1972 World Series Championship

Lore & Background

This was the first World Series in which both teams wore pullover jerseys, a style that would remain the norm until 1982, after which at least one team in the Fall Classic would wear them each year through 1990, after which traditional button-front jerseys once again predominated. Coincidentally, both this World Series and the 1990 World Series featured the same two teams, the Athletics and the Reds, though with far different results; the Athletics won this one in a hard fought seven games, while the Reds swept the defending champion Athletics in four games in 1990. This was Cincinnati's second trip to the World Series in three years, previously falling to Baltimore in five games in the 1970 World Series. It was Oakland's first-ever trip to the Series, and the first for the franchise since 1931, when the team was located in Philadelphia. This was a matchup of the two premier MLB dynasties of the 1970s, with the Reds winning two World Series (1975–76) in four WS appearances, while the Athletics won three straight (1972–74). The Series was dubbed 'The Hairs vs. the Squares.' Oakland played the Series without its star outfielder Reggie Jackson, who was injured (pulled hamstring) stealing home in the second inning of the final game of the ALCS at Detroit on October 12. Left-handed reliever Darold Knowles was also missing for the Athletics, breaking his thumb on September 27. Unheralded catcher Gene Tenace was spectacular, hitting four home runs equaling the World Series mark set by Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Hank Bauer. He also had nine RBI in the Series—no other Oakland player had more than one. Tenace was voted World Series MVP.

In Their Own Story

Night air hung heavy over Riverfront Stadium as the crowd roared for a pinch-hit hero. Lee May stepped into the box, eyes locked on the mound. The crack of the bat echoed through the stands, sending the ball soaring toward the lights. For a moment, time froze in Cincinnati before the city erupted in celebration.

Reader's Guide

The Athletics won the series four games to three. Game 1: Oakland jumped out to a one-game series lead behind catcher Gene Tenace, who hit a home run in each of his first two at-bats. The Athletics received a combined four innings of shutout relief from Rollie Fingers and Vida Blue to secure the victory for starter Ken Holtzman. Game 2: Athletics left fielder Joe Rudi smacked a home run and added a sparkling, game-saving catch up against the wall in the ninth inning. Catfish Hunter pitched eight strong innings and also added an RBI single. The Reds' failure to produce in the clutch was as much the story as Rudi's heroics. Game 3: Heavy storms delayed Game 3 by a day, but the Reds got back into the series behind a strong performance from starter Jack Billingham, who held the Athletics to three hits in eight innings. The Reds pushed across the game's only run in the seventh when César Gerónimo singled home Tony Pérez. (The source article cuts off mid-sentence for Game 3, so further details are unclear.) The Reds outscored the Athletics by five runs, 21–16, but all four of their losses were by a single run. Six of the seven games in the series were decided by one run.

Did You Know?

• Gene Tenace became the first player ever to homer in his two initial Series plate appearances, a feat later matched by Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves in 1996.
• Prior to Game 2, Jackie Robinson made his final public appearance in an on-field ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of his breaking of the color line.
• The combined batting averages of both teams (.209) were the lowest recorded in a 7-game World Series.
• This was the first World Series in which both teams wore pullover jerseys.