June 28, 1977 – Blue Jays 8-1, Yankees 5-5
- Sal Maiorana
- Jun 28, 2017
- 2 min read
TORONTO – Before the start of the doubleheader, it came to light that Reggie Jackson’s ego was aflame once again. In his meeting with reporters before a long, long day of baseball, Martin was quizzed by reporters on his decision in the finale of the series with Boston to replace Jackson in right field with defensive stalwart Paul Blair in the eighth inning.
If you remember, not only did Blair solidify the defense, he also delivered the game-winning hit as the Yankees completed a sweep of the Red Sox. However, this merely created another piss off moment for Jackson.
Jackson raised the issue with the media, reiterating again that he believed he was the kind of player who deserved to play every inning of every game. Naturally, the reporters ran to Martin for his response. “It’s nothing personal against Reggie,” Martin said with gathering irritation over the fact that he was again having to deal with Reggie’s insecurities. “Blair is the best defensive outfielder I’ve got and that’s why I put him in. If anybody shows me he’s better than Blair, I’ll play him. But personalities don’t enter into it. It’s not a matter of likes and dislikes. I do what’s best for the team.”
A few hours later, what did Reggie do? He dropped a fly ball by Hector Torres that opened the door for a four-run inning that catapulted the Blue Jays to the victory. Down 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh, the Blue Jays rallied against Ken Clay, who making the first start of his major-league career, and were greatly assisted by Yankee incompetence.
Catcher Ernie Whitt reached on a bloop double to center, a ball Mickey Rivers got a late jump on and should have caught. After a sacrifice, Whitt was able to trot home from third on Jackson’s egregious drop. Torres moved to third on a single by Bob Bailor so Sparky Lyle relieved, and the first batter he faced, Al Woods, reached on an error by Chris Chambliss who fumbled a slow roller as he tried to throw home to nail Torres. The Blue Jays went on to score twice more with the help of a botched rundown after Toronto had whiffed on a suicide bunt.
In the nightcap, Ken Holtzman – out of Martin’s doghouse to start only because of the doubleheader – pitched a terrific game as he gave up just one run into the ninth inning. Dick Tidrow relieved when Holtzman got into trouble, escaped the jam, and he wound up being the winner when the slumbering Yankee offense finally came alive with a four-spot in the 11th inning. Rivers produced an RBI single, and Graig Nettles followed with a three-run double to give the Yankees the split.
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