Perhaps the comparison is not exactly kosher, but the 1971 ARAIG World Series resembled the 1989 real-life Series. After a long delay, the Oakland Athletics swept the series in a dominating and anti-climactic way. Congrats to Bill Schneider for brilliantly managing his squad.

Other facts and highlights:

** Mike Epstein was named co-MVP with his .533 (8-15) batting average, 12 TB, 5 R, and 2 RBI.

** Vida Blue, the other co-MVP, was 2-0 in 17.2 IP. He fanned 14 and had an ERA of 2.04.

** The A’s pitching staff had a 1.75 ERA for the series. The A’s hitters his .273.

** Tommy Davis (.500), Dave Duncan (.333), Gene Tenace (.333), Joe Rudi (.333), and Dick Green (.308) also hit over .300.

** The Cardinals hit just .189 as a team

** Joe Torre, who hit .363 in real-life season, hit just .063 (1-16) in this series.

** Lou Brock (.333) was the only Redbird regular over .300.

** The Cardinals pitching staff had a 5.29 ERA

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

GWRBI-Green, D
Game MVP:Vida Blue
Oakland Coliseum I     Time 1:46, 73ø, Wind: 15 MPH Out to LF     Night Game

GAME ONE – Dick Green launched a 3-run home run in the B6 to lift Oakland to a 4-1 opening game victory. Vida Bluewent the distance. Mike Epstein, hitting in the lead-off spot, went 3-3.

Oct 11, 1971                  1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9      R  H  E
1971 St. Louis 0-2            2 0 0   0 0 0   0 0 1      3  7  1
1971 Oakland 2-0              2 0 2   2 1 0   0 1 -      8 15  1

GWRBI-Rudi
Game MVP:Rick Monday
Oakland Coliseum I     Time 2:31, 65ø, Wind: 10 MPH In from LF     Night Game

GAME TWO – The Athletics sent Bob Gibson to the showers after just 3 innings and went on to an 8-3 victory. Rick Monday led the way offensively with 3 hits, including a triple and round-tripper. He scored twice and drove in 4. Catfish Hunter was the winning pitcher.

Oct 12, 1971                  1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9      R  H  E
1971 Oakland 3-0              0 1 0   0 1 0   1 0 0      3  7  0
1971 St. Louis 0-3            0 0 0   1 0 0   0 0 0      1  4  1

GWRBI-Campaneris
Game MVP:Diego Segui
Busch Stadium I     Time 2:03, 72ø, Wind: 16 MPH Out to LCF     Night Game

GAME THREE – Diego Segui surrendered just 4 hits in 7.2 IP as Oakland won 3-1 in St. Louis. Darold Knowles andRollie Fingers finished up. Joe Rudi banged out 3 hits. Epstein homered in one of his 2 hits.

Oct 13, 1971                  1 2 3   4 5 6   7 8 9      R  H  E
1971 Oakland 4-0              0 2 3   0 0 0   1 0 0      6  9  2
1971 St. Louis 0-4            0 0 2   0 0 0   0 0 1      3  7  1

GWRBI-Mangual
Game MVP:Sal Bando
Busch Stadium I     Time 2:12, 71ø, Clear, Light Rain, Wind: 13 MPH Out to LCF     Night Game

GAME FOUR – Vida Blue (2-0) just missed his second CG with another brilliant performance in a 6-3 win as Oakland earned the sweep. Fingers (2) got the 27^th out and was piled upon. Epstein smashed 2 more hits. Green collected 2 more RBI.