The Cincinnati Reds were once again the class of baseball. The Big Red Machine won 102 games during the season, swept the Phillies in the playoffs, and then swept the Yankees in the World Series. The Reds' pitching staff was only average, but their hitters were unbelievable, and led the NL in runs scored by a wide margin. For what it's worth, the Phillies also had an outstanding team; they won 101 games during the season, and made the playoffs for the first time since 1950.

         Randy Jones snagged the Cy Young Award this year. Jones pitched for the pitiful San Diego Padres, but managed to win 20+ games for the second straight season. He was a lefty, only 26 years old, and might have had a bright future ahead of him. He was a control pitcher; at one point during the season, Jones threw 68 consecutive innings without issuing a walk, the second longest streak ever. But the Padres didn't have any other good pitchers, so they used Jones as often as they could. He severed a nerve in his arm while throwing a pitch, and never again had a winning record in the majors.
        Lefty Jerry Koosman had one of his best seasons. Koosman began his career with the Mets in the late 1960's, and was an All-Star his first two seasons (the only years he would ever be an All-Star). For years and years, he and Tom Seaver were the backbone of the Mets' rotation. In 1969, Koosman pitched brilliantly in the playoffs for the Amazing Mets, winning two games in the World Series.
         Koosman was a very good pitcher, though his records often suffered because the Mets were such a poor team. In 1977, for instance, Koosman lost 20 games, despite pitching very well. Koosman pitched for 19 years in the majors, and won 222 games, losing 209. Though he clearly fell short of greatness, Koosman has to be considered among the better pitchers of the era.
        And then there's The Count. John Montefusco arrived on the scene in 1974; he had little professional experience, and had been passed on by other teams. He hit a home run in his first at bat, then declared he would shut down the Big Red Machine, and promptly threw a shutout against the Reds. He was a born showman, would run in from the bullpen when called, and threw both arms up in the air after a victory. The Count Of Montefusco quickly became a fan favourite, and came back in 1975 to win 15 games.
        He had another good year this year; he also continued his bragging and his stunts, and declared that he would become the best pitcher in the world. It didn't happen; The Count shortly began to experience arm problems, and his career withered to an end. But he was one of the great characters of the era, like Mark Fidrych and Jerry Reuss, and for a short while he was a lot of fun to watch.