This Day in Reds History - October 11

On this date in 1972 the Reds beat the Pirates 4-3.  Also, on this date in 1968, the Reds broke the heart of a nine year old kid and gave him his first real lesson in the business of the game.

With the Reds now enjoying the off season this will be the last daily posting of TDiRH. I have a few already written and will post those when they come up. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for being enablers and indulging a Reds fan in a life time obsession. And if is alright with the Big Guy (Slyde) I will bring this back on 3/31/11 when the Reds open the season as defending NL Central Champions. Hope Springs Eternal - Go Reds!

Caleb

Trailing the Pirates 3-2 entering the bottom of the ninth Pittsburgh brought in close Dave Giusti to begin the inning. Giust, who led the Pirates with 22 saves, promptly gave up one of the most memorable home runs in Cincinnati history to Johnny Bench. Bench's third career post season home-run tied the game at three. Tony Perez followed with a single and was replaced by pinch runner George Foster. Denis Menke followed with a single moving Foster to second base and that was the end of a short night for Giusti. Bob Moose came in to face Cesar Geronimo and induced a flyout to right field that was deep enough to advance Foster to third. Daryl Chaney then popped up on the infield for the second out. Moose then uncorked a wild pitch to pinch hitter Hal McRae and Foster came home with the run that put the Reds in their second World Series in three years. This game was also the final game of the brilliant career of Roberto Clemente. Sadly, Clemente would perish in a tragic plane crash on December 31, 1972, while on a humanitarian mission. This series also marked the end of Pirates future Hall-of-Famer Bill Mazeroski's 17 year career. Maz, of course, will always be remembered for his walk off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series to beat the Yankees.

Rennie Stennett