1973 Cincinnati Reds season

1973Cincinnati Reds
National League West Champions
League	National League
Division	West
Ballpark	Riverfront Stadium
City	Cincinnati
Record	99–63 (.611)
Divisional place	1st
Owners	Louis Nippert
General managers	Bob Howsam
Managers	Sparky Anderson
Television	WLWT (Charlie Jones,Wes Parker)
Radio	WLW (Al Michaels,Joe Nuxhall)
Seasons

The1973Cincinnati Redsseasonconsisted of the Reds winning theNational League Westwith a Major League-best record of 99–63,3+1⁄2games ahead of theLos Angeles Dodgers,before losing theNLCSto theNew York Metsin five games. The Reds were managed bySparky Anderson,and played their home games atRiverfront Stadium.

The season started well but entered a slump, which ended on July 1, 1973, when third-string catcherHal Kinghit a season-changing home run,pinch-hittingawalk off home runin the bottom of the ninth with the score at 3-1 Dodgers, two on base, and the count at 2 balls and 2 strikes. The play was credited with turning the season around, and the Reds ended the season by winning the division. TheCincinnati Enquirercalled the home run one of the most dramatic in Reds history.

Offseason

The Reds were coming off a devastating loss in seven games to the underdogOakland Athleticsin the1972 World Series.The offseason did not start well for the Reds. In the winter, a growth was removed from the lung of Cincinnati's star catcher,Johnny Bench.While Bench played the entire 1973 season, his power numbers dropped from 40 home runs in 1972 to 25 in '73. He never again reached the 40 homer mark, something he accomplished in two of the three seasons prior to the surgery. Looking to expand their catching lineup due to questions about Bench, the Reds traded the RangersJim Merrittfor Hal King.King became the Reds' third string catcher, playing behind starter and future Baseball Hall of Famer Bench and second stringerBill Plummer.

Early season

Coming into the season, the defending NL Champion Reds were still favored to win the strong NL West against the likes of theHouston Astros,theLos Angeles Dodgers,and theSan Francisco Giants.The Reds' lineup returned virtually intact, with the exception of third base where the Reds tried to make a third baseman out of rookieDan Driessen,a solid hitter (.301 average) who had played mostly first base in the minor leagues. WithTony Pérezfully entrenched at first base, the Reds wanted to get Driessen's bat in the lineup and his playing time was at the expense of the anemic hittingDenis Menke(.191), although the Reds were sacrificing defense with Driessen at the hot corner. The other change was at shortstop, whereDave Concepciónemerged from a 1972 timeshare withDarrel Chaneyto full-time starter, finally realizing his potential in his fourth year in the majors. Concepción was outstanding both at bat and in the field and was named to the NL All-Star team. But two days before the mid-summer classic on July 22, in a game against the Montreal Expos, Concepción broke his ankle sliding into third base after moving from first base on a Menke base hit, and missed the second half of the season. Concepción was batting.287, with eight home runs, 46 RBI, 39 runs scored and 22 stolen bases, all career highs despite missing almost half the season.

The Reds had other hurdles to overcome. Cincinnati's pitching ace,Gary Nolan(15–5, 1.99 ERA in '72), suffered from a sore arm that limited him to two starts and 10 innings pitched before it was discovered he had a torn ligament in his right elbow. The injury would force Nolan to also miss the entire 1974 season. There was also an issue with centerfielderBobby Tolan.He slumped badly to.206, became a malcontent, and had several squabbles with members of Reds management, who were still unhappy with his 1971 basketball injury that cost him that season as well as Tolan's error in Game 7 of the 1972 World Series against Oakland that was arguably the key play in that game. Tolan went AWOL for two days in August 1973, and broke team rules by growing a beard. On September 27, the team suspended Tolan for the remainder of the season, including the NLCS.

The Reds started well, and were 25–16 about a quarter of the way through the season and led the second-place Dodgers by1+1⁄2games on May 23. But with Tolan, Menke and Bench mired in slumps and some of the Reds starting pitchers struggling, the Reds began to flounder. Reds general managerBob Howsamdetermined the Reds offense would eventually come around, but the pitching staff needed help. With Nolan sidelined indefinitely and startersJim McGlothlin(ineffectiveness) andRoger Nelson(injuries) struggling, Howsam traded forSan Diego Padresleft-handerFred Normanon June 12. At the time of the trade, the 5-foot-8 lefty was 1–7 for the last-place Padres, but Norman would go 12–6 in 24 starts for the Reds to provide a major boost.

Hal King's season-changing home run

On July 1, 1973, the Reds were in a slump and trailing theirNational League Western Divisionrivals theLos Angeles Dodgersby 11 games in the standings; they had lost the previous night's game 8–7 in the 13th inning after starting with a 5–1 lead.The first game of a Dodgers double header at home was 3–1 Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth with two on base.Hal King,who had had only a single hit in his 10 at-bats for the Reds, was nevertheless known as a power hitter, and he had hit a grand slam againstDon Sutton'sscrewballpreviously while playing for the Braves.Reds ManagerSparky Andersonsent him in to bat for Plummer.

The count was two balls and two strikes when King hit awalk-off home run,again against Sutton's screwball.King tore his cleats with the force of the hit.In the moment, Reds play-by-play announcerAl Michaelspredicted, "Boy, I tell you, if anything can turn a season around it is that play right there."King's home run was cited by Anderson as a turning point in the season.He told theCincinnati Enquirer,“It was one of those things that when it happens you immediately think, ‘This is going to turn us around.'”Nearly fifty years later in 2019 theEnquirercalled it "one of the most dramatic home runs in franchise history".According toSports Illustrated,after King's hit, "[the Reds'] drive became a relentless thing" and "[Pete] Rose and most of the Reds consider [the game] they played on July 1 against Los Angeles as the turning point of their season.

Starting with the win on King's home run, the Reds gained momentum. They won the second game of the double header whenTony Pérezsingled in the game-winner off knuckleball specialistCharlie Houghin the bottom of the 10th as the Reds won 3–2. They won against the Dodgers again the following day, won eight of their next nine games; by July 10, they had cut the Dodgers' lead to4+1⁄2games.

Late season

Both teams stayed close throughout the season, but on Aug. 29, the Reds beat Pittsburgh, 5–3, to begin a seven-game winning streak. After losing two to the Braves, the Reds began another seven-game winning streak to gain some space between the Dodgers. Los Angeles came into Cincinnati for a two-game series, Sept. 11–12, trailing the Reds by 3 games with 18 left on the schedule. A two-run home run by rookieKen Griffeywas the big hit in the Reds' 6–3 victory on Sept. 11, and the Reds completed the sweep the next day asJack Billinghamhurled a complete-game and, the typically poor hitter (.065 average), also belted a bases-clearing double off LA starterClaude Osteenin a 7–3 victory. The Dodgers left Cincinnati trailing by five games. On Sept. 24, the Reds beat San Diego, 2–1, to clinch their second-straight division title and third in four years. It sent the Reds to the1973 NLCSagainst the New York Mets.

The Reds offense was led byPete Rose(team-record 230 hits, 115 runs scored, an NL best.338 batting average),Joe Morgan(116 runs, 26 home runs, 82 RBI, 67 stolen bases,.290 avg.) and Perez (.314, 27, 101). Rose was voted the National League MVP, while Morgan finished fourth and Perez seventh in a vote by theBaseball Writers' Association of America.

Jack Billinghamemerged as the staff ace, leading the National League in both innings pitched (293.1) and shutouts (7) to go with 19 victories, while young leftyDon Gullettwon 11 of his last 12 decisions to finish 18–8.

Future stars Griffey andGeorge Fosteralso played well in short stays with the Reds. Griffey batted.384 in 86 at bats in his major league debut, while Foster hit.282 and smacked four home runs in just 39 at bats. Journeyman third-string catcherHal Kingalso emerged as an unsung hero. King hit three pinch hit home runs, all of which either tied or won games late including a three-run home run off Los Angeles Dodger starterDon Suttonon July 1 to win a game for the Reds.

Offseason

• November 27, 1972:Nardi Contreraswas drafted from the Reds by theNew York Metsin the 1972 minor league draft.
• November 30, 1972:Hal McRaeandWayne Simpsonwere traded by the Reds to theKansas City RoyalsforRoger NelsonandRichie Scheinblum.
• December 1, 1972: the Rangers tradedHal KingwithJim Driscollto the Reds forJim Merritt.
• March 27, 1973:Mel Behneywas traded by the Reds to theBoston Red SoxforAndy KoscoandPhil Gagliano.

Season standings

NL West

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Cincinnati Reds	99	63	.611	—	50‍–‍31	49‍–‍32
Los Angeles Dodgers	95	66	.590	3½	50‍–‍31	45‍–‍35
San Francisco Giants	88	74	.543	11	47‍–‍34	41‍–‍40
Houston Astros	82	80	.506	17	41‍–‍40	41‍–‍40
Atlanta Braves	76	85	.472	22½	40‍–‍40	36‍–‍45
San Diego Padres	60	102	.370	39	31‍–‍50	29‍–‍52

Record vs. opponents

1973 National League record Sources:[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Team	ATL	CHC	CIN	HOU	LAD	MON	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL
Atlanta	—	7–5	5–13	11–7	2–15–1	6–6	6–6	6–6	7–5	12–6	8–10	6–6
Chicago	5–7	—	8–4	6–6	5–7	9–9	10–7	10–8	6–12	7–5	2–10	9–9
Cincinnati	13–5	4–8	—	11–7	11–7	8–4	8–4	8–4	7–5	13–5	10–8	6–6
Houston	7–11	6–6	7–11	—	11–7	6–6	6–6	7–5	6–6	10–8	11–7	5–7
Los Angeles	15–2–1	7–5	7–11	7–11	—	7–5	7–5	9–3	10–2	9–9	9–9	8–4
Montreal	6–6	9–9	4–8	6–6	5–7	—	9–9	13–5	6–12	7–5	6–6	8–10
New York	6–6	7–10	4–8	6–6	5–7	9–9	—	9–9	13–5	8–4	5–7	10–8
Philadelphia	6-6	8–10	4–8	5–7	3–9	5–13	9–9	—	8–10	9–3	5–7	9–9
Pittsburgh	5–7	12–6	5–7	6–6	2–10	12–6	5–13	10–8	—	8–4	5–7	10–8
San Diego	6–12	5–7	5–13	8–10	9–9	5–7	4–8	3–9	4–8	—	7–11	4–8
San Francisco	10–8	10–2	8–10	7–11	9–9	6–6	7–5	7–5	7–5	11–7	—	6–6
St. Louis	6–6	9–9	6–6	7–5	4–8	10–8	8–10	9–9	8–10	8–4	6–6	—

Notable transactions

• June 12, 1973:Gene LocklearandMike Johnsonwere traded by the Reds to theSan Diego PadresforFred Norman.

Roster

1973 Cincinnati Reds
Roster
Pitchers 44Dick Baney 43Jack Billingham 34Pedro Borbón 36Clay Carroll 48Ross Grimsley 35Don Gullett 21Tom Hall 31Jim McGlothlin 45Roger Nelson 38Gary Nolan 32Fred Norman 44Ed Sprague 49Dave Tomlin		Catchers 6Bob Barton 5Johnny Bench 6Hal King 9Bill Plummer Infielders 12Darrel Chaney 13Dave Concepción 17Ed Crosby 22Dan Driessen 15,16Phil Gagliano 11,16Denis Menke 8Joe Morgan 24Tony Pérez		Outfielders 33Ed Armbrister 15George Foster 20César Gerónimo 30Ken Griffey 25Joe Hague 23Andy Kosco 27Gene Locklear 14Pete Rose 26Richie Scheinblum 29Larry Stahl 28Bobby Tolan		Manager 10Sparky Anderson Coaches 2Alex Grammas 18Ted Kluszewski 3George Scherger 4Larry Shepard

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C	Johnny Bench	152	557	141	.253	25	104
1B	Tony Pérez	151	564	177	.314	27	101
2B	Joe Morgan	157	576	167	.290	26	82
3B	Dan Driessen	102	366	49	.301	4	47
SS	Dave Concepción	89	328	94	.287	8	46
LF	Pete Rose	160	680	230	.338	5	64
RF	César Gerónimo	139	324	68	.210	4	33
CF	Bobby Tolan	129	457	94	.206	9	51

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Denis Menke	139	241	46	.191	3	26
Darrel Chaney	105	227	41	.181	0	14
Bill Plummer	50	119	18	.151	2	11
Andy Kosco	47	118	33	.280	9	21
Larry Stahl	76	111	25	.225	2	12
Ken Griffey	25	86	33	.384	3	14
Phil Gagliano	63	69	20	.290	0	7
Richie Scheinblum	29	54	12	.222	1	8
Ed Crosby	36	51	11	.216	0	5
Hal King	35	43	8	.186	4	10
George Foster	17	39	11	.282	4	9
Ed Armbrister	18	37	8	.216	1	5
Joe Hague	19	33	5	.152	0	1
Gene Locklear	29	26	5	.192	0	0
Bob Barton	3	1	0	.000	0	0

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Jack Billingham	40	293.1	19	10	3.04	155
Ross Grimsley	38	242.1	13	10	3.23	90
Don Gullett	45	228.1	18	8	3.51	153
Fred Norman	24	166.1	12	6	3.30	112
Gary Nolan	2	10.1	0	1	3.48	3

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Jim McGlothlin	24	63.1	3	3	6.68	18
Roger Nelson	14	54.2	3	2	3.46	17

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
Pedro Borbón	80	11	4	14	2.16	60
Clay Carroll	53	8	8	14	3.69	41
Tom Hall	54	8	5	8	3.47	96
Ed Sprague	28	1	3	1	5.12	19
Dave Tomlin	16	1	2	1	4.88	20
Dick Baney	11	2	1	2	2.93	17

1973 National League Championship Series

Main article:1973 National League Championship Series

The Reds lost theNational League Championship Seriesto theMets3 games to 2 despite heroics by Rose and Bench in Game 1 and Rose again in Game 4. Rose's eighth-inning home run against Tom Seaver tied the score at 1–1 and Bench won it in the 9th with another solo home run. Rose also hit a game-winning home run in the 12th-inning to tie the series at 2–2. During Game Three of the series, Rose got into a fight with the popular Mets shortstopBud Harrelsonwhile trying to break up a double play; the fight resulted in a bench-clearing brawl. The umpires threatened the Mets with forfeiting the game, after fans responded by hurling garbage from the stands at Rose, causing the Reds team to leave the field until order was restored.

Game 1

October 6:Riverfront Stadium,Cincinnati

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	0
Cincinnati	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	6	0
W:Pedro Borbón(1–0)L:Tom Seaver(0–1)S:None
HR:NYM– NoneCIN–Pete Rose(1),Johnny Bench(1)
Pitchers:NYM– SeaverCIN– Billingham, Hall (9), Borbón (9)
Attendance:53,431

Game 2

October 7:Riverfront Stadium,Cincinnati

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	4	5	7	0
Cincinnati	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
W:Jon Matlack(1–0)L:Don Gullett(0–1)S:None
HR:NYM–Rusty Staub(1)CIN– None
Pitchers:NYM– MatlackCIN– Gullett, Carroll (6), Hall (9), Borbón (9)
Attendance:54,041

Game 3

October 8:Shea Stadium,New York City, New York

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cincinnati	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	8	1
New York	1	5	1	2	0	0	0	0	x	9	11	1
W:Jerry Koosman(1–0)L:Ross Grimsley(0–1)S:None
HR:CIN–Denis Menke(1)NYM–Rusty Staub(2), (3)
Pitchers:CIN– Grimsley, Hall (2), Tomlin (3), Nelson (4), Borbón (7)NYM– Koosman
Attendance:53,967

Game 4

October 9:Shea Stadium,New York City, New York

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
Cincinnati	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	8	0
New York	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	1
W:Clay Carroll(1–0)L:Harry Parker(0–1)S:Pedro Borbón(1)
HR:CIN–Tony Pérez(1),Pete Rose(2)NYM– None
Pitchers:CIN– Norman, Gullett (6), Carroll (10), Borbón (12)NYM– Stone, McGraw (7), Parker (12)
Attendance:50,786

Game 5

October 10:Shea Stadium,New York City, New York

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Cincinnati	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	7	1
New York	2	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	x	7	13	1
W:Tom Seaver(1–1)L:Jack Billingham(0–1)S:Tug McGraw(1)
HR:CIN– NoneNYM– None
Pitchers:CIN– Billingham, Gullett (5), Carroll (5), Grimsley (7)NYM– Seaver, McGraw (9)
Attendance:50,323

Awards and honors

• Pete Rose– National League Most Valuable Player
• Pete Rose – National League Batting Champion

Farm system

See also:Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Indianapolis Indians	American Association	Vern Rapp
AA	Trois-Rivières Aigles	Eastern League	Jim Snyder
A	Tampa Tarpons	Florida State League	Russ Nixon
A-Short Season	Seattle Rainiers	Northwest League	Jim Hoff
Rookie	GCL Reds	Gulf Coast League	Ron Plaza

References

• 1973 Cincinnati Reds Statistics and Roster at Baseball Reference