1981- THE GREAT CUBS COLLAPSE
At the beginning of September the Chicago Cubs appeared ready for the first trip back to the postseason since their surprising World Series win of 1973. As late as September 1st the Cubs had a 9 game lead in the National League East over both Pittsburgh and St Louis. Early September injuries to starting pitchers Larry Gura (9-11, 5.22) and Rich Nye (7-7, 4.55) certainly did not seeem to be devasting losses. However, by the 15th of September the Pirates were 5 games back. Then with a week to play they were 3 off the pace. On the final Friday of the season the gap was 2 games. The Cubs would lose to Philadelphia that night while the Pirates would beat Montreal and it was a 1 game difference. Both the Bucs and Cubs lost on Saturday so all the Cubs needed was to beat Philadelphia on Sunday and they would win the division. It wouldnt happen. Bob Walk (8-12, 4.33) and the Phillies beat Rick Reuschall (14-11, 3.56) and the Cubs 4-1 while Pittsburgh doubled Montreal 8-4 to set up a 1 game playoff.
NL East Playoff
The Cubs gave the ball to Larry Gura, back from his arm injury, in an effort to stop the bleeding. The surging Pirates, who made up 9 games in the final month, went with Dock Ellis (12-12, 4.52). The game was scoreless until the Pirates loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning. National League MVP Tony Armas doubled to score Dock Ellis and Milt May. May had singled, marking the 26th straight game he has hit safely in.
Ellis may have been winded from his time spent on the basepaths in the fifth or he may just have got careless, allowing a 2 out bloop single by Oscar Gamble followed by a 2 run homer from Joe Wallis that tied the game in the top of the 6th. The game entered the ninth inning still tied at 2. Pirates reliever Rod Scurry retired the Cubs in order in the top of the ninth. Lee Smith would attempt to do the same to the Pirates in the bottom of the inning. Smith took care of the leadoff man, Darrell Evans, but then he walked pinch hitter Ron Blomberg. Max Leon relieved Smith while speedster Omar Moreno pinch ran for Blomberg. Johnny Ray topped a slow roller down the third base line so Cubs 3B Bob Bailey had only one play. He retired Ray at first but Moreno moved into scoring position. The next batter, Tony Pena, who entered the game in the top of the ninth at first base, ripped a single to score Moreno and the Cubs season was done - Pittsburgh takes the NL East for the first time since 1975.
The Pirates had the best offense in the National League, led by MVP and league batting champ Tony Armas (.330,25,103), Dwight Evans (.268,17,94), Darrell Evans (.258,27,107) and catcher Milt May (.302,26,94). Bob Moose (17-7, 2.45) was named the league's top pitcher. He anchored a rotation that also included second year man Pascual Perez (14-7, 3.62) and Rick Langford (12-10, 4.14). Al Holland had 38 saves.
The Cubs relied on 1979 MVP Joe Wallis (.320,20,92) and John Mayberry (.282,26,101) for most of their offense. Oscar Gamble (.319,17,86), Mel Hall (.315,9,47) and Bob Bailey (.278,9,70) also played an important role. The bullpen was the strength of their staff with setup men Willie Hernadez (4-3, 4.45), Bruce Sutter (8-1, 2.95), Bill Caudill (5-2, 2.43) and Lee Smith (5-3, 2.85) plus closer Max Leon (3.65, 40 sv). Unfortunately, Leon and Smith couldnt do the job in the final game.
Like last season when they finished a game back of division winning Montreal, the St Louis Cardinals came up just short. Steve Carlton (18-7, 3.41) had the best season of his career. Keith Hernandez (.327,10,86) and Ken Griffey (.299,16,83) also had strong seasons.
Rookie of the Year Ryne Sandberg (.254,14,64) helped Philadelphia improve to fourth place. Ron Jackson (.290,12,80) came over from the Yankees in April to replace the aging Dick Allen at first base. Mike Schmidt (.248,23,69) had an off year. The Expos crashed down to earth going from first place a year ago to fourth. Only pitcher Ernie McAnally (11-10, 3.76) and aging outfielder Rusty Staub (.259,11,53) had a big drop in production. Andre Dawson (.301,19, 86), Larry Parrish (.273,18,86) and Gary Carter (.255,21,76) also played key roles. The last place Mets had the NL's lowest era but also it's lowest batting average. Tom Seaver (15-12, 3.30), Nolan Ryan (12-12, 3.33) and Billy Wynne (14-11, 2.91) did not get much offensive support except from outfielders Dave Schneck (.309,19,70) and Lee Mazzilli (.327,12,52).
NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST
Defending champion Cincinnati dropped to fourth opening the door for San Francisco to take the division for the third time in 4 years. The Giants won despite not having a pitcher with more than 11 victories. Steve Stone (11-9, 3.75) and Jim Barr (11-4, 2.65) led the way. Tony Conigliaro (.293,26,106) and Jack Clark (.282,24,91) provided the offense.
The Astros finished a surprising second behind the pitching of Scipio Spinks (15-10, 2.76), Doung Konieczny (15-9, 3.86) and JR Richard (15-10, 3.67) along with hitters Joe Lahoud (.281,20,93) and Tony Horton (.303,16,80). Los Angeles was tied with Houston thanks to Nate Colbert (.293,28,89), Bill Madlock (.278,20,83), Dave Parker (.303,15,109), Jeffrey Leonard (.271,20,106) and pitchers Bob Welch (15-9, 3.48) and Don Sutton (15-10, 3.13).
Even outstanding seasons from Jimmy Wynn (.268,31,115) and Bernie Carbo (.324,20,105) could not keep the Reds from falling to fourth. The Padres finished fifth. Dave Winfield (.283,27,94) was their big star. In last place for the 6th straight time it was Atlanta. The pitiful pitching staff was too bad for the bats of Bob Horner (.268,28,101), Brian Asselstine (.333,16,76), Dale Murphy (.245,25,79) and Earl Williams (.245,22,82) to overcome.
National Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East Division
Pittsburgh 92 71 .564 -- .284 3.94
Chicago (N) 91 72 .558 1 .264 4.11
St. Louis 89 73 .549 2.5 .289 3.86
Philadelphia 75 87 .463 16.5 .264 4.14
Montreal 75 87 .463 16.5 .258 3.89
New York(N) 71 91 .438 20.5 .251 3.63
West Division
San Francisco 91 71 .562 -- .268 3.87
Houston 85 77 .525 6 .269 3.79
Los Angeles 85 77 .525 6 .270 3.86
Cincinnati 81 81 .500 10 .270 4.11
San Diego 76 86 .469 15 .277 4.26
Atlanta 62 100 .383 29 .259 4.88
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BATTING LEADERS
TOP 10 in BATTING AVG :
.330 Tony Armas(PIT,N)
.328 Craig Reynolds(PIT,N)
.327 Keith Hernandez(SLN)
.324 Bernie Carbo(CIN,N)
.322 Danny Heep(HOU)
.320 Joe Wallis(CHN)
.317 Dan Driessen(CIN,N)
.309 Dave Schneck(NYN,N)
.308 Ed Goodson(MIN SDN)
.303 Dave Parker(MIL LAN)
TOP 10 in HOMERUNS :
31 Jimmy Wynn(CIN)
28 Bob Horner(ATL,N)
28 Nate Colbert(LAN,N)
27 Darrell Evans(PIT,N)
27 Dave Winfield(SDN)
26 Milt May(PIT,N)
26 John Mayberry(CHN)
26 Tony Conigliaro(SFN,N)
25 Dale Murphy(ATL)
25 Tony Armas(PIT,N)
TOP 10 in RBI :
115 Jimmy Wynn(CIN)
109 Dave Parker(MIL LAN)
107 Darrell Evans(PIT,N)
106 Jeffrey Leonard(LAN)
106 Tony Conigliaro(SFN,N)
105 Bernie Carbo(CIN,N)
103 Tony Armas(PIT,N)
101 Bob Horner(ATL,N)
101 John Mayberry(CHN)
94 Milt May(PIT,N)
TOP 10 in Doubles :
43 Tony Armas(PIT,N)
41 Dwight Evans(PIT)
38 Tim Foli(NYN)
38 Ed Goodson(MIN SDN)
38 Larry Parrish(MON)
36 Wayne Nordhagen(SDN)
35 Tony Horton(HOU)
34 Brian Asselstine(ATL)
34 Nate Colbert(LAN,N)
33 Ron Oester(CIN)
TOP 10 in Triples :
8 Tony Armas(PIT,N)
8 Ron Washington(LAN)
6 Dave Parker(MIL LAN)
6 Ryne Sandberg( PHI)
6 Oscar Gamble(CHN)
5 Ozzie Smith(SDN)
5 Dave Bergman(NYA NYN)
5 Tito Fuentes(LAN)
5 Brian Asselstine(ATL)
5 Tom Herr(SLN)
TOP 10 in Runs :
113 Ivan Dejesus(SFN)
108 Nate Colbert(LAN,N)
103 Dave Winfield(SDN)
101 Milt May(PIT,N)
99 Bill Madlock(LAN)
98 Craig Reynolds(PIT,N)
98 Joe Wallis(CHN)
97 Tony Conigliaro(SFN,N)
97 Oscar Gamble(CHN)
96 Keith Hernandez(SLN)
TOP 10 in Stolen Bases :
45 Ivan Dejesus(SFN)
44 Dave Concepcion(CIN)
40 John Wathan(CHN)
40 Larry Lintz(MON,N)
40 Dave Winfield(SDN)
38 Sandy Alomar(SDN)
37 Tom Herr(SLN)
32 Ryne Sandberg( PHI)
28 Ozzie Smith(SDN)
26 Oscar Gamble(CHN)
TOP 10 in BB's :
95 Tony Horton(HOU)
89 Mike Schmidt(PHI)
86 Bernie Carbo(CIN,N)
86 Jack Clark(SFN)
84 Rusty Staub(MON)
83 Joe Wallis(CHN)
80 Ivan Dejesus(SFN)
77 Jimmy Wynn(CIN)
74 Derrel Thomas(CHN)
73 Dwight Evans(PIT)
TOP 10 in Strikeouts :
172 Mike Schmidt(PHI)
149 George Foster(SFN)
144 Nate Colbert(LAN,N)
142 Jim Williams(SFN)
141 Dale Murphy(ATL)
133 Gary Matthews(ATL)
129 Jeffrey Leonard(LAN)
124 Dave Kingman(SDN,N)
123 Larry Parrish(MON)
120 Dave Winfield(SDN)
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PITCHING LEADERS
TOP 10 in ERA :
2.45 Bob Moose (PIT,N)
2.65 Jim Barr (SFN,N)
2.76 Scipio Spinks (HOU)
2.91 Billy Wynne (NYN,N)
3.12 Tom Underwood (PHI)
3.13 Don Sutton (LAN)
3.23 Don Gullett (CIN)
3.24 John Denny (SLN)
3.29 Clay Kirby (SDN)
3.30 Tom Seaver (NYN)
TOP 10 in WINS :
18 Steve Carlton (SLN)
17 Bob Moose (PIT,N)
15 J.R. Richard (HOU)
15 Don Sutton (LAN)
15 Bob Welch (LAN,N)
15 Scipio Spinks (HOU)
15 John Denny (SLN)
15 Doug Konieczny (HOU)
15 Tom Underwood (PHI)
15 Tom Seaver (NYN)
TOP 10 in LOSSES :
17 Joaquin Andujar (HOU)
16 Mike Scott (NYN)
16 Tony Brizzolara (ATL)
16 Joe Mcintosh (SDN)
15 Doug Rau (LAN)
15 Larry Christenson (PHI)
15 Nelson Briles (SLN)
15 Steve Rogers (MON)
14 Mike Caldwell (SDN)
14 Al Santorini (ATL)
TOP 10 in SAVES :
43 Greg Minton (SFN)
40 Max Leon (CHN)
38 Al Holland (PIT)
37 Kevin Saucier (PHI)
37 Steve Howe (LAN)
36 Reggie Cleveland (SDN)
35 Bob James (MON)
32 Billy Mccool (CIN,N)
27 Cecil Upshaw (ATL,N)
27 Tug Mcgraw (NYN)
TOP 10 in COMPLETE GAMES :
10 Steve Carlton (SLN)
10 Tom Seaver (NYN)
8 J.R. Richard (HOU)
8 Bob Moose (PIT,N)
7 Doug Rau (LAN)
7 Scipio Spinks (HOU)
7 Mike Caldwell (SDN)
6 Steve Rogers (MON)
6 Rick Langford (PIT)
6 Don Gullett (CIN)
TOP 10 in SHUTOUTS :
4 Scipio Spinks (HOU)
4 Bob Moose (PIT,N)
2 Steve Carlton (SLN)
2 J.R. Richard (HOU)
2 Doug Rau (LAN)
2 Tom Seaver (NYN)
2 Jim Barr (SFN,N)
2 John Montefusco (SFN)
2 Rick Langford (PIT)
2 Don Gullett (CIN)
TOP 10 in K's :
271 Nolan Ryan (NYN)
230 Doug Rau (LAN)
219 Bob Moose (PIT,N)
219 Steve Carlton (SLN)
213 Mike Caldwell (SDN)
202 John Candelaria (PIT)
202 Mario Soto (CIN)
201 Steve Stone (SFN)
199 Larry Mcwilliams (ATL)
198 J.R. Richard (HOU)
TOP 10 in BB's :
96 Wade Blasingame (ATL)
94 Charlie Hough (LAN)
90 Nolan Ryan (NYN)
90 Eric Show ( SDN)
86 Steve Stone (SFN)
83 Bob Walk (PHI)
82 Bob Welch (LAN,N)
79 Tom Underwood (PHI)
77 Larry Mcwilliams (ATL)
77 Billy Wynne (NYN,N)
Next up the American League Recap.
[ December 19, 2001: Message edited by: Tiger Fan ]