1974 Topps Style 2014 World Series Champs

Once again this year I tried to capture this season's Championship Series using the format of vintage Topps cards. In 2013, I began with a 1960 Topps World Series style card for Game 1and continued on through 1966. This year I picked up where I left off with the 1967 Topps World Series style card for Game 1 and ending with this 1974 style card. The 1967 - 1970 cards originally used black and white photos. I chose aesthetics over authenticity.

This was an exciting series to watch. The Series went seven games with the Giant winning 4 games to 3. The Royals skipped the post season for 28 years then came within 90 feet of tying up game 7 in 2014.

In Game 1 Hunter Pence homered in the 1st, doubled in the 4th, scored twice and had 2 RBIs. In all the Giants had 11 hits by 8 different players as they took an early lead in the series. 

Giants 7

Royals 1

Giants lead series 1-0

The Royals stormed back in Game 2. Omar Infante capped a 5-run 6th inning with a 2-run homer off Hunter Strickland. The frustrated Strickland then stared down Salvador Perez and exchanged pleasantries causing the Royals bench to momentarily clear.  Cooler heads prevailed and the game continued without incident.

Giants 2

Royals 7

Series even 1-1

In game 3 it was the pitching that made news. Specifically relief pitching. The Royal bullpen was awesome, quieting the Giants prolific bats. I'd write more about the game but with the newspaper format of the 1969 Topps card, it hardly seems necessary.

Royals 3

Giants 2

Royals lead series 2-1

The Giants bats were back with a vengeance in Game 4. 11 different players shared 16 hits including relief pitcher Yusmeiro Petit who also got the win. Joe Panik had 2 doubles and a sac-bunt. He also scored twice and had 2 RBIs. The Royals had 12 hits but were held scoreless after the 3rd inning.

Royals 4

Giants 11

Series even 2-2

Maddy Bum got his second World Series win in style, a complete-game shutout. He struck out 8 Royals giving up only 4 hits and no walks.

Royals 0

Giants 5

Giants lead the series 3-2

After giving their bullpen the night off in game 5, the Giants relievers were called into action in just the 2nd inning of Game 6. The Royals exploded for 10 runs after getting shut out in the last game. Mike Moustakas's 7th inning blast ended a 36 inning home run drought. The longest in World Series play since 1945. The victim once again was Hunter Strickland. Strickland had only 7 inning of regular season MLB experience. In the 2014 post season he gave up 6 homers in just 8 1/3 innings. 

Giants 0

Royals 10

Series even 3-3

With 2 days rest after his complete game shutout in Game 5, Madison Bumgarner took the mound for the final 5 inning of Game 7. Once again he held the Royals scoreless, earning the save and the World Series MVP. This game also had the first overturned call in World Series play.  Eric Hosmer was ruled out at 1st in a brilliant double play. Initially the umpire called him safe but manager Bruce Bochy successfully challenged the call. 

Giants 3

Royals 2

Giants win the series 4-3