April 4, 1982
After the 1981 MLB strike shortened season, everyone is ready to put that debacle behind them and get back to playing a full, exciting year of baseball. The actual 1982 MLB season saw the rise of 'Harvey's Wallbangers' to 1st place in the AL East. Milwaukee won the East by defeating the Baltimore Orioles on the last day of the regular season. The California Angels won the AL West in a tightly contested race with the Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox. In the AL playoffs, the Angels held a commanding 2 games to none lead before the Milwaukee Brewers came back to win the next 3 games and the AL Pennant.
In the NL, the Atlanta Braves won the West after the LA Dodgers lost their last game of the season. In the NL East, the St. Louis Cardinals won in a close race with the Philadelphia Phillies. St. Louis swept the Braves 3-0 in the NL Championship Series.
Milwaukee and St. Louis matched up in a very exciting 7 game World Series. The Cardinals were down 3 games to 2 before winning the final 2 games and the 1982 MLB World Series Championship.
My Detroit Tigers (83-79) finished the '82 season in 4th place in the AL East, 12 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The Tigers had a young exciting team and were predicted by many to battle for the AL Pennant. With a nucleus of C Lance Parrish, SS Alan Trammell, 2B Lou Whitaker, CF Kirk Gibson up the middle and added veterans Richie Hebner, Chet Lemon, and Enos Cabell, the Tigers were sure to have a potent lineup. With Jack Morris, Dan Petry and Milt Wicox heading the pitching staff, the only real question was the 4th starter and the bullpen. While Detroit did have a good season, they didn't live up to their potential. Managing Detroit in this replay, I'll try to improve their record and place in the AL Standings.
The 1982 Strat-O-Matic AsPlayed Replay season will begin tomorrow on April 5th with the traditional MLB Opening Game in Cincinnati. The Reds will host the Chicago Cubs. The AL will open with a game in Baltimore with the Orioles taking on the Kansas City Royals.
(Note: This post will remain 'pinned' at the top for the duration of this 1982 replay)
