1977 World Series Game 5
Sunday October 16th, 1977 @ Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA
The Dodgers are on the verge of elimination in this World Series, and they are in serious danger of being swept in their own ballpark if they don’t win today. The usually potent offense for LA has been quieted by the New York rotation, with Mike Torrez and Ron Guidry spinning consecutive gems in games three and four, respectively. The good news for the Dodgers, they will have their future Hall-of-Famer, Don Sutton (14 - 8 3.18 ERA 240 IP), on the hill. The curly-haired righty was solid in game one, but he picked up a no-decision in a game that went 12 innings. He has yet to take a loss in a postseason start for his career, and the Dodgers will need him to continue that streak. Opposing him for the Yankees will be the lefty Don Gullet** (14 - 4 3.58 ERA 158 IP), who pitched into the ninth inning in game one, despite a rough start. With a 3 - 1 series lead and the final two games at home if necessary, the Yankees don’t “need” this one, but boy, would they like to have it. It has been a tenuous year in the Bronx, so they want to take care of business before any doubt sets in.
Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube - ABC broadcast with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Tom Seaver
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.
** RIP to Don Gullet (the Yankees starter for game 5), who passed away last week at just 73 years old. The former Reds great compiled a career 109 - 50 record, with a 3.11 ERA in 1390 IP across 9 seasons. He was a 3x World Series champion, and after his playing career was a pitching coach with the Reds. His career was cut short due to a torn rotator cuff, but he was a key cog in the Big Red Machine. He will be missed. **
