[Nick Soulis]

Series #197



1972 Chicago White Sox
Record: 87-67
Finish: 2nd in AL West
Manager: Chuck Tanner
Ball Park: Comiskey Park
WAR Leader: Wilbur Wood (10.3)
Franchise Record: 9-6
1972 Season Record: 9-6
Hall of Famers: (2)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/1972.shtml

1953 St. Louis Browns
Record: 54-100
Finish: 8th in AL
Manager: Marty Marion
Ball Park: Busch Stadium
WAR Leader: Don Larsen (3.7)
Franchise Record: 1-2
1953 Season Record: 4-0
Hall of Famers: (1)
https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SLB/1953.shtml
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Midwest Thillier Goes To White Sox
Chicago Shuts Out Browns In Game 7 Over Satch



Game 1
At Comiskey Park
1953 St. Louis Browns 0
1972 Chicago White Sox 3
WP: T. Bradley (1-0) LP: D. Larsen (0-1) S: T. Forster (1)
HR: None
POG: Tom Bradley (8 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 122 P)
1972 White Sox Lead Series 1-0

In Game 1 of the Field of Dreams Series #197 at Comiskey Park on October 1, 1972, the 1972 Chicago White Sox opened with a 3-0 shutout victory over the 1953 St. Louis Browns, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series under clear 54-degree skies with a 10 mph breeze. Tom Bradley dominated for Chicago, tossing 8 scoreless innings with 6 strikeouts, allowing 6 hits, while Terry Forster closed it out for the save. Carlos May’s triple and stolen base sparked a first-inning run, and Luis Alvarado’s two-out single in the sixth drove in two more, enough to back Bradley’s gem. Don Larsen struggled for St. Louis, yielding 3 runs (2 earned) over 5.2 innings, as Neil Berry’s 2 hits, including a double, couldn’t ignite the Browns’ offense against Chicago’s stingy defense and timely hitting in this playoff opener before 39,083 fans.

Game 2
At Comiskey Park
1953 St. Louis Browns 2
1972 Chicago White Sox 5
WP: W. Wood (1-0) LP: V. Trucks (0-1)
HR: J. Groth (1), V. Trucks (0-1)
POG: Wilbur Wood (9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 123 P)
1972 White Sox Lead Series 2-0

In a cool, breezy October night at the Field of Dreams, the 1972 Chicago White Sox took a commanding 2-0 series lead with a 5-2 victory over the 1953 St. Louis Browns. Wilbur Wood was the star of the evening, spinning a complete game five-hitter and allowing just two runs while striking out five in front of 18,885 fans at Comiskey Park. Chicago jumped on St. Louis early with a two-run first inning, then added insurance with a big two-out, two-run homer from Rick Reichardt in the fifth. Bill Melton chipped in with a pair of RBIs, and the White Sox played error-free baseball behind their crafty lefty. The Browns showed brief life with a solo home run from Jim Delsing and a late RBI double by Don Lenhardt, but were ultimately stifled by Wood’s poise and control. St. Louis starter Virgil Trucks labored through seven innings and took the loss. The series now shifts to Busch Stadium, with the Browns desperately needing a win to avoid falling into a daunting 3-0 hole.

Game 2
at Busch Stadium
1972 Chicago White Sox 2
1953 St. Louis Browns 4
WP: S. Paige (1-0) LP: D. Lemonds (0-1)
HR: R. Reichardt (1)
POG: Satchel Paige (6.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 112 P)
1972 White Sox Lead Series 2-1

In front of a lively crowd of 19,012 under the cool, partly cloudy skies at Busch Stadium, the 1953 St. Louis Browns clawed their way back into the Field of Dreams Series, earning a 4-2 victory over the 1972 Chicago White Sox to trim their series deficit to 2-1. The ageless Satchel Paige dazzled for St. Louis, tossing 6.2 innings of 3-hit ball with seven strikeouts, outdueling Chicago’s Dave Lemonds. Don Lenhardt delivered the big blow for the Browns, smoking a two-out, two-run double in the third inning that gave St. Louis the lead for good. Lenhardt finished the night 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Vic Wertz added three hits of his own to spark the offense. Despite an early home run from Rick Reichardt, the White Sox bats were mostly silent, managing just three hits all game. In classic fashion, Paige shrugged off criticism postgame, noting, "Haters will hate." The Browns will now look to even the series tomorrow night, with momentum finally on their side.

Game 4
at Busch Stadium
1972 Chicago White Sox 1
1953 St. Louis Browns 2
WP: H. Brecheen (1-0) LP: S. Bahnsen (0-1) S: M. Staurt (2)
HR: None
POG: Harry Brecheen (6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 110 P)
Series Tied 2-2

In a tightly contested Game 4 at the Field of Dreams in Busch Stadium, the 1953 St. Louis Browns edged out the 1972 Chicago White Sox 2-1 to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Harry Brecheen turned in a vintage performance for the Browns, scattering five hits over six gritty innings to earn Player of the Game honors. After the White Sox grabbed an early lead on a first-inning double by Dick Allen, the Browns clawed back with a two-out RBI double from Dick Kryhoski in the third to tie the game, then took the lead for good in the fifth when Kryhoski delivered again with a clutch RBI single. St. Louis’ bullpen duo of Duane Littlefield and Marlin Stuart shut the door over the final three innings, with Stuart recording a two-inning save. Despite a strong start from Stan Bahnsen and spotless relief from a young Rich Gossage, Chicago’s bats were stifled, leaving seven men on base. The series now heads to a pivotal Game 5 tomorrow night, with all the momentum shifting toward the scrappy Browns.

Game 5
at Busch Stadium
1972 Chicago White Sox 1
1953 St. Louis Browns 8
WP: D. Larsen (1-1) LP: T. Bradley (1-1)
HR: V. Wertz (1), J. Dyck (1), D. Kryhoski (1)
POG: Don Larsen (7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 117 P)
1953 Browns Lead Series 3-2

In front of 38,908 fans at Busch Stadium under crisp October skies, the 1953 St. Louis Browns delivered a resounding 8-1 victory over the 1972 Chicago White Sox in Game 5 of their Field of Dreams series, taking a 3-2 lead. Don Larsen was the star of the night, spinning seven strong innings of five-hit ball while striking out seven to earn Player of the Game honors. Dick Kryhoski provided the offensive fireworks, hammering a two-run double in the third inning and later blasting a solo home run in the sixth, finishing 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Vic Wertz and Jim Dyck added late-inning home runs as the Browns poured it on against Chicago's bullpen, scoring four times in the eighth to put the game out of reach. Browns pitchers combined to allow just one run, a first-inning RBI from Dick Allen, while St. Louis played flawless defense. With the series shifting back to Comiskey Park, the Browns stand just one win away from a stunning series triumph.

Game 6
At Comiskey Park
1953 St. Louis Browns 2
1972 Chicago White Sox 3 (11 inn)
WP: T. Forster 1-0) LP: B. Cain (0-1)
HR: R. Reichardt (3)
POG: Wilbur Wood (9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 102 P)
Series Tied 3-3

In a thrilling extra-innings showdown at the Field of Dreams edition of Comiskey Park, the 1972 Chicago White Sox edged the 1953 St. Louis Browns 3-2 in 11 innings to even the best-of-seven series at 3-3. Wilbur Wood was sensational for Chicago, tossing nine gritty innings of five-hit, two-run baseball before turning it over to Terry Forster, who struck out four over two scoreless frames to earn the win. St. Louis held a 2-1 lead into the eighth, but Rich Reichardt tied it with a solo home run, and in the 11th, Chuck Brinkman delivered the game-winning single off Bob Cain, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Despite solid performances from Virgil Trucks and Don Lenhardt, the Browns couldn't capitalize late, stranding key runners. With the series now tied, both teams will square off in a decisive Game 7 under the crisp October sky.

Game 7
At Comiskey Park
1953 St. Louis Browns 0
1972 Chicago White Sox 3
WP: D. Lemonds (1-1) LP: S. Paige (1-1) S: T. Forster (2)
HR: None
POG: Dave Lemonds (7.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 96 P)

On a cool, crisp night at Comiskey Park, the 1972 Chicago White Sox completed their Field of Dreams miracle, blanking the 1953 St. Louis Browns 3-0 to win the best-of-seven series. Dave Lemonds was masterful, tossing 7.1 innings of three-hit, shutout ball to earn Player of the Game honors, while Terry Forster closed the door with a spotless save. The Browns, despite Satchel Paige’s vintage brilliance through seven innings, could not muster any offense against Chicago's sharp pitching and tight defense. The White Sox broke a scoreless deadlock in the fifth when Mike Andrews doubled and later scored, and they added two insurance runs in the eighth on clutch two-out hits from Rick Reichardt, Ed Herrmann, and Bill Melton. As the final out settled into Dick Allen’s glove at first base, Comiskey Park erupted in celebration under the chilly, starry sky. Owner Dennis Lemonds called the championship "unbelievable for us, our great fans, and all of Chicago 1972," while a gracious but disappointed Browns manager Marty Marion tipped his cap to the champions, acknowledging, "The White Sox played as good as any team I've seen." With 50-degree weather, waving banners, and roaring crowds, the night belonged to the 1972 White Sox—a perfect ending to a dream series.

1972 Chicago White Sox Win Series 4 Games To 3

Series MVP:

(.280, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 1 SB, .640 SLG, .973 OPS)