The Pittsburgh Pirates jumped on Cincinnati starter Fred Norman for 6 runs in the first two innings, then made them stand up, beating the Reds 6-2. Pittsburgh got homers from Al Oliver, Richie Hebner, and Frank Taveras. The series is now tied 3-3, with the visiting team winning all six games.
MON OCT 13 (NLCS GAME 6)
PIT_____6___10___0
CIN____2____9___1
Series tied 3-3
1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Moderator: puresimmer
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
The Oakland A's will play......the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1975 World Series. Pittsburgh took game 7 behind a complete-game performance from Jerry Reuss, 4-2. The Bucs also got homers from both Richie Hebner and Frank Taveras, both of whom homered in game 6.
Pittsburgh will travel to Oakland for Game 1. Starting pitchers to be announced.
TUE OCT 14 (NLCS GAME 7)
PIT_____4___10___0
CIN____2____6___0
Pittsburgh wins series 4-3
This particular result is what makes baseball such a great game and PS such a great representation of the sport. Cincinnati pretty much clinched the West by the All-Star break and cruised the rest of the way. Pittsburgh had to scratch and claw their way into postseason and had momentum on their side. Anyone who has followed baseball for any length of time knows that things like this are not rare at all. Ask any Atlanta Braves fan (of which I am one) how much the regular season means once you get to the playoffs. As dominant as they were from 1991-2005 in the regular season, they only went all the way ONE TIME.
Pittsburgh will travel to Oakland for Game 1. Starting pitchers to be announced.
TUE OCT 14 (NLCS GAME 7)
PIT_____4___10___0
CIN____2____6___0
Pittsburgh wins series 4-3
This particular result is what makes baseball such a great game and PS such a great representation of the sport. Cincinnati pretty much clinched the West by the All-Star break and cruised the rest of the way. Pittsburgh had to scratch and claw their way into postseason and had momentum on their side. Anyone who has followed baseball for any length of time knows that things like this are not rare at all. Ask any Atlanta Braves fan (of which I am one) how much the regular season means once you get to the playoffs. As dominant as they were from 1991-2005 in the regular season, they only went all the way ONE TIME.
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Jerry Reuss (19-13, 2.63) vs Catfish Hunter (20-13, 2.73) in Game One. A beautiful, calm, 72 degrees at the Coliseum, and a great start to the World Series.
Phil Garner scored on a Ted Martinez infield roller with one out in the bottom of the 11th as the A's won, 7-6.
Oakland plated 3 in the 1st inning. Joe Rudi drove home two with a bases-loaded double. Later in the inning, Sal Bando's sacrifice fly made it 3-0.
Catfish Hunter cruised through the first 2 innings, but things fell apart in the 3rd. Willie Stargell tied the game with a 3-run homer. Richie Zisk and Rennie Stennett both had RBI singles, and Bill Robinson drove in another run with a grondout as the Pirates took a 6-3 lead. Manager motnahp stuck with Catfish, who ended up going 9 innings and allowed only 2 singles the rest of the way.
Jerry Reuss held the A's at bay until the last of the 7th, when Bill North and pinch hitter Angel Mangual (batting for SS Bert Campaneris) both had RBI singles. The Pirates kept the 6-5 lead into the bottom of the 9th.
Bill North led off the 9th with a solo homer, tying the game and sending it into extra innings. The Dodger AI manager stuck with Reuss until the bitter end, which came in the 11th, as Phil Garner led off with a double, then advanced to 3rd on a Bill North grounout. With the infield in, Ted Martinez hit a slow roller to Stennett at 2nd base. Rennie's throw to the plate was too late to get Garner and the A's walked off with a dramatic victory. Rollie Fingers pitched a scoreless 10th and 11th to earn the win. Reuss went all the way and took the loss.
SUN OCT 19 (WS GAME 1)
PIT_____6___11___0
OAK____7___12___1
Oakland leads series 1-0
Phil Garner scored on a Ted Martinez infield roller with one out in the bottom of the 11th as the A's won, 7-6.
Oakland plated 3 in the 1st inning. Joe Rudi drove home two with a bases-loaded double. Later in the inning, Sal Bando's sacrifice fly made it 3-0.
Catfish Hunter cruised through the first 2 innings, but things fell apart in the 3rd. Willie Stargell tied the game with a 3-run homer. Richie Zisk and Rennie Stennett both had RBI singles, and Bill Robinson drove in another run with a grondout as the Pirates took a 6-3 lead. Manager motnahp stuck with Catfish, who ended up going 9 innings and allowed only 2 singles the rest of the way.
Jerry Reuss held the A's at bay until the last of the 7th, when Bill North and pinch hitter Angel Mangual (batting for SS Bert Campaneris) both had RBI singles. The Pirates kept the 6-5 lead into the bottom of the 9th.
Bill North led off the 9th with a solo homer, tying the game and sending it into extra innings. The Dodger AI manager stuck with Reuss until the bitter end, which came in the 11th, as Phil Garner led off with a double, then advanced to 3rd on a Bill North grounout. With the infield in, Ted Martinez hit a slow roller to Stennett at 2nd base. Rennie's throw to the plate was too late to get Garner and the A's walked off with a dramatic victory. Rollie Fingers pitched a scoreless 10th and 11th to earn the win. Reuss went all the way and took the loss.
SUN OCT 19 (WS GAME 1)
PIT_____6___11___0
OAK____7___12___1
Oakland leads series 1-0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Jim Rooker (15-10, 3.71) vs Ken Holtzman (20-10, 3.40) in Game Two. Weather not a factor.
The Oakland A's are now up two games to none following a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the 2nd, on Manny Sanguillen's RBI double and Rennie Stennett's RBI single.
The A's then cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the 4th on a Gene Tenace RBI triple. Claudell Washington tied the game in the 5th on his RBI groundout.
The A's broke it open ini the 6th. Tenace smacked a solo homer to give the A's a 3-2 lead. Phil Garner's RBI triple later in the inning made it 4-2. Garner then scored on an error by shortstop Frank Taveras and the A's led 5-2.
Ken Holtzman went 8 1/3 effective innings. Paul Lindblad walked the first man he faced, then retired the final two men to earn the save. After a day off, the series shifts to Pittsburgh.
MON OCT 20 (WS GAME 2)
PIT_____2___11___1
OAK____5___11___1
Oakland leads series 2-0
The Oakland A's are now up two games to none following a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the 2nd, on Manny Sanguillen's RBI double and Rennie Stennett's RBI single.
The A's then cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the 4th on a Gene Tenace RBI triple. Claudell Washington tied the game in the 5th on his RBI groundout.
The A's broke it open ini the 6th. Tenace smacked a solo homer to give the A's a 3-2 lead. Phil Garner's RBI triple later in the inning made it 4-2. Garner then scored on an error by shortstop Frank Taveras and the A's led 5-2.
Ken Holtzman went 8 1/3 effective innings. Paul Lindblad walked the first man he faced, then retired the final two men to earn the save. After a day off, the series shifts to Pittsburgh.
MON OCT 20 (WS GAME 2)
PIT_____2___11___1
OAK____5___11___1
Oakland leads series 2-0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Vida Blue (18-9, 3.14) vs John Candelaria (16-5, 2.56) in Game 3. Wind 9 MPH to right.
Al Oliver led off the bottom of the 10th with a home run off Rollie Fingers to give the Pirates a dramatic, cone-from-behind 6-5 win in Game 3.
Oliver's sacrifice fly in the 2nd gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Joe Rudi smacked a 2-run homer in the top of the 4th, putting the A's on top. Pittsburgh tied the score in their half of the 4th on a Rennie Stennett RBI single.
Oakland took the lead on a Claudell Washington RBI single in the 5th. Reggie Jackson's solo homer in the 6th made it 4-2. Phil Garner's solo shot in the 8th made it 5-2. Just as the A's appeared headed to a 3-0 series lead, their bullpen failed. Paul Lindblad pitched the 8th inning and was knocked around. Stennett and Frank Taveras plated runs with RBI singles. After Rollie Fingers relieved Lindblad, Dave Parker tied the score at 5-5 on a sac fly. Lindblad was charged with 3 runs in only 1/3 of an inning. Fingers escaped further damage in the 8th, but was greeted in the 10th by Oliver's game-winning blast.
WED OCT 22 (WS GAME 3)
OAK_____5___7___0
PIT______6__15___0
Oakland leads series 2-1
Al Oliver led off the bottom of the 10th with a home run off Rollie Fingers to give the Pirates a dramatic, cone-from-behind 6-5 win in Game 3.
Oliver's sacrifice fly in the 2nd gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead. Joe Rudi smacked a 2-run homer in the top of the 4th, putting the A's on top. Pittsburgh tied the score in their half of the 4th on a Rennie Stennett RBI single.
Oakland took the lead on a Claudell Washington RBI single in the 5th. Reggie Jackson's solo homer in the 6th made it 4-2. Phil Garner's solo shot in the 8th made it 5-2. Just as the A's appeared headed to a 3-0 series lead, their bullpen failed. Paul Lindblad pitched the 8th inning and was knocked around. Stennett and Frank Taveras plated runs with RBI singles. After Rollie Fingers relieved Lindblad, Dave Parker tied the score at 5-5 on a sac fly. Lindblad was charged with 3 runs in only 1/3 of an inning. Fingers escaped further damage in the 8th, but was greeted in the 10th by Oliver's game-winning blast.
WED OCT 22 (WS GAME 3)
OAK_____5___7___0
PIT______6__15___0
Oakland leads series 2-1
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Hunter vs Reuss in Game 4. 50 degrees and no wind.
The Oakland A's are one win away from a 4th straight championship following a 4-3 victory over the Pirates.
Oakland jumped out 2-0 in the top of the 1st. Bill North smacked an RBI triple, then scored on a Joe Rudi sacrifice fly. Reggie Jackson's sacrifice fly in the 5th scored Hunter and put the A's up 3-0. In the 6th, Hunter lined an RBI double down the left field line and the A's were cruising 4-0.
Willie Stargell slugged a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 6th to cut Oakland's lead to 4-2. Al Oliver made things even tighter when he hit a solo homer in the 7th. Hunter was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th. He allowed only 4 hits in 7 innings. A's manager motnahp called on Dick Bosman from the pen. The veteran righty starter threw two perfect innings in a relief role to get the A's on the doorstep of another title.
THUR OCT 23 (WS GAME 4)
OAK_____4___9___0
PIT______3___4___0
The Oakland A's are one win away from a 4th straight championship following a 4-3 victory over the Pirates.
Oakland jumped out 2-0 in the top of the 1st. Bill North smacked an RBI triple, then scored on a Joe Rudi sacrifice fly. Reggie Jackson's sacrifice fly in the 5th scored Hunter and put the A's up 3-0. In the 6th, Hunter lined an RBI double down the left field line and the A's were cruising 4-0.
Willie Stargell slugged a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 6th to cut Oakland's lead to 4-2. Al Oliver made things even tighter when he hit a solo homer in the 7th. Hunter was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th. He allowed only 4 hits in 7 innings. A's manager motnahp called on Dick Bosman from the pen. The veteran righty starter threw two perfect innings in a relief role to get the A's on the doorstep of another title.
THUR OCT 23 (WS GAME 4)
OAK_____4___9___0
PIT______3___4___0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Holtzman vs Rooker in Game 5. 56 degrees and wind in from right at 12 MPH.
The Oakland A's pounded the Pirates 9-0 and won their 4th consecutive World Series title, 4 games to 1.
Oakland started fast off Rooker, scoring 4 times in the 2nd inning. Gene Tenace smacked a solo homer, Ken Holtzman drew a bases-loaded walk, then Claudell Washington and Bill North plated runs with RBI grounouts.
Reggie Jackson drove in another run with a groundout in the 4th. Joe Rudi followed with an RBI single to make the score 6-0.
The A's added 3 more runs in the 5th, one on a Bert Campaneris sacrifice fly and two more on a Reggie Jackson single. Pirate starter Jim Rooker was not sharp today, as he allowed 7 earned runs on 9 hits in only 4 1/3 innings.
With the big early lead, A's manager motnahp was able to manage the game like an All-Star game. The only position player who had not appeared in the series was Jim Holt. He batted for Holtzman in the 7th and hit into a double play. Four Oakland pitchers combined to complete the shutout over the last 3 innings, as motnahp got Sonny Siebert, Jim Todd, Glenn Abbott, and Stan Bahnsen into the game for their first appearances of the series. The champagne is once again flowing in the Oakland clubhouse. The team's flight back to the west coast will be an enjoyable one.
The Oakland A's pounded the Pirates 9-0 and won their 4th consecutive World Series title, 4 games to 1.
Oakland started fast off Rooker, scoring 4 times in the 2nd inning. Gene Tenace smacked a solo homer, Ken Holtzman drew a bases-loaded walk, then Claudell Washington and Bill North plated runs with RBI grounouts.
Reggie Jackson drove in another run with a groundout in the 4th. Joe Rudi followed with an RBI single to make the score 6-0.
The A's added 3 more runs in the 5th, one on a Bert Campaneris sacrifice fly and two more on a Reggie Jackson single. Pirate starter Jim Rooker was not sharp today, as he allowed 7 earned runs on 9 hits in only 4 1/3 innings.
With the big early lead, A's manager motnahp was able to manage the game like an All-Star game. The only position player who had not appeared in the series was Jim Holt. He batted for Holtzman in the 7th and hit into a double play. Four Oakland pitchers combined to complete the shutout over the last 3 innings, as motnahp got Sonny Siebert, Jim Todd, Glenn Abbott, and Stan Bahnsen into the game for their first appearances of the series. The champagne is once again flowing in the Oakland clubhouse. The team's flight back to the west coast will be an enjoyable one.
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
The postseason awards:
NL MVP, Mike Schmidt (Phillies): .289, 45 HR, 121 RBI
AL MVP, Fred Lynn (Red Sox): .341, 37 HR, 110 RBI
NL Cy Young, Jon Matlack (Mets): 21-12, 2.09 ERA
AL Cy Young, Luis Tiant (Red Sox): 25-11, 2.82 ERA
Now its time to do some AutoPlay to try and get the matchup I really wanted to see: A's vs. Reds.
NL MVP, Mike Schmidt (Phillies): .289, 45 HR, 121 RBI
AL MVP, Fred Lynn (Red Sox): .341, 37 HR, 110 RBI
NL Cy Young, Jon Matlack (Mets): 21-12, 2.09 ERA
AL Cy Young, Luis Tiant (Red Sox): 25-11, 2.82 ERA
Now its time to do some AutoPlay to try and get the matchup I really wanted to see: A's vs. Reds.
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
My first attempt at AutoPlaying ended up with Boston vs Cincinnati in the WS (Cincy won). I let AI do all the A's managing, so I cannot accept any blame for that one. The next time, AI did me right, so I now have my OAK vs CINN World Series!
Catfish Hunter opposes Gary Nolan in Game 1. 41 degrees with little wind.
The Oakland A's dismantled the Big Red Machine, as Catfish Hunter allowed only 2 hits in 8+ innings. The A's took a 1-0 lead in the series with an 8-0 blanking in Game One.
The A's broke open a scoreless game in the 5th inning with 5 runs. Bert Campaneris doubled to lead off the inning. After Hunter flew out, Claudell Washington doubled in Campy. Following a Bill North fly out, the Cincy AI manager intentionally walked Reggie Jackson to face Joe Rudi. Rudi deposited the ball over the left field wall to give the A's a brief 4-0 lead. It was brief because the next batter, Gene Tenace, matched Rudi with a homer and gave Oakland a 5-0 lead.
Tenace would come through again in the 7th inning, blasting a Pat Darcy offering over the wall for a 3-run homer to make the score 8-0. After Hunter walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the 9th, A's manager motnahp brought in Rollie Fingers. Fingers allowed a hit, but retired the side with no threat. The powerful Reds never got a runner past second base during the game.
SUN OCT 19 (WS GAME 1)
OAK_____8___10___1
CIN_____0____3___0
Oakland leads series 1-0
Catfish Hunter opposes Gary Nolan in Game 1. 41 degrees with little wind.
The Oakland A's dismantled the Big Red Machine, as Catfish Hunter allowed only 2 hits in 8+ innings. The A's took a 1-0 lead in the series with an 8-0 blanking in Game One.
The A's broke open a scoreless game in the 5th inning with 5 runs. Bert Campaneris doubled to lead off the inning. After Hunter flew out, Claudell Washington doubled in Campy. Following a Bill North fly out, the Cincy AI manager intentionally walked Reggie Jackson to face Joe Rudi. Rudi deposited the ball over the left field wall to give the A's a brief 4-0 lead. It was brief because the next batter, Gene Tenace, matched Rudi with a homer and gave Oakland a 5-0 lead.
Tenace would come through again in the 7th inning, blasting a Pat Darcy offering over the wall for a 3-run homer to make the score 8-0. After Hunter walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the 9th, A's manager motnahp brought in Rollie Fingers. Fingers allowed a hit, but retired the side with no threat. The powerful Reds never got a runner past second base during the game.
SUN OCT 19 (WS GAME 1)
OAK_____8___10___1
CIN_____0____3___0
Oakland leads series 1-0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Holtzman & Gullett for Game 2. 67 degrees with 5 MPH wind in from left field.
The Cincinnati Reds turned the tables on the A's, reassembling their Big Red Machine and blasting the A's 8-0. Don Gullett went the distance, "scattering" 7 hits. He walked 7 and struck out 5. The A's left 13 men on base, including the bases loaded twice.
The Reds wasted no time getting on the board, as Tony Perez put Cincy ahead with a solo homer in the 1st. Johnny Bench added a 3-run homer in the 3rd to make it 4-0. Bench delivered again in the 4th, stroking a 2-run single, making the score 6-0 and sending Holtzman to an early shower. Pete Rose tacked on a 2-run single in the 6th off Sonny Siebert. Holtzman, 24-9 on the year and a Cy Young candidate, was pounded for 10 hits and 6 runs in only 3 2/3 innings.
MON OCT 20 (WS GAME 2)
OAK_____0___7___1
CIN_____8__14___0
Series tied 1-1
The Cincinnati Reds turned the tables on the A's, reassembling their Big Red Machine and blasting the A's 8-0. Don Gullett went the distance, "scattering" 7 hits. He walked 7 and struck out 5. The A's left 13 men on base, including the bases loaded twice.
The Reds wasted no time getting on the board, as Tony Perez put Cincy ahead with a solo homer in the 1st. Johnny Bench added a 3-run homer in the 3rd to make it 4-0. Bench delivered again in the 4th, stroking a 2-run single, making the score 6-0 and sending Holtzman to an early shower. Pete Rose tacked on a 2-run single in the 6th off Sonny Siebert. Holtzman, 24-9 on the year and a Cy Young candidate, was pounded for 10 hits and 6 runs in only 3 2/3 innings.
MON OCT 20 (WS GAME 2)
OAK_____0___7___1
CIN_____8__14___0
Series tied 1-1
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Fred Norman & Vida Blue in Game 3. 53 degrees with a 12 MPH wind blowing out to LF.
Both teams brought out the heavy lumber today, but it was the Oakland A's coming out on top, with a 9-6 triumph in Game 3 of the World Series.
Oakland broke out on top in the last of the 3rd. Bert Campaneris singled, stole second, then scored on a Claudell Washington single. Oakland added two more in the 4th on RBI singles from Bill North and Campaneris to make the score 3-0.
Cincy cracked the scoreboard in the top of the 5th on a Cesar Geronino RBI double, then tied the score in their half of the 6th on a Tony Perez solo homer and a Joe Morgan RBI single.
The Reds appeared to take control in the 7th on a George Foster RBI groundout, followed in the 8th with a Dan Driessen RBI single. The Reds led 5-3 going into the last of the 8th inning. Cincinnati's AI, manager, however, left himself open for much criticism. He allowed a tiring Fred Norman to take the mound in the 8th, while at the same time replacing Morgan and Concepcion in the field with Doug Flynn and Darrel Chaney, respectively.
Oakland cut the lead to 5-4 on a Gene Tenace RBI double with two outs. With speedster Matt Alexander stretching in the dugout, A's manager motnahp rolled the dice and left the slow-footed Tenace on second base, representing the tying run. Norman walked Bando, as Alexander continued to stretch and the Cincy AI manager dozed off. Phil Garner looped a single into right field and Tenace held at third, loading the bases. Alexander checked his shoelaces, Cincy's manager continued to doze, and Bill North delivered an RBI single to score Tenace and the game was tied 5-5. As Cincinnati coaches tried to wake up their AI manager, Norman pitched to Bert Campaneris. Campy delivered a 2-run single to give the A's a 7-5 lead. A groggy Cincy AI manager made his way to the mound, finally, and brought in Clay Kirby. Claudell Washington dribbed an infield single between 1st and 2nd to load the bases again. Tommy Harper then singled to right, scoring two more runs and giving the A's a 9-5 advantage.
Rollie Fingers allowed a run in the 9th on a Doug Flynn RBI single, but the air was out of the tires on the Big Red Machine. Paul Lindblad picked up the win in relief for the A's.
WED OCT 22 (WS GAME 3)
CIN_____6___12___0
OAK_____9___13___1
Oakland leads series 2-1
Both teams brought out the heavy lumber today, but it was the Oakland A's coming out on top, with a 9-6 triumph in Game 3 of the World Series.
Oakland broke out on top in the last of the 3rd. Bert Campaneris singled, stole second, then scored on a Claudell Washington single. Oakland added two more in the 4th on RBI singles from Bill North and Campaneris to make the score 3-0.
Cincy cracked the scoreboard in the top of the 5th on a Cesar Geronino RBI double, then tied the score in their half of the 6th on a Tony Perez solo homer and a Joe Morgan RBI single.
The Reds appeared to take control in the 7th on a George Foster RBI groundout, followed in the 8th with a Dan Driessen RBI single. The Reds led 5-3 going into the last of the 8th inning. Cincinnati's AI, manager, however, left himself open for much criticism. He allowed a tiring Fred Norman to take the mound in the 8th, while at the same time replacing Morgan and Concepcion in the field with Doug Flynn and Darrel Chaney, respectively.
Oakland cut the lead to 5-4 on a Gene Tenace RBI double with two outs. With speedster Matt Alexander stretching in the dugout, A's manager motnahp rolled the dice and left the slow-footed Tenace on second base, representing the tying run. Norman walked Bando, as Alexander continued to stretch and the Cincy AI manager dozed off. Phil Garner looped a single into right field and Tenace held at third, loading the bases. Alexander checked his shoelaces, Cincy's manager continued to doze, and Bill North delivered an RBI single to score Tenace and the game was tied 5-5. As Cincinnati coaches tried to wake up their AI manager, Norman pitched to Bert Campaneris. Campy delivered a 2-run single to give the A's a 7-5 lead. A groggy Cincy AI manager made his way to the mound, finally, and brought in Clay Kirby. Claudell Washington dribbed an infield single between 1st and 2nd to load the bases again. Tommy Harper then singled to right, scoring two more runs and giving the A's a 9-5 advantage.
Rollie Fingers allowed a run in the 9th on a Doug Flynn RBI single, but the air was out of the tires on the Big Red Machine. Paul Lindblad picked up the win in relief for the A's.
WED OCT 22 (WS GAME 3)
CIN_____6___12___0
OAK_____9___13___1
Oakland leads series 2-1
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Nolan and Hunter in Game 4. 59 degrees with swirling 13 MPH winds.
In a rematch from Game One, Gary Nolan was the dominant pitcher this time out, shutting out the A's with a sparkling 3-hitter. The Reds evened the series at two games apiece with a 3-0 win.
Dave Concepcion got the Reds on the board in the top of the 4th with a two-run single. The other Reds' run scored in the 6th on a Joe Morgan DP groundout.
Catfish Hunter was not his usual sharp self, allowing 10 hits and walking 5 in 7 2/3 innings. Hunter struck out 8 Reds, a high total for this control pitcher, who normally relies on his defense.
THURS OCT 23 (WS GAME 4)
CIN_____3___12___0
OAK_____0___3___1
Series tied 2-2
In a rematch from Game One, Gary Nolan was the dominant pitcher this time out, shutting out the A's with a sparkling 3-hitter. The Reds evened the series at two games apiece with a 3-0 win.
Dave Concepcion got the Reds on the board in the top of the 4th with a two-run single. The other Reds' run scored in the 6th on a Joe Morgan DP groundout.
Catfish Hunter was not his usual sharp self, allowing 10 hits and walking 5 in 7 2/3 innings. Hunter struck out 8 Reds, a high total for this control pitcher, who normally relies on his defense.
THURS OCT 23 (WS GAME 4)
CIN_____3___12___0
OAK_____0___3___1
Series tied 2-2
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Gullett & Holtzman in Game 5. 70 degrees with a 10 MPH wind blowing out to CF.
The Cincinnati Reds are one win away from the championship, following a 4-3 win over the A's in Oakland.
Don Gullett went the distance, scattering 10 hits. He struck out 9 and walked 3.
Oakland jumped out 2-0 in the bottom of the 1st on a Reggie Jackson RBI single and a Gene Tenace sacrifice fly. The lead was short-lived, however, as Ken Griffey knocked a bases-clearing double in the 2nd to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. The A's tied the score in the 6th on a Claudell Washington sacrifice fly.
Pete Rose was the hero for the Reds. Rose's two-out RBI single in the top of the 8th was the eventual game-winner.
The Reds now travel back home and try to wrap up the series.
FRI OCT 24 (WS GAME 5)
CIN_____4___8___0
OAK_____3__10___0
Cincinnati leads series 3-2
The Cincinnati Reds are one win away from the championship, following a 4-3 win over the A's in Oakland.
Don Gullett went the distance, scattering 10 hits. He struck out 9 and walked 3.
Oakland jumped out 2-0 in the bottom of the 1st on a Reggie Jackson RBI single and a Gene Tenace sacrifice fly. The lead was short-lived, however, as Ken Griffey knocked a bases-clearing double in the 2nd to give the Reds a 3-2 lead. The A's tied the score in the 6th on a Claudell Washington sacrifice fly.
Pete Rose was the hero for the Reds. Rose's two-out RBI single in the top of the 8th was the eventual game-winner.
The Reds now travel back home and try to wrap up the series.
FRI OCT 24 (WS GAME 5)
CIN_____4___8___0
OAK_____3__10___0
Cincinnati leads series 3-2
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Blue & Norman in Game 6. 46 degrees with wind out to CF at 9 MPH.
We will have a seventh game, as the A's defeated the Reds 5-2.
Ken Griffey provided early excitement for the Redlegs with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st off Vida Blue. The A's young lefty would give up nothing further, starring on the mound and at the plate. Blue contributed RBI singles in both the 4th and 6th innings and the game was tied at 2-2. The A's took the lead in the 6th on Claudell Washington's sacrifice fly. Oakland put the game away in the top of the 9th, as Reggie Jackson belted a 2-run homer. Rollie Fingers allowed two hits, but kept the Reds off the board in the 9th. Blue went 8 innings, allowing 4 hits, while walkeing 3 and striking out 6.
SUN OCT 26 (WS GAME 6)
OAK_____5___9___2
CIN_____2___6___0
Series tied 3-3
We will have a seventh game, as the A's defeated the Reds 5-2.
Ken Griffey provided early excitement for the Redlegs with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st off Vida Blue. The A's young lefty would give up nothing further, starring on the mound and at the plate. Blue contributed RBI singles in both the 4th and 6th innings and the game was tied at 2-2. The A's took the lead in the 6th on Claudell Washington's sacrifice fly. Oakland put the game away in the top of the 9th, as Reggie Jackson belted a 2-run homer. Rollie Fingers allowed two hits, but kept the Reds off the board in the 9th. Blue went 8 innings, allowing 4 hits, while walkeing 3 and striking out 6.
SUN OCT 26 (WS GAME 6)
OAK_____5___9___2
CIN_____2___6___0
Series tied 3-3
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Hunter & Nolan in the decisive Game 7. 69 degrees and swirling 9 MPH winds.
The Oakland A's have captured their 4th straight championship with a dramatic 4-3 victory in Game 7. Sal Bando singled in Joe Rudi with 2 outs in the top of the 10th with the game-winner.
Game 7 started out much like Game 6. It was again the Ken Griffey show for the Reds. The young right fielder smacked a 2-run double in the bottom of the 3rd and then added an RBI single in the last of the 5th to give the Reds a 3-0 lead. Cincinnati was cruising behind Gary Nolan through 6 innings before the A's bats came to life.
In the 7th, Claudell Washington atoned for an earlier costly error with an RBI double. Phil Garner followed with an RBI single and the lead was cut to 3-2. Things looked grim until the 9th, when Billy North took Nolan's first pitch over the right field wall to tie the score at 3-3.
In the top of the 10th, Reds' reliever Clay Kirby retired the first two Oakland batters before Joe Rudi doubled. Manager motnahp again eschewed the pinch runner and left speedster Matt Alexander on the bench. Gene Tenace singled, but Rudi was held at 3rd. Sal Bando followed with a single up the middle to score Rudi and put the A's on top, 4-3. North struck out to end the inning.
With two left-handed batters due up in the 10th and having already used lefty Lindblad from the bullpen, motnahp called on Kenny Holtzman. The crafty lefty was 24-9 on the season, but made only one relief appearance. Griffey grounded out to start the inning. Morgan struck out. Up stepped George Foster. A "worn out" Rollie Fingers was warming in the bullpen, but motnahp stuck with Holtzman. Kenny proceeded to allow singles to Foster and Bench. He recovered, however, and struck out Tony Perez on three pitches to end the series.
The Oakland bullpen came through in the clutch. After Catfish Hunter had allowed 3 runs in 6 innings, the A's got two scoreless innings from Lindblad, and one scoreless inning each from Dick Bosman and Holtzman. Bosman was credited with the win.
MON OCT 27 (WS GAME 7)
OAK_____4___13___1
CIN_____3____9___1
Oakland wins series 4-3
The Oakland A's have captured their 4th straight championship with a dramatic 4-3 victory in Game 7. Sal Bando singled in Joe Rudi with 2 outs in the top of the 10th with the game-winner.
Game 7 started out much like Game 6. It was again the Ken Griffey show for the Reds. The young right fielder smacked a 2-run double in the bottom of the 3rd and then added an RBI single in the last of the 5th to give the Reds a 3-0 lead. Cincinnati was cruising behind Gary Nolan through 6 innings before the A's bats came to life.
In the 7th, Claudell Washington atoned for an earlier costly error with an RBI double. Phil Garner followed with an RBI single and the lead was cut to 3-2. Things looked grim until the 9th, when Billy North took Nolan's first pitch over the right field wall to tie the score at 3-3.
In the top of the 10th, Reds' reliever Clay Kirby retired the first two Oakland batters before Joe Rudi doubled. Manager motnahp again eschewed the pinch runner and left speedster Matt Alexander on the bench. Gene Tenace singled, but Rudi was held at 3rd. Sal Bando followed with a single up the middle to score Rudi and put the A's on top, 4-3. North struck out to end the inning.
With two left-handed batters due up in the 10th and having already used lefty Lindblad from the bullpen, motnahp called on Kenny Holtzman. The crafty lefty was 24-9 on the season, but made only one relief appearance. Griffey grounded out to start the inning. Morgan struck out. Up stepped George Foster. A "worn out" Rollie Fingers was warming in the bullpen, but motnahp stuck with Holtzman. Kenny proceeded to allow singles to Foster and Bench. He recovered, however, and struck out Tony Perez on three pitches to end the series.
The Oakland bullpen came through in the clutch. After Catfish Hunter had allowed 3 runs in 6 innings, the A's got two scoreless innings from Lindblad, and one scoreless inning each from Dick Bosman and Holtzman. Bosman was credited with the win.
MON OCT 27 (WS GAME 7)
OAK_____4___13___1
CIN_____3____9___1
Oakland wins series 4-3
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
I'm not sure how many folks read these. I know I occasionally peek into other players' lockers to see what they're up to.
I'm open for suggestions on where to go next. I'm partial to Oakland and Atlanta, so I'll probably do another season involving one of those teams. Some potential choices:
(1) Continue with the A's and play 1976. They traded away Reggie and Holtzman, so it would be tough. I would keep Catfish, though.
(2) Try something from the other extreme. How about the 1979 A's, known as the "triple A's", since most all of the stars were gone via free agency. They went 54-108 that year.
(3) The 1980 or 1981 A's with Billy Martin's iron man starting pitchers Langford, Norris, McCatty, and Keough.
(4) The 1988 A's and the Bash Brothers, seeking redemption against those lucky Dodgers and Kirk Gibson (I suspect LA won't even make that series in PS).
(5) The 1990 A's, who were swept in the series by the Reds, mainly due to one pitcher (Jose Rijo) and one every day player (Billy Hatcher) playing way over their heads.
(6) Any of the more recent A's teams with the Big Three (Hudson, Zito & Mulder) on the mound.
(7) Any of the 1991-1993, or 1996-2005 Atlanta teams, who all looked so good during the regular season, but fell flat in postseason.
Any preferences out there? I'm leaning toward the "triple A's", just for a dose of humility after beating the Reds in 1975.
I'm open for suggestions on where to go next. I'm partial to Oakland and Atlanta, so I'll probably do another season involving one of those teams. Some potential choices:
(1) Continue with the A's and play 1976. They traded away Reggie and Holtzman, so it would be tough. I would keep Catfish, though.
(2) Try something from the other extreme. How about the 1979 A's, known as the "triple A's", since most all of the stars were gone via free agency. They went 54-108 that year.
(3) The 1980 or 1981 A's with Billy Martin's iron man starting pitchers Langford, Norris, McCatty, and Keough.
(4) The 1988 A's and the Bash Brothers, seeking redemption against those lucky Dodgers and Kirk Gibson (I suspect LA won't even make that series in PS).
(5) The 1990 A's, who were swept in the series by the Reds, mainly due to one pitcher (Jose Rijo) and one every day player (Billy Hatcher) playing way over their heads.
(6) Any of the more recent A's teams with the Big Three (Hudson, Zito & Mulder) on the mound.
(7) Any of the 1991-1993, or 1996-2005 Atlanta teams, who all looked so good during the regular season, but fell flat in postseason.
Any preferences out there? I'm leaning toward the "triple A's", just for a dose of humility after beating the Reds in 1975.
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
-
DonBraswell
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2005 4:05 am
- Location: Millbrook, Alabama
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
motnahp,
I read every post here at the locker. I quit following baseball when my Yankees traded Bobby Murcer to the Giants for Bobby Bonds. For me it was like trading off Mantle, really torqued my jaws. I did try to keep track of Don Mattingly. Any way the 70's/to present day aren't my thing. However you write it and I'll read it, which ever season you decide to do. I do appreciate your efforts.
Don
I read every post here at the locker. I quit following baseball when my Yankees traded Bobby Murcer to the Giants for Bobby Bonds. For me it was like trading off Mantle, really torqued my jaws. I did try to keep track of Don Mattingly. Any way the 70's/to present day aren't my thing. However you write it and I'll read it, which ever season you decide to do. I do appreciate your efforts.
Don
Don Braswell
PureSim Old Timer
PureSim Old Timer
RE: 1975 Oakland A's: What Should Have Been
Don:
Thanks for the kind thoughts. I lost some of my love for the game when free agency changed everything. (Cue the tears) Finley and Oakland had shrewdly drafted, developed, and traded their way to a dynasty. Think of how difficult it is now for anyone, in any sport, to win three straight titles.
I was born in '61, so my first real memories of baseball are from the 1969 season, when I was living in California. I became an A's fan primarily because they were on local TV once in a while. I also saw my first game in Oakland, a 16-4 drubbing at the hands of the Twins. My dad would take the family a couple times a year for a Sunday doubleheader. As bad luck would have it, we moved to Texas a year before the A's went to their first world series.
It has been painful to see the Oakland franchise built up and torn down repeatedly from 1976 to present. They always seem to become competitive in a short amount of time, so they must still be excelling in their scouting. FYI, I followed the Yankees during their Reggie years. Jackson was always my favorite player. I remember him stealing home during the 1972 playoffs against Detroit, scoring the eventual winning run, but injuring himself in the process and missing the 1972 World Series.
Thanks for the kind thoughts. I lost some of my love for the game when free agency changed everything. (Cue the tears) Finley and Oakland had shrewdly drafted, developed, and traded their way to a dynasty. Think of how difficult it is now for anyone, in any sport, to win three straight titles.
I was born in '61, so my first real memories of baseball are from the 1969 season, when I was living in California. I became an A's fan primarily because they were on local TV once in a while. I also saw my first game in Oakland, a 16-4 drubbing at the hands of the Twins. My dad would take the family a couple times a year for a Sunday doubleheader. As bad luck would have it, we moved to Texas a year before the A's went to their first world series.
It has been painful to see the Oakland franchise built up and torn down repeatedly from 1976 to present. They always seem to become competitive in a short amount of time, so they must still be excelling in their scouting. FYI, I followed the Yankees during their Reggie years. Jackson was always my favorite player. I remember him stealing home during the 1972 playoffs against Detroit, scoring the eventual winning run, but injuring himself in the process and missing the 1972 World Series.
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx