Hous/L.A. Notes

The Houston Astros, now in the A.L. West have baseball’s best record while the L.A. Dodgers, still in the N.L. West have the National League top mark.

The Astros and Dodgers staged memorable showdowns for the N.L. West title in both 1980 and 1981 when it was a legitimate one fourth title, though ’81 was a strike marred season, forcing an extra round of ‘offs which is sadly, now the case each year. Also there is a bogus one game round of 10/pre quarterfinals.

L.A.won 3 regular season home games to force a home one game playoff in 1980. Joe Niekro, for my money a better pitcher than his Hall of Fame brother, Phil, beat L.A. in that game.

In ’81 the Dodgers returned home having to win all 3 games which they did, the final one vs the extremely over rated Nolan Ryan.