1991 WORD SERIES PREVIEW

Once again Jarl Jackson provides the Mid-West Winter League with his World Series Preview.

This is the first World Series appearance for both clubs. All season long the Goldeyes faithful cried “Worst to first! Worst to first!” as not only did they enjoy their first winning season they also surprised all their NL playoff compadres by beating them all to claim the NL Pennant. It wasn’t long ago when they lost 118 games!

Winnipeg won just 67 games in 1990. The 1991 MWWL season represented the fifth year the Goldeyes have been under Kuryliw management. The team has a young core but veterans like Scott Sanderson, Steve Sax, Brian Downing, Mike Scoicia, Lonnie Smith and Tom Candiotti were brought in to help the young core of Mark McGuire, Omar Vizquel, Robin Ventura, Jay Buhner, Tom Glavine and Andy Benes.

Winnipeg who won 93 games resulted in the second wild card entry as they played in the leagues toughest division beside 100+ game winning Germantown and Steel City. But they are team that just doesn’t give up, keeping the games close with defense and starting pitching. In the wild card series they managed to win game five in Sugarland who won 110 to take the series three games to two. Then in NL LCS the second best NL record Germantown who won 105 games lost at home in game 7 to put Winnipeg into the World Series.

The reason Winnipeg is in the World Series is starting pitching as Glavine went 20-8 2.35 era, Candiotti 19-8 2.06 era and Benes 17-9 2.79 era the fourth starter Sanderson as a solid 10-8 2.42 era. Winnipeg lacks a shutdown bullpen but so far in the playoffs, Flannigan, Freeman and Willis have been great. The trio went 2-0 allowing just 1 hit in 10.2 innings vs Germantown in the LCS.

Hitting wise Selkirk’s offence is patient using the base on balls and a varied bench to provide the offence. On the defensive side they are excellent which helps the pitchers keep the game close.

Heading into the World Series Winnipeg is down one of their veterans Brian Downing for half the series with a bad leg. Even though Winnipeg has the disadvantage of being an NL team they are pleased to be able to start George Bell at DH as his bat has always been key for the Goldeyes and now it won’t just be coming off the bench.

Winnipeg will have to once again take on the role of David as the California Quakes won over 110 games and the odds makers are calling for a rout as even Winnipegs great starters are not better than what the Quakes will send to the mound.

The Quakes, owners of MWWL’s best regular season, won over 110 games for the 2^nd time in their 5 year existence under the Skiles ownership/management team. They had a taste of the post season in 1987 losing in the ALCS against AL Champion Chicago Demolition and this time they want to do what that team (also the best record during the 1987 season) could not do – win the title. “Being the best team during the regular season doesn’t amount to a hill of beans” one Quake player was overheard to say. Indeed there is a different air of confidence and determination in this California team as they went about their business during the first two rounds of the playoffs.

California is adept at both playing the speed game and the power game. They led the MWWL in SB and they led in SLG. The Quakes were 2^nd overall in the MWWL in OBP. From top to bottom they had the best pitching staff in the MWWL. California opponents only hit .202 against them and it was even better for their relievers as they held hitters to a sublime .189 batting average and posted a 1.95 ERA.

Miracles do happen – just ask Joe Namath and the 69 Jets or Al Michael’s 1980 USA hockey team. It doesn’t matter what it says on paper. When comes to winning titles it comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes and who has the will to win and the one who never ever quits.

Probably the least interesting position for both clubs. Matt Nokes and his offense gives California the edge. Scioscia who underperformed defensively during the season allowing a high OSBP is expected to be the main catcher For Winnipeg. Based on 1991 stats Rick Cerone actually had a better year. If Scioscia struggles Cerone could see more playing time than originally planned.  Advantage CAL

Mark McGwire was 20^th in the NL in homers, but that’s the only category he beats Paul Molitor in. On the league leader boards in the AL Molitor was third in AVG, first in OBP, 12^th in SLG, 5^th in Hits, 5^th in Runs Scored, and first in Triples. He also had a 16 game hitting streak good for 6^th best in the AL. Surprisingly because you don’t think of the big slugger as being a good defender McGwire had an errorless streak of 49 games during the season.  Advantage CAL

The comparison between the two second baseman is too close to call. Sweet Lou, a model of consistency, was 9th in OBP, 16th in SLG, 12th in Runs Scored, and 13th in homers in the AL. Over in the NL Steve Sax was 5th in AVG, 12th in OBP – he had a on base streak of 20 games, led in Hits, 4th in Runs Scored, 7th in doubles, 5th in SB, and had the 2nd longest hitting streak at 16 games. Advantage EVEN

Two very good defensive players, but across the board the Wizard was better with the bat this year. He was 4^th in SB and had the 6^th best on base streak in the AL this year at 22 games.   Advantage CAL

Robin Ventura is the slightly better hot corner man. His OBP, SLG, and power give him the edge. Neither third baseman were in the top 10 statistically on the league leader boards although Ventura did have the longest On Base streak in the MWWL at 31 games.  Advantage WIN

MWWL’s most prolific trio of slugging outfield resides in California. Each of them finished within the top 20 for slugging in the AL and Johnson and Canseco were #1 and #2 in HR’s. O’Neill was 13^th with 21 long balls. Canseco was third in Runs Scored and 4^th in RBI while Johnson was 4^th in Runs Scored and 3^rd in RBI. Both players also finished in the top 10 for SB. Canseco had the 2^nd best hitting streak of year for the AL at 18 games and he also had an errorless streak of 89 games. For Winnipeg Buhner mashed 31 dingers good for 2^nd best in the NL. Devereaux in search of a gold glove had an errorless streak of 100 games.  Advantage CAL

George Bell was mostly used as pinch hitter over in the NL while old man Willie Randolph – steady as they come – had about twice the number of At Bats for California. Getting the chance to DH in 4 games in the AL Park may prove Bell to be the better hitter, but Randolph’s AVG and OBP are hard to overlook.  Advantage CAL

Nolan Ryan looking for his second CY Young award was simply the best in the entire MWWL. Already the career MWWL leader in wins Ryan like a shark in the water smells blood when it comes to 300 victories. Ryan led the AL in Wins, ERA, SO/9, and OBA at .143. Ryan and Saberhagen were tied for 2^nd best in QS and Harnisch held his opponents to a .196 AVG. The strength of Goldeyes was their starting pitching. Hard to believe they only had one 20 game winner, but Glavine and Candiottie were 2^nd and 3^rd in Wins. The Candy man also led the NL in ERA and IP while Glavine was 2^nd in IP and first in CG. Three of the starter’s held OBA to near the Mendoza line (Glavine – .201, Candiottie – .184, and Sanderson – .216).   Advantage WIN

Bryan Harvey was 2^nd in Saves, first in Reliever ERA and led the AL in OBA at .146. For Winnipeg it was closer by committee although Flanagan did arrive in a trade. Their top reliever, Carl Willis was 2^nd in Wins and ERA for a reliever. He also held opponents to a .183 batting average good for 4^th best in the NL. Advantage CAL

Overall team stats and MWWL League rankings:

California is a powerful club in every facet. Just add a little oil, wind them up and watch them go. Winnipeg was in the best division, but it could be arguably said the AL East had the MWWL’s two best teams..if not for the third base coach..I digress. I hear Ron Washington is interested in coaching third base for the Panthers beginning in 1992.

Statistically speaking California is better or tied in 15 of the 19 team categories compared with Winnipeg. The Quakes strong offense and bullpen should be enough to make quick work of the Goldeyes and win the series in 5 games – although I think can almost hear Al Michael’s whisper “Do you believe in miracles?”

World Series Wins: