RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
On April 10, 1976, the New York Yankees faced off against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium, bringing a mix of challenges and expectations to each team. The Yankees, led by starting pitcher Ed Figueroa, were looking to make a strong showing early in the season, while the Brewers, with Bill Travers starting on the mound, aimed to capitalize on their home field advantage. This game was notable early in the season, testing the mettle of both teams, with the Yankees striving to establish dominance and the Brewers looking to upset a perennial powerhouse.
The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when the Brewers broke the ice, gradually building a lead with strategic hits and taking advantage of the Yankees' fielding errors. By the middle of the sixth inning, the Brewers had extended their lead to 6-0, underscoring a strong offensive performance. However, the Yankees rallied in the seventh inning, marking a significant turning point in the game. Key hits included a home run by Thurman Munson and multiple RBI singles that sparked a comeback. The tension heightened in the ninth inning, with the Yankees adding five more runs to seal their lead, highlighted by key contributions from Lou Piniella and Chris Chambliss.
Ultimately, the Yankees overcame their early stumbles to win 9-7 in a comeback victory that underscored their resilience and depth. The Brewers, despite a strong start, were unable to hold off the late surge from the Yankees.
The New York Mets faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, September 23, 1970,...
New York Mets vs Philadelphia Phillies - Radio Broadcast / The New York Mets faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, September 23, 1970, at Connie Mack Stadium. The Mets, who had won the World Series in the previous season, were looking to regain their championship form, while the Phillies were in the midst of a rebuilding phase. On the mound for the Mets was Ray Sadecki, a seasoned left-hander who had been acquired from the San Francisco Giants in 1969. For the Phillies, Chris Short, a reliable veteran and two-time All-Star, took the start. This was a time when the league was witnessing a surge in offensive power, marked by an increase in home runs and batting averages.
The game kicked off with a back-and-forth between the two teams. The Phillies drew first blood in the first inning, capitalizing on a Mets' error. The Mets responded in the third inning to even the score. However, the Phillies took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning, thanks to a two-run homer by Larry Hisle. The Mets clawed back in the sixth inning, tying the game at 3-3, only for the Phillies to regain the lead in the bottom half. The Mets' batters, however, were undeterred. In the eighth inning, Donn Clendenon hit a two-run homer, giving the Mets a lead they would not relinquish.
In the end, the Mets emerged victorious with a 5-4 win. The game was notable for its pitching changes, with the Mets using five pitchers and the Phillies three. Tug McGraw, who would later become a Phillies legend, earned the win for the Mets, while Dick Selma took the loss for the Phillies. Clendenon was the offensive star of the game, with his eighth-inning home run proving to be the game-winner.
The 1970 season was a mixed bag for both teams. The Mets, despite their victory in this game, could not replicate their championship run from the previous year, finishing in third place in the National League East. The Phillies, on the other hand, ended up in the cellar of the same division. However, this season marked the beginning of their slow climb to their first World Series title in 1980. As for the league, the season was dominated by the Cincinnati Reds, who won the National League pennant, and the Baltimore Orioles, who won the World Series. The 1970 season also saw Johnny Bench of the Reds and Boog Powell of the Orioles winning the Most Valuable Player awards in their respective leagues.
