Randy Johnson, in winning games six and seven of the 2001 Fall Classic, became the first pitcher to do that since Ray Kremer in 1925. Kremer had won game seven vs. another Johnson. That by the name of Walter. But it 2001, it was Randy Johnson that brought it to game, same as The Big Train.
Johnson's Arizona Diamondbacks, who had just come into the league in 1998, were making progress fast! But, still, they were up against the New York Yankees. And while Johnson won game two with a three-hit shutout at home, the Yankees were about to wake up.
Arizona was up 2-0 heading to New York, but somehow the mighty Bronx Bombers found a way to win all three. Now, for game six back in Arizona, Randy Johnson was needed again just to send this to the limit. Johnson went ahead and did it all.
If you can believe it, Arizona went out and scored fifteen runs after four innings. In the bottom fo the third, Johnson came through with his bat. He singled for and RBI to make it 7-0. Later, Johnson came around to score and make it 10-0. Watching the game at home, I remember thinking how they should yank The Big Unit. Yep, don't even let him take the hill in the top of the fifth. Yeah, it costs Randy a win, but that way, he can come back and pitch in relief of game seven, fresh. The Diamondbacks elected to keep Randy in for three more innings. Probably a mistake as New York eventually scored twice off in the top of the sixth, as Johnson finished the game with 104 pitches. What would happen in game seven? Amazing things!
It was Curt Schilling's turn to pitch. And did he ever pitch a masterpiece. Through seven innings, it was a 1-1 tie. But, in another case of going too long with the starter, Curt game up a tie-breaking home run to Alfonso Soriano in the top of the eighth. When Dave Justice singled with one out, Schilling headed towards the shower. Then, with two down, Randy Johnson came in to pitch. He retired four batters in a row, but the score was still 2-1, New York going into the bottom of the ninth. Last call for Arizona.
And Mariano Rivera was now pitching. Game over, right? Wrong!
Mark Grace greeted him with a leadoff single. David Delluci came in to run. On a bunt towards first, catcher Drew Miller, reached on an error. Winning run at first, no one out! Randy Johnson was due up next, so obviously a pinch hitter was needed. Jay Bell batted for Johnson and tried to sacrifice, but ended up forcing Delluci at third. The game was beginning to resemble the ninth inning of game six of the 1985 Fall Classic. But this was game seven. Do or die time for the D-Backs!
Midre Cummings ran for Miller. Tony Womack, the Arizona shortstop, doubled to right on a 2-2 pitch from Mariano to score Miller and send Bell to third. Winning run, ninety feet away with just one out and no double play situation!
On an 0-1 pitch, Rivera did something odd: He hit Craig Counsell to load the bases! It was probably by accident, but now at least the double play could get New York out of this. Rivera now faced Luis Gonzalez. Gonzalez fouled a pitch off, but then stroked the next offering to centre, scoring Bell with the World Series-winning run! The D-Backs had done it!
Lost in all this was Johnson's three wins. But when Randy and Curt Schilling were named MVP of the 2001 Fall Classic, their could be no denying Johnson's contributions. Schilling had been outstanding, too. But Johnson had gone 3-0 and pitched splendidly in relief of Schilling in game seven. The Big Unit's World Series had arrived in grand fashion!
References
http://www.baseball-reference.com/
Johnson's Arizona Diamondbacks, who had just come into the league in 1998, were making progress fast! But, still, they were up against the New York Yankees. And while Johnson won game two with a three-hit shutout at home, the Yankees were about to wake up.
Arizona was up 2-0 heading to New York, but somehow the mighty Bronx Bombers found a way to win all three. Now, for game six back in Arizona, Randy Johnson was needed again just to send this to the limit. Johnson went ahead and did it all.
If you can believe it, Arizona went out and scored fifteen runs after four innings. In the bottom fo the third, Johnson came through with his bat. He singled for and RBI to make it 7-0. Later, Johnson came around to score and make it 10-0. Watching the game at home, I remember thinking how they should yank The Big Unit. Yep, don't even let him take the hill in the top of the fifth. Yeah, it costs Randy a win, but that way, he can come back and pitch in relief of game seven, fresh. The Diamondbacks elected to keep Randy in for three more innings. Probably a mistake as New York eventually scored twice off in the top of the sixth, as Johnson finished the game with 104 pitches. What would happen in game seven? Amazing things!
It was Curt Schilling's turn to pitch. And did he ever pitch a masterpiece. Through seven innings, it was a 1-1 tie. But, in another case of going too long with the starter, Curt game up a tie-breaking home run to Alfonso Soriano in the top of the eighth. When Dave Justice singled with one out, Schilling headed towards the shower. Then, with two down, Randy Johnson came in to pitch. He retired four batters in a row, but the score was still 2-1, New York going into the bottom of the ninth. Last call for Arizona.
And Mariano Rivera was now pitching. Game over, right? Wrong!
Mark Grace greeted him with a leadoff single. David Delluci came in to run. On a bunt towards first, catcher Drew Miller, reached on an error. Winning run at first, no one out! Randy Johnson was due up next, so obviously a pinch hitter was needed. Jay Bell batted for Johnson and tried to sacrifice, but ended up forcing Delluci at third. The game was beginning to resemble the ninth inning of game six of the 1985 Fall Classic. But this was game seven. Do or die time for the D-Backs!
Midre Cummings ran for Miller. Tony Womack, the Arizona shortstop, doubled to right on a 2-2 pitch from Mariano to score Miller and send Bell to third. Winning run, ninety feet away with just one out and no double play situation!
On an 0-1 pitch, Rivera did something odd: He hit Craig Counsell to load the bases! It was probably by accident, but now at least the double play could get New York out of this. Rivera now faced Luis Gonzalez. Gonzalez fouled a pitch off, but then stroked the next offering to centre, scoring Bell with the World Series-winning run! The D-Backs had done it!
Lost in all this was Johnson's three wins. But when Randy and Curt Schilling were named MVP of the 2001 Fall Classic, their could be no denying Johnson's contributions. Schilling had been outstanding, too. But Johnson had gone 3-0 and pitched splendidly in relief of Schilling in game seven. The Big Unit's World Series had arrived in grand fashion!
References
http://www.baseball-reference.com/
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