Lead Story - 5/17/2024 Cincinnati Reds - 1980 World Series ChampionsThe 1980 World Series was a pitchers Series with the Cincinnati Reds winning, 4 games to 1 over the Kansas City Royals. The Reds won the first two games of the Series holding the Royals scoreless. Wayne Simpson opened the Series with a 2 hitter for the Reds. Terry Kennedy hit a 2 run double in the first giving the Reds the runs they needed to take the win in Game 1, 3-0. Gary Nolan outbattled Steve Busby in Game 2. Nolan allowed 7 hits, but the Royals stranded 8; Busby allowed only 4 hits. The game remained Scoreless through 7, and in the bottom of the 8th, after throwing Pete Rose out at home, Sam Ewing hit a 2 out, 2 RBI single to give the Reds the win 2-0. Game 3 had the battle of the Don’s, Gullet and Stanhouse. The Royals broke their 21 inning scoring drought in the bottom of the 4th, with Amos Otis’ 2 run homer. Don Baylor added a solo homer in the 5th, and the Royals held on for a 3-2 victory. Tom Carroll and Hank Webb both pitched 3 hitters, with Carroll coming out on top in another pitching battle. The Reds took an early lead in the 1st on Johnny Bench’s RBI single, and Dan Driessen hit a solo Homer in the 4th to give the Reds a 3 games to 1 Series lead with the 2-0 victory. Wayne Simpson took the Series MVP getting his 2nd win of the Series in Game 5, holding the Royals to 2 runs on 7 hits, striking out 8. Driessen opened the scoring for the Reds in the top of the first with a RBI double. The Royals narrowed the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the 1st on Mike Jorgensen’s RBI single. The Reds expanded the lead to 4-1 in the 2nd on Ken Griffey’s RBI double, in route to a 5-2 victory, giving the Reds the championship. Wayne Simpson won the MVP with 2 wins, a 1.27 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 6.97 K/9. Ken Griffey led the Reds offense with a .375 Avg, 1.063 OPS, and 2 doubles. Don Baylor led the Royals offense with a .353 Avg, 1.118 OPS, 1 double and 1 home run |