1982 FOOL Classic! Napa Valley (90-64) vs Hartford (108-46)

[Alan T]

Going to start things off in about 5-7 minutes here!

[Chief Rum]

Good luck to both teams!

[Alan T]

No exports from Chicago, Columbus, Long Island, Rio Grande or San Diego

[Alan T]

And we are ready to begin. Game 1 of the 1982 Fool Classic features Joe 'Freeze' Hart for Napa Valley after an 18-11 season for the Winemakers following a trade from Boston. He will be squaring off against a pitcher that is no stranger to the FOOL Classic, Jorge Aquino. Aquino had an also impressive 19-12 record this season for Hartford.

[Alan T]

Hart seems a bit shaky, giving up a run in the bottom of the first to a McGill RBI single, and then another run in the bottom of the second to an Anderson RBI triple. With an early 2-0 lead, Aquino is locked in. He retires the first 11 guys in order before walking Simons for the first Napa Valley baserunner of the night. He is stranded on the very next pitch however due to a Nishida Fly out.

Napa Valley finally gets on the board in the top of the fifth with a Gonzales Solo home run to cut the lead down to 2-1. That is all they will be able to manage however as Aquino is simply unhittable tonight. Aquino goes 8 innings and only gives up 3 hits for the night, striking out 14 along the way! Hartford wins game 1 3-1 and takes a one game series lead.

[Alan T]

Jessie 'Dud' McGorry will start in game two for Napa Valley, and he has been nothing close to a dud this season with a 16-7 record and a stellar 2.52 ERA. He will face off against 33 year old Artie Wiley, whom only lost 4 games all season to go along with his 19 wins for the year.

[Tasan]

Go Hart, you withholding talent bastard!

[Alan T]

This time Napa Valley gets on the board first with a Rockburn sacrifice fly in the top of the second that scores Chavez from third to take the early 1-0 lead. Other than that run, both pitchers are on their game tonight as we enter the bottom of the 6th with the same 1-0 score.

In the bottom of the 6th, Miller starts it off with a double for Hartford. McGill harmlessly flies out, but then Zhao lines one over short for a single. Miller sprints around third and never thinks about stopping, easily making it home without a throw to tie the game up 1-1! McGorry makes it out of the inning, but not before the game ties up.

The bottom of the next inning Hartford continues where they left off. Tamura singles, and Anderson triples to score a run. Miller follows that up with another single to score a second run of the inning for a 3-1 Hartford lead.

With a two run lead, Wiley pitches one more inning before Hennessey comes in for the 9th. Hennessey mows them down 1-2-3 in the 9th for another Harpooners win.

Hartford now leads the series two games to zero, but the classic is heading to Napa Valley!

[Chief Rum]

Have to root for Teach in this one. Go Teach!

[muns]

lil late to the party.... surprised so far

[Alan T]

Game three features another intriguing matchup as two former rookie of the years match up. For Hartford, Billy 'Wackly' Smith, whom has set the league record for wins in the season both of his first two years will be getting the start. Napa Valley will counter with 4 time pitcher of the year, and 1 time MVP Carlos Gonzales.

[Alan T]

Both pitchers start the game off with 1-2-3 innings in the first. The second inning however show both pitchers with a little trouble. In the top of the 2nd, Watkins hits a two out single to start up a rally. Fontaine doubles to right field, but Watkins evidently was too slow to score from first and winds up at third. Tamura then takes a full count pitch for a ball to walk and load the bases for the pitcher Billy Smith. Smith harmlessly strikes out to leave the bases juiced with no runs scored.

In the bottom of the inning, Chavez reaches on base for Napa valley thanks to a 1 out error by the second baseman. A single by Rockburn moves Chavez to second, and then Cruz smokes a ground ball to the first baseman who makes a second error of the inning. Chavez scores from second for the first run of the game, and Rockburn scoots around to third. Morales steps up to the plate and hits a single of his own on the ground between third and short. Rockburn scores from third for the second run of the inning, but then Cruz tries from third against the Winemaker fans wishes... He is thrown out by a mile for the second out of the inning! Carlos Gonzales flys out for the third out of the inning.. but not before it becomes a 2-0 Napa Valley lead...

Going into the third inning.....

[Alan T]

Both pitchers settle down for the third and fourth innings, a few hits are allowed but no huge scoring opportunities.. Then in the fifth both teams threaten again. In the top of the fifth, Anderson lines a two out single to left field, followed by Harmon with a single of his own. That puts two runners on with two outs for the biggest RBI machine of the 1980s.. McGill..

McGill takes the first pitch for a strike.. he takes the next pitch for a strike.. the third pitch from Gonzales.... McGill watches it cross the plate for a third strike.. He strikes out looking to end the threat!

In the bottom of the fifth, Morales hits a one out single and is bunted over to second by Carlos Gonzales. Fournier doubles to left field which scores Morales for a 3-0 Napa Valley lead! J. Gonzales grounds out for the third out of the inning, but not before another run scores!

Heading into the 6th, it is 3-0 Napa Valley!

[Alan T]

It does not stay 3-0 for long though.. Zhao starts off the top of the 6th with a single on the first pitch. Romero Flys out and then Watkins strikes out, but then Fontaine hits a 2 out 2-run home run to cut the lead to 3-2! Tamura harmlessly grounds out to end the top of the 6th..

That is all that either team is able to do however, and the Napa Valley bullpen comes in during the 7th inning, not allowing another run for the rest of the game. Napa Valley wins 3-2!

Hartford still has a two game to one lead in the series however.

[muns]

not expecting much from robinson this next game

[Alan T]

It almost doesn't seem to make much difference who pitches which game for Hartford. In game four, they have another twenty game winner pitching in Dylan Robinson. Napa Valley's response for game four is the 1973 pitcher of the year Pedro Ortiz. Ortiz only won 9 games for Napa Valley this season, but still had a respectable ERA of 3.30.

[Alan T]

Game four is a bit more electric than the last three game as both team's bats seem to come alive.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Andrews hits a solo home run for Napa Valley, followed by a Cruz double, Ortiz single and Fournier single to score a second run of the inning. Pedro Ortiz does not get much opportunity to run the bases however and manages to find himself thrown out trying for third to end the inning, but not before a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth, Hartford answers with a Fountaine walk, McGill single, Baker walk to load the bases with no outs. Zhao hits the snot out of the ball... right to the first baseman. The First baseman is unable to do anything with it other than run to first to get the sure out. That scores Fontaine for the first Harpooner run of the game. Romero follows it with a sacrifice fly to RIght field which ties the game up. Watkins grounds out to end the inning, but not before the game is tied 2-2.

[Alan T]

The game does not remain tied for long as in the bottom of the 4th, Morales hits a solo homer to give Napa Valley a 3-2 lead. In the top of the 5th it is tied up once again as Dylan Robinson the pitcher takes matters into his own hands for a solo homer to tie it up again at 3-3!

[Alan T]

In the top of the 6th, there is once again more scoring.. McGill is hit by a pitch, Baker then triples to score him. Zhao strikes out, ROmero flys out but then Watkins singles to score Baker from third. Hartford takes a 5-3 lead!

Not for long however as in the bottom of the 6th Nishida starts things off with a double, but is unable to advance on an Andrews ground out to the shortstop. That does not matter however as a Gonzales 2-run home run follows to tie the game once again at 5.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by muns

not expecting much from robinson this next game

Why?

[Alan T]

The 7th inning actually goes by without any scoring, but in the bottom of the 8th another Gonzales two run home run puts Napa Valley ahead 7-5. The top of the 9th is the last chance for Hartford, and they will be facing the Winemaker's closer Ishibashi. Ishibashi strikes out Watkins swinging, and then strikes out Tamura swinging...

Ishibashi works a 2-2 count to Yamazaki before he gives up a single.. That hit does not come back to harm him however as Anderson harmlessly flies out to right field to end the game. Napa Valley wins 7-5 and ties the series back up two games each as we head back to Hartford for game 5.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Why?

Obviously muns was wrong as Robinson hit a home run!

[Young Drachma]

Alan:

I love the whole immersive feel of the game information that you provide. It's really neat! But would you mind say, putting the game result in bold after that game is over, so for someone who just reading fast to find out what's going on, they can see quickly who won? Because a lot of times, it's hard to follow if you're just scanning.

Thanks.

[muns]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Why?

her lineup vs lefties is simply amazing

[muns]

Originally Posted by Alan T

The 7th inning actually goes by without any scoring, but in the bottom of the 8th another Gonzales two run home run puts Napa Valley ahead 7-5. The top of the 9th is the last chance for Hartford, and they will be facing the Winemaker's closer Ishibashi. Ishibashi strikes out Watkins swinging, and then strikes out Tamura swinging...

Ishibashi works a 2-2 count to Yamazaki before he gives up a single.. That hit does not come back to harm him however as Anderson harmlessly flies out to right field to end the game. Napa Valley wins 7-5 and ties the series back up two games each as we head back to Hartford for game 5.

gonzalez hits 2 2 run homers..... sigh....

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by muns

her lineup vs lefties is simply amazing

So what? Robinson is also simply amazing against batters from either side of the plate. If you really believe this, I'll take him off your hands on the cheap.

[Alan T]

Game five is a rematch from game one of Hart vs Aquino. Neither pitcher starts the game off quite as sharp this time around however. Aquino manages to pitch out of a jam in the top of the first. Hart also pitches out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the first with a Watkins fly out to right field, but not before McGill hits an RBI single earlier in the inning to take a 1-0 lead for Hartford.

In the top of the second, Gonzales leads off the inning with a double for Napa Valley. Two strike outs in a row however lead to Morales hitting a two out single that scores Gonzales! Morales moves to second on the throw home which ends up being huge as he is able to then score on a Fournier RBI single. Hartford is unable to answer in the bottom of the second, and after two innings, Napa Valley leads 2-1.

[Alan T]

The third inning and top of the fourth go without any runs crossing the plate, but in the bottom of the fourth, Hartford is able to tie it up once again thanks to a Watkins double and Harmon single.

Both pitchers lock down from the fourth on and keep each team scoreless until the 7th inning. Ramos comes in to pitch to start the 7th for the Harpooners and he manages to give up a single to Fournier, a single to Andrews, but then gets the next three batters to get out.. not before Fournier is able to score however on one of the ground outs to give Napa Valley a 3-2 lead.

Napa Valley expands that lead in the 8th thanks to a Gonzales single, a Cruz single and a wild pick off attempt at first which allows the runner to score from third!

In the top of the 9th, Napa Valley gets another insurance run on an Andrews single, a Simons single and a Nishida double, that only scores one run.. Simons is gunned down at the plate.

With a 5-2 lead, Ishibashi once again enters the game in the bottom of the 9th to save it for Napa Valley. He gets the pinch hitting Yamazaki to fly out to center field, but then walks Tamura. McGill helps him out and hits into a 4-6-3 double play that ends the game.

Napa Valley wins 5-2

Napa Valley now has a 3 game to 2 lead over Hartford.

[Alan T]

Game six is a rematch of game two between McGorry and Wiley. Napa Valley stays on script and scores early to take a lead 2-0 thanks to a second inning solo home run by Nishida, and then a pair of doubles by Chavez and Gonzales.

Game six is much better pitched by both sides however, as no other runs score until the bottom of the fifth when Romero leads off the inning with a triple for Hartford and then scores thanks to a Watkins sacrifice fly to right field. Napa Valley still leads 2-1 after five.

That remains the score into the 9th inning where Ramos is now pitching for Hartford. In the ninth, he gives up a lead off single to Chavez, then gets Gonzales to ground into a fielder's choice and Rockburn to ground out as well. Cruz follows with a single however that scores another Winemaker run for a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth......

[muns]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

So what? Robinson is also simply amazing against batters from either side of the plate. If you really believe this, I'll take him off your hands on the cheap.

na im just pretty good at anticipating how my stuff is gonna work in the classic thats all.

[Alan T]

Ishibashi is once again in to pitch for the winemakers...

The first batter Zhao reaches on a single to left field for Hartford.

Romero follows that with a single as well.

Watkins comes up and sacrifice bunts both runners over... Runners at second and third for Hartford with only 1 out...

[Alan T]

Fontaine steps up to the plate for Hartford. He swings through the first pitch for a strike, but then takes the next pitch for a ball. He swings through another one for a 1-2 count before making contact. He hits it right to the second baseman, whom takes the safe play and throws him out at first. The runner scores from third however and Romero advances to third base. Napa Valley now leads 3-2 with 2 outs and the tying run at third base...

Yamazaki is up to bat, he takes the first pitch as a ball, but then sees one he likes. He hits it hard, to right center... but it will not be deep enough and is caught by the right fielder for the final out of the game.

Napa Valley wins 3-2

Napa Valley now leads the series four games to two, and will be traveling home to try to clinch the series in front of the home fans with perhaps the greatest pitcher of all time on the mound for the Winemakers.

[Alan T]

If there is a pitcher that Hartford would want with their season on the line, it likely is Billy Smith. In his first two seasons in the league, Billy Smith has put together an unbelievable 51-12 record for Hartford. The likely RL Pitcher of the Year candidate for this season will have to prove once and for all that he is a big game pitcher here as he faces perhaps the greatest big game pitcher in FOOL's history. In 16 postseason starts, Carlos Gonzales has gone 10-4 with a 2.81 ERA.

[Alan T]

Perhaps Hartford senses that they won't get many runs this game and they decide to try to be creative to start things off. On the very first pitch of the game, Anderson suprises everyone by rolling a bunt down the line and racing to first to beat the throw! Harmon sacrifice bunts him over to second, but a McGill ground out puts him in danger of being stranded there with two outs now. Zhao finally pulls through with a big hit and singles to score Anderson for the first run of the game! Carlos Gonzales pitches himself out of the rest of the inning, but not before Hartford takes the 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, Fournier starts things off with a ground out, but Gonzales then triples to put the pressure on Billy Smith. He lets the pressure get to him as one gets away and he plunks Simons to send him to first. Nishida up to bat with 1 out and runners on first and third... he works the count full, when he watches a pitch that he clearly thinks is outside get called for a strike. The home plate umpire barely has a chance to call strike three before the catcher fires down to second to catch Simons trying to steal second! a Strike out, throw out double play ends the inning, with Hartford still leading 1-0.

Gonzales cruises in a 1-2-3 second inning, and Napa Valley comes out swinging again. A Rockburn single, Cruz single and Morales single teams up to score two runs and Napa Valley leapfrogs to a 2-1 lead after two innings.

[Alan T]

The third inning is uneventful, but in the top of the fourth, Hartford gets to Gonzales again. Watkins singles and is bunted over to second. Tamura singles past first base and scores Watkins from second to tie the game up at 2!

Then in the top of the fifth, Romero gives Hartford the lead again with a two out solo home run.

That remains the score through the top of the 9th inning when K. O'Quinn in relief for Napa Valley gets Yamazaki, Anderson and Miller out in a 1-2-3 top of the 9th...

Going into the bottom of the 9th, Napa Valley trails 3-2...

[Alan T]

Hennessey is in to pitch for Hartford..

First batter Simons works the count full, but strikes out swinging on a nasty pitch for the first out of the inning.

Nishida is pickier with his pitches, drawing a 3-0 count. He is given the green light to swing on a 3-0 count and picks a horrible pitch to swing, and weakly grounds it back to the pitcher for the second out of the inning.

Chavez, now up to bat fouls off a 1-0 pitch.. then takes a ball to make it 2-1.. He also gets a very weak hit and pops the ball up straight above first base. The catch is made and Hartford has shut down Napa Valley after having lost 4 games in a row...

Hartford wins 3-2

Napa Valley still leads the series 4 games to 3.

[Young Drachma]

This has been an interesting series to be sure. I mean, I guess it surprises me that Napa Valley has been hitting so well. I really think that there needs to be some executive decisions made on the CL ballparks, because batting average is so ridiculously low in that league that it's almost skewed to be less than human. I mean, it's simply not realistic that a team would hit under .250 in a season and over there, it happens routinely.

But that said, I have to say that the depth of the Winemakers is giving the Harpooners fits. Mostly their pitching depth. They're the right team for a short series, whereas Hartford is clearly built for regular season domination.

Interesting situation.

I think adding playoffs to the mix will be a really good thing, as it'll really shake things up.

[Alan T]

Game Eight, also in Napa Valley is a rematch of game four. Neither pitcher did exceptionally well in game four, as Robinson has an 8.44 ERA so far in the FOOL Classic and Pedro Ortiz has a 7.94 ERA.

[Alan T]

Napa Valley does not leave anything to chance in this game... They take a quick 2-0 lead in the first thanks to a Fournier single, a Gonzales double and a Nishida sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the third, Gonzales hits a solo home run to extend the lead to 3-0.

Hartford refuses to go down without a fight however.. In the top of the sixth, Anderson hits a 1 out single, and is bunted over to second. McGill hits a single which scores Anderson... followed by a Baker 2-run home run, and just like that the game is tied up 3-3 after 5 1/2 innings....

[Alan T]

The bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh are uneventful, but then the bottom of the 7th leads to more fireworks. Robinson is still pitching for Hartford and gives up a lead off walk to Andrews. Gonzales grounds out to third, but manages to move Andrews to second in the process. Hartford decides to intentionally walk Cruz, but then Robinson gives up a single to Morales that loads up the bases.

Reeves comes in to pinch hit for the Napa Valley pitcher, and the move pays off as he singles through the hole at Short to score two runs for a 5-3 Napa Valley lead. Muns has seen enough and he pulls a double switch. He brings in Ramos to pitch and has Yamazaki come in to play left field. Ramos does not faire much better however as he gives up a single to Fournier which scores the third run of the inning. Ramos is able to strike out Gonzales and force Simons to ground out to end the inning.. The Winemakers have a huge 6-3 lead however after 7 innings.

[Alan T]

That remains the score into the top of the 9th. Ishibashi once again is in to try to close it out for Napa Valley.

McGill starts things off with a line drive single to RIght-center.
Baker fouls off three pitches before lining a single himself to Centerfield.

With runners on first and second and no outs, Zhao steps up as the tying run...

[Alan T]

Zhao works the count full, but then harmlessly swings through strike three for the first out of the inning.

Tamura comes in to pinch hit but he does no better and also strikes out to the 3-2 pitch.

2 runners on, 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth and Watkins steps up to bat...

[Alan T]

Watkins takes the first pitch for a strike, then takes a pitch outside to even up the count 1-1. The next pitch once again is taken for a strike, followed by another ball. The 2-2 pitch, and Watkins protects the strike zone.. He gets a bit under it though and harmlessly pops it up to the shortstop...

The catch is made, and the final out recorded.

Napa Valley wins 6-3

Napa Valley has won the 1982 FOOL Classic 5 games to 3!

[muns]

congrats teach

[Alan T]

The 1982 All Star rosters have been announced:

The All-Stars are in a clash by themselves. The star performers from the Continental League and Republic League will soon do battle in the 1982 Front Office Offseason League All-Star Game. It's an annual diamond spectacular that takes place at the midpoint of the season. Two superb ballclubs taking each other on in the All-Star Classic to determine the best league for this year. The talented stars are playing for league pride. Each roster is filled with standout performers.

The Continental League All-Stars feature these players:


SP M. López (TOR)
SP J. Hart (NVY)
SP W. Steward (BKN)
SP J. McGorry (NVY)
SP I. Flores (BAL)
SP C. Miner (RG)
CL T. Ishibashi (NVY)
CL D. Marnane (ATL)
CL R. Villegas (BAL)
CL D. Brewer (BKN)
MR D. McDonald (TOR)
MR N. Duncan (RG)
CF C. Wilson (TOR)
RF E. Morgan (TOR)
SS A. Luján (TOR)
3B A. Payton (BKN)
2B L. Abbott (ATL)
1B J. Rigsby (RG)
C Y. Chong (BKN)
LF S. Patterson (WYO)
C J. Robinson (BAL)
CF T. Fournier (NVY)
CF A. Poole (ATL)
SS G. Simons (NVY)
RF B. Waller (WYO)
CF R. Lang (BKN)
2B E. Meyer (TOR)
3B K. Nishida (NVY)


On the Republic League All-Stars roster will be:


SP B. Smith (HAR)
SP A. Wiley (HAR)
SP D. Robinson (HAR)
SP J. Aquino (HAR)
SP G. Arrojo (SD)
SP E. Burke (SD)
MR D. Spencer (CLB)
CL D. Hennessey (HAR)
CL F. Padilla (ANN)
MR R. Ramos (HAR)
MR I. García (BOS)
CL C. Fontenot (CGO)
RF S. Anderson (HAR)
LF G. Baker (HAR)
1B B. Barrett (SD)
C Á. Ramírez (CLB)
3B S. McGill (HAR)
SS L. Crawford (LI)
C S. MacQueen (BOS)
CF H. Aragón (ANN)
2B F. Acevedo (CLB)
LF T. Roussy (CGO)
LF J. Estronza (SD)
1B J. Guerrero (CLB)
1B H. Matthews (CLB)
1B H. Zhào (HAR)
RF R. Pagán (CLB)
CF J. López (COL)

[Young Drachma]

Wow...talk about turning franchise history on its head. Best record in club history and a title to boot, knocking off the biggest dynasty the league has ever seen.

Class work, Teach. How 'bout them Winos?!

[Alan T]

The All star game turns into another Hartford and Napa Valley affair, this time things go the way of the Republic League. Billy Smith gets the win 3-2 over the RL, and Hennessey the save. The loss goes to Weston Stweard of Brooklyn.

#1 player of the game is Nishida (Napa Valley) who went 2-3 with a HR , RBI and 2 Runs scored.
#2 player of the game is McGorry (Napa Valley) who pitched 2 innings of hitless ball, only giving up 2 walks.
#3 player of the game is S. McGill (hartford) who went 1-4 with an RBI for the CL.

[Young Drachma]

At least you don't have the league record for most losses in the Classic, Jeremy.

I mean, hang your hat on that...

[Tasan]

Heck yeah, Lopez on the All-Star team!

He's got a decent shot at ROY.

[Tasan]

Congrats Teach! And tough luck again muns. I guess there's always next year. And the next. But not the next. Thats when the Revolution goes down.