Strat-O-Matic’s highly popular series of updated 1970s seasons continues with 1972, which marked the first of the Oakland A’s three straight World Series championships and the last season before the American League adopted the designated hitter.

Catfish Hunter (21-7, 2.04), Ken Holtzman (19-11, 2.51), Blue Moon Odom (15-6, 2.50) and closer Rollie Fingers (21 saves, 11 wins, 2.51 ERA) made 93-win Oakland tough to beat any game, especially with Reggie Jackson slugging 25 HR, Joe Rudi hitting .305-19-75 and Bert Campaneris stealing an AL-best 52 bases. Next best was 87-win Chicago, with MVP Dick Allen hitting .308 while leading the AL in HR (37), OBP (.420) and slugging (.603). Future Hall of Famer Rod Carew won the AL batting title at .318 and New York’s Bobby Murcer led with 314 total bases.

Detroit, with 22-game winner Mickey Lolich and .313-hitting Al Kaline, won 86 games and the AL East by one game ahead of Boston, who had Rookie of the Year Carlton Fisk and Luis Tiant (15-6, 1.91).The Tigers came up one game short in the five-game ALCS against Oakland.

Then the A’s had to overcome the slugging Big Red Machine in a seven-game World Series with 95-win Cincinnati. MVP Johnny Bench slugged .270-40-125, Pete Rose hit .307 and Gary Nolan went 15-5, 1.99.

Pittsburgh won 96 games and the NL East before losing to Cinci by one game in the NLCS. Willie Stargell (.293-33-12) led a lineup with Vic Davalillo (.318), Al Oliver (.312) and Roberto Clemente (.312), while Steve Blass (19-9, 2.49) and Dave Giusti (22 saves, 1.93 ERA) shined on the mound.

Not be overlooked: Cy Young winners Steve Carlton (27-10, 1.97, 310 Ks) for last-place Philadelphia and Gaylord Perry (24-16, 1.92, 29 CG, 234 Ks) for 72-win Cleveland.