With Joe Morgan at second, most of Javier's playing time with the Reds was at third base or as a pinch hitter. He batted .209 in 91 at-bats for the Reds. The "Big Red Machine" stormed into the post-season by 10.5 games over the Dodgers. Javier did not make a plate appearance in the 1972 National League Championship Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates, however, he appeared in four of the seven games of the 1972 World Series against the Oakland A's. He retired at the end of the season.