IN THE NEWS: Dusty Baker homers in his final AB of the season during a 6–3 loss to the Astros. It is Baker's 30th home run of the year, enabling him to join teammates Steve Garvey (33), Reggie Smith (32), and Ron Cey (30) in making the Dodgers the first team ever to boast four 30-HR hitters in one season. When he crosses the plate he is greeted by on-deck batter Glenn Burke, who raises his hands and Baker matches him, allegedly the first high five in history.
IN THE NEWS: The Phillies score twice in the 9th inning on singles by Bake McBride, Larry Bowa, and Mike Schmidt off Elias Sosa, to beat the Dodgers 7–5 in the opening game of the National League Championship Series. Ron Cey blasts a grand slam for Los Angeles in the 7th, and Greg Luzinski homers for the Phils.
IN THE NEWS: In game two of the NLCS, Dusty Baker's grand slam, off Jim Lonborg, leads the Dodgers to a 7–1 win over the Phillies as Don Sutton goes the distance for LA. Bake McBride's homer in the 3rd is the only score for Philley.
In the opener of the American League Series, home runs by Hal McRae, John Mayberry, and Al Cowens lead the Royals to a 7–2 triumph over the Yankees.
IN THE NEWS: Down 5–3 with two outs in the 9th inning, the Dodgers catch lightning in a bottle. Pinch hitter Vic Davalillo beats out a 2-strike drag bunt and pinch hitter Manny Mota follows with a long double off Greg Luzinski's glove. Mota reaches 3rd on a throw that Ted Sizemore mishandles. Lopes' grounder hits a seam in the carpet and caroms off Mike Schmidt's knee to Larry Bowa, and the shortstop's throw is ruled late. Los Angeles pulls out a 6–5 victory.
Kansas City earns a 6–2 win over New York as Hal McRae doubles and scores twice and Dennis Leonard hurls a 4-hitter.
IN THE NEWS: Mickey Rivers collects four hits as the Yankees even the ALCS, beat the Royals, 6–4. Sparky Lyle contributes with 52/3 scoreless relief innings.
The Dodgers clinch the National League flag with a 4–1 win in front of an LCS-record crowd of 64,924 at Philadelphia. Dusty Baker, the playoff's MVP, hits a 2-run homer and scores twice as Tommy John allows seven hits in nine innings of work.
IN THE NEWS: For the 2nd year in succession, the Yanks score in the 9th inning of the 5th game to beat the Royals in the LCS. Mickey Rivers gets the game-winning hit. The final score is New York 5, Kansas City 3.
IN THE NEWS: The Yankees win the opening game of the World Series 4–3 in 12 innings as Willie Randolph doubles and scores the winning run on a single by Paul Blair.
IN THE NEWS: The Yankees win 4–2 to take a 3-1 advantage in the World Series. Reggie Jackson doubles and homers, and Ron Guidry notches a 4-hitter, striking out 7.
IN THE NEWS: The Cards get Frank Riccelli from the Giants. To complete the deal, St. Louis will sell Jim Dwyer, who led the American Association in hitting and runs in 1977, to the Giants on June 15, 1978.
IN THE NEWS: Sparky Lyle becomes the first American League reliever to win the Cy Young Award. Lyle led the league with 72 appearances, posting a 13-5 record with 26 saves and a 2.17 ERA.
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