======
THE FINAL CROSLEY HOMER June 24, 1970 - Eighth Inning
It was fitting that the last game at Crosley should be such a classic game. The lead changed three times in seven innings. Giants, 1-0 - Reds, 2-1 - Giants, 4-3. The first two batters in the bottom of the eighth were Johnny Bench and Lee May. The pitcher was Juan Marichal. Reds radio announcer Jim McIntyre (with help from his co-announcer, Joe Nuxhall) called the final Crosley Field homer:
"Johnny Bench's home run has just tied it at 4-4, and Mr. Marichal has now allowed the Reds nine hits, and we've got a brand-new ball game here in the eighth inning. Two and two to May. On deck, Bernie Carbo...Now the pitch. Swung on, a high drive, deep center field!" In the background, Nuxhall shouted, "Get outa here, outa here, babe get outa here! I tell ya, out, out, outa here!" McIntyre finished: "...its over the center-field fence! A home run for Lee May! And the Reds have taken the lead, 5-4."
With Tito Fuentes on deck, Wayne Granger got Bobby Bonds to hit an easy grounder back to the mound for the final Crosley Field out. The Reds had won, 5-4 and the final chapter had ended for Crosley Field.
========
After the game a helicopter swooped in to take homeplate over to the brand new Riverfront Stadium.
As we were getting ready to leave our seats behind the Giants dugout a man behind us said, "hey kid, go over by the on deck circle and collect some of that dirt that Willie Mays knocked out of his spikes. Mays also hit a homerun in this game and made one of his signature great running basket catches going back onto the warning track.
Those were the days...
