1983 Nashville Sounds season
Encyclopedia
The Nashville Sounds 1983 season was the franchise's sixth year of play. The team finished the regular season with a record of 88 wins and 58 losses. In post-season play, the team had two wins and three losses; they were eliminated in the Western Division championship series.
, frustrated with the team's disappointing first half, instituted a system of fines for player infractions or poor performance on the field. The program ranged from a $10 fine for a pitcher walking a batter with one on and two outs to a $100 fine for missing curfew. Rebounding, Nashville won the second half pennant, earning the team a shot at the Western Division championship.
One highlight of the season included an exhibition game against their major league parent club, the New York Yankees
, on April 28, 1983. New York had a four run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a five-run rally with two outs propelled the Sounds to a 5–4 win in front of 13,641 fans.
One harrowing event took place on June 21 during a road trip to Orlando, Florida
. While walking back to the hotel with teammates Scott Bradley
, Mike Pagliarulo
, and Buck Showalter
, Nashville's Erik Peterson was hit by an automobile. When he began to convulse, Bradley put his fingers down Peterson’s throat to keep him from swallowing his tongue. He survived, but with a bruised leg and several lacerations to the head, and he was able to return to play later in the season.
The Sounds also served as the host and the competition for the mid-season Southern League All-Star Game. The all-stars recorded the victory with a score of three runs to two.
in the best-of-five Western Division series. The teams split the first two games played at Birmingham. Nashville then lost the first home contest, giving the Barons a 2–1 lead. Though the Sounds tied the series with a game four win, the Barons won the last game, eliminating Nashville.
had the best fielding percentage amount third basemen in the league (.954).
Regular season
Nashville finished the first half of the season in second-place. Manager Doug HolmquistDoug Holmquist
Douglas Leonard Holmquist was an American minor league baseball player and manager, as well as Major League Baseball coach for the New York Yankees. He played professionally from to and managed and/or coached from to...
, frustrated with the team's disappointing first half, instituted a system of fines for player infractions or poor performance on the field. The program ranged from a $10 fine for a pitcher walking a batter with one on and two outs to a $100 fine for missing curfew. Rebounding, Nashville won the second half pennant, earning the team a shot at the Western Division championship.
One highlight of the season included an exhibition game against their major league parent club, the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, on April 28, 1983. New York had a four run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but a five-run rally with two outs propelled the Sounds to a 5–4 win in front of 13,641 fans.
One harrowing event took place on June 21 during a road trip to Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. While walking back to the hotel with teammates Scott Bradley
Scott Bradley (baseball)
Scott William Bradley is a former Major League Baseball catcher in the major leagues from to . He played for the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Cincinnati Reds. He is currently the head coach of Princeton University's baseball team.On June 26, 1986, Bradley was traded...
, Mike Pagliarulo
Mike Pagliarulo
Michael Timothy Pagliarulo, aka "Pags" , is a former Major League Baseball third baseman during the 1980s and into the mid 1990s...
, and Buck Showalter
Buck Showalter
William Nathaniel "Buck" Showalter III is an American Major League Baseball manager for the Baltimore Orioles. He has previously served in a similar capacity with the New York Yankees , Arizona Diamondbacks , and Texas Rangers...
, Nashville's Erik Peterson was hit by an automobile. When he began to convulse, Bradley put his fingers down Peterson’s throat to keep him from swallowing his tongue. He survived, but with a bruised leg and several lacerations to the head, and he was able to return to play later in the season.
The Sounds also served as the host and the competition for the mid-season Southern League All-Star Game. The all-stars recorded the victory with a score of three runs to two.
Season standings
| Southern League - Western Division | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Win | Loss | % | GB |
| Birmingham Barons Birmingham Barons The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club.... |
91 | 54 | .628 | — |
| Nashville Sounds | 88 | 58 | .603 | 3½ |
| Chattanooga Lookouts Chattanooga Lookouts The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts... |
68 | 75 | .476 | 22 |
| Knoxville Blue Jays | 64 | 82 | .438 | 27½ |
| Memphis Chicks Memphis Chicks The Memphis Chicks were an American minor league baseball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Chicks were charter members of the Southern Association from 1901 until November 18, 1960, when the club folded and was transferred to Macon, Georgia for 1961.The Chicks suffered a... |
61 | 85 | .418 | 30½ |
Game log
| 1983 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Western Division finals
The second half champion Sounds faced the first half champion Birmingham BaronsBirmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
in the best-of-five Western Division series. The teams split the first two games played at Birmingham. Nashville then lost the first home contest, giving the Barons a 2–1 lead. Though the Sounds tied the series with a game four win, the Barons won the last game, eliminating Nashville.
| 1983 Post-season | |
|---|---|
Roster
| 1983 Nashville Sounds roster | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches/Other | ||||||
Pitchers
|
Catchers
Scott Bradley (baseball) Scott William Bradley is a former Major League Baseball catcher in the major leagues from to . He played for the Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Cincinnati Reds. He is currently the head coach of Princeton University's baseball team.On June 26, 1986, Bradley was traded... Bill Lindsey William Donald Lindsey is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. He played during one season at the major league level for the Chicago White Sox. He was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in... Infielders
|
Outfielders
Tom Dodd Thomas Marion Dodd is a former Major League Baseball player. He is likely best remembered for being one of the players included in the deal that brought Fred McGriff to the Toronto Blue Jays as a minor league prospect.-Yankee farmhand:... Victor Mata Victor Jose Mata Abreu is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played during two seasons at the major league level for the New York Yankees. He was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in... |
Manager
Doug Holmquist Douglas Leonard Holmquist was an American minor league baseball player and manager, as well as Major League Baseball coach for the New York Yankees. He played professionally from to and managed and/or coached from to... Coaches
|
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Awards and honors
Matt Gallegos was chosen as "Best Hustler" for the league's post-season All-Star team. Mike PagliaruloMike Pagliarulo
Michael Timothy Pagliarulo, aka "Pags" , is a former Major League Baseball third baseman during the 1980s and into the mid 1990s...
had the best fielding percentage amount third basemen in the league (.954).