16. 1975 World Champion Cincinnati Reds v. 49. 1941 World Champion New York Yankees
Reds 108-54 Mgr. Sparky Anderson
1st in NL West
d. Pirates in NLCS
d. Red Sox in WS
d. #113 1934 Cardinals (MVP-Griffey)
All-Stars: C Johnny Bench (4th NL MVP) SS Dave Concepcion, 2B Joe Morgan (NL MVP) 1B Tony Perez, 3B Pete Rose (5th NL MVP)
Hall of Famers: Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Sparky Anderson
Yankees 101-53 Mgr. Joe McCarthy
Won AL Pennant
d. Dodgers in WS
d. #80. 1911 Giants (MVP-Gordon)
All-Stars: C Bill Dickey OF Joe DiMaggio (AL MVP) 2B Joe Gordon, OF Charlie Keller (5th AL MVP) SP Red Ruffing, SP Marius Russo
Hall of Famers: Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Lefty Gomez, Joe Gordon, Phil Rizzuto, Red Ruffing, Joe McCarthy
Yankees Lineup:
2B Gordon (26) 118 5.7
CF DiMaggio (26) 185 9.5
LF Keller (24) 162 6.6
RF Henrich (28) 136 4.5
C Rosar (26) 101 1.3
SS Rizzuto (23) 96 4.5
3B Rolfe (32) 85 1.9
1B Priddy (21) 50 .1
P Russo (LH) (26) 128 3.5
Bench
C Dickey (34) 109 2.6
SP2 Chandler (33) 124 2.1
SP3 Ruffing (36) 112 2.7
Dickey's one of the great catchers of all time, but he's 34 now and in a platoon. Priddy is normally the backup at second, he played only 10 games at first, but the Yankee first baseman, Johnny Sturm, had a negative WAR year (and not by a little bit, he was dreadful) and so isn't eligible.
Reds Lineup
3B Rose (34) 133 4.5
2B Morgan (31) 169 10.7
C Bench (27) 140 6.8
LF Foster (26) 139 4.8
1B Perez (33) 124 3.3
RF Griffey (25) 119 2.1
SS Concepcion (27) 88 4.5
CF Geronimo (27) 90 3.8
SP Gullett (LH) (24) 149 3.5
Bench
SP2 Nolan (27) 114 3.2
SP3 Darcy (25) 101 .4
Reds will send out the same 8 in each game; we just saw Gullett pitch for the '77 Yankees in the last series (we just saw Sparky manage for the Tigers in the first series).
WAR Advantage:
C Reds
1B Reds
2B Reds
SS Push
3B Reds
LF Yankees
CF Yankees
RF Yankees
SP1 Push
SP2 Reds
SP3 Yankees
Bullpen (est) Push
Reds 5 Yanks 4 - Reds have the seed advantage and the WAR advantage (although that's narrow) Both teams have a player with top level season. You'd make the Reds the favorites in the series.
GAME ONE
1st: The Reds aren't just the favorite to win this series - they are the favorites to come out of Region 1 and advance to the Elite 8. Don Gullett (who should seem familiar) is a 24 year old lefty, 15-4 2.42, 5th in the NL Cy Young this year, 7th the prior year - he won 17 games as a 20 year old in '71. He wins 4 straight World Championships to end his career, back to back with both Reds and Yankees. He gets the first two, then gives up a Charlie Keller double and a Tommy Henrich walk - but escapes.
1st: 26 year old lefty Marius Russo gets the game one call from Joe McCarthy; 14-10, 3.09, pitched 6 seasons, all with the Yankees, made his only All Star team this year. Pete Rose lines the first pitch into left for a base hit, an out later, Johnny Bench doubles off the wall in left center to score a run. After the second out, Tony Perez walks - it ends there, Yankees 0 Reds 1
2nd: Phil Rizzuto singles - the Scooter is 23, shared my birthday, this is his rookie year - he misses three full seasons with military service and would have his real success in his 30s - 2nd in AL MVP at age of 31, won the MVP the following year. Rizzuto hit over .300 twice in his career, that MVP season - and this year. After an out, Jerry Priddy walks and then Russo helps himself with a run scoring single. Yankees 1 Reds 1
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: The Yankees best player is, of course, the AL MVP Joe DiMaggio - he's 26, this is his 6th season - in each of those 6 years he had a top 10 MVP finish and this was his second win. Like Rizzuto - he leaves for the military and misses '43-45 (when you see those Cardinal teams from that era, that's the thing to consider). He triples to open the frame and Keller walks. Tommy Henrich then singles to score DiMaggio and give the Yankees the lead. After an out, Rizzuto doubles to clear the bases and the Yankees are now up Yankees 4 Reds 1
3rd: The best Reds player? Joe Morgan, like DiMaggio, he's the MVP and like DiMaggio, after an out, he triples. Morgan came up in Houston, with what were then the Colt-45s when he was 19 back in '63. Finished second in NL Rookie of the Year in '65, they shipped him to the Reds after the '71 season in a deal that included Cesar Geronimo; one of the players headed the other way was Lee May, who is on the '77 Yankees. But Russo strands him at third.
4th: Russo singles again and an out later DiMaggio walks, but Gullett limits the damage.
4th: Davey Concepcion singles with 2 out, he's a Reds lifer, came up in '70 and retires at the age of 40 in '88. Made 9 NL All Star teams - the inning ends.
5th: 1-2-3, Gullett's first perfect inning.
5th: 1-2-3
6th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Gullett
6th: After an out, George Foster and Tony Perez single. Perez is 33, his best years a tick behind him, he had top 10 MVP finishes in '67, '70, '73. Next year is his last in Cincinnati (he comes back in '84) the Reds send him to Montreal for Woodie Fryman. After the second out - Concepcion and Geronimo single back to back to drive in two runs. Yankees 4 Reds 3
7th: Included in that Perez trade will be Will McEnaney and he comes on now for Sparky, 23 year old lefty with a 2.47 ERA, this is his 3rd year of what will be a 6 year career. After an out, he gives up a homer to Charlie Keller that extends the Yankee lead. Yankees 5 Reds 3
7th: Morgan and Bench draw back to back walks with one out, but Russo holds firm.
8th: Scooter doubles, after two out Frankie Crosetti is sent up to hit for Russo - 30 year old backup shortstop had one homer on the season -- but he hits a 2 run shot here and it sure looks like the Yankees are about to take game 1. 28 year old RH Pedro Borbon enters and ends the frame. Yankees 7 Reds 3
8th: 26 year old RH Norm Branch has a 2.87 ERA and he's the new Yankee pitcher; he's a rookie and next year's his last season in the bigs. He walks Ken Griffey, that's all.
9th: 34 year old RH Clay Carroll comes on for the Reds with his 2.62 ERA, he came over to the Reds from the Braves in the middle of the '68 season in a trade involving Milt Pappas and Tony Cloninger. He gives up a two out single to Henrich but that's all.
9th: 27 year old RH Marv Breuer comes on for the Yankees -
Rose is first - he grounds to second.
Morgan's next - he grounds to first.
Then comes Bench - he bounces right back to Breuer and the Yankees have taken this one.
Yankees 7
Reds 3
WP Russo
LP Gullett
7 innings for Russo and he added 2 hits.
DiMaggio - reached twice with a triple
Keller - reached three times with a homer and double
Henrich - reached three times
Rizzuto - three hits, 2 doubles, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI
And Crosetti hit that pinch homer.
For the Reds..
Morgan reached twice with a triple
Bench reached twice
Perez reached twice
Concepcion had 2 hits
One more at Riverfront.
LF Keller (24) 162 6.6
RF Henrich (28) 136 4.5
CF DiMaggio (26) 185 9.5
C Dickey (34) 109 2.6
2B Gordon (26) 118 5.7
3B Rolfe (32) 85 1.9
SS Rizzuto (23) 96 4.5
1B Priddy (21) 50 .1
SP2 Chandler (33) 124 2.1
3B Rose (34) 133 4.5
2B Morgan (31) 169 10.7
LF Foster (26) 139 4.8
C Bench (27) 140 6.8
RF Griffey (25) 119 2.1
1B Perez (33) 124 3.3
CF Geronimo (27) 90 3.8
SS Concepcion (27) 88 4.5
SP2 Nolan (27) 114 3.2
GAME TWO
1st: 27 year old RH Gary Nolan has a ton of weight on his shoulders today, the Reds down a game at home. 15-9, 3.16, like Gullett, Nolan came up when he was 19, finished 3rd in the NL Rookie of the Year. He was 6th in the NL Cy Young back in '70, 5th in '72. He'll be out of the league after the '77 season. He gets two, then gives up base hits to DiMaggio and Dickey -- and then a 3 run jack to Joe Gordon -- The Big Red Machine is in trouble. Yankees 3 Reds 0.
1st: 33 year old RH Spud Chandler is staked to that lead. 10-4, 3.19. He came up late, a rookie at the age of 29; next year is a monster year for Chandler, he'll win the MVP. 1-2-3
2nd: Rizzuto walks, he's left at second.
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: DiMaggio walks with one out, that's all.
3rd: Cesar Geronimo gets the Reds first hit - a double to open the third. From '74-7 won four straight Gold Gloves; he'll be a Red until '81 when he heads to Kansas City. An out moves him to third - and then a Nolan sac fly puts the Reds on the board. Rose then doubles, but the inning will end Yankees 3 Reds 1
4th: Red Rolfe doubles; this his last year as a full time player, he's out of the league after next season. That's all Nolan allows.
4th: 1-2-3
5th: Charlie Keller triples; he came up to the big leagues hitting - he won't have an OPS+ lower than 141 until 1948, his 9th year in the league. And then Tommy Henrich hits a 2 run homer and now it's 5-1 and the Reds are in real, real, real trouble in this series. Yankees 5 Reds 1
5th: 1-2-3, 7 straight for Chandler
6th: Rizzuto singles, two out later Chandler singles, and then Charlie Keller triples again, Keller has triples in consecutive innings, it clears the bases and this one is done. 27 year old RH Clay Kirby enters, he gives up a run scoring Henrich double. Yankees 8 Reds 1
6th: After an out, Rose and Morgan walk, after the second out, Bench singles, that gets the Reds a run back. Yankees 8 Reds 2
7th: Joe Gordon hits a one out homer - the Yankees have come into Cincinnati and just put the wood to the Big Red Machine. Rolfe walks and after the second out Priddy singles, that's all. Yankees 9 Reds 2
7th: 26 year old RH Steve Peek comes on, he walks Perez, two outs later Dan Driessen pinch singles, Rose then lines a double to score a run. 27 year old RH Tiny Bonham had a 2.98 ERA and he is next for the Yankees - he gives up a base hit to Morgan that makes it 9-4, and then George Foster just hits a moon shot - a million miles into the second deck in dead center - that's a 3 run bomb - early in the '71 season the Giants dealt Foster to the Reds for Frank Duffy - in '76 he will be second in the MVP race and then win it in '77 -- but right here he puts the Reds right back into the series with a dramatic blast that cuts the deficit to 9-7. 26 year old RH Norm Branch is the third Yankee pitcher of the inning and he ends it. Yankees 9 Reds 7
8th: Will McEnaney enters for the Reds, he walks Henrich with one out and then hits DiMaggio - but the Yanks don't score.
8th: Ken Griffey walks and the tying run now comes to the plate. Two outs later Concepcion singles, the Reds call on Terry Crowley, a LH pinch hitter - can he come through? The Yankees counter with Marv Breuer, who closes out game 1 -- Crowley flies deep to left, but harmlessly.
9th: Pedro Borbon comes out and gives up a Gordon single, it ends there, we go to the bottom.
9th: The best pitcher in this series is 32 year old RH Johnny Murphy with his 1.98 ERA -
Rose is first - he strikes out.
Morgan is next - he grounds to second.
George Foster then rakes a triple - tying run comes to the plate with two out --
Bench grounds to Rizzuto - throw on to first - and the Yankees have taken both games in Cincinnati.
Yankees 9
Reds 7
WP Chandler
LP Nolan
The Yankees take 2 and now just need one of the next three games to become team number 3 of 32 for the next round.
Gordon homered twice in game 2, had 3 hits, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored
Rolfe reached twice in game 2
Keller - two triples in this game, 2 RBI, 2 runs
DiMaggio - reached five times with a triple
Henrich - reached six times with a double and a homer
Rizzuto - reached 5 times, 2 doubles, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI
And Crosetti hit that pinch homer.
For the Reds..
Rose doubled twice in game 2, reached 3 times,
Morgan reached four times with a triple
Bench has reached three times
Foster homered, tripled in game 2, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored
Perez has reached three times
Concepcion has had 3 hits
We head to Yankee Stadium - the Reds backs right up against that wall.
3B Rose (34) 133 4.5
2B Morgan (31) 169 10.7
LF Foster (26) 139 4.8
C Bench (27) 140 6.8
RF Griffey (25) 119 2.1
1B Perez (33) 124 3.3
CF Geronimo (27) 90 3.8
SS Concepcion (27) 88 4.5
SP3 Darcy (25) 101 .4
LF Keller (24) 162 6.6
RF Henrich (28) 136 4.5
CF DiMaggio (26) 185 9.5
C Dickey (34) 109 2.6
2B Gordon (26) 118 5.7
3B Rolfe (32) 85 1.9
SS Rizzuto (23) 96 4.5
1B Priddy (21) 50 .1
SP3 Ruffing (36) 112 2.7
GAME THREE
1st: 36 year old Red Ruffing looks to complete the sweep of the favored Reds, 15-6, 3.54. Ruffing broke in with the Red Sox when he was 19, they sold him to the Yankees early in the 1930 season, he had led the league in losses the prior two years. And in New York his career starts to turn around; 18 wins in '32, his first All Star team in '34, top 10 MVP finishes from '37-39 when we was 32-34 years old. After next year - at the age of 38, Ruffing's going to spend two years in the military and then come back to the bigs when he's 41 years old in 1946. 1-2-3
1st: Relying on Pat Darcy to keep them alive was not part of the Reds plans; 11-5, 3.58 - Darcy's only in the league for 3 years and this is his only season in the rotation. He walks Keller and Henrich on 8 straight balls and it looks like the Yankees are ending this thing right now - but he escapes.
2nd: 25 year old Ken Griffey walks with one out, this is his third year in the bigs - next year he will have the best season of his career, finishing 8th in the NL MVP Ballot - Griffey will one day play home games here at Yankee Stadium; the Reds really just give him away after the '81 season. He's stranded at first.
2nd: Rolfe walks with one out, that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3, no hits yet for the Reds
3rd: After an out, Henrich gets the Yankees first hit and then DiMaggio walks - after the second out, Joe Gordon singles home the game's first run. Gordon came up in '38 and went right into the Yankee lineup, he was 7th in the AL MVP this year and next year will be his best ever season when he will win that award. He'll do 2 years in the military and eventually wind up in Cleveland, where he continues to get the lion's share of second base until retiring after the 1950 season. Reds 0 Yankees 1
4th: 1-2-3, the Reds are facing elimination and do not have a hit. It's startling.
4th: 1-2-3, Darcy couldn't have been expected to give much more than this.
5th: After an out, Tony Perez homers to right center and the Reds have tied the score; Geronimo then doubles, Dan Driessen is brought on to hit for Darcy with two outs, he's unsuccessful, that burns the Reds best bench bat and also sends the Reds into their pen. Reds 1 Yankees 1
5th: The RH Clay Kirby comes on; 1-2-3, each team has two hits on the day. Must win for the Reds.
6th: Foster hits a two out single and then Johnny Bench doubles him home and the Reds have taken the lead. Bench is 27, like we've seen with a couple of others on this club, he came up when he was 19, won the Rookie of the Year at 20, NL MVP in '70, NL MVP in '72, 4th in MVP last year, 5th this year - Bench won the Gold Glove and made the NL All Star team every year from '68-77. Griffey then singles, Bench rolls through third, just beats the throw at the plate and now it's 3-1. The RH Norm Branch comes on and ends the inning. Reds 3 Yankees 1
6th: 1-2-3, nice bullpen outing for Kirby.
7th: 1-2-3
7th: Priddy walks, after an out, Keller walks, and after the second out -- Joe DiMaggio hits a 3 run shot -- man oh man -- the great DiMaggio hits a 3 run homer and the Yankees have once again taken the lead -- huge roar in the Bronx as now the Yankees are 6 outs away from sweeping this series. Will McEnaney enters to end the inning. Reds 3 Yankees 4
8th: The RH Marv Breuer enters - New York needs 6 outs. They get one and then Morgan and Foster single back to back - Bench then singles -- that ties the score. 25 year old RH Charley Stanceu comes on for McCarthy - Griffey grounds to second - flip to Rizzuto gets the lead run - throw onto first is a bang, bang play -- and the call is safe. Very controversial here - McCarthy is out of the dugout and he is hot - Foster has scored, the Reds have taken the lead again on the very close call at first. McCarthy is fuming - McCarthy gets run; McCarthy is ejected from this game - Art Fletcher, the longtime Giant shortstop will take over the rest of the way today. Reds 5 Yankees 4
8th: Gordon singles and then moves to second on a wild pitch - tying run in scoring position with nobody out. Rolfe hits a deep fly ball to right -- that moves Gordon up a base - tying run just 90 feet away with one out. And Rizzuto drives him home with a base hit. Pedro Borbon enters and gets out of it - but again, this game is tied, Reds 5 Yankees 5
9th: The RH Tiny Bonham gets the call; he's greeted with a first pitch Geronimo double. After an out, Sparky calls on lefty pinch hitter Terry Crowley; Crowley came up with Baltimore, sold to the Rangers and then sold to the Reds prior to last year - he winds up back with the Orioles next year and will have the most productive seasons of his career in his 30s off the Baltimore bench. But in this spot - game tied - one out - Reds needing a hit -- he comes through with a run scoring double to give Cincinnati the lead once again. Steve Peek comes on, after the second out he walks Morgan, we will go to the bottom - Reds 6 Yankees 5
9th: 24 year old RH Rawly Eastwick gets the call, his first appearance, 22 saves, 2.60 - can he hold on here?
Keller is first - lazy fly ball to center.
Henrich is next - line shot - but right at Griffey.
Then DiMaggio - and DiMaggio hits a shot -- deep - deep to left field -- Foster going back to the base of the wall -- and making the catch to end the game.
Reds 6
Yankees 5
WP Borbon
LP Bonham
Must win game for the Reds and they managed to squeeze it out on the pinch double by Crowley.
Morgan has reached six times with a triple
Bench has reached five times, homered and doubled in game 3
Griffey reached twice in game 3
Foster has reached 4 times in the last two games, homered, tripled in game 2
Perez has reached 4 times with a homer
Geronimo had two hits today
Concepcion has had 3 hits
For the Yanks -
Gordon reached 5 times in games 2 and 3, homered twice in game 2,
Rolfe reached twice in game 2 and 3
DiMaggio - has reached 7 times with a triple and homer
Keller - has reached 5 times with a homer and 2 triples
Henrich - has reached 8 times with a double and a homer
Rizzuto - reached 6 times,
And Crosetti hit that pinch homer.
One more in Yankee Stadium - the two game one starters back for Game 4 - Can the Reds extend the series?
3B Rose (34) 133 4.5
2B Morgan (31) 169 10.7
C Bench (27) 140 6.8
LF Foster (26) 139 4.8
1B Perez (33) 124 3.3
RF Griffey (25) 119 2.1
SS Concepcion (27) 88 4.5
CF Geronimo (27) 90 3.8
SP Gullett (LH) (24) 149 3.5
2B Gordon (26) 118 5.7
CF DiMaggio (26) 185 9.5
LF Keller (24) 162 6.6
RF Henrich (28) 136 4.5
SS Rizzuto (23) 96 4.5
C Dickey (34) 109 2.6
3B Rolfe (32) 85 1.9
1B Priddy (21) 50 .1
P Russo (LH) (26) 128 3.5
GAME FOUR
1st: Marius Russo is back for the Yankees and looks to end the series today. He walks Bench with two out, that's all.
1st: Don Gullett, future Yankee, looks to keep the Reds alive another day. After an out, he gives up base hits to DiMaggio and Keller - DiMaggio will score on a Tommy Henrich sac fly. Henrich's a career Yankee, came up in '37 - he'll miss the same 3 War years that will cost Rizzuto and DiMaggio - his two best seaons will come in his mid 30s and he retires after the 1950 season. Reds 0 Yankees 1
2nd: After an out, Perez singles and Griffey walks, but that's all.
2nd: Dickey walks and Rolfe doubles - the Yankees have two in scoring position and nobody out - but Gullett escapes.
3rd: Gullett gets hit with the first pitch and then goes to third on a Pete Rose single. Rose is now 34; Rookie of the Year back in '63 as the Reds second baseman. 6 straight top ten NL MVP finishes in the back part of the decade and then he wins it in '73 as the Reds left fielder. He finished 5th this year; his first year as the Reds third baseman (he's also been the starting RF and will conclude his career as a first baseman) Gullett scores on a groundout to the the game, and when Bench rips a double, Rose comes around for the go ahead run. Foster singles and the Reds have them on the corners - but Russo gets through it. Reds 2 Yankees 1
3rd: DiMaggio jolts Gulletts first pich over the center field wall to tie it up. Keller walks, two outs later Dickey walks - but it ends there. Reds 2 Yankees 2
4th: 1-2-3, Russo's first perfect inning.
4th: 1-2-3, Gullett matches.
5th: Rose/Morgan walk - but Russo digs out of it.
5th: After an out, Keller singles and Henrich walks -- can Gullett escape? He can.
6th: 1-2-3, Russo hasn't allowed a hit since the 3rd.
6th: 1-2-3 -- just a battle here in game 4 - can the Reds force a return to Riverfront?
7th: Geronimo singles and Sparky sends Dan Drieesen to hit for Gullett. Driessen finished 3rd in NL Rookie of the Year back in '73 as the third baseman, with Rose moving to third, Driessen is largely a bench bat this year, although also spells Perez. He will take over at first in '77 and will hold that spot until early in the '84 season when he's spent to Montreal for Andy McGaffigan. Here -- Driessen comes off the bench and hits a two run shot to right center to put the Reds back in front. The RH Norm Branch enters for the Yankees, he gets one, then gives up a Morgan single -- Morgan then steals second and scores on a Bench base hit and now it is 5-2. The RH Marv Breuer comes on now - and gets out of the inning, Reds 5 Yankees 2
7th: Will McEnaney enters again for the Reds - 4 straight games - he gets two, but then walks Keller and Henrich singles -- tying run coming up for the Yankees -- McEnaney escapes - and now, you start to think the Reds are about to force this fifth game.
8th: 1-2-3
8th: Rolfe singles with one out and the Jerry Priddy doubles - Priddy is a 21 year old rookie backup infielder, getting the start given the real black hole the Yankees have at first base. Priddy will be sold to the Senators after next year - but right now the Yankees have two men in scoring position. Buddy Rosar comes off the bench to hit - he bloops a single to score a run. Pedro Borbon now gets the call from Sparky - tying runs on base - Joe Gordon grounds out to make it 5-4 ---- and then DiMaggio doubles and that will tie the score. Borbon then throws a wild pitch and DiMaggio is standing at third --- but that's all. Reds 5 Yankees 5
9th: Round two is just relentlessly good baseball. The RH Charley Stanceu is the new Yankee pitcher. Terry Crowley, whose pinch double won game 3 comes on to hit -- Stanceu gets him, but then gives up back to back singles to Rose and Morgan. AND THEN JOHNNY BENCH HITS A 3 RUN HOMER! Huge celebration in the Reds dugout - Johnny Bench has given Cincinnati an 8-5 lead and we look to be headed back to Ohio for the showdown game - RH Tiny Bonham enters and gives up back to back singles to Foster and Perez - but that's all, Reds 8 Yankees 5
9th: The RH closer Rawly Eastwick is back - 3 outs from sending this one back home.
Henrich is first -- long at bat, but eventually he works a walk.
Rizzuto is next - easy fly ball to Geronimo. One out.
Dickey is next - he bounced to Eastwick - he throws to second to get the lead runner, but Dickey's safe at first. Two away.
Rolfe goes down 0-2, the Reds a strike from evening this series, but then he singles, thats going to bring the tying run to the plate.
And Priddy grounds easily to Concepcion - onto first -- and this one belongs to the Reds.
Reds 8
Yankees 5
WP Borbon
LP Santceu
Johnny Bench hits a 3 run 9th inning homer to force game 5.
Rose reached 6 times in games 2 and 4
Morgan has reached 9 times with a triple
Bench has reached 9 times, with 2 homers and he won this game
Foster has reached 6 times in the last three games, homered, tripled in game 2
Perez has reached 6 times with a homer
And don't forget Driessen's big pinch homer today.
For the Yanks -
Rolfe reached 7 times
Keller - reached 9 times in w/ two triples and a homer
DiMaggio - has reached 10 times with a triple and 2 homers
Henrich - has reached 11 times with a double and a homer
One game for all of it - winner advances.
LF Keller (24) 162 6.6
RF Henrich (28) 136 4.5
CF DiMaggio (26) 185 9.5
C Dickey (34) 109 2.6
2B Gordon (26) 118 5.7
3B Rolfe (32) 85 1.9
SS Rizzuto (23) 96 4.5
1B Priddy (21) 50 .1
SP2 Chandler (33) 124 2.1
3B Rose (34) 133 4.5
2B Morgan (31) 169 10.7
LF Foster (26) 139 4.8
C Bench (27) 140 6.8
RF Griffey (25) 119 2.1
1B Perez (33) 124 3.3
CF Geronimo (27) 90 3.8
SS Concepcion (27) 88 4.5
SP2 Nolan (27) 114 3.2
GAME FIVE
1st: Gary Nolan stands once again on the Rivefront Stadium mound - the Reds have won the last two to force this final showdown. He gets the first two - then hits both DiMaggio and Dickey -- he escapes.
1st: The Yankees counter with the game 2 winner, Spud Chandler, 1-2-3
2nd: Priddy singles with two out, that's it.
2nd: 1-2-3
3rd: 1-2-3
3rd: 1-2-3, Chandler sets the Reds lineup in order
4th: Bill Dickey singles, Dickey's 34 now, it's his 14th season as a Yankee - he's had 4 top 10 MVP finishes, he'll do a military stint for 2 years at ages 37-38 and come back as a part time player in '46 to finish his career. Joe Gordon singles and the Yankees are in business - an out later Rizzuto singles to load them up - and then Priddy makes himself the hero with a 2 run single. Yankees 2 Reds 0
4th: 1-2-3, the Reds do not have a baserunner
5th: Henrich walks, thats it.
5th: Griffey singles. An out later, Geronimo singles. But that's all - we are heading to the 6th, the Yankees 2-0.
6th: Dickey walks and an out later Rolfe singles, are the Yankees going to extend this lead - they don't.
6th: Nolan helps himself with a single, and out later, Morgan singles - can the Reds cut this deficit? No.
7th: 1-2-3, Nolan's doing all he can - will the Reds bats get going?
7th: 1-2-3, getting late for the Reds.
8th: Will McEnaney pitches for the 5th straight game - he gives up a 2 out Gordon single but nothing else.
8th: Norm Branch gets the ball - the Yankees 6 outs away.
Geronimo flies out to Henrich.
Concepcion falls behind 0-2 but digs his way to a walk. Tying run comes to the plate, Dan Driessen sent up to hit.
He singles - Concepcion goes all the way to third, the Reds have them on the corners with one out.
Rose walks. Bases loaded. Joe Morgan coming to the plate.
McCarthy calls on Marv Breuer to get out of it. Sure looks like this is the big spot in the series.
He strikes Morgan out. 2 away.
Foster rips a single to center to score a run. Bases still loaded for Bench - two outs.
Bench pops up to Rolfe to end the threat. Yankees 2 Reds 1
9th: Pedro Borbon comes on for the Reds - can he keep them in the series? 1-2-3
9th: So, this is it. Bottom of the 9th. 2-1 Yankees. Johnny Murphy and his 1.98 ERA comes on to wrap this up.
Griffey is first - he walks on four pitches.
And then Tony Perez lines a ball into the right field corner - Griffey rounds third - Henrich hits the cut off man Gordon - there is going to be a play at the plate ----- safe.
Griffey slides in safely - Perez at second with a double - the Reds have tied the score with no one out and now the winning run is in scoring position.
Geronimo lines a sharp single to center - Perez goes to third -- puts on the brakes. Runners on the corners and nobody out. Yankees bring the infield in -- can Concepcion win this game -- sharp grounder to Rizzuto - the runner can't advance to the plate - no play at second as Geronimo was going on the pich. Concepcion is out - but now there is no force, runners and 2nd and 3rd. One out.
Terry Crowley gets the call. He won game 3 with the pinch double in the 9th. Yankees go back to the pen for Charley Sanceu. AND CROWLEY LINES THE FIRST PITCH INTO LEFT FIELD FOR A BASE HIT - PEREZ WILL SCORE AND IT IS OVER.
Yankees 2
Reds 3
WP Borbon
LP Murphy
The Reds lost the first two - had to battle virtually every single pitch the next 3 games, ninth inning wins all 3 games - and they survive.
Morgan reached 10 times with a triple
Bench reached 9 times, with 2 homers and he won game 4
Perez reached 7 times with a homer and the big game tying hit.
So - who is the MVP...I think it's Bench and Crowley.
