hits, but retiring Willie Stargell to end the game. Pirate starter and 25 game-winner Don Robinson allowed only one run in seven innings, but was charged with the loss.

In game two, LA sends Don Sutton (9-9, 3.59) to the mound. Pittsburgh counters with their other ace, Bert Blyleven (19-9, 2.72).

[motnahp]

With the temperature down to 45 degrees, the Pirate bats broke out the lumber early, then held on for an exciting 7-6 victory in 11 innings to even the series at 1-1.

LA starting pitcher Don Sutton found himself down 5-0 before retiring a batter. Sutton allowed a three-run homer to Willie Stargell and a two-run shot to Bill Robinson in the bottom of the first. Sutton lasted only 1 1/3 innings, as he gave way to Lerrin LaGrow in the second. LaGrow induced a double play grounder to keep the game 5-0. Pittsburgh added another run in the 4th on a Dave Parker RBI single, going up 6-0. Pittsburgh starter Bert Blyleven cruised through the early innings before running into trouble in the 6th. Blyleven walked Dave Lopes with the bases loaded, then mishandled a ground ball, allowing another run, as the Dodgers cut the deficit to 6-2. Ron Cey swatted a two-run homer in the 7th off Blyleven to make it 6-4. In the eighth, the Pittsburgh manager stuck with Blyleven. Bert allowed another two-run homer, a pinch-hit shot by Steve Yeager to tie the score at 6-6.

The game stayed 6-6 into the 11th inning, when Bill Madlock reached on an infield single with one out. Madlock stole second and third, as the Dodgers elected to pitch to the dangerous Stargell. Willie grounded a single up the middle, scoring Madlock with the winning run. Kent Tekulve picked up the victory. Bob Welch absorbed the loss.

The teams pack up and head west. In game three, Pittsburgh starts Bruce Kison (15-6, 2.48). He will be opposed by LA's Burt Hooton (15-9, 2.58).

[motnahp]

The LA Dodgers are now up 2-1 in the series following a 2-1 win in game three.

Pittsburgh opened the scoring in the top of the sixth on a Manny Sanguillen RBI double. Joe Ferguson tied the score in the bottom of the seventh with a solo homer. Ron Cey added a solo homer of his own in the eighth for the game-winner. Bob Welch picked up a relief win. Pittsburgh starter Bruce Kison took the loss, despite a complete-game performance.

Pirate fans are grumbling, as the Buc manager allowed his starting pitcher to pitch deep into the game once again. The manager has seemingly ignored the league's best bullpen, as neither Terry Forster nor Rich Gossage have seen action in the series. Gossage has converted his last sixteen save opportunities, dating back to August 22nd. He and Forster, along with Kent Tekulve and Enrique Romo, sent fear into opposing managers during the regular season. With the addition of fifth starter John Candelaria to the postseason bullpen, the foursome of Gossage, Forster, Tekulve, and Romo, have logged exactly one inning between them thus far, and that was by Tekulve in game two.

In game four, two pitchers who were traded for one another in early April will face off. The Pirates send Rick Rhoden (11-6, 3.17) to the mound against the Dodgers' Jerry Reuss (8-6, 3.04).

[motnahp]

The Pittsburgh Pirates evened the series with the Dodgers at two game apiece with a 6-1 drubbing of LA in game four.

Rick Rhoden pitched a complete-game four-hitter and was 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Bill Robinson opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the top of the first. Manny Sanguillen also singled in a run in the first to give Pittsburgh an early 3-0 lead. The Bucs built the lead to 6-0 in the sixth on a two-run double by Tim Foli, followed by a Rhoden RBI single. The Dodgers' lone run was scored in the seventh on Reggie Smith's two run homer.

Game one starters Don Robinson and Rick Sutcliffe sqaure off again in the pivitol game five.

[motnahp]

The Pittsburgh Pirates travel back home needing only one win to wrap up another series title, following a 4-3 victory in game five.

The Pirates once again jumped out quickly, scoring twice in the first on RBI singles from Willie Stargell and Dave Parker. LA answered in their half of the first on a Pedro Guerrero RBI single. Pittsburgh increased their lead to 4-1 in the 4th on RBI singles from Omar Moreno and Stargell. LA starter Rick Sutcliffe was knocked out in the fifth. He lasted only 4 2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and 4 earned runs.

LA made it close with a two-RBI double by Steve Garvey in the fifth, but that was all the scoring. Pirate starter and probable Cy Young winner Don Robinson went seven innings. John Candelaria held LA off the board in the eighth. Pirate closer Rich Gossage dusted off his mitt and retired the side in order in the ninth for the save.

Game two starters Don Sutton and Bert Blyleven hook up again in game six. Sutton will be looking to redeem himself, after allowing five runs in game two before retiring a batter. Sutton has also appeared in relief, pitching a perfect ninth inning in the Dodgers' 6-1 loss in game four.

[motnahp]

Three Rivers Stadium is rocking again, as the Pirates defended their title with a 3-0 shutout of the Dodgers in game six.

Bert Blyleven handcuffed the Dodgers, allowing only 2 hits over seven innings, while striking out 10. John Candelaria and Goose Gossage once again shut the door in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively.

As was their norm throughout the series, Pittsburgh struck early. Willie Stargell's two-run homer in the first inning was all the offense the Bucs needed to capture their second straight title and fourth overall. Omar Moreno drove in a run with a groundout in the fifth inning to round out the scoring. Dodger starting pitcher Don Sutton pitched much better the second time around, but was charged with the loss, allowing all three runs in six innings pitched. With this series loss, the Dodgers have come up short in each of the last three postseasons, losing to Philadelphia in 1977 and also losing to Pittsburgh each of the last two years.

For the regular season awards, Philly's Mike Schmidt captured MVP honors. The slugging third sacker batted .282, with 36 home runs and 115 driven in. As expected, the Pirates' Don Robinson took home the Cy Young award. Robinson's 25 wins set a new association record, easily surpassing the previous record of 22 set by Atlanta's Jim Nash in 1970, and equaled by LA's Bill Singer the following year.

Baseball is about to enter a new decade, the 1980's. Can Pittsburgh keep their machine rolling? They certainly have the bullpen and it's very well rested! Can Atlanta's young sluggers Horner and Murphy give the surprising Braves enough firepower to overcome a mediocre pitching staff?

Looking ahead to the 1980 transactions:

ATL: picks up 1B Chris Chambliss, but loses SIX PITCHERS from their 1979 roster. They need someone to step up and PITCH. Niekro can't pitch every day.

CHC: picks up C/1B Cliff Johnson in June, but not much else.

CIN: They get to KEEP real-life free agents Joe Morgan and Fred Norman, There is still loads of talent in their lineup. These are the same guys who won it all in 1975-76. Maybe that's the problem: same guys, 4-5 years older. How did they go 69-93 last year?

HOU: No earth-shattering transactions, but J.R. Richard's starts will be limited due to his stroke. He will go from a "never skip" starter to a "skip rarely". Joe Niekro will need to have a great year for Houston to challenge again.

LA: Gets to keep real-life FA reliever Lerrin LaGrow, but loses Charlie Hough in July. Not a good trade-off. Also loses reliever Ken Brett. Still have a few years left on their infield. It's about time for them to beat the Pirates.

MON: Gets to keep FA's Rudy May and Tony Perez, but loses Rusty Staub (forever this time). Loses starter Dan Schatzeder and picks up OF Ron LeFlore. Picks up pitcher John D'Acquisto in August. He has been good in PS with San Diego. Signs 1B Willie Montanez at the end of August (I had forgotten he ever played for Montreal). If D'Acquisto can hold his PS form and LeFlore can hit .300 and steal some bags, the Expos have a decent chance (to finish third).

NYM: Seaver and Koosman are already gone. Kranepool retires. They get to keep FA relievers Andy Hassler and Skip Lockwood (too bad neither can start anymore). They do get OF Claudell Washington in June. In 1979, catcher John Stearns "led" the team in homers with 8. OF Steve Henderson led in RBI with 69. Are these the 1962 Mets? Strawberry can't get here soon enough.

PHA: Great talent, but stuck in the same division as the Pirates. They get to keep FA reserve OF Greg Gross (whoopee). Decided they didn't need reliever Doug Bird. Released Tim McCarver, then signed him again in September. Also brings in Sparky Lyle in September. Nothing major happening on this roster. It would take career years by Carlton and at least one other starter to threaten Pittsburgh. Carlton is now a 5-6 inning pitcher in PS.

PITT: Dock Ellis and Bobby Tolan retire, but they were bit players anyway. They get to keep FA's Bruce Kison and Rennie Stennett. They also pick up three so-so pitchers, Eddie Solomon, Mickey Mahler, and Odell Jones. Maybe one of the three will actually make their MLB roster. Remember, Gossage and Forster aren't going anywhere anytime soon. A few other small moves later in the season (do they really need Kurt Bevacqua?). This team is still loaded. Guys like Mike Easler, Richie Hebner, and Stennett are on their bench!

SD: Seems like another year in the cellar for these guys. They get to keep OF Jay Johnstone, whose best years were 10-12 years ago. They pick up bit players like OF Von Joshua and 3B Aurelio Rodriguez. They also sign Jerry Mumphrey and Willie Montanez (where DIDN'T Montanez play?). Of course, they let Willie go in August, and Mumphrey is not the answer. Gaylord Perry "retires" to a life in the American League. He was a bust in SD anyway, not approaching his real-life 1978 Cy Young level. About the only thing this franchise has going for it is the knowledge that when Tony Gwynn arrives, Dave Winfield will still be here to drive him in. Now......if only one of them could learn to pitch. Was this team so pitching-rich that they could afford to let go of John D'Acquisto and Bob Owchinko. So what if they had weird names. They could get guys out. I wonder what my PS record is for team runs allowed in a season. SD will threaten the record, whatever it is.

SF: They get to keep LHP John Curtis. The Giants are the only reason that San Diego is not guaranteed to finish last. The transactions for this team include names like: Johnston, Andrews, Sularz, and Pettini. They lose C Marc Hill, P Ed Halicki, and reliever Pedro Borbon. They bring in P Allen Ripley. Believe it or not, that's the best they could do. I hear the faint footsteps of Will Clark, Robby Thompson and Matt Williams approaching. Unfortunately, they're not here yet. And where's Chili Davis?

STL: Although they lose P John Denny and OF Mumphrey, this GM obviously was at least TRYING to win. The Cards spent most of the 70's donating quality players to other teams (Steve Carlton, Dick Allen, Mike Torrez, Jerry Reuss, Reggie Smith). This year, they sign Bobby Bonds (back from the AL), Pedro Borbon, and Jim Kaat. If two of these three can contribute something, the Cards have a good chance to......finish third again. On a sad note, Lou Brock retires after the 1979 season. I checked his ratings and he is still a "50" speed. Not bad for a 40-year-old.

[motnahp]

Through the All-Star Break of 1980:

Pittsbutgh's Bill Robinson leads the league in hitting at .343, followed by the Cubs' Bill Buckner at .323 and Atlanta's Bob Horner at .322.

Philly's Mike Schmidt leads in HRs with 23. Atlanta's Dale Murphy has 21. Schmidt also paces the league in RBI with 57. LA's Ron Cey and Bill Robinson have 56.

Pittsburgh's John Candelaria leads in ERA at 1.47 (11-3). Houston's JR Richard sits at 1.56 (4-6) and Pittsburgh's Bruce Kison is at 1.79 (8-3).

Chicago's Mike Krukow is off to a great start, leading the league in wins at 12-4 (2.57). Three pitchers have 11: Houston reliever Randy Niemann (11-6, 2.04), Candelaria, and Sad Diego's Gary Lucas (11-5, 3.11).

Philly's Steve Carlton leads the league with 126 Ks, well ahead of Pitt's Bert Blyleven's 98.

[motnahp]

Strange 1980 regular season is in the books. The division champs are the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta Braves. Early in the second half of the season, places one through five in the East had a separation of 1 1/2 games at one point. The Cubs took control in September.

In the West, LA led most of the season, with Atlanta hanging close. In late AUG/early SEP, Houston and San Diego joined the fun. It looked as if San Diego would prevail. They ended up tied with Atlanta. The Padres actually beat the Braves 15 out of 18 times during the season, but the Braves won the PS tie-breaker (whatever it actually is!). I thought I read a post where head-to-head was the primary tie-breaker and runs scored was second. This was obviously not the case this time. San Diego fans are bitter. How can they go 15-3 against the Braves and NOT win the division?

For the season: Chicago's Bill Buckner took the batting title at .316. The Braves' Bob Horner finished at .310. Philly's Mike Schmidt smacked 45 home runs, well ahead of Cincy's Johnny Bench, who had 33. San Diego's Dave Winfield led in RBI with 119, five better than Schmidt's 114.

Houston's J.R. Richard finishes his career by winning the ERA title at 1.89 (11-8). Montreal's Bill Gullickson was second at 1.91 (12-4). Chicago's Mike Krukow and Pittsburgh's John Candelaria finished with identical 18-7 records. San Diego's Gary Lucas (17-11) and Philly's Steve Carlton (17-7) were next in the victory column. Carlton led the NL in strikeouts with 217, easliy topping Bert Blyleven's 171.

[motnahp]

In game one, Atlanta sends Phil Niekro (10-9, 2.70) to the mound against Chicago's Mike Krukow (18-7, 2.70).

Joe Nolan's RBI single in the top of the 11th inning proved to be the game-winner as the Braves edged the Cubs 4-3 in the series opener. Chicago was one out away from victory in the top of the 9th. With the Cubs leading 3-2, Chicago closer Bruce Sutter retired the first two Braves in the ninth. Dale Murphy took Sutter deep, blasting a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence. Murphy's 411-foot shot tied the score. Rick Mahler picked up the win in relief, while Sutter pitched into the 11th, eventually being charged with the loss.

In game two, Atlanta's Tommy Boggs (11-8, 3.32) takes the mound against Chicago's Lynn McGlothen (12-7, 3.00).

[motnahp]

Atlanta rallied for two runs in the seventh and won game two, 3-2. The Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the sixth on an Ivan Dejesus RBI single. Atlanta's Brian Asselstine tied the game 2-2 with his pinch-hit single. Jeff Burroughs then singled in the go-ahead run. Steve Stone took the loss in relief. For Atlanta, Preston Hanna picked up the win and Gene Garber pitched a perfect ninth for the save.

The teams head south for game three. The Cubs send Dennis Lamp (9-12, 3.15) to the mound against Atlanta's Larry McWilliams (10-10, 3.36).