Comments on: Card Corner: The 1976 Pennant http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Sun, 19 May 2013 22:08:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: MichiganYankee http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236695 MichiganYankee Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:52:30 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236695 You were born in 1965 and you remember Mantle's <i>decline and retirement</i>? You must have been a prodigy! I was born in 1963, and I vaguely remember Mantle's retirement but certainly not his decline. Your memorize and emotions pretty much match up with mine. A couple of additional points: - 1974 was a bit of a heartbreak, chasing the Orioles through September and falling just short. - 1976 was the only season that I recall as being a "success" without a World Championship. One or two wins against the Reds would have been nice, but the sweep did not dampen the luster of the pennant. On a personal note, my grandparents had promised my brothers and me tickets to "a ballgame of our choice." We were considering requesting tickets to an Olympic event in Montreal, but we decided instead to wait for the ALCS. Postseason tickets were sold in blocks back then (i.e. you had to purchase a seat for all three home games), and we could only keep one of the three. I knew in my gut that the series would go 5 games, but we still decided to "play it safe" and keep the ticket to Game 3. You were born in 1965 and you remember Mantle’s decline and retirement? You must have been a prodigy! I was born in 1963, and I vaguely remember Mantle’s retirement but certainly not his decline.

Your memorize and emotions pretty much match up with mine. A couple of additional points:
- 1974 was a bit of a heartbreak, chasing the Orioles through September and falling just short.
- 1976 was the only season that I recall as being a “success” without a World Championship. One or two wins against the Reds would have been nice, but the sweep did not dampen the luster of the pennant.

On a personal note, my grandparents had promised my brothers and me tickets to “a ballgame of our choice.” We were considering requesting tickets to an Olympic event in Montreal, but we decided instead to wait for the ALCS. Postseason tickets were sold in blocks back then (i.e. you had to purchase a seat for all three home games), and we could only keep one of the three. I knew in my gut that the series would go 5 games, but we still decided to “play it safe” and keep the ticket to Game 3.

]]> By: Joel http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236694 Joel Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:58:35 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236694 [9] Thurm was in his prime, winning the MVP that year. And oddly enough, Bench had an off year in '76. [9] Thurm was in his prime, winning the MVP that year. And oddly enough, Bench had an off year in ’76.

]]> By: Joel http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236693 Joel Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:52:13 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236693 Joe Morgan was .320/.444/.576/1.020 with a 187 OPS+ in 1976. Joe Morgan was .320/.444/.576/1.020 with a 187 OPS+ in 1976.

]]> By: Rich http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236692 Rich Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:52:08 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236692 [8] And then Sparky Anderson added insult to injury following the series. From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurman_Munson" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a>: <blockquote>In the 1976 World Series, Munson batted .529 and collected six consecutive hits to tie a World Series record set by Goose Goslin of the Washington Senators in 1925 (also in a losing effort). After this hitting performance, which included a 4-for-4 night in the final game at Yankee Stadium, Reds manager Sparky Anderson was asked by a reporter to compare Munson with his catcher, Johnny Bench. Anderson's comment at the post-World Series press conference, "You don't compare anyone to Johnny Bench. You don't want to embarrass anybody", may have been a tribute to his great player, but it angered Munson.[1]</blockquote> [8] And then Sparky Anderson added insult to injury following the series.

From Wikipedia:

In the 1976 World Series, Munson batted .529 and collected six consecutive hits to tie a World Series record set by Goose Goslin of the Washington Senators in 1925 (also in a losing effort). After this hitting performance, which included a 4-for-4 night in the final game at Yankee Stadium, Reds manager Sparky Anderson was asked by a reporter to compare Munson with his catcher, Johnny Bench. Anderson’s comment at the post-World Series press conference, “You don’t compare anyone to Johnny Bench. You don’t want to embarrass anybody”, may have been a tribute to his great player, but it angered Munson.[1]

]]> By: Joel http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236691 Joel Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:48:09 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236691 [5] I remember watching the player intros and thinking, "Boy the Reds are good." I always thought the Yanks were psyched out in that Series. [5] I remember watching the player intros and thinking, “Boy the Reds are good.” I always thought the Yanks were psyched out in that Series.

]]> By: Just Fair http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236690 Just Fair Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:47:12 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236690 This is by far the most satisying pennant for me. I grew with the the shitty teams of the 80's on WPIX. During the playoff years of the mid 90's I was stuck in Pittsburgh as a college kid yelling at the TV by myself. The great teams of the 90's I was in Colorado, pretty far removed from the baseball scene. I watched all the playoff games, but hardly ever saw a regular season game. The early noughts I was stuck in Maryland listening to a static filled radio on the floor. I moved back to New York in 03 and it's been bad news since. So yeah, I'm pretty gd excited this time around. : D So that's my life in a blogshell. This is by far the most satisying pennant for me. I grew with the the shitty teams of the 80′s on WPIX. During the playoff years of the mid 90′s I was stuck in Pittsburgh as a college kid yelling at the TV by myself. The great teams of the 90′s I was in Colorado, pretty far removed from the baseball scene. I watched all the playoff games, but hardly ever saw a regular season game. The early noughts I was stuck in Maryland listening to a static filled radio on the floor.
I moved back to New York in 03 and it’s been bad news since. So yeah, I’m pretty gd excited this time around. : D So that’s my life in a blogshell.

]]> By: BuckFoston http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236689 BuckFoston Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:38:39 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236689 Lohud reporting Hinske for Guzman as expected, but Cervelli left off and Bruney added as well. Lohud reporting Hinske for Guzman as expected, but Cervelli left off and Bruney added as well.

]]> By: Rich http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236688 Rich Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:33:15 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236688 Watching Chambliss's HR on TV remains a memorable moment, but the way the Reds annihilated the Yankees in the WS that year did diminish the excitement somewhat. Watching Chambliss’s HR on TV remains a memorable moment, but the way the Reds annihilated the Yankees in the WS that year did diminish the excitement somewhat.

]]> By: Joel http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236687 Joel Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:32:16 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236687 I remember my dad saying "he caught it" (referring to McRae--I thought it was Al Cowens), but when I saw the fans leaping out of the bleachers and then heard Cosell say "Chris Chambliss has won the American League Pennant..." What a moment. Must be something about "new" Yankee Stadiums. I remember my dad saying “he caught it” (referring to McRae–I thought it was Al Cowens), but when I saw the fans leaping out of the bleachers and then heard Cosell say “Chris Chambliss has won the American League Pennant…”

What a moment. Must be something about “new” Yankee Stadiums.

]]> By: williamnyy23 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236686 williamnyy23 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:25:54 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236686 The 1976 victory was before my time as a fan, but I obviously knew a lot about it from the moment I started following the team. During the barren decade of the 1980s, that game was like a beacon. I always dreamed what it would be like for the Yankees to make the World Series. Even though they had won it in 1977-78, the Chambliss HR was still the signature moment because it was getting there that remained so elusive. For that reason, the 1996 ALCS should rank as my top ALCS, but the 2003 has it beat. That series was so intense, and the games so nerve wracking, that I can’t imagine anything topping it. Having said that, this ALCS isn’t far behind, and probably on the same level as 1996. For many reasons, this year was about more than just advancing to the World Series…there were a lot of side stories and ghosts that had to be overcome, not the least of which was the 2004 ALCS collapse. Even though a lot is still riding on the outcome of this World Series, it’s almost like making it back to the World Series has erased a lot of the doubt that had begun to creep into the mindset. The 1976 victory was before my time as a fan, but I obviously knew a lot about it from the moment I started following the team. During the barren decade of the 1980s, that game was like a beacon. I always dreamed what it would be like for the Yankees to make the World Series. Even though they had won it in 1977-78, the Chambliss HR was still the signature moment because it was getting there that remained so elusive.

For that reason, the 1996 ALCS should rank as my top ALCS, but the 2003 has it beat. That series was so intense, and the games so nerve wracking, that I can’t imagine anything topping it. Having said that, this ALCS isn’t far behind, and probably on the same level as 1996. For many reasons, this year was about more than just advancing to the World Series…there were a lot of side stories and ghosts that had to be overcome, not the least of which was the 2004 ALCS collapse. Even though a lot is still riding on the outcome of this World Series, it’s almost like making it back to the World Series has erased a lot of the doubt that had begun to creep into the mindset.

]]> By: Yankee Mama http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236685 Yankee Mama Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:21:47 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236685 Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I always felt short-changed with respect to Mantle as I too, was born in the 60s. My brother, ten years my senior had real Yankee heroes with Mantle at the helm, whereas I had envy. That year,1976, I felt the beginnings of hope and I adored Chris Chambliss. He seemed like such a nice guy and I was happy when good things happened to him, like not being able to step on homeplate from a well-timed shot to right field. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I always felt short-changed with respect to Mantle as I too, was born in the 60s. My brother, ten years my senior had real Yankee heroes with Mantle at the helm, whereas I had envy.

That year,1976, I felt the beginnings of hope and I adored Chris Chambliss. He seemed like such a nice guy and I was happy when good things happened to him, like not being able to step on homeplate from a well-timed shot to right field.

]]> By: williamnyy23 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/10/28/card-corner-the-1976-pennant/#comment-236684 williamnyy23 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:19:31 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=25547#comment-236684 One interesting note about the Chambliss AB was it was preceded by a considerable delay because fans had begun to throw objects on the field. After an announcement by Sheppard and righteous condemnation by Cosell, the game resumed and Chambliss quickly ended it. Another interesting note about the game was Reggie Jackson was in the booth. When Chambliss waited for his AB to resume, I think Jackson said something about Chambliss looking like he was “in heat”. With the top button of his jersey undone, I guess you could say he was feeling a little hot under the collar. Also in that broadcast, Cosell talked about how George Steinbrenner had taken Mickey Rivers to task for lackluster play, and by doing so had inspired him to play better. Reggie commented about how it was funny that a man with no playing experience could instruct Rivers on how to play the game; talk about foreshadowing some of the fun that would take place over the next 5 years. One interesting note about the Chambliss AB was it was preceded by a considerable delay because fans had begun to throw objects on the field. After an announcement by Sheppard and righteous condemnation by Cosell, the game resumed and Chambliss quickly ended it.

Another interesting note about the game was Reggie Jackson was in the booth. When Chambliss waited for his AB to resume, I think Jackson said something about Chambliss looking like he was “in heat”. With the top button of his jersey undone, I guess you could say he was feeling a little hot under the collar. Also in that broadcast, Cosell talked about how George Steinbrenner had taken Mickey Rivers to task for lackluster play, and by doing so had inspired him to play better. Reggie commented about how it was funny that a man with no playing experience could instruct Rivers on how to play the game; talk about foreshadowing some of the fun that would take place over the next 5 years.

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