Sunday, January 29, 2023

Clemente Leads Puerto Ricans To Sweep Against New Yorkers

We printed off the Statis-Pro Baseball pitchers, batters and pitcher hitting cards to play off the all-time great New York and Puerto Rico teams in one of our all-time World Baseball classic games. One of 11 people in New York City are Puerto Rican, so a game at Yankee Stadium between the two teams would be quite the field of dreams.

The Puerto Ricans pulled off an upset by winning both games, 4-2 in 10 innings and then 5-2.

Both teams have great line-ups, but there have been far fewer great Puerto Rican born pitchers, so that seemed to give New York the edge. However, this was the first of three pool series so featured the Puerto Rican's only two above average (PB2-7) pitchers, and they both had quality starts and then the bull pen went a scoreless 6 2/3rds innings to wrap up both wins. One reason we like to play each team at least once is to catch mistakes, and we had accidentally sorted former Oakland A's reliever Kiko Calero as the opening day starter, but then realized he was a relievers with only a 2 RR and 1 inning max to pitch. We fixed him on the sheet.

2nd game - Puerto Rico 5, New York 2

As you can see if you look at the scoresheet, New York lost despite Lou Gehrig having two doubles and two singles in his last four plate appearances, but was left stranded every time. Eddie and Jimmy Collins as well as 5-foot-4 Wee Willie Keeler "hit 'em where they ain't."

New York outhit Puerto Rico for the series was the only Puerto Rican with more than two hits was Jose Cruz, who singled three of his last four at bats for four hits total. However, New York hit no homers despite three deep drives being caught and Jimmy Collins joining Gehrig with two doubles each in the finale game. 

Carlos Beltran hit a 2-run homer, and Francisco Lindor tripled in a run in the win - both off Sandy Koufax.

Puerto Rico moves into 1st place in our North Division, matching Pennsylvania's 2-0 record but with an edge in run differential. Meanwhile Canada edges out New York despite both being 0-2. The standings for all three divisions are here.

1st Game - Puerto Rico 4, New York 2 (10 innings) - details below photo



Roberto Clemente doubled home Jose Cruz the scored on a single by Francisco Lindor to take a 2-0 lead against Whitey Ford. Then Carlos Beltran singed and Juan Gonzalez homered in the 10th as Puerto Rico shocked New York 4-2.



Yes we are playing a baseball classic after flying from a Southern Californian beach to an 8 inch snow fall in Milwaukee. We watched awesome college basketball upon our return, have the Chiefs and Bengals on in a 13-13 tie for our first pitch. 

One in every 11 New Yorkers are Puerto Rican, so this would be a fun game if played in Yankee Stadium. Results to follow tonight ...

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