My biggest memory of Space Man was Game 7 of the '75 World Series in Fenway Park. Lee was cruising. The 'Sox had the lead. The Big Red Machine could not figure him out that night. He kept the Reds off balance with high leg kick, by changing speeds, and throwing strikes. Things were looking good. Until. He went to the well one time too many. Throughout the night, he threw a few "moon balls", high and slow breaking balls that Reds hitters just froze and stared into the strike zone. Not Tony Perez. He waited and smashed the pitch practically to the moon, well, over the Green Monster's screen. It took the wind out of me that October evening. Lee developed a blister and the 'Sox had to go to their tired bullpen. Brought in LHP Rogelio Moret who could not find the strike zone. I kept hearing Joe Garagiola call "ball". The Reds went on to win Game 7 and World Series 4 games to 3. Though I liked the Reds, it was heart-breaking to see the 'Sox let one slip away.
Here was their starting rotation:
RHP Luis Tiant
RHP Rick Wise
RHP Reggie Cleveland
LHP Bill Lee
LHP Rogelio Moret
Starting line-up
C Pudge Fisk
1B Cecil Cooper
2B Denny Doyle
SS Rick Burleson
3B Rico Petrocelli
LF Yaz
CF Fred Lynn
RF Dwight Evans
DH Jim Rice was on the DL and could not play in the WS. What a team! Though, they had a week bullpen (other than CL Dick Drago and Set up Jim Willoughby).
Wow,63! I shouldn't make a fuss about age. My Dad will be 66 and he still plays, although it's over-60 softball. Kudos to Bill Lee for his altheticism!! I think it's great. In my Dad's case, when I hear tales about his latest injury I have to emphasize to him that he may still have the mental desire to slide into second, but his body has other ideas!
ReplyDeleteLooking at the lineup for the Sox '75 WS, all I can say is wow! Yaz, Freddy Lynn and Dewey were awesome. I see my best buddy, El Tiante, is mentioned. He still looks good today. I have to say that it was quite the thrill to meet him at Jerry Remy's All Star Party. I'd like to think we became fast friends. After I thanked him for signing my baseball, he said "no problem, baby." (Course, he was going around calling all the women baby, but none of us seemed to mind!) He's a little more gray than I remembered him, but who isn't?!