A bunch of stuff to report from what has turned out to be a thrilling final section of the 1974 MLB season.
We win our first four games in August to run our streak to six and creep up ever so slightly on the Phils, but then play terribly in a three-gamer at Cincy where we score just 2 runs total and are swept including two shutout losses.
Still, the lads keep coming at the Phils and when we host them for three in early September, the deficit has shrunk to 3½ games. When they leave town having lost all three, then lose again the following day while we’re not playing, we are all square and it is game well and truly back on.
The final stretch involves 26 games with just the one off-day. We have by this time called up Rick Rhoden from AAA and decide to operate a 6-man spin for the remainder with him in it. We’ve finally got Woodward back and promoted Dave Pagan as well. When
Arriba returns just a couple days later, we are at full strength.
Not for the first time this season, that seems to harm more then help as we go on a ricketty old run, losing 7 of our next 10, including 2 of 2 in Philly. Then yet another injury sends Roberto to the IL, this time for what’s left of the year.
Suddenly we start winning again. It’s uncanny, as if our talisman for so long has now become an evil spirit. 8 of 9, in fact, and with ten to play we manage to retake top spot for the first time since early July.
We are still tied with six to play. Ours is by this time the only division left undecided.
After a split series with the Mets we lead by one with three to play—a home series against the Cubs. The Phils have theirs in New York. Our Magic Number is 3.
The opening game pits Doc Ellis against – would you believe it – Bill Singer. We score 3 in the 9th to extend the game but then lose it in the 10th on 4 walks by Gossage. With a 6-1 win the Phils draw level.
The next day, Joe Coleman holds his nerve to deliver us an 8-2 win. The Phils lose a walkoff heartbreaker. A win for us and / or a loss for them and we’ve done it.
Primary responsibility for the procurement of that win rests with Jerry Reuss. They have Fergie Jenkins going for them. Reuss shows nerves of steel and George Hendrick belts a slam to lead us to an 8-1 win and an epic and unexpected NL East title. The Phillies lose again as Seaver shuts them out to make the final margin two games.
As it needs to be, this is our most balanced performance in some time.
Scoop Oliver shows the way down the stretch, winning the September hitting award and once again runner-up (this time to Jose Ortiz's 347) in the NL betting title. Only pitchers and backups fail to finish WAR positive on the year.
Great to see Reuss keep coming along, and Bibby ends up going an impressive 18-4. Rhoden's late cameo shows he belongs in the bigs and we look forward to seeing what he can offer over a full year. No coincidence that us finishing top again coincides with a more robust and reliable BP performance, led by Gossage and Hernandez, with Griffin also handy.
None of the other races are even remotely close in the end.
Rod Carew wins another AL batting title, and his 10+ bWAR should make him a heavy favourite for that league's Wagner-Lajoie. A low-power year sees Lee May's 32 HR lead all of MLB, with only two other players hitting 30. Reggie Smith leads all players with 117 RBI.
Lou Brock's SB record lasts just a year and is smashed by Morris Nettles' 124 (he had just 40-odd in his IRL career...).
Bert Blyleven and Gary Nolan win 20 - the only players to do so - while the 2.10 ERA by Yankees rookie Rick Waits is the year's low. Sandy Koufax regains his strikeout title with 278 to Ryan's and Seaver's 254. Sparky Lyle leads all players with 43 Saves (Rich Gossage is next with 37).
Final Top 20s and Leaders
Monthly Award Winners
August
American League
- Batter – Rod Carew (Twins): 442 / 3 HR / 21 RBI
- Pitcher – Mike Torrez (Indians): 5-0 / 2.58 / 17 K / 38.1 IP
- Rookie – Ed Halicki (White Sox): 4-1 / 2.68 / 26 K / 40.1 IP
National League
- Batter – Richie Zisk (Expos): 337 / 7 HR / 22 RBI
- Pitcher – Don Sutton (Dodgers): 6-0 / 1.29 / 31 K / 48.2 IP
- Rookie – John Denny (Astros): 4-2 / 2.53 / 23 K / 46.1 IP
September
American League
- Batter – Jim Rice (Red Sox): 380 / 6 HR / 22 RBI
- Pitcher – Nolan Ryan (Angels): 4-0 / 0.62 / 51 K / 43.1 IP
- Rookie – Rick Waits (Yankees): 5-1 / 2.12 / 31 K / 51 IP
National League
- Batter – Al Oliver (Pirates): 411 / 3 HR / 17 RBI
- Pitcher – Nelson Briles (Reds): 5-0 / 1.72 / 23 K / 47 IP
- Rookie – John Montefusco (Padres): 3-1 / 1.59 / 34 K / 39.2 IP
Milestones and Observations of Note
- 2500 Hits: Orlando Cepeda
- A number of playoff-bound teams lose key pitchers for the remainder - Dave Goltz (Reds) UCL tear; Mel Stottlemyre (Yankees) UCL tear; Jim O’Toole (Angels) elbow.
- The Phils' race is certainly hindered by the loss of P Gary Nolan, while the Halos have to get it done for the most part without sparkplug Bill North.
- Tigers young gun Frank Tanana will have to sit out the maximum Legacy spell after tearing a labrum and won’t return until next year, while the Twins lose 1B Tom Hutton for the season with a broken kneecap.
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