NL All-Stars vs. AL All-Stars

The top players from the National League and the American League headed to Ebbets Field for a final game to determine the 1934 All-Star Series champion. The Junior Circuit, the home team in this contest (via coin flip), gave the ball to Cleveland ace Mel Harder. The NL sent Cubs hurler Lon Warneke to the mound.

Both pitchers kept the opposing bats in check over the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Red Sox third baseman Billy Werber led off with a single. Two batters later, Cleveland centerfielder Earl Averill belted a Warneke fastball over the right field wall. The AL maintained its 2-0 lead through the next three innings. In the top of the 8th, Frankie Frisch drew a one-out walk. Bill Terry followed with a single and Mel Ott tied the game with a two-run double into the right field corner.

Neither team scored in the ninth and the game headed to extra innings. Bobo Newsom, who replaced Harder after the eighth, surrendered a leadoff single to Arky Vaughn in the top of the tenth, but then retired the next three NL batters in order. Phillies ace Curt Davis came out of the bullpen to pitch the bottom of the 10th—this would be his first action of the series. Bill Dickey, pinch hitting in the pitcher's spot, drew a leadoff walk. Werber then hit a slow roller to short that Vaughn barehanded but then threw wildly to first. With AL runners at second and third with nobody out, Davis intentionally walked Charlie Gehringer to load the bases. Averill then singled through the drawn-in infield to drive in the winning run.

The American League claimed the championship in a competitive series that came down to the final at bat.

All-Star Series Game 4: AL 3, NL 2 (10 innings)

NNL All-Stars vs. AL All-Stars

The Negro National League All-Stars controlled their own fate heading into the third game of the series. With a win, the NNL would be crowned champions. But an AL victory would mean that all three teams finished at 1-1 and a tie-breaker (total run scored) would determine the two teams that would play for the title. The venue for this matchup was the Polo Grounds. The American League started Lefty Gomez; the NNL gave the ball to their elite southpaw, Slim Jones.

The NNL scored first when Cool Papa Bell tripled in the top of the third to drive in Chester Williams. The AL answered in the bottom of the frame after two errors and three singles plated three runs. An inning later Jones ran into more trouble after three singles loaded the bases. Bob Johnson of the Athletics then unloaded them with a three-run double. Joe Cronin later doubled home Johnson to put the AL ahead 7-1.

The NNL closed the gap in the top of the fifth after three doubles (Chester Williams, Cool Papa Bell, and Sam Bankhead) tallied a couple runs. An inning later the AL increased their lead to 9-3 after Lou Gehrig homered and Mickey Cochrane delivered an RBI single. Gomez cruised the rest of the way for a complete-game victory in which he surrendered only six hits.

Given that all three teams finished at 1-1, those last two runs by the AL proved far more important than just insurance. Total runs in the series after this game: NL (15), AL (11), NNL (9). The National League will play the American League in a final game to determine the All-Star Series champion.

All-Star Series Game 3: AL 9, NNL 3  

AL All-Stars vs NL All-Stars

The American League all-stars battled the National League all-stars at Ebbets Field in Game 2 of my 1934 series. Thwarted by defensive miscues in their first contest, the NL turned to Carl Hubbell to try to keep the powerful AL bats in check. The Junior Circuit gave the ball to Schoolboy Rowe.

The AL scored in the top of the first when Bob Johnson singled to drive in Billy Werber, who had led off the game with a double. Mel Ott put the NL on top in the bottom of the opening frame with a two-run homer that plated Arky Vaughn. Both Rowe and Hubbell then settled down to toss four straight scoreless innings. But in the sixth, Lou Gehrig tripled and came home on a Babe Ruth groundout.

With the AL leading 2-1, Wes Ferrell relieved Rowe for the seventh. The Boston hurler immediately ran into trouble. After Frankie Frisch singled, his Cardinal teammate Ripper Collins blasted a two-run shot to put the NL in front. Later in the inning, two singles, a walk, another single, and an RBI groundout added three more runs for the Senior Circuit. Lefty Stewart came on to pitch the eighth for the AL and fared no better. NL hitters put up five more runs on a three-run homer from Ott and a two-run blast from Gabby Hartnett. Hubbell went the distance for the National League, while his offense pounded out 20 hits.

The American League will try to shake off this drubbing and right the ship against the Negro National League in Game 3.

All-Star Series Game 2: NL 12, AL 2

NL All-Stars vs. NNL All-Stars

For my next set of Diamond Legacies games, I've created all-star teams from the three major leagues in 1934: American League, National League, and Negro National League. Each team will play the other teams one time. If one of the teams wins both of its games, that team is the champion. If all three teams go 1-1, then the two teams that have scored the most runs will face off in a final game for the championship.

The National League all-stars played the Negro National League all-stars in the first game. Yankee Stadium hosted the contest, and a coin flip determined the NNL was the home team. Dizzy Dean and Satchel Paige were the starting pitchers. The National League took a 1-0 lead in the second when a Gabby Hartnett groundout allowed Mel Ott to score. Arky Vaughn scored on an error in the top of the sixth to increase the NL lead to two.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Cool Papa Bell doubled. The next four NNL batters reached on two errors and two singles, scoring three runs. Bert Johnson drove in another run on a groundout and Sam Bankhead delivered an RBI-single to put the NNL ahead 5-2. Hits from Bell and Ray Dandridge in the seventh plated another run for the home team. Doubles by Bill Terry and Mel Ott in the eighth narrowed the gap to 6-3, but the National League would not score again. Paige pitched six innings to pick up the win, while Dean took the loss despite surrendering only one earned run in six innings.

All-Star Series Game 1: NNL 6, NL 3

Diamond Legacies Book 4

Time for an update about the next volume of Diamond Legacies. Work has begun! The featured year is between the first volume and the third volume in the series. The upcoming Book 4 will include the following new items:

• Hit and Run Rule: Get ready to put those runners in motion!
• Conversion Chart to translate player ratings into 1/2 and 1/3 values. Now you will instantly know what that Elite fielder needs to roll to make a diving stop of a would-be base hit.
• Modifiers List of all the modifiers used in the game. This will make it easier to remember that a batter trying to bunt gets to lower his Strikeout rating by 15.

Diamond Legacies Book 4 will be available later this spring.

1975 World Series MVP

Joe Morgan is the clear choice for my World Series MVP. The Reds second baseman batted .450 with 3 runs scored, 3 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. He also drew 3 walks and one HBP, boosting his OBP to .542. The driving force in Cincinnati's offense, Morgan adds this award to the regular season MVP he won in 1975.

Other key contributors to the Reds series triumph include George Foster who hit .364 with 3 walks and a home run. Johnny Bench batted just .182, but still led his team with 5 RBI. Pete Rose also did not hit well (.185), but he did belt a home run and scored 4 runs to lead the Reds. On the mound, Cincinnati starter Fred Norman threw a dominating shutout in Game 4, his only appearance in the series. Don Gullett matched this brilliance in winning the all-important Game 7, but his struggles in his other two starts removed him from MVP consideration.

Carlton Fisk was the top performer in the Red Sox offense with a .435 average, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI. He also drew 3 walks and led all players with 10 hits. Carl Yastrzemski batted .240, drew 3 walks and scored 3 runs. His 5 RBI paced Boston and his 2 home runs led all players in the series. Dwight Evans contributed .250, but Fred Lynn disappointed at the plate (.125). Luis Tiant pitched well in his three starts (2.11 ERA), while posting a 1-1 record. Rick Wise (1 ER in 10 innings) delivered stellar mound work for the Red Sox as did relievers Jim Willoughby, Jim Burton, and Dick Drago, who did not allow an earned run in their combined 13 1/3 innings.

It was a competitive series, with five of the seven games decided by 2 runs or less. 

Reds vs. Red Sox Game 7

The atmosphere was electric as the crowd filed into Fenway Park for Game 7. Boston fans hoped tonight would finally end the curse that had plagued their team since 1918. Cincinnati backers hoped their 108-win team could claim the crown and take their place as one of the all-time greats in baseball history. The starting pitchers were Bill Lee for Boston and Don Gullett for the Reds. What followed was one of the most unusual Diamond Legacies games I have ever played.

Leading off the game, Pete Rose reached second after Red Sox left fielder Bernie Carbo misplayed a slicing fly ball. Joe Morgan followed with a drive that looked like it would find the gap in right-center before Fred Lynn made a diving catch. Rose alertly advanced to third on the fly out. With Johnny Bench at the plate Lee threw a wild pitch that allowed Rose to score. Bench drew a walk and scored on Tony Perez's double to right. Cincinnati led 2-0, but that would be their only hit of the game.

The losing pitcher in his two previous starts in this series, Gullett brought his best stuff to Game 7. Boston's best chance to score came in the third when Dwight Evans lined a shot that hit high off the Green Monster, just missing a home run by a couple feet. With Dewey on second, Rick Burleson laid down a bunt to advance the runner to third with one out. Darrell Johnson sent Juan Beniquez to pinch hit for Lee, ending the Spaceman's night after just three innings. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, Beniquez hit a one-hopper to Gullett that forced Evans to remain at third. Carbo then flied out to end the inning.

With one out in the sixth, Joe Morgan reached first after a third strike got past Carlton Fisk. Bench then followed with what looked like a double to right, before Evans made a diving catch to rob the hit. Cincinnati bats remained cold the rest of the game. It was even worse for Boston's offense. After the third inning, Gullett did not allow a single baserunner. The Reds ace allowed only two hits in a brilliant shutout performance.

Much like the real '75 Reds, the Big Red Machine was pushed to the brink before narrowly claiming the championship on the road in Game 7. It was a fun series to play with plenty of drama and tense at-bats over the seven games. Now it's time to review the stats and determine the MVP. 

Game 7: Reds 2, Red Sox 0

Reds vs. Red Sox Game 6

During the real 1975 World Series, heavy rains delayed Game 6 for three days. The time off allowed the Red Sox to give Luis Tiant his third start of the series. Cincinnati gave the ball to Gary Nolan. I will follow suit for my Game 6.

Tiant took the mound looking sharper than ever, retiring the first 14 batters he faced. Morgan drew a walk in the fourth and Foster singled in the fifth, but neither advanced past second. Cecil Cooper led off the third for Boston with a double. Following a sacrifice bunt from Doyle, Carl Yastrzemski singled to drive in the first run of the game. The Red Sox added two more in the sixth from a Petrocelli double that drove in Fisk and a Burleson single that drove in Petrocelli.

This game would not end with a 12th-inning home run off the foul pole, but it did have some late-inning drama. Trailing 3-0 in the eighth, Cincinnati manager Sparky Anderson sent Terry Crowley to bat in the pitcher's spot. The pinch hitter lifted a drive to left field that just cleared the Green Monster for an opposite field solo shot. Darrell Johnson then replaced Tiant with southpaw Roger Moret. A walk to Rose and a Burleson error put Reds at first and second. With the tying run on and only one out, Moret retired Joe Morgan on a fly out. Johnson then brought in right-hander Dick Drago to face Johnny Bench. The Red Sox closer retired the slugging catcher on a grounder to short to end the threat. Drago then sent down the side in order in the ninth to close out the victory and even the series at three games apiece.

The two teams will take the field one more time in a deciding game for the 1975 World Series championship ...

Game 6: Red Sox 3, Reds 1

Reds vs. Red Sox Game 5

Having been held to just one run over the previous two games, the Red Sox faced elimination as they headed into Game 5 at Riverfront Stadium. To make matters worse for the visitors, Cincinnati would be starting the formidable Don Gullett (15-4, 2.42 ERA). Boston countered with 13-game winner Reggie Cleveland (4.43 ERA).

The Red Sox bats finally awakened in the second, when Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Rico Petrocelli followed with a single of his own to drive in the first run of the game. Dwight Evans continued the parade with an infield single, his team's fourth straight hit. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Rick Burleson drew a walk to force in another run. Cleveland then helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly to put Boston up 3-0.

Cincinnati got on the board in the third when Joe Morgan doubled home Cesar Geronimo, who had walked earlier in the inning. Gullett drew a walk to open the Reds fifth, prompting Red Sox manager Darrell Johnson to bring in Bill Lee to replace Cleveland. After retiring the next two batters, the Spaceman surrendered a single to Morgan and a double to Johnny Bench that tied the game at three apiece.

Boston reclaimed the lead in the sixth, when Fisk walked and Lynn and Evans each delivered RBI-doubles. The Red Sox bullpen held Cincinnati's offense in check to keep the score at 5-3 heading into the ninth. In the top of the frame, hits by Petrocelli, Cecil Cooper, and Juan Beniquez gave the visitors two more insurance runs. Dick Drago sent the Reds down in order in the bottom of the ninth to close out the victory for Boston.

The Reds still hold a 3-2 lead in the series, but Boston's hopes have been revived as the teams head back to Fenway for Game 6.

Game 5: Red Sox 7, Reds 3 

Reds vs. Red Sox Game 4

Looking to get back on track after their narrow loss the night before, the Red Sox turned to Game 1 starter Luis Tiant. Cincinnati gave the ball to lefty Fred Norman, who posted a 12-4 record during the regular season. Boston needed a strong outing from their starter and Tiant delivered, twice working out of trouble to shut out the Reds over the first five innings. Rose, however, led off the sixth with a single. Following a Griffey fly out, Joe Morgan tripled to plate Cincinnati's first run. Tony Perez followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in Morgan. Though the Reds did not score again, their bats had done enough.

Norman turned in an October masterpiece, keeping the Red Sox hitters off-balance all night. Boston managed only three singles with no runner advancing past first base. Norman struck out 12 and walked just one in the shutout. The southpaw's dominant performance has moved his team to within one victory of their first World Series championship since 1940.

With his team facing elimination, skipper Darrell Johnson has to find some way to reignite the Red Sox offense in Game 5.

Game 4: Reds 2, Red Sox 0

Reds vs. Red Sox Game 3

For Game 3 at Riverfront Stadium the Red Sox sent 19-game winner Rick Wise to the mound, while the Reds countered with 15-game winner Gary Nolan. The visitors struck first in the opening frame when Denny Doyle singled and came home on a Carlton Fisk double into the left-center field gap. Nolan then settled down to retire 13 of the next 14 batters. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, Wise came out of the gate sharp, allowing only one hit over the first four frames. But the Boston starter ran into trouble in the fifth after two walks and a single loaded the bases with two outs. Reds right fielder Ken Griffey then drew his team's third free pass of the inning to force home George Foster with the tying run.

Boston put two men on in the seventh, but could not break through against the Reds bullpen. The home team similarly could not generate much offense and the game headed into the ninth tied 1-1. Reds reliever Clay Carroll held the visitors scoreless in the top of the frame. Boston southpaw Roger Moret hoped to follow suit and send the game to extra innings.

Johnny Bench popped out to start the bottom of the ninth. Foster followed with a single and Dave Concepcion drew a walk. Red Sox skipper Darrell Johnson considered bringing in his closer Dick Drago but stuck with Moret against the lefty batting Cesar Geronimo. The Reds outfielder tapped a slow roller to Doyle, advancing the runners to second and third with two outs. With the pitcher's spot due next, Sparky Anderson called on Doug Flynn to pinch hit. Despite falling behind in the count, the rookie utilityman lined a fastball into right field to bring home the winning run.

Game 3: Reds 2, Red Sox 1

Reds vs. Red Sox Game 2

Following the historical 1975 series, the Game 2 starters were Jack Billingham for Cincinnati and Bill Lee for Boston. Also, because Jim Rice was injured and did not play in the '75 Series, I'm not using him in the Red Sox lineup. That means for some of the games Carl Yastrzemski will play left field (as he did in the real Series), where he has a Fielding Rating of 98.

Pete Rose led off the game with a double and came around to score on Tony Perez's double later in the inning. The Reds held a 1-0 lead through the first four innings. In the top of the fifth, Rose lined a solo shot over the Green Monster. After retiring Morgan, Lee walked Bench and gave up a single to Perez. The Spaceman looked for a double play to get out of the jam, but instead George Foster blasted a three-run homer over the Monster to put the Reds up 5-0.

Doyle and Yastrzemski drew walks to start the Red Sox fifth. Both runners scored when Fisk followed with a double off the center field wall. Billingham retired the next three batters, but Sparky Anderson ended his night after that. With the lead down to three runs and his starter uncharacteristically wild (7 walks in 5 innings), the Reds manager brought in Will McEnaney for the sixth. The reliever posted zeroes in the next two innings, but gave up a single to Rico Petrocelli to start the eighth. Anderson then summoned rookie closer Rawly Eastwick to go for a six-out save. The Reds lead remained 5-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth, when one-out hits by Cecil Cooper and Doyle brought the tying run to the plate in the form of Yastrzemski, who had tripled and drawn two walks thus far in this game. But the fireballing Eastwick squashed the threat by striking out Yaz and retiring Fisk on a line out.

Tied at one game apiece, the two teams head to Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati for Game 3. 

Game 2: Reds 5, Red Sox 2

Reds vs. Red Sox Game 1

The 1975 World Series is the next set of games I'll be playing with Book 3 of Diamond Legacies. Same as the historical series between Cincinnati and Boston that year, Game 1 took place at Fenway Park with Don Gullett pitching for the visitors and Luis Tiant taking the hill for the home team.

Carl Yastrzemski started the scoring early with a two-run blast into the right field bleachers in the first. Cincinnati got on the board in the third, when a Tiant error and two walks loaded the bases with one out. Johnny Bench hit a grounder to short and beat the throw to first to avoid a double play and allow Cesar Geronimo to score. Following a Joe Morgan single in the fifth, Bench doubled to drive in another run and tie the game. Morgan gave Cincinnati the lead in the seventh with an RBI single. 

With Gullett cruising, things were looking bleak for the fans at Fenway. In the bottom of the eighth, Yastrzemski batted with one out and Denny Doyle on first. With a dramatic swing, Yaz took Gullett deep again for another two-run homer into the right field seats. Tossing two scoreless innings in relief, Jim Burton was the winning pitcher for the Red Sox.

While Boston celebrates the late inning comeback, the Big Red Machine will be looking to even the series in Game 2 at Fenway.

Game 1: Red Sox 4, Reds 3

Yankees vs. Mets

The New York Mets squared off against the New York Yankees in a battle of third place teams. The pitching matchup featured NL Cy Young winner Tom Seaver against AL Cy Young runner up Catfish Hunter. The game took place at Shea Stadium, the home ballpark for both teams in 1975 while Yankee Stadium was being renovated.

Not surprisingly, this contest started out as a pitchers' duel. Rusty Staub homered in the fourth to put the Mets up 1-0. Elliott Maddox and Ed Herrmann led off the Yankee fifth with singles and Fred Stanley laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third. With the Mets infield drawn in, Sandy Alomar grounded to third. Wayne Garrett fired to the plate, but Maddox slid under the tag with the tying run. The game remained deadlocked 1-1 until the bottom of the seventh. Maddox laced another single and advanced to third following a single by Alomar. With runners at the corners and two outs, Bobby Bonds connected for a deep fly that barely cleared the left field wall at Shea. 

Hunter cruised the rest of the way to close out the 4-1 win. Aside from the one mistake to Bonds, Seaver was terrific like usual--racking up 11 strikeouts and surrendering only 7 hits. Hunter was just a little better on this day, tossing a four-hit complete game with 8 strikeouts.

Yankees 4, Mets 1