The 2014 World Series was a classic battle, featuring two teams who weren’t supposed to be there. Featuring a decisive seventh game and an absolutely historic performance from a dominant starting pitcher, Madison Bumgarner, when the dust settled the #Ginasty had its third title in five years.
But you knew all that.
What many of you likely failed to realize is that in parallel to this great matchup was another. Equally stirring, equally perplexing, and equally exacting, this series featured players managed by men of admirable baseball acumen, zealous to win, and unafraid to bask in glory. If it hasn’t come together yet, this was a series carried out over the course of a few weeks using the greatest baseball video game ever made (and featuring one of the worst teams ever fielded).
Since 2010, the two co-founders of Off The Bench have squared off in a simulation of the World Series using MVP Baseball 2005 as a proxy. Historically, this was done along with the World Series, but because of real-jobs, bachelor parties, and Halloween, the 2014 installment took longer to complete. The rules are simple, resolute, and sometimes fluid:
- Sean gets the AL team, Max gets the NL
- Rosters are from 2005 (so this year’s matchup featured Terrance Long and Deivi Cruz)
- Any injuries that occur in one game, carry over to the next
- Pitching decisions must be realistic (ie: Must give ample rest time to the starting pitchers)
- Loser has to write up the recap
This was San Francisco Giants v Kansas City Royals, Max v Sean, Barry Bonds Jon Dowd v Mike Sweeney, and Tony Graffanino v the paralyzing fear on this grand stage.*
(*Don’t begin to outline the issues with projecting fear upon a video game player from a 2005 video game exhibition that we have labeled as a World Series game. Just don’t. I’m aware that even if these video game players were sentient, self-aware, and sensible, they would know that because of the limitations of the video game world in which they live, only exhibition games are possible. Therefore, it would be impossible for Graffanino to be paralyzed by the fear and bright lights of a World Series game. I agree, to an extent. However, I think it’s possible that, if these players were self-aware, it’s equally possible that they were aware of their inputs and the pressure placed upon them by their demi-god (me) and were therefore capable of failing once the pressures of an October game are realized.)
Let’s get to the action.
[button color=”blue” link=””]Game 1[/button]Because the AL won the 2014 All-Star game, the Royals had home field advantage, just like in real life. Note that the AL won the 2005 All-Star game as well, but we have been using the current year as it both represents a more accurate simulation of the World Series and prevents Sean from consistently keeping home-field advantage.
Whatever edge was gathered from home-field advantage, quickly disappeared as I realized that the Royals were ranked dead last in the game. This was a truly awful team. They had lost 104 games in 2004 and the 2005 squad was on its way to another 106 loss season. But there was hope: 21-year old Zack Greinke was on the roster, and 32-year old Jose Lima, who had a 6.99 ERA in 2005 was the team’s number 2 starter.
But Game 1 was a great game. Zack Greinke unveiled his 56 mile per hour weapon er… curveball, and combined it with a 94 mph fastball to keep Giants hitters off balance. Equally impressively, Jason Schmidt blew 98 mile per hour fastballs past Royals hitters on a consistent basis. This was a game where both managers were getting to know their squads and their skill sets, sometimes as far as literally asking “who is my second baseman?” (I still think David DeJesus is fast despite playing multiple games with his 59 speed rating).
The Giants jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, before Greinke settled in. The Royals were able to get a homerun from John Buck and scrap back to tie it up heading into the 8th. With runners on first and second, and Grienke finally removed for Dennis Tankersley, David DeJesus misplayed a single from Edgardo Alfonso into a triple and the Giants took a 3-1 lead. Just take a moment to imagine an Edgardo Alfonso triple.
Tankersly pitched well in the 9th and gave Royals’ manager Morash more confidence in a bullpen that featured exactly one guy with an ERA under 4.00. Coincidentally, that man was Jeremy Affeldt, who had a memorable real 2014 World Series, but for the Giants.
Giants win 3-1; Series: Giants up 1-0
[button color=”blue” link=””]Game 2[/button]Because of scheduling conflicts and the blood alcohol content of the participating managers, Game 2 was played in Houston’s Minute Maid Park. It was #LimaTime and nobody really knew what to expect. As an aside, how fantastic would Lima Time be in today’s Twitter world? I may bring it back….
Anyway, Game 2 was one for the ages. Jose Lima absolutely dominated with a 2-seam fastball that disappeared against the Giants left handed hitters, but the Royals–led by Tony Graffanino’s Golden Sombrero on 12 pitches, and Matt Stairs’ professional backside groundballs–failed to score more than one run in regulation as Brett Tomko stymied the anemic KC bats yet again. To the 10th we went.
This 10th inning was the type that would have Jayson Stark weeping with pleasure. It was everything that could make a kid fall in love with baseball, but not understand how the game is really played. Everything happened. This inning combined one of the best baseball players ever doing what he does best, with a surprise hero, surprise goat, the oddities of Minute Maid park, and a play that would have Little League coaches throwing their visors.
Top 10, runners on first and second, two out, Jon Dowd up to the plate.
For those out of the know: Jon Dowd is Barry Bonds this prodigious slugger that EA put on the Giants in Left Field. He’s got insane power, great contact ability and hits lefthanded. The Royals have closer Jeremy Affeldt on the hill, pitching in his second inning. Dowd hasn’t hit much to this point, with the Royals executing their gameplan quite well: Breaking balls away to Dowd has been the status quo, and it’s worked. Affeldt spins one away and Dowd spits on it. The 1-0 pitch is a high and tight fastball, perfectly placed. Dowd is unimpressed and manages to get on top of the 95 mph heater and send it firing into Right Field.
Terrence Long fields the ball and fires a perfect strike to the plate to nail Michael Tucker. And to the bottom of the tenth we go.
Armando Benitez is called upon to extend the game. He gets the first two batters out in convincing fashion, but then Angel Beroa steps in. Beroa laces a double to left field into the corner just to the right of the Crawford boxes. I can’t make this next part up. Marquis Grissom fields the ball and full crow-hops into a throw to third base. Just feet out of his hand, the ball ricochets off the side of the Crawford boxes and caroms toward the infield. Beroa scampers towards third base. Edgardo Alfonso, the Giants third baseman, fields the ball and fires to third (with a legitimate chance to get Beroa), but nobody is covering the base, because videgame. Beroa waltzes home as the ball sits near the third base dugout.
Royals win 2-1 in 10 innings and their manager has them believing that they can win 4. Tony Graffinino had 4 strikeouts for the second consecutive game, evidently blinded by the bright lights. Because of poor roster construction, the Royals have four reserve outfielders, a backup catcher and 12 pitchers. Things could get interesting as we head to San Francisco.
Royals win 2-1; Series: Tied 1-1
[button color=”blue” link=””]Game 3[/button]Neither manager knew what to expect from their game 3 starters. It was clear that with back to back low-scoring games, this Series could be tight throughout. Heading back to the National league meant losing the DH and lineup changes were afoot.
It had become painfully obvious that Graffanino was overmatched and the Royals were desperate for an offense that instilled fear in the opposition and provided hope to the rest of the lineup. This meant that Tony Graffanino lost his job. Those three-pitch strikeouts had really irked Zack Grienke from the sideline and he had said something to reporters.
Anyway, Mike Sweeney slid over to third base, and Ken Harvey manned first. It was a move that instilled fear, but the wrong kind. These two offensive forces were hardly the type that opposing pitchers felt the need to gameplan for, but their defensive positioning left their fans and managers fearful that what happened to end Game 2 might manifest in the opposite dugout in Game 3. After exploring their respective b-ref pages, it’s obvious that I should have shifted Matt Stairs into the infield as neither Sweeney nor Harvey ever played an inning at third–but this was MVP Baseball 2005 and I had to manage to their in-game skillsets.
For the Giants, the two-hole was a bit of a mystery. Ray Durham had been playing great out of the leadoff spot and Barry Bonds Jon Dowd was Barry Bonds Jon Dowd in the three hole, but bridging that gap proved difficult. In this game, Omar Vizquel was inserted as it was assumed he could handle the bat when called upon to bunt.
Kirk Rueter started for the Giants and pitched great. Brian Anderson started for the Royals and pitched well after a rough first inning.
Unfortunately for those of you rooting for the underdog Royals in this all-important exercise, a leadoff triple from Ray Durham followed by a double from Jon Dowd, who eventually came around to score, meant that the Giants had two early runs at their disposal.
The game would end 2-1, with the Giants playing matchups in the 9th with Scott Eyre taking home the save. Max’s trust in closer Armando Benitez was starting to really wain.
Giants win 2-1; Series: Giants up 2-1
[button color=”blue” link=””]Game 4[/button]
Zack Greinke started Game 4 for the Royals, as he obviously gave the club the best chance to win. There were a number of factors that went into this decision, not least among them was the recent performance from Madison Bumgarner that proved once again that pitchers can pitch on fewer than 4 days of rest. It should also be noted that Greinke has a career 2.00 ERA on three days rest. This was the World Series and 21-year old Zack was going out there to bring Missouri a title.
The Giants went with their ace, Jason Schmidt, in an attempt to go toe-to-toe with the baby-faced boy with the killer curveball. This was a bit of a surprise for the Giants as they held a 2-1 series lead and had previously expressed confidence in Noah Lowry, their 4 starter (merit, notwithstanding).
Game 4 was another low scoring affair, with both pitchers applying lessons that they had learned in Game 1. Greinke again kept Giants hitters off balance, while Jason Schmidt continued to inexplicably throw 98 mph cheese.
It was a 1-1 Game heading into the 9th. Armando Benitez was brought on to carry the game into the bottom of the frame. He promptly hit a man and gave up a bloop single. With runners on first and third, Benitez settled down and induced an infield popup and a strikeout. Two out. Pinch runner Terrance Long crept off of first base, and with nobody holding him on was poised to swipe second base. Benitez twirled and fired to first (despite the noted absence of a first baseman covering). JT Snow made an incredible diving catch to stop the ball, but the runner on third had already broken towards the plate. Sliding in head first, Angel Beroa was safe at the plate and the Royals took the lead. Max was not pleased.
Armando blew the game once again for the Giants, but was Jeremy Affeldt up for the save?
Let’s just say that Mike Sweeney made this play (on the right), with runners on base, to close up the game. Affeldt gets the save, but Sweeney gets the girls.
Is this going to be a theme moving forward…?
Royals win 2-1; Series: Tied 2-2
[button color=”blue” link=””]Game 5[/button]Game 5 with the series tied at 2 games apiece is vitally important. Both clubs want to move to within one game of clinching, and the Royals have stolen back home field advantage. Talks of a raucous Kaufman Stadium are all the rage in Kansas City. The barbecue pit was already lit and the Royals were heading in with smiles on their faces. ‘Twas #LimaTime once again.
However… #LimaTime lasted just one inning. The Giants were unfazed by his bright blue glove and 90 mph fastball and hung a 5 spot on him in the first. It was, by far, the largest offensive outburst of the series. Ray Durham stayed hot and started talks about a possible MVP award, and Pedro Feliz, (getting the start at third base because if Mike Sweeney can do it…, right?), Moises Alou and Yorvit Torrealba provided most of the rest of the pop. Torrealba go the start for the first time as Max was fed up with Mike Matheney, who was 0 for the series and was doing his best Tony Graffanino impression.
The early scoring was enough for Brett Tomko and the Giants ‘pen. Especially when they added a couple more runs off an ineffectual Jeremy Gobble. Jerome Williams, doing his best Yusmiero Petit impression, provided some quality late innings for San Fran and the Giants cruised to a 7-2 win.
The big moment in the game, however, happened on a routine groundball in the 5th. Angel Beroa, sliding headfirst into second for some reason, fractured his left hand (probably his left, anyway, the game doesn’t say) ending his series, in the field and at the plate anyway. This was a devastating blow for KC as Beroa had been their best offensive player, by far. Mike Sweeney wasn’t hitting at all, David Dejesus grounded to second every single time, and John Buck’s only hit was his game 1 homer. Besides the occasional single from Harvey or Stairs, it had been the Angel Beroa show for four games. Not only that, the Royals lack of infield depth meant that Tony Grafanino was coming back.
Giants win 7-2; Series: Giants up 3-2
[button color=”blue” link=””]Game 6[/button]Game 6 was postponed a few times. The official word from Giants camp was that “Jason Schmidt won’t fly without gummy worms and they were all out at multiple 7-11s in the San Francisco area.” Royals fans’ attempt at keeping Schmidt in California, noble as it was, proved futile. An intern provided the Ace with his necessary gummy worms and the Giants made a late start to Game 6.
Both clubs were without their top pitchers, who were resting for a possible Game 7. But Kirk Rueter and Brian Anderson each pitched well enough to prove they belonged. The Giants scraped two runs across in the 7th and were looking to cruise to a Series title by turning the ball over to Armando Benitez. Benitez, who you will remember was on the bump for that crazy play in Game 2, allowed no hard hit balls. But.
In baseball, it’s not how hard you hit them, but were you place them. Following a leadoff double that went all of 150 feet behind the first base bag, Tony Grafanino Abraham Nunez managed to put the ball in play (in a late game situation, Sean was not allowing Graffanino to hit, defense be damned). The impromptu shortstop’s check swing groundout to first base put John Buck on third. Another groundout scored a run, but left the Royals chasing a run and down to their last out. David DeJesus walked, but remember how he is very slow in this game? Angel Beroa is not slow in this game and was summoned to pinch run, despite his inability to bend his wrist. Then something magical happened.
Manager Morash winked at his digital, injured shortstop through the magic of the screen and Beroa understood. The delayed steal worked perfectly, and left Torrealba holding the baseball in his right hand. There was now a runner on second base and Ruben Gotay was ready to deliver. Gotay took a mighty hack, but could only generate an auspicious bloop towards left field. With Jon Dowd sprinting in and Omar Vizquel scampering out, the ball found grass before it found leather and Angel Beroa touched homeplate safely.
Armando Benitez had blown another game, but the Royals had yet to force the game 7–and they wouldn’t.
Considering the ramifications of the Beroa pinch running and Nunez pinch hitting managerial decisions, the Royals defense was in disarray. Abraham Nunez, the right fielder who played for the Royals (not the former shortstop of the same name who played for the Pirates), never played an inning in the infield in his professional baseball career. In this World Series game, he was manning shortstop with authority.
The next few innings were a blur, with the Royals and Giants both in equal states of shock and surprise that the game was still being played. Noah Lowry, for the first time all series, pitched, entering in the 11th. The Royals had no such luxury given how Jose Lima had fared in Game 5. They were extending the game with pitchers already running on empty.
In the 14th with a runner aboard, I attempted to penetrate Max’s steadfast focus. My boring story about the shades of blue that had donned my office walls in recent weeks did nothing. Worse yet, the baseball gods frowned on my tactics and gave favor to Max.
Maybe it was my nerves that betrayed me in the 16th; maybe it was the baseball gods. Or maybe it was that digital Jeremy Affeldt would have rather have been pitching right handed in this his 4th inning of work. Whichever the case, in the 16th the Giants’ leadoff triple eventually scored. Noah Lowry threw a perfect bottom of the frame for the win and the Giants started popping the champagne.
Ray Durham took home World Series MVP honors, and Max gave a stirring speech amid his “parade” around our 7th story apartment. It was horrible and it was beautiful.
Giants win 3-2; Series: Giants win 4-2
One might wonder how an exercise like this contributes to society. (One should wonder this.) We wonder too, so in an effort to find that out, we promise to keep playing until we have an answer… Congrats to the Giants on both this Series title and the one for which they got a real parade.
-Sean Morash
Stat of the Day: Only 100 days until pitchers and catchers report.
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