The defending World Series champion Pirates finished first in the National League East with an MLB-best record of 96–59.
Despite losing the series, the Pirates put up a good fight, unlike the last time the two teams met in the playoffs.
In Game 5, the Pirates led 3–2 in the ninth inning, and were 3 outs away from pulling off a major upset over the Reds.
[4] Infielders Other batters Coaches Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg.
= Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts 1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Salem, Niagara Falls