# 7’s “For All The Marbles” Notes

Eight years apart, two great players, first Roberto Clemente in 1971 and next Wilver “Willie” Stargell in ’79 led the Pittsburgh Pirates (remember when they had a chance, were viable or both?!) to 7 game World Series triumphs, clinched at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, vs the Orioles.

After that “Buccos” road win in the 7th game of baseball’s final round/the World Series, home teams prevailed in #7 of a league final an incredible 18 consecutive times over the next nearly 30 years before another Pittsburgh team, the NHL Penguins won the ’09 title with a game 7 of the final round win at Detroit, vs the defending champion Red Wings, who had 6’d them, the year before.

Starting with that Pens’ road triumph, the road team has gone a so impressive (7-2) in # 7’s of final rounds in the three of four major sports leagues (the NFL contests a one gamer for the crown most always at a neutral site, better known as the Super Bowl), big league baseball, the NHL and NBA–the last of those having one tonight.

Each league has a current road team win skein in such a game, (3-0) NHL– the aforementioned Pens in ’09, the Boston Bruins with current “Fla” champion (their parade is today, again the NBA title is to be decided tonight) Brad Marchand on their roster, in ’11 at Vancouver (Canucks) and the St. Louis Blues winning their lone crown, in 2018, at Boston, vs the Bruins and Marchand).

In the last #7 of an NBA final round, Cleveland upset 73 win(s) Golden State on the road in 2016.

Baseball also with 3, the Cubs ending a 108 year title drought, vs the Cleveland Indians in ’16, the Astros first title win in what was their 55th completed season in 2017 and the Washington Nationals only crown either as the Montreal Expos or “Wash,” vs the ‘Stros in an all road teams win, 2019 World Series.

Before the Penguins’ above referenced road #7/final round win in 2009, the last such was 38 years earlier in 1971.

Click above to hear the great broadcaster Danny Gallivan’s calls, as Henri Richard scored the decisive goal and the game’s conclusion.