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.

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.