Editor’s note: The 27 * 61 Yankees Replay games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will not be used for any games. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.
A late rally by the 1972 Oakland A’s stunned the 1961 New York Yankees.
Three runs by Oakland in the top of the ninth erased a one-run deficit giving the A’s a 3-1 victory in Yankee Stadium.
New York starter Bud Daley had blanked the A’s on five hits with three strikeouts heading into the final frame.
After retiring the first two hitters, Oakland’s Tim Cullen doubled and New York manager Ralph Houk was calling his bullpen to bring Luis Arroyo to the mound.
Pinch-hitter Don Mincher greeted Arroyo with a RBI single that tied the affair at 1-1.
Oakland’s Bert Campaneris followed with a double that got by Yankees centerfielder Mickey Mantle that put runners at second and third.
Both runners would score on Joe Rudi‘s decisive single that brought home Mincher and Campaneris.
Rollie Fingers worked a perfect ninth to save the victory for starter Dave Hamilton, who went eight innings and gave up eight hits with three strikeouts.
Rudi and Cullen had three hits apiece to lead the A’s.
The Yankees scored their run in the first inning on a RBI double by Yogi Berra.
New York meets the 1924 Washington Senators in a four-game series in Griffith Stadium.
Whitey Ford gets the ball from Houk in the opener, the Senators manager Bucky Harris counters with Walter Johnson.
27 * 61 Replay Standings
1927 New York Yankees (10-5)
1961 New York Yankees (8-7)
1924 Washington Senators (2-2)
1972 Oakland A’s (6-8)
2004 Boston Red Sox (4-8)
1948 Cleveland Indians (0-0)
1968 Detroit Tigers (0-0)
1970 Baltimore Orioles (0-0)
2005 Chicago White Sox (0-0)
27 * 61 Home Run Totals
Lou Gehrig 7
Roger Maris 6
Babe Ruth 5
Mickey Mantle 4