WEBVTT 00:00:01.159 --> 00:00:04.459 This is Retro Sports Radio. Visit RetroSeasons 00:00:04.459 --> 00:00:59.520 .com for more sports history. You are about to 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:02.539 enter another dimension. You are being transported 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:05.659 to a baseball fantasy land more bizarre than 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:08.400 anything Abner Doubleday ever dared to dream. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:11.859 A land where the good guys always wear white 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:15.280 shoes. They come gloriously garbed in Kelly green 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:18.500 and gold uniforms. Brashly brandishing bushy 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:22.379 mustaches and sideburns. With the magic A apostrophe 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:25.079 S emblazoned on their chests to ward off such 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:28.900 evil spirits as tigers. Oreos, White Sox, and 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:32.340 Reds. Their thrilling outlandish deeds will be 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:34.540 forever chronicled in the great baseball annals 00:01:34.540 --> 00:01:38.219 under the name of the Oakland A's. But to those 00:01:38.219 --> 00:01:41.379 who knew them well, they will always be remembered 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:51.280 as family heroes. You know, there's a very thin 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:54.319 line between reality and fiction. And the incredible 00:01:54.319 --> 00:01:57.299 1972 baseball season seemed to hover in that 00:01:57.299 --> 00:01:59.599 gray, nebulous area that separates credibility 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:03.359 from imagination. But despite their miracle finishes 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:07.620 and phantasmagorical plays, this was the year 00:02:07.620 --> 00:02:10.280 that the irrepressible Oakland A's were going 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:12.740 to prove to the world that they were a very for 00:02:12.740 --> 00:02:15.919 -real team. Under the watchful eye of Charlie 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:18.219 Finley, the team that was to win the championship 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:21.180 of 72 began to take shape many years before. 00:02:21.770 --> 00:02:24.610 From draft choices and college campuses through 00:02:24.610 --> 00:02:26.949 trades in the minor league system came player 00:02:26.949 --> 00:02:29.629 after player until the A's had built themselves 00:02:29.629 --> 00:02:31.949 into one of the most talent -laden teams in the 00:02:31.949 --> 00:02:34.770 major leagues. Gone were those losing years in 00:02:34.770 --> 00:02:37.789 Kansas City and long gone the Philadelphia origins 00:02:37.789 --> 00:02:41.669 of this team. This Oakland team was unique. It 00:02:41.669 --> 00:02:44.250 was probably the most talented in all of baseball 00:02:44.250 --> 00:02:47.650 and certainly the most colorful. They all laughed 00:02:47.650 --> 00:02:50.509 when the A's introduced baseball's first multicolored 00:02:50.509 --> 00:02:57.300 uniform. And white kangaroo shoes. And mustaches. 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:01.819 And a mule named Charlie O grazing in the grass 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:08.419 beyond the outfield. But when 50 ,182 fans come 00:03:08.419 --> 00:03:10.840 out on a family night to see the A's do battle 00:03:10.840 --> 00:03:12.740 with the Orioles at the Coliseum in Oakland, 00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:15.539 and that same Oakland team goes on to win the 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:18.580 World Series to repay its loyal fans, you know 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:41.180 to whom the last laugh belongs. Congratulations 00:03:41.180 --> 00:03:43.319 to you. Thank you very much. Let me hold you 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:44.680 here a second that you were voted. It sounds 00:03:44.680 --> 00:03:46.639 like the most valuable player by Sport Magazine. 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:48.520 You're going to get that Dodge Charger. Have 00:03:48.520 --> 00:03:50.860 you heard that? Drive that back to Ohio, huh? 00:03:51.620 --> 00:03:55.020 Thank you very much. Raleigh, you have just done 00:03:55.020 --> 00:03:58.240 an unbelievable job time after time in the playoffs 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:00.979 against Detroit. You went in, runners at first 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:03.259 and third, nobody down. You got out of it. Runners 00:04:03.259 --> 00:04:05.039 at first and third went out. You got out of it. 00:04:05.099 --> 00:04:07.180 You've never been in a bigger jam than here today. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:10.060 What did you say to yourself? I just tried. I 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:11.740 was trying to find six outs of my glove when 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:14.659 I went in. That's all. I'll tell you, I was tired 00:04:14.659 --> 00:04:16.639 yesterday, and I went out there today. I didn't 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:19.740 think I could go two innings. When I was sowing, 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:22.040 I felt bad. I got out there, and all of a sudden, 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:23.860 everything started clicking together. My slider 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:26.120 was breaking, and I sown my fastball right where 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:28.259 I wanted to. Raleigh, right before you made the 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:31.000 pitch, with runners at second and third after 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:33.199 bench stole, you had a 3 -2 count. I noticed 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:35.560 you took that ball here three times and said 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:37.740 something to yourself. Yeah, I was saying a little 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:40.829 prayer out there. I was saying a lot. Monty, 00:04:40.829 --> 00:04:42.329 they're sneaking up behind you. You've got Catfish 00:04:42.329 --> 00:04:44.029 Hunter behind you. I've got John Odom. Why don't 00:04:44.029 --> 00:04:46.610 you talk to Catfish first? All right, Jim Hunter. 00:04:46.889 --> 00:04:48.889 You went in in relief today. You've done a fantastic 00:04:48.889 --> 00:04:50.990 job through the playoffs and the series and great 00:04:50.990 --> 00:04:52.629 pressure pitching. You've got to be a happy man 00:04:52.629 --> 00:04:54.550 right now. I am, Monty. I think I'm the happiest 00:04:54.550 --> 00:04:56.689 I've ever been in my life. Was the pressure anything 00:04:56.689 --> 00:04:59.009 today like it was in the Detroit series to you? 00:04:59.370 --> 00:05:01.170 I think it was more today. You know, there's 00:05:01.170 --> 00:05:03.329 so much riding on and everything, and today I 00:05:03.329 --> 00:05:04.689 went out there. I didn't have real good stuff, 00:05:04.790 --> 00:05:07.149 but I made some pitches that they should have 00:05:07.149 --> 00:05:08.910 hit out of the ballpark, but luckily they didn't. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:10.879 Jim, it seemed as though you were a little nervous 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:12.540 for the first time I can ever remember when you 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:14.319 came in. You had a little control problem, even 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:16.420 made a wild pitch. That's right, Monty. You know, 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:17.519 when you come out here like you've got to make 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:19.519 a pitch, and I was just a little bit nervous, 00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:22.279 but we won. That's all that counts. Nice going, 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:25.100 Catfish. Thank you very much. The magical, mystical 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:27.740 A's were an inspired blend of baseball talent, 00:05:27.879 --> 00:05:31.160 honed to a fever pitch by the mustachioed maestro 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:33.980 of big league managers, Dick Williams. He was 00:05:33.980 --> 00:05:35.819 able to mold this young, aggressive collection 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:38.420 of players into a winning unit. that shared a 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:40.959 camaraderie and unit of spirit unmatched on any 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:43.959 playing field at any time, anywhere. Throughout 00:05:43.959 --> 00:05:46.720 the season, again and again, they rose to the 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:50.139 occasion. This was the team of destiny in 1972. 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:54.439 This was the Oakland A's. Heroes, one and all. 00:05:54.839 --> 00:05:58.879 Heroes like Joe Rudy. It's the last half of the 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:01.839 11th inning. The score is tied 3 -3. And wouldn't 00:06:01.839 --> 00:06:03.660 you know it, the A's are starting the season 00:06:03.660 --> 00:06:06.800 on an exciting note already. With one out, Joe 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:08.899 Rudy is on third base. Rudy opened the inning 00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:11.579 with a double, and Reggie Jackson, the A's leading 00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:13.579 home run hitter the past couple of years, crossed 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:15.980 the Twins up by bunting Rudy over to third base. 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:18.600 Now it's up to pinch hitter Gene Tennis, who's 00:06:18.600 --> 00:06:20.779 batting for left -handed swinging Mike Hegan. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:24.720 Bill Rigney has just brought in Dave LaRoche, 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:27.959 a left -hand reliever. With a great record, the 00:06:27.959 --> 00:06:29.839 Twins picked him up in a winner deal from the 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:32.939 California Angels. Gene Tennis at the plate. 00:06:33.310 --> 00:06:35.389 LaRoche will work off the stretch with Rudy coming 00:06:35.389 --> 00:06:37.529 down off third. They want to hold Joe on as closely 00:06:37.529 --> 00:06:40.610 as possible. The infield is in. Soderholm, Thompson, 00:06:40.769 --> 00:06:44.029 Carew, and Killebrew. The catcher, George Mitterwald, 00:06:44.149 --> 00:06:47.350 gives the sign. Now the target. LaRoche is set. 00:06:47.490 --> 00:06:50.490 Around comes the yard. In rides the pitch. Tennis 00:06:50.490 --> 00:06:52.310 swings. There's a bouncing ball right side of 00:06:52.310 --> 00:06:54.449 the infield. Rudy's going to try to score. Carew 00:06:54.449 --> 00:06:56.110 picks the ball up. Here's the throw to the plate. 00:06:56.170 --> 00:06:58.209 It's going to be closed. Mitterwald's got the 00:06:58.209 --> 00:07:00.230 ball. Rudy crashes into him, and the ball is 00:07:00.230 --> 00:07:02.519 knocked loose. Rudy is safe at the plate and 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:08.120 the A's win 4 -3. Last half of the 19th inning, 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:10.259 the longest game ever played by the A's here 00:07:10.259 --> 00:07:12.939 in Oakland. The Chicago White Sox and the A's 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:16.040 went five hours plus last night. 17 innings didn't 00:07:16.040 --> 00:07:18.560 decide a thing. Tonight it's the 19th as they 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:21.920 continue last night's suspended game. Stan Bonson, 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:23.879 a starter for the Chicago White Sox, has been 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:26.230 brought on in relief. And he's pitching to Joe 00:07:26.230 --> 00:07:28.389 Rudy with a runner at second base. A base hit 00:07:28.389 --> 00:07:30.529 by Rudy could give the A's a big win over the 00:07:30.529 --> 00:07:33.430 Chicago White Sox. Campy Campanaris, who opened 00:07:33.430 --> 00:07:35.970 the inning with a single, is on at second. Sacrifice 00:07:35.970 --> 00:07:38.509 down to second. Joe Rudy is ready. Bonson pitches. 00:07:38.709 --> 00:07:41.529 The pitch is swung under. The long drive to center 00:07:41.529 --> 00:07:44.009 field. That one's got a chance. It's really got 00:07:44.009 --> 00:07:47.810 a charge in it. And there she goes! The A's win! 00:07:50.649 --> 00:07:57.300 Heroes like Sal Bando. Fans would like nothing 00:07:57.300 --> 00:07:59.620 better than to see Bando put a charge into one 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:02.420 and light up the scoreboard. The A's and the 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:04.699 Yankees, nothing, nothing. It's the last half 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:06.540 of the fourth inning. The bases are loaded for 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.920 the A's captain Bando against Mel Stottlemeyer. 00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:11.819 Stottlemeyer goes into the windup. Joe Rudy comes 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:14.500 down off third. Around comes the arm. In rides 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:32.669 the pitch. Bando swings. you'll have to do it. 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:25.600 Heroes like the Oakland A's speedy shortstop, 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:29.179 Campy Campanaris. The top half of the 10th inning, 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:31.720 Campy Campanaris leading off against Gaylord 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:34.139 Perry. Transplant from the National League is 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:36.039 having a super year for the Cleveland Indians. 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:38.299 And what a battle he's hooked up in here tonight. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:41.919 John Odom made only 71 pitches through nine innings. 00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:44.200 We're in the 10th now and Perry is still going. 00:09:44.299 --> 00:09:46.700 The game tied 2 -2. Here's Campy Campanaris. 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:50.419 It's a no ball, one strike count. Campy ready 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:53.179 at the plate. Perry into the windup. Here's the 00:09:53.179 --> 00:10:09.159 pitch. Campanera swings. Campy Campanera is on 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:11.059 as a pinch runner, knowing he has to steal two 00:10:11.059 --> 00:10:13.659 bases tonight to pass Dave Nelson of Texas for 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:15.220 the American League Stolen Base Championship. 00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:18.159 Nelson stole three bases tonight in the final 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:20.299 game for Texas to take a one -game lead over 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:22.879 Campanera. Campy leading off first. Marquez, 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:25.639 the batter. Here's Nolan Ryan's pitch. Campanaris 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:28.179 has got to go. Thorberg makes the catch. Here's 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:30.899 the throw down to second. Campy slides. He is 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:34.460 saved. He's tagged, Nelson. Campy Campanaris 00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:36.720 in a nothing -nothing game steals a big base. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:39.379 Big for his own chances and big for the A's. 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:42.120 Now, if Marquez can get a base hit, the A's could 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:44.919 take a lead in the ball game. Campanaris leads 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:47.759 down off second base. He's got a big lead. Ryan 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:49.960 down to the stretch. If Campy steals third, here 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:52.149 he is. wins the stolen base championship of the 00:10:52.149 --> 00:10:54.889 league. Here comes the pitch. Marquez takes. 00:10:55.149 --> 00:10:58.269 Campanaris is going. Here's the goal from Tobar. 00:10:58.269 --> 00:11:00.529 Down to third. Can't be slagged. Beep, beep. 00:11:00.610 --> 00:11:08.490 The roadrunner steals it and wins it again. And 00:11:08.490 --> 00:11:11.929 then there were heroes like Reggie Jackson. The 00:11:11.929 --> 00:11:14.029 pitch is swung on. There's a drive deep right 00:11:14.029 --> 00:11:16.169 center field. Reggie Jackson's going to have 00:11:16.169 --> 00:11:30.769 to go to... Game tied. Last half of the ninth 00:11:30.769 --> 00:11:33.669 inning. A's 2, Angels 2. Eddie Fisher, knuckleballer, 00:11:33.669 --> 00:11:35.529 on in relief of Rick Clark of the California 00:11:35.529 --> 00:11:38.330 Angels. Reggie Jackson, who hits knuckleballers 00:11:38.330 --> 00:11:41.169 pretty well, standing at the plate. Here's Fisher's 00:11:41.169 --> 00:11:44.730 wind. The pitch on the way. It is swung on. Reggie 00:11:44.730 --> 00:11:57.399 Jackson, I believe. And Finley's heroes included 00:11:57.399 --> 00:12:00.980 pitching stars such as Catfish Hunter. The Catfish 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:03.659 Hunter one out away from winning number 20. A 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:06.139 mark that he says means more to him than pitching 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:09.480 the perfect game. Headboard at the plate. Here's 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:11.799 the pitch from Hunter. It's a slider. Breaking 00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:14.940 low and away. Swung on. Bouncing ball right side. 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:18.779 He's got it. Hunter going to cover first. Mike 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:21.419 shovels it to him. The Catfish has got the baseball 00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:27.960 crossing the bag. He wins number 20. The catfish 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:30.220 can blow it by him when he has to. He has struck 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:32.720 out over 190 men a couple of years in a row. 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:35.500 Around comes the arm. Here's the pitch. Blazing 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:38.259 fastball swinging strike three, and catfish on 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:42.320 ten pitches strikes out the side. Another ace 00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:45.019 on the A's staff was John Blue Moon Odom, who 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:47.340 had to fight to win a spot on this year's pitching 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:49.879 staff with some stout -hearted work in Arizona. 00:12:51.049 --> 00:12:53.870 Sounds strange to say that a 26 -year -old right 00:12:53.870 --> 00:12:55.970 -hander might be making a comeback, but here's 00:12:55.970 --> 00:12:58.070 John Odom out on the mound right now on his first 00:12:58.070 --> 00:13:00.950 start this year. Two runners on facing Billy 00:13:00.950 --> 00:13:03.230 Canigliaro. He's been in a lot of trouble in 00:13:03.230 --> 00:13:05.649 this ballgame already. Skipper Dick Williams 00:13:05.649 --> 00:13:07.830 wanted him to go five innings in his first game, 00:13:07.889 --> 00:13:09.649 and he is not allowed to run. Here's the pitch. 00:13:10.009 --> 00:13:12.009 Runners leading first and second. Canigliaro 00:13:12.009 --> 00:13:14.269 swings. Little fly ball out towards left field. 00:13:14.629 --> 00:13:17.129 Joe Rudy comes in under the ball. He has got 00:13:17.129 --> 00:13:19.129 it, and Johnny Odom has gone through his first 00:13:19.129 --> 00:13:22.350 five innings of the year. Unscored on. It's Milwaukee 00:13:22.350 --> 00:13:26.529 nothing and Oakland nothing. Blue Moon Odom in 00:13:26.529 --> 00:13:28.549 his final tune -up prior to the start of the 00:13:28.549 --> 00:13:30.590 American League Championship playoff series against 00:13:30.590 --> 00:13:32.529 the California Angels leading one to nothing. 00:13:32.909 --> 00:13:35.309 It's the fifth inning. Kenny Berry is the batter 00:13:35.309 --> 00:13:37.289 at the plate with runners at first and third. 00:13:37.889 --> 00:13:41.769 Odom gets set. Checks the runner at first with 00:13:41.769 --> 00:13:43.570 a glance over the left shoulder. Here's the pitch 00:13:43.570 --> 00:13:45.830 to Berry. And the right -handed batter is fooled 00:13:45.830 --> 00:13:48.149 badly on that curveball. Hits a little looping 00:13:48.149 --> 00:13:50.450 liner out towards second base. Under the ball, 00:13:50.509 --> 00:13:53.049 Tim Cullen, he has got it, and Odom has gone 00:13:53.049 --> 00:13:55.269 through five innings leading one to another. 00:13:57.129 --> 00:13:59.409 Then there was last year's rookie sensation, 00:13:59.669 --> 00:14:02.970 Vida Blue, who, due to a contract dispute, missed 00:14:02.970 --> 00:14:05.330 spring training and got off to a late start. 00:14:05.769 --> 00:14:08.570 Vida, in his most impressive performance by far 00:14:08.570 --> 00:14:11.870 of 1972, has pitched a perfect game for five 00:14:11.870 --> 00:14:14.009 and two -thirds innings. Not a Texas Ranger's 00:14:14.009 --> 00:14:16.320 been on base. Here's the left -hander's pitch 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:18.220 on the way to the plate. Rich Hand, the Texas 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:20.019 pitcher, squares around. He busts the ball down 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:22.559 the third baseline. Bida comes off the map, picks 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:25.100 it up. He falls down. He throws the first. It 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:28.659 is too late. And there's going to be a very interesting 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:30.779 decision here on whether or not the first hit 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:34.399 of the game is a hit or an error on Bida. It 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:37.600 is ruled a base hit. So the no -hitter is broken 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:40.759 up, and the Rangers have a runner on. With Vida 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:42.840 leading off second base and one out, Joe Rudy 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:44.879 swings. There's a fly ball to left center field. 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:47.019 Ted Ford of the Rangers goes over, gets under. 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:48.980 Vida back to tag up at second. He's going to 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:51.600 go to third. Ted Ford makes the catch. He puts 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.299 his head down and starts trotting into the ball. 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:55.340 He takes it to third out, and Irv Norton is waiting. 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:57.779 Vida to the plate. Here comes the throw to Mason, 00:14:57.840 --> 00:15:00.000 the shortstop. Mason throws to Billings at the 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:03.519 plate. Vida slides. He is safe. He scores from 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:07.759 second on a fly ball to left field. In the bullpen 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:10.039 whenever they needed him. Oakland could always 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:13.399 count on the cool, steady hand of the tall Raleigh 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:16.759 Fingers. With the Indians leading the A's 2 -1 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.860 in the last half of the seventh inning, Raleigh 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:21.220 Fingers on in relief has done a spectacular job. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:23.980 He came on, bases loaded, nobody out. He got 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:26.419 the double play. Now with Eddie Leon at the plate, 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:28.799 the bases are loaded again. If the A's are to 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.080 stay close, Raleigh's got to get this man, Leon, 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:33.639 ready at the plate. The big guy drops down, working 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:35.399 off the stretch, even with the bases loaded. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:38.019 Here's the pitch, a sidearm curveball, Eddie 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:44.129 Leon, swing! And when the A's needed the long 00:15:44.129 --> 00:15:47.169 bomb, the knockout punch, their heavyweight heavy 00:15:47.169 --> 00:15:50.889 swinger was Mike Epstein. Jackson leads off second, 00:15:51.049 --> 00:15:53.950 tennis off first. Here's the pitch to Mike Epstein. 00:15:54.210 --> 00:15:56.450 There's a drive, hit deep to right field, way 00:15:56.450 --> 00:15:59.610 back, way back, and it is gone! Home run, Epstein! 00:15:59.990 --> 00:16:03.610 3 -2 Oakland! Big Mike got the first pitch and 00:16:03.610 --> 00:16:05.789 drove it deep over the head of Ted Ford into 00:16:05.789 --> 00:16:08.840 the seats. And Oakland comes roaring back. Two 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:11.419 walks on a home run. How does that grab you, 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:14.039 Monty? I tell you, it grabs Ted Williams where 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:16.159 it hurts. Epstein holding against the runners. 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:19.019 A slow curve. Bet swung on. Line drive hit into 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:21.519 right field. Epstein makes a dive. Hey, he knocked 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:24.019 the ball down. He's got it in front of him. Holland 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:26.419 going to cover the bag to throw to first. Epstein 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:30.500 makes a super play. Talented young players without 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:32.759 big reputations pitched in when the chips were 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:36.320 down. George Hendricks, for example. Last half 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:38.100 of the 10th inning. First place in the Western. 00:16:38.250 --> 00:16:40.690 The vision is at stake. The A's trail by a run 00:16:40.690 --> 00:16:44.169 of the Chicago White Sox. Over 32 ,600 fans on 00:16:44.169 --> 00:16:46.570 their feet chanting. Hendrick is at the plate 00:16:46.570 --> 00:16:48.490 with a runner at second base. A base hit could 00:16:48.490 --> 00:16:51.710 tie the ball game. Keeley at the stretch. Throws 00:16:51.710 --> 00:16:53.789 to the plate. George Hendrick swings. There's 00:16:53.789 --> 00:16:56.230 a long drive. Hey, he has really hit this one. 00:16:56.409 --> 00:16:58.649 That ball's got a charge in it and it's got a 00:16:58.649 --> 00:17:01.889 chance. It is over the right center field wall 00:17:01.889 --> 00:17:05.670 and the A's win 5 -4 to sweep the series from 00:17:05.670 --> 00:17:09.970 the White Sox and take over first. George Hendrick, 00:17:09.990 --> 00:17:11.990 the hero in yesterday's game for the A's over 00:17:11.990 --> 00:17:14.049 the White Sox. Stands at the plate now. Tie game, 00:17:14.230 --> 00:17:16.029 seventh inning, one and one. Pete Broberg of 00:17:16.029 --> 00:17:18.849 the Rangers winds. Here comes the pitch. George 00:17:18.849 --> 00:17:20.970 swings. There's a line drive. Hey, he's done 00:17:20.970 --> 00:17:23.569 it again. This ball is going out of the ballpark. 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:31.599 There were many other A's who earned the rank 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.740 of heroes for their consistent effort and team 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:36.279 play. Men like Ken Holtzman, who came to the 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:38.660 A's from the Cubs in exchange for Rick Mundy 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:40.599 and one of the biggest trades that Charlie Finley 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:43.039 made during the winter. Kenny went on, of course, 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:46.920 to win 19 big games. 2 -2 pitch to Horton. Curve 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:49.440 swinging, strike three, missed it a mile. Dennis 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:52.039 drops the ball, but throws the first for the 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:55.259 out. Horton never knew where it was. 2 -2 pitch. 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:58.420 Brown takes a burning fastball. He had him overmatched. 00:17:58.460 --> 00:18:02.099 Strike three called. He popped that one in there. 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:05.319 There were such men as first baseman and pinch 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:08.920 hitter deluxe Mike Hegan. It's the 12th inning. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:11.460 We're tied at 3 -3, and Dick Green has just sacrificed 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:13.759 Bobby Brooks down to second base. Mike Hegan 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.480 pinch hitting for Raleigh Fingers, who did a 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:17.339 super job for three and a third inning to relieve. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.759 Hegan batting against Lindy McDaniel. Base hit 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:24.619 could break the tie. Here's McDaniel's windup. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:26.839 The pitch on the way. It's a fork ball. Hegan 00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:40.359 swings. He... And there was catcher Dave Duncan. 00:19:09.289 --> 00:19:11.410 in their seats, but that's one time I didn't 00:19:11.410 --> 00:19:13.309 mind seeing a guy come out there. Boy, he was 00:19:13.309 --> 00:19:16.369 wrapped up in it. And reserve catcher Gene Tennis. 00:19:16.849 --> 00:19:19.809 Here's the 1 -0 pitch. There's a drive deep left 00:19:19.809 --> 00:19:24.690 field way back, way back, and there she goes! 00:19:29.450 --> 00:19:32.769 Gene Tennis rips one into the seat to left field, 00:19:32.930 --> 00:19:35.849 and the fireworks are going here today. That's 00:19:35.849 --> 00:19:38.170 Gene Tennis' fourth home run of the year in the 00:19:38.170 --> 00:19:42.240 A's league. 8 -0. Mercy, I haven't had this kind 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:45.980 of two innings in a month. In a year. Late in 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:48.079 the season, Charlie Finley added a little guy 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:51.220 from the National League named Matty Alou. 1 00:19:51.220 --> 00:20:19.170 -0 pitch. There's a drive to right and... Another 00:20:19.170 --> 00:20:21.710 late season addition, Dow Maxville proved to 00:20:21.710 --> 00:20:23.710 be a tremendous help to the Oakland A's playing 00:20:23.710 --> 00:20:30.910 both shortstop and second base. And there was 00:20:30.910 --> 00:20:33.109 Larry Brown, outstanding utility infielder who 00:20:33.109 --> 00:20:35.390 did such a good job at second base until a back 00:20:35.390 --> 00:20:37.349 injury forced him out of action for the last 00:20:37.349 --> 00:20:40.690 half of the season. And of course, then there 00:20:40.690 --> 00:20:43.049 was super sinker baller Bob Locker who did such 00:20:43.049 --> 00:20:45.190 a tremendous job for the A's out of the bullpen. 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:47.940 And veteran Joe Horland, who both relieved and 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:51.160 started. Then there were Tim Cullen and Ted Kubiak, 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:53.259 both of whom played a lot of second base and 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:56.339 did it well for the A's. First baseman Don Mincher. 00:20:57.200 --> 00:21:00.720 Outfielder Angel Mangual. Pinch hitter Supreme 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:04.160 Gonzalo Marquez. And pinch running specialist, 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:06.900 the Panamanian Express, Alan Lewis, who stole 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:09.559 some big bases for the A's in the pennant drive. 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:12.839 And of course, Darryl Knowles, one of the best 00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:15.559 relief pitchers in the major leagues. had the 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:17.880 misfortune to break his thumb late in September 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:21.160 and miss the playoffs in the World Series. Rookie 00:21:21.160 --> 00:21:23.380 left -hander Dave Hamilton, who won six of his 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:25.960 first seven games to give the A's a great lift 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.759 when they needed it in the pitching department. 00:21:28.480 --> 00:21:30.640 Add all this together with a fighting spirit 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:33.839 kept alive by a fine coaching staff of Bill Posdell, 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:37.400 Herb Noren, Jerry Adair, and Vern Hoshike, and 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:40.220 it's easy to see how the Oakland A's hung the 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:42.599 White Sox out to dry as they went on to capture 00:21:42.599 --> 00:21:47.250 the Western Division title. A crowd of 9 ,155 00:21:47.250 --> 00:21:49.710 diehard. Hoping against hope, the A's can pull 00:21:49.710 --> 00:21:51.970 off the miracle finish and nail it all down right 00:21:51.970 --> 00:21:55.730 here in the Coliseum. One out, two men on. 7 00:21:55.730 --> 00:21:58.009 -5, Minnesota. Last half of the eighth inning. 00:21:58.890 --> 00:22:01.069 Granger is ready. Here's the pitch. Line drive, 00:22:01.269 --> 00:22:03.769 base hit. Into center field. They're going to 00:22:03.769 --> 00:22:08.710 hold Mike up. The bases are loaded. And a single 00:22:08.710 --> 00:22:11.289 American tie it as Dave Duncan went up the middle. 00:22:11.569 --> 00:22:15.940 At one time. Oakland was down 7 -0. The magic 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:19.880 number is one. And I'll say one thing, win or 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:23.039 lose, the A's are going down fighting one way 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:25.359 or the other in this final game at the Coliseum. 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:28.660 Here's the pitch. A base hit by center field. 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:32.279 Epstein at the score. Here comes Lewis. And on 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:36.240 the third, goes by the blue. 7 -7, believe it 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:41.259 or not, and the place is going crazy. We are 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:44.150 tied at 7 -0. Seven and seven. The Twins have 00:22:44.150 --> 00:22:49.970 11 hits. The A's have 10. Mando leads off first. 00:22:50.029 --> 00:23:47.259 Here's the pitch. Maxville swings away. That's 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:50.460 not the way the A's play. They make it happen, 00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:53.859 and they made it happen today, winning 8 -7. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:57.420 Dick Williams kept a tight grip on the reins 00:23:57.420 --> 00:24:00.200 all season long, making the key moves at the 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:03.480 right time, game after game. But his most memorable 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:06.019 managerial feat was brought about by injury and 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:08.880 necessity, playing musical chairs at second base. 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:11.700 This constantly rotating lineup, which seemed 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:13.680 to take off in the classic Abbott and Costello 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:16.240 routine of who's on first, saw eight different 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:18.339 men playing second base for the A's during the 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:22.859 regular season. Skipper Dick Williams' managerial 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:25.339 ingenuity was really put to the test in 1972 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:28.619 in several ways. One of Dick's toughest tasks 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:30.680 was holding the team together and keeping them 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:32.779 in the tough pennant race despite injuries to 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:35.759 such key personnel as Reggie Jackson. Reggie 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:38.319 missed some three weeks due to a rib injury incurred 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:42.630 in a fight with the Kansas City Royals. The Swingin' 00:24:42.630 --> 00:24:45.069 A's clenched the western flag a week before the 00:24:45.069 --> 00:24:47.470 four -way dogfight in the east was over. They 00:24:47.470 --> 00:24:49.470 watched and waited to see who their playoff opponent 00:24:49.470 --> 00:24:52.670 would be. First the Yankees bit the dust. Then 00:24:52.670 --> 00:24:55.430 the Orioles got shot down. And on the next to 00:24:55.430 --> 00:24:57.930 last day of the regular season, the Red Sox lost 00:24:57.930 --> 00:25:01.089 and Detroit won. Now the Tigers were coming to 00:25:01.089 --> 00:25:26.079 Oakland. for the second consecutive year. Last 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:28.240 time, they were unceremoniously dumped in three 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:31.180 straight games by the Orioles. This time, against 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:33.880 the Tigers, it would be different. Game one at 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:36.099 the Coliseum, and both teams started their ace 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:39.000 pitcher. Mickey Lulich for Detroit, Catfish Hunter 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:42.619 for the A's. The Tigers struck first. Detroit 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:45.420 and Oakland, no score. Leadoff batter in the 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:59.460 top of the second inning. He's got that one back 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:16.519 in the third inning. Hunter pitched excellent 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:18.740 four -hit baseball until being lifted with one 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:21.839 out in the ninth inning. Vida Blue and then Raleigh 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.099 Fingers continued to hold the score at one and 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:27.660 one. Nobody out. Top half of the ninth inning. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:34.779 at first and third base. Raleigh Fingers in his 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:37.019 toughest assignment of this season or any other. 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:41.779 Gates Brown down in the crouch. Here's the pitch. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:44.480 Fly ball off third. Bando may have a play on 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:46.900 this ball. He is out there. He's under it. He's 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:49.079 got it. And the runners have to hold on. One 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:54.160 big out. Count of three and one. Fingers throwing. 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:56.619 Northrop bounces towards Kubiak. He's got it. 00:26:57.230 --> 00:26:59.130 airs at second one. Over to first. Double play. 00:26:59.210 --> 00:27:08.970 He did it. Until the top half of the eleventh 00:27:08.970 --> 00:27:12.210 inning. Here is Al Keyline and Hunter did a good 00:27:12.210 --> 00:27:16.029 job handling him today. One -two pitch on the 00:27:16.029 --> 00:27:26.589 way. Then in the bottom of the 11th, the A's, 00:27:26.630 --> 00:27:29.190 who had Lulich on the ropes all game long but 00:27:29.190 --> 00:27:31.970 were unable to score, rallied dramatically to 00:27:31.970 --> 00:27:35.190 knock Lulich and the Tigers out. One ball, two 00:27:35.190 --> 00:27:38.609 strikes to count on Marquez. Runners now at first 00:27:38.609 --> 00:27:41.910 and second. And if they don't do it in this inning, 00:27:42.029 --> 00:27:44.849 it'll be all over. Selbach ready again. Here's 00:27:44.849 --> 00:28:06.089 the pitch. Hot shot, ground, right field. Game 00:28:06.089 --> 00:28:09.569 two was a wild one. Campy started it off. Here's 00:28:09.569 --> 00:28:11.950 a 3 -2 pitch. Line drives through the middle. 00:28:12.009 --> 00:28:18.269 They tip. Campanaro takes a big turn at first 00:28:18.269 --> 00:28:20.529 and hangs on as he really ripped out a rope right 00:28:20.529 --> 00:28:25.029 then. And now here comes Matty Alou, a guy that 00:28:25.029 --> 00:28:26.990 the Oakland A's picked up from the National League. 00:28:27.029 --> 00:28:29.170 He was hitting over 300 over there, and he has 00:28:29.170 --> 00:28:30.970 been a big hitter for the Oakland A's since he 00:28:30.970 --> 00:28:33.170 came here from the St. Louis Cardinals. Priming 00:28:33.170 --> 00:28:35.210 off the stretch. Checking Campy. There goes Campanaris. 00:28:35.269 --> 00:28:36.809 The pitch is taken. Throw to second. He's right 00:28:36.809 --> 00:28:42.829 on target. But Campanaris beats it. Here's Joe 00:28:42.829 --> 00:28:44.710 Rudy who ended the regular season for the A's 00:28:44.710 --> 00:28:47.089 batting .305. He knocked in Oakland's first run 00:28:47.089 --> 00:28:49.509 yesterday with a long sacrifice fly ball to center 00:28:49.509 --> 00:28:52.230 field. Rudy down into a crouch at the plate. 00:28:54.210 --> 00:28:55.789 Campanaris is going towards third. Here's the 00:28:55.789 --> 00:28:58.049 pitch taken inside. Campy slides. He makes it. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:13.579 Then in the fifth inning, the A's exploded for 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:36.200 more. inside to right field for a base hit. And 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:41.259 the A's go on first through to nothing. And now 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:43.700 Joe Rudy with two hits will step in with a man 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:46.420 on first and third. Zachary. He doesn't take 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:48.960 too much time when he gets that ball in position 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:51.240 to throw it. He lets it go right away. Shaking 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:53.420 off a couple of signs. Now he's ready. Goes to 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:55.839 the belt and delivers. There's a ball gets away 00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:58.079 from the catcher. And can't be a score easily. 00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:02.420 A flaking ball in the dirt. Way in front of plate. 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:08.220 And the A's go out in front. Three to nothing. 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:13.099 So with one out, Ricky Jackson will step in. 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:16.200 He looks down for a sign right now. Three and 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.839 two on Jackson. Let's see if the runner will 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:19.460 be going. No, he's not. There's a line drive. 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:21.559 Face it on the left center field. That ball goes 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:24.200 right to his face. Here comes a little round 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:28.279 circle. Here comes Rudy. Jackson, now he's going 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:30.240 to try for three. Changes mind as nobody covers 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:51.819 second base. In the seventh inning, Campy really 00:30:51.819 --> 00:31:11.279 got something started. Campy is mad. He throws 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:13.579 a bat at him. Oh, that could cost Campanaris 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:18.460 playing in a World Series or something. Home 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:21.240 plate on par. Nestor Sharlock has got him. Campanaris 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:23.920 was hit in the leg by a pitch, and he threw the 00:31:23.920 --> 00:31:27.519 bat at the pitcher. Oh, man, I've got to hope 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:29.420 that nothing serious happened here. Billy Martin 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:31.660 is having to be restrained. I would be surprised 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:33.740 they didn't kick Campanaris out of this ballgame. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:36.539 He is out of the ballgame, and Dick Williams 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:39.440 is coming up to argue. I mean, he came carefully 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:42.140 close to that bat. I have no doubt that they 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:44.660 threw at Campanaris' legs, though. I am almost 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:47.019 certain of it. And Campy knew it, too, and he 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:49.599 came up. And didn't even make a move out there. 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:51.420 Now they're going to throw the girl out of the 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:54.579 game, too. He's gone. Oakland went on to an easy 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:57.500 5 -0 victory with Blue Moon Odom chalking up 00:31:57.500 --> 00:32:00.359 a superb three -hit shutout. On the negative 00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:03.019 side, Campanaris was fined and suspended by the 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:05.279 president of the American League for the remainder 00:32:05.279 --> 00:32:07.460 of the playoffs as a result of a bat -throwing 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:11.619 incident. Game three moved to Detroit, and the 00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:13.980 Tigers, on the verge of extinction, fought as 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:16.799 ferociously as a wounded beast. Tiger catcher 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.920 Bill Freehand came off the injured list to hit 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:21.519 a double and a home run, and right -handed pitcher 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:24.400 Joe Coleman struck out 14 A's batters to lead 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:28.279 the Tigers to a 3 -0 win. Then came game number 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:31.420 four. In the seventh inning, Mike Epstein came 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:35.000 up to bat with Tigers leading 1 -0. Low leech 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:37.200 delivered. There's a drive by Epstein, way back. 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:46.759 The 10th inning was as wild as any inning all 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:49.579 year, but very typical of the kind of year the 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:52.460 Oakland A's had. With the game tied at 1 -1, 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:55.819 Matty Alou came to bat. Marquez with a pretty 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:57.579 good lead off of first base. All back looking 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:59.359 over there. Here's the delivery, and Alou hits 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:17.849 the long... Ted Kubiak then got another hit, 00:33:17.930 --> 00:33:20.509 and the A's carried a two -run lead to the last 00:33:20.509 --> 00:33:22.829 half of the 10th inning, looking as if they had 00:33:22.829 --> 00:33:24.930 the Tiger by the tail and the American League 00:33:24.930 --> 00:33:27.630 title all wrapped up. But the Tigers sent Detroit 00:33:27.630 --> 00:33:30.309 fans into a state of delirium with a three -run 00:33:30.309 --> 00:33:32.890 rally to send the playoffs to a climactic fifth 00:33:32.890 --> 00:33:35.910 game. No playoff series in history had extended 00:33:35.910 --> 00:33:38.809 to five games before, yet in this, the incredible 00:33:38.809 --> 00:33:42.069 season of 72, not only was the American League 00:33:42.069 --> 00:33:44.349 championship drawn to the limit, but the National 00:33:44.349 --> 00:33:47.509 League as well. That great Tiger win yesterday 00:33:47.509 --> 00:33:50.789 set the stage for game number five. The entire 00:33:50.789 --> 00:33:53.309 American League season had been boiled down to 00:33:53.309 --> 00:33:56.089 this one game, the championship game to pick 00:33:56.089 --> 00:33:59.230 an American League World Series team. And 50 00:33:59.230 --> 00:34:03.309 ,276 wild fireworks -toting fans gathered at 00:34:03.309 --> 00:34:06.430 Tiger Stadium in Detroit for the kill. But they 00:34:06.430 --> 00:34:09.010 were in for quite a surprise. They didn't know 00:34:09.010 --> 00:34:11.929 the swinging eggs. The game started off as usual 00:34:11.929 --> 00:34:14.610 for Oakland. They fell behind early, this time 00:34:14.610 --> 00:34:19.030 in the first inning. The Tigers now have runners 00:34:19.030 --> 00:34:21.909 at second and third and only one out. With Bill 00:34:21.909 --> 00:34:25.409 freehand the batter. Two and one, Odom in real 00:34:25.409 --> 00:34:28.369 trouble. Wines, kicks, and fires. Bouncing ball 00:34:28.369 --> 00:34:30.829 is short. Here comes McCall to the plate. He 00:34:30.829 --> 00:34:33.130 scores, and the throw goes to first. They got 00:34:33.130 --> 00:34:37.230 the out there. In the A's second inning, The 00:34:37.230 --> 00:34:39.650 A's got that run back on some of the most daring 00:34:39.650 --> 00:34:41.789 and resourceful base running of the season by 00:34:41.789 --> 00:34:45.130 Reggie Jackson. But it proved to be a very costly 00:34:45.130 --> 00:34:48.409 run. One strike count to Greeney. There goes 00:34:48.409 --> 00:34:49.989 the runner from first. The pitch is taken. Throw 00:34:49.989 --> 00:34:51.610 down a second base. Here comes Jackson towards 00:34:51.610 --> 00:35:07.519 the plate. Here comes the throw. Jackson's leg 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:10.219 injury was severe. Not only would he miss the 00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:12.260 rest of this climactic showdown game with the 00:35:12.260 --> 00:35:14.780 Tigers, but he would be forced to watch the World 00:35:14.780 --> 00:35:17.619 Series from the A's dugout while hobbling around 00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:20.980 on crutches. Without their superstar, the A's 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:23.659 were hurting. But this United team pulled together. 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:26.420 And in the fourth inning, Gene Tennis gave an 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:28.599 indication of heroics which were soon to blossom 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:49.380 in the World Series. Vida Blue replaced John 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:52.019 Odom in the sixth inning, and the A's super pitching 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:54.960 staff continued to show its stuff. It was now 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:57.619 the bottom of the ninth, the A's leading 2 -1. 00:35:58.480 --> 00:36:03.099 Tony Taylor moves up to the plate. The count 00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:05.199 is two balls, two strikes. There are two down. 00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:25.369 There's a runner at first base. Charlie Finley's 00:36:25.369 --> 00:36:27.909 swinging A's were in the World Series, and nobody 00:36:27.909 --> 00:36:30.989 was more proud than Finley himself. If his heroes 00:36:30.989 --> 00:36:33.679 could just come through one more time. Give it 00:36:33.679 --> 00:36:36.639 that one more extra effort, his dream of winning 00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:39.179 a World Series and bringing the very first World 00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:41.440 Championship ever to the Bay Area would come 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:45.159 true. Game one was played at Riverfront Stadium 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:47.860 in Cincinnati, and the Reds were made the overwhelming 00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:51.320 favorites to win. But the oddsmakers hadn't figured 00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:55.199 on the red hot bat of one Gene Tennis. Duvall's 00:36:55.199 --> 00:36:57.659 one strike fastball, deep left field, Rose goes 00:36:57.659 --> 00:37:01.780 back, looks up and it is gone. Home run for Gene 00:37:01.780 --> 00:37:10.750 Tennis. and throws him a curve and he lines it 00:37:10.750 --> 00:37:14.710 down the line very deep inside the flagpole and 00:37:14.710 --> 00:37:18.570 it is a home run. Gene Tennis, who went 0 for 00:37:18.570 --> 00:37:22.110 15 and then won the playoff game against Detroit, 00:37:22.409 --> 00:37:25.530 hit a home run in the second inning off a fastball, 00:37:25.750 --> 00:37:28.489 hit a hanging Gary Nolan curve and has lined 00:37:28.489 --> 00:37:31.550 his second home run in two times at bat in his 00:37:31.550 --> 00:37:35.510 first World Series. The score was 3 -2 in favor 00:37:35.510 --> 00:37:37.409 of Oakland with the Reds threatening when Dick 00:37:37.409 --> 00:37:40.199 Williams went to the bullpen. And out came Raleigh 00:37:40.199 --> 00:37:45.079 Fingers. Fingers kicks that white shoe in the 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:46.800 air and throws a curve and strikes out Perez. 00:37:46.980 --> 00:37:50.440 That ball really broke. Fingers at the belt. 00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:54.320 Here's the pitch. Swinging strike three. He left 00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:57.059 Menke up there. And Raleigh Fingers, whom the 00:37:57.059 --> 00:38:00.219 A's call the Kookamonga Kid, has come out of 00:38:00.219 --> 00:38:02.119 that bullpen to strike out the two men he's faced. 00:38:02.460 --> 00:38:05.659 One strike to count on Rose. Right of blue winds. 00:38:05.780 --> 00:38:07.900 Here's the pitch. High bouncing ball on the infield. 00:38:07.900 --> 00:38:09.599 They're going to have to hurry. Kubiak has got 00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:11.500 it. Throws to first. He got him. And the Oakland 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:15.099 A's have won the first game of the 1972 World 00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:18.559 Series. The final score of an exciting ball game. 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:22.920 Oakland 3 and Cincinnati 2. Game 2 was another 00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:26.079 spine -tingling, seat -squirming thriller. Kemsley's 00:38:26.079 --> 00:38:28.260 pitch. Hunter hits a line drive left field. Base 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:30.340 hit. Let's see if Hendrick can score. He's rounding 00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:32.420 third. Here comes a throw to the plate. Here 00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:34.260 comes Hendrick. Bench blocks the plate, but he 00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:36.719 doesn't get the ball. Hendrick scores. And the 00:38:36.719 --> 00:38:38.539 Oakland A's are leading the Cincinnati Reds. 00:38:38.570 --> 00:38:40.969 That's one to nothing on a line drive base hit 00:38:40.969 --> 00:38:44.210 by Jim Catfish Hunter. Menke dug in at home plate 00:38:44.210 --> 00:38:45.989 for Hunter's pitch, which is on the way. It's 00:38:45.989 --> 00:38:48.230 a swinging strike three. Hunter threw the high 00:38:48.230 --> 00:38:50.929 hard one right by him. And that for Catfish is 00:38:50.929 --> 00:38:53.750 his third strike out of the game. So Dick Williams 00:38:53.750 --> 00:38:55.409 is going to take his chances right here with 00:38:55.409 --> 00:39:00.630 Geronimo. Runners second and third. Now the North 00:39:00.630 --> 00:39:10.019 Carolinian cuts loose. and two pitch. He struck 00:39:10.019 --> 00:39:14.559 out the side. Catfish Hunter displaying fantastic 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:17.260 courage with a runner at third and nobody down. 00:39:17.440 --> 00:39:20.960 Strikes out Minky Geronimo and Grimsley. And 00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:22.760 after two innings of play, it's one to nothing 00:39:22.760 --> 00:39:25.139 Oakland. Pitch to Rudy is hit up into the air 00:39:25.139 --> 00:39:49.960 and a deep left field. That baby is... 1972 World 00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:52.119 Series. Hendrick is all the way over the left 00:39:52.119 --> 00:39:56.920 field, slapping Rudy on the back. He went four 00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:59.360 or five or six feet in the air, and when he came 00:39:59.360 --> 00:40:01.019 down, it's what they call an ice cream cone. 00:40:01.079 --> 00:40:03.659 A lot of the white was showing. But Joe Rudy 00:40:03.659 --> 00:40:07.880 catches the line drive of Dennis Menke, and that's 00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:09.800 enough to bring Dick Williams out of there with 00:40:09.800 --> 00:40:14.179 his scorecard. Two out now. Catfish Hunter, one 00:40:14.179 --> 00:40:18.679 out away from winning the second World Series. 00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:23.019 and the Reds down 2 -0 in games and heading for 00:40:23.019 --> 00:40:26.460 the opponent's ballpark. Bando raced to the dugout 00:40:26.460 --> 00:40:28.880 to ask Dick Williams something. Now he's in back 00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:31.719 of the bag, near the line to guard against the 00:40:31.719 --> 00:40:33.360 extra base hit. They'll give him the one run, 00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:34.900 but they don't want the extra base hit. Ground 00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:37.659 ball in the hole right there. Around third base 00:40:37.659 --> 00:40:40.099 comes Perez. The throw goes to second. They'll 00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:49.059 give him the one run. Hunter worked eight and 00:40:49.059 --> 00:40:50.920 two -thirds innings. Gave up one run. Could be 00:40:50.920 --> 00:40:53.599 responsible for another. Six hits. Struck out 00:40:53.599 --> 00:40:57.599 six and walked three. There goes the runner. 00:40:57.699 --> 00:41:00.599 Big curveball. It is popped up in play. Hegan 00:41:00.599 --> 00:41:04.179 comes off first base. Has it. Oakland goes home. 00:41:04.559 --> 00:41:08.280 Leading two games to none. Fingers does the job 00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:11.480 for Catfish Hunter. The entire Oakland team is 00:41:11.480 --> 00:41:14.360 out on the field in the playing diamond looking 00:41:14.360 --> 00:41:17.940 for Raleigh Fingers. Two runs. Nine hits. No 00:41:17.940 --> 00:41:20.139 errors for the winning A's, one run, six hits, 00:41:20.280 --> 00:41:22.900 no errors for the Reds. The swinging A's had 00:41:22.900 --> 00:41:24.739 swept the first two games of the series away 00:41:24.739 --> 00:41:26.860 from home against the powerful National League 00:41:26.860 --> 00:41:29.340 champion Reds. No team in the history of the 00:41:29.340 --> 00:41:31.400 World Series had ever lost the first two games 00:41:31.400 --> 00:41:33.380 on their home grounds and went on to win it. 00:41:33.739 --> 00:41:36.239 But the Reds were a proud, confident bunch as 00:41:36.239 --> 00:41:38.099 they waited for the Oakland Reigns to end and 00:41:38.099 --> 00:41:41.420 game three to get underway. This was a classic 00:41:41.420 --> 00:41:44.400 pitching duel between Blue Moon Odom and Jack 00:41:44.400 --> 00:41:51.159 Billingham. The first three games were all decided 00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:54.440 by one run. Game four was another one -run affair. 00:41:54.719 --> 00:41:57.780 It typified the great pitching, smooth fielding, 00:41:57.780 --> 00:42:00.360 and timely hitting which characterized Finley's 00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:03.380 heroes all year. Holtzman ready, back to the 00:42:03.380 --> 00:42:05.619 plate he comes, and Rose takes down low, ball 00:42:05.619 --> 00:42:26.239 two. Deep right field towards the line. Gene 00:42:26.239 --> 00:42:29.239 Tennis. One out and the scoreless Oakland fifth. 00:42:29.340 --> 00:42:30.940 Hits us with a long way to left field down the 00:42:30.940 --> 00:42:34.239 line. Oh, we're looking up. It is good. Home 00:42:34.239 --> 00:42:46.960 run Tennis. 1 -0 Oakland. And Mincher has not 00:42:46.960 --> 00:42:50.940 yet been up in this World Series. The pitch to 00:42:50.940 --> 00:43:10.139 Mincher. Long drive. and the bat in the world's... 00:43:34.119 --> 00:43:37.900 This was it. Game five. Oakland's last chance 00:43:37.900 --> 00:43:40.719 to win it in front of the home folks. But this 00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:43.239 was the last chance period for the Reds. They 00:43:43.239 --> 00:43:45.739 had to win this one or leave their hearts in 00:43:45.739 --> 00:43:49.059 San Francisco. Top of the first, fifth game of 00:43:49.059 --> 00:43:50.860 the series, Rose batting left -handed against 00:43:50.860 --> 00:43:53.679 the right -hander Hunter at the only hit among 00:43:53.679 --> 00:43:56.480 the Rose, Morgan, Tolan trio, the top three in 00:43:56.480 --> 00:43:58.179 the Reds' batting order when they met last Sunday. 00:44:08.559 --> 00:44:11.659 The Reds wanted it badly, but tennis didn't want 00:44:11.659 --> 00:44:32.019 to give it to them. But the Reds were on the 00:44:32.019 --> 00:44:34.800 move and running for daylight. On her back, and 00:44:34.800 --> 00:44:37.599 there's a drive. Left field, back goes Rudy. 00:44:38.190 --> 00:44:40.590 At the wall, looking up, it's gone, and it's 00:44:40.590 --> 00:44:43.889 3 -2. All runs coming on home runs, and Menke 00:44:43.889 --> 00:44:48.489 has hit one here for Cincinnati. Oakland leads 00:44:48.489 --> 00:44:51.789 3 -2 and looking for more. Infield is a double 00:44:51.789 --> 00:44:57.010 play depth. Thinking they've got an excellent 00:44:57.010 --> 00:44:59.170 chance with a good sinker ball pitcher for Bowen, 00:44:59.170 --> 00:45:01.389 the man working. As the ball hits the shallow 00:45:01.389 --> 00:45:13.769 center field. Kendall scores. Kenneth goes to 00:45:13.769 --> 00:45:17.170 third for the head first line. And Marquez has 00:45:17.170 --> 00:45:23.170 done it again. Here's Bobby Tolan, 0 for 2. Drove 00:45:23.170 --> 00:45:25.409 Henrik, or rather Rudy, deep to the warning track 00:45:25.409 --> 00:45:28.210 last time up. There goes Morgan running, and 00:45:28.210 --> 00:45:29.889 there's a drive to right field. It'll get in 00:45:29.889 --> 00:45:31.849 there. Morgan is on his way around second base 00:45:31.849 --> 00:45:34.030 to third base. Alou is over, and Morgan will 00:45:34.030 --> 00:45:36.190 score all the way from first base. Now they've 00:45:36.190 --> 00:45:38.590 got the man off first base, but nobody is covering 00:45:38.590 --> 00:45:45.159 there because of Morgan running on the... the 00:45:45.159 --> 00:45:47.199 one -two pitch on the way. Swung on, hit in the 00:45:47.199 --> 00:45:49.940 air to deep left field. Rudy backing up on the 00:45:49.940 --> 00:45:52.440 warning track and makes it back up against the 00:45:52.440 --> 00:45:58.300 fence. So Rose a long way the opposite way, but 00:45:58.300 --> 00:46:00.719 Rudy with room and down go the Reds in the seventh. 00:46:01.260 --> 00:46:03.380 Campanaris playing close to the runner as Morgan 00:46:03.380 --> 00:46:06.280 takes a short lead from second. One -two pitch 00:46:06.280 --> 00:46:19.159 to Tolan. Bobby at the line. at second with nobody 00:46:19.159 --> 00:46:22.659 out. Bando ready to charge. Grimsley punch in 00:46:22.659 --> 00:46:26.380 the air and Fingers lets it drop. Throws to first 00:46:26.380 --> 00:46:29.880 and it pulls Kubiak off first base. They get 00:46:29.880 --> 00:46:32.460 the out though but down to second goes Geronimo. 00:46:32.699 --> 00:46:35.579 So Fingers thought he'd be cute and get perhaps 00:46:35.579 --> 00:46:38.420 a double play and it cost him. He almost threw 00:46:38.420 --> 00:46:41.960 the ball away. Geronimo at second. Concepcion 00:46:41.960 --> 00:46:45.719 at first. One out in the ninth inning. Reds four. 00:46:48.440 --> 00:46:51.639 Checking the stretch. The 2 -2 pitch to Rose. 00:46:51.719 --> 00:46:53.880 There's a line drive. Face it into center field. 00:46:54.159 --> 00:46:57.199 Mondwell charges. Geronimo around third. Coming 00:46:57.199 --> 00:47:13.420 home. He scores. Down to third. Concepcion. That 00:47:13.420 --> 00:47:15.920 made it five straight one -run games in the most 00:47:15.920 --> 00:47:18.960 exciting World Series in history. In game six, 00:47:19.059 --> 00:47:20.920 the Reds were back home in Cincinnati, and they 00:47:20.920 --> 00:47:22.880 celebrated by going on a hitting and running 00:47:22.880 --> 00:47:25.840 rampage. The final score of that one, 8 -1 Cincinnati. 00:47:26.480 --> 00:47:28.719 That was the only game that would be a rout. 00:47:29.119 --> 00:47:31.780 Game number seven was another squeaker, and wouldn't 00:47:31.780 --> 00:47:33.880 you expect it to be with this swinging band of 00:47:33.880 --> 00:47:36.980 Oakland A's? And a great way to end the unbelievable 00:47:36.980 --> 00:47:42.130 season of 72. The action went like this. Angel 00:47:42.130 --> 00:47:44.110 got off to a very slow start this year because 00:47:44.110 --> 00:47:46.409 he came to camp with an injury he suffered in 00:47:46.409 --> 00:47:48.710 winter baseball. There's a curveball line right 00:47:48.710 --> 00:47:50.730 center field coming on. It's Tolan. He leaps. 00:47:50.730 --> 00:47:53.369 It goes off his grub to the wall. Manguel goes 00:47:53.369 --> 00:47:55.769 to first. Heads to second. He's rounding second 00:47:55.769 --> 00:47:58.489 on his way to third. The throw comes in and he 00:47:58.489 --> 00:48:01.909 makes it standing up. Manguel really stung that 00:48:01.909 --> 00:48:04.750 ball. It's an error on Bobby Tolan and the A's 00:48:04.750 --> 00:48:10.500 get the first break of the seventh game. the 00:48:10.500 --> 00:48:12.199 arm of the pitch. Tennis swings. Bassett at the 00:48:12.199 --> 00:48:14.239 third baseman. High bounce off his glove into 00:48:14.239 --> 00:48:17.780 left field. Here comes Mangual in to score. It's 00:48:17.780 --> 00:48:20.599 a base hit for Gene Tennis. And the Oakland A's 00:48:20.599 --> 00:48:23.099 lead 1 -0 with Sal Bando coming to the plate. 00:48:23.980 --> 00:48:26.440 Back again and a base hit up the middle for Campanaris. 00:48:26.659 --> 00:48:29.739 And now for the first time since way back in 00:48:29.739 --> 00:48:32.400 the first game the leadoff man Campy Campanaris 00:48:32.400 --> 00:48:35.860 who makes the offense of the A's goal is on at 00:48:35.860 --> 00:48:39.119 first base. 1 -1 the score. We are in the sixth. 00:48:39.920 --> 00:48:42.840 A breaking pitch. Bunted up the line. Perez will 00:48:42.840 --> 00:48:44.539 have to go to first base. Morgan covering the 00:48:44.539 --> 00:48:46.820 sacrifice. Bunt is complete. Campanaris moves 00:48:46.820 --> 00:48:49.980 into second base. Strike one to Tennis, who never 00:48:49.980 --> 00:48:52.179 moves for that bad of a box. He keeps those feet 00:48:52.179 --> 00:48:54.119 planted and just stays in there until Bourbon 00:48:54.119 --> 00:48:57.880 gets the new ball. Nobody throwing in the A's 00:48:57.880 --> 00:48:59.980 bullpen now. There's an off -speed pitch lined 00:48:59.980 --> 00:49:02.360 out in left field away from Rose. It's two to 00:49:02.360 --> 00:49:05.300 one. Around first base on his way to second is 00:49:05.300 --> 00:49:07.039 Tennis. Here's Rose's throw and he's in with 00:49:07.039 --> 00:49:12.280 a double and his ninth RBI. And now we're going 00:49:12.280 --> 00:49:15.219 to get Alan Lewis to race out toward second base. 00:49:15.780 --> 00:49:18.000 And he will run for tennis, which means that 00:49:18.000 --> 00:49:19.980 after all, we will see Epstein at first base 00:49:19.980 --> 00:49:23.559 later on. Bando, who looks down to north with 00:49:23.559 --> 00:49:26.880 a 3 -0 count. Menke races over. Clay Carroll 00:49:26.880 --> 00:49:31.739 continues to throw in the Reds' bullpen. And 00:49:31.739 --> 00:49:33.800 the crowd at Riverfront Stadium suddenly very 00:49:33.800 --> 00:49:35.599 quiet again. They had rallied. Now they're behind. 00:49:35.719 --> 00:49:37.000 And there's a ball hit to straightaway center 00:49:37.000 --> 00:49:39.059 field. Bobby Tolan goes back near the warning 00:49:39.059 --> 00:49:41.409 track. Reaches up. It'll be off the wall. And 00:49:41.409 --> 00:49:43.409 it is now 3 -1. The ball gets away from Tolan. 00:49:43.429 --> 00:49:45.369 In the second base goes Bando with a double. 00:49:46.510 --> 00:49:51.349 Back -to -back doubles. Two -run score on three 00:49:51.349 --> 00:49:53.090 base hits. There was one error and the bases 00:49:53.090 --> 00:49:55.510 were left loaded. We go to the last of the six. 00:49:55.949 --> 00:49:59.750 Oakland 3, Cincinnati 1. So, even with two out 00:49:59.750 --> 00:50:01.570 in the last of the ninth, the wheels continue 00:50:01.570 --> 00:50:04.650 to turn and hold up. This series isn't over yet. 00:50:04.849 --> 00:50:09.030 Rose steps in. He is 2 -4 today and has made 00:50:09.030 --> 00:50:12.070 great contact. All four times. The other two 00:50:12.070 --> 00:50:14.789 were driven deep to the center field wall. Fly 00:50:14.789 --> 00:50:17.010 ball deep left field. Rudy goes back. The other 00:50:17.010 --> 00:50:19.050 warning track is there. The World Series is over. 00:50:19.250 --> 00:50:22.170 And on one pitch, Rose is out. And the underdog 00:50:22.170 --> 00:50:24.250 Oakland Athletics win their first championship 00:50:24.250 --> 00:50:27.409 since they were in Philadelphia in 1930. The 00:50:27.409 --> 00:50:34.929 A's win it 3 -2. I have to honestly say that 00:50:34.929 --> 00:50:39.260 it's the happiest day of my life. I'm so happy 00:50:39.260 --> 00:50:42.400 for the players, the manager, the coaches, and 00:50:42.400 --> 00:50:45.920 my family. It's something that's been well worth 00:50:45.920 --> 00:50:50.099 waiting for. And I'm just so tremendously proud 00:50:50.099 --> 00:50:54.280 of the great job that this team did. They beat 00:50:54.280 --> 00:50:58.539 one hell of a great team. Cincinnati is one of 00:50:58.539 --> 00:51:01.840 the greatest teams in baseball, without a question. 00:51:02.059 --> 00:51:05.219 But I have to tell you, the A's are even better.