Editor’s note: How good were the 1975 Cincinnati Reds? The best way to end the speculation is to challenge the team with a 162-game season against some great teams. This series has advanced to the post-season as the Reds finished 100-63 in games played with the Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The 1969 New York Mets “won” the NL East with a 7-5 record against the Reds. The ALCS teams are the actual participants in the post-season.
Johnny Bench set off a celebration in Cincinnati as the Reds won their second straight contest in the National League Championship Series at Riverfront Stadium.
With the score tied in the bottom of the 10th, Bench smacked a walk-off double to give the Reds a 2-1 victory over the New York Mets.
The Reds lead the series 2-0 as the two teams head to Shea Stadium for game three in the best of five.
Despite giving up two hits in the top of the 10th, Pedro Borbon (1-0) picked up the victory as he didn’t allow a run in his inning of work.
George Foster gave the Reds an early 1-0 advantage off Mets starter Jerry Koosman. Koosman went nine innings as he held the Reds scoreless on five hits with nine strikeouts,
The Mets manufactured a run in the eighth to break up a shutout by Gary Nolan.
J.C. Martin singled to begin the top of the eighth. Koosman moved Martin to second with a sacrifice bunt.
Bud Harrelson‘s infield single sent Martin to third and Nolan to the showers.
Will McEnaney walked Wayne Garrett, which loaded the bases. Cleon Jones hit a sacrifice fly to Foster in left that allowed Martin to score to tie it at 1-1.
Rawly Eastwick worked a scoreless ninth, while Koosman left for a pinch-hitter after sending the game to extra innings.
After the Mets didn’t score in the 10th, the Reds started the winning rally with a one-out single by Ken Griffey.
Mets reliever Tug McGraw fanned Joe Morgan to set the stage for Bench’s double that brought home Griffey.
In New York, the Mets will have rookie Gary Gentry (13-12) on the mound to try to prevent a Reds sweep. Cincinnati manager Sparky Anderson selected lefty Fred Norman (16-11) to start for the Reds.
AL Championship Series
The third game of the American League Championship Series will be in Oakland. Dick Bosman (11-4) gets the start for Oakland as he looks to keep Boston from a sweeping the A’s. Bill Lee (17-9) is slated to get the ball for the Red Sox.
1975 Reds Replay Post-Season Schedule
American League Championship Series
Game 1 – Boston 5, Oakland 1, (Red Sox lead series 1-0)
Game 2 – Boston 8, Oakland 3, (Red Sox lead series 2-0)
Game 3 – Boston (Bill Lee 17-9) at Oakland (Dick Bosman 11-4)
Game 4 – Boston at Oakland, if necessary
Game 5 – Boston at Oakland, if necessary
National League Championship Series
Game 1 – Cincinnati 2, New York 1, (Reds lead series 1-0)
Game 2 – Cincinnati 2, New York 1 , (Reds lead series 2-0)
Game 3 – Cincinnati (Fred Norman 16-11) at New York (Gary Gentry 13-12)
Game 4 – Cincinnati at New York, if necessary
Game 5 – Cincinnati at New York, if necessary
World Series
Game 1 – NL at AL
Game 2 – NL at AL
Game 3 – AL at NL
Game 4 – AL at NL
Game 5 – AL at NL, if necessary
Game 6 – NL at AL, if necessary
Game 7 – NL at AL, if necessary