Soccer Dad

2006 world series trivia

Well it's a replay of the 1968 World Series when the Tigers beat the Cardinals in 7.

The series is also between Jeff Weaver's original team and his current team. When he was with Detroit he was a promising young pitcher; one of the best. Now he's a reclamation project for Dave Duncan.

The winning manager of the this series will share a distinction with Sparky Anderson as having won world championships in both leagues.

UPDATE: I noticed that of ESPN's 16 (I think) experts 7 didn't name the correct winner for any of the playoff series. And of course not a single one predicted either Detroit or St. Louis to be in the World Series. You'd think it was all luck or something.

At least three of the Cardinals used to be with the Angels - Eckstein, Speizio and Edmonds - and the first two were on the World Championship team in 2002. Speizio's father was on the 1968 Cardinals team.

I heard on ESPN radio this morning that the Cards and Tigers have met two other times in the World Series. Not just in 1968 but also in 1934 (St. Louis won.) So they're 4 years overdue; unless you want to say that Eckstein and Speizio were there on time.

Also Peter Gammons said that Jim Leyland was the manager of the AAA Toledo Mud Hens in 1980 and was considering whether to stay with the Tigers organization - eventually being Sparky Anderson's heir - or move on. Well he's succeeded Sparky, but a decade late.

BTW Leyland won the title with the 1997 Marlins of the NL and LaRussa won with the 1989 Athletics of the AL.

The Yankees, of course, have the most world titles with 26. The Cardinals are #2 with 9. The Tigers aren't exactly slouches with 4.

Technorati tags: World Series, Baseball, Jim Leyland, Tony LaRussa, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals.