1945 Chicago Cubs vs 1973 Oakland Athletics
1973 Oakland A's
Record: 94-68
Finish: Won World Series over NY Mets
Manager: Dick Williams
Team ERA: 3.29
Team AVG: .260
Home Runs: 147
KeyPlayers: Reggie Jackson OF, Rollie Fingers (RP), Sal Bando (3B)
Back to back world series champions this team had it all. The booming bat of a young Reggie Jackson as well as the never say die grit of Gene Tenace and Sal Bando. This team played under its own rules and didnt always win pretty, but who cared? A fun team to watch that nobody thought was as good as they really were.
1945 Chicago Cubs
Record: 98-56
Finish: Won NL Pennant; Lost to Detroit Tigers in World Series
Manager: Charlie Grimm
Team ERA: 2.98
Team AVG: .277
Home Runs: 57
Key Players: Hank Wyse SP(22-10), Phil Cavaretta 1B (.355, 97 RBI), Andy Pafko OF (.298, 98 RBI)
A Historic team since they were the last Cubbie side to make it to the Series, but even still looking closer at the numbers this was an impressive side. Their pitching especially could hold their own with anyone and for whatever reason (Word War) many of these players put it all together to have career years in 45.
Pitching matchups
Game 1: Hank Wyse (22-10, 2.68 ERA) vs Ken Holtzman (21-13, 2.97)
Game 2: Claude Passeau (17-9, 2.46) vs Catfish Hunter (21-5, 3.34)
Game 3: Paul Derringer (16-11, 3.45) vs Vida Blue (20-9, 3.28)