MLB Vault: MLB 1986- ALCS- Game 5-Boston Red Sox @ Anaheim Angels: Full Game

Source:MLB Vault– Boston Red Sox OF Dave Henderson’s game winning HR, against the Anaheim Angels in game 5.

Source:The New Democrat

“Boston Red Sox 7 at California Angels 6, F/11 — The Angels needed only one more out to earn their first World Series appearance, but it was the Red Sox who had destiny on their side. Angels closer Donnie Moore pushed Dave Henderson and the Red Sox one strike away from elimination, but Henderson earned redemption for an earlier fielding miscue by hitting Moore’s second 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence to give the Red Sox a 6-5 lead. The Angels tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, but Henderson’s sacrifice fly off Moore in the eleventh gave the Red Sox the lead and they went on to win the series in seven games.”

From MLB Vault

Perhaps the best MLB playoff game at least in my lifetime. And the biggest choke in my lifetime at least in MLB with the Angels blowing a 3-1 series lead with the opportunity to win the American League Championship at home with their offense, defense and pitching. And they simply didn’t close the door to a team they probably should’ve beaten at least in six games if not five.

Wally Joyner not in the Angels lineup certainly hurt them in-game 5. But you got to know that they had the Red Sox beat in the ninth inning with their closer Donnie Moore who was lights out most of the 1986 season on the mound. He makes a bad pitch to Dave Henderson and that forces the game to extra innings. But Joyner would’ve been a big force in the Angels lineup in-game 6 and 7, when the Red Sox blew out the Angels at Fenway Park.

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NBC Sports: MLB 1986-5-03-GOW-Anaheim Angels @ Milwaukee Brewers: Full Game

Source:NBC Sports– MLB Game of The Week.

“1986 05 03 NBC GOW California Angels At Milwaukee Brewers”

From NBC Sports

This photo is from a video that no longer exists anywhere online, except for this blog and other blogs that have used this photo to talk about this game. But the video of this game was either deleted or blocked on YouTube.

Source:NBC Sports– the Angels and Brewers from 1986.

The 1986 Angels were a very good, if not great all around team: hitting, pitching, and defense that should’ve at least gotten to the World Series. But of course lost three straight games in the ALCS after having a 3-1 lead in that series.

The Angels, who contended both in 84 and 85 in the AL West, which was back before the wildcard came into both leagues, looked like the team to beat in the AL West both seasons. 1986, they weren’t expected to win the AL West, especially the way that they did by being in first place most of the season. But in 86, they put it together for the whole season, both with their offense and pitching. And managed to avoid fading in August and September like they did in 84 and 85.

The 1986 Brewers, were somewhat in transition. Especially with their pitching and weren’t contenders at all and about a 500 ball club.

You can also see this post on Blogger.

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NBC Sports: MLB 1986-GOW-6/14/86: Kansas City Royals @ Anaheim Angels: Don Sutton Goes For 300

Source:NBC Sports– Anaheim Angels starting pitcher Don Sutton.

“1986-06-14 NBC GOW – Royals at Angels (Sutton tries for #300) Don Sutton tries for 300th victory in this NBC Baseball Game of the Week”

From Classic MLB

Three hundred wins not something that we’ll see many if any pitchers achieve in the future because of how prominent bullpens are now in Major League Baseball and how easy managers look to their bullpen when there’s any sign of trouble in the middle and late innings now in. Close games with some many close games being played now with all the parity and Don Sutton a Hall of Fame pitcher and one of the best all time achieving this back in 1986. Great game to watch.

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NBC Sports: MLB 1986-NBC-GOW-06-14- New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles: Full Game

Source:NBC Sports– New York Yankees leadoff hitter Rickey Henderson, at 1st against the Orioles in 1986.

You can also see this post at FreeState MD, on WordPress.

“1986 06 14 NBC GOW New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles”

From NBC Sports

The Orioles started the first of three straight losing seasons in 1986. And 5-6 losing seasons from 1986-91, going through a pretty bad stretch of bad baseball as they closed out Baltimore Memorial Stadium in 1991. 1986 dealing with a bunch of injuries that season and key hitters like Eddie Murray and Fred Lynn dealing with injuries. While the Yankees were still contending, but again not making the playoffs in 1986.

With the Orioles, they were dealing with key injuries to their best players and hitters especially in Murray and Lynn. You’re talking about two of the best all around players in the game at this point. And two of the best power hitters in the game as well. And when your team isn’t that deep to begin with, losing a Lynn and Murray at the same time is really difficult. 1986, very similar as 1984, 87 and 88 for the Yankees. A very solid lineup offensively, but not enough starting pitching and enough depth in the bullpen for the Yankees to win the AL East, which was a great division back then and still is today.

You can also see this post at FreeState MD, on Blogger.

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