1977 World Series Game 3
Friday October 13th, 1977 @ Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California
The series is tied at a game apiece as we head out to the West Coast for the first of three games in Los Angeles. The Dodgers are in good spirits, coming off of an absolute drubbing in game two behind a Burt Hooton masterpiece and four long home runs from Cey, Smith, Garvey, and Yeager. They turn to veteran lefty Tommy John (20 - 7 2.78 ERA 220 IP), who finished runner-up in Cy Young voting in ’77. The workhorse has been nothing short of outstanding after returning from an experimental elbow surgery (yes, that one) the previous season. Tommy Lasorda’s starters have kept the powerful Yankees offense at bay through two games, can John make it a third?
All is not well in the Bronx, and that’s not even talking about tumult in Billy Martin’s clubhouse. We’ll leave the unrest in the city to those who have covered it in depth, and we’ll just try to focus on the baseball. That’s probably what the Yankees need to do themselves. Reggie Jackson is simultaneously feuding with his manager, the Boss, his teammates, and the New York media. Thurman Munson just wants to go back home to Ohio, and no one is quite sure if the Yanks will have enough arms to even get through five games. Getting the call today is the man who has stepped up in big games throughout the season, Mike Torrez (17 - 13 3.88 ERA 243 IP). The big right-hander, who is on the verge of free agency, was dynamite down the stretch, going 9 - 3 with 10 complete games in his final 15 starts. He also provided a season saving relief effort against the Royals in game five of the ALCS. The Yankees will need a big game from him if they want to retake home field advantage. They will also need the offense, particularly leadoff man Mickey Rivers and the aforementioned Jackson to step up on the offensive side.
Audio clips from joeydbball on YouTube - ABC broadcast with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Tom Seaver
Pregame CBS News with Walter Cronkite and Terry Drinkwater
As always shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more.
Catch you next time,
P.C.O.
