1973 Major League Baseball season - coming soon!

The 1973 Major League Baseball season was the first season of play for the designated hitter in the American League. The Kansas City Royals moved their home games from Municipal Stadium to the new Royals Stadium, adjacent to the Chiefs' football facility, Arrowhead Stadium. Royals Stadium also played host to the 1973 All-Star Game on July 24, with the NL defeating the AL, 7–1.

California Angels ace pitcher Nolan Ryan broke Sandy Koufax's 1965 strikeout record of 382 when he struck out 383 batters during the season.

The Oakland Athletics won their second straight World Series championship in seven games, over the New York Mets.

1973 MLB season
League	Major League Baseball
Sport	Baseball
Duration	April 5, 1973 – October 1, 1973
Regular season
Season MVP	AL: Reggie Jackson (OAK) NL: Pete Rose (CIN)
Postseason
AL champions	Oakland Athletics
AL runners-up	Baltimore Orioles
NL champions	New York Mets
NL runners-up	Cincinnati Reds
World Series
Champions	Oakland Athletics
Runners-up	New York Mets
Finals MVP	Reggie Jackson (OAK)

The Big Red Machine Captures World Series Title

The 1972 ARAIG World Series match up reprised the real life contest between the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A’s. The Big Red Machine had rolled to the NL West title with

World Series MVP

99 wins, while the A’s had “only” won 88 but still eclipsed the second place Angels by 12 games. 

Game 1

The Reds got to A’s starter Ken Holtzman early with 4 runs in first 4 innings, while Reds Gary Nolan shut out the A’s through 8. In the ninth, the A’s made it interesting. Against Pedro Borbon, the first three Oakland batters reached base before Clay Carroll came in to abort the comeback at 2 runs. Reds win 4-2.

Game 2

It was the A’s turn to jump out to an early lead, as 5 of the first 6 A’s reached base against Reds starter Ross Grimsley. The capper was a Sal Bando grand slam to give the A’s a 4-0 lead. Teams traded a couple runs in the middle innings, but the A’s lead 6-2 as the Reds came to bat in the bottom of the 9th against ace reliever Rollie Fingers. Rose tripled followed by a Morgan homer, and all of a sudden we had a game. The Reds would ultimately load the bases with two outs, as batter Hal McRae came up to face Fingers with the game on the line. Alas, McRae’s boyhood dream went unfulfilled as he harmlessly flied to center. A’s win 6-5 to tie the series at 1-1.

Game 3

Jack Billingham of the Reds and Blue Moon Odom of the A’s each held their opponents scoreless through 4, but the Reds would score in each of the next 5 innings to blow the game open. Jack Bilingham went 7 scoreless before Boorbon again came in to give up baserunners, but the Reds had built an insurmountable lead. Reds win 9-1, and now led series 2-1.

Game 4

Holtzman was back for the A’s, this time opposed by Reds’ Don Gullett. Sal Bando struck again with another first inning home run to give the A’s the lead. With the score A’s 3-2 headed into the 4th, Johnny Bench and Hal McRae each homered to give the Reds a 5-3 lead. Reds reliever Tom Hall took over for an ineffective Don Gullett in the 5th, and pitched 4 scoreless innings (adding to the 3 who threw in Game 2). The A’s once again made the game close against Reds relievers but Clay Carroll held off the furious charge.

Game 5

Catfish Hunter took the mound for the A’s to try to force Game 6, opposed by Reds; Jim McGlothlin. Reds got to Hunter for single runs in each of 1st, 4th, and 6th innings, while the A’s got one back ib the 5th. Starter McGlothlin gave way to reliever Tom Hall in the 6th, and Hall held the Athletics scoreless the rest of the way to cement the Series win.

Series MVP was Tom Hall, who went a total of 11 innings without allowing a run. NLCS hero Darrel Chaney only got to bat 10 times, but continued his magical post season with a .600/.667/.800 triple slash line.

Thanks to Bruce for helming the A’s. See you all next season.

Bill

Reds topple Cubs in 5 games

It took 5 games, all of them tense affairs, to wrap up the NLCS. Chicago jumped out to a 2-0

lead, but the desperate Reds crawled back to force Game 5 and escaped with the win.

Game 1

Gary Nolan and Fergie Jenkins dueled through 8, with the Cubs tying the game 2-2 on a clutch Billy Williams hit with two outs in the bottom of the 8th. The Cubs’ Paul Popovich (he of one HR in 129 AB in real life) hit a walk off three run homer to give the Cubs the win. Reds SS Darrel Chaney went 1 for 3 with a walk; nothing special but he was just getting warmed up.

Game 2

Cubs jumped out to a 2-0 lead after two and that was it for the scoring until the Reds scratched out a run in the top of the 9th. Milt Pappas went the distance for the Cubs with a 4-hitter. Chaney went 0 for 3.

Game 3

Cubs leds 2-0 headed into bottom of the 5th before Reds got on the board. Pinch hitting for 3b Dennis Menke, Chaney hit a 2-run homer off Bill Hands to tie the game. In bottom of the 6th, Geronimo hit a homer to give the Reds the lead, then Chaney singled home Morgan and Perez to add some insurance runs. Reds relievers Clay Carroll and Pedro Borbon held off the Cubs to keep the Reds in the series.

Game 4

Reds scored 4 in bottom of second off Cubs starter Burt Hooton, as Chaney, again starting as a pinch hitter, went 3 for 4 with an RBI. Trailing 6-0, Cubs charged back in eight inning as Tony Perez made errors that led to runs on back to back plays. Cubs got another run in ninth, but Clay Carroll struck out Jose Cardinal with the tying run on third to force Game 5.

Game 5

There were no off days scheduled in this series, so Reds Game 1 starter Gary Nolan was still not rested for Game 5. Occasional starter Tom Hall got the ball for the Reds opposed by Cubs’ Fergie Jenkins. Offense was not lacking in this game. Reds got on the board first as Chaney singled and was doubled home by Menke. Cubs took the lead in the top off the 4th, as Jose Cardenal and Ron Santo hit back-to-back homers. Reds tied the game up in the bottom of the 4th as Chaney hit his second homer of the series, then Rose and Perez drove in runs to put the Reds ahead 5-4. Reds added 3 more in bottom of the 5th and 1 more in the 6th, os they led 9-4 after 6. However, Cubs were not done. Using 4 walks and 2 singles, Cubs scored 3 in top of the 7th to get within 2, 9-7. Reds held on to win a very tense series. Mr Chaney went 2 for 4 with a homer to again pace the Reds.

Series MVP was Darrel Chaney, as he went 8 for 16 with 2 homers and 7 RBI.

Congrats to Joe on a fine season.

Bill

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES BEGINS!

Week 27 LCS

Due ASAP
Date	1972 Schedule	Home Manager

7-Oct	Detroit @ Oakland	Bill Schneider
8-Oct	Detroit @ Oakland	Bill Schneider
10-Oct	Oakland @ Detroit	Glenn Perry
11-Oct	Oakland @ Detroit	Glenn Perry
12-Oct	Oakland @ Detroit	Glenn Perry
7-Oct	Cincinnati @ Chicago(N)	Joe Pryweller
8-Oct	Cincinnati @ Chicago(N)	Joe Pryweller
9-Oct	Chicago(N) @ Cincinnati	Bill Schneider
10-Oct	Chicago(N) @ Cincinnati	Bill Schneider
11-Oct	Chicago (N) @ Cincinnati	Bill Schneider

Redbirds Stall Big Red Machine

July 14, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Joe Morgan (3) was probably the most important gear in the Big Red Machine. He was one of the newest in 1972 and certainly made the machine run better. His inside-the-park home run off Rick Wise (9-4) got hings going in the T4. St. Louis answered with a Ted Simmons sac fly in the bottom of the frame. It would be all for the Redbirds as Ross Grimsley (5-6), Tom Hall and Pedro Borbon (6) shut them down. Meanwhile, Tony Perez and Cesar Geronimo (another new Red from Houston) added 6th inning RBI for a 3-1 Cincy winner.

July 15, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Matty Alou went 4-4 to lead the Cardinals to a 4-3 win to even the series. Al Santorini (4-3) and Rich Folkers (1) limited the Red Machine. My future bride celebrated her 9th birthday with a cast on her broken arm, and totally unaware of baseball.

July 16, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Rookie Don Durham (1-0) was given the task by manager Red Schoedienst to contain the Big Red Machine on this steamy summer day. The kid from Kentucky was marvelous with 7.2 IP, 4 hits, 1 run and 8 strikeouts. The Redbird hitters got to veteran Jack Billingham (5-6) for a 5-1 win.

Redbirds Fly By Tomahawks in 2 of 3

July 11, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Lou Brock had 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBI to lead the Cardinals to an 8-4 win. Al Santorini (3-3) struggled through 6 innings, but got the win. Tony Cloninger (2) muscled up for the 3-inning save. Dusty Baker led all batters with 3 hits. Phil Niekro (9-8) got the CG loss.

July 12, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Bob Gibson (12-5) fanned 10 in 8 innings and St. Louis won 5-3. Moe Drabowsky (7) earned the save. 2B Ed Crosby singled in 2 runs in the 5th. SS Dal Maxvill also knocked in 2 runs. Darrell Evans singled in 2 in a 3-run Atlanta 7th. Ron Schueler (4-5) started and lost for the Bravos. 

July 13, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Hank Aaron (27) clobbered a 2-run homer in the T3 to give Atlanta a 4-0 lead. they hung on for a 4-3 victory. Ron Reed (7-7) got the win with Mike McQueen (3) finishing for the save. Brock and Joe Torre had 3 hits apiece for the Redbirds as they outhit Atlanta 12-8. Reggie Cleveland (9-9) started and lost.

Redbirds Tip Stros on Steamy St. Looie Weedend

July 7, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals sent 12 men t the plate in the 1st inning, scoring 8 runs then cruised to an 8-4 victory. Lou Brock singled and doubled, scored 2 runs, stole a base and knocked in 2 in the 1st inning alone. Dal Maxvill and Ted Simmons paced the Redbirds with 3 hits each. Bob Gibson (11-5) tossed 7 innings for the win. Dave Roberts (5-8) was in the showers before the 1st inning nightmare was over.

July 8, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Jerry Reuss (4-4) fired a 3-hit shutout, fanning 14 and walking none, going the distance as Houston evened the series with a 5-0 whitewashing. The Astros had only 6 hits themselves, but drew 10 bases on balls from Cards pitchers. The "Toy Cannon"Jimmy Wynn drew 4 walks. Reggie Cleveland (9-8) took the loss. Btw, in real life, 9-year old Bruce Thomas was attending his first MLB outside of Chicago. Thanks, dad.

July 9, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- A wild one in near 100 degree heat. Houston took a 7-1 lead by the halfway point with Lee May (13), Bob Watson (7) and Wynn (16) all swatting homers off Rick Wise. The Redbirds drew back within 1 with a 5-run 5th highlighted by a 2-run single by Brock. The Stros added 2 more in the 6th and St. Louis countered with 1 in the B6 to make it 9-7. Diego Segui (3-0) held the visitors scoreless in the T7th and the home-towners responded with 4 in the B7 to take a lead that would win it. Maxvill (1) hit a solo HR and Joe Torre knocked in a pair with a double. Bottom line, St. louis holds out for an 11-10 win with Moe Drabowsky (6) getting the save. Cesar Cedeno had 4 hits and 4 runs scored to pace Houston. Torre, Simmons and Matty Alou had 3 hits apiece for the Redbirds.

O say can you see, two wins for Baltimore

July 4, 1972
CHICAGO -- Pat Dobson (10-5) singled in a pair of runs in a 5-run 6th inning for Baltimore as the O's blew open the game on their way to a 7-3. O, btw, Dobson fired a complete-game on the hill to celebrate Independence Day.

July 5, 1972
CHICAGO -- Boog Powell (11), Andy Etchebarren (2) and Don Baylor (8) muscled up on Sox pitching to blast to a 6-2 win. Powell's 3-run bomb in the 7th overcame Dick Allen's (16) 2-run dong in the 1st, which had been the only runs of the ballgame to that point. Etchebarren went back-to-back with Powell. Baylor added his 2-run shot in the 8th. Dave McNally (7-6) took it the full 9 for the O's. Wilbur Wood (10-12) was strong until the knuckler flattened in the 7th.

July 6, 1972
CHICAGO -- Tom Bradley (8-10) may have pitched the game of his career. He struck out 14 and walked zero, giving up just 6 hits in a 2-0 White Sox winner. Carlos May led the offense with 3 hits and an RBI.

Cards Sweep Cubs, Draw to Within 1 1/2 Games

June 28, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Dal Maxvill's RBI single in the 6th broke a 2-2 tie and St. Louis went on to defeat their rivals 3-2 in the first of a 2-game series. Reggie Cleveland (9-6) led the cardinals with 2 hits and tossed 8 innings on the hill for the win. Moe Drabowsky (5) pitched the 9th for the save. All Redbird hitters had at least 1 hit off Bill Hands (5-3) save lead-off man Lou Brock.

June 29, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Rick Monday, Glenn Beckert and Ron Santo banged out 3 hits apiece for the Cubs as they out-hit their neighbors from Missouri. However, the scoreboard told a different tale with St. Louis our-scoring Chicago, 6-4. Rick Wise (8-3) got the win with Diego Segui (3) garnering the save. The Redbirds put a 4 on the board in 4th and held on for the sweep. Burt Hooton (8-6) started and lost for the small bears.

St. Louis now trails Chicago by just 1 1/2 games.

Redbirds Split DH and Win Prequel vs Montreal

June 26, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Joe Torre (7) banged out 3 hits, including a 2-run home run, which highlighted a 5-run 3rd inning for the Cardinals. St. Louis hung on for a 6-4 win. Bob Gibson (9-5) pitched 7 for the win with Moe Drabowsky (4) getting the save. Bailor Moore (0-1) made his first start of the year for Montreal. He yielded 11 hits in 7 IP.

June 27, 1972  (Game #1)
ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis used a 6-run 2nd inning to take a 7-1 early lead, only to see the Expos claw back to make it 7-7 in the T8. Ed Crosby's 3-run triple highlighted the 2nd for the Redbirds. Ron Hunt and former Cardinal Tim McCarver collected 3 hits each for the Spos. Ken Reitz delivered a game-winning PH, RBI single in the B8 to lift St. Louis to an 8-7 win. Tom Walker (1-3) was the loser for Montreal. Lowell Palmer (1-0) got the win in relief for St. Loo with Diego Segui (2) notching the save.

June 27, 1972 (Game #2)
ST. LOUIS -- Mike Torrez (5-4) led the Montreal to a 10-1 laugher in the the nightcap with both his bat and his arm. Torrez banged out 3 hits and completed the game, yielding just 4 hits. Battery mate Terry Humphrey also chipped in 3 hits. Mike Jorgensen (7) hit a 2-run blast in the 3rd off John Cumberland (0-1).

Friars Share 2-Game Series with Redbirds

June 20, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- The Padres utilized 24 players in 14 innings to defeat the Cardinals 4-1. Fred Norman (9 IP, 4H, 0ER) should have won the game in 9, but 2 Padres miscues led to the Cardinals tying it at 1-1 in the B9. The Friars plated 3 runs in the 14th with 4 singles, a WP, and an error. Al Severinsen (3-0) was the eventual winner with Gary Ross (9) getting the save. 

June 21, 1972
ST. LOUIS --Matty Alou's 2-run, walk-off single in the b9 lifted St. Louis to a 3-2 win and split in the series. Dave Robert's (2) line-drive, solo home run off Bob Gibson (8-5) in the T9 had temporarily given SD hope. Bernie Carbo led off the Redbirds 9th with a single off Ed Acosta (1-4). PR Luis Melendez was nailed trying to steal, but Dal Maxvill walked. Bill Stein banged a PH single. Lou Brock hit into a FC force at 2B for the second out. He promptly stole second. PH Ken Reitz was given a free pass, which brought up Alou.

Jints Take 2 of 3 from Redbirds

June 16, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Garry Maddox (5) and Dave Kingman (9) hit timely 2-run homer runs to power the Giants to a 9-7 sea-saw win. Kingman's blast tied the game at 7-7 in the 8th. Pinch hitter Gary Matthews tripled in Maddox in the 9th for the GWRBI. Chris Speier singled in Matthews for the insurance. Jerry Johnson (2-2) earned the win in relief. Jim Barr (3) picked up the save. The loss spoiled fine games at the plate for Lou Brock (4 hits, 3 R,  2 SB) and Ted Sizemore (3 hits, 3 RBI).

June 17, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- A 4-run 8th inning, highlighted by Joe Torre's 2-run double, provided enough insurance for the Redbirds and Reggie Cleveland (7-6) to hold on for a 6-3 victory. Ron Bryant (3-5) started and lost for San Francisco.

June 18, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Dave Rader (3) banged out 5 hits, including a solo shot in the 7th, and San Fran captured the rubber game 5-1. It was all straight numbers on the board for the Jints, but they did it 5 times. It was plenty of cushion for "Sudden" Sam McDowell (4-6) who fired 7 IP with just 4 hits and 0 earned runs. Scipio Spinks (5-5) took the loss.

Redbirds Sweep Bums on the Carpet

June 12, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Matty Alou banged out 3 hits and knocked in 2, including the GWRBI in the 8th when his double brought in PR Luis Melendez. That made it 4-2. In the 9th, Frank Robinson (10) led-off with a solo shot off Moe Drabowsky (3) to make the final score 4-3. Drabowsky retired the next 3 to save the game for Reggie Cleveland (6-6).

June 13, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Donn Clendenon (3) smashed a 2-run bomb to highlight a 3-run 3rd inning for the Cardinals. He was ejected for arguing a strike out call later, and his replacement, Alou, smacked a 2-run single in the B8 to provide insurance in a 5-2 Redbirds winner. Scipio Spinks (5-4) pitched 7.1 innings for the W with Diego Segui (1) getting the save. Tommy John (2-3) took the L.

Brew Crew Blue after weekend in Windy City

June 9, 1972
CHICAGO -- Wilbur Wood (8-7) used his knuckler to fan 10 Brewers in a CG, 5-3 victory for the White Sox. Wood helped himself with the bat with a 2-run RBI single in the 2nd. The "Boomer" George Scott (6) provided a pair of Miwaukee's runs with a long one in the 6th.

June 10, 1972
CHICAGO -- Dick Allen (12) led the ChiSox to an 8-2 win with a homer and 2 RBI with his 3 hits. Carlos May (4) also went yard. Starting and winning pitcher Tom Bradley (6-6) aided himself with 2 suicide squeeze bunts to plate runs. Joe Lahoud (6) accounting for 1 of the Brew Crew runs with a solo shot in the 2nd. Ken Brett (5-5) started and lost for the visitors.

June 11, 1972 (Game #1)
CHICAGO -- Ed Herrmann collected the only two hits of the game for the home club as Jim Lonborg (4-3) blanked the Sox the rest of the way in an 8-0 Milwaukee win. The Brewers hit Pale Hose starter Stan Bahnsen (2-7) with 7 runs on 7 hit in the 2nd inning, and that was easily all that was needed. Johnny Briggs led Crew hitters with 3 safeties.

June 11, 1972 (Game #2)
CHICAGO -- Carlos May (5) homered and drove in 4 runs to power the White Sox to a 6-2 win, earning a split in the double dip and 3-1 series victory. Dave Lemonds (1-1) was superb on the hill, tossing 7 innings of 4-hit, 1-run ball.

Sox Make Matching Pair in Chitown

June 6, 1972
CHICAGO -- D-Day veterans on hand to throw out the first pitch and watch the White Sox blow out the Red Sox 11-2. Rick Reichardt had 3 hits and 2 RBI to lead the offense. Carlos May doubled twice and drove in 3. Wilbur Wood (7-7) evened his record with 8 strong innings of work. Sonny Siebert (3-5) was lit up in this one. In real life, he tossed a shutout.

June 7, 1972
CHICAGO -- Doug Griffin banged out 3 hits and 2 RBI, including the game-winner bringing home Reggie Smith in T9 to give the Carmines a 6-5 victory and split in the 2-game series. Carlton Fisk (6) also contributed a homer, a triple, 3 hits, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored in a 16-hit BoSox attack. Danny Cater also contributed 3 hits. Ken Tatum (1-1) was the winning pitcher in relief with former ChiSox hurler Gary Peters (4) pitching a 1-2-3 9th for the save. May (3) enjoyed a solid 3-2-3-3 day at the plate for Chicago.

Yanks Sweep Sunday DH; Split series in ChiTown

June 2, 1972
CHICAGO -- The wind was blowing out on the South-side of Chicago and the home club took advantage with 4 dongs. Dick Allen (8,9), who seems to be heating up with the weather, went deep twice for 4 RBI. Walt Williams (2) and Carlos May (2) also joined the long ball parade as Chicago won 8-0. On the hill, Wilbur Wood (6-7) was spectacular with a CG, 4-hit shutout. Fritz Peterson (4-5) went the distance in the loss for New York.

June 3, 1972
CHICAGO -- Dick Allen (10) powered a 7-run, 7th inning explosion for the ChiSox with a monster 3-run bomb to the upper tank in LCF. Chicago held on to win 11-7. Allen drove in a 4th run with a single. May contributed 3 hits and 3 RBI. Cy Acosta (1-0) was the winning pitcher in relief with Steve Kealy (1) getting the save. Jim Roland (0-2) was tagged with the loss for the Yankees.

June 4, 1972 (Game #1)
CHICAGO -- Bobby Murcer (9) went 4-4 with a double, home run and 5 RBI to lead the Bronx Bombers to a 12-8 win in the lid lifter of today's double dipper. Horace Clarke chipped in 3 hits and 3 RBI to the Yankees 14-hit attack. Lindy McDaniel (1-0) was the winning pitcher in relief. Allen (11) and Beltin Bill Melton (8) went yard again for the Pale Hose, but it wasn't enough. Tom Bradley (5-6) started and lost.

June 4, 1972 (Game #2)
CHICAGO -- Rusty Torrres (4) was on fire in the nightcap with 4 hits, including a homer and pair of doubles. He drove in 3 to lead NYY to the DH sweep and split in the series with a 6-3 win. Mike Kekich (3-3) hurled 7.2 strong innings for the win. Dave Lemonds (0-1) started and lost for the Pale Hose.

I miss double headers. I see from the real-life boxscore, 51,904 were in attendance this Sunday at Comiskey.

Redbirds Sweep Amazins on Memorial Weekend

May 26, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Rick Wise (5-2) homered and was the winning pitcher in the Cardinals 6-3 win over the Mets. In a baseball rarity, Tom Seaver (5-4), the losing pitcher, also homered. For Seaver, it was his 3rd of the year! Lou Brock also drove the St. Louis offense with 3 hits and 3 RBI. Cleon Jones collected 3 hits for the New Yorkers.

May 27, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Lou Brock went 4-5 to lead the Redbirds to a 5-1 victory. Al Santorini (2-1) scattered 6 hits over 8 IP for the W. Joe Torre (4) went yard for the victors. Jim McAndrew (0-2) took the L on the mound.

May 28, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals teed off on Mets starter Gary Gentry (4-3) like they were Jack Nicklaus at Augusta. SS Ted Martinez placed the ball on the tee when he booted Brock's grounder in the B1. Ted Sizemore walked, and Matty Alou (2) hit a 3-run bomb to RF to make it 3-0. Torre (5) went back-to-back with Alou; Ted Simmons tripled; you get the picture. When the dust cleared 11 batters came to the plate and St. Louis jumped to a 7-0 lead. Reggie Cleveland (4-5) and company took it the rest of the way for a 7-3 win. The Amazins' got their runs with a Rusty Staub (3) solo shot in the 6th and a Duffy Dyer (2) 2-run blast in the 7th.

May 29, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Matty Alou delivered a 2-out B9 single scoring Marty Martinez with the winning run as St. Louis captured this Memorial Day matinee 3-2 and swept the series. The unlikely matchup of Buzz Capra and Scipio Spinks treated the fans to a fine pitcher's duel through 7 innings. In the end it was relievers Moe Drabowsky (2-0) and Bob Rauch (1-1) that took the decisions. Torre came up a HR short of a cycle with 3 safeties.

Redbirds Bust Bucs in 2 of 3

May 23, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Steve Blass (4-3) looked like his 1971 self, scattering 6 hits and going the full 9 in a 4-0 whitewashing of the Cardinals. Al Oliver led the way offensively with 3 hits. Gene Clines contributed a PH, 2-run single in the 7th.

May 24, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Joe Torre's dash to the plate in the B9 just beat Roberto Clemente's throw from RF, lifting the Redbirds to a 2-1. Torre had hit a 1-out triple off Bob Miller (0-3), then scored on Ted Simmon's sac fly. Luis Melendez RBI single way back in the 2nd had given St. Louis a 1-0 lead. The Bucs tied it in the T8 with an RBI single from Richie Hebner. Moe Drabowsky (1-0) got the win in relief. The loss snapped a 7-game win streak for Pittsburgh; however, Dave Cash extended his personal hitting streak to 13.

May 25, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- What can be better than a Thursday business man's special matinee on a glorious, sunny 82-degree day in St. Louis? Maybe just adding a hometown 3-2 winner with Bob Gibson (6-3) scattering 4 hits over the full 9. Oliver (7) blasted the Bucs to a 1st inning 2-0 lead. Dock Ellis dazzled the minds of the Cardinals as well as their bats into the 8th inning. He nearly escaped a bases loaded, no-out situation by getting Lou Brock to bounce into a run-scoring DP. Bruce Kison (0-1) entered, surrendered consecutive singles to Ted Sizemore, Matty Alou and Torre and the Redbirds had their 3-2 lead.

2nd Grade Bruce in Tears

Throughout the 1971-72 school year, 2nd grade for me, my best friend Scott McGrill was in my ear about how wonderful it is to be a Cardinals fan. Bear in mind, we lived in Chicagoland, and WGN and the Cubs was all I knew before. Scott introduced me to baseball history, and showed me the numerous World Series titles the Redbirds had won compared to the Cubs. I made the fateful decision then to switch loyalties. A decision I have held onto ever since. Thus, a series like this would have left me crying for sure.

May 18, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Al Santorini (1-1) pitched the full 9, scattering 5 hits in a 4-1 Cardinals win. Lou Brock had 3 hits and Joe Hague knocked in a pair. Milt Pappas (4-3) took the loss for the Cubs.

May 19, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Billy Williams (10) stroked his league-leading 10th HR of the year in the T13th off Dennis Higgins (0-1) with 2 men on to power the Cubs to a 5-3 win. Fergie Jenkins (5-1) marathoned 12 innings to get the win. Jack Aker (1) was shaky in relief, but got the save.

May 20, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Billy Williams led the charge again for the Cubbies, going 4-5 with a pair of RBI. Carmen Fanzone knocked in 3 also as Chicago won the Saturday matinee 8-2. Burt Hooten (5-1) knuckle-curved his way through 7 strong innings for the win. Bob Gibson (5-3) was tagged with 11 hits, two by Hooten, and the L.

May 21, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Bill Hands (3-0) fired a CG 4-hitter as Chicago captured the series with a convincing 10-2 victory. The Cubs banged out 12 hits, including 2 from Glenn Beckert, who extended his hitting streak to 14. Fanzone drove in 3 more runs with 2 hits. Rick Wise (4-2) was hit hard in the loss.

ChiSox Hang Two Ls on Halos

May 19, 1972
CHICAGO -- Wilbur Wood (5-5) and Eddie Fisher knuckled each other to a draw. Blood was not drawn until the B8 when Chicago pushed across 2 for a 2-0 victory. Steve Barber (0-1) was tagged with the loss for the Angels. He issued a bases loaded walk to Bill Melton and gave up an RBI infield out to Rick Reichardt. Wood fanned 7 for the CG shutout.

May 20, 1972
CHICAGO -- Ken McMullen's (1) solo shot off Stan Bahnsen (1-6) in the 7th was the game-winner as California evened the series with a 3-2 win. Rickey Clark (3-3) tossed 6 innings, yielding just 5 hits and 1 ER for the W.

May 21, 1972
CHICAGO -- Dick Allen (5,6) is heating up as the weather warms up. He clobbered two home runs in a 5-2 Chicago win. Tom Bradley (3-4) pitched 7 strong for the W. Terry Forster (0-1) pitched a 1-2-3 9th for the save.

Twin Wins for White Sox Against Minnesota

May 15, 1972
CHICAGO -- Wilbur Wood (4-5) knuckled his way through 9 full innings for a W and a 5-3 White Sox winner. He overcame a 3-hit performance by Harmon Killebrew (6), including his 2-run blast in the 3rd. The ChiSox responded with 4 runs in the B3. Jay Johnstone and Rick Riechardt each knocked in 2 runs. Jim Perry (1-2) started and lost for the Twins.

May 16, 1972
CHICAGO -- A trio of Minnesota hurlers held the White Sox to just 1 run and 3 hits as the Twins evened the series with a 4-1 win. Dick Woodson (2-3) started and pitched 7 innings, followed by Jim Strickland and Wayne Granger (1). Rod Carew banged out 3 hits and Danny Thompson knocked in 2. Killebrew (7) went yard once again. Stan Bahnsen (1-5) started and lost for Chicago.

May 17, 1972
CHICAGO -- Dick Allen (4) and Tom Egan (2) hit 2-run home runs in the 3rd and 4th innings, respectively, to lead Chicago to a 7-2 victory in the series closer. Tom Bradley (2-4) tossed 7 IP for the W. Bert Blyleven (2-3) took the loss.

Bye, Bye Birdies! Pale Hose end losing streak with Sweep

May 12, 1972
CHICAGO -- Bill Melton (4) belted a Mike Cueller (1-4) fastball down the LF line in the B9 for a 2-1 walk-off winner for the White Sox.  The victory ended a 13-game losing skid for the ChiSox. Don Buford (2) had given the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the 3rd with a solo shot off WP Wilbur Wood (3-5). Mike Andrews' RBI double in the 8th tied it.

May 13, 1972
CHICAGO -- I think even back in 1972 chicks dug the long ball, and a walk-off home runs sent them over the moon. White Sox players made it 2 in a row with Rick Reichardt (4) doing the honors in the B11th off Mickey Scott (0-1) with a man on, lifting Chicago to a 4-2 win. Ed Herrmann (1) also went deep in the 5th, answering a solo shot by Boog Powell (4) in the 4th. Steve Kealy (1-1) was the winner in relief for the Pale Hose.

May 14, 1972
CHICAGO -- Sunday catcher Tom Egan singled scoring a pair in the opening inning highlighting a 3-run outburst by the home club. Starting pitcher Tom Bradley (1-4) and reliever Vicente Romo and Dave Lemonds (1) made it hold up in a 3-2 White Sox win. Paul Blair's 3-4 day was wasted for the O's. Dave McNally (2-3) took the loss.

Believe it or Not -- Chicago also swept Baltimore in real life this weekend

Redbird's Toast Stro(h)s at Busch

May 9, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Don Wilson (4-0) kept his record spotless with a CG 10-1 victory over St. Louis. Lee May (4) and Bob Watson (1) led the Astros offense with multiple hits, including a HR each.

May 10, 1972
St. LOUIS -- Bob Gibson (4-2) fired 8 innings to earn a 4-2 Redbirds victory. Ted Simmons led the offense with 2 hits and 2 runs scored. Moe Drabowsky (2) grabbed the save.

May 11, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Roger Metzger's throwing error allowed Lou Brock to race home from 2nd in the B9 as St. Louis takes the rubber game, 6-5. Brock had led off with a bunt that was fumbled by pitcher Jim Ray (0-1) for an error. He promptly stole his 10th base of the year. The Stros' Johnny Edwards (1) had dramatically tied the game at 5-5 in the T8 with a 3-run blast. Rick Wise (4-0) remained perfect on the year with a CG performance.

Bengals Sweep Pair from ChiSox, Including 19-inning Affair

May 9, 1972
CHICAGO -- Joe Coleman (3-3) pitched 8.1 innings of 3-hit ball, fanning 10, as Detroit won 6-1. Tony Taylor (3 RBI), Norm Cash, and Aurelio Rodriguez each banged out 3 hits. Chicago has now lost 13 straight.

May 10, 1972
CHICAGO -- Bill Freehan's (1) 2-run blast off Steve Kealy (0-1) in the top of the 19th inning lifted the tigers to a 4-2 win. Fred Scherman (1-0) was the winning pitcher for the visitor's after 4 innings of shutout relief.

Orioles Down Sox In 1 Game Contest

After starting the season slow (1-4) the Baltimore Orioles have seeming righted

their flight path pulling to .500 (7-7) with a 1 game victory over the Chicago White Sox.   Dave McNally was stellar pitching 8.2 innings, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 7 batters to get the victory.  Boog Powell hit his first homer of the season to aid in the win.

BALTIMORE 4  CHICAGO 1
WP Dave McNally (2-2, 8.2 IP, 3H, 7Ks, 2.88 ERA)
LP Stan Bahnsen (1-3, 4 H, 5Ks, 3.44 ERA)
SV Eddie Watt (2)
HR Boog Powell (1)

Dodgers take 2 of 3 from Amazin's

Dodgers take game 1 as Bill Singer bests Jon Matlack 5-3.  Both Frank Robby and Bill Russell go 3 for 4 and knock in 2 runs apiece

Amazin's even up the series in a wild 10-7 affair.  Game was tied 7-7 when NY scored 3 big runs off 49 year old Hoyt Wilhelm, who looks to be at the end of the road.  NY sent 8 batters to the plate with Jim Fregosi doubling home 2 and Jerry Grote single home 1.  Danny Frisella got the win in relief.

LA takes the rubber match on a nifty 2 hit complete game shutout by Don Sutton.  Steve Garvey (2-3) knocked in 2 of LA's 4 runs.  Agee and Harrelson recorded NY's only hits.  Buzz Capra was chased from the mound after giving up 4 runs in 4 innings.

Dodgers need late inn heroics to take 2 of 3 from 'Spos

2 run PH single in 8th

GAME 1:  MON 6, LAD 2

Carl Morton went the distance giving up just 2 run on 4 hits. Sutton managed to stay till the end despite yielding 6 (5 earned). Former Dodger Ron Fairly (2-4) knocked in half of the Expos runs (3). Hunt, Singleton and Day each chipped in 2 hits as the 'Spos easily grab the opener of this 3 game set. 

GAME 2:  LAD 4, MON 3

Bill Stoneham was posting goose eggs until the Dodgers erupted for 4 unanswered runs in the bottom of the 8th to take a 4-3 lead. Sadly this is La-La Land and the fans arrive in the third and are gone by they 7th, so only a handful of people and vendors saw this great comeback that started with a lead off pinch hit single by Billy Buckner. After Willie Davis singled home Bucks Frank Robby was given an unintentional / intentional pass to face weak hitting Jim Lefebvre. In response LA sent Bobby Valentine up to pinch hit. V lined one to right to single home Bill Russell and Davis to tie the game at 3-3. Willie Crawford's sac fly out LA up for good. Jim Brewer came out of the pen to replace Claude Osteen and finish off the game and post his second save of the season. 

GAME 3:  LAD 2, MON 1

Al Downing spent 8 innings dodging bullets and base hits without yielding a run. Hoping to close the door and post the shutout the lefty from NYC gave up singles to John Baccabella and Ron Hunt before getting lifted. With the shutout still in tact veteran reliever Jim Brewer needed to get 2 outs to close the door. That would not work out thanks to a oppo single by his former teammate Fairly. Brewer now needed to stop the bleeding or risk losing the game. He got Ron Woods to pop out to Wills at short and then fanned Vet Bob Bailey for his 2nd save in as many days. Downing got the win to take his record to 2-0. Montreal out hit the Dodgers 11-5, but still got the short end of the stick.

Dodger Diamond Dust:  Fans are starting to gossip that glory day hero Maury Wills (.083) might be at the end of

the road. The 40 something year old former speedster is looking sluggish with the bat and on the bases, when he actually gets on. Off season acquisition, Frank Robby (.154) isn't doing much better, but he has hit into a number of hard/long outs, so no one is concerned.

Tribe Sweeps Pair from Pale Hose

April 25, 1972
CHICAGO -- Frank Duffy lined a triple off Wilbur Wood (2-2) in the 4th inning scoring 3 runs. The normally light-hitting SS also had an RBI double as Cleveland upended the White Sox 5-4. Dick Allen (3) hit a 3-run HR for the ChiSox and Bill Melton (2) added a solo shot. Milt Wilcox (1-1) started and won for the Tribe. Ed Farmer (1), who will be doing the same duties for the Sox in a few years, closed the game.

April 26, 1972
CHICAGO -- Ray Fosse and Buddy Bell each rang up 4 hits and Duffy doubled twice to drive in 3 more runs and Cleveland completed the sweep with a 7-4 victory. Dick Tidrow (2-1) recorded 26 outs and Phil Hennigan (2) notched the 27th. Tom Bradley fell to 0-2.

Brewers Split With Angels

After dropping game one in miserable fashion, 8-2,  the Milwaukee Brewers

rebounded to take game 2 from the California Angels.  The win was only the Brewers 2nd of the season and they improve to 2-5.  The split helps keep California at .500 as they now stand at 5-5.  George Scott finally got off the no hit snide going 2-3 with a home run in the 2nd game.  Scott, coming over from Boston after the 1971 season, was suppose to be the person to help Milwaukee into the upper tear of the division.  But his slow start has had Manager Del Crandall shaking his head.

Game 1 
California 8  Milwaukee 2
WP - Clyde Wright ( 1-1, CG, 1.08 ERA)
LP - Ken Brett (0-2, 7.62 ERA)
HR - Clyde Wright (1)
         Leroy Stanton (2)
         Chris Coletta (1)

Game 2
Milwaukee 3  California 0
WP - Bob Parsons (1-2, CG, 2H, Shoutout, 6Ks, 3.00 ERA)
LP - Rickey Clark (1-1, 5ks, 1.23 ERA)
HR - George Scott (1)

Royals Crown ChiSox in 2 of 3

April 22, 1972 (Game #1)
CHICAGO -- The South-Side Hitmen are a few years away. In 1972, it was only Dick Allen and Bill Melton doing the slugging. The rest was small ball, but today it worked when Mike Andrews dropped a perfect suicide squeeze bunt in the B9 to score Pat Kelly as Chicago won the opener of a twin bill, 2-1. Kelly had led off with a PH single, slole second and went to third on a wild throw. Wilbur Wood (2-1) went the distance for the win. Al Fitzmorris (0-1) took the loss in relief of Paul Splittorff, who was splendid through 7 IP. Lou Piniella's (1) hard-hit liner cut through a strong wind blowing in off the lake and traveled 422-feet of the CF wall for KC's only run.

April 22, 1972 (Game #2)
CHICAGO -- Big John Maybery's (3) 3-run clout in the T5th lifted the Royals to a 6-3 lead. They went on to win 10-3. Mayberry also added an RBI double. Monty Montgomery (1-0) pitched 7 innings for the win. Fitzmorris (1) notched the save. Tom Bradley (0-1) took the loss.

April 23, 1972
CHICAGO -- Mike Andews throwing error in the T8th allowed two runs to score, broke a 2-2 deadlock, and helped the Royals to a 5-2 win in the rubber game of the series. Mike Hedlund (1-1) hurled 7 innings for the W. Roger Nelson (2) tossed 1.1 for the save. Terry Forster (0-2) was the loser in relief.

Pale Hose Split Pair with Newly Minted Texans

April 18, 1972
CHICAGO -- Wilbur Wood (1-1) dazzled the Texas Rangers (that will take awhile to get used to) and had them looking like, well  . . . the Washington Senators. Chicago won 7-1 with Carlos May (1) and Rick Reichardt (2) providing the thunder with home runs and 3 and 4 RBI, respectively.

April 19, 1972
CHICAGO -- Never say anything bad about Texas. This time 4 Rangers hurlers limited the ChiSox to one run on 4 hits in a 6-1 win. Jim Panther (1-0) got the win in relief. Joe Lovitto and Larry Biittner each knocked in a pair of runs.

Orioles Grounded As Tigers Take Series

Baltimore Orioles fans have not been acquainted with losing in recent past but

the 1972 O's seemingly have not shown up to start the season.  Losing 4 of it's first 5 home games has the Baltimore faithful scratching their heads to figure out where their beloved team has gone.  The Detroit Tigers came into Memorial Stadium without a win on the season, and everything looked like it was going to get back to normal as Baltimore caged the Tigers 7-1 in game 1.  Behind a stellar performance by Jim Palmer (1-0, 1.00 ERA, CG) the birds cruised to their first win of the season.  But normal these days is not what it used to be.  Detroit would take the next two games, outscoring the Orioles 6-2, to capture the series.  Tigers Mickey Lolich (1-1, 4.76 ERA) would strike out 8 batters in game 2 to get a complete game victory (his first) and Tom Timmermann (1-0, 0.00 ERA) would combine with Lerrin LaGrow (1 SV, 0.00 ERA) to capture game 3 with a shutout.  Mickey Stanley hit his 1st homer of the season (game 2) while Norm Cash hit his 2nd of the season in game 3.  Detroit improves to 2-2 on the season while Baltimore drops to 1-4.

Game 1:
Baltimore 7 Detroit 1
WP Jim Palmer (1-0, 9 IP, 5 H, 1.00 ERA)
LP Joe Coleman (0-1, 3.86 ERA)

Game 2:
Detroit 4  Baltimore 2
WP Mickey Lolich (1-1, 4.76 ERA, CG, 8 Ks)
LP Mike Cuellar (0-1, 4.00 ERA, CG)
HR - Mickey Stanley (1)

Game 3:
Detroit 2  Baltimore 0
WP Tom Timmermann (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7IP)
LP Pat Dobson (0-2, 8.10 ERA, 6Ks)
SV Lerrin LaGrow (1)
HR - Norm Cash (2)

Redbirds Fly Past Expos in Opening Pair

April 15, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Bob Gibson (1-0) scattered 7 hits and fanned 9 on his way to a CG 3-0 shutout win in the home opener at Busch Memorial Stadium. The other interesting note was Ken Singleton getting ejected for an illegal slide. That was a first for this veteran game-player.

April 16, 1972
ST. LOUIS -- Luis Melendez delivered a pinch hit, 2-out, 2-RBI single in the B9th to send the Cardinals to an 8-7 comeback, walk-off victory. Donn Clendenon (1) clobbered a PH 3-run home run to highlight a 4-run 8th for the Redbirds. Rick Wise, who arrived in St. Loo this season after a controversial trade which sent popular Steve Carlton to Philadelphia, did not endear himself to the home-town fans. He yielded 7 runs on 10 hits in 6 IP. Mike Jorgensen and Singleton did most of the damage with 4 hits apiece for Montreal. Rich Folkers (1-0) and Tom Walker (0-1) turned out to be the pitchers of record.

Yankees Defeather Orioles in Baltimore Home Opener

After a strike shortened start to the season the Baltimore Orioles finally got things underway hosting their division rivals the New York Yankees.  The Bronx Bombers wasted little time in showing the previous AL East Champions that there is a new kid on the block.  New York put up 25 hits in two games and 15 total runs to sweep the series at Memorial Stadium.  Ron Blomberg, Bobby Murcer and Bernie Allen all homered for the Yanks in game one while Felipe Alou and Ron Swaboda found game 2 to be more to their liking.  Yankees Mel Stottlemyer threw a complete game 3 hit shutout to earn his first victory of the season.  Fritz Peterson also picked up the win in game two for the Yanks.  Oriole coach Earl Weaver would not allow the press to interview any Baltimore players as he felt there were none worth mentioning or quoting.  The legendary coach's parting words were, "Don't worry, the fans don't start booing until July."

GAME 1:
New York 10  Baltimore 0
WP: Mel Stottelmyre (1-0, 3H, 8 Ks CG)
LP: Pat Dobson (0-1, 21.00 ERA)
HR: NYY - Blomberg (1), Murcer (1), Allen (1)  

GAME 2
New York 5 Baltimore 2
WP: Fritz Peterson (1-0, 6.2 IP , 6H, 2 Ks)
LP: Dave McNally (0-1, 8.2 IP, 11 H, 4Ks, 5.91 ERA)
SV: Sparky Lyle (1)
HR: NYY - Alou (1), Swaboda (1)