REGIONAL #36:  This bracket did not include any pennant winners, but it had one of the best second-place teams of all time in the Old-Timer 1922 Browns; a 102-win AL West winning 1977 Royals team; and the follow-up version of the best expansion team in baseball history, the ‘62 Angels.  According to the ELO ranks, the best two teams in the regional would unfortunately meet in the first round, with the Royals favored to take the game and the finals over the #3 seeded ‘82 Expos.  

Those 1982 Expos rode the bats of Tim Wallach, Terry Francona, and Doug Flynn to knock Chuck Stobbs out of the game in the 3rd inning and cruise to a 9-5 win over the 1956 Senators, who made three errors in a four-run 5th inning that put the game out of reach.   The game between the 1972 Mets and the 1962 Angels turns into a pitching duel between Tom Seaver and Dean Chance, with Chance throwing a 4-hitter but still earning the loss as one of the hits is a two-run homer by Wayne Garrett that gives the Mets a 2-1 victory.  The most anticipated matchup of the first round, featuring the #1 seeded 1977 Royals and the #2 seed 1922 Browns, also turns into a similar duel between Dennis Leonard and Urban Shocker, with Shocker and the Browns taking a 2-1 lead into the top of the 9th but the Royals put up three runs, including a 2-run blast by Al Cowens, and KC takes the come from behind 4-2 win.  Finally, the 1980 Mets hang on for a 3-2 triumph over the 1979 Giants, although a Jack Clark 2-run homer in the bottom of the 9th gives the Mets a scare.

The 1972 Mets do their part in the semifinal to try to make it an all-Mets final by knocking off the 1982 Expos, 5-1.  Jon Matlack tosses a 6-hitter and Cleon Jones and John Milner contribute two RBI each.  Meanwhile, the 1977 Royals spoil the Mets party by breaking a tie with the 1980 Mets in the 9th inning, John Mayberry and Amos Otis rapping clutch hits to score two and give closer Mark Littell the win in relief.

The regional final proves to be a hard-fought affair.  The 1977 Royals get on the board in the bottom of the 1st on a George Brett RBI single, but from there the 1972 Mets’ Jim McAndrew and Paul Splittorf are both dominant and the score remains 1-0 until the 8th.  In the top of the 8th, however, Wayne Garrett doubles in a run and the aged Willie Mays singles him home to give the Mets a 2-1 lead.  However, an Amos Otis solo shot in the bottom of the inning ties things up heading into the 9th; Splittorf sets the Mets down in order in the top of the 9th, but in the bottom the Royals get a runner in scoring position with two outs against Mets closer Tug McGraw, and Frank White hits a walk-off single for the 3-2 win.  The Royals capture their third regional crown, courtesy of three straight come from behind wins.