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.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies met for Game 2 of the 1977 National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 5. The Dodgers, led by manager Tommy Lasorda in his first season at the helm, had won 98 games to capture the NL West title. The Phillies, under Danny Ozark, claimed their second straight NL East crown with 101 victories. Don Sutton took the mound for Los Angeles, while Jim Lonborg started for Philadelphia. Both teams boasted potent lineups, with the Dodgers featuring Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Reggie Smith, while the Phillies countered with Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, and Garry Maddox.
The game remained tight early on, with Bake McBride's solo home run in the third inning giving Philadelphia a brief 1-0 lead. Los Angeles quickly responded, tying the score in the bottom of the third. The pivotal moment came in the fourth inning when Dusty Baker launched a grand slam off Lonborg, breaking the game open and putting the Dodgers ahead 5-1. Los Angeles added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to extend their lead. Sutton pitched a complete game, scattering nine hits and allowing just one run while striking out four.
The Dodgers' victory gave them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five NLCS. They would go on to win the series in four games, advancing to face the New York Yankees in the World Series. Though Los Angeles fell short in the Fall Classic, losing in six games, the 1977 season marked the beginning of a successful run for the Dodgers. They would return to the World Series in both 1978 and 1981, with the latter resulting in a championship.
In Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, the New York Yankees faced the Los...
1977 World Series G6 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Yankees - Radio Broadcast / In Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, the New York Yankees faced the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees, managed by Billy Martin, were on the verge of capturing their 21st World Series title, with Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson leading the offensive charge. Meanwhile, Tommy Lasorda's Dodgers sought to extend the series and force a Game 7. Starting for the Yankees was Mike Torrez, while the Dodgers sent Burt Hooton to the mound. The Dodgers, who had a potent lineup featuring Steve Garvey and Ron Cey, needed their offense to step up after losing momentum in the previous games.
The Dodgers struck first, scoring two runs in the first inning on a triple by Steve Garvey, but the Yankees answered quickly. In the second inning, Chris Chambliss hit a two-run homer to tie the game. By the fourth inning, Reggie Jackson launched the first of three home runs, giving the Yankees a 5-3 lead. Jackson followed up with two more home runs in the fifth and eighth innings, securing his place in history with one of the most iconic World Series performances. Mike Torrez held his ground, despite giving up a solo home run to Reggie Smith in the third inning. The Yankees' defense, led by Chambliss and Bucky Dent, turned key double plays to keep the Dodgers at bay.
With an 8-4 victory, the Yankees clinched the 1977 World Series, their first championship since 1962. Reggie Jackson, earning the nickname "Mr. October," was named World Series MVP for his three-homer performance in Game 6.
#NewYorkYankees #LosAngelesDodgers #ReggieJackson #ChrisChambliss #ThurmanMunson #MikeTorrez #SteveGarvey #BurtHooton #WorldSeries1977 #MrOctober
On October 7, 1977, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3...
1977 NLCS G3 - Los Angeles Dodgers vs Philadelphia Phillies - Radio / On October 7, 1977, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Veterans Stadium. The Dodgers, managed by Tommy Lasorda, were fighting for a return to the World Series after a strong regular season where players like Steve Garvey and Ron Cey made significant contributions. Starting pitcher Burt Hooton took the mound for Los Angeles, looking to rebound after a rough Game 1 outing. The Phillies, led by manager Danny Ozark, had a strong year of their own, winning the NL East behind stars such as Mike Schmidt and Greg Luzinski. Pitcher Larry Christenson got the start for Philadelphia as they aimed to take a series lead.
The game saw early scoring from both teams, with the Dodgers jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, aided by a double from Dusty Baker and a single by Steve Yeager. The Phillies quickly responded in their half of the inning, putting up three runs on a combination of walks and key hits, including a sacrifice fly by Larry Christenson. As the game progressed, both teams were kept in check by strong middle relief pitching, with the Dodgers managing to tie the game at 3-3 in the fourth inning. In the bottom of the eighth, the Phillies appeared to take control, scoring two runs, including an RBI single from Garry Maddox, but the Dodgers weren’t done yet.
In the top of the ninth, Los Angeles rallied with three runs, capitalizing on errors and timely hitting, including a critical double from Manny Mota that tied the game. Davey Lopes then drove in the go-ahead run with a single, and the Dodgers bullpen held off the Phillies in the bottom of the inning to secure a 6-5 victory.
#Dodgers #Phillies #BurtHooton #DustyBaker #MannyMota #LarryChristenson #SteveGarvey #RonCey #MikeSchmidt #GarryMaddox
In a regular season game on June 6, 1970, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, a notable...
Detroit TIgers vs Oakland A's - Radio Broadcast / In a regular season game on June 6, 1970, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, a notable game unfolded between the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland Athletics. The Tigers' pitcher, Joe Niekro, and the Athletics' pitcher, Chuck Dobson, both took the mound with the intention of guiding their teams to victory. This game occurred during a significant period for both franchises: the Athletics were in the process of building a team that would dominate the early 1970s, while the Tigers aimed to sustain the competitive spirit that led them to a World Series championship in 1968.
The game started off quietly, with no runs scored in the initial innings. Momentum shifted in the fourth inning when Norm Cash hit a two-run homer for the Tigers, setting the stage for a competitive match. The Athletics managed to score two unearned runs in the second inning, taking advantage of errors by the Tigers. Key moments for the Tigers included solo home runs by Bill Freehan in the fifth and ninth innings, which were crucial in maintaining their lead. In the eighth inning, Matty Alou hit a two-run homer for the Athletics, narrowing the gap in the score. However, the pitching of Joe Niekro, coupled with John Hiller securing a save, ensured that the Tigers maintained their lead, resulting in a 6-4 win.
