It looked the like Orioles had this one in the bag, winning the first two games with shutouts from Dave McNally and Mike Cuellar. But the overconfident Birds' bunch wasn't ready for Oakland's offense to wake up.

Tommy Davis was a difference maker in the series, homering for the go-ahead run in game three off an ineffective Jim Palmer for a 5-4 win, as Mudcat Grant nailed it down. Baltimore, still up 2-1, started Pat Dobson in game four against Vida Blue, who left early in game one. Blue returned the Baltimore favor by shutting out the O's on two hits, 1-0.

McNally went again in game five against Catfish Hunter, who was his dominant self, unlike his performance in game two. Oakland scored a second straight shutout - just like Baltimore had in games one and two - en route to a 5-0 win, underscored by another Davis homer, a three run shot off McNally. 

A great series and superb managing by Bill Schneider.  Here's to another victory for the AL in the World Series. Bill might be playing himself, as he's also the manager of Cincinnati.

Oct 3, 1971                   1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9      R  H  E
1971 Oakland 0-1              0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0      0  8  1
1971 Baltimore 1-0            0 0 3   0 0 0   0 0 -      3  6  0

GWRBI-Johnson,D
Game MVP:Dave McNally
Ejection: Jackson
Memorial Stadium     Time 2:22, 61ø, Clear, Light Rain, Wind: 14 MPH In from RF     Day Game

Oct 4, 1971                   1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9      R  H  E
1971 Oakland 0-2              0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0      0  5  0
1971 Baltimore 2-0            1 1 2   0 0 0   0 4 -      8  9  0

GWRBI-Johnson,D
Game MVP:Mike Cuellar
Memorial Stadium     Time 2:45, 69ø, Wind: 12 MPH In from RF     Night Game

Game 3:  Boxscore and Play by Play

Oct 5, 1971                   1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9      R  H  E
1971 Baltimore 2-1            3 0 0   0 0 0   1 0 0      4  8  0
1971 Oakland 1-2              0 0 0   0 2 0   2 0 1      5 11  1

GWRBI-Davis, T
Game MVP:Tommy Davis
Oakland Coliseum I     Time 2:54, 72ø, Wind: 5 MPH Out to RCF     Night Game

Oct 7, 1971                   1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9      R  H  E
1971 Baltimore 2-2            0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0      0  2  0
1971 Oakland 2-2              0 0 0   0 0 1   0 0 -      1  5  2

GWRBI-Davis, T
Game MVP:Vida Blue
Oakland Coliseum I     Time 2:17, 64ø, Wind: 13 MPH Left to Right     Night Game

Oct 8, 1971                   1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9      R  H  E
1971 Baltimore 2-3            0 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 0      0  6  0
1971 Oakland 3-2              0 0 0   0 0 3   2 0 -      5  9  1

GWRBI-Davis, T
Game MVP:Catfish Hunter
Oakland Coliseum I     Time 2:27, 69ø, Wind: 10 MPH Right to Left     Night Game