American League
Detroit Tigers (98-64) v Chicago White Sox (88-74)
The Sox came good at this stage last year against a more dominant side than this Tigers unit, but their chances of doing so again have taken a massive hit with the loss of gun OF Oscar Gamble for the year. Still, I’m not sure the Detroit lineup will send fear through their hearts and it will all come down to how well they handle a quality Tigers rotation led by youngsters Len Barker and Frank Tanana.
Barker gets the Motown Men off on the right foot with a solid Game 1 win and Tanana backs that up with another, albeit tight, win in Game 2.
The Sox are within six outs of being swept before a 3-run homer in the 7th by Phil Garner saves their bacon and extends the series, and when Knucksie Niekro outduels Gary Nolan the next day for a 2-0 win it’s an all-or-nothing decider back in Detroit.
And for the second straight year, the White Sox pull through against the odds with a thrilling 5-3 road win to book a ticket back in the Fall Classic.
Chicago 1B George Scott is named MVP.
National League
Cincinnati Reds (103-59) v Pittsburgh Pirates (86-76)
It’s funny how the same things that terrify you when you are the favoured side work in your favour as the underdog. In theory and on the form each side has shown this season, we have no chance whatsoever against this prime era Big Red Machine, even with Tony Perez out for the year. But these short series are cruel and with nothing to lose we can just go out there and play freely—almost without a care in the world. That’s what I have told the group to do here.
We get Sangy back just in time and Rick Miller is recalled to fill the spot left by Richie Hebner. Bernie Carbo is also on the IL for the remainder. Bill Robinson will continue to be our starting 3B in Richie’s absence.
That freewheeling approach gets us a surprise 6-5 win in the opener behind a 15-hit offensive effort and then again in Game 2 behind Candy as we win it 7-1 on 14 hits (including a 4-for-5, 3-ribbie onslaught from Jangles Robinson) to really send the cat among the Cincinnati pigeonry.
That sends us back home needing just one win for a massive upset, with Jerry Reuss getting the first shot at procuring it. He gives it a cracking effort but sadly Jim Slaton quietens our bats and they get a 2-1 victory. Ken Brett pitches beautifully for them in Game 4 to beat us 5-2 and, just like in the AL it will all be decided in Game 5.
And would you believe it, the bats come alive again with 15 hits to give us a famous 4-2 victory and shock ourselves, if not the entire baseball world.
Rennie Stennett hits 421 to win the MVP.
