Game 1 in St. Louis
Bob Gibson (21-4, 1.85) v Gary Nolan (16-12, 2.66)
The Cards, with so little playoff experience, couldn’t ask for a steadier presence on the mound in this opener than the great Bob Gibson. But that will only get them so far, especially with the very handy Gary Nolan going for the BoSox.
The again, when he does this it’ll take you just as far as you need to go…
Game 2 in St. Louis
Luis Tiant (20-7, 2.28) v Dave McNally (21-6, 1.51)
Cardinals lead series 1-0
Not sure how one can follow up that performance from Hoot, but if anyone’s up for having a go at it then it is either of our two starters tonight, Dave McNally and Luis Tiant. There’s still a buzz in the air 24 hours later here at Busch Stadium.
And it stays buzzing when Dave McNally and Roger Nelson follow that up with a one-hitter as the Cards win it 2-0 and head to Boston with things just where they want them to be.
Game 3 in Boston
Ken Holtzman (15-10, 3.00) v Jim Perry (12-11, 3.00)
Cardinals lead series 2-0
I expect that being on the losing club this time last year will be an added incentive for Jim Perry in this one, and Holtzman has the tough assignment to try and halt the Cards’ march to the title. Still, we now how quickly momentum can shift in these short series. This is precisely where that lack of playoff experience can really come into play.
And so it comes to pass as the Sox get to Perry early and ram home the advantage with a comfortable 7-1 win. Catcher Randy Huntley goes 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and an RBI to power the home side’s offence, while Holtzman is fantastic with a complete game victory. It may come at a cost, however, as Reggie Smith picks up a hip knock that might limit his game time for the remainder.
Game 4 in Boston
Barry Moore (18-6, 2.77) v Joe Coleman (7-15, 3.68)
Cardinals lead series 2-1
On paper at least, it is definitely advantage Boston in this one with Barry Moore a real unheralded hero for them throughout the regular season. Joe Coleman can be great or ghastly, and the Cardinal bats will need to be at their most productive tonight, one would think.
Coleman actually goes pretty well, but the Cards can’t get much going against Moore as the Sox tie this series back up with a controlled 3-1 win. Davey Johnson mashes Boston’s first tater to this point and boy oh boy does this contest look interesting now.
Game 5 in Boston
Gary Nolan (0-1, 3.38) v Bob Gibson (1-0, 0.00)
Series tied 2-2
Well we all know how strong-willed Bob Gibson is, and it’ll take all of that profound conscientiousness he has to avoid suffering a comedown from that nonpareil opening game performance. In that regard, perhaps the series being back to 2-2 is a good thing because he’ll know everything is still very much in the balance and just how precious a win here would be.
Ahhh what a player he is. What a man. Not as good as (how could he be?) Game 1, but still he refuses to buckle over 8 scoreless and Nelson saves it for him in a 2-0 win that sends them back to the Lou needing just one from two.
Game 6 in St. Louis
Luis Tiant (0-1, 2.25) v Dave McNally (1-0, 0.00)
Cardinals lead series 3-2
Sixty-seven seasons of futility and the dreams of a bunch of Missourians rest on the sturdy left arm of David Arthur McNally today. No pressure, then…
Nope, none at all as he hurls the Cards to the ultimate prize with a one-hitter. What a display by these two magnificent ballplayers and it was telling that, when he went up to collect his Series MVP Award, Bob Gibson dragged Dave McNally up there with him. What a fitting end to the so-called
Year of the Pitcher. Go crazy, St. Louis, it has been a long time coming!
