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.
The 1972 season began with a player’s strike and ended with the Oakland A’s winning the World Series.
After defeating the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series in five games, the A’s won their first of three titles that year as they defeated the Cincinnati Reds in a seven-game battle in the Fall Classic.
Pitching was a major part of the success of the A’s with the staff posting a 2.58 ERA, which was second in the AL.
Catfish Hunter was the leader of the group as he won 21 games, but finished fourth in the Cy Young Award balloting as Gaylord Perry of Cleveland took the honor.
Hunter was one of six players to pick votes for the Most Valuable Player Award in the AL with Joe Rudi finishing second behind Chicago’s Dick Allen. In addition to Rudi and Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando, Mike Epstein and Bert Campaneris also picked up votes.
Despite just hitting five homers during the regular season, Gene Tenace became a star as the World Series MVP with long balls in his first two at bats against the Reds. Overall, he hit four homers and drove in nine runs to lead the A’s to their first championship since 1930 when they were located in Philadelphia.
Primary Batting Order
Bert Campaneris ss (8 HR, 32 RBI, 52 SB)
Joe Rudi lf (19 HR, 75 RBI, .305)
Reggie Jackson rf (25 HR, 75 RBI)
Sal Bando 3b (15 HR, 77 RBI)
Mike Epstein 1b (26 HR, 70 RBI)
Gene Tenace c (5 HR, 32 RBI)
Angel Mangual cf (5 HR, 32 RBI)
Tim Cullen 2b (15 RBI)
Primary Starting Pitchers
Catfish Hunter (21-7, 2.04 ERA)
Ken Holtzman (19-11, 2.51 ERA)
Blue Moon Odom (15-6, 2.50 ERA)
Vida Blue (6-10, 2.80 ERA)
Dave Hamilton (6-6, 2.93 ERA)