MLB Monday moves from the Swinging A’s to the Big Red Machine today, and we’re also a little bit closer to having a real analysis of the LCS MVP awards, too. But in the meantime, the Oakland Athletics passed the dynastic torch of sorts to the Cincinnati Reds, who won their first World Series since 1940. It was an exciting Fall Classic, too, that went down to the ninth inning of Game 7, famously, at funky Fenway Park.

1975 World Series MVP: Pete Rose, 3B, Cincinnati (original); Rawley Eastwick, RP, Cincinnati (revised)

The Reds beat the Boston Red Sox in 7 games to win the MLB title, and Cincinnati third baseman Pete Rose (.966 OPS, 2 RBI) won the MVP vote. We prefer Reds center fielder César Gerónimo (.957 OPS, 2 HRs, 3 RBI) for his offensive production here, yet we view Cincinnati relief pitcher Rawley Eastwick (2-0, 2.25 ERA, 1 save, 8 IP) as the true leader for the MVP nod, in truth. His presence was huge in this Fall Classic.

What about Boston, since it was a 7-game series? Right fielder Dwight Evans (.935 OPS, 1 HR, 5 RBI) was comparable or better than the two Reds offensive leaders above, and Red Sox starting pitcher Luis Tiant (2-0, 25 IP) was the memorable face of the Series for many fans. But in the end, we go with Eastwick: he won Games 2 and 3 in relief, and he saved a must-win Game 5 for the Reds, as well. He is the true MVP this time.

1975 AL Championship Series MVP: Carl Yastrzemski, 1B, Boston

It was really the Red Sox who ended the A’s dynasty, as Oakland won its fifth-straight AL West Division title before Boston swept the ALCS by a combined 18-7 score. Red Sox first baseman Carl Yastrzemski (.455 BA, 1.318 OPS) dominated the matchup at the plate, even though Tiant tossed a complete-game victory in Game 1 to set the tone for the series. It’s impossible to ignore numbers like the ones Yaz put up in a three-game set.

1975 NL Championship Series MVP: Tony Pérez, 1B, Cincinnati

The Reds also advanced to the World Series via sweep, over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The combined margin (19-7) was impressive, too. Cincy 1B Tony Pérez (.417 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1.128 OPS) was the offensive star, although shortstop Dave Concepción (.455 BA, 1.227 OPS, 2 SBs, 1 HR) also put up a stellar performance. But he did make an error, and that counts against him. So, we give this trophy to the Big Dog, accordingly.

1975 AL MOTY: Darrell Johnson, Boston

With a plus-7 PPP, Red Sox Manager Darrell Johnson finished with the best performance among all AL managers—and his team won the AL East by 4.5 games over the Baltimore Orioles. It was famously said of him during this season that “Darrell’s been falling out of trees and landing on his feet all season.” The numbers bear it out, especially after Boston swept the three-time defending champs out of the postseason.

1975 NL MOTY: Sparky Anderson, Cincinnati

Reds Manager Sparky Anderson (plus-1 PPP) wins this mostly by default, even though his team won the NL West by 20 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, with their minus-7 PPP managerial effort. In the NL East, the Pirates won in spite of a minus-5 PPP leadership effort. This is Anderson’s fourth MOTY nod from us in this decade, and we suspect there will be more ahead of us in one league or the other. Impressive!