Top 5 Players of the 1975 World Series

Originally published on Jun. 18, 2019

By Zane Miller

On Wednesday, October 22nd, 1975, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston to win the 72nd World Series four games to three. It was the third World Series championship for the Reds franchise and the eighth that was won in Massachusetts. These are the top five players that I felt most stood out during the series.

5. #6 Rico Petrocelli (Red Sox)- 3B

Petrocelli took player of the game honors in game one, as he hit two RBIs with one run and two hits as the Red Sox claimed the series opener 6-0.

4. #19 Fred Lynn (Red Sox)- CF

Lynn earned player of the game in game six, hitting three RBIs with a pair of runs, a pair of hits and a walk as the Red Sox went on to win 7-6 in 12 innings.

3. #5 Johnny Bench (Reds)- C

Bench was game three’s player of the game, driving in two RBIs with a run and a hit in the Reds’ 6-5 victory in 10 innings.

2. #43 Jack Billingham (Reds)- P

Billingham pitched his way to player of the game in game two, going five and two-thirds innings while allowing six hits and a pair of walks as the Reds won it 3-2.

1. #24 Tony Perez (Reds)- 1B

Perez claimed player of the game honors in games five and seven, as game five saw Perez knock in four RBIs on two runs, two hits and a walk in the Reds’ 6-2 victory, followed by game seven where he got two RBIs along with a run and a hit as the Reds claimed a 4-3 win to clinch the series championship.

Players of the Game Breakdown:

 

Link to stats database: https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_WS.shtml