photo: 1943 St. Louis Cardinals
In our simulation game tournament to identify the best St. Louis baseball team of all time, eight exceptional, but non-World Series winning clubs face off, with four advancing to the 16-team playoff.
Editor’s note: For those just joining, please refer to the introductory article which set the stage for the opening of this multi-part Best of St. Louis sim game tournament.
With our group of the eight Cardinals’ World Series losers set, let’s get on with the games and see who survives to compete for the “Best of St. Louis” grand tournament. To recap, all series are best-of-seven, with the higher seed receiving home field in Games 1, 2, 6 and 7. The four winners of this bracket will advance and be seeded with the 11 World Champions and 1922 Browns in a 16-team playoff. Here we go with the Losers Bracket series.
#1 seed 1943 Cardinals versus #8 1987 Cardinals
The war era Cardinal teams were powerhouses featuring great pitching and team speed, good defense, and good extra base-hit power but little home run punch. Sportsman’s Park lended itself to that style of play. This series showcased some of that as the 1943 St. Louis “Swifties” swept the latter-day edition of speed, Whitey Herzog’s 1987 bunch.
In Game 1, reigning National League MVP Mort Cooper dominated the 1987 club, holding them to four hits and one run. His catcher and brother Walker Cooper contributed a two-run homer in the opening game 5-1 win. Danny Cox was the loser, surrendering six hits and three runs, all earned, in five innings of work.
Game 2 featured a pair of lefties on the hill, Greg Mathews for the ‘87s and Max Lanier for the ‘43s. The war-time bunch took advantage of Mathews’ poor command early, building a 4-2 lead after four. But the ‘87s hit Lanier hard and looked to get the series tied, coming back from a 5-3 deficit to plate a run in the eighth to make it a one-run game.
Right hander Murry Dickson was pitching for the ‘43s when Whitey Herzog sent lefty hitting Curt Ford to hit for Jim Lindeman to open the top of the ninth. Ford lined a triple down the right field line, and Tony Pena followed with a sac-fly to knot the game at five apiece. Pat Perry hurled a 1-2-3 bottom half, sending the game into extras.
With lefty Al Brazle pitching for the ‘43s, Ozzie Smith got the ‘87s started in the 10th with a leadoff single, and advanced to second on a hit-and-run ground out by Willie McGee. Electing to pitch to Jack Clark, Brazle got the slugger to ground out, but Terry Pendleton looped a single to right center plating The Wizard and putting the ‘87s three outs from tying the series.
Todd Worrell came on to secure the victory, but his day was short-lived and not in a good way. Marty Marion greeted him with a double, and pitching around Stan Musial, Worrell walked him. Walker Cooper again played the hero’s role, doubling off the wall in right to plate Marion, with Musial sliding in close behind and just ahead of the throw to secure the win.
Switching from Sportsman’s Park downtown to Busch Stadium, Game 3 was a wild affair featuring 18 runs, 31 hits and eight walks. Again, early on, it looked like the ’87s would seize the advantage. After a single tally in the top of the first by the ’43s, the ’87s jumped all over starter Howie Krist and reliever “Gunboat” Gumbert for five runs, giving starter Bob Forsch and early four-run cushion. A second inning single tally and a four-run outburst in the third brought the ’43s’ all the way back and in front 6-5, sending Forsch to an early shower.
The ’87s put single runs on the board in the fifth and sixth innings to regain the lead 7-6, before the Swifties had a five-run outburst of their own to complete the scoring and take a 3-0 series lead in the 11-7 victory. Whitey Kurowski homered and drove in three runs for the ’43s, with Marion contributing three hits and two RBI.
The ’43s completed the sweep with a 6-5, 12-inning win in Game 4. Once again, the ’87s climbed off the deck. Trailing 4-1 heading to the seventh, they scored a run, then three in the eighth to tie it after the ’43s added a run in the top half. The game stayed tied at 5-5 until the top of the 12th when Cooper and Kurowski singled with one out off Ken Dayley. Dayley then struck out Ray Sanders, but Nebraskan Johnny Hopp singled in the lead run. Todd Worrell replaced Dayley and prevented further scoring.
Howie Pollet put down the ’87s down in order in the home 12th to seal the series win, and a move the ’43 club into the big dance. There were many missed opportunities for both clubs in this game with the ’43s stranding 11 runners, and the ’87s a dozen. Despite being swept, the ‘87s were competitive, losing two games in extra innings. They just could not put away the ‘43s when they had them down.
Walker Cooper was 7-for-20 in the series (.350), with two doubles, a triple, and homer and seven RBI. Whitey Kurowski had four hits in the final game to boost his series average to .471, and Marion hit .438. Jack Clark paced the ‘87s at .412, but did not homer and drove in only two, missing several opportunities to turn a game around.
#2 2004 Cardinals vs #7 1930 Cardinals
With the top seed in the loser’s round justifying their position, would the #2 seed follow suit?
This series featured a couple of offensive heavyweights – whichever outslugged the other would be the likely winner. But it was Matt Morris’ pitching in the opener that was the story. The big righty threw seven innings of three-hit ball, striking out five without a base on balls. Meanwhile his mates collected 11 hits off ’30 starter Burleigh Grimes, with Tony Womack, Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, and Scott Rolen collecting two apiece. The ‘04s chased six runs across to cruise to a 6-1 victory.
The 1930 team jumped off the deck in Game 2, scoring two in the top of the first off Jason Marquis. Center fielder Taylor Douthit walked leading off, and an out later “Showboat” Fisher tripled him home. Chick Hafey then just missed a home run, sending Edmonds to the wall in center to score Fisher. But the ’04 team came right back, plating a run in the first and two in the second to take the lead. Marquis helped himself with a double in the two-run second, sending Larry Walker, who had singled, home.
The ‘04s looked to again be on cruise control, taking a 7-2 lead after a four-run fourth inning outburst. Marquis had scattered nine hits and at 124 pitches, manager Tony La Russa went to his talented bullpen to close it out. But the 1930 crew put a scare into them, welcoming the pitching change by exploding for their own four-run inning in the eighth. They sent eight men to the plate against Julian Taveras, with Cal Eldred and Ray King summoned to put out the blaze. Jason Isringhausen pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save in the 7-6 win.
Game 3 featured righthander Woody Williams for the latter-day team, facing lefty “Wild Bill” Hallahan. Although the ’04 team was outhit 11-7, Williams kept the ’30 group at bay for the most part as the modern team took a three games to none lead with a 5-2 win.
With their backs to the wall, the 1930 team sent righty Syl Johnson to the mound, facing ’04 righty Jeff Suppan in Game 4. Both pitchers were sharp. Johnson gave up only four hits, striking out six and walking one in seven innings. Suppan’s line was similar, also striking out six and walking one, while surrendering six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
The game entered the ninth inning tied at two. Righty Jim Lindsey had come on for the 1930s and set the ’04 club down in order in the eighth. His command escaped him the ninth, however, with the ’04 club loading the bases courtesy of a single and two walks. With two out and the pitcher due up, So Taguchi was called on to hit. And he delivered, lining a two-run single up the middle to put the ‘04s on the brink of a sweep.
Isringhausen came on for the ninth, but the ‘30s were not intimidated as Gus Mancuso led off with a single, and shortstop Charley Gelbert doubled, making the score 4-3. Izzy then walked Jimmie Wilson, building up the tension. But he regained some sense of control by inducing Douthit to hit into a 3-6-3 double play, with Gelbert now at third with the potential tying run. A walk to Frank Frisch kept the ‘30s faint hopes alive, but Izzy got Chick Hafey out on a comebacker to secure our second straight series sweep.
Jim Edmonds led the ‘04s with a lofty .467 batting mark, including two doubles, a home run and six RBIs. Izzy saved three of the four contests.
#3 1985 Cardinals vs #6 1968 Cardinals
The only opening round matchup to go the full seven, this was a mostly tight, well played series with the higher seeded 1985 club prevailing. The first three games were all one-run affairs, with the ’85 bunch grabbing the first two, both by 3-2 scores, and the ’68s coming back for the win in Game 3. The latter was a 1-0 battle with Steve Carlton going eight shutout innings, to best a fine effort by Danny Cox and four relievers from the ’85 team.
In Game 4, Gibson, who was erratic in the opener, walking seven, knotted this series at two games each with a route-going five hitter, striking out eight. Kurt Kepshire started for the ‘85s, surrendering a run in the first by walking Lou Brock – never a good plan. Lou then stole second, just beating a strong throw by Darrell Porter. After Curt Flood flied out to deep center with Brock advancing to third, veteran Roger Maris doubled down the line in right. That looked to be the only run Gibson needed as the game was a very “’68 like” 1-0 going into the eighth inning. The ‘85s managed to tie it in similar fashion, with Vince Coleman leading off and bunting for hit, stealing second, moving to third on an infield hit by Willie McGee, and scoring Tommy Herr ground out.
That was all that Gibson gave up, and his mates put the game away in the bottom of the eighth with four tallies. Jeff Lahti took the brunt of the abuse, giving up a leadoff double to Brock and walking Flood. Maris struck out, but Orlando Cepeda grounded a single between short and third, chasing Brock home. Lefty Ken Dayley was summoned to face Tim McCarver and got him, although McCarver gave the ball a ride, flying out to deep right. Now it was righty Todd Worrell on to face Mike Shannon. Shannon was up for the match-up, doubling home Cepeda and Flood. Julian Javier tacked on an insurance run singling home Shannon. Gibson pitched around an error to shut down the ‘85s in the ninth.
Ray Washburn and Bob Forsch squared off in Game 5 to see which club would gain the series edge. Forsch was masterful, going the distance with a five-hitter, four strikeouts and only one walk. The ’85 club took advantage of more wildness from the ’68 staff, turning seven walks and nine hits into seven runs. Washburn walked four in only 4 1/3 innings, with Ron Willis walking two and Hal Gilson one in relief. Jack Clark was the recipient of three of the free passes, also homering and driving in three for the ‘85s.
With the series moving back to the 1985 team as home for Game 6, the ’68 club was uncharacteristically potent on the offensive side. They pounded out 16 hits and scored nine times to back Nellie Briles and send the series to the seventh game. The ’85 boys had 13 hits of their own but only chased four over the plate. Joaquin Andujar started and was shelled for nine hits and six runs in only two innings. Flood, Maris, McCarver and Shannon each had three hits for the ‘68s, with Timmy driving in four.
This set up a dream pitching match-up for Game 7, Bob Gibson versus John Tudor. While both moundsmen went the distance, it was Tudor who prevailed, tossing a nifty two-hitter and striking out nine. Gibson gave up eight hits, one a two-run Darrell Porter homer, and took the loss in the 4-0 finale.
Andy Van Slyke (.471) and Willie McGee (.393) paced the ’85 offense, while Tudor was 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA in the series. Mike Shannon (.370) and Curt Flood (.346) kept the ‘68s going, but Bob Gibson was not quite the same dominant force he was in the ’68 regular season. Gibby tossed 25 innings in the series to the tune of a 2.88 ERA, and 21 strikeouts. But his 12 walks were a big reason he lost two of his three starts.
#4 1928 Cardinals vs #5 2013 Cardinals
This is the only Losers Bracket series won by the lower seeded team, albeit a 4/5 series should be two closely matched clubs. The ’28 team took Games 1 and 3 to jump out to an early lead in the series, but the 2013 squad prevailed in the last three to win the series in six games, all of which were competitive.
Pete Alexander got the better of Adam Wainwright in the opening match, scattering nine hits and walking none to notch a 3-1 win. Wainwright went six innings, giving up seven hits.
Lance Lynn and four relievers held the ’28 team to two runs in the second game, as the 2013s pounded out 11 hits and won 5-2. Matts Carpenter and Holliday had two hits each, as did Carlos Beltran and Allen Craig. Lefty Bill Sherdel took the loss. The 1928 club came back to grab the series lead with a 3-2 Game 3 decision behind Jesse “Pop” Haines. Shelby Miller tossed six innings for the 2013 team, giving up four hits and two runs. The eventual winning run was unearned, with shortstop Daniel Descalso wearing the goat horns, committing two throwing errors to set up a run scoring single from shortstop Rabbit Maranville.
After this, it was all 2013. Mike Matheny’s club fell behind 3-0 in the top of the first in Game 4, but shut down the Roaring ‘20s team thereafter. They battled back to score five in the fourth and tacked on another in the fifth for a 6-3 win that evened the series. David Freese and Matt Holliday homered, driving in five of the six runs. Starter Jake Westbrook went six innings with Joe Kelly and Edward Mujica finishing up.
Game 5 was back-and-forth with the ‘28s leading 5-2 at one point, only for the ’13 team to bounce back again with three in the eighth to tie and eventually prevailing 6-5 in 11 innings. Jon Jay’s single plated Freese with the winner. Fernando Salas received credit for the victory with two scoreless innings of relief.
Game 6 matched the series’ opener starters, Pete Alexander and Adam Wainwright. Both went the distance with Waino prevailing this time, striking out 11 and scattering eight hits in the 3-1 decision. Alexander was good as well, striking out five with no walks and taking a shutout into the eighth. But Pete Kozma’s (not a misprint 😊) third hit of the game, and then a hanging breaking ball that Carlos Beltran turned around and launched into the right field bleachers put the 2013 team ahead. Waino made it hold up.
Carlos Beltran (.360), Allen Craig (.348) and Yadier Molina (.348) all had impressive series. Wainwright struck out 17 in his 15 innings to the tune of a 1.80 ERA. George Harper hit .400 for the ‘28s, including two home runs. “Old Pete” pitched complete games in both starts, and did not walk a single batter, striking out seven and sporting a 2.00 ERA.
What is next
The 1943, 2004, 1985 and 2013 teams advance into the field of 16 to compete for the greatest of all St. Louis teams. Below are the matchups for the field of 16, with their winning percentage and run differential. Teams were seeded primarily on winning percentage and run differential; however, the Losers Bracket clubs were penalized a couple of spots from where they would have been based solely on those factors. If you don’t win the World Series, Bike Mike makes the road to glory a little tougher.
#1 1942 Cardinals (.688, 275) vs #16 2006 Cardinals (.516, 19)
#8 1967 Cardinals (.627, 138) vs # 9 1934 Cardinals (.621, 143)
#4 1946 Cardinals (.628, 167) vs #13 1964 Cardinals (.574, 63)
#5 1943 Cardinals (.682, 204) vs #12 2013 Cardinals (.599, 187)
#6 1922 Browns (.604, 223) vs #11 1985 Cardinals (.623, 175)
#3 1931 Cardinals (.656, 201) vs #14 1982 Cardinals (.568, 76)
#7 2004 Cardinals (.648, 196) vs #10 1926 Cardinals (.578, 139)
#2 1944 Cardinals (.682, 282) vs #15 2011 Cardinals (.556, 80)
In the next installment we will preview the 12 tournament teams that received a first round bye.
Also, stop by The Cardinal Nation’s free forum and join the special discussion on this tournament or any of the many other active threads about St. Louis Cardinals baseball!
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