October 2, 1979 @ Riverfront Stadium
For the fourth time this decade, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds will face off for the National League Pennant. The Reds have had the advantage so far this decade, defeating the Buccos in the previous three series with a combined 9-2 record. Both of these teams have dominated their respective divisions throughout this decade (6th NL east crown for PIT, 5th NL West crown for CIN), but the teams look a bit different from their previous matchups. Yes, Willie Stargell and Dave Parker are still threats in the middle of the lineup; but now they are supported by the likes of Omar Moreno, Bill Madlock, Phil Garner, and others. Bert Blyleven and Jim Bibby have come in to stabilize the rotation. Danny Murtagh is long gone as manager; Chuck Tanner gets his first crack at the postseason. Ditto for John McNamara, who replaces legendary Reds skipper Sparky Anderson (who left for Detroit). Tom Seaver is the new ace for the Reds. Key cogs of the Big Red Machine, Pete Rose and Tony Perez, departed in free agency. Former MVPs Joe Morgan and George Foster have battled injuries all year, and it seems as if these games may be the last that Morgan will play in a Red uniform. The Great Johnny Bench and ever reliable Dave Concepcion are still solid as ever up the middle, but Cincinnati has needed the boost from others like Ray Knight and Dave Collins.
This game one figures to be a pitchers' duel, with two aces going at it. Tom Seaver (16 - 6 3.14 ERA 215 IP) takes the hill in his first, and surprisingly only postseason game for the Reds since he was traded in '77. On the bump for Pittsburgh is lefty John Candelaria (14 - 9 3.22 ERA 207 IP), one of the most dependable left-handed starters in all of baseball for the better part of a decade (averaged 15 - 9 3.19 ERA 216 IP between '76 - '80). This game and this series will be determined by great defense and timely hitting, as many thrilling postseason series are. Tune in for a fantastic game one.
Audio Clips from joeydbball Youtube. NBC Broadcast w/ Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, and Don Sutton.
As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.
Catch you next time,
P.C.O.
