Fall Classic Rewind

1978 World Series Game 5 and 6

Sunday October 15th @ Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, New York

Tuesday October 17th @ Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, California

After being down two games to none to start this series, the Yankees have evened things up in the Fall Classic, and they look to keep things rolling here in game five. No team has yet to overcome a 2 - 0 deficit by winning four straight, but if any team could be the first, it would be Bob Lemon’s Yankees. They’ve certainly had their share of good fortune here at Yankee Stadium, and they have capitalized on nearly every Dodger’s mistake. Misplays, errors, and just rotten luck have been the story of Tommy Lasorda’s squad the past few days. Whether it was Graig Nettles incredible reflexes, Bucky Dent’s unrelenting hustle, or Reggie Jackson’s ‘subtle’ hip movement, there was always something in the way for Los Angeles, not to mention a costly errors in the field and on the bases from the usually reliable Bill Russell. If they don’t clean up their act soon, they will lose their second straight World Series.

Since the Yankees evened this series at two games apiece, we are guaranteed at least one game back in Los Angeles. Who will have the advantage heading in to game six will come down to the pitching matchup in game five. For the Yankees it will be rookie righty Jim Beattie(6 - 9 3.73 ERA 128 IP). The former Dartmouth basketball star was shaky, but effective against the Royals in the ALCS, but he hasn’t pitched in nearly two weeks. The Dodgers will send Burt Hooton (19 - 10 2.71 ERA 236 IP) to the mound, and although he’s been their best regular season pitcher the past few seasons, his postseason starts have been hit or miss. He can be brilliant, but if that knuckle-curve isn’t dancing, ‘Happy’ Hooton can make his hot-tempered manager furious. In game six, it will be a match-up of future Hall-of-Famers and 200 game winners, Don Sutton (15 - 11 3.55 ERA 238 IP) and Catfish Hunter (12 - 6 3.58 ERA 118 IP). Ultimately this series will come down to who can come up with the big hit. Will it be the stars, like Reggie Jackson or Steve Garvey? Or maybe it will be someone unheralded, like a pair of scrappy middle-infielders?

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube. NBC broadcast with Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, Tom Seaver, and Curt Gowdy

Game 5

Game 6 - some CBS radio with Bill White

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Saturday October 14th, 1978 @ Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, New York

The sun is out on a Saturday afternoon in the Bronx, but rain clouds are looming in the distance. Thanks to an outstanding defensive game from third baseman Graig Nettles, the Yankees took game three in convincing fashion to avoid going down three games to none in this series against the Dodgers. If they hope to even things at two games apiece, the Yanks will need a much better effort from their starting pitcher, Ed Figueroa (20 - 9 2.99 ERA 253 IP). The Puerto Rican right-hander has been lit up in his previous postseason starts, but New York manager Bob Lemon has a lot of trust in the guy who has won the third most games in the American League the past three seasons. For Los Angeles, it will be veteran lefty Tommy John (17 - 10 3.30 ERA 213 IP) taking the ball. John was solid, but unspectacular in a blowout game one win. His reconstructed left elbow has been a dependable weapon for manager Tommy Lasorda, though John’s approach is pitch-to-contact, which could be an issue given the shaky infield defense the Dodgers have displayed of late. Of greater concern, though, has been the Dodgers' struggles with runners in scoring position. Los Angeles stranded eleven men on base in game three, and they were unable to deliver the big hit despite that constant opportunity. If Los Angeles wants to maintain control of this series, they can’t let those opportunities slip away again.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube - NBC broadcast with Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, Tom Seaver, and Curt Gowdy

CBS radio with Ross Porter, Win Elliot, and Bill White

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1978 World Series Game 3

Friday October 13th, 1978 @ Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, New York

As the series heads east, the Dodgers are in strong position, up two games to none. Game one was a blowout, thanks to a power outburst from LAD 2B Davey Lopes, but game two was nail biter. Ron Cey drove in all four runs, including a go-ahead three run homer off of Catfish Hunter in the 6th inning. The Yankees had the tying and go-ahead runners on base in the ninth for Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson, and Tommy Lasorda turned to rookie fireballer Bob Welch to hold the line. With incredible determination and guile, the kid came through, forcing Munson to fly out and striking out Jackson after an epic nine pitch battle. The crowd was electric, and while they would love another opportunity to cheer on their squad, the LA faithful are hoping the Boys in Blue take care of business in New York.

In previous World Series, only five teams had ever overcome a 2 - 0 deficit, the most recent being the 1971 Pirates. And in each of those series where a team did come back, they had to do it in seven games. The task is hard, but it is nigh impossible if you go down 3 - 0 in the series. No team has ever overcome a 3 - 0 deficit in a World Series, so the Yankees are desperate to win this one. Good thing that they have the best pitcher in the world going for them, Ron Guidry (25 -3 1.74 ERA 273 IP). The young lefty has been sensational the entire year, but it has been quite the workload he’s compiled. For a pitcher who relies on plus stuff matched with plus command, fatigue could hamper his effectiveness. If the Gator isn’t missing bats like usual, he’ll need his defense to be sharp, particularly the left side with Bucky Dent and Graig Nettles.

On the other side, the Dodgers will turn to Don Sutton (15 - 11 3.55 ERA 238 IP). The future Hall-of-Famer picked up his 200th career win during the regular season, however 1978 was probably his weakest year in nearly a decade. Sutton, who entering the playoffs had never lost a postseason start, got shelled against the Phillies in the NLCS. He’ll need to be much sharper if the Dodgers hope to take an insurmountable lead in this series.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube - NBC broadcast with Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, and Tom Seaver

As always, shoutout to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1978 World Series Games 1 and 2

Tuesday October 10th and Wednesday October 11th @ Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles Dodgers (95 - 67) and the New York Yankees (100 - 63) meet yet again in the World Series. Behind the heroics of Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, the Yankees took last year’s Fall Classic in six games, securing the 21st championship in their franchise’s dominant history. If they’re going to repeat as champions, it will be with a new manager, as Bob Lemon replaced Billy Martin in July. The Yanks turned their season around under the stewardship of Lemon, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a pitcher in 1976. His cool, calm, and collected manner was in stark contrast to the explosive Martin; still, there are rumors abound that owner George Steinbrenner regretted firing the firebrand (technically Martin resigned for ‘health reasons’), and even wanted him back as manager within a matter of days. You can’t deny the success the Yankees have had under Lemon, but they’ll need to win it all to satisfy the Boss. And even that might not keep him happy for long.

The Dodgers dispatched the Phillies in four games, winning the series in walk-off fashion with a Bill Russell single to score Ron Cey. Their offense was hitting on all cylinders in the NLCS, and it was their vaunted All-Star infield that led the way. The aforementioned left side (Russell and Cey) combined for 12 hits and 5 RBI in the four games, only to be outdone by the right side. Team Captain 2B Davey Lopes and former MVP 1B Steve Garvey combined for 14 hits, 6 home runs, and 12 RBI, with Garvey taking home NLCS MVP honors. It has been truly inspired play from this core group, who lost their mentor, hitting and infield coach Jim Gilliam, just a few days ago. His memorial service is planned before the start of game two. 

Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda desperately wants to start this series with a pair of wins, so to defend home-field advantage he will turn to the top two in his excellent rotation, Tommy John and Burt Hooton. John is coming off of a shutout against Philly, and Hooton is as good as anyone when that knuckle curve is dancing. Yankees manager Bob Lemon will counter with 1978 20 game winner Ed Figueroa and former five time 20 game winner Catfish Hunter. Ace Ron Guidry won’t be available until game three, as he pitched the final game of the ALCS against Kansas City.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube (links to games below). NBC Broadcast with Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, Tom Seaver, and Curt Gowdy

Game 1: LAD LHP Tommy John (17 - 10 3.30 ERA 213 IP) vs. NYY RHP Ed Figueroa (20 - 9 2.99 ERA 253 IP)

Game 2: LAD RHP Burt Hooton (19 - 10 2.71 ERA 236 IP) vs. NYY Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter (12 - 6 3.58 ERA 118 IP)

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1978 ALCS - October 3rd - 7th, 1978 

For the third straight season, the Kansas City Royals (92 - 70) and the New York Yankees (100 - 63) will battle for the American League pennant. The previous two series were classics, with the Yanks pulling through in the ninth inning of winner-take-all game fives. For the Royals, they are hoping that the third time will be the charm. Their offensive machine kept rolling, with strong performances by stalwart George Brett, reliable Darrell Porter, and a return to form from Amos Otis. The starting pitching continued to be solid, led by Leonard, Splittorff, and Gura, but perhaps the most significant addition was to the bullpen (which had struggled in previous playoffs). The ‘Mad Hungarian’, Al Hrabosky, has been outstanding in late innings, and the fans have certainly appreciated his showmanship. Manager Whitey Herzog will need his lefty reliever to combat the big left-handed bats of New York.

The final three games of this series will be in New York, but the Yankees will be at a slight pitching disadvantage to start, since ace Ron Guidry won’t be available until game four. Rookie Jim Beattie will get the game one start for the Yankees, and the Royals will turn to back-to back 20 game winner Dennis Leonard. Manager Bob Lemon will need some innings from the young righty. If the Yankees can steal one in Kansas City, they will be in position to take the series when it gets back to New York.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube (links below)

ABC broadcast with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Jim Palmer

WPIX Broadcast with Frank Messer, Phil Rizzuto, and Bill White

Game 1: KCR RHP Dennis Leonard (21 - 17 3.33 ERA 294 IP) vs. NYY RHP Jim Beattie (6 - 9 3.73 ERA 128 IP)

Game 2: KCR LHP Larry Gura (16 - 4 2.72 ERA 221 IP) vs. NYY RHP Ed Figueroa (20 - 9 2.99 ERA 253 IP)

Game 3: NYY RHP Jim 'Catfish' Hunter (12 - 6 3.58 ERA 118 IP) vs. KCR LHP Paul Splittorff (19 - 13 3.40 ERA 262 IP)

Game 4: NYY LHP Ron Guidry (25 - 3 1.74 ERA 273 IP) vs. KCR RHP Dennis Leonard

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1978 Game AL East Playoff

Monday October 2nd, 1978 @ Fenway Park Boston, MA

After 162 games played, the bitter rivals of the northeast find themselves deadlocked for the division crown, each sporting identical 99-63 records. The entire season comes down to just one game at Fenway Park, and it’s gonna be a great one. It looked like it was going to be a banner year for the Red Sox, with Jim Rice playing like an MVP, Dennis Eckersley winning 20 games, and a whole host of spectacular performances. But like the previous season, the division lead began slipping away. They were up 14 games on the Yankees in mid-July, but that was cut to just 7 games by the end of August. And after a four game sweep dubbed “The Boston Massacre” in early September, the Yankees had caught the Sox.  The downward spiral continued in Beantown, but a furious rally of eight straight wins to close the season has forced a playoff against the Yanks. Having been forced to use their best starters (Eckersley and Luis Tiant), manager Don Zimmer will turn to an experienced, post-season tested veteran, Mike Torrez (16 - 12 3.92 ERA 243 IP). The big righty was instrumental for New York’s World Series run in 1977, but he has scuffled in the stretch run, losing 6 of his last 7 decisions. They’ll need him to recapture his form if they hope to advance to the ALCS.

The 1977 season was tumultuous for the New York Yankees, but it culminated in a World Series and a return of nearly everyone who contributed to that greatness. But a second go-round for this group was filled with turmoil once again, as the Yankees struggled out of the gate. This time, there was too much trouble on and off the field, and it cost Billy Martin his job. They were just 52 - 42 with Martin at the helm, but once again caught fire (47 - 20) in the second half under Bob Lemon’s stewardship. Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Graig Nettles were excellent once again. Goose Gossage was a new weapon out of the pen, and Catfish Hunter had a great rebound. The story of this season, however, was the ascendance of their young lefty, Ron Guidry. The fireballer ran roughshod through the entire American League (24 - 3 1.72 ERA 267 IP), putting together one of the most dominant modern pitching seasons in baseball history. He will get the ball with the season on the line, and there’s no other pitcher in the league you’d rather have.

Audio clips from MLB Vault on Youtube - WPIX broadcast with Frank Messer, Phil Rizzuto, and Bill White

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information and much, much more.

1977 World Series Game 6

Tuesday October 18th, 1977 @ Yankee Stadium in New York, New York

The Dodgers avoided elimination behind an explosive rout in game five, but now they’re going to have to do it on the road. Burt Hooton (12 - 7 2.62 ERA 223 IP) will get the ball with the season on the line, and the veteran righty was absolutely brilliant in game two. To stay alive in this series, LA manager Tommy Lasorda will need the man he jocularly called “Happy” to deliver once again.

The Yankees are just one win away from securing their 21st World Series trophy, but all is far from well in the Bronx. The originally scheduled starter was Ed Figueroa, but a finger issue and questions of effectiveness made manager Billy Martin turn to righty Mike Torrez (17 - 13 3.88 ERA 243 IP). The Figueroa Situation became headline news as he threatened to leave the team and fly back to Puerto Rico upon hearing he wouldn’t pitch. Tensions were eventually resolved there, but it was not the only problem in the clubhouse. Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Billy Martin, George Steinbrenner, and the press were all feuding with one another, and there was a bombshell report suggesting that Martin would be fired if the Yanks lost the series. To the shock of many, GM Gabe Paul announced before game 6 that Martin signed a contract extension through the 1979 season. A brilliant chess move from “the Boss”, but it would only work if the Yankees could seal the deal tonight. And to really quell the doubts, a superstar performance may be required.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube. ABC broadcast with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Tom Seaver. Postgame with Bill White

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1977 World Series Game 5

Sunday October 16th, 1977 @ Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

The Dodgers are on the verge of elimination in this World Series, and they are in serious danger of being swept in their own ballpark if they don’t win today. The usually potent offense for LA has been quieted by the New York rotation, with Mike Torrez and Ron Guidry spinning consecutive gems in games three and four, respectively. The good news for the Dodgers, they will have their future Hall-of-Famer, Don Sutton (14 - 8 3.18 ERA 240 IP), on the hill. The curly-haired righty was solid in game one, but he picked up a no-decision in a game that went 12 innings. He has yet to take a loss in a postseason start for his career, and the Dodgers will need him to continue that streak. Opposing him for the Yankees will be the lefty Don Gullet** (14 - 4 3.58 ERA 158 IP), who pitched into the ninth inning in game one, despite a rough start. With a 3 - 1 series lead and the final two games at home if necessary, the Yankees don’t “need” this one, but boy, would they like to have it. It has been a tenuous year in the Bronx, so they want to take care of business before any doubt sets in.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube - ABC broadcast with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Tom Seaver

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

** RIP to Don Gullet (the Yankees starter for game 5), who passed away last week at just 73 years old. The former Reds great compiled a career 109 - 50 record, with a 3.11 ERA in 1390 IP across 9 seasons. He was a 3x World Series champion, and after his playing career was a pitching coach with the Reds. His career was cut short due to a torn rotator cuff, but he was a key cog in the Big Red Machine. He will be missed. **

1977 World Series Game 4

Saturday October 15th, 1977 @ Dodger Stadium Los Angeles, CA

The Yankees took game three in convincing fashion to regain home field advantage in this best of seven series. Looking to press their advantage, they will turn to an emerging star, Ron Guidry (16 - 7 2.82 ERA 210 IP). The Louisiana-born lefty broke out in a big way during his first full major league season, helping to solidify the rotation along with right-hander Mike Torrez. The 26 year old was fantastic down the stretch, going 11 - 3 over his final 16 starts with a 2.47 ERA. On the offensive side, all eyes are on Reggie Jackson, who has yet to play like “Mr. October”. The former MVP has been a non-factor in the playoffs so far, putting up a meager .160/.300/.160 slash line (4 - 25 2 RBI in 8 games). Billy Martin and the Yankees are hoping that Reggie can turn it around in rapid fashion, like he did for the A’s in 1973.

For Tommy Lasorda and the Dodgers, this afternoon’s game is a must win. You do not want to go on the verge of elimination if you can avoid it. The LA bats have provided some thump (5 HRs in the last two games), but they’ve mostly been unable to touch the Yankees starters outside of Catfish Hunter. On the mound will be a lefty of their own, Doug Rau (14 - 8 3.43 ERA 212 IP). Rau won 11 of his first 12 decisions, but then lost 7 of his final 10, though his record belies the underlying numbers. He actually pitched to a 2.81 ERA in the losing stretch, compared to a 3.86 ERA in the winning one. Such can be the life of a pitcher. If Rau struggles, expect Lasorda to turn to his other starter, Rick Rhoden (16 - 10 3.74 ERA 216 IP) in relief.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube - ABC broadcast with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Tom Seaver

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.