MCM vs. TCT Game 9: McGwire puts a kibosh on Fisher’s performance

‘66 Monday moves into a tie for lead in steals

I hope everyone had a happy Fourth of July!  I took some time out to play Game 9 of my Monsters-Terribles season.  1966 Rick Monday got a special start well, just because. 

For seven innings, it was so close.  Terribles starter ‘65 Jack Fisher had the Monsters swinging their bats like they were the straws in the fans’ drinks.  By the end of seven innings, the Monsters were hanging on to a slim 3-1 lead.  Not only that, the Terribles offense found a way to get on base.  They reached base in those same seven innings and even touched second base six times.  They even scored a run on ‘78 Mike Fischlin’s sac fly.

But then there was ‘98 Mark McGwire. 

McGwire was a late substitution after ‘27Lou Gehrig was scratched from the lineup.  Nothing official from the Monsters management but rumor was they wanted to get some playing time in for Big Mac who hasn’t seen any since the season started.  It was a good decision.  Mac was obviously itchy as he hit two homeruns and drove home five runs for the Monday Monsters. 

No word on whether this will warrant another start for McGwire. 

WP- ‘68 Gibson (2-0), LP- ‘65 Fisher (0-2) HR- ‘ 98 McGwire 2 (2), ‘31 Gibson (2), ‘82 Yount (2)

Monsters Highlights:  In his first appearance in the season, ‘98 Mark McGwire drove home five runs with two homeruns.  With a another four hit performance, ‘11 Ty Cobb is now hitting over  .500 (27 for 53).  ‘31 Josh Gibson doubled and homered with two rbis. 

Terribles Highlights:  The Terribles reached base in the first seven innings and got into scoring position six of those innings.  ‘65 Jack Fisher pitched as effectively as any Terible pitcher this season.  He allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings.  ‘67 Reggie Jackson doubled in the first inning.  ‘78 Mike Fischlin drove in the sole Terrible run on a sac fly.  ‘30 Chick Fullis who got on via a base hit, scored the run. 

Around the dugout

With his hit-by-pitch, ‘67 Reggie Jackson is back to crowing about he’s leading both teams in a category.   He’s talking to his agent about selling his own spicy candy with his name on it “’cause you know, it hits ya!”. 

Reggie isn’t the only Terrible player up there on the leaderboards.  Both ironically named ‘66 Rick Monday and ‘30 Chick Fullis stole a base in Game 9 which ties them for the lead with three with ‘11 Ty Cobb and ‘80 George Brett. 

Cobb’s four-hit game yesterday was his third this season.  He’s had at least three hits in seven of the nine games.  Though he leads all players with 27 hits, his .509 average still trails ‘21 Babe Ruth (.575) and ‘82 Robin Yount (.517) in hitting.

Lowest Batting Average (18 ab min)

It’s been rumored that ‘64 Joe Morgan is a favorite of Terribles management but maybe it’s time for a break for the secondbaseman.  Hitting leadoff, Morgan is 0 for 31 with just three walks and no stolen bases.  ‘81 Vance Law is eagerly waiting in the wings. 

Next up

In Game 10, the season moves to Winners Park.  Probable starters are ‘63 Jim Duckworth (0-2) for the Terribles and ‘05 Christy Mathewson (2-0) for the Monsters.