60's Finals Mclain twirls Gem, Horton ,McAuliffe homer , Tigers beat Yanks 4-1

                                                                   

Reporting from Strat-o-Matic heaven, action sports replay-Nostalgic baseball.
Once again the Detroit Tigers of 1968 have met the challenge and overcame their biggest obstacle to date, in the championship of the 1960's finals by defeating the powerful, heavily favored 61 New York Yankees 4-1 today in game 1 of the finals at Yankee stadium. Denny Mclain (31-6 1.96)   Went the distance scattering 5 hits giving up 1 earned run, Striking out 8 Yankees on his way to his 3rd straight victory in the Tournament against 0 losses. The lone run Mclain surrendered was a Home run off the bat of Yankee slugger Roger Maris (3). The Tigers got started early when Dick McAuliffe sent Whitey Fords first pitch of the game sailing into the stands in center field for his 2nd homer of the tourney to make it 1-0.

Then Maris's homer in the bottom of the 4th tied the score at 1. Mclain and Ford battled it out until The top of the 6th when Mickey Stanley playing shortstop drew a walk then went to 3rd on an Al Kaline single.Then Willie Horton grounded into a fielders choice and Stanley came home to score the Tigers 2nd run. The Yankees didn't get a runner past 2nd base for the rest of the game. although Roger Maris came very close to making it a 2 Home run day, he flew out deep to center fielder Jim Northrup.In the bottom of the 7th Mickey Mantle of the Yankees came up lame running to first on a groundball he is questionable for the decisive game 2. In the top of the 8th with Al kaline on 1st base from a single and 2 out Horton unloaded on Fords pitch deep to left centerfield, a monster blast to add a couple insurance runs.

                                                       

                                            Horton hits a Homer, source 1960's baseball.com

Denny Mclain was lights out for the whole game spinning a fine 5 hit gem. Tomorrow will be for all the marbles in the 1960's showdown and The Tigers will have Mr. clutch Mickey Lolich on the hill while the Yankees counter with Ralph Terry. This Tiger team has proven itself to me that they are definitely a force to be reckoned with, not only that but could very well be the best team from the 1960's in all of baseball. They have faced many obstacles and have thus far overcome every one of them. Since being sent down to the loser bracket by the 65 Dodgers 1-0 the 68 bunch have won no less than 5 games in a row. They beat Tom Seaver & the 1969 Mets 7-2, 1966 Orioles & Jim Palmer 10-3, and got some sweet revenge taking out the 65 Dodgers, Claude Osteen and Sandy Koufax 5-0 and 1-0 respectively.With wins going to Lolich and Earl Wilson. Wilson also was his own offense in the 1-0 victory belting a home Run to left field while defeating possibly the greatest pitcher of all time Sandy Kofax!
I no longer have any doubts that they can do it! We shall see. To be continued...