with APBA BASEBALL FOR WINDOWS
Updated July 31,, 2006
BUZZ CAPRA'S AUGUST 25th 1972 PERFECT GAME
Baseball often mirrors the society that surrounds it. The golden era of the fifties for society is considered by many a golden age for baseball. By the mid-Sixties societies common beliefs and customs came under challenge. In many ways baseball lagged behind society. The seventies, though not as turbulent as the previous decade, saw even more changes to society. In baseball the seventies began to catch up to society and once again became a reflection of the world around it. The seventies era in baseball actually began with the 1969 season with the first of three major changes. Prior to 1969 baseball remained the same for almost 70 years; sixteen teams divided evenly between the American and National Leagues. The winners of each league played in the World Series. The 1969 season ushered in four new teams, divisional play, and the league championship series. The 1973 season introduced the second fundamental change, the designated hitter. Following 1972 the American League adopted the designated hitter forever the changing the way baseball is played. The third major change in the seventies was the advent of free agency. Until 1976 players were bound to the teams owning their contract. Beginning with Curt Flood in 1970 and ending with Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally in 1976 owners lost complete control over the players.
On the field seventies baseball featured a diverse style of play. Starting pitchers were still expected to finish games they started. Unlike most decades which featured a specific type of baseball during the seventies teams combined power and speed. Additionally, the bullpen became a prominent feature of any successful pitching staff as teams began to rely on a dominant closer to finish games.
The decade also saw the emergence of two dynasties; American League perennial doormat the Oakland A's and baseball's oldest franchise the Cincinnati Reds. In many ways both teams contrasted each other. The A's were marketed as a group of free spirits and rebels. On the other hand the Reds were dubbed the "Big Red Machine" due to their finely honed professionalism. The decade had other great teams; Earl Weaver's Baltimore Orioles, the late 70's New York Yankees, the expansion Kansas City Royals, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
All in all the Seventies is in my opinion the most intriguing decade in baseball.
I have decided to explore this decade by utilizing APBA BASEBALL FOR WINDOWS. I will begin my tour of the decade with 1969 season. Ground Rules for replay. I anticipate replaying each season from 1969 and beyond.
