citrin@ucbvax.UUCP (Wayne Citrin) (07/27/84)
I hear that the Tigers have already been given a magic number. It was 51 a few days ago, so it must be below 50 by now. This is the earliest I've ever seen anyone talk about magic numbers. Connected with this, I don't have my record book available, so perhaps someone could tell me the earliest date a team has clinched the pennant (both by game number and calendar date). Also, what is the widest margin by which a team has won a pennant? Wayne Citrin (ucbvax!citrin)
douglas@noscvax.UUCP (08/03/84)
Quoted from the '84 Detroit Tigers Score Book and Official Program: "To determine the 'magic number' in a pennant race, compute the number ot games yet to be played, add one, then subract the number of games ahead in the loss column of the standings, from the closest opponent." So on the morning of August 3, the Tigers' "magic number" with w.r.t. Toronto is 56 + 1 - 11 = 46. Trammell is back--Morris has his head back in the game--Go Tigers!!! Doug Dickerson douglas@nosc sdcsvax!noscvax!douglas
ags@pucc-i (Seaman) (08/06/84)
> Quoted from the '84 Detroit Tigers Score Book and Official Program: > > "To determine the 'magic number' in a pennant race, compute > the number ot games yet to be played, add one, then subract > the number of games ahead in the loss column of the standings, > from the closest opponent." If you apply that formula today, it tells you what Detroit needs to finish ahead of Toronto in the final standings. It does not guarantee that Detroit will finish any higher than sixth (with Toronto seventh). Incidentally, there is an even easier formula: Magic Number = GS + 1 - W1 - L2 where: GS = games in season = 162 W1 = games won by first-place team L2 = games lost by second-place team. The "official" version appears to involve L1 (= games lost by first-place team), but this number appears twice and cancels out: "Official" Magic Number = (Games Left) + 1 - (Difference in Losses) = (GS - W1 - L1) + 1 - (L2 - L1) = GS + 1 - W1 - L2. -- Dave Seaman My hovercraft is no longer full of ..!pur-ee!pucc-i:ags eels (thanks to my confused cat).
rodean@hpfclo.UUCP (rodean) (08/08/84)
I wouldn't start counting yet. The Royals just swept them four games straight. No flames about not seeing Morris on the mound. Bruce "Let's go K.C." Rodean [ihnp4|hplabs]!hpfcla!rodean