World Series: Did You Know?

John Wetteland set a World Series record in 1996 for most saves in a single World Series.

Well, he had one of the best single seasons of relief pitching in 1993, and continued on to be a true stopper for the rest of the decade.

1993 was in Montreal (43 saves), 1996 was in the Bronx (again, 43 saves). The Yankees hadn't won a World Series in 16 years. The Atlanta Braves were coming off a World Series win in 1995 and looking for back-to-back.

And it didn't look like 1996 was going to be this year for the Bronx Bombers. Atlanta took the first two games (right there at Yankees Stadium), despite a good 1-2-3, 1-inning relief stint from Wetteland in game 1.

Game 3 was in Atlanta. The Yankees extended a 2-1 lead to 5-1 in the top of the 8th.

But setup man Mariano Rivera faltered in the bottom of the frame, and the Braves got one back. Wetteland was needed in the 9th.

Javy Lopez reached on an error to lead things off. Wetteland, who had fanned 2 Braves in the 9th inning of game 1, settled down. He fanned two more here and the Yankees were right back in the Series.

And another fine performance by John tied the Series.

The Yankees themselves came back from 6 runs down to tie the score in game 4. In the 10th, 2 more runs set up a save situation for Wet.

He came in with one out, only to allow a single by Andruw Jones. But the next two men were retired. Save #2 for J.W.

Game 5 was a pitching duel for all time. Andy Pettitte for the Yanks and John Smoltz for the Braves.

The Yankees scored 1 run in the fourth off Smoltz. It was enough.

A double by Chipper Jones and a Fred McGriff groundout brought the tying run 90 feet away with just one out. Wetteland was needed, again!

Lopez grounded out to third, and things seemed easier.

But then Ryan Klesko was brought in to pinch-hit. Wetteland walked him intentionally.

Runners on the corner, two outs and Luis Polonia up at the dish. Polonia fouled off 2 pitches, then 4 more. On the 7th pitch of the at bat, Luis flied out to Paul O'Neil in deep right. It was a well hit ball.

But the Yankees had the win and New York was up, 3-2. And Wetteland had his third save of the Series. That tied him with a pair of Pirates, Ken Tekulve and Elroy Face.

Have I heard about those guys before? In any event, it was off to Atlanta for game 6. And game 7 if necessary.

The Yankees took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 9th. Here comes that man again!

And he retired the leadoff batter. Two more outs.

But actually, the next two men singled.

Polonia was up again, but Wetteland fanned him. However, a single by Marquis Grissom scored a run. The tying run was now a single away from scoring. Mark Lemke, a contact (rather than power) hitter, was at the plate.

Right guy to do the job.

But isn't Wetteland the right guy to close it out?

Lemke popped up to third. The Yankees had come back to beat the Braves.

But lost in all that was John Wetteland's 4th save. Actually, this was Wetty's 4th save in the last 4 games. Both of those have never been accomplished before or since in a World Series.

As for what happened to John? Well, this was his last game as a Yankee.

The ended up going to the setup man of 1996. Remember him?

I do.

Rivera!

References

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. Dec 6, 2013.