Bristal All-Stars Game Commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the Yankees 1977 World Series Championship

Catcher Leo Ioanna from Port Washington looks on as Amityville’s Ray Turner takes his turn at bat in the New York Senior Softball Association All-Star Game sponsored by the The Bristal Assisted Living Communities.

The Bristal All-Stars, softball players in their 70’s and 80’s who play two doubleheaders a week in the New York Senior Softball Association (NYSSA), recognized the 40th anniversary of the Yankees 1977 World Series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The sixth and deciding game was highlighted by three homeruns by Reggie Jackson, earning him the title “Mr. October.” It was the first time a player had hit three homeruns in a World Series game since Babe Ruth did it in 1928.

The 1977 World Series victory was George Steinbrenner’s first World Series Championship, and the team’s first World Series win since 1962 when they beat the San Francisco Giants in seven games. Reggie Jackson won the series MVP, batting 450 with 5 homeruns and 8 RBI. Billy Martin would win his only World Series Championship as a manager.

However, history was not repeated in the Bristal All-Star game as the Dodgers beat the Yankees.

How the Game Has Changed:

• The average major league game in 2017 takes over three hours to play. The final game of the 1977 World Series was played in just two hours and 18 minutes.

• In 1977 Reggie Jackson earned $525,000. The Highest paid player in Major League Baseball in 2017 is Dodger Pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who is earning $35.6 Million. Factored for inflation, $525,000 in 1977 would have the same purchasing power as $2.1 million in 2017.

• In 1977 the best seats in the house cost just $6.00; in 2017 the best seats cost over $200 (Factored for inflation, $6.00 in 1977 would have the same purchasing power as $25.34 in 2017).