1983 Nashville Sounds season

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.

Regular season

Nashville finished the first half of the season in second-place. Manager Doug Holmquist, 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.

Season standings

Post-season

Western Division finals

The second half champion Sounds faced the first half champion Birmingham Barons 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.

Roster

Awards and honors

Matt Gallegos was chosen as "Best Hustler" for the league's post-season All-Star team. Mike Pagliarulo had the best fielding percentage amount third basemen in the league (.954).

References

• Statistics: "1983 Nashville Sounds Statistics." The Baseball Cube. Retrieved on 18 April 2008.
• Standings: "1983 Southern League Review." The Baseball Cube. Retrieved on 18 April 2008.
• Post-season results: "Postseason History." Nashville Sounds 2008 Media Guide. 2008: 144.
• Roster: "1983 Nashville Roster." The Baseball Cube. Retrieved on 18 April 2008.
• Specific: