1986 WORLD SERIES
The Demolition of Chicago hosted the Michigan Marauders in the Mid-West 1986 World Series.
Game #1 – Jim DeShaies (18-3 1.75) vs. John Candelaria (7-5 2.21)
Candelaria scatted 2 hits over 8 shutout innings, Eric Davis hit a Solo HR in the 2nd inning and Chicago held on thanks to a Calvin Schiraldi save for a 1-0 win. Final score Chicago 3 – Michigan 1.
Game #2 – Teddy Higuera (13-12 2.54) vs. Mike Krukow (18-9 2.89)
Mel Hall hits a solo shot in the 2nd for the Marauders off of Krukow, followed up in the 3rd by a Gary Gaetti solo makes it 2-0 Michigan.
A walk to Chet Lemon and a hit by pitch of Scott Fletcher puts runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs in the bottom of the 3rd. Wade Boggs delivers a shot to the gap in left-center scoring Lemon, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with still no one out. A Bill Doran sacrifice fly scores Fletcher and moves Boggs over to 3rd.
With the Michigan infield playing in, a Ken Phelps hits a hard grounder to Ripken at short, Boggs breaks for the plate on contact, and the play at the plate has Boggs sliding past the Scott Bradley Tag to put the Demolition up 3-2. A parade of pitchers follows Krukow for the 8th and 9th innings and Schiraldi slams the door on the Marauders with the Final score Chicago 3 – Michigan 1.
Game #3 – Mike Mason (9-2 3.02) vs. Roger Clemens (18-7 2.04)
Clemens scatted 3 hits over 9 shutout innings, Eric Davis hit a Solo HR in the 2nd inning and Chicago held on for a 1-0 win. Final score Chicago 3 – Michigan 1.
Game #4 – Walt Terrell (10-3 3.79) vs. Dave Stewart (16-9 3.29)
Mike Scioscia notches a solo HR in the top of the 2nd off Terrell. A pair of walks to Maldonado & Mel Hall along with a 6-4 put out of Hall at second base (for 1st out) gives Michigan runners at 1st and 3rd, Scott Bradley hits an infield single which scores Maldonado tying the game up at 1.
Dave Stewart standing on second base after an error by Marauders outfield Johnny Grubb scores on a Wade Boggs Single to put the Demolition up 2-1 after 5.
In the bottom of the 6th, Cal Ripken smashes a solo HR to tie the score up at 2. It stays that way until the bottom of the 10th when Glenn Davis doubles to lead it off and then Maldonado rocks one high and deep to right field, where Chet Lemon leaps and slams into the wall to rob Maldonado of a game winning 2 run shot, but as Lemon’s ribs hit the top of the outfield wall the ball jars loose and rolls around, Glenn Davis comes into score making the Final Score – Michigan 3 – Chicago 2. Chet Lemon has fractured ribs and will miss the rest of the 1986 MWWL World Series.
Game #5 – REMATCH of Jim DeShaies (18-3 1.75) vs. John Candelaria (7-5 2.21)
Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th, with Jim Deshaies cruising and facing Wade Boggs with 2 outs a throwing error by catcher Don Slaught extends the inning for the Demolition. Jim Deshaies frustrated by his catchers error loses control and walks Bill Doran and Eric Davis to fill the bases for Kent Hrbek.
Hrbek promptly delivers in the clutch and deposits a Grand Slam into the stands in Right Field, making the score 6-3 Demolition. As they head to the 9th, in the first game separated by more than 1 run, Candelaria faces Ripken who leads off with a double. Schiraldi is called upon to close it out. Samuel fly’s out to Davis in center for out #1. Scott Bradley pinch hits for Slaught and singles to right, holding up at 3rd in Ripken. Mel Hall is called upon to pinch hit for the pitcher strikes out making two away and only one out to go for the World Series. Flashing on the Scoreboard in Centerfield is “Congratulations to the Chicago Demolition 1986 MWWL World Series Champs”. But with one out still needed Mitch Webster doubles making the score 7-4 with the Demolition still in the lead. Lonnie Smith steps in to face Schiradli with runners at 2nd and 3rd, and one out still needed for Chicago. Smith blast one over 1st down the right field line, two runs score and the game is now 7-6 with Chicago leading, and Lonnie Smith holding at first base. Smith is clapping his hands and excited as the Marauders are still in this game. Michigan Manager Mike Lassman puts on the hit and run, with Gary Gaetti at the plate, but Gaetti only half swings at the strike – with Lonnie Smith on the move towards 2nd base. Ozzie Virgil comes up throwing, Ozzie Guillen takes the throw, drops the tag down on Smith’s right thigh and the umpire calls him out. Guillen throws his mitt into the air, and the Demolition charge out from their dugout as 1986 Mid-West Winter League Champions. Final score Chicago 7 – Michigan 6.
Every game in this series was decide by 1-Run. It was one of the closest series I have ever played in and could have gone either way. Congratulations to Mike Lassman and his Michigan Marauders on a fine season I and being the National League Champions.
1986 World Series MVP goes to John Candelaria who goes 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in the series.