It will be the Oakland Athletics verses the Pittsburgh Pirates, my closest chance (so far) since taking over the Oakland ownership reins in later 1974, that I have at a World Championship. I have got the A's to the 1975 & 1976 American League Championship Series, only to fall short.
Hopefully this time will be different.
I also question how long do I continue this project for, if I obviously don't win a championship here, I will try again, for at least through 1980. If I don't accomplish a championship by 1980, I would definitely have to close down shop. Then there is the question, what happens if I do win this one, maybe lose the next, but win another... How long do I continue, and can I really call it the Oakland Dynasty project? Would it be more like what the current 2022 NBA Golden State Warriors may be in the middle of? You wouldn't really call this 22' Warriors team part of the same dynasty from 2015-2018 years, but more of a variation that comes from that period, but is its own identity.
I think I could have more of a case in saying that (if I win a couple here) that this Oakland team could be considered part of that dynasty, since I do have some players from that period, and that I am much closer to our most recent championship, with two non-champion seasons lying in between.
Anyways, maybe I am getting a little ahead of myself, first I have to (in the words of fictional Jake Taylor from Major League)... "Win the whole damn thing".
The Oakland Athletics are coming off a sweep of the New York Yankees, who were in no shape anything like the tougher real life 1977 Yankees. For one thing I have Reggie Jackson, and the Pirates have the captain Thurman Munson in this alternate reality. The Yankees' three best hitters were Roy White, Toby Harrah & John Mayberry (who for a playoff team, is not that scary to face). Their rotation was the strong part, along with a good bullpen that featured our former closer Rollie Fingers. The Yankees were definitely the worse of the last four teams remaining, and now they have been eliminated.
Neither the Pirates or the Los Angeles Dodgers were ever going to be easy, and to be honest either one would be the favorite compared to us. The Pirates came back from a 3-1 series deficit against Dodgers to win the N.L. Championship Series. The Pirates from July onward soared past the New York Mets in the N.L. East, and played better than the Dodgers did during the 2nd half. Dodgers had no challenge and practically had the N.L. West settled by late May, as they won the division by 16 games.
So now onto the World Series...
Game 1 (at Pittsburgh)
The visiting Athletics sent their workhorse Vida Blue to the mound for Game 1 to counter a tough Pirates lineup which features Munson, Dave Parker, Al Oliver, Richie Zisk, Omar Moreno (coming off a solid NLCS) & George Scott.
The Pirates' Willie Randolph was the player of the game, batting a perfect 4-for-4, with a triple, double, two singles & a walk, while driving in two runs, and scoring three times. Parker, a huge favorite in the National League for MVP hit a three-run home during the bottom of the 5th. Oakland's Blue allowed 7 runs, but only 2 of those runs were earned.
Pittsburgh won 10-6, despite that Oakland led 4-1 until that fateful bottom of the 5th. Bruce Kison (2.70 ERA) earns his 2nd win of the postseason.
Game 2 (at Pittsburgh)
Despite giving up a two-run homer to the Pirates' Richie Zisk during the bottom of the 1st, Oakland bounced back to win the game, 7-3, and tied the series, 1-1.
Oakland starter, big free agent landing Steve Carlton had his best performance of the postseason, allowing 3 runs & 6 hits in a complete game victory. Carlton not only did damage with his arm, but with his bat, hitting a two-run single off of Jim Rooker during the top of the 2nd to tie the game, 2-2.
Only up 5-3, Oakland's Doug DeCinces added insurance with a two-run home run off of Jim Lonborg during the top of the 7th.
Game 3 (at Oakland)
Chet Lemon of the Oakland Athletics came into the game, batting .150 (3 hits) during his last 20 at-bats. Lemon picked a great day to leave a sour taste in the mouths of the Pirates, collecting 2 hits in 3 at-bats, with a solo HR during the 2nd & RBI single during the 5th. Lemon also drew a walk, while scoring twice.
The Athletics' Gene Tenace hit his 2nd HR of the postseason, while Hal McRae collected two doubles to give him 5 doubles in the playoffs so far.
Jerry Koosman (who entered with a 1.00 postseason ERA) earned the sloppy win, allowing 8 hits, 5 runs, 4 walks & 2 homers. Starter John Candelaria and Dock Ellis were horrible for Pittsburgh, as the two combined allowed 12 hits & 9 runs.
Dave Parker hit his 4th HR & 9th RBI of the postseason for the Buccos.
Oakland wins 9-5, as Oakland added 3 runs during the bottom of the 8th, to give them breathing room. Oakland leads the series, 2-1.
Game 4 (at Oakland)
The Athletics thought about going with rookie Matt Keough (14-6, 3.27 ERA in 27 GS) for Game 4, but decided to go with their ace Vida Blue in an attempt to give the Athletics a 3-1 stranglehold for the series. Blue is 1-1 with a 1.32 ERA & no-hitter this postseason. Blue also won 23 games with a 1.99 ERA during the regular season. Blue will face off against the Pirates' Steve Stone.
The decision to go with Blue proves to be the right decision. Although Blue would look more human this one, by giving up 13 hits & 3 runs, while only striking out two hitters. Stone was doing his best to keep Pittsburgh in the game, until the bottom of the 6th.
Oakland entered the bottom of the 6th with a slight 3-2 edge, but got some much needed runs through an RBI single by Joe Rudi & a two-run homer by Phil Garner, putting the game further away, 6-2. Oakland would go on to win, 6-3, and one win away from a title.
Game 5 (at Oakland)
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in familiar ground, a 3-1 series deficit. The Pirates came back during the NLCS to stun the Dodgers, can they do the same to the Athletics?
The Pirates did lead 1-0 after the top of the 3rd, thanks to a RBI single by Willie Randolph. The Athletics answered back during the bottom-half of that inning with a RBI single by Hal McRae & RBI double by Reggie Jackson to give Oakland a 2-1 lead. Little did either team know, that would be the last scoring for either team.
Oakland made the score stick, thanks to rookie starter Matt Keough's 120 pitch night, which yielding one unearned run, 8 hits & a walk, leading to a complete game win.
It really was a group effort by the entire team during the entire series, while Reggie Jackson stands out slightly with his World Series MVP trophy -- batting 8-for-20 with 2 home runs, 5 RBI & 1.235 OPS (.435 OBP). The Pirates' Dave Parker batted .364 with 2 HR, 5 RBI & 1.073 OPS, while Willie Randolph batted .450 with 1 HR, 2 triples & 7 RBI (1.372 OPS) in a losing effort.
The Pirates' top 5 hitters (all with at least 18 AB's) batted .333 & above. The rest of the team -- batted only .162 (12-for-74).
The Oakland Athletics are World Champions for the 4th time in 6 years, and for the 9th time in their franchise history.
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