SUMMERY :
The Cincinnati Reds (aka The Big Red Machine) rolled in the World Series with the best record in all of Baseball. The New York Yankees (eventually to be known as “The Evil Empire”) had won the AL East in a bit of an upset, and then in an even bigger upset had knocked off the mighty Oakland A’s in four games of the ALCS. On paper, it looked fairly clearly that the Reds were the better team, but they’d have to prove it on the field.
GAME #1
NYY – 4
CIN – 3
The Reds were rolling along with a 3-0 lead after seven with Starter Don Gullett firing a nice shutout attempt. But suddenly in the Top of the 8
th things got away from Don and Alomar & Michaels opened the inning with singles. Pinch Hitter Otto Velez, in what would be his only Plate Appearance of the Series crushed a Gullett offering deep into the left field bleachers and just like that the game was tied at 3 apiece. Then, int eh Top of the 9
th the Yankees would work the Bases Loaded with two outs when another pinch hitter, Bill Sudakis (
making one of only two Plate Appearances for the Series) worked Rookie Reliever Rawley Eastwick for an RBI Walk to make it 4-3 Yankees which would be the final.
GAME #2
NYY – 8
CIN – 2
A tightly contested 2-2 game was sitting at 2 Out with nobody on in the Top of the 7th when disaster struck the home town Reds. The next 6 Plate Appearances by the Yankees resulted in order a Double, Single, Single, an E1, Walk, and then a Home Run to top of a sudden six run rally that resulted in New York grabbing a 2-0 Lead in the Series.
GAME #3
CIN – 4
NYY – 2
A change of scenery did wonders for Cincinnati as they grabbed and early lead and pretty much cruised behind Starter Clay Kerby and two relievers to an event free win to get back into the Series.
GAME #4
CIN – 5
NYY – 2
The Yankees lost their Starter George Medich after only one out to injury, but somehow managed to stay in the game thru 7 innings and actually held a 2-1 lead. But then in the Top of the 8th New York’s sterling Closer Sparky Lyle, in to Save the Game and give his team a commanding lead in the Series, imploded in giving up four runs in only two-thirds of an Inning and Cincinnati had the Win and the Series was knotted at 2 Game apiece.
GAME #5
CIN – 3
NYY – 4
Once again the Reds lead late in holding a 3-2 lead in the Bottom of the 8th with nobody on. But then Yankees first baseman Chris Chambliss somehow laced a Triple down the line, which was followed by Catcher Thurman Munson launching a pitch deep into the left field stands for what would be the winning runs. New York now lead the Series 3 Games to 2 as things headed back to Cincinnati.
GAME #6
NYY – 1
CIN – 2
In a must win game for his team Reds Starting Pitcher Fred Norman came through in a HUGE way in spinning a marvelous 4 hit, 1 walk, 104 Pitch Complete Game to extend the Series to a Seventh Game.
GAME #7
NYY – 4
CIN – 2
For the fourth time in the Series the Yankees rallied for the Win, this time to claim the Title. With things tied at two, New York got a runner to second with one out on a throwing error. Pinch Hitter Lou Pinella then cranked an opposite field home run to suddenly give the Yankees a 4-2 lead. When New York’s weary Closer Sparky Lyle got Cincinnati three up and three down int eh Bottom of the 9th the Yankees had their World Series Title.
REVIEW :
It really came down to a lot of little things adding up for the Yankees and against the Reds. The biggest keys had to be New York’s very timely hitting off a Reds Pitching Staff that just didn’t perform up to their press clippings for the most part. Manager Bill Schneider stated afterwards that this had been his teams Achilles Heel all season long. My bet is they fix it quire well of the next two upcoming seasons!
MVP :
With no real clear standout it sort of defaults to Yankees Closer Sparky Lyle, not that he doesn’t deserve it. Despite him Game #4 implosion he was MONEY for New York in his other appearances going 3-1 in 5 scoreless outings covering 7 & 2/3rds Innings to rightfully earn this honor.
IN FINAL :
A fun year with a very rewarding result to the season for me of course. New this team was better on paper than in real life, and they proved it, and I’ll remember this replay fondly for sure. A big time congrats extended to Cincinnati Skipper Bill Schneider who if not for “Those Damn Yankees” (as the Movie quote goes) nearly guided both of his team to the Big Show. I have a feeling his success will continue as I think what I did was maybe save the League from a 3-Peat from his Queen City Crew!
And a BIG THANKS to Chad for running these Replay’s for us. As someone who grew up in this era, I cannot extend enough thanks to him, the amount of fun and memories they provide is indescribable. THANKS CHAD!
On to ’75!
Scott Griffin – New York Yankees’74, The World Champs!
