1981 – In Game 3 of the 1981 NLCS, the Montreal Expos win, 4 – 1, over the Los Angeles Dodgers behind pitcher Steve Rogers. Jerry White’s three-run home run is the big blow in the four-run 5th inning. Montreal now leads the Series, 2 games to 1.
1979 – Pittsburgh Pirates starter John Candelaria and closer Kent Tekulve combine on a 4 – 0 shutout over the Baltimore Orioles as the Pirates send the World Series to its seventh game. Jim Palmer is the losing pitcher.
1977 – In the World Series, the Dodgers stay alive with a 10 – 4 victory in Game 5 against the Yankees. Steve Yeager and Reggie Smith hit home runs, and Don Sutton pitches a complete game.
In Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees, Dan Driessen, batting fifth in the Reds lineup, becomes the first National League player to be used as a designated hitter. The DH was not employed before this year’s Fall Classic, although the concept had been adopted and used in the American League since 1973.
1975 – Tony Perez breaks an 0 for 15 slump with two home runs to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 6 – 2 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the World Series.
1974 – Pitcher Ken Holtzman, who hasn’t batted in the regular season because of the designated hitter rule, belts a 3rd-inning home run off Andy Messersmith in Game 4 and gets the 5 – 2 victory. Rollie Fingers holds the Dodgers in relief and Oakland takes a 3-1 Series lead. Holtzman remains the last pitcher in American League history to hit a home run at home.
1973 – The Oakland Athletics win Game 3 of the World Series in 11 innings as Bert Campaneris gets the winning RBI in a 3 – 2 victory over the Mets. In a private clubhouse meeting, Dick Williams tells A’s players he will resign after the Series.
1971 – In the World Series, Brooks Robinson drives in Frank Robinson in the 10th inning of Game 6 to give Baltimore a Series-tying 3 – 2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dave McNally gets the victory in relief and Bob Miller is the loser. Pittsburgh’s Roberto Clemente does all he can to win the game single-handed. Stranded after his 1st-inning triple to the wall in left center, his 3rd-inning solo shot puts Pittsburgh up, 2 – 0. He’s retired on long flies in the 5th and 8th innings while Pittsburgh fritters away its modest lead. He comes up in the 10th inning with Dave Cash having just stolen second base. Baltimore manager Earl Weaver walks Clemente intentionally, preferring to face Willie Stargell, and Al Oliver, who flies out to center. All of Clemente’s offensive contributions notwithstanding, the reason the game reaches extra innings is his defensive gem in the bottom of the 9th, a no-look, one-hop strike from Memorial Stadium’s right field corner, 310 feet away, to catcher Manny Sanguillen, preventing the runner at first, running on contact on Don Buford’s two-out double, from even attempting to score. By extending the game, Clemente’s throw will force Baltimore’s best player, Frank Robinson, to win this game with his legs, challenging the arm of centerfielder Vic Davalillo on two consecutive plays. In doing so, Robinson tears his left hamstring and aggravates an already damaged right Achilles tendon; he will be but a shadow of himself in the decisive 7th game.
1969 – The New York Mets win their fourth straight game from the Baltimore Orioles with a 5 – 3 triumph behind pitcher Jerry Koosman, who throws a five-hitter, to take the World Series in five games. In the 3rd inning, Baltimore takes a 3 – 0 advantage after home runs by pitcher Dave McNally and outfielder Frank Robinson. After a strong argument by Mets manager Gil Hodges in the bottom of the 6th inning, Cleon Jones is awarded first base when shoe polish on the ball proves he was hit by a pitch, and Jones scores on a home run by Donn Clendenon. An inning later, Al Weis ties the game, 3 – 3, with a solo home run, and in the 8th, Ron Swoboda’s double and two Baltimore errors give New York two more runs and the World Championship. Clendenon is named Series MVP.
After deliberating for four hours, the Indians’ Board of Directors decide to keep the team in the Forest City after exploring options to possibly shift the franchise to Seattle, Oakland, or Dallas. The Tribe signs a ten-year lease to use Cleveland Stadium at a reduced rent, which includes an escape clause for the city and the club after any season.
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