Game 1 in Chicago
Steve Carlton (17-8, 3.33) v Frank Tanana (17-13, 3.76)
A fine way to get this started with two of the good ones going head to head. Ivan De Jesus comes in for Trammell as Tigers SS.
It’s a game of two halves to open proceedings as Tanana dominates early and the Tigers go out to a 3-0 lead going into the home 7th. Then the Cubs bats come alive against the Detroit bullpen with a 7-run frame – unbelievably, without an extra-base hit – and the hosts go on to take it out 8-3.
Game 2 in Chicago
Rick Reuschel (8-13, 3.29) v Len Barker (15-12, 4.02)
Cubs lead series 1-0
The Tigers score early again but this time go on and finish the job with a fairly comprehensive 7-1 victory. Ken Landreaux has 3 hits and 2 RBI for the winners, while Cecil Cooper goes 4-for-5.
Game 3 in Detroit
Mike Norris (11-11, 4.86) v Gary Nolan (6-4, 2.56)
Series tied 1-1
For whatever reason, it isn’t due to injury, the Cubbies decide to go with Gary Nolan over our old friend Rick Langford.
In the end it possibly wouldn’t have mattered one way or the other as the Cubs bats stay cold and Mike Norris pitches a fine game with 6+ shutout innings in a 4-0 final. Darrel Porter goes deep with a man aboard for the victors.
Game 4 in Detroit
Rick Sutcliffe (8-11, 4.32) v Steve Mura (8-6, 2.62)
Tigers lead series 2-1
A much improved offensive showing from Chicago as they score 4 in the 1st and 3 more in the 7th to win it comfortably 7-2 and tie the series at 2 games apiece, guaranteeing the Wrigley fans at least one more go-around among the ivy. Eric Soderholm leads the way with a doubleand a 3-run homer, while Bake McBride also puts one in to the seats.
Game 5 in Detroit
Frank Tanana (0-1, 4.09) v Steve Carlton (1-1, 2.81)
Series tied 2-2
The series slowly picks up momentum as Lefty Carlton steers the Cubbies past the home side in a tough 4-2 decision. The great man allows just a run on 3 hits over 6 and Rollie Fingers does the rest with an 8-out save. Boy, oh boy, with Wrigley be rocking in a couple days time as the Cubbies try to close it out.
Game 6 in Chicago
Rick Reuschel (0-1, 5.54) v Len Barker (1-0, 4.50)
Cubs lead series 3-2
Needless to say, Reuschel will have to be way sharper than he was in Game 2 if the Cubs are going to get it done in one, as has become the Windy City catchphrase these past 24 hours or so.
Early doors it looks like the traditional sort of Cubs game as the Tigers smack Reuschel around and take a 4-0 lead thru the middle 3rd. But then, inch by inch and run by run, the Cubs get back into the game and eventually win it going away with a 3-run 6th and two more to pad it in the 8th en route to a famous 7-4 win delivering them their 5th World Championship and first since 1910! To those guys we traded away midseason -
you're welcome...
Bump Wills, who goes 9-for-22 with 2 RBI over the six games, is named MVP.
