1971 Hall of Fame Game
The Cleveland Indians used an eight-run fifth inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs 13-5 in the 29th Hall of Fame Game in front of 9,791 fans on Aug. 9, 1971, at Doubleday Field.
Cleveland struck first in the top of the third when Ted Uhlaender hit a solo shot to right center-field with one away in the inning. After Vada Pinson walked and advanced to second on Chris Chambliss’ single, Graig Nettles singled him home to give the Indians a 2-0 lead.
Ernie Banks homered to give the Cubs their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth, but Cleveland took advantage of Chicago reliever Joe Ray Newman, who allowed five runs to score in the top of the fifth inning before recording an out.
The Indians’ big inning started when Jim Clark walked and Ray Foster singled to left field. With an error by left fielder Ramon Webster, the runners ended up on second and third.
Chambliss hit a grounder to Newman, who committed a throwing error, allowing Clark to score.
Back-to-back singles scored Foster and Chambliss. The Cubs recorded an out when Frank Baker popped out to third. But Newman then committed his second error of the inning, allowing John Lowenstein to reach and Gomer Hodge to score. Kurt Bevacqua singled to score Roy Fosse, and Bill Bonham relieved Newman.
After Ted Colbert struck out, Clark hit a three-run home run to cap the Indians’ rally.
A single and two walks loaded the bases for the Cubs in the seventh inning, and Chris Cannizzaro’s sacrifice fly scored Johnny Callison from third base. Indians reliever Mark Ballinger walked Al Spangler to reload the bases, and a Hector Torres single scored Chicago’s final two runs of the inning.
The Indians picked up three more in the eighth when Clark singled, Foster reached on an error and Chambliss walked to load the bases. Clark was forced out at home on the next play, but Ken Suarez drew a walk to bring Foster home. A single by Frank Baker scored Chambliss and Hodge.
Chicago narrowed Cleveland’s lead when Cannizzaro homered off of Rick Austin in the bottom of the ninth, but that was the closest the Cubs would come, as Austin was able to retire the next two batters to secure the Cleveland win.
More Hall of Fame Games
1970 Hall of Fame Game
1972 Hall of Fame Game
1970 Hall of Fame Game
1972 Hall of Fame Game
Mentioned Hall of Famers
Related Stories
1975 Hall of Fame Game
Dominant Dodgers
#CardCorner: 1967 Topps Bob Bailey
Open and shut down
Vaughan redefined play at shortstop
Hoop Hall legend Dan Issel visits Cooperstown
01.01.2023
