#462 - '74 World Series, Game 2

Card fact: Topps used only purple-pink and pink-yellow borders for the World Series cards.

What I thought about this card then: Well, as the only World Series card that depicts the Dodgers doing something successful, I considered it my "shred of decency" card. If anyone would bring up the A's Series win in '74, I'd pick up this card and say, "Yeah, but who won Game 2?" Hey, it was all I had.

What I think about this card now: The card shows Joe Ferguson returning to the dugout after hitting what proved to be the game-winning home run in the sixth inning. It was a two-run shot that gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. I can pinpoint Walter Alston, Jimmy Wynn, Doug Rau and Davey Lopes (behind Rau) in the dugout, but I'm not 100 percent sure on the others. If anyone knows the other players, feel free to shout them out.

Other stuff: Ferguson delivered the big blow, but the other Dodger heroes were Don Sutton and Mike Marshall. Sutton held the A's scoreless for eight-plus innings, surrendering just two hits until the eighth. Then, when Sutton hit Sal Bando and gave up a double to Reggie Jackson to start the ninth, Marshall came in to do his thing.

First, Marshall allowed a two-run single to Joe Rudi that cut the Dodgers' lead to 3-2. Then he struck out Gene Tenace. That brought up pitcher John "Blue Moon" Odom. The A's put Angel Mangual in as a pinch-hitter and pinch-running "specialist" Herb Washington in at first, replacing Rudi. Marshall, who had an excellent pick-off move, snared Washington at first for the second out. He then struck out Mangual to end the game.

Back facts: Catcher Steve Yeager, who was a very light hitter, went 2-for-3 and drove in the Dodgers' first run.

Other blog stuff: I neglected to mention that the '74 World Series was the first all-California World Series. So, I'll do that here. Since that time, there have been three more (1988, 1989 and 2002).

#115 - Joe Ferguson

Card fact: This is the second straight year in which another player is featured prominently in the photo on Joe Ferguson's card. In his 1974 card, a Phillie is bending down in the foreground. I don't know who it is. With this card, I'm relatively sure that is Bake McBride sliding into home.

What I thought about this card then: Sadly, I did not see it. Later, when I was a teenager trying to get all the Dodgers from this year, this was probably my favorite card out of all the '75 Dodgers that I acquired.

What I think about this card now: If that actually is Bake McBride in the photo, than this picture appears to be from a game on May 27, 1974 in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 7-2. McBride scored twice. But in the second inning, he doubled off Andy Messersmith. The next batter, Ted Sizemore, doubled and there was a throw home to try to catch McBride at plate. McBride scored and Sizemore advanced to second on the throw.

Other stuff: When I was a kid, I wanted the Dodgers to ditch Steve Yeager and make Joe Ferguson their full-time catcher. When you look at Ferguson's hitting stats, they aren't great. But they're a little better than Yeager's. And when I was watching the Dodgers in the late '70s, Yeager seemed useless at the plate. An automatic out. Ferguson at least seemed to get on base once in awhile.

Ferguson hit two notable home runs for the Dodgers. His homer off Vida Blue in Game 2 of the 1974 World Series gave the Dodgers their only victory in that series. His homer in the 10th inning of the first game of a series against the Astros in 1980 gave the Dodgers the first of three straight victories that forced a one-game playoff with the Astros at the end of the season. Then Dave Goltz pissed the momentum away.

Back facts: Yet another "perhaps" to lead-off the write-up. And I'd like to know a little more about the ballgame before I accept that a game against the Cubs in August is crucial. The Dodgers didn't win any pennant in 1973, so don't tell me a win against one of the worst teams of the '70s was crucial.

Other blog stuff: Four of the Dodger cards shown so far feature orange and brown borders. None feature blue. I'm still not over that.