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Dodgers vs Reds | Garvey vs Perez | Ep 34

Posted on by garygft

Dodgers vs Reds | His manager, Sparky Anderson, said he was the “heart and soul” of the team. No small matter since that team was Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine of the 1970’s.

Dodgers vs Reds | The Players

Tony Perez

Tony Perez was that player and his plaque can be found in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Perez took home two World Series rings with the Reds in the four World Series appearances by that team. He put together an amazing seven seasons in which he drove in at least 100 runs.

During those years, the rivalry for the NL West’s top spot saw the Reds and Dodgers battle year after year.

Steve Garvey

On the Dodger side, Steve Garvey was at first base as part of the longest running infield in history. With Ron Cey, Bill Russell and Davey Lopes, Garvey anchored first for a team that went head-to-head with the Reds for postseason honors.

Garvey is a 10-time All-Star with 4 Gold Gloves and a NL MVP award in 1974. In 55 postseason games he posted a .338 average, including hitting .319 in 28 World Series games.

Two outstanding MLB veterans, two high-powered teams and two sides to the story of the Dodgers/Reds race for the ring in an ongoing battle of the 70’s.

Here is the story of that rivalry in the words of two of baseball’s best – Tony Perez and Steve Garvey.

Further Listening:

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MLB Closers | Brantley & Shaw | Ep 29

Posted on by garygft

MLB Closers | “A closer is often considered the best relief pitcher that a club has in its bullpen. Closers are most often deployed for the final inning of a game when a narrow lead — three runs or less — needs to be protected. Closers almost always excel against both right- and left-handed batters and are more often than not capable of striking out batters at high rates.” 

MLB Glossary

So you want to be a closer. We have two award-winning MLB closers today, and they say you better want the job or you’ll never excel at it.

How do you know who wants it? Jeff Brantley and Jeff Shaw have seen those who do and those who don’t – they’ll tell you the difference.

MLB Closers

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Jeff Brantley celebrates following the final out of game three of the National League divisional playoff against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday night, Oct. 6, 1995, at Riverfront Stadium, in Cincinnati. The Reds won the game 10-1 to sweep the series. (AP Photo/Mark Lyons)

Brantley was the NL relief pitcher of the year in 1996 and Shaw took that crown in 1997.  Brantley was in the Majors for 14 seasons and Shaw for 12. They were both opponents and teammates during that stretch.  

7 Jul 1998: National League member Jeff Shaw #41 of the Los Angeles Dodgers starts his wind up during the All-Star Game at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The American League defeated the National League 13-8. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Who did they learn from? How do you maneuver through the middle of a line-up, game on the line, and you need three outs? They’ll describe a unique universe they inhabit when they take to the mound in the 9th inning, a roaring crowd and a game with no room for error.

And all that time spent waiting – a couple of bullpen stories will be shared as well.

Jeff Shaw and Jeff Brantley take you into the world of the closer – then, now and tomorrow.

Enjoy.

Further Listening:

Be sure to subscribe to the Sports Rivals podcast to listen to this rivalry on your favorite podcast app:

If you loved this episode, check out our others: