Up on the blog today, we’re up to Game 4 of the “missing” 1979 postseason sub-set, a pivotal game that saw the New York Yankees even up the Series but not without controversy (and Reggie Jackson’s hip):
Now, instead of writing it all myself, here’s the recap of the game from
Wikipedia, which also describes why Reggie Jackson and his “shady” move
may have helped the Yankees not only win the game, but eventually the
World Series itself:
“Starters Ed Figueroa and Tommy John were locked in a scoreless duel
before Reggie Smith struck with a three-run homer in the top of the
fifth inning. John continued his shutout through the fifth, but, in the
Yankees' half of the sixth, they scored.
Reggie Jackson finally got the Yankees on the board with a one-out RBI
single. With Thurman Munson on second and Jackson on first, Lou Piniella
hit a low, soft liner shortstop Bill Russell fumbled (some claim
intentionally). Russell recovered the ball, then stepped on second to
force Jackson, then his attempted throw to first to complete the double
play struck a "confused" Jackson in the right hip and caromed into foul
territory.
Munson scored, partially because first baseman Steve Garvey stopped to
yell at the first-base umpire over the non-interference call before
retrieving the ball.
The Dodgers' protests went for naught but would not have been necessary
if Russell had made the proper play. Thinking Russell was going to catch
Piniella's liner, Munson retreated towards second and was on
second base when Russell picked up the ball. Munson then turned to third
and Russell stepped on second to force Jackson and threw to first. The
inning would have been over if Russell had tagged Munson (out #2) and
stepped on second (out #3) to force Jackson or Russell steps on
second to force Jackson (out #2) and gets Munson in a rundown between
second and third (out #3); the score would have remained 3–1, instead
the score was then 3–2. But of course, Russell had no reason to the
think his throw would not reach first base.
Later review of the play clearly showed Jackson had stopped midway
between first and second when Russell had made his throw to first. As
the ball carried very close to Jackson's immediate right, Jackson had
moved his hips to the right just as the ball sailed past, deflecting the
ball down the first base line. While Jackson continued to deny it,
Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, along with other eyewitnesses,
steadfastly believed the Yankees outfielder purposefully interfered in
the play.
The Yankees tied it in the eighth when Munson doubled home Paul Blair .
The score remained tied until the bottom of the tenth inning. Dodgers
rookie and Game 2 hero Bob Welch walked Roy White with one out. After
Welch retired Munson, Jackson strode to the plate for his first
confrontation with Welch since Game 2. This time, Jackson got the
better end by singling White to second. Lou Piniella then lined a single
to center, scoring White and tying the series.
The bungled Russell/Jackson play changed the game and the entire Series;
instead of the Dodgers going up 3–1 in games, the Series was then tied
and the momentum shifted to the Yankees who outscored the Dodgers 19–4
in the final two games.”
Wow. Was this shrewd baseball genius on the part of Jackson or some shadiness that should be frowned upon?
Regardless, what a huge shift in momentum that allowed the Yankees to go on to repeat as champions.
But first, the final two games! See you next week!