1964 N.L. Race: The Final Day

Entering the final day of the 1964 season, the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds, each of whom having made up ground in a hurry on the Philadelphia Phillies, were tied for first place. The Phils were one game out.

In a 1988 interview with me, Bill White, at the time, a New York Yankees broadcaster, recalled the final weekend of the ’64 campaign, when he was a fine first baseman for the Cards.

“The Mets played us tough” he emphasized, citing Al Jackson out dueling the great St. Louis pitcher Bob Gibson in the Friday night tilt, (1-0). The Mets eased to victory in the Saturday game, surely in the day (another thing they have done to ruin baseball is to take away most of the Saturday afternoon games).

The Cardinals hosted the Mets and the Reds visited the Phillies on that final Sunday. wins by the Mets and Phillies would force the first three way playoff in baseball history.

There would be no playoff, not even a two way as the Phillies ripped the Reds led by rookie Richie “Dick” Allen while the Cards overcame an early deficit and with Mr. Gibson pitching in relief, eased by the Mets, to win their first pennant in 18 years.