65. 1984 World Champion Detroit Tigers v. 97. 1977 World Champion New York Yankees
We kick off the Regional Semi-Finals here; Best of 5, Sparky Anderson's Tigers taking on Billy Martin's Yankees. Dave Bergman is the primary first baseman for the Tigers; he got 4 at bats for the Yankees seven years prior. We will see Yogi in many series later on as a Yankee player; he's a coach with the '77 team. Billy managed the Tigers in the early 70s; it ended badly, as things did with Billy.
Tigers 104-58, (Pythag: 99-63) Mgr. Sparky Anderson (AL Mgr of the Year)
Won AL East
d. Royals 3-0 in ALCS (MVP-Kirk Gibson)
d. Padres 4-1 in World Series (MVP-Alan Trammell)
d. #64 1931 Athletics 2-0 (MVP-Larry Herndon)
d. #128 1979 3-2 Orioles 3-2 (MVP-Kirk Gibson/Alan Trammell)
All-Stars: RP Willie Hernandez (AL MVP, AL Cy Young) OF Chet Lemon, SP Jack Morris, C Lance Parrish, SS Alan Trammell, 2B Lou Whitaker
Hall of Famers: Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Sparky Anderson
The Tigers led the AL east wire to wire, opening the season 35-5. They were 9-0, they were 16-1.
Yankees 100-62 (Pythag: 99-63) Mgr. Billy Martin
Won AL East
d. Royals 3-2 in ALCS
d. Dodgers 4-2 in World Series (MVP-Reggie Jackson)
d. #32. 2007 Red Sox 2-1 (MVP-Reggie Jackson)
d. #33 1943 Cardinals 3-1 (MVP-Graig Nettles)
All-Stars: OF Reggie Jackson, RP Sparky Lyle (AL Cy Young) C Thurman Munson, 3B Graig Nettles (5th AL MVP) 2B Willie Randolph
Hall of Famers: Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Bobby Cox (first base coach)
Reggie's first year in New York; also the year of the blackout. Steinbrenner feuded with Billy - Billy feuded with Reggie. Reggie said he was the straw that stirs the drink - it's the Bronx Zoo Yankees. The front half of back to back Champions.
Yankees
CF Rivers (28) (LH) 115 4.1
DH Johnson (29) 173 2.1
RF Jackson (31) (LH) 150 4.1
3B Nettles (32) (LH) 124 4.9
1B Chambliss (28) (LH) 112 2.7
LF White (33) (SH) 109 3.3
C Munson (30) 121 4.9
2B Randolph (22) 101 4.5
SS Dent (25) 79 2.4
SP Guidry (L) (26) 140 5.4
Bench
LF Piniella (33) 138 1.7
CF Blair (33) 90
DH May (29) (LH) 66
SP3 Gullett (L) (26) 111 2.4
SP2 Figueroa (28) 111 3.2
One of the few series we've had that's all DH, DH in both parks. The Tigers have all RH starters, so we're likely to see this lefty heavy Yankee lineup. Piniella awaits..probably for an appearance in Game 3 for whomever didn't hit in Detroit. Blair only sees action if Rivers doesn't hit and he'll get at least two games to show he can and more likely 3. The Yankees 4th starter is Mike Torrez and he would join the rotation if they advance to the Regional Final.
Tigers
SS Trammell (26) 136 6.6
CF Lemon (29) 135 6.2
RF Gibson (27) (LH) 142 4.1
DH Kuntz (29) 125 .3
LF Herndon (30) 104 .9
C Parrish (28) 100 3.5
1B Garbey (27) 99
2B Whitaker (27) (LH) 113 3.6
3B Johnson (23) (SH) 99 1.3
SP Petry (25) 121 4
Bench
1B Bergman (31) (LH) 113 2.2
3B Brookens (30) 95
3B Evans (37) (LH) 106 1.6
LF Jones (29) (LH) 137 2.2
DH Grubb (35) (LH) 131 1.3
C Castillo (27) 84
SS Baker (23) 35
SP2 Morris (29) 109 3.8
SP3 Berenguer (29) 113 2
Yankees coming with 2 lefties, so lot of RH bats in the Tiger lineup. For sure, expect platoons at 1B/LF/DH - 3B is up in the air, HoJo is going to get game one to see if he maybe plays every day. Could also be HoJo doesn't play at all after game one, with a possible Brookens/Evans platoon. Probably, Dave Rozema gets the call as the 4th starter if the Tigers reach the regional finals.
Position by Position:
C-Yankees, Munson over Parrish
1B-Yankees, Chambliss/Bergman is a push with the bat, but Chambliss has more WAR and Bergman platoons
2B-Yankees, Whitaker has more bat than Randolph, but Randolph has more WAR on the strength of his glove.
SS-Tigers, Trammell has more WAR than anyone on either side.
3B-Yankees, Nettles in every phase over all the Tigers 3B options
LF-Yankees, both sides of a platoon favor NY, White has more WAR than Jones, Piniella more than Herndon.
CF-Tigers, Lemon has the second highest WAR of anyone on either side
RF-Push, Reggie and Gibson are dead even in WAR
DH-Push, Johnson has more WAR and more OPS+ than any Tigers option, but he's RH against an all RH staff and the Tigers have more flexibility here.
SP1-Yankees, Guidry's the best pitcher in either rotation
SP2-Tigers, Gullett has a tick more ERA+ but Morris has much more WAR.
SP3-Yankees, opposite of SP2, Berenguer just edges Figueroa in ERA+ but it flips in WAR
Bullpen: Tigers, Hernandez just beats out Lyle in ERA+, although both are strong, set up men Tidrow and Lopez are essentially a wash, Lopez a tick better ERA+, but then the only Yankee with an ERA+ north of 100 is Dock Ellis, who pitched 19 innings all season, Tigers have Bill Scherrer, in exactly the same spot as Ellis, plus Doug Bair. It's not an overwhelming advantage, but you prefer Detroit at each turn just a little bit.
Yankees 7 Tigers 4 -- so, position by position it's the Yankees with the better club; mitigated a little by the two top players being Tigers. Detroit is the better seed.
This could be a really close series...but we'll say by a hair it's the Yankees who are favored.
Ready for the first Regional Semi?
GAME ONE
1st: Here we go. 25 year old RH Dan Petry will throw the first pitch of the Regional Semi-Finals. 18-8, 3.24 This is Petry's 6th season in the big leagues, all with Detroit. He was 5th in the AL Cy Young, the 18 wins will be his career high. Petry started twice in the '84 World Series and got knocked around - 8 earned in 8 innings. His first pitch is laced into center by Mickey Rivers for a base hit. Cliff Johnson gets the DH spot in game one, and he follows with a base hit to left center, Rivers goes all the way to third to put men on the corners. Reggie Jackson grounds out to the right side - everyone advances a base and the Yankees will take the lead in the top of the first. Yankees 1 Tigers 0
1st: 26 year old lefty Ron Guidry takes the ball for the Yankees; they have 11 squads left in the final 32, here's the first. 16-7, 2.82. Guidry's in his third big league season but his first in the Yankee rotation He was 7th in the AL Cy Young and led the league in fielding independent pitching. He's a year away from an all time great pitching season. Guidry got one start in the World Series this year - complete game 4 hitter, gave up 2 earned runs, struck out 7. He gives up a leadoff double to Alan Trammell. Chet Lemon then walks - two on and nobody out. But Guidry gets the next 3 Tigers and we go to the second.
2nd: Roy White singles. White's getting the start over Lou Piniella, with all the Tigers starters being RH; if he hits, he keeps playing. White's 33, this is his 13th big league season, all in New York. It's his last year as an everyday player. White played very little in the '77 World Series, hitless in 2 at bats. He comes all the way around to score when Thurman Munson triples. Willie Randolph grounds out to the right side and now it's Yankees 3 Tigers 0
2nd: Barbaro Garbey singles with 1 out. Garbey got the start at first today, Sparky is going with all his right handed bats against Guidry. Garbey's 27, in his rookie season. He plays just two more years. He got 12 at bats in the '84 series and went hitless - so, here's some redemption, I think this is his first action of the tournament. Lou Whitaker walks, Tigers again with 2 on, Guidry gets the second out -- but Trammell comes through with his second hit, a run scoring single to left center. Chet Lemon follows with a single to score Whitaker. Yankees 3 Tigers 2
3rd: Graig Nettles draws a two out walk, Nettles was MVP of the Yanks second round victory over the 1943 Cards. The Yankee third baseman is 32, it's his 11th big league season, 5th in New York. He finished 5th in the AL MVP this season. Nettles was 4 for 21 at the plate in the '77 World Series. That's it.
3rd: Rusty Kuntz walks. Kuntz is opening up the series as Sparky's RH DH option, he's 29, it's his 6th big league season, first in Detroit and by far - by far - the best season of his career. Next season will be his last. He struck out in his only World Series at bat. Guidry gets two - then Garbey singles again. Two hit day for Barbaro Garbey making an unexpected start. Lou Whitaker then comes through - a double down the right field line -- it clears the bases and Detroit has taken the lead. Yankees 3 Tigers 4
4th: Munson singles with one out; two hits today for the Yankee catcher. He's 30, 9th year in the bigs, he was 7th in the AL MVP. He had a good World Series in '77, hit .320, couple of walks and a homer. After the second out, Bucky Dent singles. Petry stops it here.
4th: With 2 outs, Guidry hits Kirk Gibson. Gibson's 27, it's his 6th season and he finishes 6th in the AL MVP. He was ALCS MVP, he was co-MVP of the Tigers round 2 win over the '79 Orioles, he had a big, big World Series with an 1.145 OPS, 2 homers, 3 steals, 7 RBI in the Tigers four game sweep. Kuntz walks, That's all.
5th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3
6th: Chris Chambliss singles. Chambliss is 28, it's his 7th big league season, 4th with the Yankees (he and Nettles were teammates with the Indians) solid '77 World Series, he hit .292 with a HR. That's all Petry permits.
6th: Chet Lemon draws a two out walk. Lemon's 29, this is his 10th big league season, his third in Detroit, he was an All Star this year. He hit .294 in the Series with a couple steals. Gibson walks. And then back to back run scoring singles by Kuntz and Larry Herndon - the Tigers are up 6-3 and Guidry is gone. The Yankee set up man is 30 year old RH Dick Tidrow, he won 11 games and has a 3.16 ERA. He ends it - but the Tigers tack on two and now lead Yankees 3 Tigers 6
7th: 1-2-3, that's a big inning for Petry and the Tigers are in command today.
7th: 1-2-3
8th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Petry he's dropped the hammer down.
8th: Tidrow gets two, then gives up a base hit to Gibson, that's all.
9th: Detroit's 3 outs from game 1, Willie Hernandez enters. He's a 29 year old lefty, 9 wins, 32 saves, a 1.92 ERA. It's his 8th big league season, 1st with the Tigers, easily his career season, he leads the league in games pitched, wins both the Cy Young and the MVP. He threw 5 innings in the World Series, gave up 1 earned and got 2 saves.
Roy White flies to Gibson.
Munson flies to Lemon.
Willie Randolph keeps the Yankees alive with a base hit.
Dent flies out to Lemon and it's over.
Yankees 3
Tigers 6
WP Petry
LP Guidry
Sv Hernandez
Petry goes 8, beats Guidry and Detroit takes game 1.
Trammell 2x, double
Lemon 3x
Gibson 3x
Kuntz 3x
Herndon 1x
Garbey 2x
Whitaker 2x, double
Rivers 1x
Johnson 1x
Nettles 1x
Chambliss 1x
White 1x
Munson 2x, triple
Randolph 1x
Dent 1x
CF Rivers (28) (LH) 115 4.1
DH Johnson (29) 173 2.1
RF Jackson (31) (LH) 150 4.1
3B Nettles (32) (LH) 124 4.9
1B Chambliss (28) (LH) 112 2.7
C Munson (30) 121 4.9
LF White (33) (SH) 109 3.3
2B Randolph (22) 101 4.5
SS Dent (25) 79 2.4
SP3 Gullett (L) (26) 111 2.4
SS Trammell (26) 136 6.6
CF Lemon (29) 135 6.2
RF Gibson (27) (LH) 142 4.1
DH Kuntz (29) 125 .3
LF Herndon (30) 104 .9
C Parrish (28) 100 3.5
2B Whitaker (27) (LH) 113 3.6
1B Garbey (27) 99
3B Brookens (30) 95
SP2 Morris (29) 109 3.8
GAME TWO
1st: One more at Tiger Stadium; 29 year old RH Jack Morris on the mound. 19-11, 3.60. This is Morris's 8th year in the bigs, he finished 7th in the Cy Young. Watch out for wild pitches, he led the league. He gets one, then Cliff Johnson puts the Yanks on the board with a homer to left. Johnson's 29, this is his 7th year in the bigs, the Yankees got him at the deadline from the Astros (for, among other, Dave Bergman, who we'll see in game 3 as Detroit's first baseman). He was 0-1 in the World Series. After the second out, Morris walks Graig Nettles and thats all. Yankees 1 Tigers 0
1st: The Yankees turn today to Don Gullett, 26 year old lefty, 14-4, 3.58. This is his 8th big league season, his first with the Yankees and he's a year away from being all done. He's pitching today against his longtime manager with the Reds, Sparky Anderson, in the main storyline today. Alan Trammell doubles, his second double of the series. Chet Lemon drives him home with a base hit and it's tied. Kirk Gibson walks, Rusty Kuntz then doubles everybody home - the Tigers have 3 runs, we're only 4 batters in and Tiger Stadium is quaking here in Game 2. Gullett gets one, then walks Lance Parrish, it ends here. Yankees 1 Tigers 3
2nd: Thurman Munson singles; he's now reached 3 times in the series. Morris gets two - but then gives up a double to Bucky Dent that scores a run. Dent's 25, it's his 5th year in the bigs and first with the Yankees. He hit a soft .263 in the '77 Series. Yankees 2 Tigers 3
2nd: Trammell draws a one out walk, he's reached 4 times in the series, but Gullett stops it here.
3rd: Reggie walks with one out, that's the first time he's reached in the series. He was MVP of the '77 series and of the Yankees round one win over the 2007 Red Sox. Reggie's 31, this is his 11th big league season and it's his first year in New York. Reggie was 8th in the AL MVP this year. He had a monster World Series - a 1.792 OPS, 5 homers, 8 RBI. Nettles singles him to third, that's all.
3rd: Gibson walks again, he's now reached 5 times in the series. An out later, Larry Herndon singles. 30 year old Herndon's getting the start against the Yankee lefties; will sit in game 3. This is his 8th MLB season, third in Detroit. He hit .333 with a homer in the World Series and was MVP of the Tigers round one win over the '31 A's. Lance Parrish gets his first hit on the series and it scores a run. Yankees 2 Tigers 4
4th: 1-2-3
4th: After an out - here's Trammell with a single, he's reached all 3 times today. That's it
5th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Morris.
5th: 1-2-3
6th: Chris Chambliss singles with one away, Munson then doubles him to third and the Yanks have two in scoring position. Morris pitches carefully to Roy White and walks him. Loaded, only one out. Morris gets the second - and then once again it is Bucky Bleeping Dent - a double that clears the bases. Dent comes through with the 2 out double that plates three and the Yankees take the lead. It ends Morris's day, Aureilio Lopez is the Tigers set up man, he's a 35 year old RH, 10 wins, 14 saves, a 2.94 ERA. He gives up a Mickey Rivers base hit, that's all. Yankees 5 Tigers 4
6th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Gullett and the Yanks hold on to the slim lead headed to the 7th.
7th: Nettles singles with one out, he's reached twice today, that's all.
7th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Gullett - the lefty holding on.
8th: Willie Randolph singles with one away. Randolph is 22, his third year in the bigs, second in New York. He's an All Star. Had a rough World Series, he hit .160, but did homer. Mickey Rivers walks after the second out. Back to the pen for Sparky, 33 year old lefty Sid Monge, with a 4.25 ERA -- and he gives up a 3 run blast to Cliff Johnson It's a 2 homer day for the Yankee DH - a 3 run homer here that probably has tied this series up at a game apiece. Reggie singles - 34 year old RH Doug Bair enters, he's got a 3.75 ERA. The inning ends. Yankees 8 Tigers 4
8th: Rusty Kuntz doubles again, Herndon walks - Gullet gets one, then gives up a double to Lou Whitaker that scores a run. Whitaker is 27, in his 8th season, he was an All Star and won the Gold Glove this year. He hit .278 in the World Series. Billy to the pen for Dick Tidrow and he gets through it. Yankees 8 Tigers 5
9th: Munson keeps hitting, he singles, White walks - that's it.
9th: Sparky Lyle is called on to close this one out - 32 year old lefty, 13 wins, 26 saves, a 2.17 ERA, It's Lyle's 11th year in the bigs, 6th in the Bronx Zoo. Like the Tigers closer Hernandez, Lyle won the Cy Young - there aren't too many closer v. closer Cy Young v. Cy Young matchups you'll ever see - Hernandez saved game one, let's see what happens here.
Trammell grounds to Dent. One away.
Lemon grounds to Dent. Two away.
Gibson grounds to Randolph. Ballgame.
Yankees 8
Tigers 5
WP Gullett
LP Morris
Sv. Lyle
Cliff Johnson hits 2 bombs today and we'll be heading to Yankee Stadium all tied at 1.
2B Whitaker (27) (LH) 113 3.6
DH Grubb (35) (LH) 131 1.3
RF Gibson (27) (LH) 142 4.1
LF Jones (29) (LH) 137 2.2
SS Trammell (26) 136 6.6
CF Lemon (29) 135 6.2
1B Bergman (31) (LH) 113 2.2
3B Evans (37) (LH) 106 1.6
C Parrish (28) 100 3.5
SP3 Berenguer (29) 113 2
CF Rivers (28) (LH) 115 4.1
DH Johnson (29) 173 2.1
RF Jackson (31) (LH) 150 4.1
3B Nettles (32) (LH) 124 4.9
LF Piniella (33) 138 1.7
1B Chambliss (28) (LH) 112 2.7
C Munson (30) 121 4.9
2B Randolph (22) 101 4.5
SS Dent (25) 79 2.4
SP2 Figueroa (28) 111 3.2
GAME THREE
1st: The series shifts to Yankee Stadium; 28 year old RH Ed Figueroa getting the call for the Yanks. 16-11, 3.57. 4th year in the bigs, 2nd as a Yankee. He did not pitch in the '77 Series. Lou Whitaker works a walk to open, after an out, Gibson walks, he's now reached base 6 times, leading both teams. Ruppert Jones is getting his first start of the series with the Yanks throwing a RH and he doubles home both men. Jones is 29, 9th year in the league, first in Detroit. He was 0-3 in the World Series. Trammell then follows with a double that scores Jones and it's a big, big first inning for the Tigers. That's Trammell's third double of the series. Tigers 3 Yankees 0
1st: Big lead for Juan Berenguer; 29 year old RH, just 11-10 on the season, a 3.48 ERA. This is Berenguer's 7th big league season, third with the Tigers. He did not pitch in the '84 Series. 1-2-3.
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Lou Piniella singles with one out - Piniella gets his first start of the series in left today; 24 years later he manages a Mariners club which is also alive in this round. Piniella is 33 years old and this is his 11th big league season, 4th in New York. He hit .273 in the '77 Series. That's all.
3rd: Jones singles with 1 out, Jones making a play for more at bats going forward. Nothing follows.
3rd: Randolph walks with one out, Bucky Dent had 4 RBI in game 2 and he singles here, Mickey Rivers follows with a single and New York is on the board. Cliff Johnson homered twice in game 2 - and he singles here to score a run. Reggie then comes through with his first extra base hit of the series - a bases clearing double and the Yankees have scored 4 runs here in the 3rd. Tigers 3 Yankees 4
4th: 1-2-3
4th: Randolph walks again, with 2 out, but nothing results. Of note - Munson took a really questionable third strike call and the umpire starts hearing some chirping from the Yankee bench.
5th: Whitaker singles, an out later Gibson singles -- and then there's Ruppert Jones - you think he was excited to see a right handed Yankee starter -- Ruppert Jones hits a 3 run homer, he's got 5 RBI today and the Tigers go back out in front. Gil Patterson is a 21 year old right hander at the end of the Yankee bullpen with a 5.40 ERA but he gets the call from Billy, he gets an out - but then gives up back to back singles from Lemon and Bergman. Darrell Evans walks and the bases are loaded. Patterson escapes. Tigers 6 Yankees 4
5th: Cliff Johnson singles with one out and then Reggie doubles again - is #44 heating up? Berenguer gets the second out - and then the battle of left fielders making their first start today swings back to New York - when Lou Piniella matches Jones with a 3 run homer of his own and the Yankees go back out in front! Doug Bair is back on for the Tigers, Chambliss singles, that's all - we've got a real offensive show in the Bronx today. Tigers 6 Yankees 7
6th: Johnny Grubb walks with one out - his first appearance of the series at DH today. Grubb's 35, it is his 13th big league season, second in Detroit. Grubb went 1 for 3 in the '84 World Series. Gibson walks again - he's reached base 9 times in the series, Gibson just an on base machine -- AND THEN RUPPERT JONES HITS ANOTHER 3 RUN HOMER! Ruppert Jones, platooning in left field - playing today against the Yankees only RH starter - has 2 homers and a double - 8 RBI on the day, that's a new record for the tournament - 8 RBI on the day for Ruppert Jones and the Tigers are back out on top. Dick Tidrow is on for New York. He gets an out, then Chet Lemon doubles - it ends here. Tigers 9 Yankees 7
6th: 1-2-3 - Randolph struck out looking here - and the Yankee bench really - let me emphasize, really did not like that call - the plate umpire takes off his mask to shout at the bench and the tensions heat up in the Bronx.
7th: Darrell Evans singles - the veteran Evans is making his first start of the series, the third third baseman Sparky has used so far. Evans is 37, this is his 16th big league season, first in Detroit. Evans had a terrible World Series, 1 for 15. 2 outs later Grubb singles, but that's all.
7th: Cliff Johnson homered twice in game 2 - and he hits Bair's first pitch over the right field wall to draw the Yankees closer -- 3 home runs on the series for Johnson tying a tournament record held by many. Aurelio Lopez comes on for Detroit - he gets two, then Piniella singles, that's all Tigers 9 Yankees 8
8th: Tidrow gets 2 - then Lemon and Bergman single - Evans flies out to the very deepest part of right field to end the threat.
8th: Munson walks - Randolph takes a called third strike and just goes ballistic - a really questionable call here - Billy is on the field - Billy is kicking dirt - Randolph and Martin held back by Yogi and Elston Howard -- the Yankee fans start throwing object on the field - they might be Reggie Bars - chaos here at Yankee Stadium -- the result is ejections for both Randolph and Martin - Dick Howser will take over in the Yankee dugout and George Zeber will head out to second in the 9th. For now there's still just one away - and Dent singles - the tying run moves to scoring position, still just one out. Mickey Rivers singles. That loads the bases. Lopez gets the second out and now here we are. Bases loaded. 2 out.
Reggie Jackson coming to the plate.
Here's the big spot of the series. Yanks down a run, 2 out - bottom of the 8th, bases loaded - and here comes the big man in the big spot.
Reggie grounds to Evans -- throw onto first. Out.
9th: 1-2-3, Tidrow goes 3 2/3 scoreless.
9th: It all comes down to this.
The MVP, Willie Hernandez comes on.
Nettles flies to Lemon.
Piniella hits one to the track - Lemon hauls it in.
Chambliss strikes out looking - he just goes off on the plate umpire - and the Yankees just converge now on the plate umpire -- the umpires racing from the field, objects just pouring - just absolutely raining down now - security guards swarming the field to aid the umpires - this entire Yankee dugout furious with that called third strike to end the game.
Tigers 9
Yankees 8
WP Bair
LP Patterson
Sv Hernandez
Just a really angry scene here at Yankee Stadium - but the story today is an 8 RBI performance by Tiger left fielder Ruppert Jones.
Rivers 5x
Johnson 6x, 3 homers
Jackson 4x, 2 doubles
Nettles 4x
Chambliss 3x
White 3x
Munson 6x, triple, double
Randolph 4x
Dent 5x, 2 doubles
Piniella 3x, homer
Trammell 6x, 3 doubles
Lemon 7x, double
Gibson 8x
Kuntz 5x, 2 doubles
Herndon 3x
Parrish 2x
Garbey 2x
Whitaker 5x, 2 doubles
Grubb 2x
Jones 4x, 2 homers, 8 game 3 RBI
Bergman 2x
Evans 2x
SS Trammell (26) 136 6.6
CF Lemon (29) 135 6.2
RF Gibson (27) (LH) 142 4.1
LF Jones (29) (LH) 137 2.2
DH Kuntz (29) 125 .3
2B Whitaker (27) (LH) 113 3.6
C Parrish (28) 100 3.5
1B Garbey (27) 99
3B Johnson (23) (SH) 99 1.3
SP Petry (25) 121 4
CF Rivers (28) (LH) 115 4.1
DH Johnson (29) 173 2.1
RF Jackson (31) (LH) 150 4.1
LF Piniella (33) 138 1.7
3B Nettles (32) (LH) 124 4.9
1B Chambliss (28) (LH) 112 2.7
C Munson (30) 121 4.9
2B Randolph (22) 101 4.5
SS Dent (25) 79 2.4
SP Guidry (L) (26) 140 5.4
GAME FOUR
1st Game 4 - Yankees trailing two games to one and they turn to the game 1 loser, their ace, the Gator, Ron Guidry. In his 14 year career, his 140 ERA+ in '77 is his third best ever mark. 1-2-3.
1st: Dan Petry took game 1 and if he takes game 4 the Tigers will be one of the final 16 teams left in this tournament. At 121, Petry's ERA+ is tied for his third best ever mark. Mickey Rivers singles. He's reached 6 times in the series. Petry gets two, then gives up a single to Piniella, he reached 3 times in game 3 and starts again in left today. Graig Nettles then scorches a double down the right field line -- everyone will score and it's Tigers 0 Yankees 2
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Willie Randolph, ejected in game 3, walks after one out - it's the fifth time he's reached base. Bucky Dent singles, he's reached 6 times. Petry gets through it.
3rd: Lance Parrish walks, quiet series so far for the Tigers catcher. That's all.
3rd: Petry gets one - but then here comes Lou Piniella - he homers to left, he homered in game 3 and does it again now. Tigers 0 Yankees 3
4th: Chet Lemon walks, he now matches Gibson, each reaching base 8 times so far to lead both teams. But that's it - Tigers still looking for a hit.
4th: Munson walks, he's now reached 7 times. That's all.
5th: 1-2-3, Detroit...still looking for a hit.
5th: Petry gets the first - but then Reggie comes through, hits his first homer of the series and extends this Yankee lead. Piniella and Nettles walk back to back, Petry gets the second out - but then gives up back to back run scoring singles to Munson and Randolph - this game is blown wide, wide open, Petry's gone - Doug Bair enters. He walks Dent - that's it. Tigers 0 Yankees 6
6th: Yankees way, way up here - it sure looks like we are headed back to Detroit for game 5, which is a fitting way to kick off the Regional semi-finals. 1-2-3 --- Guidry has retired 8 straight and still...still has not given up a base hit.
6th: Bair gets one - then gives up back to back singles for Jackson and Piniella - the Yankee bats just keep coming today. Bair gets the second - but then back to back run scoring singles for Chambliss and Munson. Folks, this one is over. Start packing your bags for Michigan. Tigers 0 Yankees 8.
7th: 1-2-3 -- a huge roar, just a thunderous roar here in Yankee Stadium as Guidry goes back to the dugout, he's retired 11 in a row, he's given up only two walks all day long.
7th: Glenn Abbott is a 33 year old RH, he's got a 5.93 ERA, 1-2-3.
8th: So, 6 outs away from a feat never achieved in the tournament.
Whitaker strikes out.
Parrish flies to Piniella.
Garbey grounds to Dent - onto first. And the inning is over.
8th: Reggie reaches on an error - Abbott then gets two -- but Chris Chambliss puts the cherry on this sundae with a 2 run homer. Aurelio Lopez makes an appearance again, 4 straight games, he gives up a Munson single, and a Randolph walk. But that's it. Tigers 0 Yankees 10
9th: 3 outs to go.
HoJo hits Guidry's first pitch into center field for a double. And the no hitter is gone.
Huge standing ovation for Ron Guidry - back against the wall and the Yankee ace just wipes Detroit out today.
Guidry gets one - then gives up a Chet Lemon triple and the shutout is over. Guidry gets the second - then gives up back to back run scoring doubles to Jones and Kuntz - the Gator just running on fumes here in the 9th, but Billy leaves him out there - and it ends.
Tigers 3
Yankees 10
WP Guidry
LP Petry
Outstanding 8 innings for Guidry and the Yankees force a deciding game 5. One more for everything.
Rivers 6x
Johnson 6x, 3 homers
Jackson 6x, 2 doubles, HR
Nettles 6x, double
Chambliss 5x, homer
White 3x
Munson 10x, triple, double
Randolph 7x
Dent 7x, 2 doubles
Piniella 7x, 2 homers
Trammell 6x, 3 doubles
Lemon 9x, double, triple
Gibson 8x
Kuntz 6x, 3 doubles
Herndon 3x
Parrish 3x
Garbey 2x
Whitaker 5x, 2 doubles
Grubb 2x
Jones 5x, 2 homers, double, 8 game 3 RBI
Bergman 2x
Evans 2x
Johnson 1x, double
One game left in this series. One of these two teams is about to move to the Regional Final, one will go home.
CF Rivers (28) (LH) 115 4.1
DH Johnson (29) 173 2.1
RF Jackson (31) (LH) 150 4.1
3B Nettles (32) (LH) 124 4.9
LF Piniella (33) 138 1.7
1B Chambliss (28) (LH) 112 2.7
C Munson (30) 121 4.9
2B Randolph (22) 101 4.5
SS Dent (25) 79 2.4
SP3 Gullett (L) (26) 111 2.4
SS Trammell (26) 136 6.6
CF Lemon (29) 135 6.2
RF Gibson (27) (LH) 142 4.1
LF Jones (29) (LH) 137 2.2
DH Kuntz (29) 125 .3
C Parrish (28) 100 3.5
2B Whitaker (27) (LH) 113 3.6
1B Bergman (31) (LH) 113 2.2
3B Evans (37) (LH) 106 1.6
SP2 Morris (29) 109 3.8
GAME FIVE
1st: Well here we go. One more at Tiger Stadium and we will move our first team into a Regional Final. Detroit turns to Jack Morris; He was 7th in the Cy Young this year and already has two 3rd place finishes on his resume. His 109 ERA+ makes this a middling season in his career; he gives up back to back one out walks to Johnson/Jackson, but escapes unscathed.
1st: Not an easy decision for Martin; he's got Mike Torrez and Catfish Hunter, the Yankees 4th and 5th starters - but both are RH and lefties (including Gullett) maybe fare better against this Tiger club. Plus - you get Gullett against his old manager Anderson. In the end - he sticks with Don Gullett, Gullett's best years are past, although his 111 ERA+ just outicks Morris's. 1-2-3
2nd: 1-2-3
2nd: Kuntz walks with one out - that's all.
3rd: 1-2-3, that's 8 straight for Morris.
3rd: Dave Bergman doubles with one out. Sparky had a lot of options today - one choice he made was Bergman, even against the lefty Gullett, at first base. Nothing results.
4th: Nettles hits a one out single, that's New York's first hit. Chambliss walks after the second out, but that's all.
4th: 1-2-3...scoreless as we head to the fifth, winner moves on, loser goes home...
5th: 1-2-3
5th: 1-2-3, 8 straight for Gullett - we have a pitchers duel here in game 5.
6th: Morris gets 2 - then walks Nettles, Piniella singles, and then the big shot -- Chris Chambliss hits a 3 run homer - Chambliss homered late in game 4 and he hits a much, much bigger blast here - a 3 run homer to break the scoreless tie. Huge Yankee celebration - Sparky does not wait at all - Aurelio Lopez enters and ends it. Yankees 3 Tigers 0
6th: Bergman singles, his second hit -- and he will come all the way around to score on a Darrell Evans triple - the veteran Evans, given the third base start today - comes through to get the Tigers a run back. Still no one out. Billy leaves Gullett in - he gets 2 - then walks Gibson -- but escapes with no further damage. Yankees 3 Tigers 1
7th: Lopez gets two then Rivers singles - just the Yankees 4th hit - Rivers steals second, he's in scoring position - but he's stranded.
7th: How much leash does Gullett get? New York's 9 outs away. He gets an out -- then Lance Parrish, without an extra base hit in the series -- hits a homer to right -- it rattles this old ballpark as Detroit has cut this deficit to a run. Yankees 3 Tigers 2
8th: 1-2-3, Lopez shuts the Yankees down in the 8th - and now Gullett comes back out to the mound.
8th: Gullett gets two - then Chet Lemon doubles - that's the tying run, sitting at second base -- does Billy go to his pen? Gibson walks - that's the go ahead run standing at first. But Gullett strikes out Ruppert Jones -- and we are heading to the 9th inning.
9th: 1-2-3, Aurelio Lopez clamps down the Yankees - they get just 4 hits today, but we head to the bottom of the 9th, still 3-2.
9th: Billy leaves his Cy Young closer Sparky Lyle in the bullpen. Man - that's a real decision right now. Gullett comes out for the 9th inning - the Yankee pen is rested - Guidry threw a complete game 4 And Sparky Lyle is ready to go right now - but it is Don Gullett who comes out for the 9th.
Kuntz walks.
Parrish walks. Tying run at 2nd. Winning run at 1st. Nobody out.
This crowd absolutely howling.
Here comes Sparky Lyle.
Cy Young Award winner. Future author of the best selling Bronx Zoo that immortalized this Yankee run.
2 on Nobody out.
Whitaker grounds to Randolph - flip to Dent to get one - onto first....safe. Kuntz goes to third.
Tying run at 3rd.
Dave Bergman....strikes out. Huge K for Lyle. 2 on. 2 out. The veteran Evans coming to the plate.
Sparky Lyle strikes him out and that's the series.
Yankees 3
Tigers 2
WP Gullett
LP Morris
Sv Lyle
The Yankees pour out of the dugout - Lyle leaps into Munson's arms -- the Yankees take out the Tigers and are the first team to advance to a Regional Final - one of the Final 16 teams remaining in this field.
Gullett throws 118 pitches today - he wins both games 2 and 5 -- and then there's Chambliss, his 3 run homer wins game 5 - those 2 are the co-MVPs here.
The 1977 New York Yankees advance to the Region 1 Final.
