Today
we have the “missing” World Series Game 2 card that Topps decided NOT
to include in their 1979 set, and it depicts the commanding Los Angeles
Dodger victory over the New York Yankees, giving them a 2-0 lead in the
series:
Though Dodger third baseman Ron Cey would seemingly be the hero in this
one, hitting a three-run homer and driving in all four runs in the 4-3
win, it would end up being remembered for the battle of young rookie Bob
Welch against slugger Reggie Jackson in the ninth inning, with Welch
coming out on top, striking out the future Hall of Famer.
With two men on base in the ninth and holding on to the slim one-run
lead, Welch was brought in to relieve Terry Forster and got Thurman
Munson to fly-out for the second out, bringing Jackson to the plate.
With Postseason heroics Jackson’s specialty, the odds seemed against the
young pitcher, even getting to a 3-2 count against one of the greatest
Postseason hitters the game has ever seen.
But wouldn’t you know it, while he could have given Jackson first base
and concentrated anew against Graig Nettles, Welch attacked Jackson
inside and got him to strikeout, giving the Dodgers what seemed to be an
insurmountable 2 games to none lead.
Great baseball moment though as a young Yankee fan in Brooklyn at the time, I hated it!