Welcome to this week's Last Place Update. The 26-47 San Diego Padres continue to nip at the heels of the current Kings of the Cellar, the 24-48 Chicago Cubs. The Cubs hold a slim game and a half lead over the Padres. The 27-44 Colorado Rockies are in third, 3.5 games behind the Cubs. The AL worst, 29-42 Minnesota Twins, are two games behind the Rockies and 5.5 games behind the Cubs.
Once again, this week's honorable mention goes to the 34-38 Miami Marlins. They are 1-5 since the last update and are 3-15 since June 3.
The defending Kings of the Cellar champion Houston Astros are 30-42, six games behind the Cubs.
Since the last update, the Cubs went 1-4, the Padres went 2-3, the Rockies went 2-4, and the Twins went 3-3. The 1962 New York Mets were 20-52 after 72 games. The Cubs are four games behind that pace for modern futility. Will the Cubs sink further? Will the Padres pull the Cubs from the bottom of the heap?
Stay tuned and have a great day!!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Today in 1982 - Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates
This one's for the suffering fans of the current Kings of the Cellar, Chicago Cubs. Today in 1982, the Cubs invaded Three Rivers Stadium to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in this National League East rivalry game. Tom Filer of the Cubs would face off against Manny Sarmiento of the Pirates.
Mike Easler put the Pirates on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a two run homer with Dave Parker on base. The Cubs answer in the top of the third on a RBI single by Ryne Sandberg, scoring Filer. In the top of the fourth, Chicago tied the game on a RBI single by Larry Bowa, scoring Leon Durham. The Cubs took the lead in the top of the fifth inning when Durham hit in Bump Wills. After five, the Cubs led 3-2.
In the top of the sixth, Rod Scurry relieved Sarmiento with men on base and Chicago took advantage. Wills hit a single to left field, scoring Jody Davis. After getting Sandberg out, Scurry walked Bill Buckner, loading the bases. He faced Durham and on a full count, Scurry walked in Bowa. Enrique Romo relieved Scurry and got Steve Henderson out to close the inning.
However, Pittsburgh would not go quietly into the night. In the bottom of the sixth, Dale Berra hit a double to left field, scoring Tony Pena. Berra came through again in the bottom of the eighth, this time against reliever Willie Hernandez, hitting a single to left field, scoring Parker.
In the bottom of the ninth, all Chicago reliever Bill Campbell had to do was get out the side and the Cubs would win the game. He quickly got into trouble. By the time Parker came to bat, the Pirates had loaded the bases with one out. Parker hit the ball to first base and got out, but Johnny Ray scored, tying the game. Campbell got himself together and got Pena to hit a grounder for the third out. The game would go to extra innings.
In the top of the tenth, Pirates reliever Randy Niemann faced Junior Kennedy with one out and a man on base. Kennedy hit a left to center field and Bowa scored. Niemann recovered and finished the inning with a runner in scoring position. In the bottom of the tenth, Pittsburgh batters once again faced Campbell. However, Campbell had a better inning and got the Pirates to go three up and three down. The Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5.
Although blowing a save opportunity, Campbell got his first win of the season, going to 1-3. Niemann got the loss, going to 0-1. Chicago improved to 26-44, 5th in the NL East. Pittsburgh fell to 30-44, 4th in the NL East. The Cubs trailed the NL East leading Montreal Expos by 14.5 games and the Pirates trailed the Expos by 7.5 games. Chicago ended the season at 73-89, 5th in the NL East and Pittsburgh finished the season at 84-78, 4th in the NL East.
Trivia
Game stats can be found at Baseball-Reference.com on the box score page at Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates - June 23, 1982.
Mike Easler put the Pirates on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a two run homer with Dave Parker on base. The Cubs answer in the top of the third on a RBI single by Ryne Sandberg, scoring Filer. In the top of the fourth, Chicago tied the game on a RBI single by Larry Bowa, scoring Leon Durham. The Cubs took the lead in the top of the fifth inning when Durham hit in Bump Wills. After five, the Cubs led 3-2.
In the top of the sixth, Rod Scurry relieved Sarmiento with men on base and Chicago took advantage. Wills hit a single to left field, scoring Jody Davis. After getting Sandberg out, Scurry walked Bill Buckner, loading the bases. He faced Durham and on a full count, Scurry walked in Bowa. Enrique Romo relieved Scurry and got Steve Henderson out to close the inning.
However, Pittsburgh would not go quietly into the night. In the bottom of the sixth, Dale Berra hit a double to left field, scoring Tony Pena. Berra came through again in the bottom of the eighth, this time against reliever Willie Hernandez, hitting a single to left field, scoring Parker.
In the bottom of the ninth, all Chicago reliever Bill Campbell had to do was get out the side and the Cubs would win the game. He quickly got into trouble. By the time Parker came to bat, the Pirates had loaded the bases with one out. Parker hit the ball to first base and got out, but Johnny Ray scored, tying the game. Campbell got himself together and got Pena to hit a grounder for the third out. The game would go to extra innings.
In the top of the tenth, Pirates reliever Randy Niemann faced Junior Kennedy with one out and a man on base. Kennedy hit a left to center field and Bowa scored. Niemann recovered and finished the inning with a runner in scoring position. In the bottom of the tenth, Pittsburgh batters once again faced Campbell. However, Campbell had a better inning and got the Pirates to go three up and three down. The Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-5.
Although blowing a save opportunity, Campbell got his first win of the season, going to 1-3. Niemann got the loss, going to 0-1. Chicago improved to 26-44, 5th in the NL East. Pittsburgh fell to 30-44, 4th in the NL East. The Cubs trailed the NL East leading Montreal Expos by 14.5 games and the Pirates trailed the Expos by 7.5 games. Chicago ended the season at 73-89, 5th in the NL East and Pittsburgh finished the season at 84-78, 4th in the NL East.
Trivia
- There was only one Hall of Famer playing in this game: Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs.
- This was Lee Elia's first season managing the Cubs. He would be replaced in his second season by Charlie Fox, who himself was replaced by Jim Frey after the 1983 season. Elia also managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1987-88.
- This was Chuck Tanner's sixth season managing the Pirates. He managed the team from 1977-85, leading them to a World Series championship in 1979. He also managed the Chicago White Sox (1970-75), Oakland A's (1976), and the Atlanta Braves (1986-88).
- Elia played for both Chicago teams, the White Sox in 1966 and the Cubs in 1968.
- Tanner played for the Milwaukee Braves (1955-57), Chicago Cubs (1957-58), Cleveland Indians (1959-60), and Los Angeles Angels (1961-62).
- Dale Berra is the son of Yogi Berra.
- Tony Pena went on to manage the Kansas City Royals from 2002-05.
- Larry Bowa managed the San Diego Padres (1987-88) and the Philadelphia Phillies (2001-04).
- Although he is best known for letting an easy ground ball go between his legs in the 1986 World Series that could have prevented the Boston Red Sox from losing to the New York Mets, Bill Buckner actually had a 22 year career in the majors. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1969-76), Chicago Cubs (1977-84), Boston Red Sox (1984-87, 1990), California Angels (1987-88), and Kansas City Royals (1988-89).
Game stats can be found at Baseball-Reference.com on the box score page at Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates - June 23, 1982.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Today in 1985 - Cleveland, Ohio DCM Contest
Today in 1985, Cleveland, OH hosted a Drum Corps Midwest competition between seven corps. Here are the results:
- Bluecoats 63.10
- Black Knights 49.90
- Glassmen 48.30
- Marion Cadets 40.30
- Northern Aurora 39.40
- Capitol Aires 37.50
- Coachmen 30.50
Trivia
- Of the seven corps competing, three were from Ohio: the Bluecoats (Canton), the Marion Cadets (Marion), and the Glassmen (Toledo).
- The Capitol Aires were the only All-Girl corps in this contest. They placed 19th in Class A that season.
- The Bluecoats would go on to make DCI Finals for the first time in 1987. They would make Finals every year since, except in 1999, where they came in 13th. They placed 28th at DCI.
- The Glassmen would go on to make DCI Finals for the first time in 1992. They have made Finals sixteen times, the last time in 2010. They placed 39th that season.
- The Black Knights were the only former DCI Finalist present. They made Finals in 1973, placing 10th. They came in 37th place in 1985.
- This was the first season the Saginaires competed as Northern Aurora. They placed 11th in Class A that season.
- The Marion Cadets came in 8th in Class A/60 at DCI.
- The Coachmen ended up in 17th place in Class A, ahead of the Capitol Aires.
- Only two of the corps in this contest still exists, both from Ohio: The Bluecoats and the Glassmen.
- All but one of the corps in this contest who are no longer competing made it out of the 1980's (Black Knights - 1989).
- Three of the corps no longer competing didn't make it out of the 1990's: Capitol Aires - 1994, Northern Aurora - 1996, and Coachmen - 1994. The Marion Cadets were the last of this group to fold, after the 2004 season.
To view the corps repertoires and see more scores from the 1985 season, go to Corpsreps. If you want to learn more about the drum and bugle corps activity, go to Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Last Place Update
Welcome to this week's Last Place Update. The 23-44 Chicago Cubs have a slim lead for Kings of the Cellar over the 24-44 San Diego Padres by half a game. The 25-40 Colorado Rockies are making a move by going 1-10 in their last eleven games. The AL worst Minnesota Twins are 26-39, a game behind the Rockies.
This week's honorable mention goes to the Miami Marlins, who are 33-33 and 4th in the NL East. As with the Philadelphia Phillies last week, the Marlins are 2-8 in their last ten games. Miami is also 2-10 in the last twelve games.
The defending Kings of the Cellar champion Houston Astros are 28-39, only five games behind the Cubs.
With the Cubs going 3-4 and San Diego going 4-3 since the last Update, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders' record of futility is officially safe for another year. The 1962 New York Mets were 19-48 after 67 games, with only a four game difference between them and the Cubs. Will one of the contenders make a move on the modern record of futility?
Stay tuned and have a great day!!
This week's honorable mention goes to the Miami Marlins, who are 33-33 and 4th in the NL East. As with the Philadelphia Phillies last week, the Marlins are 2-8 in their last ten games. Miami is also 2-10 in the last twelve games.
The defending Kings of the Cellar champion Houston Astros are 28-39, only five games behind the Cubs.
With the Cubs going 3-4 and San Diego going 4-3 since the last Update, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders' record of futility is officially safe for another year. The 1962 New York Mets were 19-48 after 67 games, with only a four game difference between them and the Cubs. Will one of the contenders make a move on the modern record of futility?
Stay tuned and have a great day!!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Today in 1973 - Geneva, New York
Welcome to the opening weekend of the 2012 drum corps season! Hopefully this will be a great season. Many years ago, drum corps season usually started either in the last week of May or the first week of June. Today's entry is on the third weekend of the 1973 season. So...
Today in 1973, a group of mostly New York corps competed in Geneva, NY. Here are the results:
Trivia
To view the corps repertoires and see more scores from the 1973 season, go to Corpsreps. If you want to learn more about the drum and bugle corps activity, go to Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates.
Today in 1973, a group of mostly New York corps competed in Geneva, NY. Here are the results:
1 Purple
Lancers 66.15
2 Magnificent Yankees 63.60
3 Watkins Glen Squires 59.20
4 Seneca Princemen 52.30
5 General Butler Vagabonds 51.90
6 Mello-Dears 38.65
2 Magnificent Yankees 63.60
3 Watkins Glen Squires 59.20
4 Seneca Princemen 52.30
5 General Butler Vagabonds 51.90
6 Mello-Dears 38.65
Trivia
- There were only two corps in this contest not from New York: The Seneca Princemen, from Toronto, Ontario, and the General Butler Vagabonds from Lyndora, PA.
- The Mello-Dears were the only All-Girl corps competing in this contest.
- The Purple Lancers placed eighteenth at DCI Prelims that season. They would make DCI Finals the next season placing tenth, their only appearance. They would be the only corps from New York to ever make DCI Finals.
- The rest of the competitors did not participate in the DCI Championships that season.
- However, all of them did compete at U.S. Open on August 9 and 12 that year. Except for the Squires and Mello-Dears, they placed in the same order they did this show, with the Purple Lancers making Open Class Finals (4th in Prelims, 5th in Finals). The Watkins Glen Squires won the Class A championship and the Mello-Dears placed third in All-Girls.
- The Seneca Princemen merged with the Toronto Optimists in 1975 and formed the Seneca Optimists. The Seneca Optimists made DCI Finals in 1976 and 1977, becoming the first Canadian corps to make DCI Finals. The next Canadian corps to make Finals was Dutch Boy in 1990.
- None of the corps in this contest compete today. By 1983, all but two had folded. The Watkins Glen Squires last competed in 1997 and the General Butler Vagabonds last competed in 2000.
To view the corps repertoires and see more scores from the 1973 season, go to Corpsreps. If you want to learn more about the drum and bugle corps activity, go to Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Today in 1982 - Oshkosh, WI
Welcome to the 2012 drum corps season. It's been a while since the last drum & bugle corps entry, so here we go!
Today in 1982, Oshkosh, Wisconsin hosted an early season Drum Corps Midwest contest and here are the scores:
Trivia
To view the corps repertoires and see more scores from the 1982 season, go to Corpsreps. If you want to learn more about the drum and bugle corps, go to Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates.
Today in 1982, Oshkosh, Wisconsin hosted an early season Drum Corps Midwest contest and here are the scores:
- Phantom Regiment 73.90
- Madison Scouts 70.45
- Cavaliers 62.95
- Geneseo Knights 59.65
- St. Croix Rivermen 42.95
- Colts 41.60
- Pioneer 37.60
Trivia
- This was the Phantom Regiment's fourth straight win of the season. They would go undefeated until July 10 at Drums Along the Rockies in Denver, coming in second to the eventual DCI champion Blue Devils.
- Of the seven corps competing, three would make DCI Finals: Phantom Regiment, Madison Scouts, and Cavaliers.
- Until DCI Midwest, the Geneseo Knights were on pace to make DCI Finals. In what turned out to be the biggest controversy of the season, the Knights went from a 78.70 on August 2 to a 61.30 on August 7 at DCI Midwest Prelims. The next day, the scored a 76.55 and a 71.05 the following day. They never recovered from the 17 point drop at DCI Midwest and placed 15th at DCI Prelims with a 76.25.
- Five of the seven corps still compete today. The only two that no longer do are the Geneseo Knights (1994 as the Quad City Knights) and the St. Croix Rivermen (1985).
- Pioneer ended the season by placing 5th at DCI Class A Prelims and Finals.
To view the corps repertoires and see more scores from the 1982 season, go to Corpsreps. If you want to learn more about the drum and bugle corps, go to Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Last Place Update
Welcome to this week's Last Place Update. The teams are now engaged in interleague play, something the Update does all season long. The 20-41 San Diego Padres have a tenuous hold on their Kings of the Cellar status with a half game over the 20-40 Chicago Cubs. The Padres and Cubs need one more win to ensure the 1899 Cleveland Spiders will retain its 113 year old record of futility. The Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies are tied for third with a 24-35 record, five games behind the Padres.
This week's honorable mention goes to the 29-33 Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are 2-8 in their last ten games, including losing the last two. Philadelphia is last in the NL East.
The defending Kings of the Cellar champion Houston Astros are 26-34. After 60 games last season, the Astros were 23-37, only three games behind where they are now.
The 1962 Mets were 16-45 after 61 games, four games behind San Diego's pace. Again, both San Diego and Chicago have tied the 1899 Spiders's season win total and only need one more win to surpass it.
Stay tuned and have a great day!!
This week's honorable mention goes to the 29-33 Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are 2-8 in their last ten games, including losing the last two. Philadelphia is last in the NL East.
The defending Kings of the Cellar champion Houston Astros are 26-34. After 60 games last season, the Astros were 23-37, only three games behind where they are now.
The 1962 Mets were 16-45 after 61 games, four games behind San Diego's pace. Again, both San Diego and Chicago have tied the 1899 Spiders's season win total and only need one more win to surpass it.
Stay tuned and have a great day!!
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