Sunday, August 16, 2020

MISSING IN ACTION- 1979 WORLD SERIES GAME 4

 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!