Allentown Morning Call - October 16, 1980
Phils win tough one, 6-4
Game 3 at 8:15 p.m. tomorrow in Kansas City on TV channels 3, 4, 17 and 28
The game got off to a slow start last night but then exploded into a back-and-forth tug of war. The Phils took the lead in the 5th inning with two runs. Kansas came back in the 6th with one run, and in the 7th with three. The Phillies then bounced back in the eighth with four runs to take a 6-4 lead. And that was the final score.
Phils rally for 6-4 win and 2-0 lead
4-run 8th tops K.C.
By Gordon Smith, Associate Sports Editor
PHILADELPHIA – Taking a page from their well-used come-from-behind book, the Philadelphia Phillies jumped on Kansas City relief pitcher Dan Quisenberry for four runs in the eighth inning last night to beat the Royals 6-4 and take what might prove to be an insurmountable 2-0 lead in games to Kansas City for Game 3 tomorrow of the 77th World Series.
Pinch-hitter Del Unser, Bake McBride, Mike Schmidt and Keith Moreland each knocked a run home in the clinching uprising, and righthander Ron Reed came on to save the mound victory for starter Steve Carlton.
K.C. Larry Gura worked three perfect innings while Kansas City had four hits and left five on base in a game that was scoreless after three innings.
Brett singled with two out in the first and reached second on a single by Hal McRae. Carlton worked out of the jam by getting Amos Otis to hit into a fielder's choice.
After Brett reached first, Phillies first baseman Pete Rose provoked a roar from the crowd when he jestingly faked a swing at Brett's posterior.
The Royals threatened again in the second when Willie Aikens walked with one out and advanced to second as Frank White reached first on a strikeout wild pitch. Wilson, however, struck out to end the inning.
The Royals put two on again in the third when Brett and McRae hit consecutive singles to put runners on first and second. Otis then hammered into a short-to-second-to-first double play.
The first nine Phillies went down on routine plays, including a strikeout of Garry Maddox.
Gura pitched hitless ball for 4⅓ innings before the Phillies struck for a pair of runs that gave them a 2-1 lead after six.
After Mike Schmidt grounded out to start the fifth, Keith Moreland beat but a grounder to deep third for a single. Maddox doubled into the left field corner, Moreland stopping at third.
Manny Trillo, the Most Valuable Player of the National League playoffs, then lofted a sacrifice fly to right fielder Cardenal with Moreland scoring after the catch and Maddox advancing to third. Larry Bowa then singled to left, scoring Maddox and giving the Phillies a 2-0 lead.
Bob Boone walked, but Gura got out of the inning by retiring Lonnie Smith on a fly ball.
The Royals, who had left seven on base through the first five innings, finally scored a run, although they needed the help of a throwing error by Trillo. Amos Otis opened the K.C. sixth with a single to center. John Wathan walked and when Trillo threw wild after fielding Willie Aikens' high chopper to second, Otis scored and Wathan wound up at third.
Carlton again eased out of trouble by striking out Cardenal for the left-hander's eighth strikeout of the game and getting Frank White to hit into a double play.
The Phillies threatened in the bottom of the sixth as Bake McBride walked with one out and Schmidt singled him to second. Moreland, however, grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Through the first six innings, the Phillies turned in three double plays, all started by shortstop Bowa, which tied a World Series record held by Phil Rizzuto of the New York Yankees and Maury Wills of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rizzuto turned the trick in 1951 and Wills in 1965.
Brett was replaced at third base in the sixth inning when he complained of discomfort from the hemorrhoids which had threatened to keep him from starting the game.
Willie Aikens wears the hero’s role modestly
By John Kunda, Executive Sports Editor
PHILADELPHIA – On the day George Brett became a Royal pain. Willie (you don't have to call me Willie Mays) Aikens provided the pregame entertainment.
He showed up at an early afternoon press conference at the Franklin Plaza Hotel, and despite his shyness, he held the attention of a roomful of reporters. You would have thought Pete Rose, Tug McGraw or even George Brett himself was talking.
But there was Aikens, a lanky South Carolinian, telling a lot of things about himself.
Things like:
● How he was named Willie Mays Aikens.
● How he feels uncomfortable, at times, with his name.
● How earlier this week he tried to meet Willie Mays.
● How he spent his birthday night.
● How he feels about George Brett and the rest of his Kansas City teammates.
Willie Aikens is no Willie Mays and he doesn't pretend to be. Sure, he even wears No. 24, but that was an accident.
"I was named Willie," he said, "after my uncle Willie. It was the doctor who said, 'Call him Willie Mays.’”
It seemed only natural because on the day Willie Aikens was born. Willie Mays and the New York Giants were in the World Series with the Cleveland Indians. It was in that World Series that Willie Mays made the spectacular catch on a ball hit by Vic Wertz.
That catch is one of the alltime great World Series stories.
Okay, so Willie Aikens became Willie Mays Aikens and he couldn't do a thing about it. But, in all honesty, Aikens would rather be called just plain Willie.
"I wish the announcer (the public address announcer) would just introduce me as Willie Aikens," he said. "He doesn't have to say Willie Mays Aikens. He doesn't say George Such and Such Brett or Hal Such and Such McRae when he announces those guys. Willie Aikens is simple enough."
Funny that Aikens never met his famous namesake. He tried earlier this week when the Royals came to town.
"We went to Atlantic City," Aikens said. "I heard he was working for one of those casinos. I thought I could get to meet him, but I didn't. I want to meet him before he dies, or before I die."
Aikens is not the most identifiable name on the Royals' roster. But, then, how many Royals, outside of George Brett, are?
But Aikens hit the limelight Tuesday night in Game One of the World Series. Hit a home run in a World Series and the entire country gets to know you.
If the home run happens to be your first in a World Series, and if the home run happens to come on your birthday, the story is magnified even more.
Well, it was Aikens' first home run in a World Series because this is Aikens' first World Series ever. And it came on his birthday.
Tuesday night wasn't a good night for anybody from Kansas City to be celebrating, birthday or not. The Royals lost the opener, but Aikens, pleased with his own performance, which included a second homer, celebrated, quietly.
"I had a couple of drinks right here (in the hotel bar) with a lady friend from home," he said. "We just talked about the baseball game and how happy I was to be here. Then, I just crashed.”
Aikens got a big laugh from his audience. He wouldn't define crash, but he hinted "that's a secret."
So much for the personal life of Willie Aikens.
It was no secret how Aikens wound up wearing the No. 24 on his uniform. He says he wasn't looking for it in particular.
"When I came here (to Kansas City)," he said, "I asked if my old number 22 was being used. They told me that (Dennis) Leonard had it. That left out No. 22. But they told me that I had a choice of some other numbers, and No. 24 was one of them. I said, Okay, I'll take it.'"
That ends the myth that Willie Mays Aikens grew up hoping that someday he would were No. 24. It didn't happen that way.
At 6-2 and 220 pounds, Aikens is much bigger than Mays. And their facial appearances are vastly different.
What does George Brett mean to Kansas City?
Aikens couldn't put it into words, not entirely, anyway. All he could say is that "we are a different team without him... we're a .500 ballclub without him."
Aikens didn't just point to Brett's hitting accomplishments, but he also mentioned his fielding prowess. He also talked about the intangibles, like the way the Phillies talk about Pete Rose.
"He (Brett) can lift our club," Aikens said. "He did that in New York with his home run, and he did that a couple of times during the season with a great play at third base. He has a special way about himself. We all look up to him."
Aikens gets a lot of credit for the success the Royals have had this season. He came from the Angels and added offensive punch to Kansas City.
Like everybody else, he was upstaged by Brett. It should be mentioned, though, that Aikens was second to Brett in three important run-producing departments – RBIs, home runs and game-winning RBIs.
Being second to George Brett can't be all that bad.
Series Shorts
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Greg Luzinski, the Philadelphia Phillies' designated hitter in Tuesday's opening game of the 1980 World Series against the Kansas City Royals, was out of the lineup for last night's second game because of an intestinal virus and fever.
Phillies Manager Dallas Green replaced Luzinski with rookie catcher Keith Moreland.
Luzinski struck out twice, flied to left and was hit by a pitch in the opener, won by the Phillies 7-6. He hit .228 during the regular season, part of which he spent on the disabled list with an injured knee, while Moreland, as a reserve catcher and pinch hitter, compiled a .314 average.
● ● ●
Phillies catcher Bob Boone, one of the stars of the opening game with a pair of RBI doubles, is the fourth baseball son to follow in his father's footsteps by playing in a World Series.
Boone's father, Ray, played on the Cleveland Indians' 1948 World Champions.
The other three father-son combinations with Series experience are Jim Bagby Sr., who played for the Indians in 1920, and Jim Bagby Jr., with the 1946 Boston Red Sox; Dolph Camilli of the 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers and Doug Camilli of the 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers; and Jim Hegan of the 1948 and 54 Indians, and Mike Hegan of the 1972 Oakland A's.
● ● ●
NBC Research estimates that 68 million television viewers watched Tuesday night's opening game of the 1980 World Series between the Phillies and Royals.
The figure represented a jump of some two million over last year's total of 66 million who viewed the first game of the Series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles at Baltimore, the network said.
Robin Roberts recalls the 1950 series
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Robin Roberts has been looking over the shoulder of Philadelphia Phillies ace Steve Carlton this season – and wistfully remembering the Phillies team he led to the World Series 30 years ago.
Roberts, now head coach of the University of South Florida's baseball team, quietly watched the Phillies' first Series appearance since his 1950 "Whiz Kids" on television at home with his wife Tuesday night.
Yesterday he flew to Philadelphia, where he threw out the first ball of the second game and got to see his favorite pitcher first-hand.
"I'm excited about it, and I'm extra happy because Carlton is pitching," said Roberts, who calls the veteran lefthander "the best pitcher in baseball today."
Roberts, as a 23-year-old rookie, pitched three games in the final five days of the 1950 season, including a 4-1, 10-inning win over Brooklyn on the final day to preserve the Phillies' National League pennant.
A 20-game winner during the regular season, Roberts lost a 2-1 duel to the New York Yankees' Allie Reynolds in the second game of the Yankees' Series sweep.
At the time, Carlton was a 5-year-old, playing games in North Miami.
Tuesday, Roberts sympathized with rookie Bob Walk, given the Phillies' starting assignment in the first game.
"I never felt any special pressure. The game was the only pressure I felt," Roberts recalled. "There was nothing from the fans.
"Today it's different. They are higher-paid, there's more pressure, big stadiums, big salaries, television – all big, big, big. I don't think the players are allowed time to relax and enjoy things."
Roberts said that since his retirement in 1968, he's been an avid Phillies fan. He's suffered along with other Phillie fans through the team's previous, recent failures.
"I think the team has potentially had what it takes in the last four or five years, but they weren't able to pull it off before. They've had some hard luck," he said.
This year's team, a slight underdog against Kansas City, seems different, he said.
"It's a miracle they came back. There were times when they were out of it – 12 games behind. They pulled it out in September, I hope they can pull it out now. I've never been a gambling man, but I would not bet against them. They're solid," Roberts said.
Play-by-play
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA – Play-by-play of Game Two of the 1980 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals:
Royals First
Steve Carlton's first pitch of the game was a swinging strike. Willie Wilson struck out on a pitch in the dirt and had to be thrown out by Catcher Bob Boone. U.L. Washington grounded to Larry Bowa at shortstop. George Brett bounced a single up the middle. Hal McRae, the designated hitter, singled to right, Brett stopping at second. Amos Otis bounced to third baseman Mike Schmidt, who tossed to Manny Trillo covering second.
No runs, two hits, no errors, two left.
Phillies First
Larry Gura’s first pitch was ball. Lonnie Smith flied to Otis in center. Pete Rose flied to Otis. Bake McBride popped to Brett at third.
No runs, no hits, no errors, none left.
Royals Second
John Wathan popped to Rose at first. Willie Aikens walked on a 3-1 pitch. Jose Cardenal took a third strike. Frank White struck out, but the pitch was in the dirt and White was safe at first, with Aikens moving to second. Wilson struck out.
No runs, no hits, no errors, two left.
Phillies Second
Schmidt grounded to Brett. Keith Moreland, the designated hitter, flied to Wilson in left. Garry Maddox struck out.
No runs, no hits, no errors, none left.
Royals Third
Washington took a third strike. Brett singled to center. McRae singled to left, Brett stopping at second. Otis grounded into a double play, Bowa to Trillo to Rose.
No runs, two hits, no errors, one left.
Phillies Third
Trillo filed to Otis, Bowa popped to Brett in foul territory. Boone filed to Otis.
No runs, no hits, no errors, none left.
Royals Fourth
Wathan filed to McBride in right. Aikens singled to center off Carlton's leg. Cardenal grounded into a double play, Bowa to Trillo to Rose.
No runs, one hit, no errors, none left.
Phillies Fourth
Smith struck out. Rose flied to Otis. Maddox hit a soft liner to White at second, the 12th batter retired in a row.
No runs, no hits, no errors, none left.
Royals Fifth
White grounded to Bowa. Wilson struck out. Washington singled up the middle. Brett walked on four pitches. McRae struck out.
No runs, one hit, no errors, two left.
Phillies Fifth
Schmidt grounded to Brett. Moreland got the Phillies' first hit, an infield single that Washington fielded but couldn't make the throw in time. Maddox doubled down the left field line, Moreland stopping at third. Trillo hit a sacrifice fly to Cardenal in right, scoring Moreland with the first run of the game, with Maddox going to third. Bowa singled to left, scoring Maddox. Boone walked on a 3-1 pitch. Smith flied to Cardenal.
Two runs, three hits, no errors, two left.
Royals Sixth
Otis singled to center. Wathan walked. Aikens chopped to Trillo, who threw the ball past Rose for an error, with Otis scoring, Wathan going to third and Aikens holding first. Score is 2-1 Phillies. Cardenal struck out. White grounded into a double play, Bowa to Trillo to Rose.
One run, one hit, one error, one left.
Phillies Sixth
Dave Chalk is now playing third base for Kansas City. Rose flied to Cardenal. McBride walked. Schmidt singled to center, McBride stopping at second. Moreland grounded into a double play, Washington to White to Aikens.
No runs, one hit, no errors, one left.
Royals Seventh
Wilson walked. Washington sacrificed, Carlton to Trillo covering. Wilson stole third. Chalk walked. Chalk stole second after Carlton attempted pickoff. McRae walked, loading the bases. Otis doubled down the left field line, scoring Washington and Chalk, Royals lead 3-2. Wathan hit a sacrifice fly to Maddox, McRae scoring for a 4-2 Royals lead. Rose cut off the throw to the plate and Otis was trapped between second and third base for the third out.
Three runs, one hit, no errors, none left.
Phillies Seventh
Dan Quisenberry now pitching for Kansas City. Maddox grounded to Chalk. Trillo grounded to Washington. Bowa grounded to White.
No runs, no hits, no errors, none left.
Royals Eighth
Aikens struck out. Cardenal filed to McBride against the right field wall. White singled to left. Wilson hit an infield single off Rose's glove. Washington struck out.
No runs, two hits, no errors, two left.
Phillies Eighth
Pete LaCock replaced Aikens at first base. Boone walked. Del Unser doubled to left-center, scoring Boone to make it 4-3. Rose chopped a grounder to LaCock unassisted, Unser moving to third. McBride chopped a single to right, scoring Unser to tie the score. Schmidt doubled to the wall in right and took third as McBride beat the throw home to make it 5-4 for Philadelphia. Moreland lined a single to center to score Schmidt for a 6-4 Phillies lead. Gross grounded into a double play, Washington to White to LaCock.
Four runs, four hits, no errors, one left.
Royals Ninth
Gross moved into left field and Unser look over in center. Ron Reed replaced Carlton on the mound. Darrell Porter pinch hit for Chalk and looked at a called third strike. McRae bounced a single to center. Otis bounced into a force play at second, Bowa to Trillo. Wathan struck out.
Philadelphia won 6-4.
No runs, one hit, no errors, none left.