[Tiger Fan]

The New York Yankees are down three games to none to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1965 World Series. It will be a difficult task to come back from such a deficit but certainly not impossible - just ask both teams as three years ago the Yankees were up 3-0 on the Reds only to see Cincinnati roar back and win 4 straight to claim the crown.

Many of the same players were on the two clubs 3 years ago and the 1962 series really mirrored the first 3 games of this year's Fall Classic. It was Cincinnati bats that couldn't get going that time as New York won the first 3 contests by scores of 4-0, 2-1 and 4-0.

Game One of the '62 series saw Whitey Ford and a pair of relievers combine on a 1-hit shutout with Reds outfielder Rocky Colavito's lead-off single to start the second inning the only Cincinnati hit on the day. Key pinch-hits from Jose Pagan and Jess Duran helped New York plate two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings to provide the margin of victory.

The Reds did get 6 hits in Game Two but their only run came on a Colavito rbi single in the 7th inning. Jess Duran had another pinch-hit rbi for New York, this one of the walkoff variety in the bottom of the ninth to give the Yankees a 2-1 victory and make a winner out of Jim Bouton in relief of Jim Bunning.

New York went up 3-0 in the series thanks to a 4-hit complete game effort from veteran Ray Herbert to outduel Reds ace Curt Simmons. Mickey Mantle drove in two runs as the Yankees claimed a 4-0 victory in the game.

The tide turned in game four as the Reds hitters finally broke out, scoring 13 times to thump Yankee starter Bill Stafford and two relievers in a 13-4 Reds win. Frank Robinson had 3 hits, all doubles, and drove in 5 runs to lead the Cincinnati charge.

Game Five was a nailbiter between Whitey Ford and Jim O'Toole. When the two starters left it was tied 2-2 but in the bottom of the 8th Reds outfielder Vada Pinson doubled home Cesar Tovar to put Cincinnati ahead 3-2. It would end that way and the series shifted back to New York with the Yankees leading 3 games to two but the momentum had clearly shifted towards the Reds.

The sixth game was one for the ages as Claude Osteen and Jim Bunning each went the distance. The only run of the contest came in the top of the first inning when Pinson's two out single scored Tommy Harper. The final would be 1-0 Reds and force a seventh game as Osteen pitched a 5-hit shutout while Yankees hurler Bunning surrendered just 5 hits.

After leading the series 3 games to none the Yankees now found themselves in a winner take all seventh game to decide the 1962 World Series Champion. As good a pitching duel as game six was, this one was even better. Curt Simmons got the start for the Reds and he allowed just 2 hits through 8 innings while the Yankees needed Ray Herbert, Whitey Ford and Dick Hall to get through 8 but they had also held the Reds scoreless on 2 hits.

We go to the ninth inning of the seventh game of the World Series in a scoreless tie. Cesar Tovar would greet new Yankee hurler Bill Stafford with a lead-off single and Tovar would steal second during Tommy Harper's at bat, that ended with Stafford getting a strikeout. After Frank Robinson was intentionally walked he and Tovar successfully executed a double-steal. The Yankees decided to put Vada Pinson on intentionally and go for the force play at home, which worked to perfection as Joe Gaines hit a grounder that allowed them to force Tovar at the plate.

It remained scoreless but the bases were loaded with Reds and there were 2 away. Johnny Edwards became the hero with a line shot single to move everyone up 90 feet and snap the tie. Pinch-hitter Ed Bailey followed with a single of his own to score two more and put Cincinnati up 3-0, ending Stafford's brief appearance. Jim Bouton came on and struck out Tony Perez to end the inning but the damage was certainly done. Simmons finished off the complete game shutout by retiring Norm Siebern, Mickey Mantle and Tom Tresh in order and the Reds stole the World Series after initially trailing 3 games to none.

So perhaps there is some small glimmer of hope for Yankee fans here in the 1965 series if they think back to their devasting loss of three years ago. Game Four is today.