Editor’s note: Second Chance Tournament games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter is also being used for all games. The first and second rounds will be decided with a best of three series, while the championship series will be a best of five format.
Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine was just hitting its stride in 1970 with the group’s first appearance in the post-season after winning 102 games under rookie manager Sparky Anderson.
After sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National Championship Series, the Reds fell four games to one to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.
Johnny Bench topped the NL in homers and RBI to win the Most Valuable Player Award with teammate Tony Perez finishing in third.
On the mound, Jim Merritt won 20-games for the only time in his 11-year career.
The Reds also switched playing venues during this season as they began in Crosley Field and ended in Riverfront Stadium, which would be the site of the famous Pete Rose–Ray Fosse collision during the all-star game.
The Batting Order
Pete Rose RF (15 HR, 52 RBI, .316)
Bobby Tolan CF (16 HR, 80 RBI, .316)
Lee May 1B (34 HR, 94 RBI)
Tony Perez 3B (40 HR, 129 RBI, .317)
Johnny Bench C (45 HR, 148 RBI)
Bernie Carbo LF (21 HR, 63 RBI, .310)
Hal McRae DH (8 HR, 23 RBI)
Dave Concepcion SS (1 HR, 19 RBI)
Tommy Helms 2B (1 HR 45 RBI)
Starting Pitchers
Don Gullett (5-2, 2.43 ERA)
Gary Nolan (18-7, 3.27 ERA)
Wayne Simpson (14-3, 3.02 ERA)
Second Chance Tournament First Round Schedule
1970 Cincinnati Reds at 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers at 1970 Cincinnati Reds
1970 Cincinnati Reds at 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers, if necessary