PRELIMINARY ROUND
Series #124
1972 Cincinnati Reds (95-59) vs 1976 Texas Rangers (76-86)
Sparky Anderson and the 1972 Reds were a the budding cusp of the mighty Red Machine dynasty. All the pieces were in place and the club won 95 games and the pennant while coming up only one single game short of a championship. Johnny Bench and his dramatic home run in game 5 of the NLCS highlighted a team that had some of the true legendary talent that the game had ever seen, and they were only getting better. Bench of course was without question the best catcher in the game driving in 125 runs with 40 home runs and 100 walks while playing elite defense. Tony Perez manned first base with a catlike glove and 90 RBI along with 33 doubles in 136 games; Tony was one of the best clutch hitters around. Dennis Menke didnt provide much out of third base but Sparky stuck with him despite his .233 average while Dave Conception had a very tough season hitting .209 in 119 games in one of his worst offensive seasons, but he remained an excellent defensive shortstop. Joe Morgan was also the best at his position league wide stealing 58 bases and scoring 122 runs he had a .417 OBP and homered 16 times. Bobby Tolan hit .283 out of center with 82 RBI and 88 runs scored while Cesar Geronimo may not have been the best player to play everyday in right, as in 120 games he only scored 32 runs. Pete Rose was the heart of the team, Mr. Red through and through. Rose hit .307 with 198 hits and 107 runs with an .800 OPS. Rose could play nall over the field and was a fixture with Morgan at the top of the order. Twenty three year old George Foster was getting his feet wet while Darrell Chaney was the most frequent bench option for the team. Gary Nolan really came into his own on the mound in a excellent season going 15-5 with a 1.99 ERA in 25 starts. Nolan allowed only 13 home runs and let his defense do the work for him. Jack Billinghgam made the most starts going 12-12 but did spin 4 shutouts while striking out 137. He was an important innings eater for the team as was lefty Ross Grimsley who was excellent with a 3.05 ERA and 14 wins. Most Reds pitchers knew if they could just pitch decent, their offense would get the job done. Jim McGlothlin made 21 starts with a 3.81 FIP while Wayne Simpson and Don Gullett had less success in their starts and were more valuable as long relief options out of the pen. Clay Carroll was the closer that had the teams trust saving 37 games with a 2.25 ERA and a fine demeanor for the role. Tom Hall and Pedro Borbon were also very effective in set up and relief wihr lefty Hall going 10-1 on the season. This Reds team plays hader then any team you will see with Rose and Bench leading and fueling the machine and the pieces are all here that helped make this era of Reds baseball some of the best in the history of the game.
Trying to make baseball big in Texas wasnt the easiest sell in the1970's but the Rangers did their best to field some good teams. The 1976 team did finish 10 games under .500 with Frank Luchesi at the helm but when one looks at the roster closely, there is some talent to be had. Jim Sundberg is no Johnny Bench and his bat was a drag for the most part hitting .225. Sundberg was a very confident and capable defender however and called a valuable game behind the plate. The Rangers lacked any real power in their lineup as Gene Clines in left and Juan Beniquez in center each hit zero. Bot men could steal a little bit but both ended up with an OPS around .620. Jeff Burroughs in right hit 18 home runs with 86 RBI while hitting .237 but the power leader on the team was DH Tom Grieve who hit 20 and with 23 doubles, a .255 average, and 119 strikeouts. Roy Howell struck out over 100 times in his role at third hitting 28 doubles but walking only 30 times. Mike Hargrove was a nice piece at first base hitting .287 but had an excellent .397 OBP and was among the most patient hitters you will ever see. Lenny Randle was more a liability at second base but he did provide 30 steals on the few occasions he did get on base. Toby Harrah was the favorite in the lineup with a 115 OPS+m 67 RBI and 15 homers. Harrah also became a fan favorite for his effort and ability to come through in the clutch. Roy Smalley and Jim Fregosi were two common options for the utility infield spots but that lack of outfield depth was a real concern. The Rangers staff was quite good with 37 year old Gaylord Perry getting it done with all his arsenal of 'junk". Perry had a 3.24 ERA in 250 innings and 21 complete games and a good number two was Nelson Briles who went 11-9 with a 3.26 ERA and between himself and Perry walked less then 100 batters. At 25 years old Bert Blyleven was showing signs of success with a 2.76 ERA and a team lead 144 strikeouts. Jim Umbarger made 30 starts from the left side with a nice 3.15 ERA and a 114 ERA+ making the top four for the Rangers very solid. Tommy Boggs was a bad luck 1-7 and had a FIP of 4.07 but was doinjg his best at only 20 years of age. The Texas pen was a burden for the team as Joe Heorner failed badly in his try at closer while Steve Hargen saw the most innings in relief and went 8-8 while holding a 3.62 ERA. Steve Foucault and Mike Bacsik were two more throw in options that couldn't get the pen rolling. The Rangers obviously have a giant task to take on the great Reds club but all hope is not lost with a starting rotation that heppens to have two of the four going to the Hall of Fame.
Game 1 At Riverfront Stadium
Partly cloudy 57
1976 Rangers....................3
1972 Reds.........................0 (10 inn)
WP: G. Perry (1-0) LP: G. Nolan (0-1)
HR: B. Jones (1)
POG: Gaylord Perry
1976 Rangers lead series 1-0
In a performance that few could have expected, Gaylord Perry shut out the Big Red Machine in the opening game of the series as the Rangers get off to the fast start. Perry struck out nine and walked only two and allowed only 4 Reds hits, none for extra bases. Gary Nolan was also brilliant in this one but in the 10th the Rangers scored three as pinch hitter Bob Jones hit a home run with two men on. It was the one and only mistake either pitcher would make on this night.
Game 2 At Riverfront Stadium
Clear 55
1976 Rangers......................1
1972 Reds...........................3 (11 inn)
WP: P. Borbon (1-0) LP: T. Boggs (0-1)
HR: B. Carbo (1)
POG: Jack Billingham
Series tied at 1
Bernie Carbo answered the call for the Reds in another tight extra inning game. Carbo drilled a walk off home run in the 11th inning with a man on to break the drama and tie the series. Jack Billingham and Jim Umbarger continued the excellent pitching in the series as both men allowed only one earned run in their matchup. Cincinnati seems to have more then they bargained for in the series as the upstart Rangers can be happy heading back home with a split.
Game 3 At Arlington Stadium
Clear 71
1972 Reds..........................7
1976 Rangers.....................0
WP: R. Grimsley JR (1-0) LP: N. Briles (0-1)
HR: T. Perez (1)
POG: Ross Grimsley Jr
1972 Reds lead series 2-1
Six runs in the very first inning and 17 hits on the night, the 1972 Reds righted their ship and opened up their offense for a big win. Ross Grimsley sat back and leaned on the big early lead to pitch a gem shutting out the Rangers on 106 pitches striking out three. Billy Tolan had three hits and drove in two while Tony Perez got things started in the first with a 2 run home run.
Game 4 At Arlington Stadium
Clear 68
1972 Reds.....................3
1976 Rangers................6
WP: S. Hargan (1-0) LP: J. McGlothlin (0-1)
HR: None
POG: Bill Singer
Series tied at 2
The Rangers dig out of an early hole and come back to defeat the Reds and tie what has now become a very competitive series. Bill Singer settled down after the rough start and shut the Reds down for six innings giving his club a chance to rally and break a tie in the bottom of the 8th inning when they scored three times. Roy Smalley and Jim Sundberg had the key RBI hits as Jim McGlothlin takes the loss. Cesar Geronimo had given the visitors the lead with three run triple.
Game 5 At Arlington Stadium
Clear 59
1972 Reds.........................2
1976 Rangers....................6
WP: G. Perry (2-0) LP: G. Nolan (0-2)
HR: M. Hargrove (1), T. Harrah (1), J. Bench (1)
POG: Gaylord Perry
1976 Rangers lead series 3-2
The excitement now is really building for Texas as their ace Gaylord Perry shuts down the Reds once again and the Rangers are one game away from winning this series. After the game one shutout, Perry goes the distance again striking out seven and allowing only 2 earned runs keeping the talented Reds hitters on their heels. Pete Rose is only hitting .200 for the entire series. Mike Hargrove hit a two run home run and Toby Harrah also went deep in the win as Cincy needs to win both games at home now as they have their backs to the wall.
Game 6 At Riverfront Stadium
Clear 56
1976 Rangers.................3
1972 Reds......................5
WP: J. Billingham (1-0) LP: J. Umbarger (0-1) S: C. Carroll (1)
HR: T. Grieve (1)
POG: Joe Morgan
Series tied at 3
After falling behind early, the Reds were pushed on by their loyal fans and in the third inning Johnny Bench tied the game with a 2 run single to eas some nerves. Joe Morgan went 3-3 and scored two runs as the Red Machine had 13 hits and gave enough support to winning starter Jim Billingham who struck out 11. A great series now comes down to one game for the winner.
Game 7 At Riverfront Stadium
Rain 46
1976 Rangers....................1
1972 Reds..........................9
WP: R. Grimsley (2-0) LP: N. Briles (0-2)
HR: J. Morgan (1), T. Perez (2), J. Bench (2)
POG: Joe Morgan
The Reds were just not going to let this series slip away, and after a tough trip to Texas they win both games at home and take the series in seven. Ross Grimsley pitched his second excellent game of the series and this time went the distance in the crucial game seven allowing only one run and striking out 5. Cinciinnati hit three home runs including a first inning homer by Joe Morgan while Johnny Bench also homered and drove in three runs. The Rangers do deserve credit for the type of series they played.
1972 Cincinnati Reds Win Series 4 Games To 3
Series MVP:
Jack Billingham
(1-0, 15 IP, 1 ER, 3 ER, 19 K, 4 BB, 11.4 K/9, Game 7 Winner)