1971 ALCS Game 7

Lore & Background

The 1971 Orioles are one of only two Major League Baseball clubs (the 1920 Chicago White Sox being the other) to have four 20-game winners in a season: Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, and Pat Dobson. The ALCS was a best-of-five sweep, so no Game 7 exists.

In Their Own Story

The night air at Memorial Stadium was crisp, carrying the scent of popcorn and cut grass under the stadium lights. The crowd roared as Brooks Robinson took his position at third base, glove ready. Every pitch from Mike Cuellar drew a collective gasp from the stands, followed by cheers or groans depending on where the ball landed. In the final inning, with the score tight, the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife until the final out was recorded.

Reader's Guide

In the postseason, the Orioles defeated the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS, 3–0. They then lost the World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4 games to 3.

Did You Know?

• The 1971 Orioles had four 20-game winners: Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, and Pat Dobson.
• The Orioles defeated the Oakland Athletics 3–0 in the ALCS, which was a best-of-five series — so there was no Game 7.
• The World Series was played at home and went seven games, with the Pirates winning 4–3.
• Three days after the World Series, the Orioles toured Japan, going 12–2–4 overall and 8–0–3 against the Yomiuri Giants.