Tony Perez Announces His Arrival in the 1967 All-Star Game
Tony Perez was my favorite player when I was growing up. Doggie was many of my friends’ favorite player. I think this is significant, because there were many players who were likely guys: Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Lee May (not at the same time).
Before I became a fan, the Big Dog announced his presence as one of the most clutch, the clutchest, of player by hitting a homer off Catfish Hunter in 67 in Anaheim in the 15th inning to win the game 2-1. Won the game’s MVP Award. This is a game that really, really used to matter to the players, fans, managers, owners, groundskeepers, everyone.
Tony was moved to third base because the Reds stuck Lee May at first. Because ol’ Lee could hit. A ton. And while Perez may not have been Brooks Robinson at third (he wasn’t), he could hit.
This is how Phil Cola of SABR put it:
… much to Perez’s surprise Los Angeles Dodgers manager Walter Alston named him to the National League squad for the All-Star Game in Anaheim. Perez entered the game in the tenth inning, struck out in his first at-bat in the 12th, and then, in the 15th inning he hit a one-out home run off Catfish Hunter to give the National League a 2-1 victory. Perez was voted the game’s most valuable player.
Big Dog went on to have a bigger hit in the greatest World Series ever played, the 76 against the BoSox. And he was a Red until I think last year. No, but it was the 80s. Dude is a great player.
One day, we’ll discuss the 20-24 record with the Reds that Doggie had as a manager. And how “boy genius” Jim Bowden fired him 44 games into a season because, I guess, Bowden’s players could never start a season four games under .500 (I couldn’t find Jimmy Boy’s record, but I’m sure it ain’t much better than that winning percentage).
Big Dog, Doggie. Tony Perez. My guy.
This is my fav pic of Tony Perez being hailed by Bob Gibson and Willie Mays after homering in the 15th inning of the 1967 All-Star Game.
It’s the Victory Bell and the CyHawk trophy games today. Iowa goes to Ames to play Iowa State. Iowa is 2-0, Iowa State is 1-0, beating Drake. Drake. Miami University travels 45 minutes south of Oxford to take on the Bearcats in the 124th Victory Bell game. This is not really been much of a rivalry for the last decade (the Bearcats have won 13 in a road), with Cincinnati dominating in the games as well. UC beat UCLA in the first game, and they were smoked in the second game. The RedHawks hung with Iowa at Iowa for a while in the first game, and beat Tennessee Tech in the second.
Iowa Brings the Thunder
Well, Iowa had a nice drive to get the field goal. They went up 3-0. Then a lightning delay. Gives me a chance to make some sausage and corn. Sausage and corn. And when it comes back, the Cyclones pull the old double pass, and score a touchdown. 7-3. Then another lightning delay. Forever. Well, here’s the dinner I grilled in the meantime:
Italian sausage and corn on the cob on the grill.
Grilled foccacia, from the farmers markcet.
Sausage, with corn on the cob, some grilled buns.
Hawkeyes and Cyclones Wait
The Hawks and Clones had a huge delay before getting to start again. It really was like a new game. In the meantime, Georgia Southern upset Minnesota, a pretty bad loss for the Gophers. The game resumed, not much happened. But right after halftime, the Hawks had a complete defensive breakdown, allowing a 73-yard TD pass from Clone QB Brock Purdy to Tarique Milton. Right down the middle. Not covered. Ugly. Cyclones up 14-6.
Iowa had a drive and got a FG, then the two traded punches until the Hawkeyes put together an Iowa drive. Run. Run. Short pass. QB run. Run. etc. etc. Score on a 1-yard run from QB Nate Stanley. Miss the 2-point conversion. But the Hawkeyes take the lead 15-14.
RedHawks Start Strong
The RedHawks came out of the tunnel and played hard. They took a 7-0 lead with a touchdown march early. The defense dominated the line of scrimmage, stopping the Bearcats with three-and-outs a bunch. They also made a field goal in the first quarter to take a 10-0 lead.
Then the Bearcats were able to bring the heat back to the Hawks. The offensive line really started firing out and the Bearcats drove for a touchdown, to cut the lead to 10-7. Miami took to the air to drive down to the Cincy 10 or so. Then Brett Gaebbert was sacked, fumbled, and Cincy took over.
At the end of the first half, both defensive lines started to take over. With five minutes left, each team had three sacks.
Michael Warren II from Cincinnati is a nice back.
Side Note: Cincy RB Michael Warren is a pretty good darned player. He’s athletic, runs behind his pads, and can find open field. (73-yard TD update): Kid just ran 73 yards for a TD for the Bearcats to go up 35-17. He’s pretty good.
OK, back to it. Cincy was able to stem the Miami O, then they had a last second drive at the end of the first half for a touchdown, with Warren taking a direct snap from 3 yards with 10 seconds left in the half to take a 14-10 going into the half.
Miami RedHawks football and the logo.
Check-In Note: Watching the Illini-Eastern Michigan game. Eastern winning 23-17 before the first half. Geez. Ohio State bringing it to the Hoosiers in Indiana 30-10.
Halftime Tune: Bruce Springsteen bringing it with “Pay Me My Money Down,” a Georgia Sea Island tune that the Weavers used to sing.
Second Half Bearcat Fast Start … Big Finish
Cincy came right out in the second half and drove the field. After a few runs and some penalties, quarterback Desmond Ridder threw a 27-yard TD pass to Josiah Deguara. The Bearcats go up 21-10. After a couple of changes of possession, Ridder threw an INT, giving MU the ball in Cincy territory. The Bearcats, though, forced a four-down turnover with a tough stop against the run on third and an incompletion on the fourth.
Ridder took the ball and fired a 51-yard rope to Thomas Geddis to bring the score to 28-10. Time for a break and, I don’t know, a Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’.
Check-In Note: Illinois and Eastern Michigan still at 23-17. Ohio State up big.
Michael Warren II takes it TO THE HOUSE!! from 73 yards. Cincy up 35-13. Doesn’t look good, if you’re an old Miami alum. And … things continued downhill. Cincy should have had a safety. RedHawks now aren’t blocking. This is less fun. Looking forward to the Iowa-Iowa State CyHawk game. America needs farmers. I need the RedHawks to make a good stop here and make this a game, at least. Ain’t gonna happen. Cincy just running over RedHawk defense. Announcers just talked about Chris Ferguson, offensive tackle for the Bearcats, who is from the Bahamas. The report is that his family is safe after the devastation from Hurricane Dorian. Click for the Red Cross link. My rule (I just came up with it) is to donate every time I do this, or else it’s all hot air.
Check-In Note: Eastern Michigan 31-24 over the Illini, and driving. OSU up 51-10. Notre Dame up 7-0 over New Mexico (go Lobos!!) early in first.
And the Bearcats Wins 14th Straight Victory Bell Game, 35-13.
That ain’t good.
Check-In Note: Illinois was on their own 7-yard line, 4th and 10. Brandon Peters threw a 15-yard pass to Josh Imatorbhebhe. Then he threw a 36-yard TD pass to Imatorbhebhe with under two minutes to tie the game. Of course, they gave Eastern about 2 minutes to come back. And geez the Eagles just drove down the field. … And … kick a field goal to win the game.34-31.
pau1ke11y 