Toby Harrah

Fingers Hurt, Sutton Debuts in Split

September 2

Brewers 2, Indians 1 (Game 1)
Box Score
Indians 4, Brewers 2 (Game 2)
Box Score
Brewers now 79-54 (1st by 4.5 games)
Season Schedule

Rollie FIngers — Rollie Fingers left Game 1 with an injured forearm.

MILWAUKEE — Remember when the season-opening two-game series with the Indians in Milwaukee was snowed out? Well, the Brewers and Indians found a time to play it — today in a doubleheader.

Game 1 brought concern about possibly the team’s best arm. Game 2 brought hope about the new one.

The Brewers scored a run in each the first and third innings of the first game thanks to RBI singles by Ben Oglivie and Gorman Thomas. The team would reach on only two other hits in the game against starter Rick Sutcliffe, but it’s all they would need.

Moose Haas allowed a run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings while Dwight Bernard, Rollie Fingers and Pete Ladd combined to throw 2 2/3 innings of no-hit ball.

Why, you ask, was Fingers mentioned second? Why didn’t the closer finish the game? That’s the concern.

Fingers struck out the side in the eighth, but walked Mike Hargrove to lead off the top of the ninth. After Toby Harrah bunted the runner to second, Fingers threw two pitches to Al Thornton. After the second, he clutched his throwing arm and was done for the game.

Initial reaction was panic. Fingers had already missed some time recently with a sore elbow. Had it gotten worse?

“It’s a muscle in his forearm,” manager Harvey Kuenn assured us. “We’ll know more tomorrow, but it’s nothing serious.”

Certainly a relief, and hopefully Fingers won’t miss any additional time.

Pete Ladd picked up where Fingers left off and struck out the final two batters to end the game.

Game 2 was the much anticipated Brewers debut for Don Sutton, acquired near the deadline from the Houston Astros. Though he wasn’t perfect, Sutton was able to get himself out of trouble through the first eight innings.

The Brewers entered the top of the ninth with a chance to win both games at an identical 2-1 score. After retiring Toby Harrah on a foul pop-up, Thornton and Ron Hassey singled to center to put the go-ahead run on.

Pitching coach Pat Dobson then paid a visit to the mound to talk to Sutton. To the delight of the Brewers faithful, who roared with approval, Sutton was left in to face the dangerous Von Hayes.

Hayes promptly hit a three-run home run and the Brewers weren’t able to recover.

“I’d have to say that the response and reception I received tonight had to be one of my biggest thrills in baseball,” Sutton said after the game. “I was nervous to pitch and each time I went out they made me feel twice as good.

“I wish I could have given them a ninth inning finish that merited the response.”

It’s okay, Don. You dazzled for eight innings. We saw glimmers of what is to come.

To be frank, the Crew was lucky to win one game after combining for four runs on 12 hits in the two games. It was not a performance befitting the nickname “Harvey’s Wallbangers.”

The Brewers remain 4 1/2 games up on the Red Sox and next host the California Angels for a three game series beginning tomorrow.

Indians Throw Away Game to Brewers

July 31

Brewers 4, Indians 2
Brewers now 58-42 (1st by .5 game over Boston)
Box Score | Season Schedule

Mike Caldwell recovered from a rough first inning to dominate the Indians.

MILWAUKEE — This was one of those games that the Brewers didn’t deserve to win. But if you want to get technical, the Cleveland Indians deserved to win it even less.

It was both American Legion Day and Wisconsin Tavern League Day, and in the bottom of the first inning the Indians would play defense like a bunch of drunk teenagers. But we’ll get to that.

With one down in the top of the first, Toby Harrah and Mike Hargrove hit back-to-back home runs off of Brewers starter Mike Caldwell to give the Indians an early 2-0 lead. The Indians had already hit six home runs off of the Brewers in two-plus games while “Harvey’s Wallbangers” had yet to hit one. It didn’t look good.

But then one of the most ridiculous half innings in recent memory happened. After Gorman Thomas singled in Paul Molitor to make it a 2-1 game, Ben Oglivie hit a liner right at second baseman Larry Milbourne with Robin Yount at third and Thomas at first. Thomas ventured a little too far off of first, and Milbourne fired over in an attempt to turn the inning ending double play. Instead…

What happened next could easily be written in the longest run-on sentence in the history of the English language. But instead, I’ll break it down as succinctly as possible:

1) Milbourne’s throw sailed wide and off of Hargrove’s glove at first.
2) Hargrove and Thomas collided and fell to the ground.
3) Yount took off for home plate.
4) Hargrove de-tangled himself from Gorman Thomas, picked up the ball and fired it home. That ball sailed over a divin Robin Yount and catcher Chris Bando‘s glove.
5) Thomas took off for second, and when the Indians were slow to track down the errant throw, he headed for third.
6) Bando found the ball, fired towards third base and into left field.
7) Gorman Thomas scored.

Three errors on one play that led to two runs. It was a play you’ll typically only see in youth league baseball.

While it was a lead the Brewers would not relinquish, the win could ultimately be attributed to their pitching. The only additional run scored in this game was on a Gorman Thomas double play ball in the third. After a shaky first inning in which he allowed two runs on three hits, Mike Caldwell settled down to dominate the Indians through the eighth. He’d shut out Cleveland for the next seven innings, allowing only two hits. Then Rollie Fingers took the mound to throw a perfect ninth for his 23rd save.

The win moved the Brewers back into first place, a half game ahead of the Boston Red Sox, who fell 7-5 to the White Sox.

Thornton Slam Erases Vuke’s Gem

July 29

Indians 5, Brewers 1 (12)
Brewers now 57-41 (2nd)
Box Score | Season Schedule

1982 Topps Stickers Pete Vuckovich — Vuckovich did all he could for 11 innings.

MILWAUKEE — For 11 innings, Brewers starter Pete Vuckovich did all he could to win today’s game. He allowed only a single run on 10 hits and three walks. He threw 140 pitches. He threw his heart and soul. And all he needed was two runs from his heavy hitting teammates.

It shouldn’t have been difficult. The opposing starting pitcher was Len Barker, who had a career record of 1-6 against the Brewers. And knowing how easily Harvey’s Wallbangers typically score runs, Vuke’s effort should have been more than enough.

Instead, Barker matched him pitch for pitch through 10 innings. Like Vuckovich, he allowed only a single run before giving way to the bullpen in the 11th inning.

Unlike Vuckovich’s bullpen, Barker’s did the job. Closer Rollie Fingers had the day off, so the ball instead fell into the reliable hand of Jim Slaton. Normally reliable, at least.

This time, Slaton ran into immediate trouble. Jack Perconte led off with a single to right. Miguel Dilone bunted him to second. Slaton threw a wild pitch. Toby Harrah walked. Mike Hargrove walked to load the bases. And then Andre Thornton blasted an 0-1 pitch into the left field seats for a grand slam.

A grand slam. Really? Vuke goes 11 innings, allowing only a single run. And Slaton gives up four runs before he can get two outs?

“It was just one of those nights,” manager Harvey Kuenn explained afterwards. “Jimmy didn’t have hits best stuff.” No kidding.

That’s just how it rolls sometimes, I guess. And while it’s convenient to blame Slaton, we shouldn’t forget the offense that could score only a run through 12 innings. They also had their opportunities.

They had runners at first and second in the second inning, but Marshall Edwards lined to short. Runners at second and third with one out in the third, but Cecil Cooper popped out and Ted Simmons struck out. Bases loaded in the 11th, but Paul Molitor popped to right.

So the offense certainly deserves some blame. In fact, you can blame everyone for this loss. Everyone, that is, other than Vuckovich.

For the longest stretch under Kuenn, it was as if this team could not lose. And if they did lose, four wins would immediately follow. Now, however, they’re in the midst of a 4-6 stretch. It’s a stretch that would seem normal for any other team. But one that is hard to comprehend for this team that was unbeatable a short while ago.

“You can’t expect to play .700 baseball throughout the whole year,” Kuenn said.

He’s right. But the loss coupled with Boston’s win over the White Sox dropped the Brewers to second place, a half game back of the AL East lead.

Letters (6/25/1982 Milwaukee Sentinel)

June 25

The following is extracted from the “Letters” in the Milwaukee Sentinel sports section from June 25, 1982. Enjoy!

Caldwell, Simmons are Needed

To The Sentinel:

Replying to what’s-his-name from Sheboygan regarding Mike Caldwell‘s spurious remark about Buck Rodgers, allow me to point out that you are subject to the same sin when you say “get rid of him.”

1982 Fleer Ted Simmons — Brewers fans are full of opinions when it comes to Ted Simmons.

It’s true that the “10 game” remark was not sporting — but then baseball pitchers like you and I often say things in a flash of temper that we really don’t mean. For every effect, there must be a cause and after 10 years of nagging and mishandling, any man of guts will strike out.

A lot of the same sentiment was in the minds of other Brewers, too, only it didn’t get printed. We need Caldwell. At his mediocre best, he’s better than most and when he’s hot, nobody is going to hit him (least of all, YOU).

While I’m at it, let’s consider the other man, that fellow behind the plate, Simmons. This is just conjecture, of course, but I venture to say that here is a case of professional jealousy. How could Buck Rodgers tell a man who is 20 times as good at catching than Buck ever was how to do his job. He couldn’t and he knew it, so he belittled Simmons — every chance he got.

Fill Buck’s glass with a bit more of his Chivas Regal (25 bucks a bottle). That’s what it’s all about for Buck anyway. All BUCKS.

Meanwhile, Harvey Kuenn will go on to be one of the best managers in baseball because of the men who surround him and because of the mutual respect they have for one another.

Thank you,

“CALDWELL AND SIMMONS FAN”
Milwaukee

He says end fan balloting

To The Sentinel:

I know it’s been said over and over, but it’s time to do away with the fan balloting for the All-Star game.

When Robin Yount is second to anybody, (especially Bucky Dent), and Cecil Cooper continues to be ignored as the American League’s best first baseman something must be done.

With Reggie Jackson and Dave Winfield running one and two in the outfield there’s little wonder the AL loses every year. They are just not fielding their best team.

In a recent trip to County Stadium, I felt obligated to stuff the ballot box by voting for every Brewer except Ted Simmons even though Toby Harrah and Willie Wilson deserved my vote.

This brings me to another point. Ted Simmons is presently second in the fan balloting. He isn’t even the second best catcher on the Brewers, let alone the American League. He must be getting a lot of votes from National League cities.

BRAD McNULTY
Peshtigo, Wis.

Brewers need pitching

To The Sentinel:

I’ve been a Brewer fan since the ballclub came from Seattle. I’ve taken their side on all arguments. But the way they are handling the Ted Simmons problem has finally gone too far.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the club needs pitching. The Brewers have two pitchers on their farm club that could help right now. It became apparent after the Baltimore game that Ted’s skills have taken a bad turn. There is no excuse for not knowing how many outs there were in a game. If they can’t trade him, at least send him to a farm club where he can play everyday. There he can get the help he needs. If Simmons was any kind of a team man, or just a man, he should ask for this move.

KEN LALK
Menomonee Falls

April 13-15 Series Preview @ Cleveland

April 13

Match-ups
April 13 at 11:00 am
Randy Lerch (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Lary Sorensen (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

April 14 at 1:05 pm
Pete Vuckovich (1-0, 6.00 ERA) vs. John Denny (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

April 15 at 4:00 pm
Mike Caldwell (0-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. Bert Blyleven (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

1982 Records
Milwaukee Brewers: 2-1 (1st in AL East)
Cleveland Indians: 1-1 (2nd in AL East)