Blog Archive

Monday, October 3, 2016

Oakland A's Sweep St. Louis Cards in 1971 World Series

Perhaps the comparison is not exactly kosher, but the 1971 ARAIG World Series resembled the 1989 real-life Series. After a long delay, the Oakland Athletics swept the series in a dominating and anti-climactic way. Congrats to Bill Schneider for brilliantly managing his squad.

GAME ONE – Dick Green launched a 3-run home run in the B6 to lift Oakland to a 4-1 opening game Vida Bluewent the distance. Mike Epstein, hitting in the lead-off spot, went 3-3.
victory.

GAME TWO – The Athletics sent Bob Gibson to the showers after just 3 innings and went on to an 8-3 victory. Rick Monday led the way offensively with 3 hits, including a triple and round-tripper. He scored twice and drove in 4. Catfish Hunter was the winning pitcher.

GAME THREE – Diego Segui surrendered just 4 hits in 7.2 IP as Oakland won 3-1 in St. Louis. Darold Knowles andRollie Fingers finished up. Joe Rudi banged out 3 hits. Epstein homered in one of his 2 hits.

GAME FOUR – Vida Blue (2-0) just missed his second CG with another brilliant performance in a 6-3 win as Oakland earned the sweep. Fingers (2) got the 27th out and was piled upon. Epstein smashed 2 more hits. Green collected 2 more RBI.

Other facts and highlights:

** Mike Epstein was named co-MVP with his .533 (8-15) batting average, 12 TB, 5 R, and 2 RBI.

** Vida Blue, the other co-MVP, was 2-0 in 17.2 IP. He fanned 14 and had an ERA of 2.04.

** The A’s pitching staff had a 1.75 ERA for the series. The A’s hitters his .273.

** Tommy Davis (.500), Dave Duncan (.333), Gene Tenace (.333), Joe Rudi (.333), and Dick Green (.308) also hit over .300.

** The Cardinals hit just .189 as a team

** Joe Torre, who hit .363 in real-life season, hit just .063 (1-16) in this series.

** Lou Brock (.333) was the only Redbird regular over .300.

** The Cardinals pitching staff had a 5.29 ERA