The fans seemed more louder on the original television & radio broadcasts than in the first two games at Shea.
It was a rematch of the Game #2 lefties, Jerry Koosman vs. Vida Blue.
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Tug McGraw & Rollie Fingers Laugh It Up Before the Game |
Starting Lineups
Oakland Athletics | New York Mets | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bert Campaneris | SS | 1 | Wayne Garrett | 3B | |
2 | Joe Rudi | LF | 2 | Felix Millan | 2B | |
3 | Sal Bando | 3B | 3 | Rusty Staub | RF | |
4 | Reggie Jackson | CF | 4 | Cleon Jones | LF | |
5 | Gene Tenace | 1B | 5 | John Milner | 1B | |
6 | Jesus Alou | RF | 6 | Jerry Grote | C | |
7 | Ray Fosse | C | 7 | Don Hahn | CF | |
8 | Dick Green | 2B | 8 | Bud Harrelson | SS | |
9 | Vida Blue | P | 9 | Jerry Koosman | P |
Don Hahn & Jerry Grote |
Next up "the Hammer" John Milner singled to right field bringing in the game's first run, exciting the Mets fans.

In the 3rd inning, Bert Campaneris got a two out base hit to centerfield. Koosman kept a close eye on him & with his great left handed pick off move, nabbed him for the third out on a close play.
In the home 4th the Mets threatened again, as Staub & Cleon Jones both singled. John Milner bunted but Staub was forced at third base.
After Jerry Grote fouled out, Don Hahn reached on a Bert Campaneris error at short, as he over ran a grounder in the hole. But Vida Blue got Bud Harrelson to pop up to end the inning.
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Milner Steps On First Retiring Joe Rudi |
Rudi one of the games best outfielders, had also made a legendary catch in the 1972 World Series against the Reds.
Jerry Grote then reached base with a two out base hit off Blue. Next up Don Hahn tripled to the left center field gap, scoring Grote with the Mets second run making it 2-0.
Blue was removed & Darold Knowles came in to pitch in his fifth straight Series game.
Meanwhile Jerry Koosman was pitching another fine post season game. Koosman had gone 2-0 in the 1969 World Series & had a win under his belt in the 1973 NLCS against Cincinnati.
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Koosman Shuts Down A's |
Back in the 5th inning, Gene Tenace had led off with a walk. With one out catcher Ray Fosse blooped a pop fly behind second base.
Felix Millan made a circus catch behind the infield, with his back turned from home plate, shades of Willie Mays great 1954 World Series catch with the New York Giants.
Millan's great catch possibly saved the game, as it stopped any chance of the A's having a big inning. Rusty Staub coming in from right field, tangled up with Millan after the catch was made, but no one was hurt.
Millan had almost gotten the double play at first, but a diving John Milner just missed a tag on a Tenace.
In the top of the 7th, the A's threatened; Gene Tenace drew his second walk of the game & with one out Ray Fosse doubled to left field.
Manager Yogi Berra, felt Koosman was tiring & he went to his ace relief pitcher; Tug McGraw.
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Yogi Berra Calls on Tug McGraw For Save |
The Stadium's organist; Jane Jarvis played the traditional "Irish Jig" as McGraw warmed up receiving a big ovation from the crowd.
Tonight McGraw would put in a fine performance on the national stage, adding to his reputation as one of the games top relievers.
With two outs, & the Shea fans going wild, cheering him on, he got Bert Campaneris to strike out looking at his famous screwball.
The crowd went wild, as a revved up Tug McGraw came back to the dugout pounding his glove on his upper thigh.
This was his trademark move, a sign of affection toward his wife, a message between the two that said I love you.
In the 8th inning, McGraw got Rudi & Bando for two quick outs but then got in a bit of a jam. He walked Reggie Jackson & Gene Tenace putting the go ahead run up at the plate.
Blue Moon Odom came in to pinch run for Tenace. McGraw then got Jesus Alou to line out to Garrett at third base, ending the threat.
Jerry Koosman got the win, his second of the post season & his third World Series win of his career.
Koosman is still the Mets most
winning post season pitcher going 4-0 with a 3.37 ERA. He allowed 15 earned runs while striking out 31 batters & walking 15 in 40 innings of work over six games.
Tug McGraw earned his second save of the 1973 post season, his first in the World Series. He was the winning pitcher in Game #2 & had struck out 14 A's in the series.
McGraw was 1-0 with two saves in his Mets post season career, pitching in eight games he posted a 1.71 ERA giving up four runs on 13 hits, with 18 strike outs & 13 walks in 22 innings of work.
The game took two hours & thirty nine minutes to play, ending just before eleven PM.
The Mets were now up three
games to two, heading back to California needing just one more win for another Championship. It would have been another Amazing, Miracle season. All of New York got involved in the hype. It was a true Mets twon.
Even Mayor John Lindsay, got in on the action. He borrowed a sign from the famous Shea Stadium sign man that read "You Gotta Believe". It got the attention of Mets players in the dugout. Tug McGraw even came out to take a peek & acknowledge the Mayor.