Joy in Mudville: A "Friendly" Baseball League Beginning in 1970

[Joy in Mudville]

Baltimore--The pressure was supposed to be on the Baltimore Orioles, but it was the Houston Astros that wilted in Saturday's sixth game of the Joy in Mudville World Series.

Three costly errors led to a pair of unearned runs and Baltimore tipped Houston 4-3 at Memorial Stadium. With the Series now tied, a seventh and deciding game will be needed to determine the JIM champion.

Sunday's final game will pit aces Tom Seaver of Baltimore and Ken Forsch of Houston against one another. The Orioles, the 1970 JIM champion, are attempting to rally from a 3-1 Series deficit.

Tied 3-3 in the sixth inning Saturday, Baltimore pushed across what turned out to be the winning run.

Bob Boone singled off Astro starter Don Wilson to open the inning. Boone was forced at second on a bad sacrifice bunt attempt by Baltimore pitcher Ken Holtzman. However, Wilson walked leadoff hitter Rick Miller. Ken Singleton, who walked three times in the game, rifled a single past a diving Denis Menke at short to score Holtzman.

Houston threatened in both the eighth and ninth innings. In the eighth, Nolan Ryan came out of the bullpen to strike out two batters with the tying run at second.

In the ninth, reliever Fred Beene saved the game by striking out Cesar Cedeno and retiring Carlos May on a pop out with two runners aboard. It was Beene's second straight Series save.

The Orioles won despite getting just five hits. Cleanup hitter and American League MVP candidate Dick Allen struck out four times. However, in addition to the three Houston runs, Astro pitchers walked eight Baltimore batters.

This marks the second straight time in JIM history that the World Series has gone the full seven games.

Game ID: 6737 - Saturday, October 21st, 1972 - Game Log


Saturday, October 21st, 1972
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Houston Astros 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 9 3
Baltimore Orioles 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 X 4 5 0

Houston AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI
D. Menke SS 5 0 1 1 0 1 2 .192 0 2
J. Morgan 2B 4 0 1 0 1 1 3 .234 2 10
J. Wynn RF 3 1 0 0 2 2 2 .255 1 5
J. Mayberry 1B 3 0 0 0 2 2 1 .227 0 2
C. Cedeno CF 5 1 3 1 0 1 2 .386 2 7
C. May LF 5 0 1 0 0 0 6 .310 3 8
J. Edwards C 3 0 0 1 1 1 3 .351 0 2
D. Rader 3B 3 1 2 0 0 1 2 .293 1 6
D. Wilson P 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .222 0 0
a-G. Geiger PH 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .250 0 1
J. Bouton P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0
J. Billingham P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0
Totals 34 3 9 3 6 10 22

a - G. Geiger pinch hit for D. Wilson in the 8th

BATTING
Doubles: D. Rader (1, 6th Inning off K. Holtzman, 0 on, 0 outs)
Home Runs: C. Cedeno (2, 2nd Inning off K. Holtzman, 0 on, 0 outs)
Total Bases: D. Wilson, C. May, J. Morgan, D. Menke, C. Cedeno 6, D. Rader 3
2-out RBI: D. Menke
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: , C. May 2, J. Morgan 2, D. Menke, D. Rader
Sac Bunt: D. Wilson, D. Rader
Team LOB: 12

BASERUNNING
SB: J. Morgan (3), C. Cedeno (4)

FIELDING
Errors: D. Rader , J. Mayberry 2
Double Plays: 1 (Morgan-Menke)


Baltimore AB R H RBI BB K LOB AVG HR RBI
R. Miller RF 3 1 0 0 2 0 4 .286 0 1
K. Singleton LF 2 1 1 1 3 0 1 .364 1 4
D. Allen 1B 5 0 0 0 0 4 8 .263 3 3
F. Beene P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0
D. Evans 3B 3 1 1 0 1 0 4 .200 0 3
J. Grubb CF 4 0 1 1 0 1 4 .297 1 4
B. Grich SS 3 0 1 1 1 1 1 .194 0 2
N. Ryan P 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0
T. Crowley 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0
D. Johnson 2B 4 0 0 0 0 0 5 .242 1 6
B. Boone C 3 0 1 0 1 1 1 .161 1 4
K. Holtzman P 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0
C. Speier SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0
Totals 28 4 5 3 8 7 28

BATTING
Doubles: B. Grich (2, 1st Inning off D. Wilson, 2 on, 2 outs)
Total Bases: B. Boone, D. Evans, B. Grich 2, K. Singleton, J. Grubb
2-out RBI: B. Grich, J. Grubb
Runners left in scoring position, 2 outs: D. Allen, D. Evans, B. Grich, D. Johnson 2, R. Miller
Sac Bunt: K. Holtzman 2, C. Speier
Team LOB: 12


Houston IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA
D. Wilson L (1-2) 7.0 5 4 2 6 7 0 120 71 2.86
J. Bouton 0.2 0 0 0 2 0 0 16 8 0.00
J. Billingham 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.00

PITCHING
Game Score: D. Wilson 56
Batters Faced: D. Wilson 34, J. Bouton 4, J. Billingham 1
Ground Outs - Fly Outs: D. Wilson 10-3, J. Bouton 1-1, J. Billingham 1-0
Pitches - Strikes: D. Wilson 120-71, J. Bouton 16-8, J. Billingham 1-1
Inherited Runners - Scored: J. Billingham 2-0
Balk: D. Wilson

Baltimore IP H R ER BB K HR PI PS ERA
K. Holtzman W (2-1) 7.0 9 3 3 4 6 1 130 81 3.22
N. Ryan H (1) 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 18 8 0.00
F. Beene SV (2) 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 18 8 2.25

PITCHING
Game Score: K. Holtzman 49
Batters Faced: K. Holtzman 34, N. Ryan 4, F. Beene 4
Ground Outs - Fly Outs: K. Holtzman 7-8, N. Ryan 1-0, F. Beene 0-1
Pitches - Strikes: K. Holtzman 130-81, N. Ryan 18-8, F. Beene 18-8
Inherited Runners - Scored: N. Ryan 1-0, F. Beene 1-0


GAME NOTES
Player of the Game: K. Singleton
Ballpark: Memorial Stadium
Weather: Partly Cloudy (53 degrees), wind blowing in from right at 17 mph
Start Time: 7:05 pm
Time: 3:03
Attendance: 38664

[Joy in Mudville]

Major League 1970 Game Log, Saturday, October 21st, 1972 Baltimore Orioles vs Houston Astros

Top of the 1st - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : LHP K. Holtzman Pitching: LHP K. Holtzman Batting: RHB D. Menke 0-0: Foul Ball 0-1: Foul Ball 0-2: Foul Ball 0-2: Ball 1-2: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5S) Batting: LHB J. Morgan 0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 34) Batting: RHB J. Wynn 0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Swinging Strike 1-2: Foul Ball 1-2: Ball 2-2: Ball 3-2: Foul Ball 3-2: Foul Ball 3-2: Foul Ball 3-2: Base on Balls Batting: LHB J. Mayberry 0-0: Foul Ball 0-1: Ball 1-1: Swinging Strike 1-2: Foul Ball 1-2: Foul Ball 1-2: Strikes out swinging Top of the 1st over - 0 run(s), 0 hit(s), 0 error(s), 1 left on base; Houston 0 - Baltimore 0 Bottom of the 1st - Baltimore Orioles batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP D. Wilson Pitching: RHP D. Wilson Batting: LHB R. Miller 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Base on Balls Batting: SHB K. Singleton 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Reached on error, E3 (Groundball, 3) R. Miller to second Batting: RHB D. Allen 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Called Strike 1-2: Strikes out looking Batting: LHB D. Evans 0-0: Ball 1-0: Fielders Choice at 2nd, 6-4 (Groundball, 6M) R. Miller to third Batting: LHB J. Grubb 0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 13) (infield hit) R. Miller scores D. Evans to second Batting: RHB B. Grich 0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Called Strike 1-2: Ball 2-2: Foul Ball 2-2: DOUBLE (Line Drive, 56D) D. Evans scores J. Grubb to third Batting: RHB D. Johnson 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Fly out, F7 (Flyball, 78XD) Bottom of the 1st over - 2 run(s), 2 hit(s), 1 error(s), 2 left on base; Houston 0 - Baltimore 2 Top of the 2nd - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : LHP K. Holtzman Batting: RHB C. Cedeno 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Foul Ball 2-1: SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 7LD), Distance : 335 ft Batting: LHB C. May 0-0: Ball 1-0: Foul Ball 1-1: Fly out, F7 (Popup, 5D) Batting: LHB J. Edwards 0-0: Swinging Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Ball 2-1: Ground out 1-3 (Groundball, 15S) Batting: RHB D. Rader 0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 34D) Batting: RHB D. Wilson 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Swinging Strike 1-2: Ball 2-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 6M) D. Rader to second Batting: RHB D. Menke 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Ball 2-1: SINGLE (Flyball, 56D) D. Rader to third D. Wilson to second Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, no throw or cutoff Batting: LHB J. Morgan 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Fly out, F7 (Flyball, 78M) Top of the 2nd over - 2 run(s), 4 hit(s), 0 error(s), 2 left on base; Houston 2 - Baltimore 2 Bottom of the 2nd - Baltimore Orioles batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP D. Wilson Batting: RHB B. Boone 0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Ball 2-1: Foul Ball 2-2: Foul Ball Reached via error on receiving a throw, E3 Batting: RHB K. Holtzman 0-0: Sac Bunt - play at first, batter OUT! 5-4 B. Boone to second Batting: LHB R. Miller 0-0: Ball 1-0: Foul Ball 1-1: Fly out, F4 (Line Drive, 4) 1-1: Lined into DP, 4-6 (Line Drive, 4) Bottom of the 2nd over - 0 run(s), 0 hit(s), 1 error(s), 0 left on base; Houston 2 - Baltimore 2 Top of the 3rd - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : LHP K. Holtzman Batting: RHB J. Wynn 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Called Strike 2-1: Ball 3-1: Base on Balls Batting: LHB J. Mayberry 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Base on Balls J. Wynn to second Batting: RHB C. Cedeno 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Foul Ball 1-2: Foul Ball 1-2: SINGLE (Flyball, 8LS) (infield hit) J. Wynn to third J. Mayberry to second Batting: LHB C. May 0-0: Ball 1-0: Fly out, F6 (Popup, 6D) Batting: LHB J. Edwards 0-0: Grounds out, U3 (Groundball, 3L) J. Wynn scores J. Mayberry to third Batting: RHB D. Rader 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Swinging Strike 0-2: Foul Ball 0-2: Ball 1-2: Ball 2-2: Ball 3-2: Strikes out looking Top of the 3rd over - 1 run(s), 1 hit(s), 0 error(s), 2 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 2 Bottom of the 3rd - Baltimore Orioles batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP D. Wilson Batting: SHB K. Singleton 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Base on Balls Batting: RHB D. Allen 0-0: Swinging Strike 0-1: Swinging Strike 0-2: Strikes out swinging Batting: LHB D. Evans 0-0: SINGLE (Line Drive, 8LS) K. Singleton to second Batting: LHB J. Grubb 0-0: Ball 1-0: Foul Ball 1-1: Called Strike 1-2: Ground out 3-1 (Groundball, 34S) K. Singleton to third D. Evans to second Batting: RHB B. Grich 0-0: Ball Balk! K. Singleton scores D. Evans to third 1-0: Swinging Strike 1-1: Ball 2-1: Swinging Strike 2-2: Foul Ball 2-2: Strikes out swinging Bottom of the 3rd over - 1 run(s), 1 hit(s), 0 error(s), 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 3 Top of the 4th - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : LHP K. Holtzman Batting: RHB D. Wilson 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Ball 2-1: Foul Ball 2-2: Ball 3-2: Foul Ball 3-2: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RXD) Batting: RHB D. Menke 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Swinging Strike 0-2: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4) Batting: LHB J. Morgan 0-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 13) (infield hit) Batting: RHB J. Wynn 0-0: Ball 1-0: Foul Ball 1-1: Ball 2-1: Ball 3-1: Foul Ball 3-2: Strikes out looking Top of the 4th over - 0 run(s), 1 hit(s), 0 error(s), 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 3 Bottom of the 4th - Baltimore Orioles batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP D. Wilson Batting: RHB D. Johnson 0-0: Reached on error, E5 (Groundball, 5S) Batting: RHB B. Boone 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Swinging Strike 0-2: Ball 1-2: Ball 2-2: Strikes out swinging Batting: RHB K. Holtzman 0-0: Bunt missed! 0-1: Called Strike 0-2: Ball 1-2: Sac Bunt - play at first, batter OUT! 1-4 D. Johnson to second Batting: LHB R. Miller 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 4) Bottom of the 4th over - 0 run(s), 0 hit(s), 1 error(s), 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 3 Top of the 5th - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : LHP K. Holtzman Batting: LHB J. Mayberry 0-0: Foul Ball 0-1: Ground out U3 (Groundball, 3F) Batting: RHB C. Cedeno 0-0: Fly out, F8 (Line Drive, 8LXD) Batting: LHB C. May 0-0: Ball 1-0: Swinging Strike 1-1: Foul Ball 1-2: SINGLE (Line Drive, 89S) (infield hit) Batting: LHB J. Edwards 0-0: Swinging Strike 0-1: Foul Ball 0-2: Ball 1-2: Ball 2-2: Strikes out swinging Top of the 5th over - 0 run(s), 1 hit(s), 0 error(s), 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 3 Bottom of the 5th - Baltimore Orioles batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP D. Wilson Batting: SHB K. Singleton 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Foul Ball 2-1: Ball 3-1: Base on Balls Batting: RHB D. Allen 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Called Strike 3-1: Swinging Strike 3-2: Strikes out swinging Batting: LHB D. Evans 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Foul Ball 1-2: Ball 2-2: Ball 3-2: Base on Balls K. Singleton to second Batting: LHB J. Grubb 0-0: Foul Ball 0-1: Ball 1-1: Ball 2-1: Foul Ball 2-2: Foul Ball 2-2: Ball 3-2: Foul Ball 3-2: Foul Ball 3-2: Strikes out swinging Batting: RHB B. Grich 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Base on Balls K. Singleton to third D. Evans to second Batting: RHB D. Johnson 0-0: Ground out U3 (Groundball, 3S) Bottom of the 5th over - 0 run(s), 0 hit(s), 0 error(s), 3 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 3 Top of the 6th - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : LHP K. Holtzman Batting: RHB D. Rader 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: DOUBLE (Flyball, 78D) Batting: RHB D. Wilson 0-0: Sac Bunt - play at first, batter OUT! 1-4 D. Rader to third Batting: RHB D. Menke 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Swinging Strike 2-1: Fly out, F7 (Flyball, 7S) Batting: LHB J. Morgan 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Foul Ball 2-1: Foul Ball 2-2: Strikes out swinging Top of the 6th over - 0 run(s), 1 hit(s), 0 error(s), 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 3 Bottom of the 6th - Baltimore Orioles batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP D. Wilson Batting: RHB B. Boone 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: SINGLE (Line Drive, 7S) Batting: RHB K. Holtzman 0-0: Bunt missed! 0-1: Ball 1-1: Sac Bunt - play at second, runner OUT! 1-6 Batting: LHB R. Miller 0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Ball 2-1: Ball 3-1: Ball K. Holtzman to second Batting: SHB K. Singleton 0-0: Ball 1-0: Bunted foul 1-1: Bunted foul 1-2: SINGLE (Groundball, 4MD) K. Holtzman to third R. Miller to second Runner from 3rd tries for Home, SAFE, throw made home Batting: RHB D. Allen 0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Called Strike 1-2: Ball 2-2: Strikes out looking Batting: LHB D. Evans 0-0: Swinging Strike 0-1: Called Strike 0-2: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 34) Bottom of the 6th over - 1 run(s), 2 hit(s), 0 error(s), 2 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 4 Top of the 7th - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : LHP K. Holtzman Batting: RHB J. Wynn 0-0: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RXD) Batting: LHB J. Mayberry 0-0: Swinging Strike 0-1: Called Strike 0-2: Strikes out swinging Batting: RHB C. Cedeno 0-0: Foul Ball 0-1: Ball 1-1: Foul Ball 1-2: SINGLE (Flyball, 9LS) (infield hit) Batting: LHB C. May 0-0: Called Strike C. Cedeno steals 2nd base 0-1: Ball 1-1: Called Strike 1-2: Fly out, F8 (Flyball, 8RD) Top of the 7th over - 0 run(s), 1 hit(s), 0 error(s), 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 4 Bottom of the 7th - Baltimore Orioles batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP D. Wilson Batting: LHB J. Grubb 0-0: Ground out U3 (Groundball, 3) Batting: RHB B. Grich 0-0: Foul Ball 0-1: Called Strike 0-2: Ground out 4-3 (Groundball, 34) Batting: RHB D. Johnson 0-0: Fly out, F9 (Flyball, 9D) Bottom of the 7th over - 0 run(s), 0 hit(s), 0 error(s), 0 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 4 Top of the 8th - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : LHP K. Holtzman Batting: LHB J. Edwards 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Ball 2-1: Ball 3-1: Base on Balls Pitching: RHP N. Ryan Now at SS: C. Speier Batting: RHB D. Rader 0-0: Bunted foul 0-1: Ball 1-1: Ball 2-1: Sac Bunt - play at first, batter OUT! 1-3 J. Edwards to second Pinch Hitting: LHB G. Geiger 0-0: Called Strike 0-1: Ball 1-1: Called Strike 1-2: Strikes out swinging Batting: RHB D. Menke 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Called Strike 3-1: Foul Ball 3-2: Strikes out swinging Top of the 8th over - 0 run(s), 0 hit(s), 0 error(s), 1 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 4 Bottom of the 8th - Baltimore Orioles batting - Pitching for Houston Astros : RHP D. Wilson Pitching: RHP J. Bouton Batting: RHB B. Boone 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Called Strike 3-1: Called Strike 3-2: Foul Ball 3-2: Base on Balls Batting: RHB C. Speier 0-0: Sac Bunt - play at first, batter OUT! U3 B. Boone to second Batting: LHB R. Miller 0-0: Swinging Strike 0-1: Called Strike 0-2: Fly out, F6 (Popup, 6D) Batting: SHB K. Singleton 0-0: Ball 1-0: Called Strike 1-1: Ball 2-1: Ball 3-1: Base on Balls Pitching: RHP J. Billingham Batting: RHB D. Allen 0-0: Ground out 5-3 (Groundball, 5S) Bottom of the 8th over - 0 run(s), 0 hit(s), 0 error(s), 2 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 4 Top of the 9th - Houston Astros batting - Pitching for Baltimore Orioles : RHP N. Ryan Batting: LHB J. Morgan 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Base on Balls Pitching: RHP F. Beene Now at 1B: T. Crowley Batting: RHB J. Wynn 0-0: Swinging Strike J. Morgan steals 2nd base 0-1: Ball 1-1: Called Strike 1-2: Strikes out swinging Batting: LHB J. Mayberry 0-0: Ball 1-0: Swinging Strike 1-1: Ball 2-1: Ball 3-1: Base on Balls Batting: RHB C. Cedeno 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Ball 3-0: Called Strike 3-1: Foul Ball 3-2: Strikes out swinging Batting: LHB C. May 0-0: Ball 1-0: Ball 2-0: Fly out, F5 (Popup, 25F) Top of the 9th over - 0 run(s), 0 hit(s), 0 error(s), 2 left on base; Houston 3 - Baltimore 4 Game Over ... Baltimore defeats Houston, 4 to 3

[Joy in Mudville]

What could be a better way to end the Joy in Mudville season than a game seven showdown?

Sunday's winner-take-all contest will feature both team's ace right-handers. For the home-standing Baltimore Orioles that means sending 29-game winner Tom Seaver to the mound. For the visiting Houston Astros that means 30-game winner Ken Forsch toes the rubber.

This will be the third time in the Series that Seaver and Forsch have started against one another. Neither was around for the end of the opener, a 6-5 extra-inning thriller that went to the Orioles.

However, their game four matchup at the Astrodome was a classic. Forsch outdueled Seaver 1-0 in a game for the ages.

For the post-season, Seaver has a 1-1 record with a sparkling 1.82 ERA. Forsch, who started game one of the Series on short rest, has a post-season record of 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA.

Sunday's matchup has the potential to be a low-scoring, high-wire act affair.

Messy Cleanup
Neither team's cleanup hitter has done much in the World Series. After going 4-for-5 in game one, Baltimore first baseman Dick Allen has just two more hits in the entire Series. The right-handed hitting veteran is 6-for-27 (.222) in six Series games. This, after hitting .364 with three home runs against Texas in the American League playoffs.

Meanwhile, Houston first baseman and No. 4 hitter John Mayberry hasn't fared much better. Mayberry is 6-for-26 (.230) in the Series. He hit .278 with just one RBI in the National League playoffs against Pittsburgh.

Both Allen and Mayberry have struck out plenty of times in key situations. Collectively, they've left enough runners stranded on base to fill a dugout.

Change at the Top?
Both teams have gotten mixed results from the leadoff man. Baltimore has tried short stop Bobby Grich and outfielder Rick Miller in the spot. Houston has used second baseman Joe Morgan and short stop Denis Menke.

The seventh and deciding game of the World Series is a risky time to mess with a lineup too much. However, since both teams are facing the opposition's ace, it may provide the edge each is seeking.

Bullpen Battle
Should the game come to a battle of the bullpens, it's all hands on deck. Baltimore has used closer Fred Beene in two straight games. However, Beene did have the day between games five and six off for travel.

Houston closer Mike Marshall is more than rested. He hasn't pitched since saving game three.

As with any game seven, starters could also be used in relief. The Orioles have already been successful plugging Nolan Ryan in a reliever's role, something the hard-throwing righty was familiar with from his days as a New York Met.

[Joy in Mudville]

Baltimore--John Mayberry spent most of the 1972 Joy in Mudville World Series making outs. But in the eighth inning of Sunday afternoon's game seven, Mayberry made history.

The Houston first baseman homered off reliever Bill Slayback and sent the Astros to a 4-3 victory over