1973 World Series Champions

Lore & Background

The Athletics won the AL West division by six games over the Kansas City Royals, then defeated the Baltimore Orioles, three games to two, in the AL Championship Series. The Mets won the NL East division by an unspecified number of games over the St. Louis Cardinals, then defeated the Cincinnati Reds, three games to two, in the NL Championship Series. This was the first World Series in which all weekday games started at night. This was the last World Series in which each team produced and sold its own game programs for its home games. Reggie Jackson was named the World Series MVP. Jackson batted .310 with seven hits and six RBIs and a home run and scored three runs. Jackson was only the second player to be named league MVP and World Series MVP in the same year. Sandy Koufax was the first in 1963.

Reader's Guide

The Athletics secured the pennant by overcoming the Baltimore Orioles in the 1973 ALCS. The Athletics, defending champions, still possessed a formidable lineup headed by a healthy Reggie Jackson (.293, 32 HR, 117 RBI, 22 stolen bases) who would be named league MVP in 1973. Jackson was joined in the lineup by standouts like third baseman Sal Bando, the fine defensive outfielder Joe Rudi, the speedy shortstop Bert Campaneris, and the A's catcher, 1972 World Series hero Gene Tenace. The pitching staff featured three 20-game winners, Ken Holtzman (21–13), Catfish Hunter (21–5), and Vida Blue (20–9), with Rollie Fingers (22 saves, 1.92) serving as the A's ace relief pitcher. Oakland reliever Darold Knowles became the first pitcher to appear in every game of a seven-game World Series.

Did You Know?

• The 1973 Mets had the lowest winning percentage (.509) of any pennant winner in major league history.
• The 1973 New York Mets had the worst record (82–79) of any team to play in a World Series.
• Willie Mays recorded the final hit of his career in Game 2.