Mike Caldwell

Anticipation of a Pennant

1982 Topps Stickers Pete Vuckovich — Pete Vuckovich will take the mound in Game 1 of today's double header.

BALTIMORE — You’re a Brewers fan and you’re like a kid on the last day of school, looking at the clock, waiting for the final bell to ring, ready to burst forth with joy and a feeling of freedom. In this case, it’s freedom from the O’s, the AL East and from the Crew’s humble and, at times, awful beginnings.

You are eager to see your heroes soaked in bubbly as much as they’re ready to taste it.

That taste, however, will need to wait because the Crew lost a 9-4 stinker in their series finale with the Red Sox and lost a game in the standings as the Orioles rallied with four runs in the ninth to beat the Tigers, 6-5. But in facing the O’s, the Crew’s Magic Number is now one (since a Brewers win equals an Orioles loss) as they lead the division with four games to play.

Just win one and the pennant is theirs. Win just one and history is secure. Win one and the city will be one step closer to its first World Series since the Braves in 1958.

Just one. It won’t be easy. All four games are in Baltim…

Wait, what? Four games? Yes, four. The schedule says three, but today the Crew and the O’s will go all Ernie Banks on us with a doubleheader to open the series.

One game is the continuation of a 2-2 tie between the teams on June 26. Mario Ziino, the assistant director of media relations for the Crew, explains:

“The Brewers game at Baltimore on June 16, 1982 was suspended after nine innings was complete because it ended in a 2-2 tie. The cause was rain at 12:05 a.m. The game was delayed twice at the start – first for 34 minutes following the first out (Paul Molitor) of the game and again for 43 minutes once the tarp was removed it had to be placed on the infield again. So at roughly 10 p.m. local time, the second batter of the game (Robin Yount) stood in the batter’s box. Because the teams had completed nine innings, the stats went into the books. The two teams would have to play the game over in its entirety, and was scheduled for the next first night Milwaukee came to town (October 1) as a twi-night doubleheader.

“A suspended game occurs when play is stopped with a tie score and both teams have completed an inning past the fifth. If it occurs before the fifth inning, the game is replayed and the stats are thrown out. It’s simply a rainout.”

So, there you have it. Starting with today’s twi-night doubleheader, the Crew and the O’s will play three games in a 24-hour span. The Brewers can save themselves some grief by taking one of these games today. But the Crew is 3-6 against the Orioles this season and just last weekend lost two of three at County Stadium to the O’s. Add to this the fact this could be Earl Weaver’s last stand as O’s manager, and not only will the Crew face a formidable foe, but they will also meet an emotionally charged foe.

Ace Pete Vuckovich (18-5) starts the first game at 4:30 p.m. CT against Dennis Martinez (15-12). Mike Caldwell (17-12) takes the hill in the nightcap.

Two aces, two chances to win one game and make Brewers history.

The anticipation is killing us. Here’s hoping the Birds don’t as well.

Caldwell Complete Again

September 22 Leave a Comment

Brewers 3, Red Sox 1
Brewers now 91-61 (1st by 2.5 games)
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MILWAUKEE — Mike Caldwell pitched another gem, allowing one run on four hits in a complete game victory over the third place Boston Red Sox.

If it seems like you’ve read this recap before it’s because it’s becoming a common occurrence. Sure, the opponent may change, but the results are the same.

It was Caldwell’s third consecutive complete game, his seventh in his last 10 starts and his 12th overall.

Wait, are we talking about the same Mike Caldwell who was 4-5 with a 4.70 ERA through May and seemed to be on his way off the team? That Mike Caldwell? Yes, that Mike Caldwell.

“It’s simple,” Caldwell said, “you can sum it up in two words, Harvey Kuenn. When a man sends you out and believes in your ability, it’s easy to do the job you’re capable of.

“When Harvey came in, he told me I was one of his pitchers. He showed complete confidence in me. It’s an intangible. It helps you be a successful player.”

The stats back it up. Caldwell is 14-5 with a 3.38 ERA since June 2 when Harvey Kuenn took over as manager.

The offense was largely Ben Oglivie. Typically a pull hitter, Oglivie hit a solo home run to the opposite field in the second and an RBI double that same way in the eighth. The home run was his 32nd of the season.

The Brewers picked up a half game on Baltimore after their game with the Tigers was rained out. The Brewers have a day off tomorrow before hosting the Orioles for three games.

Brewers Mash Yanks in 14-0 Rout

September 17 Leave a Comment

Brewers 14, Yankees 0
Brewers now 87-60 (1st by 2.0 games)
Box Score | Season Schedule

1982 Donruss Mike Caldwell — Mike Caldwell put on a show in a three-hit shutout of the Yankees.

MILWAUKEE — The last time the Brewers faced the Yankees was last week in the Bronx when Milwaukee lost three of four, including three of the toughest losses of the season. This time… was much different.

The Brewers jumped out to a 5-0 first inning lead on starter Stefan Wever when Robin Yount and Cecil Cooper doubled in a run before Gorman Thomas brought home three more with his league-leading 36th home run of the season.

It was a fun game for the Crew and their fans from that point forward. By the end of the third it was 9-0 and the Yankees were making no signs of putting up a fight.

Yount, putting together his closing arguments for AL MVP, went 4-for-5 with his career best 24th home run and four RBI. He now has 98 runs batted in on the season.

But while the offensive display was awesome, the story of the game — and possibly the season so far — was starting pitcher Mike Caldwell. Once seen as past his prime, a cancer on the team, and a pitcher who should be dumped for whatever they could get before Harvey Kuenn arrived, Caldwell now has 16 wins.

Caldwell’s won six in a row overall, but he’s also 12-3 lifetime against the Yankees. Not surprisingly, it is the highest winning percentage among any starting pitcher against these Yankees.

“My confidence is at an all-time high,” Caldwell said. “I am throwing good pitches, they are scoring runs and I am getting some breaks.”

After winning three of seven on the recent road trip, it was important to get off to a good start. But this?

“Everybody was starting to get down after the rough road trip,” Kuenn said. “By everybody I don’t mean the players but other people. I’ve said time and time again that these guys can come back. I think you’d have to say they came back in grand fashion.”

And it was good timing. The Baltimore Orioles, who are riding a 24-5 stretch to put pressure on the Brewers, finally lost today. It’s the first time the Brewers have picked up a game on the Orioles since September 8.

“I feel good about the way we’ve played lately,” Yount said. “If you look at the standings you would think we lost a big lead. I have to think the Orioles are frustrated after playing so well the last month and still being two games behind.”

So the Brewers get a little breathing room, even if temporarily. It won’t get any easier. After two games with the Yankees, the Brewers close out the season with 13 games against the second place Orioles and third place Red Sox, six at home and seven away.

The Brewers will need all of the room they can get. Not only is the schedule brutal, but Rollie Fingers revealed today that the soreness in his forearm may prevent him from pitching until the postseason.

Assuming, of course, that the Brewers get there.

Brewers Win with Moore Offense

September 10 Leave a Comment

Brewers 5, Yankees 3
Brewers now 84-57 (1st by 4.0 games)
Box Score | Season Schedule

BRONX, NY — Two words: Charlie Moore.

The Brewers struck first on this day with a run in the top of the opening inning, but things turned ugly quickly in the bottom of the frame. The first three Yankees reached base to load the bases. Mike Caldwell was lucky to allow only two runs.

But then… Charlie Moore.

Following two scoreless innings for both teams, Moore launched a solo home run to tie the game in the fourth. It remained that way until Jerry Mumphrey drove in a run with a double to right in the fifth to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

And then… Charlie Moore.

With runners at the corners in the sixth, Moore hit a drive to center that was deep enough to score Gorman Thomas and once again tie the game at three. It remained that way until the eighth.

And finally… Charlie Moore

With runners at the corners again, Moore hit a high chopper over third baseman Roy Smalley‘s head to score Don Money and knock starter Ron Guidry from the game.

“I looked into the dugout on my way to the plate,” Moore explained, “and they were calling for Smalley to come in. So, I drove straight into the ground and it got over his head. Had he been playing at normal depth that may have been a double play ball.”

Moore has gone 5-for-7 in the two games in New York to raise his average from .237 to .246. “It’s fun to find your hitting stroke in the middle of a pennant race,” Moore laughed.

Ned Yost would drive in one more that inning, but the Brewers had all the runs they needed.

Why? The unheralded hero in this game and this Brewers’ season, Mike Caldwell. After a rocky first in which he allowed two runs and threw 25 pitches, Caldwell would need only 75 more pitches to complete the game.

It was Caldwell’s 10th complete game of the season and he’s won eight of his last nine decisions to improve to 15-11.

The Brewers maintained a four game lead over the Baltimore Orioles, who also won, though they extended their lead over the Boston Red Sox to six.

Brewers Pile on in Sixth

September 5 Leave a Comment

Brewers 8, Angels 5
Brewers now 81-55 (1st by 4.0 games)
Box Score | Game Schedule

The Brewers won, but Gorman Thomas' injured arm is a concern.

MILWAUKEE — Entering the sixth inning, the Milwaukee Brewers could get nothing done in support of another terrific start by Mike Caldwell. Geoff Zahn was shutting them out on two hits and carried a 1-0 lead.

It all started when Jim Gantner led off the inning with a hit by pitch, taking a high fastball off of his wrist. Gantner would be replaced by Rob Picciolo, and x-rays revealed only a deep bone bruise.

Molitor singled to left, Robin bunted both runners over, and then Cooper hit a harmless groundout to short.

So there it was. The Brewers had runners at second and third with two outs, trailing 1-0. It’s where pennant contending teams cash in. It’s where others do not.

The Brewers cashed in. Zahn threw a wild pitch, plating Picciolo. Gorman Thomas then hammered a rare opposite field single to score Molitor. Don Money hit a looper into the corner in right that Reggie Jackson couldn’t cut off for an RBI triple. And then Mark Brouhard, filling in for the injured Ben Oglivie, launched a three-run homer to make it five two-out runs in the inning.

The Angels would battle back with a two-run homer by Reggie Jackson in the top of the seventh, but the Brewers then put their collective foot on the throat with three runs on four hits in the eighth. Every offensive player other than Gantner got into the act, collecting either a hit, run score or RBI.

Caldwell allowed all five runs in eight solid innings of work to pick up his 14th win and sixth in his last seven starts. Caldwell has been a revelation since Kuenn took over, going 9-3 with a 3.63 ERA since early July and 7-1 with a 2.70 ERA since August 1.

Pete Ladd, the temporary closer while Rollie Fingers nurses a slight tear in his right forearm, allowed only a single in a scoreless ninth for the save.

If there was anything to worry about as a Brewers fan following this game it was Gorman Thomas’ health. He injured his arm in the second making a throw and struggled with the pain for the rest of the game.

Thomas originally hurt the arm 12 days ago in Anaheim making a diving catch. Manager Harvey Kuenn says it’s something that most players would miss time with, but Thomas simply treats it with ice.

Thomas was in so much pain that he asked Charlie Moore, who was playing right, to go after anything close.

“I was shading everyone to center more than I usually would,” Moore said. “He also told me if a ball got through to get ready to make a throw for him. You know he’s really hurting when he says something like that and is showing pain on his face.”

The Brewers need to get healthy because their rivals are getting stronger. The Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox each won to remain 4 and 4 1/2 games back respectively.

Game Notes: Moose Haas has officially moved to the bullpen, thereby granting the fifth spot in the bullpen to Doc Medich.

Caldwell Cruises Again

August 31 Leave a Comment

Brewers 8, Mariners 2
Brewers now 77-53 (1st by 4.5 games)
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MILWAUKEE — The Brewers lost yesterday’s game because of poor defense and an inability to get the big hit. Today, they won because of both.

Locked in a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the third with two outs, Ted Simmons singled home Robin Yount to make it a 2-1 game. Mariners pitcher Bryan Clark then walked Gorman Thomas, bringing Ben Oglivie to the plate with runners at first and second. Oglivie hit a tapper in front of the mound, a routine play, but first baseman Gary Gray couldn’t handle Clark’s throw.

Gray’s error loaded the bases. Don Money then hit a ground ball to shortstop that Todd Cruz bobbled after Gorman Thomas ran by and possibly distracted him. One run scored.

Twice the inning should have been over. Then Charlie Moore knocked a single to right, plating two more runs. Three unearned runs that inning in all.

And that is all the Brewers would need. They scored eight in all, led by Ted Simmons’ 3-for-5, two runs scored and two RBI. But the real story was once again Mike Caldwell.

Caldwell was sharp again, allowing only two runs on eight hits in seven innings for his third straight win and sixth in his last seven starts. Now 13-11, he was the “much maligned Mike Caldwell” prior to the managerial change in June.

“When you are left in a situation where you have to go get ’em and you get out of them,” Caldwell explained, “it builds confidence.”

Rollie Fingers and Dwight Bernard pitched a perfect inning apiece to close it out.

Now that Don Sutton is on the staff (YES! WE GOT DON SUTTON!), the Brewers suddenly look very impressive with a 1-2-3 of Pete Vuckovich, Sutton and Caldwell. And Bob McClure has looked awfully good lately as well.

Speaking of Sutton, the Brewers were forced to make a move today to make room for him on the roster. They chose to designate Jerry Augustine for assignment. Augustine was 1-3 with a 4.88 ERA this season in 19 appearances, two of them starts and one complete game.

“Looking at the overall make-up of our pitching staff,” GM Harry Dalton explained, “it just seemed the most sensible move to make.”

It’s tough to argue. Since spring, Augustine has been hanging on to his spot by the skin of his teeth. It’s surprising he’s lasted this long.

Augustine’s best season with the Brewers was in 1979 when he went 9-6 with a 3.45 ERA.