Notes #462 — Rooting Them In

                             NOTES FROM THE SHADOWS OF COOPERSTOWN
                                           Observations from Outside the Lines
                                     By Two Finger Carney (carneya6@adelphia.net)
 

#462                                                                                                              OCTOBER 21, 2008
                                             ROOTING THEM IN
 

            When I started writing baseball, I started with my own experiences, and have kept my observations here in Notes “outside the lines” — I sit where most of my readers sit, in the stands, in front of the TV, in my car with the radio on (and ideally, a ball game), or — for over a decade now — at my computer, with a box-seat view of the internet. In my first book, Dear Patrick (it is still unpublished, inexplicably, except on line — you can look it up in issues #294 ff.), I ended up exploring what it means to root . In a sense, that’s also what Notes has been all about.
           
            I wrote this over 18 years ago, and it seems worth repeating from time to time:
 

For many years, I have believed the sports fan is best understood through an Old Testament image.  In Exodus 17, Moses sends out his people’s army to do battle with the enemy, while he himself stands on a hilltop, observing.  As long as Moses’ hands are raised, his side has the better of the fight; when he tires and lowers his arms, the enemy takes the lead.  (That battle finally ends with Moses seated, his right and left hand men, literally, holding up his arms for him, until sunset and victory.)
 

            The image came back to me recently as I pondered the pennant and the political races. Soon they will both end, one with the World Series, the other with Election Day. I started off this and every baseball season rooting for the Pirates. When they again did not win a ticket to keep playing in November, I switched my rooting — well before the races were decided. So I feel at least partially responsible for the Phillies making it this time around (although they were not my first pick), as well as for the Rays. Give credit to the Red Sox for that amazing Game Five comeback — I had lowered my arms, and felt like I had let Tampa down when I read the paper next morning.
 

            Anyway, a recent visit to my home city & state, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reminded me of the roots of all my rooting. I was born and raised a Pirate & National League fan — Steelers, too, and later, the Penguins — pretty much the way I was born and raised a Catholic and a Democrat. In fact, it all seemed like a package deal. Yes, I had friends who were not Catholic, and Catholic friends whose families were Republicans, but I don’t think I knew anyone who rooted for a sports team from a different city. Not in baseball, football, and (later) hockey, anyway; in basketball, you could follow any NBA team you wanted. I am impressed, looking back, how natural that bunching of sports, religion and politics felt. I could not even think of rooting for the American League in the World Series or All Star Games.
 

            Well, that was a long time ago. Over the years, I have rooted for other NL teams (but only after the Bucs were eliminated), and occasionally for an AL team, in the Series. In fact, I might root for Tampa this October — I’m not sure. I’m Undecided, and may not know, until the first game is underway, when something in me kicks in. I guess I’m like the guy going to the voting booth, still not knowing what lever he’ll pull, till he’s pulling it.
 

            Turning to politics — only briefly, I promise — I have to wonder if it was like this in 1947, when Jackie Robinson was “running.”  To be honest, Senator Obama was not my first choice, I liked Edwards. Oh well. When Obama edged out Hillary, I was skeptical — as many must have been in 1947. Is this the time? Are we ready? Will we ever be?
 

            I’ll always be historically Catholic, Democrat, and a NL Pirate fan — born and raised, genetics and environment. Doesn’t mean I’ll never vote for a Republican — I have done that. Does mean I start there, it’s like the default setting for my values and my thinking.
 

            I’m not going anywhere else with this. Although I sometimes mix in religion and politics with baseball here in Notes , I know better than to try to persuade anyone. My endorsement would not exactly trump Colin Powell’s, either, or that of anyone who recommends McCain. Right now, it is tough being a Pirate fan (the Steelers are a lot easier to root for) … as it has been tough being a Democrat the last eight years. I think I’ll stop there. Except to add this: I may end up rooting, in the Series, for seven games ; but I sure hope this election is decided without the “extra innings,” as in 2000 and 2004.
 

 

SWEET SIXTEEN PLAYOFFS: PHILLIES VS BRAVES  
 

            This is the fifth in a series of reports on a simulated playoff of the sixteen “original franchise” teams. The results of the first-round American League “brackets” are in NOTES 459-461. See NOTES #459 for the background and “ground rules.”  The sixth installment follows immediately below.
 

 

THE PHILLIES
 

            The Phils are the top seed in the National League, with a .531 winning percentage. They finished two games behind the Cards in my first simulated season, then tied with the Reds in the second, and won the best-of-three playoff. Altho strengthened considerably in the Negro League draft, they were below .500 in the most recent season.
 

            As noted earlier, the Phils have a terrific top of the lineup, three .390+ hitters: Sliding Billy Hamilton, perfect for the leadoff spot; Big Ed Delahanty, who killed the dead ball in his day; and Big Sam Thompson, who hit .392 in 1895 with 18 HR and a ton of extra-base hits. The next three slots are also no-brainers, making this lineup easy to pencil in: Chuck Klein in cleanup (his 1930 inflated .386, 59 2B, 40 HR), Richie Allen at first, and Mike Schmidt at third. So in the NL draft, the Phils bolstered their middle infield, adding “King Richard” Lundy, a lot of leather and speed at SS; and Curtis “Popeye” Harris, who can play any position, but fields poorly at all of them. He can’t steal, either, but he sprays hits like Richie Ashburn, who is on the Phillie bench. So is John Kruk, Granny Hamner, Juan Samuel, Larry Parrish, and for the pinch HR, Fred “Cy” Williams. Darren Dalton is a catcher with power, and Virgil “Spud” Davis is his able back-up.
 

            Two Phillie aces are a cut above A: Grover “Pete” Alexander, and Steve Carlton. Other starters are Robin Roberts and Jim Bunning. For long relief, draftee Jon Matlack and Utica’s own “Frosty Bill” Duggleby; then there’s Jim Konstanty, Turk Farrell and closer Tug McGraw.
 

THE BRAVES 
 

            The Braves drew last seed mainly because they had an awful first season, played mostly with their top 25 players. But they played .500 after that, and are really a good team. Trouble is, every other team is good, too.
 

            The Braves lead off with Hugh Duffy, who once hit .438 (with 50 2B and 18 HR), and his card is Cobb-like. Then there is Negro League star (the Braves had a high pick) Christobal Torriente, a Cuban who will threaten Chief Wilson’s 3B record if he ever plays a full season with this card. The Braves’ 3-4 is automatic, like Ruth/Gehrig and Simmons/Foxx: 3b Eddie Mathews and RF Hank Aaron. I might add here that I am a National League fan by birth, and grew up watching Mathews and Aaron swing at old Forbes Field, and the simulations are more fun when you can tap your memories.
 

            Fred McGriff displaced Joe Adcock at 1B. Another NL draftee is SS John “El Cuchara” Lloyd, a great glove and bat, but will not steal bases or hit HRs. The Braves wound up with Felipe Alou, and OF who can also play some 1B. And they drafted Craig Biggio, who plays a great 2B. Their bench is strong: a one-season flash, Bob “Hurricane” Hazle; Dale Murphy; Wally Berger; pure hitter Ralph Garr; and glovemen Felix Millan and Chipper Jones. At catcher, Joe Torre in his peak season, and Javy Lopez.
 

            The Braves have some great arms, too: Greg Maddux (sorry, Cub fans); “Kid” Nichols; Warren Spahn; and Tom Glavine; John Smoltz is in long relief, with Vic Willis, Johnny Sain and Phil Niekro; Gene Garber closes. When Maddux was injured in the first game, I let the Braves add Rick Camp to the roster.
 

 

GAME ONE, AT PHILADELPHIA
 

            Maddux vs Alexander, so we might expect a lot of goose eggs on the scoreboard. The Phils draw first blood, Sam Thompson taking Maddux deep in the first inning, and Lundy making it 2-0 with a 2nd-inning HR. The Braves tied it when Torriente tripled, Mathews walked, and Hank Aaron tripled them both home with two out. McGriff, who fanned with two in scoring position in the first, stranded Aaron by fanning again. In the Braves’ 3rd, Lloyd doubled and came in on two flies to RF, Biggio getting the sac fly. Chuck Klein’s RBI single in the home 5th tied it at 3. But McGriff UN-tied it with a long solo HR in the 6th. In the Phil 6th, Darren Daulton’s line drive knocked out Maddux, and Niekro entered the game. He gave up just a single the rest of the way.
 

            This game was shortened to eight innings by rain, but before that, the Braves flooded home five runs in the 7th. Biggio was hit with a pitch; after he stole second, Torre doubled him home. Thompson dropped Duffy’s fly to right, and Old Pete bore down to get Torriente and Mathews. But Aaron singled in one run and McGriff tripled in two more. Lloyd’s hit closed out the scoring, and the Braves were on top, with a 9-3 win.
 

GAME TWO, AT PHILADELPHIA
 

            The Phils scored first again, Chuck Klein connecting with one on in the first. The Braves came right back with two; after Aaron and McGriff walked, Lloyd singled and when Murphy grounded into a DP, it was tied at 2. Kid Nichols was on the hill for the Braves, Steve Carlton for the Phils.
 

            But Carlton did not make it thru the third. Joe Torre rapped an infield single and went to third on Duffy’s double. Torriente singled them both home, 4-2. Aaron’s HR chased Carlton, 6-2. Jon Matlack could not put out the fire. With two out, Lloyd singled and Murphy was hit with a pitch. Biggio doubled home a pair, 8-2. Torre walked, and little Hugh Duffy poked one out of the park, making it 11-2 — a nine-run inning.
 

            But Yogi was right, it ain’t over till it’s over. Klein hit a 2-run HR, his second of the game, in the home third. 11-4. Delahanty’s double plated another in the 4th, 11-5. Klein walked and Allen tripled him around, and chased Nichols. Against Sain, with two out, Harris tripled, making it 11-7. Daulton’s hit made it 11-8. The Phils tied it off Sain in the sixth. Delahanty walked and Sam Thompson singled him to 3rd, then stole second. Klein walked to load the bases. Enter Garber. Who promptly walked Allen to score one run. Schmidt’s long fly to right made it 11-10, Klein taking third. Klein scored on Lundy’s fly to right, and the game was tied.
 

            Meanwhile, the Phillies bullpen was holding the Braves at bay. After that horrendous third inning, Turk Farrell came in and gave up two hits (both doubles by Aaron) over four innings. In the Phil 7th, the home team hit for the cycle, scoring four runs off Garber. Harris doubled and after Daulton fanned, Duffy put the Phils ahead with a single. Thompson’s fourth hit of the game was an RBI triple, and Chuck Klein, walked his two previous at bats, ended the scoring with his third HR of the game. 15-11. Tug McGraw retired the last six Braves, in a game reminiscent very much of a 15-14 World Series game the Phils played with Toronto.
 

GAME THREE, IN MILWAUKEE
 

            I like to imagine these games taking place in the oldest parks — Connie Mack Stadium for the Phils, and old County Stadium for the Braves. Robin Roberts dueling Spahnie.
 

            This time the Braves jumped on top 2-0 when Mathews homered in the first with Duffy aboard. McGriff’s clout made it 3-0. The Phils got two back on Harris’ 2-run double in the 4th, but Duffy’s HR made it 4-2 Braves. Harris’ HR in the 7th cut the leads to 4-3. Spahn had held the Phils hitless for the first four innings, but now was struggling. When Allen and Schmidt singled in the Phils’ 8th with one out, John Smoltz took over. He was greeted by an RBI single by Lundy, Schmidt taking third. Harris’ fly to left put the Phils up, 5-4.
 

            Roberts had been cruising after yielding the three gopher balls, retiring 11 of 12 going into the 9th. Popeye Harris, the hitting star (4 RBI) left the game for Granny Hamner. But Granny muffed his first chance, McGriff’s grounder leading off the 9th. Ralph Garr pinch ran. On the hit and run, Lloyd hit one into the right-center gap, scoring Garr to tie it, but Lloyd was cut down trying to win the game with an inside the park HR. I could hear Tim McCarver: “Well, it might have been worth the shot, Hamner was the cutoff man and had just made an error.” But more likely, Tim would have screamed You can’t do that, you can’t get thrown out at third or at home with nobody out! For the record, this play was out of my control, I could not have held up Lloyd at third if I was John McGraw with a hook. What made the play especially terrible for Lloyd (even though he had tied the score with his hit) was that Alou followed with a double and was stranded.
 

            Richie Allen opened the tenth with a HR off Smoltz, the only hit John gave up in his last two innings. So the Phils were up 6-5. McGraw had come in after Alou’s double to walk Biggio ahead of Torre’s DP ground ball. But he gave up a hit to Hugh Duffy to start the Braves’ 10th. Duffy stole second, and Torriente bunted him to third. The infield pulled in as Mathews faced McGraw. A shot to Hamner, but he speared it and tossed Duffy out at home (I see Daulton getting the best of that collision). Two out, and Hank Aaron up, but Tug gets him to pop up, and the Phils win it, 6-5, and go up 2-1 in games. The Braves really could be up 3-0 in games, having blown the 11-2 lead in game two, then missing their chances at the end in this one. Oh well.
 

GAME FOUR, AT MILWAUKEE
 

            The Braves would not come close in this game. Jim Bunning gave them nothing but trouble, just a walk after two singles in the first two innings, fanning ten, and winning 10-0.
 

            Tom Glavine yield three runs in the first on a Delahanty double, Klein’s single and another Allen HR — game-winning hits in consecutive at bats, as it turned out. Three more runs on five hits in the fifth chased Glavine. The Phils had 19 hits in all, with Delahanty, Thompson, Klein and Lundy getting three each.
 

GAME FIVE, AT MILWAUKEE
 

            This game was a lot like Game Three, a see-saw battle that saw both starters (Alexander and Vic Willis) gone after five. The teams scored in 8 of 18 half-innings, but never just one run. Another oddity: a second game, in five, featuring three HRs by one player.
 

            Phils on top first, Allen a double, moving to third on a grounder by Schmidt, and scoring when Lloyd’s throw home is dropped by Torre. After Hamner’s hit-and-run single, Daulton’s sac fly, 2-0. In the Phils’ third, more defensive problems. Delahanty walked, and Thompson smashed a long fly to center that Torriente ran down — Thompson advancing to second after the catch. Then the lapse, Alou botches a fly to left, 3-0. Richie Allen makes them pay more with a two-run HR, 5-0.
 

            The Braves might have run up the white flag at this point. Two crushing losses, now down 5-0 on three unearned runs. But no. Torre walked and Duffy beat out an infield hit. Torriente then homered — outside the park, making it 5-3. In the fifth, Richie Allen stroked another HR with a man on, 7-3. Allen’s 4th HR is three games. (In the first game of the series, Allen fanned his first three times up and went 0-for-4.)
 

            But it was not over. Torriente tripled in the 5th after Torre doubled, and Aaron singled Christobal in. 7-5. In the 7th, Torre walked, and Millan pinch-ran, scoring on Duffy’s double. With two out, Aaron doubled and it was a new game, 7-up.
 

            Niekro had taken over in the sixth and pitched two scoreless innings, but that ended when Mike Schmidt un-tied the game with a long HR leading off the 8th. Hamner walked with one out, Lundy ran, and moved to third on Daulton’s hit. Daulton then stole second. Billy Hamilton squeezed in a run and Delahanty’s hit made it 10-7. The Braves had scored their last two runs against Jim Konstanty, and Farrell end the 7th by fanning McGriff. He held the Braves in the 8th, aided by a DP.
 

            In the Phil 9th, the Phils iced it against knuckler Niekro. Klein singled and Allen, who already had a double and two HRs, went deep again — his fifth in five games, eleven RBI, MVP? Mike Schmidt followed with a solo HR, his second in two innings, and it was all over, 13-7. McGraw came in and made it interesting, loading the bases on two walks and Torriente’s single. But Eddie Mathews flied to right and Aaron grounded into a 6-4-3 DP.
 

            The Phils had the hot bats in this series, after Game One. Scoring in double-digits may not be rare in this crazy league, but few teams do it three times in four games, against a steady diet of Grade A pitching. For the Braves, a nightmarish collapse in Game Two, then losing two games in which they fought back, one on that do-or-die play by Lloyd. A game of inches . A roll of the dice. Onward, Phils.
 

 

SWEET SIXTEEN PLAYOFFS: DODGERS VS. REDS  
 

            In the next NL series, the Reds were managed by an old friend, who in fact managed the Reds when we were both rookies to APBA baseball, in 1959. He continued to manage them in the summers that followed, being rewarded with the cards based on the Reds’ 1961 pennant-winning season. That included pitchers Jim O’Toole, Joey Jay and Bob Purkey, sluggers Gene Freese, Frank Robinson, Wally Post, and Gordy Coleman, as well as speedy Vada Pinson, who hit .343. I may be wrong, but I seem to remember Gordy Coleman being quoted, in the stretch run of 1961, saying “I’d rather be lucky than good.” I don’t think he originated the saying, but I associate it with Gordy. And part of the reason is that my friend Jim, managing those Reds in our APBA simulation, had good cards, but unlucky dice. In each previous simulation, the team that won the NL pennant “in real life” — the Braves, Dodgers, and Pirates — won in APBA, too. But not the Reds.
 

            So against that background, it was fun to get together with Jim in the Adirondacks and spend an evening rolling the dice, as we had not done together in well over forty years. I managed the all-time Dodgers, and Jim the Reds.
 

 

THE DODGERS
 

            The all-time Dodgers are terrific, like all of these all-time teams, capable of beating anyone on any given day. But in my previous simulations, they emerged as a .500 team.
 

            When I think Dodgers, I think pitching , and while the franchise certainly has produced a bumper crop of Grade A’s over the decades, only Sandy Koufax has an A+ rating from APBA. I picked Orel Hershiser, Don Newcombe, and Don Drysdale for this tournament rotation, with Dazzy Vance, Ron Perranoski, Mike Marshall, Jim Brewer and Steve Howe in the pen (the last two also have A+ credentials).
 

            I also think speed in Dodger blue, and that is only amplified by their top draftee from the Negro Leagues, “Terrible Ted” Page, a slap-hitter outfielder. Their other NL draftee is Alex Radcliffe, who can play infield and hit for average, but like Page is not a long-ball threat. But talk about speed — how about that infield, Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese, with Maury Wills and Davey Lopes?  The two Boys of Summer have the better leather, but all of these guys are fun to watch. Power at the infield corners: Gil Hodges and Pedro Guerrero.
 

            All-timer Babe Herman is a born designated hitter, and around him a manager can pack more power in Duke Snider or Raul Mondesi or rifle-armed Carl Furillo; or more hitting with Hall of Famers Zack Wheat or draftee Tony Gwynn. The Dodgers also have one of the best catching tandems, in Roy Campanella and Mike Piazza. With all this talent, the DH is extremely helpful.
 

THE REDS
 

            In my first simulated season, the Reds finished dead last, with a 64-90 record. With an infusion of talent in the second season, they almost made the jump from last (eighth) place to first — in fact they did, with 83 wins in 154 games, but they lost a 3-game playoff, 2-1, to the Phils. With yet another infusion, they were +7 and in second place.
 

            The Reds’ all-timers have a couple A+ starters, Frank “Noodles” Hahn, and Cuban Adolfo Luque. They team up with Bob Purkey and draftee Tom Seaver. Long relief has aces Hod Eller, Eppa “Jeptha” Rixey and Mario Soto; and their Captain Hook can also draw on Ewell Blackwell and Clay Carroll.
 

            The “Big Red Machine” label fits this all-time roster. Johnny Bench makes Ernie Lombardi a back-up C. Joe Morgan has one of those all-time great leadoff cards and plays a dazzling 2B. Pete Rose can play almost anywhere. The Reds get Frank Robinson and drafted Jeff Bagwell, and have no power shortage, with Ted Kluszewski, George Foster, and speedy Eric Davis. They have more outfield speed with Vada Pinson, Edd Roush and draftee Marquis Grissom. Barry Larkin has pop at SS and Chico Cardenas backs him up. Finally, there is third base, where I took Chris Sabo over Tony Perez only because the team already has so much power, and Sabo has better leather. So does Negro League draftee Judy Johnson.
 

 

GAME ONE, AT CINCINNATI
 

            Koufax against Hahn in the opener. The Dodgers score first, Snider & Gwynn with back-to-back doubles in the second, and Raul Mondesi going deep with one out to make it 3-0. The Reds got one back in their fourth when Pinson doubled and Robinson singled him home. But the Dodgers came back in the top of the fifth. Guerrero single and Wills was safe when his sac bunt was fumbled by Bench. Page bunted them up, and they moved up another notch on a passed ball, 4-1. Jackie Robinson’s double made it 5-1.
 

            The Reds’ best chance came in the 7th when they loaded the bases on a hit by Robinson, a walk and an error. But Larkin’s long sac fly fell short and Koufax fanned Judy Johnson. Both teams tacked on a few at the end but the Dodgers won, 8-3.
 

GAME TWO, AT CINCINNATI
 

            Hershiser versus Luque in Game Two, and the Dodgers broke on top again, Babe Herman’s 1st-inning triple followed by Duke Snider’s long poke to left. The wind was blowing out strong to left all during this game, and was a factor for both teams.
 

            Joe Morgan walked and stole second before Edd Roush tripled him home in the Reds’ 1st, then Vada Pinson got one up in that gale to left and it was 3-2 Reds. Jackie Robinson’s 3rd-inning HR tied it, but the Reds went ahead in the bottom of the inning on doubles by Morgan and Robinson. In the Dodger 4th, Guerrero led off with a HR, Wills singled and stole, and Page doubled him in, chasing Luque, 5-4 Dodgers. Hershiser had to leave the game in the 2nd after pulling a muscle, and Dazzy Vance had taken over.
 

            The Dodgers put the game away with six runs in their sixth. The first three came in on a HR by Ted Page — this guy can only get the ball out of the park on a fly with help from the wind. A hit and a walk later, Blackwell was gone and Hod Eller’s first shine ball was planted in deep right by Snider (no help from the wind), making it 11-4. Solo homers by Frank Robinson and Jeff Bagwell were not enough, Marshall and Howe finished up, and the final was 12-6. The Reds fanned 11 times vs 4 Dodger pitchers.
 

GAME THREE, BROOKLYN
 

            Don Drysdale and Bob Purkey faced off in this one. Roy Campanella’s 2-run HR got the Dodgers on the board in the second, and they chased Purkey with five more in the third. Snider’s 3-run HR was the big blast, and Gil Hodges doubled after Campy and Jackie drew walks. Hits by Zack Wheat and Babe Herman in the sixth made it 10-0. Meanwhile, Drysdale was holding the Reds in check, finally giving up a two-run pinch HR to Barry Larkin in the 7th, but at the end it was 10-2 and looking bleak for the Reds.
 

GAME FOUR, BROOKLYN
 

            Tom Seaver versus Don Newcombe, and while the Reds’ bats came alive, their pitching let them down again. With the Reds up 2-1 in the 2nd, the Dodgers scored five on two singles, two walks, and error by Larkin, and Snider’s bases-loaded triple. The Reds came back, scoring two on Robinson’s double in the third, and another on Pinson’s double and Larkin’s sac fly in the 4th. But the Reds’ pen could not contain the Dodgers. Mondesi homered (the wind was blowing out again) and Hodges singled home Piazza, making it 8-5. It was 8-6 after singles by Johnson and Pinson and a ground-out by Larkin.
 

            Then one more nightmarish inning for the Reds. Furillo doubled, Herman walked and Snider singled to load the bases. Blackwell, on in relief again, got Mondesi and Piazza to pop up and was almost out of it, but Jackie Robinson singled home two runs and Gil Hodges (batting 8th!) followed with a long HR to make it 13-6.
 

            Newcombe had turned the ball over to Vance in the 4th, and Dazzy carried the lead into the 8th. One-out singles by Johnson and Pinson and a HR by Marquis Grissom chased Vance and made it 13-9. Larkin greeted Perranoski with a triple, and after Rose’ pop up for the second out, Morgan and Robinson walked. Jeff Bagwell batted for Kluszewski, and took a game-tying grand slam swing, but his fly to left was hauled down by Mondesi, and that was pretty much the game and the series, 13-9 and 4-0.
 

            Would the outcome have been different with different managers rolling the dice?  Of course. The outcomes will always be different (although the 1919 Reds still have not taken a series from the 1919 White Sox, in my APBA simulations). The fact is that any team — given the hotter dice — can sweep any other team. Remember, this Sweet Sixteen tournament started with the Senators eliminating the all-time Yankees in six games.
 

            I think fans tend to think that teams that are swept are vastly inferior to the sweepers, but I do not believe that is the case. In 1927, the Murderer’s Row Yankees swept the Pirates in the Series, but two games were decided by one run (one of them lost on a wild pitch), and in the two other games, the Yankees scored in just two innings in each game. The very first team to be swept (Detroit, in 1907, by the Cubs) started the series with a 3-3 12-inning tie. The next team, the Philadelphia A’s, lost to the “Miracle Braves” by 1-0, 5-4 and 3-1. And so on.
 

            Small consolation for the Reds’ fans and my friend Jim, but I have a hunch that we will roll dice together again some day, maybe with me managing my all-time Pirates against his Reds, or maybe the Big Red Machine against the Lumber Company, or maybe the Reds of the 60s against the Impossible Pirates. So many possibilities. But it comes down to the dice, and whoever said it, had it right: I’d rather be lucky — in a short series, anyway — than good.