May 16, 1984 - Saying Goodbye to Another 1984 Hero

No, Phil Niekro isn't dead.  Read the latest RIP, though, after the game recap...

Game #457 - Oakland A's, 1 @ New  York Yankees, 6

Bruce Bochte singled home Dave Kingman in the top of the second inning to give Oakland an early 1-0 lead.  But the Yankees would rally back in the bottom half of the inning courtesy of a two run homer by Omar Moreno.  It was his first long ball of the season, which isn't surprising considering he only hit four of them in the real 1984.

Steve Kemp hit a solo bomb too, in the fourth, to extend the lead to 4-1, New York.  Ray Burris has been rocked as a starter this season, despite having a 2-7 rating in Statis Pro.  Phil Niekro has been roughed up a bit too, but he was masterful this time around.  He went eight innings and walked none while striking out two.  The win gives New York a three game sweep of the Athletics, who continue to tumble down the AL West standings after a hot start.

Winning Pitcher - Phil Niekro
Losing Pitcher - Ray Burris
Player of the Game - Niekro
Hall of Famers in the Game - Rickey Henderson, Joe Morgan, Dave Winfield, Phil Niekro

Rest in Peace

In an unfortunate coincidence, this was the first Statis Pro game I played since learning 1984 veteran Tony Phillips passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack.  He was Ben Zorbist before Ben Zorbist, able to play anywhere on the field and get on base at a healthy clip.  Though he spent the majority of his career in Oakland, I remember him most from his Detroit Tigers days, which overlapped with the years I used to live in Michigan.  He was a feisty spark plug whom his teammates loved.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends, fans, and family...