The A's won the first two games of the series at home. One of the Series' most memorable moments came in the seventh inning of Game 2. Bert Campaneris came to bat, having had three hits, two runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first three at-bats in the game. Lerrin LaGrow's first pitch hit Campaneris in the ankle. Campaneris staggered for a moment, glared at LaGrow and then flung his bat toward the mound. The bat spiraled at LaGrow five feet off the ground, but LaGrow ducked, and the bat narrowly missed LaGrow, landing a few feet behind the mound. A bench-clearing brawl ensued, and Tigers manager Billy Martin had to be restrained by umpires and teammates to prevent him from going after Campaneris. Both LaGrow and Campaneris were suspended for the rest of the ALCS.
The League Championship Series was promulgated in 1969, when both the National League and the American League increased in size from ten teams to twelve with the addition, via expansion, of the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres to the former and the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Pilots (now the Milwaukee Brewers of the NL) to the latter. Concomitant with this, both leagues formed Eastern and Western Divisions, the first-place teams from which faced off in the LCS.
Originally, the League Championship Series were best-of-five using the 2–3 format in which the team without home field advantage hosted the first two games and the team with it hosted the remaining game(s), making it impossible for the disadvantage team to win the series at home. It also allowed those teams the unusual luxury of starting a series at home, possibly having home field advantage in a three game series, and a guarantee that they play the maximum number of games possible at home (2).
This was the first postseason series played entirely indoors, as both teams played in domed stadiums.
Minnesota outfielder Kirby Puckett was named the Series MVP, based on his .429 batting average, two home runs, and five RBI.
Background
The Twins rose from last place in 1990 (a 74-88 record) and finished the 1991 regular season with a 95–67 record (.586), handily winning the American League West division crown by eight games over the Chicago White Sox. The Blue Jays were similarly successful during the 1991 season, compiling a 91–71 record (.562) and winning the American League East division by seven games over the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. The Twins and Blue Jays played their final regular season series against each other (after both teams had clinched their respective divisions and were resting their starters), with the Blue Jays winning two of the three games. Newspapers were predicting a series of tense and close contests in the following ALCS.
To reach the 2013 ALCS, the Red Sox (East Division champions, 97–65) defeated the AL Wild Card Game-winning Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS, 3 games to 1. The Tigers (Central Division champions, 93–69) defeated the AL West Champion Oakland Athletics in the ALDS, 3 games to 2.
Five Tiger pitchers (Aníbal Sánchez, Al Alburquerque, José Veras, Drew Smyly and Joaquín Benoit) combined to strike out 17 and hold the Red Sox hitless for 8.3333333333333!81⁄3 innings. Starter Sánchez struck out 12 and walked six through six shutout innings, but was lifted after throwing 116 pitches. Daniel Nava broke up the no-hitter with a one-out single in the ninth off Benoit. He was then lifted for a pinch-runner, former Tiger Quintin Berry, who stole second base with two outs but was stranded there when Xander Bogaerts popped to shortstop to end the game. Benoit lost the no-hitter, but he earned the save, and the Tigers held on to win 1–0. The only run of the game scored in the sixth when Jhonny Peralta, the only player with multiple hits in the game (three), drove in Miguel Cabrera with an RBI single.
The next day, the tables were turned. Bill Buckner scored the winning run in the fifth inning on a Dwight Evans double, and the Red Sox tacked on insurance runs in the seventh and eighth. Boston claimed a 9–2 victory and tied the series at one game apiece.
Detroit Tigers at Oakland A's as broadcasted by NBC
published: 29 May 2020
1972 ALCS TIGERS VS A'S
Highlights from the under appreciated 1972 ALCS with scoreboard graphics. Special thanks for TallTallDaddy1 for posting this series originally.
published: 24 Dec 2017
10/11/1972 ALCS Game 4 Clips
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Detroit Tigers thrilling 10-inning, 4-3 win at home over the Oakland A's in Game #4 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
published: 19 Dec 2020
10/7/1972 ALCS Game 1 Clips
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Oakland A's thrilling 11-inning, 3-2 win at home over the Detroit Tigers in Game #1 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
published: 13 Dec 2017
10/8/1972 ALCS Game 2 (Campy Bat-Throwing Incident)
Broadcast clip of the Bert Campaneris bat-throwing incident during the bottom of the 7th inning. This footage is from NBC, but it was missing from the archival copy. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
published: 03 Dec 2017
1972 ALCS Game 5 A's 2 Tigers 1
published: 07 Feb 2019
10/12/1972 ALCS Game 5 Clips with Post-Game
NBC-TV broadcast clips, including final out & post-game, from the Oakland A's thrilling 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game #5 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
published: 20 Dec 2020
Bill Freehan Detroit Tigers Home Run 1972 ALCS
A clip of Bill Freehan of the Detroit Tigers homering during Game 3 of the 1972 ALCS. Legendary Hall of Farmer George Kell on the play-by-play call.
published: 19 Dec 2020
HOF BIO Episode 272: MIKE SCHMIDT + Trivia X 2 + FFF Box + Topps S for 7 Thumbs UP in the LIVE1 MEGA
HOF BIO Episode 272: MIKE SCHMIDT +
Trivia X 2 +
FairField FFriday Box Opening +
Topps S1 Mega Box opening for 7 Thumbs UP in the LIVE
published: 27 Jul 2024
1972 ALCS Game 4 - Tigers 4 A's 3 (10 innings)
A repeat of the pitching matchup from Game 1 (Hunter vs. Lolich), this one really hurt. After the A's scored 2 in the top of the 10th and were 3 outs away from the pennant, the Tigers scored 3 in the bottom half and forced a decisive game 5......and the A's never got an out! The A's would routinely pinch-hit for their second baseman, and when Dick Green got hurt they put Gene Tenace (who would be a hero in 2 weeks time) there, to disastrous effect. A classic game to be sure.
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Detroit Tigers thrilling 10-inning, 4-3 win at home over the Oakland A's in Game #4 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters ar...
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Detroit Tigers thrilling 10-inning, 4-3 win at home over the Oakland A's in Game #4 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Detroit Tigers thrilling 10-inning, 4-3 win at home over the Oakland A's in Game #4 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Oakland A's thrilling 11-inning, 3-2 win at home over the Detroit Tigers in Game #1 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters ar...
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Oakland A's thrilling 11-inning, 3-2 win at home over the Detroit Tigers in Game #1 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Oakland A's thrilling 11-inning, 3-2 win at home over the Detroit Tigers in Game #1 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
Broadcast clip of the Bert Campaneris bat-throwing incident during the bottom of the 7th inning. This footage is from NBC, but it was missing from the archival ...
Broadcast clip of the Bert Campaneris bat-throwing incident during the bottom of the 7th inning. This footage is from NBC, but it was missing from the archival copy. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
Broadcast clip of the Bert Campaneris bat-throwing incident during the bottom of the 7th inning. This footage is from NBC, but it was missing from the archival copy. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
NBC-TV broadcast clips, including final out & post-game, from the Oakland A's thrilling 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game #5 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV ...
NBC-TV broadcast clips, including final out & post-game, from the Oakland A's thrilling 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game #5 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
NBC-TV broadcast clips, including final out & post-game, from the Oakland A's thrilling 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game #5 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
A repeat of the pitching matchup from Game 1 (Hunter vs. Lolich), this one really hurt. After the A's scored 2 in the top of the 10th and were 3 outs away from...
A repeat of the pitching matchup from Game 1 (Hunter vs. Lolich), this one really hurt. After the A's scored 2 in the top of the 10th and were 3 outs away from the pennant, the Tigers scored 3 in the bottom half and forced a decisive game 5......and the A's never got an out! The A's would routinely pinch-hit for their second baseman, and when Dick Green got hurt they put Gene Tenace (who would be a hero in 2 weeks time) there, to disastrous effect. A classic game to be sure.
A repeat of the pitching matchup from Game 1 (Hunter vs. Lolich), this one really hurt. After the A's scored 2 in the top of the 10th and were 3 outs away from the pennant, the Tigers scored 3 in the bottom half and forced a decisive game 5......and the A's never got an out! The A's would routinely pinch-hit for their second baseman, and when Dick Green got hurt they put Gene Tenace (who would be a hero in 2 weeks time) there, to disastrous effect. A classic game to be sure.
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Detroit Tigers thrilling 10-inning, 4-3 win at home over the Oakland A's in Game #4 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
NBC-TV broadcast clips from the Oakland A's thrilling 11-inning, 3-2 win at home over the Detroit Tigers in Game #1 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
Broadcast clip of the Bert Campaneris bat-throwing incident during the bottom of the 7th inning. This footage is from NBC, but it was missing from the archival copy. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
NBC-TV broadcast clips, including final out & post-game, from the Oakland A's thrilling 2-1 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game #5 of the 1972 ALCS. The NBC-TV broadcasters are Jim Simpson and Sandy Koufax. I claim no ownership of this material, and do not profit from it in any way. This clip is intended for historical and educational purposes.
A repeat of the pitching matchup from Game 1 (Hunter vs. Lolich), this one really hurt. After the A's scored 2 in the top of the 10th and were 3 outs away from the pennant, the Tigers scored 3 in the bottom half and forced a decisive game 5......and the A's never got an out! The A's would routinely pinch-hit for their second baseman, and when Dick Green got hurt they put Gene Tenace (who would be a hero in 2 weeks time) there, to disastrous effect. A classic game to be sure.
The A's won the first two games of the series at home. One of the Series' most memorable moments came in the seventh inning of Game 2. Bert Campaneris came to bat, having had three hits, two runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first three at-bats in the game. Lerrin LaGrow's first pitch hit Campaneris in the ankle. Campaneris staggered for a moment, glared at LaGrow and then flung his bat toward the mound. The bat spiraled at LaGrow five feet off the ground, but LaGrow ducked, and the bat narrowly missed LaGrow, landing a few feet behind the mound. A bench-clearing brawl ensued, and Tigers manager Billy Martin had to be restrained by umpires and teammates to prevent him from going after Campaneris. Both LaGrow and Campaneris were suspended for the rest of the ALCS.
Impossible as it seems, your sweet and wholesome hometown Baseball Bois just defeated their loathsome division rival the Houston *Asterisks in Game 7 of the AmericanLeague Championship Series by a score of 11-4.
Sal Bando, the mustachioed third baseman and captain on the “Swingin’ A’s” teams that won three straight WorldSeries titles from 1972-1974 has died after a battle with cancer.