PHOTOS
Scott Walsh
Chris Chambliss stood on second base. Roy White was at first base. Bucky Dent coming to the plate.
Where had Mike Torrez seen this before?
OK, so it wasn't the seventh inning of the American League East Division playoff game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox on Oct. 2, 1978. And who cared if the whole thing was staged? History played out again Saturday at PNC Field during the Legends Reunion.
The event featured nine former Yankees against nine ex-Red Sox in a five-inning exhibition baseball game. Technically, the final score was Yankees 3, Red Sox 2, but that didn't really matter to the participants nor the approximately 8,000 fans who attended.
"Having a good time, that was the main key today," the Yankees' Mickey Rivers said. "Get out there, do well, nobody get hurt and just have a joyful time."
That's why in the first inning Saturday, event organizers recreated the scene 30 years ago at Fenway Park, when Dent homered off Torrez to help the Yankees win that epic playoff game, 5-4. They eventually went on to capture the world championship.
"You couldn't ask for anything better. It worked out perfect," Torrez said. "I think all the fans enjoyed it and loved it. It brought back a lot of memories."
On Saturday, Torrez threw his first pitch over Dent's head. Then after Dent fouled off the next pitch, he lined a single to the warning track in left field.
"Mike and I have been doing this for a long time. He knows where to throw it," Dent said. "He's really been outstanding about it. We've had a lot of fun over the 30 years. The crowd was excellent and it was a gorgeous day. What more could you ask for?"
Even though the players once were adversaries in, perhaps, baseball's most heated rivalry, there was no animosity evident Saturday.
In the locker room before and after the game, they joked and told stories and signed baseballs for each other.
"Guys go to fantasy camps and see their former teammates," Rico Petrocelli of the Red Sox said. "But this is different. It's a real fun time. It's great to see guys you not only played with but played against." Sponsored by the Times-Tribune newspapers and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, the Legends Reunion was the first event of its kind. Over the years, many of the former Yankees and Red Sox have appeared together at baseball cards shows and other events.
But this marked the first time the players played in an exhibition game.
"It all started with a basic idea, and to see it come to life was an amazing thing," said Tim Holmes, director of Times-Shamrock events. "Speaking to the players, they had never done this before. I'm glad we were able to pull it off here in Scranton, Pennsylvania."
During the game, the players tried to make sure everyone had a good time.
Jay Johnstone of the Yankees went to the stands and picked young fans to come play center field with him. Johnstone and Bill Lee of the Red Sox were miked to provide commentary during the game. Oscar Gamble came to bat wearing a large black wig, reprising his look during the 1970s. Torrez even switched to a Yankees uniform mid-game - he played for New York in 1977 - and pitched the last inning in relief of Rich "Goose" Gossage, thus making him the first pitcher in baseball history to take the loss and earn the save in the same game.
Some even showed they still have the skills. Rivers, playing second base, made a nice backhanded catch of a popup hit by Dick McAuliffe in shallow center field in the second inning. In the fifth, Yankees first baseman Chris Chambliss made a nice scoop of a ball thrown in the dirt.
Just in case the participants started to feel their age, players from five local colleges were on hand to back them up in the outfield or run the bases.
"There's not a lot of testosterone here. You only see Flomax and Viagara commercials out there today. It used to be tobacco," said Lee, who still plays in a senior league in Santa Rosa, Calif. "True baseball fans must have really enjoyed this. It brought back a lot of memories. I wish we could have played nine innings, put on a good show and leave them laughing. Sorry we could only play five."
More pre- and post-game coverage of the Legends Reunion from
The Times-Tribune:
Looking back at a team with great history
For Nettles, rivals are now friends
Johnstone recalls Red Sox rivalry
Rosters are finalized for Legends Reunion
Gamble's hair legendary
Ex-Red Sox hurler also won World Series with Yankees
One swing binds Dent, Torrez forever
Gossage to face ex-Red Sox players at PNC Field
White recalls rivalry with Boston
Former Boston stars added to reunion game
Ex-Yanks, Sox to play at PNC Field