As October and the 2022 Major League Baseball Postseason winds down. This month presents an opportunity to reflect. On a postseason that featured the Cincinnati Reds and two of baseball’s most beloved players.

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the 1972 MLB Postseason. Which culminated in the Reds losing to Oakland Athletics in a World Series that went a full seven games. The summary of the ’72 Postseason might seem surreal to readers in 2022. Given how the four teams involved in the ’72 postseason fared this year. None of the four teams involved in the 1972 postseason had winning records in 2022.

The Reds faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1972 National League Championship Series. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh respectively lost 100 games this year. Oakland faced the Detroit Tigers in the 1972 American League Championship Series. Detroit lost 96 games this year, Oakland lost 102 and finished the year with MLB’s lowest total attendance. My oh my how the times have changed.

Back in 1972, only division champions qualified for the postseason. This year, the Philadelphia Phillies are making postseason history. As the first team to advance to the World Series after finishing third in their division. The then best-of-five League Championship Series round was still a novel concept in 1972. Prior to 1969, the postseason consisted of just the World Series.

Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh in a series that went a full five games. Overcoming a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the ninth of game five. Through perhaps the most famous late game rally in Cincinnati Reds history. The rally began with a game-tying home run from Johnny Bench. Later, George Foster scored the game-winning run through a wild pitch.

Game five of the NLCS is also notable for being Roberto Clemente’s last game. Two months after the postseason concluded; the legendary Pirates outfielder died in a plane crash. While delivering humanitarian aid to Nicaragua. Which suffered a devastating earthquake a week prior to Clemente’s death. The 1972 postseason also featured Jackie Robinson’s last public appearance. Robinson threw the ceremonial first pitch ahead of game two of the World Series at Riverfront Stadium. As part of a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier.

The pregame ceremony was a remarkable gathering. Emceed by famed broadcaster Walter “Red” Barber. Who had stints as the play-by-play announcer for the Reds, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the New York Yankees. The ceremony also featured Robinson’s Dodgers teammates Pee Wee Reese and Joe Black. The first Black man to play in the American League Larry Doby. Then Dodgers President Peter O’Malley, National League President Charles Feeney and Commissioner of Baseball Bowie Kuhn. Along with members of Robinson’s family, including his now 100-year-old wife Rachel.

Jackie concluded the ceremony with a brief speech full of gratitude to his teammates and family. Concluding it on a poignant note, by expressing his desire to see a Black major league manager. While Robinson’s wish for baseball to have a Black manager came true three years later. He sadly didn’t live to see former Reds player Frank Robinson become baseball’s first Black manager. Jackie Robinson passed away nine days after being honored at the World Series.

Fifty years later, Dusty Baker is striving to be the third Black manager to win a World Series. If the Houston Astros win, Baker will join Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Along with former Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Gaston becoming the first Black manager to win a World Series. When Toronto won their first of back-to-back world championships.

Ultimately, the 1972 postseason was memorable for many reasons. From a Reds perspective, it featured the second of four World Series appearances in the 1970’s. For Oakland, it concluded with the first of three-consecutive World Series titles for the Athletics. Overall, the 1972 postseason featured two abrupt farewells. For two of the most beloved people in baseball and American sports history. Fifty years later, Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson’s on and off-field legacies endure. As examples for us to follow and celebrate.