Greatest American League
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The 1978 Yankees went from a contender to a .500 team after being swept by the 1951 Yankees in their six game series. The '78 Yankees are now 36-36 while the '51 Yankees move up to 47-37.
The '51 Yankees jumped out to a 9-0 lead in Game One and held off a furious rally by the '78 Yankees for a 9-7 win. Yogi Berra hit two homeruns with four RBI in Game Two for a 7-1 win. Phil Rizzuto went 5-5 in Game Three and scored two runs for a 9-3 win. Game Four featured an epic meltdown by '78 Yankee closer Goose Gossage. After Roy White gave the '78 Yankees a 4-2 lead in the top of the 9th on a pinch hit two-run homer, Gossage committed an error to start the bottom of the 9th, gave up a single, and walked four of the next five batters; thus he walked in all three runs including the walk-off walk to Gene Woodling for a 5-4 win for the '51 Yankees. Jack Kramer scattered six hits for a shutout in a 1-0 win in Game Five. Mickey Mantle drove in three runs in a 4-2 Game Six win to complete the sweep.
Berra is hitting .287 with 17 home runs and 70 RBI. Rizzuto is hitting .276 with 16 stolen bases. Kramer’s shutout in his first start reduced his ERA to 3.05. Vic Raschi is 13-5 with a 2.20 ERA. Ed Lopat is 10-4 with a 2.69 ERA. Allie Reynolds is 6-3 with a 2.87 ERA.
Reggie Jackson hit .394 in the series to raise his average to .330 with 21 home runs, 53 RBI, 53 runs scored, and a 1.008 OPS. Mickey Rivers raised his average to .316 with 20 stolen bases. Graig Nettles raised his average to .289 with 13 home runs. Gossage’s ERA ballooned to 3.60; he is 0-4 with 22 saves. The '78 Yankees will battle with the 51-45 1923 Yankees in the next series.