1972 10-11 Pirates at Reds NLCS Game 5

The Thomas Paine Podcast presents a dramatic, play-by-play account of Game 5 of the 1972 National League Championship Series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium. After a 1 hour and 28-minute rain delay, the game unfolds with high tension as the Pirates take a 2-0 lead in the second inning on three hits and a defensive error. The Reds respond with a run in the third, but the Pirates extend their lead to 3-1 in the fourth. The Reds stage a stunning comeback in the ninth inning, sparked by Johnny Bench’s two-out, two-strike home run to tie the game at 3-3. With the bases loaded and the winning run on third, Bob Moose balks, allowing the go-ahead run to score. The Reds win 4-3, advancing to the World Series against either the Detroit Tigers or Oakland A's. The broadcast captures the electric atmosphere, key moments like Bench’s heroics and Moose’s costly error, and includes updates on other sports events, including a dramatic Tigers comeback in the American League playoffs. Key takeaways include the importance of clutch hitting and defensive execution under pressure, the impact of bullpen decisions in high-stakes games, and how weather delays can shift momentum. The episode underscores how a single balk can change the course of a championship series. It also highlights the growing national reach of sports broadcasting via AFRTS, with coverage extending to military bases worldwide. The Reds’ ability to rally in the ninth inning, despite being down, exemplifies resilience in postseason baseball. The Pirates’ strong pitching and timely hitting in earlier innings were ultimately undone by a single error and a pivotal balk in the final frame.