1977 World Series Game 6

Tuesday October 18th, 1977 @ Yankee Stadium in New York, New York

The Dodgers avoided elimination behind an explosive rout in game five, but now they’re going to have to do it on the road. Burt Hooton (12 - 7 2.62 ERA 223 IP) will get the ball with the season on the line, and the veteran righty was absolutely brilliant in game two. To stay alive in this series, LA manager Tommy Lasorda will need the man he jocularly called “Happy” to deliver once again.

The Yankees are just one win away from securing their 21st World Series trophy, but all is far from well in the Bronx. The originally scheduled starter was Ed Figueroa, but a finger issue and questions of effectiveness made manager Billy Martin turn to righty Mike Torrez (17 - 13 3.88 ERA 243 IP). The Figueroa Situation became headline news as he threatened to leave the team and fly back to Puerto Rico upon hearing he wouldn’t pitch. Tensions were eventually resolved there, but it was not the only problem in the clubhouse. Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Billy Martin, George Steinbrenner, and the press were all feuding with one another, and there was a bombshell report suggesting that Martin would be fired if the Yanks lost the series. To the shock of many, GM Gabe Paul announced before game 6 that Martin signed a contract extension through the 1979 season. A brilliant chess move from “the Boss”, but it would only work if the Yankees could seal the deal tonight. And to really quell the doubts, a superstar performance may be required.

Audio clips from joeydbball on Youtube. ABC broadcast with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Tom Seaver. Postgame with Bill White

As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, boxscores, background information, and much, much more.

Catch you next time,

P.C.O.