Series Wrapup

Story

While pitching dominated both major leagues in 1968, National League hitters fared somewhat better than their American League counterparts.  Cincinnati's Pete Rose finished second in the league with 94 runs scored, and he also topped the senior circuit with a .335 batting average, 210 hits, and a .394 on-base percentage.  San Francisco's Willie McCovey led the league with 36 home runs and 105 runs batted in.  Lou Brock scored 92 runs and led the N.L. with 14 triples, 46 doubles, and 62 stolen bases.  In so doing, he became the first National League player since Honus Wagner in 1908 to lead the league in all three categories in the same year.

Nevertheless, pitchers reigned supreme in the senior circuit as well, with N.L. hurlers establishing numerous records over the course of the season.  Dodger right-hander Don Drysdale set a new major league record by throwing 58 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.  Cardinal ace Bob Gibson posted an ERA of 1.12 – the lowest mark compiled in the major leagues since 1914.  San Francisco’s Gaylord Perry and St. Louis’ Ray Washburn tossed no-hitters on successive days at Candlestick Park.

The pennant-winning St. Louis Cardinals, who repeated as N.L. champions by finishing the year with a record of 97-65, nine games ahead of the second-place Giants, epitomized the lack of offensive firepower that prevailed in the senior circuit throughout the campaign.  The Cardinals scored only 583 runs and hit just 73 home runs as a team.  Orlando Cepeda (16) and Mike Shannon (15) were the only members of the club who finished in double-digits in homers.  Aside from Lou Brock, whose outstanding performance included a .279 batting average, Curt Flood (.301) was the only Cardinals player who posted a mark in excess of .266.  Mike Shannon led the team with 79 runs batted in, and, with the exception of Brock, no one on the club scored more than 71 times.

However, the Cardinals’ exceptional pitching allowed them to run away with their second consecutive league championship.  St. Louis led the league with a 2.49 team ERA, surrendering in the process a league-low 472 runs to the opposition.  In addition to posting an ERA of 1.12, Bob Gibson won 22 games, threw 28 complete games and 304 innings, and led all N.L. hurlers with 268 strikeouts and 13 shutouts.  Gibson’s magnificent performance earned him N.L. Cy Young and MVP honors.     

Gibson continued to pitch brilliantly against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, helping the Cardinals build a 3-1 Series lead by earning complete-game victories in Games One and Four.  He was particularly dominant in the opening contest, setting a new World Series record by striking out 17 Tiger batters.  Detroit rallied to tie the Fall Classic at three games apiece, though, setting the stage for a decisive Game Seven.  Gibson faced Tiger left-hander Mickey Lolich in the finale, with both men shutting out the opposing team’s lineup for the first six innings.  However, the Tigers finally broke through against Gibson in the seventh frame, scoring three times, en route to posting a Series-clinching 4-1 victory.  Lolich earned Series MVP honors for posting three of his team’s four wins.

Other outstanding performers, notable events, and points of interest from around the league follow:

• June 8 – Against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium, Don Drysdale broke Walter Johnson's 1913 streak of 56 consecutive scoreless innings.  A fifth-inning sacrifice fly by Howie Bedell scored Tony Taylor for the run that ended the streak at 58 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.  Drysdale’s mark stood until Orel Hershiser broke it in 1988 by tossing 59 consecutive scoreless frames.

• July 1 – Bob Gibson's streak of 47 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings came to an end.

• July 14 - Hank Aaron became the eighth player in major league history to reach 500 career homers.

• July 14 - Don Wilson of the Houston Astros struck out 18 batters, including eight in a row at one point.

• Lou Brock led all World Series batters with a .464 batting average and seven stolen bases.

• Bob Gibson’s 13 shutouts represented the highest total compiled in the major leagues since 1916 (Grover Cleveland Alexander).

• The National League won the first indoor All-Star Game 1-0 at Houston, scoring the winning run on a double-play grounder.  Willie Mays earned Game MVP honors, making him the first player to win the award twice.

• Cincinnati’s Johnny Bench (15 home runs, 82 RBIs, .275 batting average) earned N.L. Rookie of the Year honors.  He also won the first of his 10 consecutive Gold Gloves.

• George Culver of Cincinnati tossed a no-hitter against the Phillies on July 29.

• Gaylord Perry of the Giants no-hit the Cardinals on September 17.

• On September 18, Ray Washburn of Cardinals no-hit the Giants.

• Juan Marichal compiled a 2.43 ERA and led all N.L. hurlers with 26 wins, 326 innings pitched, and 30 complete games.

• Chicago’s Glenn Beckert led the league with 98 runs scored.

• Atlanta's Felipe Alou tied Pete Rose for the league lead with 210 hits.

• Chicago’s Phil Regan led the league with 25 saves.

Seasons of the National League

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