204 - World Series Game 2

About This World Series Game
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.

203 - World Series Game 1

About This World Series Game
The 1972 World Series matched the Cincinnati Reds against the Oakland A's.  The Reds would play in their second World Series in three years and the A's would play in the World Series for the first time since moving to Oakland. 

With the series opening at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, the A's would get off to a good start.  Unexpectedly, A's catcher Gene Tenace hit home runs in the second inning and in the fifth inning and drive in all three runs to give the A's a 3-2 victory.  Tenace was the first player ever to hit home runs in his first two plate appearances in a World Series; the feat was later matched by Andruw Jones of the Braves in 1996.

About This Card
The photograph shows Gene Tenace scoring after his first home run in the second inning with George Hendrick waiting to congratulate him at the plate.  Reds catcher, Johnny Bench looks on.

202 - N.L. Playoffs

About This Playoff Series
The 1972 National League Championship Series paired the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Cincinnati Reds.  In a five-game series, the first two games were played in Three Rivers Stadium and the final three at Riverfront Stadium.  This series went back and forth through the first four game until the pinnacle of the match in the final game.  This series would also be the last on-field appearance of Roberto Clemente.

Game 5 would prove to be one of the most memorable games in postseason history.  The Pirates took the early 2-0 lead with an doubel from Richie Hebner to score Manny Sanguillen and a single right after from Dave Cash to score Hebner.  The Reds would drive in a run in the third inning off of a double from Pete Rose to score Darrel Chaney.  Reds starting pitcher, Don Gullett would be knocked out of the game at the beginning of the 4th inning and Cash would single to score Sanguillen.  Cesar Geronimo would hit a home run in the 5th inning off of Pirates starter, Steve Blass, to cut the Pittsburgh lead at 3-2.

However, the Pirates brought in closer, Dave Guisti in the bottom of the 9th and Pittsburgh would collapse.  Johnny Bench hit a lead off home run tie the game.  Right after, Guisti gave us consecutive hits to Tony Perez and Denis Menke.  George Foster was brought in to pinch-run for Perez and Bob Moose was brought in to relieve Guisti.  Foster would advance to third base on a sacrifice fly from Geronimo.  Moose would retire Chaney with a pop up for the second out.  With pinch-hitter, Hal McRae, at the place, Moose would throw a wild pitch and Foster would score the winning run to end the game and advance the Cincinnati Reds to the World Series.

About This Card
The photograph shows the final play of the series: George Foster after scoring the winning run with Pete Rose and third base coach, Alex Grammas, out to congratulate.

201 - A.L. Playoffs

About This Playoff Series
The 1972 American League Championship game paired the Detroit Tigers against the Oakland A's.  In a five-game series, the first two games were played in Oakland Colosseum and the final three at Tiger Stadium.  This series remained close for both teams as the A's won the first two games in Oakland and the Tigers won the next two in Detroit.

Game 5 would prove to play as tight as the previous four games in the series.  The Tigers would score in the 1st inning as Dick McAuliffe came home on a groundout from Bill Freehan.  A's would tie the game in the 2nd inning as Reggie Jackson would score on a double steal.  However, an injury suffered when Jackson collided at home with Tigers' catcher, Freehan, would cost him to miss the World Series.  The A's would score again in the 4th as George Hendrick, Jackson's replacement in center field, came home on a Gene Tenace single.  A's starter, Blue Moon Odom, would continue to persevere and pitch through the 5th inning while Vida Blue would finish the rest of the game and earn the save.  The A's would win 2-1 and go on to their first World Series since the team was in Philadelphia 41 years before.

About This Card
The photograph shows Hendrick scoring from home in the top of the 4th inning under Freehan's tag.  Hendrick reached first on an error from McAuliffe.  He tagged up to second from a sacrifice fly from Sal Bando.  With two outs, Tenace hit a line drive to left field to allow Hendrick to score.