REGIONAL #2:   Continuing the archaeological dig to unearth the beginnings of this tournament, I figure that the first matchup between two 1979 teams was probably played in fall of 1980, but that the rest of the bracket was filled in considerably later.  With a 1981 team included, I’d wager the bracket was finished around 1982 or 1983, as in those years I played a number of these tournament games face to face with a good Strat buddy.  The regional favorite according to the ELO rankings was the 1971 Pirates, who won 97 games, the NL pennant, and the World Series.   However, their game against the 80-81 1975 Giants set a precedent that would be repeated many times during this tournament–the highly ranked pennant winners going down in the first round, by a score of 3-2 as the Giants got a 5-hitter from John Montefusco, although two of the hits were solo shots from Robertson and Hebner.   In other round one games, the 1979 Phillies knocked out the 1979 Twins, coming from behind to win 4-3 as Mike Marshall fails to hold a lead in the 8th; the 1981 Cubs defeat the 1956 Cardinals in a 12-inning marathon with Lee Smith coming out on top of Lindy McDaniel in a battle of the bullpens; and the other Pittsburgh entry in the regional, the 2nd seeded 1980 Pirates, survived an early onslaught from the 1970 Padres that chased starter Eddie Solomon who allowed 5 runs in one inning of work, ultimately winning the game 9-7 courtesy of some relief work from Kent Tekulve and 5 RBI from Lee Lacy.  

Once again, the semifinal round saw two games that were hard-fought.  The 1981 Cubs managed to come from behind to defeat the 1979 Phillies 5-4, scoring three runs in the 8th while unheralded reliever Doug Capilla hurled two hitless innings in relief.  Contributing the game-winning RBI for the Cubs was the oft-maligned first baseman Bill Buckner.  In the other semifinal, the 1975 Giants again prevailed over a Pittsburgh team, the 1980 Pirates, 3-2 in 10 innings.  Ed Halicki went all 10 for the Giants, allowing only 3 hits, while Gary Matthews drove in the winning run with a walk-off single off Vincente Romo. 

Murcerer's Row

As close as the semis were, the final game was an absolute blowout, the biggest annihilation in regional finals in the history of the tournament (at least through 122 regionals).  The 1975 Giants destroyed the 1981 Cubs 15-0, as Jim Barr tosses a 4-hit shutout, Bobby Murcer is good for a homer and four RBI, and Steve Ontiveros adds another 4 RBI.  The Giants thus become the second straight mediocre 1975 team to capture a regional title.