The Astros advance to the World Series for the first time

The Astros advance to the World Series for the first time

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Astros, one of six teams to have never played in the World Series, break the franchise’s 43-year drought and advance to the Fall Classic, beating the Cardinals in the NLCS, 5-1. Houston had been close before, coming up short five times in their history in a game with the NL flag on the line, including being one strike away in Game 5 before Albert Pujols dashed the hometown dreams by hitting a two-strike, two out three-run ninth-inning homer, forcing a Game 6 in St. Louis.

The Montreal Canadiens pay tribute to the departed Expos team by raising a commemorative banner to the rafters of Montreal’s Bell Centre. Displaced mascot Youppi, working in his first game for the NHL team, and former players Gary Carter and Andre Dawson are on hand to assist in the hoisting of the blue and orange banner that features their retired numbers, 8 and 10, respectively, as well as the numbers for Tim Raines (30) and Rusty Staub (10).

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Montreal Canadiens pay tribute to the departed Expos team by raising a commemorative banner to the rafters of Montreal’s Bell Centre. Displaced mascot Youppi, working in his first game for the NHL team, and former players Gary Carter and Andre Dawson are on hand to assist in the hoisting of the blue and orange banner that features their retired numbers, 8 and 10, respectively, as well as the numbers for Tim Raines (30) and Rusty Staub (10).

The juiced Minute Maid Park crowd, anticipating the Astros’ first National League crown, after the first two batters are quickly retired, is ‘pulverized’ when Albert Pujols hits a two out three-run ninth-inning homer. A two-strike single stroked by David Eckstein and a walk worked out by Jim Edmonds set the stage for the Cardinals’ dramatic 5-4 comeback..

ByBaseball

The juiced Minute Maid Park crowd, anticipating the Astros’ first National League crown, after the first two batters are quickly retired, is ‘pulverized’ when Albert Pujols hits a two out three-run ninth-inning homer. A two-strike single stroked by David Eckstein and a walk worked out by Jim Edmonds set the stage for the Cardinals’ dramatic 5-4 comeback..

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Jason Lane homers and Morgan Ensberg hits the decisive sacrifice fly to nip the Cardinals, 2-1, giving Houston a 3-1 edge in the N.L.C.S. Brandon Backe and four relievers hold St. Louis to just five hits. Frustrations spill over for the Redbirds as skipper Tony LaRussa and slugger Jim Edmonds are ejected for arguing pitches with home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. Sparkling defense ends the ninth when Eric Bruntlett and Adam Everett turn a double play on John Mabry’s roller. 

ByTom

2005 – Jason Lane homers and Morgan Ensberg hits the decisive sacrifice fly to nip the Cardinals, 2-1, giving Houston a 3-1 edge in the N.L.C.S. Brandon Backe and four relievers hold St. Louis to just five hits. Frustrations spill over for the Redbirds as skipper Tony LaRussa and slugger Jim Edmonds are ejected for arguing pitches with home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi. Sparkling defense ends the ninth when Eric Bruntlett and Adam Everett turn a double play on John Mabry’s roller. 

The Chicago White Sox clinch the American League pennant this is the White Sox’s first trip to the World Series since 1959.

The Chicago White Sox clinch the American League pennant this is the White Sox’s first trip to the World Series since 1959.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Chicago White Sox clinch the American League pennant with a 6 – 3 victory over the Angels at Angel Stadium. Jose Contreras becomes the fourth consecutive White Sox pitcher to throw a complete game, the first time this has happened since the 1956 New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers behind five straight complete games from Whitey Ford, Tom Sturdivant, Don Larsen (who pitched a perfect game), Bob Turley and Johnny Kucks. This is the White Sox’s first trip to the World Series since 1959.

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2005 – Houston grabs a 2-1 lead in the N.L.C.S. with a 4-3 triumph over St. Louis. Mike Lamb doubles and homers to key a pair of two-run rallies  while Roger Clemens, Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge hold the Redbirds to seven hits. Craig Biggio adds a pair of hits. 

ByTom

2005 – Houston grabs a 2-1 lead in the N.L.C.S. with a 4-3 triumph over St. Louis. Mike Lamb doubles and homers to key a pair of two-run rallies  while Roger Clemens, Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge hold the Redbirds to seven hits. Craig Biggio adds a pair of hits. 

In the ALCS, Freddy Garcia continues the powerful pitching parade that has guided the Chicago White Sox to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by tossing a complete game as the Angels are defeated, 8 – 2. Paul Konerko hits a three-run home run off Ervin Santana in the 1st inning, the second straight game in which he has gone deep in the 1st. Garcia joins Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle to give the White Sox a formidable streak of three consecutive complete games.

ByBaseball

In the ALCS, Freddy Garcia continues the powerful pitching parade that has guided the Chicago White Sox to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series by tossing a complete game as the Angels are defeated, 8 – 2. Paul Konerko hits a three-run home run off Ervin Santana in the 1st inning, the second straight game in which he has gone deep in the 1st. Garcia joins Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle to give the White Sox a formidable streak of three consecutive complete games.

After negotiations have broken down with their skipper, the A’s line up five candidates to replace outgoing manager Ken Macha, who appears to be the top choice for many other teams. A week later, GM Billy Beane and his former field boss agree to a surprising new three-year deal.

ByTom

After negotiations have broken down with their skipper, the A’s line up five candidates to replace outgoing manager Ken Macha, who appears to be the top choice for many other teams. A week later, GM Billy Beane and his former field boss agree to a surprising new three-year deal.

After negotiations have broken down with their skipper, the A’s line up five candidates to replace outgoing manager Ken Macha, who appears to be the top choice for many other teams. A week later, GM Billy Beane and his former field boss agree to a surprising new three-year deal.

ByBaseball

After negotiations have broken down with their skipper, the A’s line up five candidates to replace outgoing manager Ken Macha, who appears to be the top choice for many other teams. A week later, GM Billy Beane and his former field boss agree to a surprising new three-year deal.

2005 – Roy Oswalt works seven innings of five-hit one-run ball and Brad Lidge throws two scoreless innings in relief as the Houston Astros pass the St. Louis Cardinals, 4 – 1. Rookie outfielder Chris Burke keeps up his unlikely postseason hitting, scoring two runs and driving in another with a two-out single. Burke came through in the NLDS with an 18th-inning walk-off home run that knocked out Atlanta, and he had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in Houston’s Game 1 loss to St. Louis. Houston evens the best-of-seven series at one game apiece and heads home for the next three contests.

ByBaseball

2005 – Roy Oswalt works seven innings of five-hit one-run ball and Brad Lidge throws two scoreless innings in relief as the Houston Astros pass the St. Louis Cardinals, 4 – 1. Rookie outfielder Chris Burke keeps up his unlikely postseason hitting, scoring two runs and driving in another with a two-out single. Burke came through in the NLDS with an 18th-inning walk-off home run that knocked out Atlanta, and he had a pinch-hit, two-run homer in Houston’s Game 1 loss to St. Louis. Houston evens the best-of-seven series at one game apiece and heads home for the next three contests.