1972 Cincinnati Reds season
Encyclopedia
The Cincinnati Reds
season consisted of the Reds winning the National League West
title with a record of 95-59, 10½ games over the Houston Astros
and the Los Angeles Dodgers
. They defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates
in the 1972 National League Championship Series
, but lost to the Oakland Athletics
in seven games in the 1972 World Series
. The Reds were managed by Sparky Anderson
.
and a healthy Bobby Tolan
(who missed the entire 1971 season) joined league MVP Johnny Bench
and first baseman Tony Pérez
for the Big Red Machine. Gary Nolan (15-5, 1.99 ERA) and the NL's top closer Clay Carroll
(37 saves) led a strong pitching staff.
in five games to win the National League
title. In Game 5, Johnny Bench's ninth-inning home run tied the game before George Foster scored the game-winner on a wild pitch.
, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, Cincinnati, Ohio
over the Oakland Athletics
, who lost top slugger Reggie Jackson
to a hamstring injury in the playoffs. But Gene Tenace
, who hit just five home runs in the regular season, crushed four against the Reds in a series that saw six of the seven games decided by one run. Oakland dealt the Reds three losses on their home AstroTurf of Riverfront Stadium. Tenace had two hits and two RBI in Game 7 as Oakland scored two in the sixth inning and held on for a 3-2 victory for the A's first World Series title since 1930.
AL Oakland Athletics
(4) vs. NL Cincinnati Reds (3)>
Game
Score
Date
Location
Attendance
Time of Game
1
A’s – 3, Reds – 2
October 14
Riverfront Stadium
52,918
2:18
2
A’s – 2, Reds – 1
October 15
Riverfront Stadium
53,224
2:26
3
Reds – 1, A’s – 0
October 18
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
49,410
2:24
4
Reds – 2, A’s – 3
October 19
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
49,410
2:06
5
Reds – 5, A’s – 4
October 20
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
49,410
2:26
6
A’s – 1, Reds – 8
October 21
Riverfront Stadium
52,737
2:21
7
A’s – 3, Reds – 2
October 22
Riverfront Stadium
56,040
2:50
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
season consisted of the Reds winning the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
title with a record of 95-59, 10½ games over the Houston Astros
1972 Houston Astros season
The Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the National League West with a record of 84-69, 10½ games behind the Cincinnati Reds and just a percentage point ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers.- Offseason :...
and the Los Angeles Dodgers
1972 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the season 10 games back in second place in the western division of the National League.- Offseason :* October 21: Tommy Hutton was traded by the Dodgers to the Philadelphia Phillies for Larry Hisle....
. They defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates
1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* January 12, 1972: Larry Demery was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft .* March 15, 1972: José Martínez was purchased from the Pirates by the Kansas City Royals.- Notable transactions :...
in the 1972 National League Championship Series
1972 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 7, 1972 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Reds got a first-inning homer from second baseman Joe Morgan to take a short-lived 1–0 lead. But Pittsburgh bounced back with three in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by an RBI triple from Al Oliver and...
, but lost to the Oakland Athletics
1972 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World...
in seven games in the 1972 World Series
1972 World Series
The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
. The Reds were managed by Sparky Anderson
Sparky Anderson
George Lee "Sparky" Anderson was an American Major League Baseball manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers of the American League. He was the first manager to win the World Series in both...
.
Offseason
- November 29, 1971: Lee MayLee MayLee Andrew May is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. From through , May played for the Cincinnati Reds , Houston Astros , Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed. He is the brother of former Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees outfielder...
, Tommy HelmsTommy HelmsTommy Vann Helms is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Over a fourteen year career , Helms played for four different teams, including eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, four with the Houston Astros, and one apiece with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox...
, and Jimmy StewartJimmy Stewart (baseball)James Franklin Stewart is a former Major League Baseball player for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, and Houston Astros from –....
were traded by the Reds to the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Joe MorganJoe MorganJoe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
, Ed ArmbristerEd ArmbristerEdison Rosanda "Ed" Armbrister is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball who had a five-year career from 1973 through 1977 with the Cincinnati Reds...
, Jack BillinghamJack BillinghamJohn Eugene Billingham is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Houston Astros , Cincinnati Reds , Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox...
, César GerónimoCésar GerónimoCésar Francisco Gerónimo Zorrilla , known as César Gerónimo, is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, who was a member of the famed Big Red Machine of the Cincinnati Reds during the 1970s. He batted and threw left-handed....
, and Denis MenkeDenis MenkeDenis John Menke is a former professional baseball infielder. He played all or part of thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball from 1962 to 1974. He played for the Milwaukee Braves , Atlanta Braves , Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds , all of the National League...
. - December 14, 1971: Jim QuallsJim QuallsJames Robert Qualls is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and pinch-hitting specialist for the Chicago Cubs in 1969, the Montreal Expos in 1970 and the Chicago White Sox in 1972...
was traded by the Reds to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Pat JacquezPat JacquezPat Jacquez is a former right-handed pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox in 1971. Jacquez only pitched in two games in his major league career. He was drafted in 1967 by the Chicago Cubs and played for the minor-league Lodi Crushers, San Antonio Missions, and Tacoma Cubs before being...
.
Regular season
A retooled Reds' offense aided by newly acquired second baseman Joe MorganJoe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
and a healthy Bobby Tolan
Bobby Tolan
Robert Tolan is a former center and right fielder in Major League Baseball. Tolan, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Cincinnati Reds , San Diego Padres , Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates...
(who missed the entire 1971 season) joined league MVP Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
and first baseman Tony Pérez
Tony Pérez
Atanasio Pérez Rigal , more commonly known as Tony Pérez, is a former Major League Baseball player. He was also known by the nickname "Big Dog," "Big Doggie," and "Doggie."...
for the Big Red Machine. Gary Nolan (15-5, 1.99 ERA) and the NL's top closer Clay Carroll
Clay Carroll
Clay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...
(37 saves) led a strong pitching staff.
Notable transactions
- June 6, 1972: Ron HasseyRon HasseyRonald William Hassey is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. Hassey began his career with the Cleveland Indians after the Indians drafted him in the 18th round of the 1976 MLB amateur draft...
was drafted by the Reds in the 23rd round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft1972 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then...
, but did not sign.
Roster
| 1972 Cincinnati Reds roster | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 147 | 538 | 145 | .270 | 40 | 125 | |
| 1B | 136 | 515 | 146 | .283 | 21 | 90 | |
| 2B | 149 | 552 | 161 | .292 | 16 | 73 | |
| SS | 119 | 378 | 79 | .209 | 2 | 29 | |
| 3B | 140 | 447 | 104 | .233 | 9 | 50 | |
| LF | 154 | 645 | 198 | .307 | 6 | 57 | |
| CF | 149 | 604 | 171 | .283 | 8 | 82 | |
| RF | 120 | 255 | 70 | .275 | 4 | 29 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | 196 | 48 | .250 | 2 | 19 | |
| 69 | 138 | 34 | .246 | 4 | 20 | |
| 59 | 145 | 29 | .200 | 2 | 12 | |
| 73 | 113 | 18 | .159 | 0 | 6 | |
| 38 | 102 | 19 | .186 | 2 | 9 | |
| 61 | 97 | 27 | .278 | 5 | 26 | |
| 44 | 91 | 19 | .209 | 2 | 12 | |
| 19 | 21 | 3 | .143 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | GS | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 31 | 217.2 | 12 | 12 | 3.18 | 137 | |
| 30 | 28 | 197.2 | 14 | 8 | 3.05 | 79 | |
| 25 | 25 | 176 | 15 | 5 | 1.99 | 90 | |
| 31 | 21 | 145 | 9 | 8 | 3.91 | 69 | |
| 24 | 22 | 130.1 | 8 | 5 | 4.14 | 70 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 134.2 | 9 | 10 | 3.94 | 96 | |
| 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4.50 | 4 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | ERA | SO | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | 6 | 4 | 2.25 | 51 | 37 | |
| 62 | 8 | 3 | 3.17 | 48 | 11 | |
| 47 | 10 | 1 | 2.61 | 134 | 8 | |
| 33 | 3 | 3 | 4.13 | 25 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9.00 | 2 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54.00 | 1 |
1972 National League Championship Series
The Reds rallied to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Offseason :* January 12, 1972: Larry Demery was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft .* March 15, 1972: José Martínez was purchased from the Pirates by the Kansas City Royals.- Notable transactions :...
in five games to win the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
title. In Game 5, Johnny Bench's ninth-inning home run tied the game before George Foster scored the game-winner on a wild pitch.
Game 1
October 7: Three Rivers StadiumThree Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Steve Blass Steve Blass Stephen Robert "Steve" Blass is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher and a current broadcast announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Playing career:Blass was born in Canaan, Connecticut... (1-0) L: Don Gullett (0-1) S: Ramón Hernández (1) |
||||||||||||
| HR: CIN – Joe Morgan Joe Morgan Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the... (1) PIT – Al Oliver Al Oliver Albert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays... (1) |
||||||||||||
| Pitchers: CIN – Gullett, Borbón (7) PIT – Blass, Hernández (9) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 50,476 | ||||||||||||
Game 2
October 8: Three Rivers StadiumThree Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| W: Tom Hall Tom Hall (baseball) Thomas Edward Hall , is a retired American professional baseball player, a left-handed pitcher who played in the Major Leagues from 1968 to 1977... (1-0) L: Bob Moose Bob Moose Robert Ralph Moose Jr. was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1967 to 1976. Moose spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His best season came in 1969 when he posted a 14-3 won-loss record and a 2.91 Earned Run Average working equally as a starter and reliever... (0-1) S: None |
||||||||||||
| HR: CIN – Joe Morgan Joe Morgan Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the... (2) PIT – none |
||||||||||||
| Pitchers: CIN – Billingham, Hall (5) PIT – Moose, Johnson (1), Kison (6), Hernández (7), Giusti (9) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 50,584 | ||||||||||||
Game 3
October 9: Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Cincinnati | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| W: Bruce Kison Bruce Kison Bruce Eugene Kison is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1971-1985 for three different teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates , California Angels and Boston Red Sox... (1-0) L: Clay Carroll Clay Carroll Clay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St... (0-1) S: Dave Giusti Dave Giusti David John Giusti, Jr., is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1977.... (1) |
||||||||||||
| HR: PIT – Manny Sanguillén Manny Sanguillen Manuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland... (1) CIN – none |
||||||||||||
| Pitchers: PIT – Briles, Kison (7), Giusti (8) CIN – Nolan, Borbón (7), Carroll (7), McGlothlin (9) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 52,420 | ||||||||||||
Game 4
October 10: Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Cincinnati | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 11 | 1 |
| W: Ross Grimsley Ross Grimsley Ross Albert Grimsley II is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Baltimore Orioles , Montreal Expos and Cleveland Indians... (1-0) L: Dock Ellis Dock Ellis Dock Phillip Ellis, Jr. was a professional baseball player who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams in Major League Baseball. His best season was 1971, when he won 19 games for the World Series champion Pirates and was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star... (0-1) S: none |
||||||||||||
| HR: PIT – Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in... (1) CIN – none |
||||||||||||
| Pitchers: PIT – Ellis, Johnson (6), Walker (7), Miller (8) CIN – Grimsley | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 39,447 | ||||||||||||
Game 5
October 11: Riverfront StadiumCinergy Field
Riverfront Stadium , later known as Cinergy Field , was the home of the Cincinnati Reds National League baseball team and the Cincinnati Bengals National Football League team. Located on the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, the stadium was best known as the home of "The Big Red Machine," as the...
, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| Cincinnati | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
| W: Clay Carroll Clay Carroll Clay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St... (1-1) L: Dave Giusti Dave Giusti David John Giusti, Jr., is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1977.... (0-1) S: none |
||||||||||||
| HR: PIT – none CIN – César Gerónimo César Gerónimo César Francisco Gerónimo Zorrilla , known as César Gerónimo, is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, who was a member of the famed Big Red Machine of the Cincinnati Reds during the 1970s. He batted and threw left-handed.... (1), Johnny Bench Johnny Bench Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame... (1) |
||||||||||||
| Pitchers: PIT – Blass, Hernández (8), Giusti (9), Moose (9) CIN – Gullett, Borbón (4), Hall (6), Carroll (9) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 41,887 | ||||||||||||
1972 World Series
The Reds were a prohibitive favorite to win the World Series1972 World Series
The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
over the Oakland Athletics
1972 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World...
, who lost top slugger Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
to a hamstring injury in the playoffs. But Gene Tenace
Gene Tenace
Fury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and...
, who hit just five home runs in the regular season, crushed four against the Reds in a series that saw six of the seven games decided by one run. Oakland dealt the Reds three losses on their home AstroTurf of Riverfront Stadium. Tenace had two hits and two RBI in Game 7 as Oakland scored two in the sixth inning and held on for a 3-2 victory for the A's first World Series title since 1930.
1972 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World...
(4) vs. NL Cincinnati Reds (3)>
Awards and honors
- Sparky AndersonSparky AndersonGeorge Lee "Sparky" Anderson was an American Major League Baseball manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers of the American League. He was the first manager to win the World Series in both...
, Associated Press NL Manager of the Year - Johnny BenchJohnny BenchJohnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
, National League MVP - Bobby TolanBobby TolanRobert Tolan is a former center and right fielder in Major League Baseball. Tolan, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Cincinnati Reds , San Diego Padres , Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Hutch AwardHutch AwardThe Hutch Award is given annually to an active Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of Fred Hutchinson...