Jackie Robinson made his final public appearance before Game 2 of the 1972 World Series. (He would pass away nine days later.) In his speech, he expressed his desire to see a black manager of a Major League team, a barrier not yet broken at the time.
Game 2 became a close low-scoring match-up in which Catfish Hunter pitched eight strong innings and Rollie Fingers notched the save in the 2-1 win. Joe Rudi was the hero of the game with a home run in the first inning off of Ross Grimsley and a game-saving catch against the left field wall in the ninth inning of a ball hit by Denis Menke. The Reds futility showed with lead runners on in five innings but only scoring one run in the ninth.
This Fall Classic loss marked the Reds' seventh straight home loss in a World Series, including three losses in the 1961 World Series against the New York Yankees and two losses against the Baltimore Orioles in the 1970 World Series.
About This Card
The photograph shows a fielder's choice play in the bottom of the sixth inning. With Dick Green playing second base and Mike Hegan manning first, Tony Perez grounded the ball which forced Johnny Bench out. In this case, Perez beat the relay to first.
The card really should show Rudi's catch. It is the iconic moment of the whole series. It would have also made up for showing Gene Tenance on his regular card. FYI in 1973 Tenace appears on four cards, his own, Rudi's, and two of the WS cards. Topps loves him.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I saw the photo was that Topps was showing a double play to play off of their caption, but later realized that Perez was safe. I would have liked to have seen what Rudi's catch looked like; about anything else would have been more exciting that an fielder's choice.
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