Some fresh faces reached the ALCS in 1979 after the Yankees and Royals had squared off the three previous seasons. And for the first three games of the series (featuring two one-run ballgames), it was about as close as can be. Then the Orioles put an exclamation point on the ALCS with a Game 4 blowout.

Scott McGregor went the distance in that Game 4 shutout, as the Orioles only needed five pitchers in the four-game series (the Angels used nine).

Rod Carew led the way for the Angels with seven hits (.412 average), while Eddie Murray went 5-for-12 with five RBIs for Baltimore.

Path to the ALCS: The Orioles (102-57) won the AL East by eight games. The Angels (88-74) won the AL West by three games. 

Managers: Earl Weaver, BAL; Jim Fregosi, CAL