By Joe Posnanski

The Big Red Machine of the 1970s is usually in the discussion of the best lineups of all time – Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Joe Morgan, David Concepcion, Pete Rose, Ken Griffey Sr., Cesar Geronimo, and George Foster. This is the story of the first of their consecutive World Series championships.

The 1970s had several outstanding teams – the Brooks Robinson Orioles (1970), the Willie Stargell Pirates (1971, 1979), the Reggie Jackson A’s (1972, 1973, 1974), and the Reggie Jackson Yankee’s (1977, 1978) plus the runner up Mets, Dodgers, and Red Sox… The Red had been runners up in 1970 and 1972, and Sparky Anderson was starting to have the reputation of being a perennial bridesmaid. Winning in 1975 elevated the team to legendary status. Joe Posnanski does a masterful job of letting the members speak.

302 pages

4.5/5