2001 A.L. DIVISION SERIES #1

Given these dynamics, the series odds are quite balanced. With Fort Worth’s superior hitting and Chicago’s dominant pitching, the series could go either way, but Fort Worth might have a slight edge due to their overall record and offensive prowess. Expect a closely contested series that could potentially go the distance.

In a thrilling World Series opener, the Chicago Demolition triumphed over the Fort Worth Panthers with a final score of 4-1. The game was marked by strategic plays, stellar pitching, and a few extraordinary moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The Panthers took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning when Fred McGriff singled to center, allowing Craig Counsell to score after a stolen base. This was the only run the Panthers managed to score against Chicago’s ace, Darryl Kile, who delivered an impressive performance, allowing just one run over six and two-thirds innings.

The Demolition responded in the third inning with back-to-back doubles by Edgar Renteria and David Justice, tying the game at 1-1. The turning point came in the fifth inning when pinch-runner Calvin Murray scored from first on a double by Roberto Alomar, putting Chicago ahead 2-1.

In the eighth inning, Alomar struck again with a two-run homer off reliever John Franco, extending Chicago’s lead to 4-1. This home run was a pivotal moment, showcasing Alomar’s clutch performance under pressure.

The Panthers had a chance to rally in the bottom of the seventh with Doug Glanville’s double, but Chicago’s bullpen, led by Jeff Fassero and Billy Wagner, shut down any comeback attempts. Wagner secured the save by retiring Glanville with a flyout to right field, sealing the victory for Chicago.

Final Score: Chicago 4 – Fort Worth 1
Series 1-0 Chicago

Win: Darryl Kile 1-0 (1.35)
Loss: Kevin Brown 0-1 (3.86)
Save: Billy Wagner #1

The Fort Worth Panthers edged out the Chicago Demolition with a final score of 4-3, tying the series at 1-1. The game was a showcase of pitching prowess and strategic plays, with Hideo Nomo and Roger Clemens going head-to-head in a battle of the aces.

The game began with Nomo striking out the side in the top of the first, setting the tone for a dominant pitching performance. Clemens matched Nomo’s intensity, keeping the Panthers scoreless through the first inning. The Panthers broke the deadlock in the bottom of the second when Ivan Rodriguez grounded out, allowing Rich Aurilia to score from third, giving Fort Worth an early 1-0 lead.

The Demolition responded in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer by Roberto Alomar, who capitalized on a pinch-runner situation with Calvin Murray on base. This gave Chicago a 2-1 lead. The Demolition extended their lead to 3-1 when Tony Clark’s single brought Phil Nevin home, despite Clark being thrown out trying to stretch his hit into a triple.

Fort Worth’s comeback began in the bottom of the sixth when Ivan Rodriguez hit a two-run homer off Clemens, tying the game at 3-3. The Panthers took the lead in the same inning when Doug Glanville’s double allowed Aramis Ramirez to score from first, making it 4-3.

The game saw several pitching changes as both managers tried to outmaneuver each other. Fort Worth’s bullpen, led by Travis Phelps, held firm in the final innings. Phelps secured the save by retiring the side in the ninth, including a critical strikeout of Carlos Delgado.

This game was marked by exceptional pitching, with Nomo striking out 11 batters and Clemens fanning six. The strategic use of pinch runners and timely hitting made this a classic World Series game.

Final Score: Fort Worth 4 – Chicago 3
Series Tied 1-1

Win: Hideo Nomo 1-0 (3.86)
Loss: Roger Clemens 0-1 (4.76)
Save: Travis Phelps #1

The Chicago Demolition edged out the Fort Worth Panthers in a nail-biting 10-inning game, showcasing a series of extraordinary events that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The game began with both teams locked in a scoreless battle through the first two innings, with pitchers Pedro Martinez and C.C. Sabathia holding their ground.

The Panthers broke the deadlock in the third inning with a display of power hitting. Doug Glanville launched a solo home run, followed by a back-to-back homer from Rondell White. Edgar Martinez then added to the lead with a two-run shot, putting the Panthers ahead 4-0. However, the Demolition responded in the bottom of the fourth inning, capitalizing on Sabathia’s loss of control. A series of walks and a crucial error allowed the Demolition to tie the game at 4-4, with Roberto Alomar and Shannon Stewart contributing key hits.

The game remained tied until the eighth inning when Carlos Delgado’s solo home run gave the Demolition a 5-4 lead. The Panthers, refusing to back down, tied the game again in the ninth with a two-run homer by Aramis Ramirez, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

In the bottom of the 10th inning, with the score tied 6-6, Shannon Stewart reached base with a single, advancing to third on Carlos Delgado’s double. With runners on second and third, Denny Hocking stepped up to the plate. In a moment of high tension, Hocking’s bat shattered on a swing, sending the ball over second base into shallow right field. Stewart dashed home, scoring the winning run and securing a walk-off victory for the Demolition.

The game was marked by its intense back-and-forth scoring, highlighted by home runs and strategic plays. The Demolition’s ability to capitalize on the Panthers’ errors and their resilience in the face of a deficit were key to their victory.

Final Score: Chicago 7 – Fort Worth 6 (10 Innings)
Series 2-1 Chicago

Win: Brent Prinz 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: Jose Cabrera 0-1 (4.50) 

The Chicago Demolition triumphed over the Fort Worth Panthers with a decisive 10-4 victory, clinching the series 3-1. The game was a spectacle of strategic plays, powerful hits, and unexpected turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The Panthers took an early lead in the first inning when Homer Bush scored off Edgar Martinez’s double, setting the tone with a 1-0 advantage. The Demolition, however, quickly responded in the bottom of the fifth inning with a remarkable comeback. Bobby Higginson’s triple followed by Charles Johnson’s RBI single began the rally, narrowing the gap to 3-1. Roberto Alomar’s clutch hit tied the game at 3-3, and Phil Nevin’s triple drove in two more runs, putting the Demolition ahead 5-3.

The highlight of the game came when Tony Clark and Bobby Higginson hit back-to-back home runs, extending the Demolition’s lead to 8-3. This offensive explosion was complemented by solid pitching from Rolando Arrojo, who held the Panthers at bay after replacing starter Darryl Kile. Arrojo’s performance was pivotal, as he allowed only one earned run over four and two-thirds innings.

Despite a late push from the Panthers, including a run scored by Homer Bush in the seventh inning, the Demolition’s bullpen, featuring Danny Graves and Billy Wagner, effectively shut down any further scoring attempts. The game concluded with Nelson P. Cruz securing the final out, sealing the Demolition’s victory.

This game was not only a showcase of offensive prowess but also a testament to strategic pitching changes and defensive plays that defined the Demolition’s path to victory. The Panthers’ early momentum was stifled by the Demolition’s relentless offense and tactical pitching, making this World Series game a memorable chapter in baseball history.

Final Score: Chicago 10 – Fort Worth 4
Series 3-1 Chicago

Win: Rolando Arrojo 1-0 (1.93)
Loss: Ramon Ortiz 0-1 (15.43)

In a thrilling conclusion to the A.L. League Championships, the Chicago Panthers faced off against the Fort Worth Demolition in a game that will be remembered for its extraordinary ending. The game began with both teams locked in a pitching duel, as Roger Clemens of the Panthers and Kevin Brown of the Demolition kept the bats quiet through the early innings. Clemens struck out the side in the first inning, setting the tone for a tense matchup.

The Demolition struck first in the bottom of the fourth inning when Phil Nevin launched a towering home run to left field, giving Fort Worth a 1-0 lead. However, the Panthers responded in the top of the fifth with a solo shot from Doug Glanville, tying the game at 1-1. The game remained deadlocked until the top of the ninth when Tomas Perez, pinch-hitting for the Panthers, smashed a two-run homer to right center, putting Chicago ahead 3-1.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Demolition mounted a dramatic comeback. Carlos Delgado blasted a solo home run to narrow the gap to 3-2. Phil Nevin then singled, and Denny Hocking was brought in as a pinch runner. Todd Clark followed with a triple down the right-field line, scoring Hocking and tying the game at 3-3. With Eli Marrero pinch-running at third, the stage was set for an unusual finish.

As Bobby Higginson stepped to the plate, Travis Phelps, the Panthers’ reliever, committed a rare and costly “walk-off balk.” With Marrero on third, Phelps made an illegal motion on the mound, prompting the umpire to award Marrero home plate. This bizarre play ended the game in favor of the Demolition, who celebrated an improbable 4-3 victory.

The “Walk Off Balk” was a fittingly strange end to a game & Series filled with tension and excitement, showcasing the unpredictable nature of baseball.

Final Score: Chicago 4 – Fort Worth 3
Chicago Wins the Series 4-1

Win: Jeff Zimmerman 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: Travis Phelps 0-1 (20.25)

The series opened with a strong statement from the Demolition, who secured a 4-1 victory in the first game. Chicago’s ace, Darryl Kile, delivered a stellar performance, allowing just one run over six and two-thirds innings. Roberto Alomar’s clutch two-run homer in the eighth inning was a pivotal moment, setting the tone for the series.

Fort Worth quickly responded in the second game, tying the series 1-1 with a narrow 4-3 win. Hideo Nomo’s dominant pitching, striking out 11 batters, and Ivan Rodriguez’s two-run homer were key highlights. The Panthers showcased their resilience, overcoming a deficit to secure the victory.

The third game was a nail-biting 10-inning affair, with the Demolition edging out the Panthers 6-5. The game was marked by back-and-forth scoring, with Carlos Delgado’s solo home run in the eighth inning giving Chicago a temporary lead. However, it was Denny Hocking’s walk-off single in the 10th that sealed the win for the Demolition.

In the fourth game, Chicago delivered a decisive 10-4 victory, taking a 3-1 series lead. The Demolition’s offensive explosion, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Tony Clark and Bobby Higginson, was complemented by solid pitching from Rolando Arrojo. Despite a late push from the Panthers, Chicago’s bullpen effectively shut down any comeback attempts.

The series concluded with a thrilling and unusual finish in the fifth game, where the Demolition secured a 4-3 victory through a “walk-off balk.” This bizarre play, resulting from a rare pitching error by Fort Worth’s Travis Phelps, awarded the winning run to Chicago, capping off an extraordinary series.

Throughout the series, Chicago’s ability to capitalize on Fort Worth’s errors and their resilience in high-pressure situations were key to their success. The Demolition’s combination of strategic pitching, timely hitting, and defensive prowess ultimately led them to triumph over the Panthers, making this series a memorable chapter in baseball history.