Fall Classic Rewind – Détails, épisodes et analyse

1978 World Series Game 5 and 6

Sunday October 15th @ Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, New York

Tuesday October 17th @ Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine, Los Angeles, California

After being down two games to none to start this series, the Yankees have evened things up in the Fall Classic, and they look to keep things rolling here in game five. No team has yet to overcome a 2 - 0 deficit by winning four straight, but if any team could be the first, it would be Bob Lemon’s Yankees. They’ve certainly had their share of good fortune here at Yankee Stadium, and they have capitalized on nearly every Dodger’s mistake. Misplays, errors, and just rotten luck have been the story of Tommy Lasorda’s squad the past few days. Whether it was Graig Nettles incredible reflexes, Bucky Dent’s unrelenting hustle, or Reggie Jackson’s ‘subtle’ hip movement, there was always something in the way for Los Angeles, not to mention a costly errors in the field and on the bases from the usually reliable Bill Russell. If they don’t clean up their act soon, they will lose their second straight World Series.

Since the Yankees evened this series at two games apiece, we are guaranteed at least one game back in Los Angeles. Who will have the advantage heading in to game six will come down to the pitching matchup in game five. For the Yankees it will be rookie righty Jim Beattie(6 - 9 3.73 ERA 128 IP). The former Dartmouth basketball star was shaky, but effective against the Royals in the ALCS, but he hasn’t pitched in nearly two weeks. The Dodgers will send Burt Hooton (19 - 10 2.71 ERA 236 IP) to the mound, and although he’s been their best regular season pitcher the past few seasons, his postseason starts have been hit or miss. He can be brilliant, but if that knuckle-curve isn’t dancing, ‘Happy’ Hooton can make his hot-tempered manager furious. In game six, it will be a match-up of future Hall-of-Famers and 200 game winners, Don Sutton (15 - 11 3.55 ERA 238 IP) and Catfish Hunter (12 - 6 3.58 ERA 118 IP). Ultimately this series will come down to who can come up with the big hit. Will it be the stars, like Reggie Jackson or Steve Garvey? Or maybe it will be someone unheralded, like a pair of scrappy middle-infielders?

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube. NBC broadcast with Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, Tom Seaver, and Curt Gowdy

Game 5

Game 6 - some CBS radio with Bill White

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Saturday October 14th, 1978 @ Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, New York

The sun is out on a Saturday afternoon in the Bronx, but rain clouds are looming in the distance. Thanks to an outstanding defensive game from third baseman Graig Nettles, the Yankees took game three in convincing fashion to avoid going down three games to none in this series against the Dodgers. If they hope to even things at two games apiece, the Yanks will need a much better effort from their starting pitcher, Ed Figueroa (20 - 9 2.99 ERA 253 IP). The Puerto Rican right-hander has been lit up in his previous postseason starts, but New York manager Bob Lemon has a lot of trust in the guy who has won the third most games in the American League the past three seasons. For Los Angeles, it will be veteran lefty Tommy John (17 - 10 3.30 ERA 213 IP) taking the ball. John was solid, but unspectacular in a blowout game one win. His reconstructed left elbow has been a dependable weapon for manager Tommy Lasorda, though John’s approach is pitch-to-contact, which could be an issue given the shaky infield defense the Dodgers have displayed of late. Of greater concern, though, has been the Dodgers' struggles with runners in scoring position. Los Angeles stranded eleven men on base in game three, and they were unable to deliver the big hit despite that constant opportunity. If Los Angeles wants to maintain control of this series, they can’t let those opportunities slip away again.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube - NBC broadcast with Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, Tom Seaver, and Curt Gowdy

CBS radio with Ross Porter, Win Elliot, and Bill White

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1977 World Series Game 3

Friday October 13th, 1977 @ Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California

The series is tied at a game apiece as we head out to the West Coast for the first of three games in Los Angeles. The Dodgers are in good spirits, coming off of an absolute drubbing in game two behind a Burt Hooton masterpiece and four long home runs from Cey, Smith, Garvey, and Yeager. They turn to veteran lefty Tommy John (20 - 7 2.78 ERA 220 IP), who finished runner-up in Cy Young voting in ’77. The workhorse has been nothing short of outstanding after returning from an experimental elbow surgery (yes, that one) the previous season. Tommy Lasorda’s starters have kept the powerful Yankees offense at bay through two games, can John make it a third?

All is not well in the Bronx, and that’s not even talking about tumult in Billy Martin’s clubhouse. We’ll leave the unrest in the city to those who have covered it in depth, and we’ll just try to focus on the baseball. That’s probably what the Yankees need to do themselves. Reggie Jackson is simultaneously feuding with his manager, the Boss, his teammates, and the New York media. Thurman Munson just wants to go back home to Ohio, and no one is quite sure if the Yanks will have enough arms to even get through five games. Getting the call today is the man who has stepped up in big games throughout the season, Mike Torrez (17 - 13 3.88 ERA 243 IP). The big right-hander, who is on the verge of free agency, was dynamite down the stretch, going 9 - 3 with 10 complete games in his final 15 starts. He also provided a season saving relief effort against the Royals in game five of the ALCS. The Yankees will need a big game from him if they want to retake home field advantage. They will also need the offense, particularly leadoff man Mickey Rivers and the aforementioned Jackson to step up on the offensive side.

Audio clips from joeydbball on YouTube - ABC broadcast with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Tom Seaver 

Pregame CBS News with Walter Cronkite and Terry Drinkwater

As always shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1977 World Series Game 2

Wednesday October 12th, 1977 @ Yankee Stadium New York, New York

After a thrilling extra-inning walk-off victory, courtesy of reserve outfielder Paul Blair, the Yankees look to press the advantage in this best of seven World Series. To the surprise of many, it will be Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter (9 - 9 4.71 ERA 143 IP) getting the ball for Billy Martin’s Yankees, who has not pitched in over a month. It has certainly been a year to forget for the 8x All-Star, 5x 20 game winner, 3x World Series champion, former Cy Young, and future Hall-of-Famer. Arm fatigue and other health issues have maligned him all year, but the Yankees hope he can rediscover the craft that made him one of the best postseason pitchers of the decade (8 - 4 2.81 ERA 109 IP 15 GS *thru 1976).

For Tommy Lasorda and the Dodgers, they really want to win tonight. Going down 2-0 in a series before 3 straight games at home is not an overwhelming deficit, but it’s not ideal. If they can steal a game on the road, they will feel much better about their chances on the flight back to Los Angeles. Who better to turn to than one of the best road warriors in 1977, Burt Hooton (12 -7 2.62 ERA 236 IP). The veteran righty is admist the best stretch of his underrated career, and he was outstanding away from LA with a 2.32 ERA in 124 IP. He did fail to get out of the second inning in his NLCS start at Philly, but that might have had more to do with questionable umpiring than his pitching ability. When Hooton has his signature knucklecurve dancing, he can be near unhittable. If the Dodgers hope to tie up this series, they will need Hooton to lead the way.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1977 World Series 

Game One - Tuesday October 11th, 1977 @ Yankee Stadium, New York, NY

The Big Apple versus Hollywood. The City that Never Sleeps against the City of Angels. What used to be coined the ’Subway Series’ in the 40’s and 50’s is now a battle of the coasts. The New York Yankees (100 - 62) take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (98 - 64), formerly of Brooklyn, in their ninth World Series against one another. The Bronx Bombers have had the Dodgers number, winning six of the previous eight matchups. But that is old history, and these teams bring a whole new cast of characters to this storied rivalry. And they are sure to bring some really entertaining baseball.

The Yankees, managed by former scrappy infielder Billy Martin, are looking for the 21st World Series title. After getting swept by the Reds in last year’s series, Martin and the Yanks certainly want to start off with a win. What better option to turn to than the guy who beat you last year, lefty Don Gullet (14 - 4 3.58 ERA 158 IP). The former Cincinnatti ace, who has been dealing with an ailing shoulder all year, lacked command and was rocked by the Royals in the ALCS. With rest and treatment, he says he is ready to go. The Yankees will need length out of him, as the bullpen (really just Sparky Lyle) has been taxed so far in these playoffs.

For the Dodgers, who are also led by a former 50’s player in Tommy Lasorda, they will turn to their most reliable arm, Don Sutton (14 - 8 3.18 ERA 240 IP). The future Hall-of-Famer has yet to lose in 5 previous playoff starts, sporting a 1.38 ERA across 39 innings pitched. The curly-haired righty was outstanding against the Phillies in the NLCS, allowing just one run in a complete game win. For both of these teams, a lot is expected of their stars (Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Steve Garvey, and Reggie Smith). But as it often happens in the Fall Classic, it will be the role players, the unsung heroes that come through in key moments. And these teams have a bevy of guys that star in their roles.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube - ABC Sports with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Tom Seaver

As always shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

ALCS - Royals vs. Yankees

For the second consecutive year, the Kansas City Royals (102 - 60) and the New York Yankees (100 - 62) will face off with the AL pennant on the line. Last year, the series went the distance, with one of the most iconic endings in playoff history, a Chris Chambliss walk off home run to send the Yanks to the World Series. This year, the series will once again go five games, with a dramatic finish in the final inning.

Since he was hired as full time manager after an interim stint in 1975, all Royals manager Whitey Herzog has done is lead Kansas City to their first two playoff appearances in their relatively short history. They may have come up short in the 1976 ALCS, but this team is more than ready for a second chance. These Royals and their young core have established themselves as perennial AL contenders. Leading the was is star third baseman George Brett (22 HR 88 RBI 142 OPS+), who has cemented himself as one of the top players in the game in just his age 24 season. Bolstering the heart of this powerful lineup are Hal McRae (21 HR 92 RBI 136 OPS+) and Al Cowens (23 HR 112 RBI 137 OPS+), both of whom received MVP votes but were surprisingly not All-Stars in the ’77 season. Dennis Leonard (20 - 12 3.04 ERA 292 IP) and Paul Splittorff (16 - 6 3.69 ERA 229 IP) led the way for the starters, and Herzog could deploy a bevy of reliable, but unspectacular arms to cover the late innings or spot starts.

Despite the magical finish to the previous year’s ALCS, the Yankees disappointed in the World Series, getting swept by the Big Red Machine. Still, expectations were sky high for manager Billy Martin, who had already taken 3 different teams to the playoffs to this point in his career. The Boss, owner George Steinbrenner, demands results; therefore, it’s not enough to have the reigning MVP in catcher Thurman Munson, bring in superstar Reggie Jackson on the biggest contract ever awarded to a player. The rotation was strong with former A’s All-Stars Catfish Hunter and Ken Holtzman. Let’s sign Don Gullet, who just beat us in last year. With all these new faces, it is no surprise that this team got off to a slow start, but they were just too talented to let that spoil the season. The Yankees went absolutely nuclear with a 50 - 20 second half record. Munson (18 HR 100 RBI 121 OPS +) and Jackson (32 HR 100 RBI 150 OPS+) were their typical MVP-caliber-selves, while Graig Nettles (37 HR 107 RBI 124 OPS+) put together one of the best seasons of his underrated career. The pitching staff delivered, but it wasn’t the stars that got it done. Gullet was solid in his first year as a Yankee, but Hunter and Holtzman were disasters. Figueroa and Torrez carried much of the load, but it was the unexpected breakout of lefty Ron Guidry (16 - 7 2.82 ERA 210 IP) that really elevated the NYY rotation. Perhaps the savior of the season was the duo out of the bullpen, Dick Tidrow (11 - 4 5 SV 3.16 ERA 151 IP) and Sparky Lyle (13 - 5 26 SV 2.17 ERA 137 IP), the latter taking home the AL Cy Young. If the Yankees want another pennant, they will need their stars to perform, especially on the road.

Game 1 @ NYY: LHP Don Gullet (14 - 4 3.58 ERA 158 IP) vs. LHP Paul Splittorff

Game 2 @ NYY: LHP Ron Guidry vs. LHP Andy Hassler (9 - 6 4.20 ERA 156 IP)

Game 3 @ KCR: RHP Dennis Leonard vs. RHP Mike Torrez (17 - 13 3.88 ERA 243 IP)

Game 4 @ KCR: LHP Larry Gura (8 - 5 10 SV 3.13 ERA 106 IP) vs. RHP Ed Figueroa (16 - 11 3.57 ERA 239 IP)

Game 5 @ KCR: LHP Paul Splittorff vs. LHP Ron Guidry

Audio clips from Youtube, links to specific games below 

1976 ALCS GM 5 - ABC by Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Reggie Jackson

Game 2 - NBC by Dick Enberg and Don Drysdale

Game 4 - WPIX by Frank Messer, Phil Rizzuto, and Bill White

NBC by Joe Garagiola and Tony Kubek

Game 5 - WPIX 

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

1977 NLCS

Meeting up for the first of two consecutive NLCS battles in 1977 and 1978, the Philadelphia Phillies (101-61) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64) face off with games one and two at Dodger Stadium, and the final three (if necessary) at Veterans Stadium in Philly.

The Phillies captured their second of three consecutive NL East titles behind the stewardship of Danny Ozark. The Fightin’s had the best lineup in the NL, and they were stacked at nearly every position. Michael Jack Schmidt was his typical outstanding self (38 HR 101 RBI .274/.393/.574 151 OPS+), but it was Greg ‘the Bull’ Luzinski (39 HR 130 RBI .309/.394/.594 156 OPS+) who finished runner-up in MVP voting. The mid-season trade for former Cardinals OF Bake McBride bolstered are already strong outfield core with Garry Maddox and the Bull. Larry Bowa and Bob Boone provided excellent defense and timely hits, while platoon hitters like Jay Johnstone, Tim McCarver, and Davey Johnson crushed their opportunities. ‘Lefty’ Steve Carlton picked up his second career Cy Young by leading the NL in wins, but the rest of the rotation left a lot to be desired. These Phillies were able to win over a 100 games because Danny Ozark could turn to a dominant bullpen, with 4 guys (Gene Garber, Ron Reed, Tug McGraw, and Warren Brusstar) sporting ERAs in the 2s. With a high-powered offense, a true ace, and a lights-out bullpen, this is a modern team to be reckoned with.

In his first full year as manager of the Dodgers, Tommy Lasorda led this storied franchise back to the playoffs. His lineup packs a punch to rival the Phillies, with four 30+ home run hitters (Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Dusty Baker, and Reggie Smith). The corner infielders (Garvey and Cey) both drove in 110+ runs, while the corner outfielders (Baker and Smith) provided more in on-base and slugging, with Smith leading the NL in OPS+ and finishing fourth in MVP voting. Where the Dodgers had the greatest edge over the league was with their pitching staff, who collectively had a 3.22 ERA, 20% better than league average. All 5 of their starters pitched over 200 innings with above average ERAs and double digit wins. Tommy John led the way with 20 wins and a 2.78 ERA. The bullpen was not as reliable as Philadelphia’s, but that is partially because they weren’t relied on as frequently. The pitching matchups will be as follows:

Game 1 @ LAD - LHP Tommy John (20 - 7 2.78 ERA 220 IP) vs. LHP Steve Carlton (23 - 10 2.64 ERA 283 IP)

Game 2 @ LAD - RHP Don Sutton (14 - 8 3.18 ERA 240 IP) vs. Jim Lonborg (11 - 4 4.11 ERA 157 IP)

Game 3 @ PHI - RHP Larry Christenson (19 - 6 4.06 ERA 219 IP) vs. Burt Hooton (12 - 7 2.62 ERA 223 IP)

Game 4 @ PHI - LHP Steve Carlton vs. LHP Tommy John

Audio clips from Youtube linked below

Game 1 - Vin Scully on KTTV

Game 2 - Russ Porter and Jerry Doggett on KTTV

Game 3 - Harry Kalas, Richie Ashburn, and Andy Musser on WPHL-TV

Game 4 - Dick Enberg and Don Drysdale on NBC (plus Kalas on WPHL-TV)

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2024 BBWAA HOF Ballot

With the new year nearly upon us, it’s time to once again talk about the Hall of Fame, focusing on the candidates on the BBWAA ballot. There are many strong holdovers who either have a shot at election this year, like Todd Helton and Billy Wagner, or will make strides towards future enshrinement, like Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltrán. There are the suspected or confirmed PED users, like AROD, Manny Ramirez, Andy Pettite, and Gary Sheffield, who will all likely fall short of the 75% threshold. And then there’s the new guys. There’s Adrián Beltré, whose 3,000 hits, 477 HR and 5 Gold Gloves at third base pretty much guarantee his election, the only question being how many writers don’t vote for him. Former Twins MVP and standout catcher Joe Mauer makes his debut on the ballot, and he brings with him a very compelling case, though he is anything but a sure bet given the injuries that hampered his longevity. Phillies gritty second baseman Chase Utley is a sabermetric darling, but he lacks the career counting stats and accolades that usually accompany players of his caliber. There are plenty of other intriguing names on this ballot, and for most of the them, the honor is just making it to this point. Take a listen as we discuss this year’s candidates for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Audio clip sources listed below

Adrián Beltré’s 3000th hit - TEX radio KRLD 105.3 by Matt Hicks

Joe Mauer’s final game - MIN TV Fox Sports North by Dick Bremer and Bert Blyleven

Chase Utley is ‘The Man’ - PHI radio WIP by Harry Kalas and Chris Wheeler

Bartolo Colon - the impossible has happened - NYM TV SNY by Gary Cohen, Ron Darling, and Keith Hernandez

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2023 Hall of Fame: Contemporary Era Managers, Executives, and Umpires

As Baseball Winter Meetings get underway, the Contemporary Era committee for the Baseball Hall of Fame will have eight candidates to consider. On this year’s ballot are a selection of managers, umpires, and executives, who are listed below. On today’s episode, we discuss the candidates, their cases, and some of top moments from their careers.

Jim Leyland - Manager of Pirates, Marlins, Rockies, and Tigers. 1997 World Series, 2x AL pennant (’06, ’12) 3x Manager of the Year. 8x playoffs

Marlins walk-off 1997 World Series - called by Bob Costas on NBC

Leyland yells at Barry Bonds

Bill White - 8x All-Star, 7x GG 1B for Cardinals and Phillies, legendary broadcaster with Yankees and nationally with CBS, AL President 1989-1994

Kirk Gibson’s one-legged walk off called by Jack Buck and White on CBS Radio

Cito Gaston - Toronto Blue Jays Manager 1992, 1993 World Series 4x playoffs. First black manager to win World Series

Joe Carter’s Walk-off in ‘93 - called by Tom Cheek on CJCL

Lou Pinella - 1969 ROY, All-Star, 2x WS as player. Manager of Yankees, Reds, Mariners, Devil Rays, and Cubs. 1990 World Series. 3x Manager of the Year. 8x playoffs

Oliver walks of Game 2 of 1990 WS - called by Jack Buck and Tim McCarver on CBS

Reds sweep A’s - called by Marty Brennaman on WLW

Davey Johnson - 4x All-Star, 3x GG, 2x WS as player. Manager of Mets, Reds, Orioles, Dodgers, and Nationals. 1986 World Series, 2x Manager of the Year. 6x playoffs

Mets survive on Buckner’s error - called by Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola on NBC

Also on the ballot are umpires Joe West and Ed Montague, as well as former Orioles, A’s, and Indians (now known as Guardians) general manager/president Hank Peters. The committee will meet this weekend and vote. Take a listen to our thoughts on these candidates, who we’d vote for, and who we expect to be enshrined

World Series Broadcast History

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

2023 World Series Game 5

Rangers (90-72) @ Diamondbacks (84-78) TEX leads 3-1

The Texas Rangers stand just one win away from their first ever World Series Championship after taking games three and four in convincing fashion. To seal the deal, they turn to one of the best postseason pitchers of this era, Nathan Eovaldi. The Texas-born righty has been electric this postseason and looks to become the first pitcher to ever win 5 starts* in a single postseason, and to have his team go 6-0 in those starts. Corey Seager continues to mash, adding two run homers in consecutive games to his stellar postseason résumé. If Texas secures victory in this game, he will likely become just the second position player to win multiple WS MVPS. The other, Mr. October, Reggie Jackson, of course, whom Seager just passed in all-time postseason HRs. The Rangers have benefited from production all throughout the lineup, including from youngsters Evan Carter and Josh Jung, as well as veterans Mitch Garver and Jonah Helm. They will be without ALCS MVP and game one hero Adolis García, who left game 3 with an oblique injury, but picking up some of the slack has been Marcus Semien, who appears to be righting the ship after an abysmal start to these playoffs. The Rangers are 10-0 on the road this postseason, and if they make it 11, it will put manager Bruce Bochy in exclusive company with 4 WS rings, which just 5 other managers* have accomplished. If they get it done tonight, that would also make it 4 WS clinched on the road for Boch.

On the other side, Arizona will call upon ace Zac Gallen, who will need to be a lot sharper than he’s been in the playoffs so far. Facing elimination, there will be no margin for error. Torey Lovullo’s squad fought back hard to make game four interesting, but the story of this series has been Arizona’s inability to get out to an early lead, save for game two. They’ve faced early deficits in 3 of the 4 games, and the comeback magic they relied upon so often this season has been absent as of late. These Dbacks have been counted out before, but we will see if the pressure of the World Series is too much for these underdogs. Can the Snakes stay alive, or will the Rangers be crowned as champions?

Audio clips from MLB.tv

TEX Radio 105.3 KRLD - Eric Nadel, Matt Hicks, and Jared Sandler (producer)

ARI Radio 98.7 - Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, Chris Garagiola

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.

*Both Randy Johnson (’01) and Stephen Strasburg (’19) won 5 games, but each had a win in a relief appearance (WS G7 for Johnson, NLWC for Strasburg)*

*Joe McCarthy (7), Casey Stengel (7), Connie Mack (5), Walter Alston (4), Joe Torre (4)

Jesse Goldberg-Strassler LinkedIn on Broadcasting