[PilotMan]

So it's the fall of 1983. Let me get you up to speed with where we are since 1981.


In 1982, we won the West with a record of 105-57. It was a great year.


Lead once again by Valenzuela, he would go on to claim his second Cy Young putting together another fantastic season with these numbers: 18-10, 266IP, 191H, 77BB/245K and a 2.20ERA. The rest of the staff was able to stay mostly healthy with Jerry Reuss finishing 3^rd in Cy Young voting: 21-5, 263.1IP, 243H, 55BB/148K and a 2.60 ERA. Steve Howe ended up as the Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year with 43 saves and only 2 blown. His ERA was 1.34 in 80.1 IP. As if that wasn't enough, the runner up to that award was Dave Stewart. Stewart was almost as unhittable. He pitched 83.2 IP with 7 saves against 1 blown. He had 78 K's and a 2.04 ERA. With all that pitching you'd think that hitting was unnecessary.


The rotation the rest of the year after Valenzuela and Reuss, was Bob Welch (15-11, 3.63), Burt Hooton (16-12, 3.52) and Rick Reuschel (10-6, 4.95). In the bullpen, the other inning eaters were Tom Niedenfeuer (56IP/35K, 3.21) and Terry Forster (40.1IP/33K, 1.79ERA).


During the year the biggest let down was the early season ending injury of rookie Steve Sax. Sax tore his labrum in mid April and wouldn't return until September. The team opted to go with fellow rookie Tack Wilson to fill his slot, and he would play half the year putting up decent numbers until the team felt like they needed an upgrade. A mid July trade that sent Dave Goltz and RJ Reynolds to the White Sox would bring Tony Bernazard to the team. The final verdict on the trade with mixed and many didn't feel like the Bernazard deal really benefited the team, but there was happiness that the trade didn't cost more. The only other deal of any significance was when the team grew frustrated with Steve Yeager as a right handed option behind the plate, released him, then sent Ron Roenicke and prospect Mariano Duncan to the Giants for Bob Brenly.


The offense was dominated by Perdro Guerrero and his .312 avg, .521 slg, and 24 HR. But the team did have plenty of hitting up and down the lineup:


1B – Garvey – started all 162 games (.303, 21HR, and 89RBI)
2B - Wilson - (.262/3/36, 13SB) and Bernazard (.258/5/23, 6SB)
3B – Cey – lead the team in HR and RBI (.278/29/116)
SS – Russell – NL Gold Glove Winner (.250/2/53, 10SB)
LF – Baker - (.289/17/76)
CF – Landreaux – Only 20/20 on team (.264/23/79, 36SB)
RF – Guerrero - (.314/24/93)
C – Scioscia - (.280/9/68, .375OBP)


The team dumped the Expos in the NLCS to advance to the World Series against the Tigers. The Dodgers were heavily favored against the Tigers and won the first 2 at home, then lost game 3 in Detroit. Game 4 was within an out of winning, when the Tigers came back and stung them for the win. That gave way to 2 more losses and a 4-2 crash out ending in mass disappointment.