Thursday, December 26, 2013

World Series: Did You Know?

Reggie Jackson had 4 home runs in 4 at bats in the 1977 World Series!

Yes, we all remember his 3 home runs in game 6 vs. the Dodgers. But coming into the game, Reggie was red hot!

The Yankees were not.

Down 10-0 in the top of the 7th in game 5, the Bronx Bombers still had Mr. October right? And Reggie had a tendency to swing the big stick late in the game.

Jackson singled leading off the inning against Don Sutton. The Yankees had a mini-uprising and scored twice. But it was Jackon's next at bat that started something truely amazing, awesome and incredible.

On and 0-1 pitch from Sutton in the 8th, Jackson went yard. It didn't seem to matter as the Yankees still lost 10-4. But game 6 was back at Yankee Stadium. Reggie was swinging the hot bat! It was about to get hotter, if you can believe it!

In the bottom of the second inning of game 6, Jackson walked on four pitches. Burt Hooton was on the mound for LA, and in for a long day. Chris Chambliss then hit a home run. That tied the game 2-2.

But Reggie Smith hit a home run in the top of the 3rd to give LA the lead again. It stayed that way until the bottom of the 4th. Here comes Reggie!

With Munson on first after hitting a single to start the inning, Jackson hammered Hooton first pitch (and last of the game) to deep right for a home run. That would put New York on top for good. But Reggie was far from finished.

The next inning, with New York now up 5-3, Jackson again belted a 2-run home run! This time off Elias Sosa. Again, first pitch swinging!

Now, it was obvious the Yankees were going to win. And it had been a long time coming. The Yankees hadn't won the World Series since 1962 and had since lost it 3 times. These chances don't always come around, you know!

In fact, the Yankees hadn't appeared in a World Series from 1965 to 1975. 1975 saw them get swept by the Reds. But Reggie Jackson was not on the team then. He was now. And he was making a huge impact!

And he still wasn't done!

Leading off the bottom of the 8th against Charlie Hough, Jackson swung at the first pitch. And this thing went like a rocket into the dark seats in centerfield. That made it 8-3.

4 home runs on 4 pitches in the last two games. 5 hits in 5 AB's. A walk without a strike. Reggie was the man in New York.

The demoralized Dodgers scored one more run in the 9th, but it mattered little. The Yankees were World Series Champions for the first time since 1962.

Thanks to Reggie Jackson.

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