Game 1 in Chicago
Phil Niekro (14-13, 3.82) v Wayne Simpson (11-13, 4.17)
Knucksie is making his postseason debut at a ripe 36; Simpson likewise but a decade younger. 30 years since the last WS game in Chicago. It’s all lined up for an enthralling contest.
Sadly it never goes close to approaching those lofty heights, as the White Sox play a nervy game and the Reds pounce, going ahead early and pushing home their advantage to the end in a cushy Game 1 win. Joe Morgan paces Cincy’s offence with 2 hits including a 3-run bomb.
Game 2 in Chicago
Burt Hooton (12-13, 3.61) v Jim Lonborg (16-11, 3.71)
Reds lead series 1-0
Two finesse-type nibblers go head-to-head here and the Sox will be desperate not to have to head to Cincinnati down 0-2.
That’s precisely how things will lie, however, as the Reds’ bats flex their muscles again for a second straight cakewalk, scoring all of their runs in a wild 6th inning that includes a 3-run moonshot from George Foster. No joy to be had for long-suffering Sox fans and their boys will need to improve mightily to avoid today proving to be their last trip to Comiskey for the year.
Game 3 in Cincinnati
Dave Goltz (16-11, 3.14) v Ed Halicki (16-9, 3.42)
Reds lead series 2-0
Things get no easier here for the Sox, with quality righty Dave Goltz up for the hosts, and they’ll need Ed Halicki to be at his best to stop the rot.
Goltz wins the duel and the Reds the game to put a hammerlock on this series. A 2-run homer by George Scott in the 8th makes it interesting late after the Reds get out to an early lead, but Dale Murray closes it out without incident for a 4-2 final.
Game 4 in Cincinnati
Jim Slaton (10-7, 4.09) v Steve Barber (7-9, 4.38)
Reds lead series 3-0
74 seasons of Reds futility will disappear into a cloud of unadulterated joy if they can lock down just one more win and it goes without saying that to do so in front of their home fans would be some sweet icing indeed.
They’ll have to wait at least one more day, however, as the Sox bats jump on Slaton early, staking Barber to a 6-0 lead. He uses all but one of them as the Reds nearly pull off the unlikely comeback but Mark Littell saves the day and the game with a 3-inning Save despite walking 5.
Game 5 in Cincinnati
Wayne Simpson (1-0, 3.14) v Phil Niekro (0-1, 7.20)
Reds lead series 3-1
Niekro gets a chance for redemption here and the pressure just shifts onto the Reds a little bit with the trip back to Chi-town looming large.
It’s a trip they’re going to have to make as Knucksie does indeed deliver the goods with a CG 5-hitter with only an unearned run against. That run ties the game at 1 in the 6th, but Doug Rader’s RBI double in the 8th eventually holds up to put this series back in the balance.
Game 6 in Chicago
Burt Hooton (0-2, 9.53) v Jim Lonborg (2-0, 1.06)
Reds lead series 3-2
Game 2 protagonists to do battle again here with the momentum definitely behind the home side.
It ain’t pretty but Cincy will take it as the third time proves the charm and the Reds finally get their coveted World Championship with a riveting 8-6 win. They get 4 early but the Sox respond with 3 in the 2nd and from there it is a seesaw affair before the home side finally runs out of outs with Murray notching the Save.
Tony Perez (9-for-22, 1 HR, 2 RBI) is named MVP.
