The Jim Greengrass Collection

   The New York Yankees released Jim Greengrass to the Cincinnati Reds in a deal that sent Ewell Blackwell to the Yankees in September of 1952. He batted .276 in 151 games for Beaumont, the Yankee AA farm team in the Texas League, where he hit 22 home runs, 15 triples and 31 doubles before joining the Reds on September 3.
   Jim made his major league debut in the first game of a double header on September 9 in Boston pinch hitting in the ninth inning for Joe Nuxhall. Warren Spahn stuck him out. He faired better in the nightcap, starting in left field, going three for four against Max Surkont. He started in centerfield the next day going 1 for 6 against Jim Wilson. Jim left Boston hitting .364 and started every remaining game in center field, except for a make up game in Chicago.
   The Reds traveled from Boston to New York for a three game series against the Giants leading off with another double header, the second in three days. Jim was happy to leave the Polo Grounds after going 1 for 13 and dropping his average to a more normal .208 for a rookie.
   Moving next to Flatbush, Jim had a dream two game series in Ebbets Field. He went 5 for 8, hitting his first home run, a grand slam to beat the Dodgers' Johnny Rutherford 4-0 on Sunday, September 14. The next day he went 2 for 3 against Carl Erskine with 4 RBIs and his second major league home run. He got on the train for Philadelphia hitting .313.
   Jim came back to earth the following night in Shibe Park going 0 for 4 and striking out twice against Robin Roberts who won his 25th game. That was the last "0 for" Jim would suffer for the remaining nine games. He hit a home run in each of the two games played in Pittsburgh and one more the following game in St. Louis.
   Jim played his first 15 major league games on the road hitting .310 with 5 home runs and an amazing 21 RBI's on 18 hits. The Reds finished their season at home with a 3 game series against Pittsburgh. Jim's final stats were 21 for 69, a .309 average with 24 RBI's and 5 Home Runs.
   The Braves moved out of Boston the following year. I turned 14 that summer and was allowed to take the Greyhound bus 40 miles into Milwaukee and watch the Braves play all of those teams that I was only able to listen to previously on the radio. One of my favorite teams to watch was Cincinnati. They now had Jim in left field and Gus Bell in center to accompany the Redlegs all star first baseman Ted Kluszewski. The three hit 20, 30 and 40 home runs respectively in 1953, the following year 27, 17 and 49. They were a fun team to watch, good hitting but poor pitching. A relief pitcher, Joe Nuxhall, tied for the team lead in wins with 12 in 1954.
   Thirty years later Joanne and I moved to Atlanta from Miami. Starving for major league baseball I immediately bought Braves season tickets and looked for a baseball card shop. I found Blue Grey Collectables in Roswell one Saturday afternoon. After 10 minutes Bob Cunningham, the owner, and I were old friends. It doesn't take long for two old baseball fans to connect. After I told Bob my story he told me to come back next Saturday morning. He said a few guys get together over coffee and donuts to talk baseball and he would have a surprise for me.
   I showed up the following week and was ushered to the back of the store where a grey haired gentleman sat with a big smile on his face. Bob said, "Tom, I'd like you to meet Jim Greengrass." I almost hit the floor! You can imagine my surprise. Needless to say I spent many more Saturday mornings sharing wonderful memories with Jim. Bob Montag who played for the Crackers would also show up. He hit a home run at Ponce Park that traveled further than any that have ever been hit anywhere you know.
   Anyway, when Jim would hit his first home run at a ballpark he would get the home team to sign a baseball as a remembrance of the occasion. Those eight balls are on our mantle, including his first, the grand slam in Ebbets Field. I intend to post a few pictures of the signatures on those balls and talk about my memories of watching those each of those teams and the ballplayers who played for them  between 1953 and 1955.
   I am pretty busy being a caregiver to Joanne so it will be a process that will take some time over the next few months. I know there aren't many of my facebook friends who are old enough to know any of those old timers, but it will be a sort of therapy for me and worthwhile whether anybody reads it or not.
   There will always be "greengrass" in left field, Tom

You might not know about George "Shotgun" Shuba or Preacher Roe or Cookie Lavagetto, but you should know about the fourth player on that Dodger ball. I'll talk about that ball in my next blog. 



Sunday, October 13, 1991 - Braves' extra effort falls short

Braves' extra effort falls short

Pirates tie series with 3-2 victory on LaValliere's pinch hit in 10th

By I.J. Rosenberg, The Atlanta Constitution, October 14, 1991

It was a playoff game that kept a city gnawing on it's fingernails until after midnight. It was ruled by pitching, had more than a few hairy moments and pushed into extra innings. But in the end, the 51,109 on hand had little reason to wave those tomahawks. Most will wake up this morning bleary-eyed.

         The Pirates, a club that just 24 hours ago looked so troubled, made sure Sunday that the playoff series will go back to Pittsburgh. Getting two-out pinch hit from Mike LaValliere, the Pirates knocked off the Braves 3-2 in 10 innings at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to even the series at two games apiece. In Game 5 today, Atlanta's Tom Glavine will face Pittsburgh's Zane Smith at 3:05 p.m. The series will then return to Pittsburgh for game 6 Wednesday and game 7 (if necessary) on Thursday. 

         LaValliere's first pinch hit of the season came off rookie Mark Wohlers after Kent Mercker had put the winning run in scoring position. "Playing for Jim [Leyland] all year, he uses the entire roster so you are always ready," said LaValliere. "I was looking for the pitch, guarding the plate, not trying to overswing. I hit a fastball. The way I look at it is I have had six years of experience and train for those kind of spots."

         In the bottom of the inning the Braves went down in order against Stan Belinda, but Lonnie Smith made it interesting when he led off by sending a ball deep to right. Bobby Bonilla caught it with his back up against the wall. "I'm not a big momentum guy, but it certainly was a big game," said Pittsburgh manager Leyland. "It is nice to be back even."

         Today's game will be a battle of lefthanders. Both Glavine and Smith lost their first start in the playoffs. "Nobody really has the momentum," said Braves first baseman Brian Hunter. "Tomorrow will be the big turning point. That will be the big momentum maker right there."

         It was a game either team could have won. The Pirates wasted runner after runner. The had a man in scoring position in innings Nos. 5-8 with a chance to take the lead. Fortunately for the Braves, in three of those innings, second baseman Jose Lind was at the plate when they needed the hit after two outs. Then in the ninth, the Braves put a runner at second with two outs and manager Bobby Cox went to left-handed pinch hitter Jerry Willard, who has been used very sparingly this season. Willard popped out to first to end the inning.

         Then came the 10th. Mercker walked Andy Van Slyke but got Bonilla and Barry Bonds to fly out. The Van Slyke stole second and Steve Buechele walked. Cox went to his bullpen and brought on the right-handed Wohlers. Leyland countered by pinch hitting the left-handed hitting LaValliere for Don Slaught. The move paid off. "I tried to throw a fastball out and away," said Wohlers. "But I got it down and in. That's not where it was supposed to go. I got it right in his hitting zone."

         Atlanta starter Charlie Leibrandt came into the evening having lost his last two decisions. In his previous three starts he had allowed 12 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings, walking more (nine) than he had stuck out (six). 

         For the second straight game, the Braves scored in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Smith, who came into the game hitless in 10 at-bats in the series, hit a ground-rule double , bounced a Randy Tomlin fastball over the fence in right-center. Smith then went to third on Terry Pendleton's line drive to right. The play at third was close; Buechele was leaning back when he took th one-bounce throw from Bonilla, ans Smith's headfirst slide just beat the tag. Smith came home on Ron Gant's grounder to short. 

         The Braves weren't through, however. David Justice followed with a single - his fifth hit of the series - and went to second on a single to left by Hunter. Greg Olsen, who had a two-run homer the day before, pushed a ball just past shortstop Jay Bell into left - his fifth hit of the series - and Justice came home as left fielder Barry Bond's throw short-hopped catcher Slaught and skipped to the screen , allowing the runners to advance to second and third. The inning ended, however, when Mark Lemke grounded to short.

         The Pirates closed the deficit to 2-1 in the second inning. Leibrandt walked Bonilla, and after Bonds popped to third, Buechele singled and Slaught ripped a ball off the glove of Pendleton at third to score Bonilla. 

          The Pirates tied it in the fifth on an unearned run. After two outs, Gary Redus singled. Bell then blooped a hit into short right field. Justice fielded it cleanly and threw to third, trying to get Redus. But the ball hit got passed Pendleton, allowing Redus to come home. Justice was charged with an error.

Pirates Hitting Recap
Gary Redus, 1b   1 for 5 with 1 r and 1so
Jay Bell, ss   3 for  5 with 1 so
Andy Van Slyke, cf   0 for 3 with 1 r, 2 bb and 1 so
Bobby Bonilla, rf   1 for 3 with 1 r and 2 bb
Barry Bonds, lf   1 for 5 with 1 bb
Steve Buechele, 3b   3 for 3 with 1 so
Don Slaught,c   1 for 4 with 1 rbi and 1 so
    Mike LaValliere ph-c   1 for 1 with 1 rbi
Jose Kind, 2b   0 for 4 with 2 so
Randy Tomlin, p   0 for 2
    Curt Wilkerson, ph   0 for 1 with 1 so
    Bob Walk, p 0 for 0
    Lloyd McClendon, ph   0 for 1
    Stan Belinda, p   0 for 0

SH: S Buechele (1, off M Stanton)
RBI: D Slaught (1); M LaValliere (1)
2-RBI: M LaValiere
Team LOB: 10
With RISH: 2 for 10

Fielding
E: Bonds (1)

Baserunning
SB: A Van Slyke (1, 2nd  K Mercker/G Olsen)
CS: B Bonilla (1, 2n base by C Leibrant/G Olsen)

Pirates Pitching Recap
Randy Tomlin   6 ip, 6 h, 2 r, 2 er, 2 bb, 1 so, 100 p with 68 s
Bob Walk   2 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 27 p with 16 s
Stan Belinda W (1-0)   2 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 1 so, 31 p with 16 s

Braves Hitting Recap
Lonnie Smith, lf   2 for 4 with 1 r, and 1 bb
Terry Pendleton, 3b   1 for 5 with 1 so
Ron Gant, cf   0 for 5 with 1 rbi and 1 so
David Justice, rf   1 for 4 with 1 r
Brian Hunter, 1b   1 for 3
    Sid Bream, ph-1b    0 for 1
Greg Olsen, c   1 for 3 with 1 rbi  and 1 bb
Mark Lemke, 2b   0 for 3 with 1 bb
Rafael Belliard, ss   1 for 3
Charlie Leibrandt, p   0 for 1
   Jim Clancy, p   0 for 0
   Tommy Gregg, ph   0 for1
   Mike Stanton, p    0 for 1
   Kent Mercker, p    0 for 0
   Mark Wohlers, p    0 for 0

2B: L Smith (1, off R Tomlin)
SH: C Leibrandt (1, off R Tomlin); R Belliard (2, off S Belinda)
RBI: G Olsen (3); R Gant (2)
2-out RBI: G Olsen
Team LOB: 7
With RISP: 1 for 8

Fielding
DP: 1 G Olsen-R Belliard-B Hunter
E: D Justice (1)
Outfield Assists: R Gant (S Buechele at home plate)

Braves Pitching Recap:
Charlie Leibrandt   6.2 ip, 8 h, 2 r, 1 er, 3 bb, 6 so, 114 p with 68 s
Jim Clancy   0.1 ip, 0 h, 0 r,  0 bb, 0 s, 5 p with 3 s
Mike Stanton   2 ip, 2 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 2 so, 32 p wit 23 s
Kent Mercker, L (0-1)   0.2 ip, 0 h, 1 r, 1 er, 2 bb, 0 so, 19 p with 8 s
Mark Wohlers,   0.1 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 0 so, 4 p with 4 s

Pickoffs:
Mike Stanton (1, J Bell, 2nd base (CS))

Time: 3:43
Attendance: 51,109

   
   

Saturday, October 12, 1991 - Braves rock the house 10-3!

Braves rock the house 10-3!

Three homers and four doubles ignite Atlanta; 

Pirates trail series 2-1

By I.J. Rosenberg, Atlanta Constitution, Sunday, October 13, 1991

         It was only last Wednesday, on a breezy evening in Pittsburgh, that the Atlanta Braves received their first taste of post-season play in nine years. They were hammered by the Pirates in that first game, but recovered to win game 2.

         Saturday, in front of a standing, screaming, chopping, cheering mob at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, the Braves had to answer another question: Would the frenzy of the fans fire them up, or would it only distract them from on-field matters? Silly question. "That confidence, the same one we had down the stretch, it's back," said John Smoltz, Saturday's starter. So is the Braves' domination of the Pirates.

         Putting on a power demonstration in front of 50,905, their biggest crowd since the last time they were in the playoffs in 1982, the Braves crushed the Pirates 10-3 to take a 2-1 advantage in the National League Championship Series. With their first-ever playoff win here, and their seventh straight win over the Pittsburgh in Atlanta, the Braves clearly have taken command of this series. "We are the only ones that can win it here," said catcher Greg Olsen, who hit the first of three Braves home runs. "There is no reason why we can't."

         Added center fielder Ron Gant, who had a homer and a double, "We knew the bats would come around, and it sure doesn't hurt coming back to this place." It was a day few who were at the stadium will forget. "there was a seemingly inexhaustible supply of tomahawks, Indian headdresses and war chants. It was the social event of the (baseball) season, with Ted turner and Jane Fonda, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and M.C. Hammer looking on.

         It all starts again tonight at 8:40, with Charlie Leibrandt facing Randy Tomlin. But first, Saturday's highlights:
         - Each of the first six runs was scored with two out. The Braves have outscored the Pirates 56-24 this season in Atlanta. The Braves tied a playoff record with three doubles in the first inning.
         - Olsen not only hit his first home run since Aug. 10, he also had only his third career stolen base. His two-run shot gave the Braves a 4-1 lead in the first inning.
         - Sid Bream came off the bench and hit his third homer against his former club.
         - Smoltz , bothered by a cold, gave up a home run on his first pitch but came back to win his 13th game since the All-Star break. He also had a hit and stole a base.

         It all makes one wonder whether there really is something magic about this stadium. "There's nothing more awesome than to hear all those fans chanting that way for 15 minutes straight at one point," said Olsen. "It puts chills up your spine." Pittsburgh manager Jim Leyland said the crowd had nothing to do with his club's performance. Yet he was nonetheless impressed. "I think this is exactly how it should be," he said. "The chop thing, that's great."

         Said Pirates right fielder Bobby Bonilla, "When your up at the plate, you do hear that, "THUMP, thump-thump-thump. I'm going to have to talk to [Florida State football coach] Bobby Bowden. He must have sent a football player here to show them that."

         The win, the Braves' 11th in 15 games against Pittsburgh this year, gives Atlanta the momentum. The Braves will face Pirates' fifth starter Randy Tomlin tonight and then likely will go against former Brave Bob Walk on Monday. Although Leibrandt has lost two of his last three starts, he has plenty of postseason experience and Tomlin has none. Still, Braves' manager Bobby Cox isn't booking his World series flights just yet. "Yes, it's great being up 2-1 but we're not worried about winning the series right now," he said.

         The key to Saturday was hitting. Unlike the first two games of the series when they scratched out only two runs, they sent 20-game winner John Smiley to the bench before the third inning. they pounded out 11 hits and never curbed their attack, as the Pirates closed to within three runs late only to watch Atlanta score one in the seventh on a homer by Gant and three more in the eight on Bream's homer. 

         Also, despite giving up a home run to Orlando Merced on the first pitch and then a hit to the next batter, Smoltz maintained his composure. "it shocked me and I thought, 'Oh geez' after giving up that homer and hit," said Smoltz. Said Pirates center fielder Andy Van Slyke, "Orlando hits that homer and then Jay [Bell] gets a hit. Then you have Van Slyke, Bonilla and [Bobby] Bonds coming up. If we get two or three there off a guy pitching in his first playoff game, it's a different story."

         The Braves pushed the lead to 6-1 in the third before the Pirates closed within three runs in the seventh and Smoltz was taken out after giving up a homer to Bell in the seventh. A laugher turned dramatic momentarily in the eight with the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate.  Cox went to closer Alejandro Pena, and as he did in Game 2 when the tying run was at third with one out, Pena didn't allow a run to score. When he fanned Bell for the final out of the inning, Pena ran off the mound, shaking his fist in triumph.

         Still, warned one Pirate, the series is far from over. "We have been down before," said Bonds. "We seem to always be able to get right back up. If they think we're done, the have another think coming."

Pirates Hitting Recap:
Orlando Merced, 1b   1 for 5 with 1 r, 1 h, 1 rbi and 1 so
Jay Bell, ss   3 for 5 with 1 r, 1 rbi and 2 so
Andy Van Slyke, cf   1 for 3 with 2 bb
Bobby Bonilla, rf   0 for 5 with 1 so
Barry Bonds, lf   1 for 5 with 1 r
Steve Buechele, 3b   2 for 4
Mike LaValliere. c   0 for 2 with 1 bb
   Don Slaught, ph-c   1 for 1
Jose Lind, 2b   1 for 4 with 1 rbi and 3 so
John Smiley, p   0 for 0
   Cecil Espy, ph   0 for 1 with 1 so
   Bill Landrum, p   0 for 0
   Gary Varsho, ph   0 for 1 with 1 so

   Bob Patterson, p   0 for 0
   Curt Wilkerson, ph   0 for 1
   Bob Kipper, p   0 for 0
   Lloyd McClendon. ph-1b   0 for 0 with 1 bb

2B: J Bell (1, off J Smoltz); S Buechele (2, off J Smoltz)
HR: O Merced (1, off J Smoltz, 1st inn, 0 on, o outs to deep CF); J Bell, (1, off J Smoltz, 7th inn, 0 on, 1 out to deep LF)
RBI: O Merced (1); J Lind (2); J Bell )1)
Team LOB: 11
With RISP: 1 for 12

Fielding
E: J Bell (1); O Merced (1)

Baserunning
SB: B Bonds (3, 2nd base off J Smoltz/G Olsen)

Pirates Pitching Recap
John Smiley, L (0-1)   2 ip, 5 h, 5 r, 4 er, 0 bb, 2 so, 1 hr
Bill Landrum   1 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 1 er, 2 bb, 2 so, 26 p with 14 s
Bob Patterson   2 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 3 so, 24 p with 17 s
Bob Kipper   2 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 1 er, 0 bb, 1 so, 1 hr, 40 p with 25 s
Rosario Rodriguez   1 ip, 1 h, 3 r, 3 er, 2 bb, 1 so, 1 hr, 22 p with 13 s

HBP: J Smiley (1; L Smith)
IBB: B Landrum (1; M Lemke)
Pickoffs: J Smiley (1; L Smith, 2nd base); B Kipper ( 1; J Smoltz, 2nd base)

Atlanta Hitting Recap
Lonnie Smith, lf   0 for 3 with 1 r and 2 so
   Keith Mitchell, lf   0 for 1
Terry Pendleton, 3b   2 for 5 with 1 rbi
Ron Gant, cf   2 for 5 with 2 r, 1 rbi and 2 so
David Justice, rf   1 for 3 with 1 r, 1 rbi, 1 bb, and 1 so
Brian Hunter, 1b   1 for 4 with 1 r, 1 rbi and 1 so
   Alejandro Pena, p   0 for 0
Greg Olsen, c   2 for 3 with 3 r, 2 rbi and 1 bb
Mark Lemke, 2b   0 for 2 with 1 r and 2 bb
Rafael Belliard, ss   1 for 3 with 1 rbi and 1 so
John Smoltz, p   1 for 3 with 2 so
   Mike Stanton, p   o for 0
   Mark Wohlers, p   0 for 0
   Sid Bream, 1b   1 for 1 with 1 r and 3 rbi

2B: R Gant (1, off J Smiley); D Justice (1, off J Smiley); B Hunter (1, off J Smiley); T Pendleton (1, off J Smiley)
HR: G Olsen (1, off J Smiley, 1st inn, 1 on, 2 outs to Deep LCF); R Gant (1, off B Kipper, 7th inn, 0 on, 1 out to Deep LF Line); S Bream (1, off R Rodriguez, 8th inn, 2 on, 1 out to Deep RF);
SH: R Belliard (1, off R Rodriguez)
IBB: M Lemke (1, by B Landrum)
HBP:  L Smith (1, by J Smiley)
RBI: S Bream 3 (3); G Olsen 2 (2); R Belliard (1); B Hunter (1): T Pendleton (1); D Justice (2); R Gant (1)
2-out RBI: G Olsen 2; R Belliard; B Hunter (1); T Pendleton (1); D Justice (2); R Gant (1)
Team LOB: 5
With RISP: 6 for 8

Baserunning
SB: G Olsen (1, 2nd base off B Landrum/M LaValliere); J Smoltz (1, 2nd base off B Kipper/M LaValliere)
CS: L Smith (1, 2nd base by J Smiley POCS); D Justice (1, 2nd base by B Landrum/ M LaValliere)
Pickoffs: J Smoltz (2nd base by Kipper)

Braves Pitching Recap
John Smoltz, W (1-0)   6.1 ip, 8 h, 3 r, 3 er, 2 bb, 7 so and 2 hr with 
Mike Stanton, H (1)   0.2 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 15 p with 8 s
Mark Wohlers   0.1 ip, 1 h, 1 bb, 1 so, 10 p with 6 s
Alejandro Pena, S (2)   1.2 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 1 so, 20 p with 10 s

WP: Mike Stanton (1)

Time of Game: 3:21
Attendance: 50,905

Thursday, October 10, 1991 - It's All Even, Steven!

IT'S ALL EVEN, STEVEN!

After 26 years, Atlanta finally wins a postseason game   as Avery quiets Pirates 1-0.

By, I.J. Rosenberg, The Atlanta Constitution, Friday, October 11, 1991

         Pittsburgh - With their dream season starting to look like it might head toward a premature end, the Atlanta Braves searched every crack, every corner of Three Rivers Stadium on Thursday night for inspiration. It came, not from their group of veterans, but courtesy of a one-time utility infielder that Braves manager Bobby Cox calls "the original dirt player" and a 21-year-old pitcher that Pirates manager Jim Leyland calls "just awesome."

         With Mark Lemke driving in the game's only run and left-hander Steve Avery silencing the Pittsburgh bats, the Braves shut out the Pirates 1-0 before another record crowd of 57,533, squaring the best-of-seven National League Series at one game apiece. The win was Atlanta's first-ever in eight games in the postseason. The series moves to Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium for three games beginning Saturday.

         After Wednesday night's dismal 5-1 loss, the Braves are very satisfied returning home with a split. "As far as I know this organization had never won a postseason game so this first one means a great deal," said left-fielder Lonnie Smith. "Now we're going home and playing on our own court. And hopefully we can win two of three there." Added manager Bobby Cox, "a split is okay with me."

         But for a few minutes in the ninth it appeared as if the Braves might arive home empty handed. Avery gave up a lead-off double to Bobby Bonilla and up stepped the always dangerous Barry Bonds. Avery fell behind 3-and-1 in the count and not wanting to put the winning run on base, he delivered Bonds a pitch in his wheelhouse. "There was no doubt that Barry was trying to put them ahead and go home," said third baseman Terry Pendleton. But Bonds popped to shortstop Raphael Belliard in short left. 

         It was still far from over, though, as Cox brought on Alejandro Pena, who had 11 saves in 11 opportunities during the regular season, to face right-handed hitting Steve Buechele. Pena's second pitch was wild and the tying run was only 90 feet away. On the next pitch , Buechele grounded back to Pena for the second out. Now Leyland went to his bench and brought out Curtis Wilkerson, hitting .278 against the Braves this years. but Wilkerson watched third strike and all of Atlanta swallowed.

         Avery allowed just six hits and what is more impressive gave up only one outfield out, tying a team playoff record. "We couldn't have scored on him if we played two more hours", said Leyland. Said Avey, "I was just having fun. How can you not enjoy 100 million people watching you." 

         And Lemke sparked an offense that in the second inning had failed to score after loading the bases against former Brave Zane Smith. Finally in the sixth, with David Justice on second and two out, Lemke bounced a ball over the glove of Buechele at third base, allowing justice to come home. In the eighth, Lemke saved the tying run from coming home when he kept Jay Bell's ball in the infield. "He's been a big part of our season," said Cox.

Braves Hitting Recap:
Lonnie Smith, lf   0 for 3 with 1 bb
Terry Pendleton, 3b   0 for 4
Ron Gant, cf   2 for 3
David Justice, rf   1 for 4 with 1 r and 2 so
Brian Hunter, 1b   1 for 4 with 1 so
Greg Olsen, c   2 for 4 with 1 so
Mark Lemke, 2b   2 for 4 with 1 rbi
Raphael Belliard, ss   0 for 3 with 1 bb
Steve Avery, p   0 for 4 with 3 so 

2B: M Lemke (1, off Z Smith)
IBB: R Belliard (1, by Z Smith)
HBP: R Gant (1, by Z Smith)
GIDP: T Pendleton (1)
RBI: M Lemke (1)
Team LOB: 9
With RISP: 2 for 10 


Pitching Recap:
Steve Avery (W, 1-0), 8.1 ip, 6 h, 0 r, 2 bb, 9 so, 118 p with 78 s
Alejandro Pena, S (1), 0.2 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 1 so, 6 p with 5 s
WP: A Pena (1)

Other Info:
DP: 1, M Lemke- R Belliard- B Hunter
SB: R Gant 3 (3, 3rd base of Z Smith/D Slaught, 2nd Base off Z Smith/D Slaught 2)

Pittsburgh Hitting Recap:

Gary Redus, 1b   1 for 3 with 1 bb and 1 so

Jay Bell, ss   1 for 4 with 2 so

Andy Van Slyke, cf   0 for 4 with 1 so

Bobby Bonilla, rf   2 for 4 with 1 so

Barry Bonds, lf   1 for 4 with 1 so

Steve Buechele, 3b   0 for 3 with 1 bb and 1 so

Don Slaught, c   0 for 3 with 1 so
   Curt Wilkerson, ph 0 for 1 with 1 so

Jose Lind, 2b   1 for 3

Zane Smith, p 0 for 2 with 1 so
   Lloyd McClendon, ph   0 for 1

2B: B Bonilla (1, off S Avery)
GIDP: B Bonds (1)
Team LOB: 7
With RISP: 1 for 7

Pitching Recap:
Zane Smith, L (0-1) 7 ip, 8 h, 1 r, 1 er, 2 bb, 5 so
Roger Mason, 1 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 1 so
Stan Belinda, 1 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 1 so
HBP: Z Smith (1, R Gant)
IBB: Z Smith (1, R Belliard)

Other Info:
DP: 1 J Lind-J bell-G Redus
SB: B Bonds 2 (2, 2nd base off S Avery/G Olsen, 3rd base off S Avery/G Olsen; G Redus (2, 2nd base off S Avery/G Olsen)

E: G Redus (1)
Outfield Assists: B Bonilla (M Lemke at 3rd base)
SB: G Redus (1, 2nd base off M Wohlers/G Olsen)

Atlanta ........ 000 001 000 - 1 

Pittsburgh ... 000 000 010 - 0

Time: 2;46

Attendance: 57,533

Wednesday, October 9 - Braves go quietly 5-1

 Braves go quietly 5-1

Drabek, Walk give Pittsburgh opening victory

By I.J. Rosenberg, The Atlanta Constitution, October 10, 1991

         Pittsburgh - The Atlanta Braves came to the City of Steel confident that they were ready for a playoff showdown against the club with the major leagues' best record. Nervous? Not really, they said. Concerned about only having a few players with postseason experience? No problem, they promised.

    But when the CBS cameras clicked on Wednesday night and all of the baseball world turned their eyes on the Braves, they froze like an actor with stage fright. The result was one of their least effective offensive performances in some time, a 5-1 loss to Pittsburgh in the first game of the National League Championship Series before 57,347, the largest crow ever to see a baseball game in Three Rivers Stadium.

    "It was the first time for a lot of our guys and I could see us being overanxious," said right fielder David Justice. "But once we got to the third or fourth inning, it was a regular game for us." By then, however, it was over as this in no way resembled the club that handled Pittsburgh so easily during the regular season, winning 9 of 12 meetings and averaging 5.9 runs a game.

    The Braves collected just five hits, three off of last year's Cy Young winner Doug Drabek who left the game after sixth with a strained hamstring but is not expected to miss his next start. Twenty-game winner Tom Glavine should be thankful most of the Cy Young votes are in. He continued his first-inning troubles, getting down 1-0 before the third out and by the time he left after the sixth-inning he  had given up four runs.

    The Braves made a costly coaching mistake in the fourth when trailing 3-0, third base coach Jimy Williams waved Mark Lemke to third for the first out in the inning. There only run came when it meant very little on a ninth inning homer by Justice.

    "Somebody had to lose game 1," said manager Bobby Cox. "We'll come back fighting tomorrow night." The Braves have put themselves in the position of almost having to win tonight's game against former Brave Zane Smith, a pitcher they have owned all season.

    "I have been two behind before and won but it would be nice to leave here with one," said third baseman Terry Pendleton, who played on two playoff teams in St. Louis. Then again, the Pirates won the first game of the playoff's last season only to lose to Cincinnati in six, prompting Pirates manager Jim Leyland to say, "We're not getting overly excited about this." But from the start it was easy to tell which club was doing the fingernail bitting.

    Glavine got the first two outs and up stepped Andy Van Slyke, who hit just .195 against lefthanders during the regular season, getting four home runs in 185 at-bats. No matter. Van Slyke has always been tough on Glavine and he sent a breaking ball over the right-field wall. Glavine has now allowed 12 runs in the first inning of his last seven starts.

    The Pirates scored two more off Glavine in the third and another in the sixth on a double by Drabek. "It certainly wasn't the worst one I had all year," said Glavine. But it came at the worst time. Atlanta still hasn't won a playoff game in seven tries. 

    Still this could have been a different game had Williams not sent Lemke to third in the fourth inning. Lemke led off the inning by sending a ball to Gary Redus at first. It got by him and into the right field corner but Lemke was waved around second and tagged out. It proved very costly as Drabek walked Pendleton and Justice singled before he retired the next three batters. "I thought Mark would make it," said Cox. "He didn't, they threw him out and it looked like a bad call. But you got to play aggressively."

    Except from there the Braves went quietly as Drabek pitched six scoreless innings and former Brave Bob Walk's only mistake in three innings of relief was the homer to Justice. Said Van Slyke of Drabek, "The way Dougie pitched, it didn't matter if Ruth, Gehrig and Mantle were up there." "I don't think anybody in here is worried about the first loss," said first baseman Sid Bream. "We have battled back all year and showed courage."

Atlanta Hitting Recap:

Lonnie Smith, lf   0 for 4 with 1 so

Mark Lemke, 2b   0 for 4

Terry Pendleton,3b   0 for3 with 1 bb and 1 so

David Justice, rf    2 for 3 with 1 r, 1 rbi, 1 bb and 1 so

Ron Gant, cf   0 for 4 with 1 so

Sid Bream, 1b   2 for 4 

Greg Olsen, c   0 for 4

Raphael Belliard, ss   0 for 2 with 1 so
   Jerry Willard, ph   0 for 1 with 1 so
Tom Glavine, p   1 for 2 
   Tommy Greg, ph   0 for 1 with 1 so

HR: D Justice (1, off B Walk, 9th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to deep RF)
RBI: D Justice (1)
Team LOB: 6
With RISP: 0 for 2

Pitching Recap:
Tom Glavine (L, 0-1) 6 ip, 6 h, 4  r, 4  er, 3 bb, 4 so
Mark Wohlers   1 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 0 er, 0 bb, 0 so
Mike Stanton   1 ip, 1 h, 1 r, 1 er, 2 bb, 1 so

Other Info:
DP: 1, L Smith-G Olsen
E: R Belliard
Outfield Assists: R Gant (D Drabek at 3rd base); L Smith (G Redus at home plate)

Pittsburgh Hitting Recap:

Gary Redus, 1b   1 for 4

Jay Bell, ss   1 for 3 with 1 r and 1 so

Andy Van Slyke, cf   2 for 4 with 2 r and 2 rbi

Bobby Bonilla, rf   2 for 3 with 1 r, 1 rbi and 1 bb

Barry Bonds, lf   0 for 2 with 2 bb

Steve Buechele, 3b   1 for 3 with 1 r, 1 bb and 1 so

Don Slaught, c   0 for 3 with 1 bb and 1 so

Jose Lind, 2b   0 for 3 with 1 rbi

Doug Drabek, p   1 for 3 with 1 rbi and 1 so

Bob Walk, p   0 for 1 with 1 so

2B: A Van Slyke (1, off T Glavine); S vBuechele (1, off T Glavine)
HR: A Van Slyke (1, off T Glavine, 1st inn, 0 on, 2 outs to Deep RF)
SF: J Lind (1, off M Stanton)
SH: J Bell (1, off M Stanton)
RBI: A Van Slyke 2 (2); J Lind (1); B Bonilla (1); D Drabek (1)
2-out RBI: D Drabek; A Van Slyke
Team LOB: 7
With RISP: 2 for 11

Pitching Recap:
Doug Drabek (W, 1-0), 6 ip, 3 h, 0 r, 0 er, 3 bb, 4 so
Bob Walk   3 ip, 2 h, 1 r, 1 er, 0 bb, 2 so

Other Info:
E: G Redus (1)
Outfield Assists: B Bonilla (M Lemke at 3rd base)
SB: G Redus (1, 2nd base off M Wohlers/G Olsen)

Atlanta ........ 000 000 001 - 1 

Pittsburgh ... 102 001 01x - 5

Time: 2:52

Attendance: 57,347

Monday, October 7 - Braves have 8-3 hangover

Braves have 8-3 hangover

Regulars watch from dugout

By I.J. Rosenberg, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Monday, October 7, 1991

         After all the celebration Saturday afternoon that reached into the wee hours Sunday morning, the Atlanta Braves' regular season came to a predictable end several hours later. Playing with all of their regulars on the bench, the Braves fell to Houston and their "B' team 8-3 before 42,764 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

         It didn't seem to matter to the fans, however, as they cheered for many unfamiliar faces:

         There was Vinny Castilla, starting in his first game at shortstop and getting his first hit.

         There was catcher Jerry Willard, slamming his first major league home run since 1987.

         There was Deion Sanders, a familiar face on the bases but not at the plate. He got his first at-bat since July 31, striking out.

         Lefthander Charlie Leibrandt, however, did take his usual turn in the rotation and pitched four innings, giving up four runs on five hits. "The intensity just wasn't there, but it was such a nice day yesterday that I'm not worrying about this one," said Liebrandt (15-13).

         "We just tried to rest everyone today," said manager Bobby Cox. "I'm not worried about losing." There hasn't been much of that lately. The Braves lost for the first time in nine games and finished the season at 94-68, their best record in Atlanta. They also ended the season with the best second-half record in the majors at 55-28, 30-11 at home.

         The Astros picked up their first victory against Atlanta in 10 meetings, but the Atlanta veterans enjoyed their afternoon in the dugout. "No question, it felt good," said catcher Greg Olsen, getting his first game off since Aug. 31. "I sat in the dugout with some sunflower seeds, had a candy bar and remembered how much fun we had [Saturday]. It was a real nice off day." 

Houston Recap:
Gerald Young, cf-rf   0 for 3 with 2 bb
Andy Mota, 2b   1 for 5 with 1 r
Jose Tolemtino, 1b   2 for 4 with 1 r, 1 rbi, 1 bb and 1 so
Mike Simms, rf   1 for 5 with 1 r, 2 rbi and 1 so
Javier Ortiz, lf   2 for 4 with 2 r and 1 bb
Andujar Cedeno, ss   1 for 4 with 2 r, 2 rbi, 1 bb and 1 so
Gary Cooper, 3b   2 for 4 with 1 r, 1 rbi, 1 bb and 2 so
Scott Servais, c   3 for 4 with 2 rbi and 1 bb
Pete Harnisch, p   0 for 2 with 1 so
Xavier Hernandez, p   0 for 1 with 1 so
Casey Candaele, ph   0 for 1

Batting
2B: J Tolentino (4, off C Leibrandt); G Cooper (1, off M Wolhlers; S Servais 2 (3, 1 off R St. Claire, 1 off M Wohlers)
3B: J Ortiz (1, off J Clancy)
HR: M Simms (3, off C Leibrandt, 3rd inn, 1 on, 1 out to deep LCF); A Cedeno (9, off J Clancy, 5th inn, 1 on, 1 out)
SH: P Harnish (7, off J Clancy)
RBI: A Cedeno 2 (36); S Servais 2 (6); M Simms 2 (16); G Cooper (2); J Tolentino (6)
RBI: C Candaele (50); A Cedeno (34)
2-out RBI: S Servais 2; G Cooper
Team LOB: 10
With RISP: 7 for 14

Fielding
E: A Cedeno (18); J Tolentino (1)

Baserunning
SB: G Young (16, 2nd base off K Mercker/F Cabrera)

Pickoffs: J Toleninto (1st base by C Leibrandt); J Ortiz (1st base by C Leibrandt); S Servais (2nd base by J Clancy)

Pitching:
Pete Harnisch, W (12-9), 5 ip, 3 h, 3 r, 3 er, 2 bb, 6 so, 1 hr, 85 pit with 55 str
Xavier Hernandez, H (5), 3 ip, 3 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 5 so, 60 pit with 43
Curt Schilling, 1 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 2 so, 9 pit with 7 str

Atlanta Recap:
Keith Mitchell, cf   1 for 5 with 1 r and 2 so
Jeff Treadway, 2b   1 for 4
Tommy Gregg, rf   0 for 4 with 2 so
Brian Hunter, lf   1 for 4 with 1 rbi and 1 so
Jerry Willard, c   1 for 2 with 1 r and 2 rbi
Francisco Cabrera, c   0 for 2 with 2 so
Mike Bell, 1b   0 for 3 with 1 bb and 1 so
Vinny Castilla, ss   1 for 4 with 2 so
Charlie Leibrandt, p   0 for 1 with 1 so
Sid Bream, ph   0 for 1
Deion Sanders, ph   0 for 1 with 1 so
Rico Rossy, ph   0 for 1 with 1 so

Batting:
HR: J Willard (1, off P Harmisch. 4th inn, 1 on, 1 out to deep RCF)
RBI: J Willard 2 (4); B Hunter (50)
Team LOB: 7
With RISP: 1 for 7

Fielding
PB: F Cabrera (3)
E: C Leibrandt (2); J Blauser 2 (17)

Pitching:
Charlie Leibrandt, L (15-13), 4 ip, 5 h, 4 r, 4 er, 4 bb, 3 so, 1 hr, 86 p with 50 s
Jim Clancy, 1 ip, 3 h, 2 r, 2 er, 1 bb, 0 so, 1 hr, 19 p with 12 s
Mark Wohlers, 2 ip, 2 h, 2 r, 2 er, 1 bb, 2 so, 29 p wiht 17 s
Kent Mercker, 1 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 0 so, 17 p with 10 s
Randy St. Claire, 1 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 0 bb, 2 so, 12 p wit 10 s

Pickoffs: J Clancy (2; S Servais, 2nd base); C Leibrandt 2 (4; J Tolentino, 1st base, J Ortiz, 1st base)

Astros    013 020 020   8r 12h 2e
Braves   100 200 000   3r 6h 3e

Attendance: 42,764

Time: 2:59

Sunday, October 6 - Braves Clinch

Braves Clinch !

Many heroes and highlights in how the NL West was won

By I.J. Rosenberg, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunday, October 6, 1991

         How the West was won ... Part 2

         It is an incredible story, not of cowboys or dusty trails, but an epic that has shocked the baseball world. This time the guys with the tomahawks won. When Saturday's dust had settled, and on opposite sides of the continent the Braves had beaten the Astros and the Giants had defeated the Dodgers, the NL West had a new champion. With an Atlanta-franchise 94 wins, the Braves rule the West for the first time since 1982. And with one game to go today, they are poised to set a franchise attendance record.

Play Ball !!!

         Quite a story. And it's final chapter, fittingly, was authorized by Saturday afternoon by John Smoltz. It was obvious Smoltz would have to come alive if the Braves, down 9 1/2 games at the All-Star break, were going to rejoin the race. The righthander had a major-league worst 11 losses in the first half and said at the time, "This is where I stop letting everybody down." Smoltz (14-13) won 12 games in the second half, the last one Saturday as the Braves won only their third NL West title since the club came to Atlanta in 1966.

Braves' lineup being announced

         Smoltz was far from alone when it came to heroes. it has been a season in which every Brave has played some type of role. "That is probably what is so great about this team," said manager Bobby Cox. "Somebody gets hurt, somebody is not playing so well, there is someone there to step right in and it's as if nothing had changed."

If you look hard you can see Smoltz catching Olsen in the air

         There were early signs that this team was vastly different from the ones that finished last the past three years. The Braves made it into first place for a short time in May, but by mid-June, something started to go wrong. The Braves were 39-40 as the All-Star break arrived, apparently headed for another sour finish. Immediately after the break, however, the Braves began a turnaround. Heading into today's finale, they have a second-half record of 55-27, the best in the majors. They have won 30 of 40 games at home.

Even got interviewed by WSB

Coming out for a victory lap

Dodgers lose!!! Braves 1991 NL West Champs!!!

         "The credit goes to a lot of different places," said general manager John Schuerholz. "They have overcome so much, so many players have made it happen." Counting the reasons:

         The rebirth of Smoltz: At midseason Smoltz was referred to a psychologist by Schuerholz. "I knew exactly what this team needed from me," said Smoltz. "Today was great because Mike heath had told me earlier in the season that I was going to pitch the big game."

         The surge after the All-Star break: despite playing without Sid Bream and David justice, who were sidelined by injuries, the Braves opened the second half by winning nine of 11 games and knocked seven games off the Dodgers lead in 12 days.

         The four-game sweep of Pittsburgh: The Braves arrived home July 28 after losing four of five and dropping six games behind the Dodgers. They faced the NL East-leading Pirates, the hottest team since the All-star break. But the Braves swept a Friday night doubleheader, then won the next two in come-from-behind fashion. In the finale, they were down 6-0 but got a home run from Deon Sanders in his farewell game before going to the Falcons, sparking an 8-6 win.

         The six-game winning streak of Charlie Leibrandt: The lefthander had lost four straight, but on Aug. 12 he started the best stretch of his career.

         The return of Justice: The Braves right fielder had a sensational first two months, then went down with a back injury and spent almost 1 1/2 months on the disabled list. The Braves were able to get back in the race without him, and upon his return Justice provided three game-winning hits in his first seven games.

         Francisco Cabrera's home run in Cincinnati: On Aug. 21 at Riverfront Stadium, the Braves trailed by three runs in the top of the ninth with Rob Dibble on the mound and two outs. Cabrera tied it with a three-run homer and the Braves went on to win in 13 innings and didn't fall more than two games out of first place again.

         Steve Avery's ownership of the Dodgers: When he beat them 3-0 in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, Avery raised his career mark against the Dodgers to 5-0, including 3-0 this season. Five days earlier, he had thrown a four-hitter win in Atlanta.

         Ron Gant's rain-delayed single: The game, played Sept. 14, took nearly five hours. But it was worth the wait, as Gant's 11th-inning single led the Braves to a 3-2 win over L.A. and put Atlanta back in first place by a half-game.

         Olsen's iron-man stint: with the inexperienced Cabrera as the backup catcher, Cox chose to go with Olsen exclusively after Aug. 31. Olsen's battling average dipped but he continues to be one of the club's best clutch hitters and handled the pitchers well.

         The acquisition of Alejandro Pena: In late August, the Braves were wondering if closer Juan Berenguer would return from an arm injury and eventually realized they couldn't risk waiting. They went to the Mets for help, trading for righthander Pena, who has 11 saves in 11 opportunities and two wins.

         Lonnie Smith replacing the suspended Otis Nixon: The news came on a Monday in San Francisco with the Braves leading the Dodgers by a half a game. They had lost leadoff hitter Nixon, who failed a drug test. Cox turned to Lonnie Smith, who had three World Series rings.

         Mark Lemke replacing the injured Jeff Treadway: Treadway's hand injury left Cox with a choice in the third week of September. Should he replace shortstop Raphael Belliard with Jeff Blauser to get more offense at the No. 2 spot in the batting order, or should he turn the No. 2 spot as well as second base over to the light-hitting Lemke? Cox chode the latter and Lemke has done the job.

         The return of Sanders: Two weeks ago, Schuerholz asked Sanders if he would like to return to the team as a pinch runner, even though the NFL season was under way for the Falcon's cornerback. Though he has only played a small role, he has helped lighten the atmosphere in the clubhouse.

         Last Tuesday's comeback win in Cincinnati: Down 6-0 after the first, the Braves came back to win on a Justice home run in the ninth.

         The consistency of Pendleton and the current eight-game winning 

streak: The third baseman has done it all, on the field and off. He is leading the league in hitting, has hit a career-high 22 home runs and kept this team level-headed throughout. He received the ultimate compliment from Cox, who said Saturday, "he is the true class act. He has really helped make it all come together."

         The winning streak, the Braves longest of the season, was saved for when they needed it most. "Good teams always rise to the top and we just might go out and win this whole thing," said Olsen.

Houston Recap:
Kenny Lofton, cf   1 for 4 with 1 so
Steve Finley, rf   1 for 4
Craig Biggio, c   0 for 4
Jeff Bagwell, 1b   2 for 4 with 1 r
Luis Gonzalez, lf   1 for 4
Ken Caminiti, 3b   0 for 4 with 1 so
Andujar Cedeno, ss   2 for 4 with 1 r and 1 rbi
Casey Candaele, 2b   1 for 3 with 1 rbi
Mark Portugal, p   0 for 1 
Gerald Young, ph   0 for 1
Javier Ortiz, ph   0 for 1

Batting
2B: A Cedeno (13, off J Smoltz)
RBI: C Candaele (50); A Cedeno (34)
Team LOB: 5
With RISP: 2 for 4

Fielding: 
DP: 2. J Bagwell-C Candaele; K Caminiti-C Candaele-J Bagwell
E: A Cedeno 2 (17)

Baserunning:
Pickoffs: K Lofton (1st base by J Smoltz)

Pitching:
Mark Portugal, L (10-12), 2 ip, 7 h, 4 r, 3 er, 2 bb, 0 so, 52 pit with 28 str
Chris Gardner, 3 ip, 1 h, 1 r, 1 er, 0 bb, 1 so, 1 hr, 28 pit with 17 str
Rob Mallicoat, 2 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 0 er, 1 bb, 2 so, 23 pit with 14 str
Dwayne Henry, 1 ip, 0 h, 0 r, 0 er, 0 bb, 0 so, 7 pit with 5 str

Atlanta Recap:
Lonnie Smith, lf   2 for 4 with 1 r, 1 rbi and 1 so
Mark Lemke, 2b   1 for 4 with 1 r
Terry Pendleton, 3b   1 for 2 with 1 rbi, 2 bb and 2 so
David Justice, rf   0 for 4
Ron Gant, cf   2 for 3 with 2 r, and 2 rbi
Sid Bream, 1b   1 for 3 wit 1 bb
Greg Olsen, c    1 for 4 with 1 so
Rafael Belliard, ss   1 for 4 with 1 r and 1 so
John Smoltz, p   0 for 2

Batting:
2B: L Smith (19, off M Portugal)
HR: R Gant (32, off C Gardner, 5th inn, 0 on, 1 out  to Deep LF)
SF: R Gant (5, off M Portugal)
SH: J Smoltz, (8, off M Portugal)
GIDP: G Olsen (13)
RBI: R Gant 2 (105); T Pendleton (86); L Smith (44)
Team LOB: 6
With RISP: 3 for 11

Pitching:
John Smoltz, W (14-13), 9 ip, 8 h, 2 r, 2 er, 0 bb, 2 so, 103 pit with 68 str


Astros    000 200 000   2r 8h 2e
Braves   211 010 00X   5r 8h 0e

Attendance: 44,994

Time: 2:17