1992 World Series Game 4

VS.

It's a Key game, since after this game it's either 3-1 or 2-2.

And who better to take the hill than Jimmy Key? 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA since getting pulled after just 1.2 IP in that 22-2 August 28 drubbing at the hands of Milwaukee. But all these numbers include just 3 IP in the postseason.

Another reason to pitch Key: The Braves benched the red hot Deion Sanders (.333). In his place, Ron Gant, 0-3 in game 1. Sid Bream, hitting .375, would also sit this one out. Brian Hunter took his place at first.

Tom Glavine was back for his second start on the other hand. But actually, both Key and Glavine will be using the same hand (left) to pitch with. Anyways, Glavine was looking to build on his tremendous stuff in game 1, while Key was just trying to prove he belonged on the mound, at least as a starter (His 3 IP were in relief in game 5 of the ALCS).

So Key was kinda like Glavine from game 1.

Would he pitch like Glavine in game 1? Would Glavine not pitch like Glavine in game 1?

The answer seemed apparent in the first inning. Otis Nixon slashed a single to lead of the game after Key fell behind 2-1 in the count. Uh-oh.

Key threw to first, Nixon got back. After firing strike one to Jeff Blauser, he tried to pick Nixon off again. No dice.

But then Nixon took a leadoff of oh-a-bit-to-much!

Here comes Key with a perfect pickoff move, and John Olerud with a perfect tag. OUUUUUUUUT!

Alright!

But Blauser singled after Key fell behind in the count 3-1. Then, Blauser stole second.

Key had fallen behind 2-1 to Terry Pendleton, then got him to swing and miss a pitch as Blauser swiped second. Pendleton hit a low liner to Manuel Lee at shortstop for the second out.

Lonnie Smith got ahead in the count 3-1, before he grounded out. Key was out of the inning. But can he stay in the game at this rate? Falling behind in batters is like putting a glass of grapefruit drink on a white tablecloth. Bad things are going to happen sooner or later.

Glavine went the full count on Devon White, before he singled. But he quickly beared down and got Alomar to hit into a force play, then have Carter ground out. Alomar stole third, but the inning ended as Winfield grounded out.

Key got the side out in order in the second, fanning Hunter to end the first inning and pick up his first K.

Glavine was once again more than equal to the task. Olerud (now 0-8, taking over for Gruber in the oh-for category) fanned, Candy Maldonado and Kelly Gruber grounded out.

But Key really started to get it into top gear in the top of the third as Damon Berryhill and Mark Lemke fanned (Borders dropped the 3rd strike and had to nail Damon at first). Nixon didn't make it to first as he grounded out to Gruber at third.

Pat Borders led off the 3rd for the Jays. And is this guy hot, .444 at the plate in this Series!

With the count 1-1, Glavine threw him a changeup and Borders hits one to left a la Calton Fisk (See, this only happens to catchers in the World Series!) that is either going to be just fair or foul, but perhaps also short of the wall as well. Well, it hit the foul poul just above the wall! 1-0, Toronto. First RBI and homerun for Pat. It's also his first homerun off a lefty all year!

Devon White doubles one out later and Alomar walks. But then Carter lines into a double play. So much for a big inning!

But Key needs just 7 pitches to retire Blauser (on a strikeout), Pendleton and Smith in the top of the 4th.

Glavine is in more trouble in the bottom of the inning. He can't find the plate in any of the 4 pitches he tosses to Winfield and my boy Olerud gets his first World Series hit. Now, Glavine is in serious trouble.

But Maldonado flies out, none of the runners advancing. Gruber hits into a double play. Hey, Grewbah? You're back to being a goat!

Justice fans to open the 5th, but Gant and Hunter hit the ball well for long loud outs. Key used just 12 more pitches this inning.

Glavine settles down in the bottom of the frame, as Borders and Lee ground out to shortstop and third (Blauser and Pendleton). White flies out to Justice in right. Have the Jays blown their chance to increase the lead?

It's the sixth, where Jack Morris that 1-0 lead in game 1. And then the wheels came off the chariot!

Do I hear an encore?

Damon Berryhill and Mark Lemke make quick outs, but Nixon prolongs the inning with another single. He knows better than to try a steal, as Key challenges him with three pickoff attempts. Jimmy then get Blauser to hit into a force out.

In the Jays half of the inning, Alomar flies out. Carter walks. After Winfield forces Carter, Olerud singles again (on a 1-2 pitch, no less). Winfield making it to third this time.

Glavine K's Maldonado!

Dang!

Key again retired the side in order, including Smith on a strikeout.

In the bottom of the frame, the Jays finally gave Key some breathing room.

Gruber drew the fourth walk off Glavine. Borders and Lee made outs, Lee's grounder getting Gruber to second. This time, Glavine would not escape.

White singled to left, Gruber off with the crack of the bat. Kelly scored on a slide that left the 3rd baseman dirty and dishevelled, looking like the big time loser in a pier six brawl. 2-0 Jays. White got greedy and thought the Braves were throwing home, so he tried for second and was a dead duck!

But Gant lashed a double to left to open the eight. And then Hunter tried to bunt. And he beat it out anyway (perfect bunt, btw) and the tying run was on first.

Berryhill (still without a hit since his game 1 winning homerun. That's 0-10 with 7 K's) also tried to bunt (this time on a hit and run), but popped to Borders.

Lemke was in a slump too, but a tough out in this Series. He lined the ball off Key and then Gruber had to barehanded it to just barely nip Mark at first. Gant scored, 2-1. Jimmy Key's night was over.

Innings 1 and 8 combined for Key:

1.2IP, 4H, 1(Earned)R, 0BB, 0K, 5.40 ERA + 1SB against and 1CS against

Innings 2 to 7

6IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 6K, 0.00ERA + 0SB against and 0CS against

So Duane Ward, who has won 2 straight games (in relief) comes in and fans Nixon on a beauty of a sinker. Borders can't handle it, and Nixon reaches first on the wild pitch! Hunter, the tying run, is now 90 feet away.

Jeff Blauser is up, and you really got to wonder why Sanders and Bream aren't in the game pinch hitting for him. But Blauser has been hitting the ball hard all Series long, despite only hitting just .143 (2-14) with 7 K's.

And he hits this one well, too.

But Olerud makes a fine stop at first and makes the play unassisted. Still 2-1, Jays.

And it stayed that way after 8, as Glavine needed just 10 pitches to mow down Alomar, Carter and Winfield.

Glavine's night is also over. It's not quite the same as the opening act: 8IP, 6H, 2 (Earned)R, 4BB, 2K + 1SB against and 0CS against, compared to 9IP, 1(Earned)R, 4H, 0BB, 6K in game 1.

Here's the probable reason for the increase in walks and hits: It's Amercian League umpire Dan Morrison behind the plate and not Jerry Crawford (game 1), the National League umpire, behind the plate.

Tom Henke comes in and instantly terminates any hope of a Brave comeback. He started by fanning Pendleton, then taking Smith's grounder and tossing to Olerud. Finally, big Tom gets some Justice (suddenly looking less dangerous) to fly out tamely to Maldonaldo. 11 pitches!

The game has taken just 2 hours and 21 minutes to play. And the Jays were now up 3-1!

References

Gamester, George, and Gerald Hall. On Top Of The World: The Toronto Stars Tribute To The '92 Blue Jays. Doubleday Canada, 1992. Print.

Kostel, Mike and Rich Domich, directors. 1992 World Series. Performance by Lou Carlou, Major League Baseball Productions, 1992. World Series Film. DVD.

Retrosheet. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.  <www.retrosheet.org>

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 21 Oct 2012.

1992 World Series Game 3

VS.

I realize for all you nostalgic Jays fans like me, your attitude towards this is, "Get to THE CATCH!"

Okay fine, I'll get there as soon as possible. But first:

1) They solved the problem of the upside down flag with class. US Marines held the Canadian Flag right side up, Mountie Police held US flag rightside up

2) So it was on to the first ever World Series game played outside USA. "World" Series, right?

3) Starters: Juan Guzman 16-5 VS Steve Avery (11-11)

Guzman lets Sanders single and steal second in the first. Other than that, not any problems first 3 innings. Avery gave up a single to Winfield in the second, plus a Borders single in the 3rd, again, other than that, no problems

Alright, on to the forth, were the drama starts:

1) Sanders gets an infield single on which Guzman almost throws away, but Olerud snares

2) Pendleton singles, but Sanders only makes it to second, because Sanders had to hold up to make sure Alomar doesn't reach up and snare it

Okay, was that quick enough? Now...

Justice crushes Guzman's pitch to center. White has a beat on it, but it looks like it's gonna get past him an hit the way, and bounce back past White. A triple? Sure to score both runners.

But White reaches it and makes an unbelievable catch in center. It's White that bounces off the wall, and he lands on his feat and fires the ball into the infield, where Pendleton has run past Sanders at second.

That means he's out automatically, but the Jays don't know that and relay it to Olerud at first. Olerud sees Sanders trying to salvage a base out of this mess and fires to Gruber.

Alright! Sanders is in a rundown. Gruber chases him down and dives, catching him on the heel, Sanders diving back into second as his laces grazing Gruber's glove as he dove.

But second base umpire Bob Davidson misses both somehow. Later he will watch the replay and admit, he missed it (One or both Bob?)

But the bottom line is, no Brave scored on the play, or in the inning as Lonnie Smith fanned.

The Jays did score in their half, as Joe Carter connected on a solo flight with one out. It's his second World Series homerun in three games.

From their this great pitcher's dual continues, as Winfield and Olerud fail to get the ball out of the infield.

What of the Braves? Sid Bream singles to open the 5th, but Guzman fans both Blauser and Berryhill. Then Lemke grounds out.

Gruber, who in the third made it an 0 hits in 23 AB's, going back to game 2 of the ALCS, walked with one out in the bottom of the frame, but Borders fanned and Lee grounded out.

Then in the sixth, Sanders made it three straight innings of Braves getting the leadoff man on, as he doubled to right, then hobbled into second. I think he stubbed his toe!

Pendleton went the other way for a hit to left, with Lee actually making a nice throw to third, too late to get Sanders.

Justice would not be denied this time, as he singled past Olerud, who was playing shallow, to tie the ballgame.

Avery continued to roll, needing just nine pitches for White to fly out, Alomar to strikeout (6 so far for Steve) and Carter to popout.

Two popups and a ground out retired the B's (Blauser and Berryhill) and Lemke grounds out.

Avery, still working on the three hitter, fanned both Winfield and Olerud in the bottom of the 7th. When Candy Maldonado flied out, Avery had used just 16 pitches to get three outs.

The Braves made their move in the top of the eight. With Gruber playing shallow to stop Nixon from making it on a weak hit ball, Nixon drilled the ball through his glove. This would be the only error of the game. With Sanders up, Nixon stole second. Deion then popped out. Pendleton grounded out to Alomar at second, with Nixon taking third.

Dave Justice was back to the plate. And at this point, he's really looking dangerous. He could be ready to go yard.

The Jays were thinking the same thing and walked him intentionally. Now the experienced Lonnie Smith.

Experienced at winning World Series! Been their in 1980 with Philly and won it, been their with St Louis in 1982 and won it. Been their with KC in 1985 and won it, after beating the Jays in the ALCS.

Against the Jays the first go around in '85 he hit .250 with just one RBI. This Series, he hadn't had a hit in three at bats, and had fanned twice tonight,but Smith was 3-4 in game 5 of the 1985 ALCS against the Jays. This is a guy you needed to get ahead, or back in the game.

He came through again, singling to left for a hit. Nixon scored and Maldonado fumbled the ball, but quickly recovered it, nailing Justice out at third.

But the Jays were behind 2-1.

Kelly Gruber (0-23, remember) led off the bottom of the frame. Avery quickly got ahead of him 1-2. Then Gruber fouled off a pitch, took a ball, fouled off a pitch, took a ball (no, you haven't read the same thing twice), then blasted a homerun to left field, about 362 feet! And it was just fair!

"What a way to end the longest postseason drought!", said CBS's Sean McDonough.

Avery again beared down and got the next three Jay out, including White who fanned. Guess it's easier to catch a liner than hit one. Anyways, that's nine K's for Steve!

Guzman's night was over, however, after 8 innings, 115 pitches, 8 hits and 7 K's.

So Duan Ward, game 2 winner, took over.

Bream, as he had done in the 5th, lead off with a single. Brian Hunter came into to run.

Then the Jays pulled off some magic.

Jeff Blauser, with the count 2-2, swung at a low pitch, Hunter took off and was gunned out by catcher Pat Borders. Manuel Lee, after tagging out Hunter, yelled for Borders to get the appeal at first to see if Blauser went around.

He did, double play!

Well, Bobby Cox wasn't going to take this with good grace of course, and slammed a helmet on the field.

Now he probably didn't mean to, but the helmet ended up on the field. That got home ump Joe West's attention. Whirling around to face Cox, he pointed the finger at him. "You did that!"

Cox said something back, "You shut up!", West told him, then ejected him from the game!

Amazingly enough, Jimmy Williams took over for Cox. Williams, the third base coach, was like Cox, and ex-manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Alomar, got the ball rolling for the Jays in the bottom of the frame, hitting a single right back through the box. Avery, a lefty, was done for the night at Williams brought in Mark Wohlers, the hard throwing right-hander.

Now I know this looks like a bad decision, but I don't think it is, to be honest with you. Avery throws a lot of curves and changeups, which the catcher has a great problem handling, especially the backup catcher. See Alomar is looking for the steal, and the Braves knew it. So better get someone who can throw so serious heat out there.

Wohlers threw to first, once, twice, thrice. The Braves tried a pitchout, but Alomar made it back. Two more balls and Alomar swiped second.

Another reason to bring in Wohlers is to face Carter and Winfield, two right-handed hitters. Carter, in particular. But now with a 3-0 count on Carter and first base open, the Braves put Carter on.

So it's Winfield, in a situation that is a no-brainer.

Bunt.

But Winfield had sac bunted (SH) just once all year (Aug 30)

But Winfield had only bunted once all year. Could he do it again?

Amazingly, yes. Now granted he got a little too much wood on it, and a little too much towards the pitcher rather than to first, but it was done well enough that Alomar, the winning run was now 90 feet away, with just one out and no double play situation.

Williams then called for Mike Stanton, to set up a lefty vs lefty confrontation with Olerud.

Cito is loving this game and countering fine, as he brought in Ed Sprague to pinch hit. With first base open, the Braves walked him intentionally to load the bases.

Now the Braves made their third pitching change of the inning by bringing in Jeff Reardon, a right-hander, the all time saves leader at this point, to face Candy Madonado, also a right-hander.

Maldonado couldn't have felt to confident, 2-13 lifetime against Reardon, 0-7 so far in the World Series. He's struck out 4 times so far this Series. Tonight he's 0-3 with a K, and GIDP and a harmless flyball.

Reardon, has fanned him 7 times in his career. And I remember that 341st save of his to tie him with Rollie Fingers on the all time saves list. Victim in that (for the Red Sox) June 13th game, the final K? Candy Maldonado. I watched that game on TSN!

So anyways, the outfield is playing in. Curveball, Maldonado misses, curveball, Maldonado misses. Uh-oh, here we go again.

Or do we?

The next pitch is another breaking ball as Candy would later say he expected.

But what he didn't expect it was for the pitch location, which shall we say isn't where you want to put the ball, even if the bases are empty.

Maldonado got under it and lofted it over Nixon's head in center. Had he not been playing shallow, Otis might have caught the ball, but Alomar would have tagged and scored.

As it was, Alomar trotted in, but not before doing his own version of the tomahawk chop!

What a way to bring the World Series north!

But what does it matter?

That catch by White will live on forever!

References

Gamester, George, and Gerald Hall. On Top Of The World: The Toronto Stars Tribute To The '92 Blue Jays. Doubleday Canada, 1992. Print.

Kostel, Mike and Rich Domich, directors. 1992 World Series. Performance by Lou Carlou, Major League Baseball Productions, 1992. World Series Film. DVD.

Retrosheet. Web. 20 Oct. 2012.  <www.retrosheet.org>

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 20 Oct 2012.

My Top 10 Most Exciting World Series Games

Okay, bear in mind it doesn't matter how good the rest of the Series was, but here goes:

10) Game 7, 1962 World Series

Uh oh, it's Ralph Terry again, and again it's game 7. And again it's bottom of the ninth. 1-0 Yankees. Alou singles for O'Dell. Terry bears down and K's the next two batters before Mays doubles to right. Maris makes a great throw to Richardson, who grabs it, turns, and fires a strike to Howard. McCovey, who hit a booming triple earlier is up. Foul ball to right. Then a scorching line drive...

9) Game 1, 1988 World Series

Canseco's grandslam erases a 2-0 Dodgers' lead. By the 9th the Dodgers are one run better but down still, 4-3. 2 outs. But Davis walks against Eckersley, and look whose coming to the plate. GIBBY! Foul ball, foul ball, foul ball, ball, ball, ball. Another 3-2, Gibby swings...

8) Game 7, 1991 World Series

Again, I'm still mad at the Twins for beating the Jays in the 1991 ALCS, so that's why it's so low. In any event, 0-0 bottom of the 10th, bases loaded, pinch hitter Gene Larkin faces Alejandro Pena. First pitch...

7) Game 6, 1993 World Series

Jays up 5-1, but Dykstra brings the Phillies back from the brink with a 3 run dinger in the 7th. The Philadelphia add two more, and survive a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the 8th. But in the ninth, Henderson walked, Molitor singles. Now the 2-2 to Carter...

6) Game 6, 1986 World Series

5-3, Boston, two outs in the bottom of the frame. Scoreboard reads, Congratulations, Boston Red Sox, 1986 World Series Champions. But then Carter and Mitchell single, Knight gets a fluke hit, wild pitch, 5-5. Then Wilson sends a little roller up along first...

5) Game 3, 1992 World Series

White robs Justice of at at least two bases, then the Jays almost get a triple play. Carter homerun, 1-0. Braves come back with single runs in 6th and 8th. Gruber breaks out of the longest postseason slump ever with a longball. Double play gets they Jays out of trouble in the ninth. Bottom of the frame, Alomar single, Carter walk, Winfield bunt, Sprague walk. Reardon comes in...Maldonado loops it over Nixon's head in center!

4) Game 7, 1960 World Series

4-0 Pirates, then the Yankees come back, tie it, go up by three. Then Virdon's grounder hits a pebble, Smith homerun, Pirates up by 2. Mantle with a head fake in the top of the 9th and the game is tied, 9-9, Skowron grounds out, Groat to Mazeroski to end the inning. Maz has no idea what he holds in his hands!

3) Game 1, 1954 World Series

Wertz sends Mays back, back, back...

2) Game 5, 1956 World Series

Larsen is 81-91 lifetime, didn't last two innings in game 2 and is now pitted against Maglie, who tossed a no-no earlier this year. Maglie is pitching a gem, too, until Mantle gets one just fair. Mantle takes one away from Hodges, Carey nails Robinson by a step, Amoros hits one just foul. Finally, Dale Mitchell is up in the ninth with two down, and...STRIKE THREE!

1) Game 6, 1975 World Series

First Boston's up three, then Cincinnati is up three. 8th inning, Carbo smacks a dramatic three run homerun. Extra innings sees Foster guns out Doyle at home, Evans robs Morgan. Finally, in the bottom of the twelfth, up steps Carlton Fisk...

1992 World Series Game 2

VS.

Well, my world stayed down as the Canadian Flag was carried upside down by our southern friends.

David Cone started game two, but I was more excited about my boy John Olerud's first World Series game. Carter in left, Winfield in right. The starting first basemen was my favourite. The starting pitcher, meanwhile, joined the Jays in August and pitched well, winning 4 regular season games and another in the ALCS.

For the Braves, one of the their more colourful (and controversial) players, Deion Sanders took over in left for Ron Gant. Sanders, of course was with the NFL's at the time.

But the real story for me early on was the Braves' starter, John Smoltz, pitching like a 10 year veteran. But John had only having played half that time.

And he was making quick work of my Jays: White, Carter, Winfield, Olerud (on a beauty breaking ball) and Gruber, all struck out!

Cone made it through the first, no problem. But in the second Dave Justice, walked, watched Sid Bream fly out, and stole second (Yup, taking advantage of Cone's only weakness!). Dave then made it to third when Manny Lee took Jeff Blauser's grounder, threw to third, only to hit Justice in the back. A wild pitch to yesterday's hero, Damon Berryhill, scored Justice. After a walk to Berryhill, Cone got out of the inning, thanks to a double play.

The Jays could do nothing with Smoltz meanwhile. It was getting so bad that Cone, who singled, had gotten the Jays first hit.

After Cone escaped a jam in the bottom of the frame, Alomar tied the game thanks to Smoltz's wildness.

At least that's what I think.

Alomar led off the second with a walk. Robbie made it to second on a wild pitch. A Winfield groundout put Alomar on third.

Finally!

Smoltz's first pitch to my boy, Olerud, isn't handled by Berryhill. The ball bounces 15 feet to Damon's right, Alomar comes charging in...

...Berryhill gets the ball...

...tosses to Smoltz...

...Alomar slides under Smoltz, crosses the plate before the tag...

...this blogger (who was 12 at the time) pumps his fist, 1-1...

...home plate ump Mike Reilly calls him out! Huh? 1-0, still!

The Braves added to the lead in the bottom of the frame as Mark Lemke drove in Bream.

In the top of the 5th, my boy, Olerud pushed Justice way back for a flyball out. Gruber then grounded out.

Something had to be done.

So Cito Gaston trots out of the dugout and complains about this white bandage on Smoltz’s arm.

Hey, so that’s why the Jays have been having all these problems!

Smoltz removes it.

Borders walks.

Lee singles.

Cone makes it 2 for 2 (and becomes the first pitcher since Mickey Lolich in game 2 of the 1968 World Series) with a single to center to cut the lead in half.

White then beats out and infield chopper to score Lee, 2-2!

The fun times don’t last, however.

Deion Sanders, after Otis Nixon struck out, singled off Cone. This continues the two-sports star's mastery on his old National League friend (7 for 13 lifetime at this point). Of course, he stole second. Worse, when Borders’ throw went into center, Sanders was on third. Pendleton walked. First and third.

But not for long as Justice singled Sanders home. 3-2, and Atlanta wasn’t through. Pendleton made it to third on the play. When David Wells (who relived Cone) gave up a single to Brian Hunter, the Braves were back on top by 2!

Wells even walked Jeff Blauser before settling down. Finally getting the Jays out of that inning. Boomer then followed it up with a 1-2-3 6^th.

The Jays though, were back on the "Can’t-Solve-Smoltz mode." Guess that bandage wasn’t the only problem!

Borders hit a double in the 7th, and even made it to third on another Smoltz wild pitch. Alas, Maldonado, hitting for Wells, went down on strikes.

After Todd Stottlemyre held the Braves in check in the bottom of the frame, White led off the eight with a fly to fly ball out to center. But then Alomar hit a low Smoltz offering the other way for a double down the left field line.

Carter hit a single, which Alomar had to wait on to make sure it made it out of the infield. Winfield hit a bouncer that made it out of the infield for a single, scoring Alomar and sending Carter to third!

Exit Smoltz, enter Mike Stanton. The big intimidating lefty was in to face Olerud.

Olerud popped out, but Stanton would quickly be replaced by Jeff Reardon.

Reardon, I had watched get a save against the Jays on June 13^th of that year. It was career save #341, tying him with Rollie Fingers for the all-time career saves list leader. Two days later against New York, he passed Fingers.

The Braves got him in a one-sided deal on August 30, and Jeff had 27 saves on the season at that time. Reardon also had 354 lifetime saves at the time.

By the time he finished the season, he would have 30 saves on the season and 357 lifetime. He won 3 games for Altanta, as well. He was two saves ahead of Lee Smith, who also passed Fingers and finished that year with 43 saves. Dennis Eckersley, who finished the year with 51 saves, had only 239 career-wise at this point.

What about Rivera, you ask? Mariano Rivera was pitching in the minors for For Lauderdale in 1992, and hadn't reached the majors yet!

But Reardon’s ERA during his tenure with Atlanta was low, 1.15, and in the playoffs, he hadn’t as much given up a hit in 3 innings (3 games) in the NLCS. Hence the name, "The Terminator." Which, by the way, was also Tom Henke's nickname.

I'll have to deal with two closers with the same nickname? This was not going to be easy!

Gruber stepped in with a .500 (6-12) batting average lifetime vs. Reardon.

Reardon threw in inside curve way inside with the count 1-2, Gruber took it.

And was called out on strikes!

After Duane Ward (Brave at one time, traded for Doyle Alexander, who was then traded for Smoltz) pitched a scoreless bottom of the eight, Derek Bell pinch-hit for Lee to lead off the ninth.

After a long plate appearance, Bell drew a walk after fouling off two or Reardon’s 2 strike pitches. Bell appeared to have struck out at one point, but Reilly (Makeup call?) called it a ball.

Next was Ed Sprague, the backup catcher and another pinch hitter (for Ward).

There was something about backup catchers that postseason. Francisco Cabrera had played in only 12 games all year for the Braves, yet knocked in the tying and winning run in game 7 of the NLCS. Oh yeah, it was in the ninth inning, no less. Cabrera’s position? Backup catcher.

Berryhill in game 1, remember, backup catcher!

Ed Sprague had played in just 22 games all year. Backup catcher! See where I’m heading?

Could lightning strike three times in the same place (Yup, Fulton County Stadium)?

Readon’s first pitch was…a batting practice fastball!

Sprague smashed in over Sanders head and into the stands! 5-4 Jays!

So Derek Bell was Sarah Connor and Ed Sprague was Kyle Reese. Or the other way around! In an event, the Jays had stopped the Terminator from putting the Jays down 2-0 in the Series.

But the other Terminator (Guess we gotta call Henke, The T-1000!) was in to say, “Hasta La Vista” to the Braves.

And it would not be without a fight!

Lemke flew out, but Lonnie Smith was hit by a pitch. Ron Gant got into the game and ran for Smith, but Nixon lined out. One out to go!

But Gant again stole second, and Sanders fouled off three two strike pitches before drawing a walk.

Oh no. Terry Pendleton is up.

Pendleton’s batting average with runners in scoring position in the 1992 regular season? .391! Add to that 8 home runs and 86 RBI under those conditions.

First pitch…Pop up in foul territory, Gruber snares it, and adds an explanation mark to this big win.

A mock tomahawk chop!

Series tied 1-1!

Back to my Canadian Flag, which is upright!

References

Gamester, George, and Gerald Hall. On Top Of The World: The Toronto Stars Tribute To The '92 Blue Jays. Doubleday Canada, 1992. Print.

Kostel, Mike and Rich Domich, directors. 1992 World Series. Performance by Lou Carlou, Major League Baseball Productions, 1992. World Series Film. DVD.

\

Retrosheet. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.  <www.retrosheet.org>

Sports Reference LLC. "(title of a particular page or blank for general citation)." Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 19 Oct 2012.

1992 World Series Game 1

VS.

Jack Morris started game one for the Jays.

I remember being real bummed that my favourite, John Olerud would be benched. But it made sense, Olerud being a lefty and Tom Glavine, the Braves starter also a lefty. So Candy Maldonado was in left, Dave Winfield in right, Joe Carter at first.

The Jays didn’t get ball out of the infield in the first. Morris had some problems though. Otis Nixon singled, and (the Jays would soon get used to this) stole second. But Morris got the next three batters out.

Morris settled things down even more in the next two innings, retiring the Braves in order.


Meanwhile, the Jays got their first hit when Dave Winfield hit a chopper that the Braves could only watch helplessly. Two outs later, Pat Borders started out what would be a great series for him with a single. Manny Lee forced Borders out at second to end the inning. Amazingly, Winfield’s hit meant he obviously had his first World Series this year. Wonder if he will up that ugly 1-22 performance with the Yankees in the 1981 World Series? You bet he will.

Joe Carter led off the 4^th with a dinger! Alright Joe! I remember jumping up and thinking, that’s just what the Jays need, to get the long ball going. As the long ball went in that season, so to, did the Jays.

Morris got the first two batters out in the bottom of the frame, but then walked two straight batters. A wild pitch put runners on second and third. Morris then fanned the dangerous Ron Gant to get out of trouble.


Again in the fifth, Morris got the first two batters out.

And again, he walked the next two, Glavine and Nixon. At least Nixon can’t steal second.

Jeff Blauser ended the inning by fanning. That made it 18 consecutive scoreless inning for Morris, who tossed a ten inning shutout in game 7 of the '91 Series. Morris had also held the Braves scoreless for his last three innings (4-6) of game 4 a year ago.

Morris was showing all of us Jays fans what he had showed us all year long. The tougher it got, the tougher he got!


But so was Glavine, who really wasn’t letting the Jays get anything. The Jays had failed to get the ball out of the infield in the top of the 5^th.

In the 6^th, White popped out, Alomar looked at strike three. Carter flied out. Nine straight retired for Glavine.


In the bottom of the frame, Terry Pendleton, who to me was the Braves’ best hitter, grounded out to Alomar. Then he got ahead of Dave Justice, 1 and 2, but proceeded to miss on the next three pitches.


Sid Bream, who Morris usually always got out, came to bat. Oh, actually Jack had got him out in all 11 times he had faced him.


But not this time.


Bream singled to left.


However, Jack got Ron Gant to force Bream at second for the second out. 


Damon Berryhill was the batter.


Jack quickly got ahead 1-2. But after throwing the second strike, Gant stole second.

Morris went to his prized pitch, a forkball to get him out, but the ball ended up at waist level, and Berryhill hit the ball high over Winfield into the right field stands. The Braves were ahead 3-1.


Ahead for good, as Glavine allowed just one more hit, a Borders single in the eighth, which was quickly erased on a double play. 

Todd Stottlemyre and David Wells held the Braves scoreless  as well, the rest of the way, but it was a mute point.


My Jays world head turned upside down!

References

Gamester, George, and Gerald Hall. On Top Of The World: The Toronto Stars Tribute To The '92 Blue Jays. Doubleday Canada, 1992. Print.

Kostel, Mike and Rich Domich, directors. 1992 World Series. Performance by Lou Carlou, Major League Baseball Productions, 1992. World Series Film. DVD.

Retrosheet. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.  <www.retrosheet.org>

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 17 Oct 2012.

Other World Series For You!

I realize with a list of just 10, I probably offended some of you out there. Indeed, here are some that I also shall always hold dear. In no particular order:

1927 World Series

I realize it was a four game sweep, but Ruth and Gehrig were in their prime for the Bombers here. Also, despite the sweep, the Pirates actually played very well, outhitting the Yanks in game 1 and losing twice by just a single run in that game, plus game 4.. The Yankees hit only two homeruns, and I'm sure you can guess who hit them.

1973 World Series

It was only five games, but I've always called this the "3-2 World Series" or "Losing Team Scores Twice Series". Indeed, 4 games were won by the score of 3-2 and "worst" game was only 5-2. This was no cakewalk for Oakland. The Dodgers, sadly, would lose all three World Series they made in the 70s.

1946 World Series

It was only time Ted Williams and Stan Musial would face each other, save for spring training and all-star games. This one went seven and St Louis won it when Slaughter went from first to home on what was actually scored a (short) double. Who would have thought that Williams and Musial would never again play in the World Series. Alas, Williams hit only .200 and Musial fared little better, .222!

1985 World Series

Oh yeah, that call at first in the bottom of the 9th inning of game 6. The "I-70" Series as it came to be known. KC comes back from 3-1 down in the ALCS (don't ask) and again from 3-1 down in the World Series! Too bad the last game was such a rout, 11-0!

1947 World Series

Poor Bill Bevens. One pitch away from immortality. Then he losses the no-hitter and the game thanks to Cookie Larvagetto. Was that Joe DiMaggio kicking the dirt around second after the Gionfriddo catch? First fully integrated World Series, first televised game in a World Series, first great Dodgers/Yankees World Series!

1960 World Series

Can't write, will anger dad!

1989 World Series

One of the most lopsided World Series ever, but who will ever forget "The Quake"?

1988 World Series

Gibby.

1968 World Series

Probably worth it for game one (which I have on DVD, btw) alone, as Bob Gibson just had it that day. 17 Ks! What is lost is all that is that it was just one game, and Denny McLain didn't pitch too badly himself. The real hero of the Series was Mickey Lolich who won 3 games, hit a homerun in game 2, and picked off Brock and Flood on the basepaths in game 7. Kinda odd seeing Roger Maris in a Cardinals uniform, or Eddie Matthews in a Tiger uniform.

1945 World Series

Was a gem despite the blowout in the last game. Who would have thought we would never again see the Cubs in the World Series (as of 2012)?

References

Enders, Eric. 100 years of the World Series. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 2005. Print.

Kendall, Brian. Great Moments in Canadian Baseball. Toronto, Ont., Canada: Lester Pub., 1995. Print.

Mantle, Mickey, and Mickey Herskowitz. All My Octobers: My Memories of Twelve World Series When the Yankees Ruled Baseball. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Print.

Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen, and Michael L. Neft. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print.

Nemec, David et all. 20th Century Baseball Chronicle: A Year-by-year History of Major League Baseball. Collector's Edition. Lincolnwood, Ill: Publications International, 1993. Print.

Seaver, Tom, and Martin Appel. Great Moments in Baseball. New York, NY: Carol Pub. Group, 1992. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 16 Oct. 2012.

1992 World Series: 50 Interesting Facts

When my Jays finally got it done 20 years ago, there were 50 things I didn't realise over the years about the '92 World Series

50) The Atlanta Braves were making their second straight attempt to win their first World Series since moving to Altanta. Before that, they had won the World Series as the Milwaukee Braves as recently as 1957, and as the Boston Braves as recently as 1914. They had even won a Championship 100 years before 1992, when, as the Boston Beaneaters (1st place in the NL) beat the Cleveland Spiders (2nd in the NL) in a six game series 5 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie. They had also just reached the World Series in 1991 and lost the Minnesota Twins in 7 games, a World Series that many call the finest ever!

49) Meanwhile, the Jays had no such postseason luck, squadering a 3-1 lead in the 1985 ALCS, then losing in 5 games against Oakland in 1989 and again 5 games to Minnesota in 1991

48) Game 1 featured the first ever 20 (Jack Morris) game winner vs 20 game winner (Tom Glavine) since Tom Seaver and Mike Cuellar in game 4 of the 1969 World Series.

47) Glavine's ERA in the 1992 NLCS: 12.27 in 7.1 IP

46) Glavine had won only one game since beating the other Canadian team (Montreal Expos) on August 19

45) Morris, by taking the hill in game 1, joined Joe Bush, Paul Derringer, and Grant Jackson as one of only four pitchers (at that point) to pitch in a World Series with three different teams.

44) Combined lifetime wins by Morris and Glavine: 559

43) Combined lifetime postseason wins by Morris and Glavine: 21

42) Morris was trying to become the first pitcher to win a World Series game with three different teams

41) The first hit by a Blue Jay was Dave Winfield, which equalled hit total number of hits in the entire 1981 World Series. Winfield went 1-22 in '81

40) Joe Carter hit the first World Series homerun by a Jay. Amazingly, every World Series homerun he ever hit were off left handed pitchers

39) Greg Olson, the Braves regular catcher in the season before and injury put him on the shelf, hit only 3 homeruns in 1992 (95 games). Damon Berryhill, who took over for him behind the dish, hit 10 (101 games)

38) David Cone was the first AL pitcher to get two hits in one World Series game since Mickey Lolich in game 2 of the 1968 World Series

37) Ed Sprague had played in just 22 games that season and hit just 1 homerun prior to game 2

36) Sprague homered on the very first pitch he saw in the World Series

35) Game 1 and 2 were won by homeruns from backup catchers. Sprague would never play catcher again until a one inning appearance on July 5, 2001 with Seattle

34) Joe Carter was the first player to hit a homerun on Canadian soil in the World Series. He is also the last player to do so with his walk-off game winner in game 6 of '93.

33) Only one triple play has ever happened in a World Series, but the Jays almost turned one in game 3

32) Kelly Gruber's homerun in the 8th inning of game 3 broke a postseason drought of  23 hitless at bats, going back to game 2 of the ALCS against Oakland

31) Gruber also made the only error of the game, and tagged Deion Sanders on the heel if you watch the replay of the triple play that wasn't

30) Worst still, looking at the replay, Sanders made contact with Gruber's glove (basically tripping over it) as he dove into second

29) So the Jays actually got 5 outs on the play. Dave Justice out on the fly to White (1), Terry Pendleton out for passing Sanders on the bases (2). Pendleton out for getting back to first two late after running halfway to third on Justice's drive (3). Sanders out after Gruber tags him on the heel (4). Sanders out again for tripping over Gruner's glove (5)

28) The Braves used 4 pitchers in the bottom of the 9th in game 3

27) Candy Maldonado was 2 for 13 lifetime againt Jeff Reardon prior to facing him in the bottom of the 9th of game 3. In fact, I remember a game from June 13, 1992, when Reardon struck out Candy to end the game. Maldonado represented the game winning run in that game

26) Jimmy Key hadn't started a game in the postaseason (and was only 13-13 in the regular season) in 1992 when he took the hill in game 4 of the World Series. In fact, he pitched just once in the 6 games of the ALCS

25) Key, a lefty like Glavine (his mound opponent, in game 4), hadn't started a game since October 4th, the last game of the season. He pitched just once in the ALCS

24) Key was 8-13 on September 2nd, but then won his last five decisions on the season. His ERA in the 5 wins was 1.56

23) Lonnie Smith's grand slam in the fifth inning of game 5 was the 16th in World Series history. In twenty years since, only two more have been hit. Of the 18 grand slams hit in the World Series, 8 have been hit by Yankees.

22) Morris failed to become the first pitcher to win a World Series game with three different teams. Ironically, it was someone the Jays faced in next year's World Series, Curt Schilling who would do those honours

21) I learned in the box score of game 6 what you do when someone hits a flyball that is dropped that would have scored the runner anyway. You scored it a sac fly, and don't charge the batter with an AB despite reaching on an error.

20) Dave Winfield knocked in Roberto Alomar in the Blue Jays season opener, April 6, 1992, following a Carter flyball out. It was the run that put the Jays ahead for good. It was also the first run the Jays scored in 1992. In game 6 of the World Series in the top of the 11th, he knocked in Devon White and Roberto Alomar to put the Jays ahead for good.

19) Mike Timlin had just one regular season save (and none in the postseason) before game 6 of the 1992 World Series

18) Otis Nixon, who tried to bunted for the final out, later played for the Jays from 1996-97. It was Timlin fielded the ball and tossed to first for the final out. With Nixon and Timlin now teammates, Mike recorded a personal high 31 saves that season

17) Mike Timlin won a World Series with the Jays in 1992 and 1993. He would win two more with the Red Sox, as well. But that save in game 6 of '92 was his only postseason save. He was 0-3 lifetime in the postseason. No other player from the 1992 World Series would win more World Series than Timlin. Morris also won four World Series, but he was injured and not on the postseason roster in 1993. Jack was on the postseason roster of the 1984 Tigers, 1991 Twins and 1992 Jays

16) Joe Carter, playing first base, made the last out of the 1992 World Series. One year later, also in game 6, he hit the game-winning homerun for the Jays to win the 1993 World Series

15) Duane Ward won two games for the Jays in the 1992 World Series, Jimmy Key won the other two. Key was pitching in relief when he got the win in game 6. So 3 of the 4 World Series games the Jays won in 1992 were won by relief pitchers. Ironically, it would be the same deal next year, with Ward winning game 6

14) The losing pitcher in game 6? Charlie Leibrandt, who was the winning pitcher in game 7 of the 1985 ALCS against the Jays. It was the Jays first trip to the postseason, and they had held a 3-1 edge over the Kansas City Royals. Ironically the winner of game 5 of the 1985 ALCS (Danny Jackson), would face (and lose to), the Jays in game 3 of the 1993 World Series

13) Pat Borders was the World Series MVP, having gotten at least one hit in all postseason games for the Jays in 1992. Amazingly, he got a hit in each of the last two games of the 1991 ALCS and the first two games of the 1993 ALCS (16 game postseason hitting streak). The only World Series game that he failed to get a hit was game 3 of the 1993 World Series. In his first ever at bat in the postseason in the 1989 ALCS vs Oakland, he singled as a pinch-hitter

12) Borders was 9-22 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 Runs Scored, 3 2B, 2BB (1 IBB), 1K in the 1992 World Series

11) Borders also hit .318 (7-25) with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 Runs Scored, 1BB, 1K in the 1992 ALCS

10) The Braves, though, stole 15 bases off Borders, and were only caught 3 times

9) Deion Sanders hit .533 (8-15) with 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4 Runs Scored, 2 2B, 2BB, 1K

8) No other Brave hit above .296 (Otis Nixon)

7) The Jays held the Braves 3,4 and 5 hitters to zero extra base in the first 4 games of the Series

6) The Braves had a better ERA in the Series than the Jays (2.65 to 2.78)

5)The Jays made 4 errors in the World Series that year. The Braves made only 2

4) The 1992 World Series was the last game in a Jays uniform for the following players:

Derek Bell

Kelly Gruber

Tom Henke

Jimmy Key (would go on to face the Braves again in the 1996 World Series)

Manuel Lee

Pat Tabler (retired after the Series and became a colour commentator for TSN)

Dave Winfield

3) Also gone after this season were:

Dave Stieb (didn't pitch in the World Series due to injury, but returned to the Jays in 1998 after retiring in 1993)

Dave Cone (returned to pitch the Jays in 1995, then joined the Yankees to pitch against the Braves in 1996 and 1999)

Candy Maldonado (returned to the Jays in 1995 as well, but was traded to Texas later than season where he finished his career)

David Wells (1992 Blue Jays were the first of six teams he went to the postseason with. Later returned to the Jays in 1999. Pitched against the Braves in the 1995 NLCS with Cincinnati)

2) The Braves had a few Blue Jay connections. In addition to Otis Nixon, who eventually found his way back to the Braves, skipper Bobby Cox first joined the Atlanta Braves in 1978. Bobby managed the Jays from 1982 - 1985. Also in 1982, Cito Gaston joined the Jays as a hitting instructor. Cox was succeeded by Jimmy Williams for 1986. After being fired in 1989, Williams joined the Braves as a third base coach in 1991. When Bobby Cox got ejected in game 3 of the World Series that year, Williams took over! Cito Gaston took over for Williams and managed the Jays from 1989 to 1997, then came back for three more seasons from 2008-2010

1) Deion Sanders signed with the Jays in 2001 but never played a game with the Blue Birds. He did, however, play 25 games for the Jays AAA team the Syracuse SkyChiefs. Amazingly, he wasn't the only two sports star on the team that year, as Mark Hendrickson pitched!

References

Gamester, George, and Gerald Hall. On Top Of The World: The Toronto Stars Tribute To The '92 Blue Jays. Doubleday Canada, 1992. Print.

Kostel, Mike and Rich Domich, directors. 1992 World Series. Performance by Lou Carlou, Major League Baseball Productions, 1992. World Series Film. DVD.

Retrosheet. Web. 13 Oct. 2012.  <www.retrosheet.org>

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 13 Oct 2012.

My Top 10 Favourite World Series

Okay, I know I'm going to create controversy. Get ready to think, "What about ?" Remember, this is my list!

10) 1977 World Series

Game 6: Reggie once, twice, three times...

9) 1903 World Series

The first World Series. You gotta start somewhere!

8) 2004 World Series

1918 is uttered no more by long suffering Red Sox fans!

7) 1952 World Series

The Mick wins games 6 and 7 with homeruns. It doesn't get any better than that!

6) 1956 World Series

Grand Larsen(y) in game 5!

5) 1991 World Series

Would be a lot higher on the list if the Twins didn't beat my beloved Jays in the ALCS

4) 1975 World Series

Game 6, need I say more?

3) 1986 World Series

Same as #10 and #4, but with a little roller up along first...

2) 1992 World Series

My beloved Jays finally get it done. Devo makes The Catch That Should Have Resulted In A Triple Play!

1) 1993 World Series

Two words: Joe Carter!

References

Enders, Eric. 100 years of the World Series. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 2005. Print.

Kendall, Brian. Great Moments in Canadian Baseball. Toronto, Ont., Canada: Lester Pub., 1995. Print.

Mantle, Mickey, and Mickey Herskowitz. All My Octobers: My Memories of Twelve World Series When the Yankees Ruled Baseball. New York: HarperCollins, 1994. Print.

Neft, David S., Richard M. Cohen, and Michael L. Neft. The Sports Encyclopedia: Baseball, 1992. 12th ed. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992. Print.

Nemec, David et all. 20th Century Baseball Chronicle: A Year-by-year History of Major League Baseball. Collector's Edition. Lincolnwood, Ill: Publications International, 1993. Print.

Seaver, Tom, and Martin Appel. Great Moments in Baseball. New York, NY: Carol Pub. Group, 1992. Print.

Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/. Web. 09 Oct. 2012.

Bert Campaneris: 9 Innings, 9 Positions

Bert Campaneris did something amazing on September 8, 1965.

He played all nine positions in one game, including pitcher.

He started the game at shortstop.

First inning: (Shortstop)

After taking his position at shortstop, he watched as Wayne Causey squeezed Jose Cardenal’s popup for the first out. It was as close as Campaneris came to a play as Jose Tartabull made two outs in left to retire the side, in order.

Campaneris led off the game with a walk, and, as he did so often, he stole second. Eventually, he scored the game’s first run on a double by Edward Charles.

Second Inning: (Second Base)

So Bert moved left to second base as Causey moved right to take over at shortstop.

The first two batters were retired easily, but then another Edward, Kirkpatrick singled for the first of two hits. Then he was picked off first. There was a run down on a play that would involve the two infielders who had just changed positions. A’s starter, Dick Joyce fired to first sacker (who played that position until the 7th inning on this day) Randy Schwartz, who then tossed it to Campaneris, who then fired it back to Joyce (joining up in the rundown). Joyce was credited with the assist as he tossed it to Causey for the putout.

Third Inning: (Third Base)

Campaneris moved over to third while Ed Charles went from the hot corner to second sacker.

But once again it was Tartabull who the ball found its way to twice, in a 1-2-3 inning. Dean Chance, the opposing pitcher, struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the frame, Chance retired Campaneris on a groundout which he himself fielded.

Fourth Inning: (Left Field)

Charles was back at third, but obviously Tartabull had to move. He went to right field. Right fielder Lou Clinton came out of the game as his spot was moved to second base, now occupied by Dick Green.

Jose Cardinal led off the top of the fourth for the Angels. I should mention at this point that he would probably have wanted to get involved in this. After all, he was Bert’s cousin.

So Jose decided to test Bert’s glove in left and sent a flyball to left. Campaneris caught it. California would tie the game that inning as Jim Fregosi singled and scored on a Joe Adcock double.

Fifth Inning: (Center Field)

In the top of the fifth, Campaneris shifted from left to center field. Jose Tartabull moved back to left, and was no doubt mad that he missed out on a chance for his 5th putout of the game. Jim Landis went from center to right.

Tartabull made his 5th putout of the game after all for the second out, taking catcher Tom Egan’s fly. Then it was Paul Schaal’s turn to test Bert out by hitting a flyball to center. Campaneris made the catch to retire the side. It had been another 1-2-3 inning.

Sixth Inning: (Right Field)

Campaneris moved to right, while Landis was back in his normal position.

With two out in the inning, Albie Pearson singled. Then Fregosi sent a fly to Campaneris, which was muffed. Pearson scored to give the Angels a 2-1 lead. Tartabull once again caught a fly to end the inning.

Chance, still pitching for California, k’d Bert in the bottom of the inning.

Seventh Inning (First Base)

Campaneris moved to first base. Mike Hershberger, as the new right fielder, replaced Randy Schwartz in the lineup.

The Angles got runners to second and third with only one out, thanks to two walks and a wild pitch.

The A’s were forced to go the bullpen twice in this inning as Dick Joyce’s night ended. First to Don Mossi, and then to Jim Dickenson. Campaneris caught Schaal’s pop up for the second out. Chance ended the inning by fanning.

In the bottom of the frame, Larry Stahl pinch hit for Hershberger.

Eighth Inning (Pitcher)

Now it was time for the real test. Campaneris relived Dickenson on the mound, while Santiago Rosario filled in the void at first. Stahl took over for Hershberger in right.

Campaneris faced his relative first. So it was right handed pitcher vs right handed batter. Cardenal popped out to second. But then, it was Albie Pearson who batted from the left side. So Campaneris, who was ambidextrously, switch-pitched! Pearson coaxed a walk from him, on four pitches. Jim Fregosi batted right handed, so it was Campaneris the right handed pitcher again. Four more pitches and a -

Walk.

After two more balls to Joe Adcock, he singled to score Pearson and Marcelino Lopez came in to run for Adcock. 3-1 California.

Campaneris was in a hole here as Bobby Knoop came to bat. Campaneris was able to bear down and strike him out as Fregosi tried to steal third. But catcher Billy Bryan nailed him at third for a double play. This would Bryan’s last play of the game.

Bert came to bat in the bottom of the inning and grounded out against Chance.

Ninth Inning (Catcher)

So now came the ninth and final inning, and the ninth and final position. The other half of the battery.

Aurelio Monteagudo took over on the mound for Campaneris and Campaneris replaced Bryan behind the plate.

Kirkpatrick got his second hit of the game, and then tested Bert’s arm. He succeeded in his swipe. Tom Egan walked.

Monteagudo got Schaal to line out to Landis, but Kirkpatrick made it to third. Chance batted for himself and struck out.

As Jose Cardenal batted, the Angels decided to test Campaneris behind the plate again with a steal as Egan took off towards second. As Campaneris fired to second, Kirkpatrick took advantage of Bert’s inexperience behind the dish and took off for home. Ohh, a double steal!

Dick Green, at second, could see it all, and took Bert’s throw and fired it right back to him. The toss beat the runner as Kirkpatrick and Campaneris collided at home, but the ball didn’t come lose. A fight broke out, but the inning was over.

And so was Campaneris’ night, as the impact of Kirkpatrick was bad enough to force Campaneris from the game.

If it matters at this point, the A’s tied in the bottom of the ninth, only to lose it in the top of the 13th. Hmm, another game involving Joe Adcock (see Harvey Haddix’s 12 inning perfect game) that ended in the 13th involving something that had never been done before.

So because by now you realize what a stats freak (did I just type that?) I am. Here are Bert Campaneris’ stats for the night

Batting

3AB, 1R, 0H, 0RBI, 1BB, 1K, .000 BA, .250 OPS

Fielding

POS: P, 0 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

POS: C, 3 CH, 2 PO, 1 A, 0 E, 0 DP, 1.000 F%, 27.00 R/9I, 3.00 R/G

POS: 1B, 1 CH, 1 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, 1.000 F%, 9.00 R/9I, 1.00 R/G

POS: SS, 0 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

POS: 2B, 0 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

POS: 3B, 0 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

POS: LF, 1 CH, 1 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, 1.000 F%, 9.00 R/9I, 1.00 R/G

POS: CF, 1 CH, 1 PO, 0 A, 0 E, 0 DP, 1.000 F%, 9.00 R/9I, 1.00 R/G

POS: RF, 1 CH, 0 PO, 0 A, 1 E, 0 DP, .000 F%, 0.00 R/9I, 0.00 R/G

Pitching

1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1K, 0 HR, 9.00 ERA.

2012 Stanley Cup Finals: The Story So Far, Game 5

So the Devils forced 'em to put the champagne away again. And the Kings finally lose at home.

And we had another 2-1 game, although this one didn't make it to OT.

The first period was again cautious, as the teams combined for just 11 shots. But once again it was the Devils who drew first blood as Parise got one around the 13 minute mark.

Both teams then started to pour it on in the second stanza. Once again, the Kings tied it as Justin Williams snapped one by Brodeur.

The Kings had several more chances in this period. Stoll came up empty on a breakaway.

But this time, it was the Kings who missed on their chances. Meanwhile, the Devils took the lead for good when Bryce Salvador continued his strong play by scoring the game winning goal at 9:05.

The Kings clamped down on defence and kept pelting Marty with shots in the third. They actually scored a goal, but it was waved off. And despite outshooting New Jersey 9-3, they could not score in the finale.

This was the third 2-1 game of this Series, which is turning out to be quite entertaining!

The Way It Was

1993

This time the Kings didn't come back, as Montreal scored a 4-1 win and a 4-1 Series win.

McSorley again tied it in the second, but this time, the Kings responded as Kirk Muller scored a goal little more than a minute later. The Habs added one before the period ended and still another in the third.

Patrick Roy, won his second Conn Smythe award. Amazingly, although no one knew it at the time, he would never win another playoff round for the Habs.

1995

The Devils were Stanley Cup Champions by this point. But they would miss the playoffs the next season.

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: We'd better wrap it up at home, or else...

New Jersey: Kings' aren't so tough on the road. We can take this thing

My Three Stars:

Broduer

Salvador

Zajac

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

9.5: An improvement over the last game. Brodeur's best, so far. The Kiings played well, and put their maximum effort into this game. But the Devils did it as they always do, protecting a slim lead with defence and goaltending

2012 Stanley Cup Finals: The Story So Far, Game 4

So New Jersey finally found a way to win. Brodeur, like all great goaltenders, bounced back from a poor game.

The first period was a rather cautious affair, as both teams seemed reluctant to take any chances. They seemed to be almost feeling each other out, or waiting for just the right time to go for a scoring opportunity.

The Devils played even more cautiously in the second period, managing 3 shots. LA, meanwhile had 7 shots. But once again, the period ended scoreless.

The Devils finally started to open up in the third. And it promptly paid off.

Elias opened the scoring about 8 minutes into the third, which I felt was huge, since the team scoring the first goal had won the previous 3 games.

The lead lasted one minute, exactly.

Drew Doughty tied it on a powerplay goal just 4 seconds after David Clarkson went to the penalty box.

With less than 4 minutes to go, Adam Henrique scored what turned out to be the winner, and New Jersey tightened the screws on defence to make the lead hold up. Kovalchuk added an empty netter to seal the deal.

The Way It Was

1993

Again the Kings came back, and again they lost in OT.

The Habs jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

McSorley, atoning for getting caught with an illegal stick in game 2, tied it with just 5 seconds left in the second period.

After a scoreless third, LeClaire again won it overtime, but this time it was at the 14:37 mark. The Habs now had a 3-1 stranglehold on the Series, with game 5 in Montreal.

1995

New Jersey spotted the Red Wings an early lead, 2-1, and then reeled off four straight goals to win their first Stanley Cup.

Shawn Chambers scored twice and Billy Guerin collected 3 assists.

The Red Wings were held to just 16 shots on goal, while New Jersey scored their 5 on just 26 shots on a shaky Mike Vernon.

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: No panic yet, and now we go on the road!

New Jersey: We’re still alive, but let’s not lose this one at home!

My Three Stars:

Salvador

Brodeur

Doughty

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

8.5: The teams took a while to actually open up. The goaltending was great, but Quick showed some vulnerability.


References

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 11 Jun. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>.

Sports Reference LLC.  Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. Web. http://www.hockey-reference.com. Web. 11 Jun. 2012.

Stanley Cup Finals 2012: The Story So Far, Game 3

See all the celebs? Was that Mary Hart wearing a Kings' jersey? Best episode of ET, ever!

And Gretzky dropping the puck to start it all? And Bruce McNall, the man who made the trade all possible. Feeling like 1988 all over again. Good to see Mark Messier there, too. Where is Peter Pocklington?

New Jersey again had their chances and didn't convert. How many powerplays does this team need?

The first period was pretty good. But New Jersey let an opportunity slip away when they failed to score on the 5 on 3.

In the second period, both teams started to open up, but LA scored twice, but failed to get one on their first power play.

The first goal by Martinez had a bit of controversy behind it. But there was nothing controversial about Kopitar's goal, which put the game out of reach.

The way it was

1993

Los Angeles came home and promptly got behind 3-0, early in the second period. But Lucky Luc got one back from Gretzky, and this keyed a comeback. Gretzky's goal at 17:07 of the second stanza would tie the game.

The game stayed that way as the team played a scoreless third period.

John Leclair won the game just 34 seconds into overtime, putting the Habs up 2-1 in the Series

1995

New Jersey really took it to Detroit, opening up a 5-0 lead, then allowing Detroit two meaningless goals for a 5-2 win.

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: We can see the finish line, 60 more minutes...

New Jersey: We can't beat these guys at home or on the road

My three stars:

Quick

Kopitar

Williams

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

6.5: The action was good, but the game got a little one-sided by the third. I was hoping for another overtime game.


References

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 12 Jun. 2012. <https://www.nhl.com>.

Sports Reference LLC.  Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History. Web. http://www.hockey-reference.com. Web. 12 Jun. 2012.

Stanley Cup Finals 2012: The Story So Far, Game 2

Didn't I just watch this game, only it was game 1, not game 2.

Again Brodeur and Quick were...I'll say great. And I really think Brodeur not only held the Devils in their in the 3rd period, but also in overtime.

But the problem again for New Jersey is those missed plays. There were several times in overtime where they had control of the puck in overtime and it seemed like just a matter of time until they scored.

But they didn't, and that opened the door for LA.

And just like in game 1, LA pounced on the opportunity.

This overtime goal by Jeff Carter wasn't quite like Kopitar. But that was some determination on him circling the goal and snapping it home! Got it through all five Devils plus Brodeur somehow!

This time it was the Devils who needed the game more than LA. Now it's gonna be an uphill climb for New Jersey, who need to win the next three games.



The way it was

1993

Los Angeles looked to go up 2-0 vs Montreal on the road. But Marty McSorley got caught with an illegal stick...

1995

New Jersey trailed 2-1 going into the third. But a goal by Scott Niedemayer tied the game. Then the Devils won the game on a Jim Dowd goal and a Stephane Richer empty netter

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: Too bad we're going home...

New Jersey: Thannk god they are only 4-2 at home

My three stars:



1 (tie) Quick and Brodeur

2 Jeff Carter

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

9. Another OT that lasted longer and some great saves. Great goaltending duel.

My Favourite "Big Threes"

In sports, so many teams have, the big three. Here are my favourite

10) Lebron, CB4, and DW

We'll just have to wait and see...

9) Gretzky, Kurri, Coffey

When these guys were on the ice, the opposition never touched the puck. Imagine taking a penalty against these guys. No wonder the NHL implemented the 5-5 for coincidental penalties in 85/86, a season that saw Gretzky get 163 ASSISTS and Coffey get 48 goals, as a defenceman. Kurri led the NHL with 68 goals, one shy of the all time single season mark for right wingers.

8) Mantle, Maris, Howard

During a stretch from 1960 to 1964, the Yankees won 5 pennants, 2 World Series and 4 MVPs. Maris won 2 (60-61), Mantle and Howard one each (1962 and 1963). Plus all three were great fielders. Howard almost single-handedly carried the Yanks to the World Series in 1963, with Mantle and Maris hurt. Howard provided the steady calming influence on the pitching staff. But Mantle and Maris both hit dramatic homeruns that year, so poor old Ellie...

UPDATE: My father just read this and said Yogi Berra (3 MVPs in the 1950s) should be included. Fine. Big 4!

7) Jim Rice, Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn

Rice was underrated as a fielder, Evans was underrated as a hitter, especially when the 80s dawned. No other AL player hit more homeruns (256) in that decade that Evans. Lynn, when healthy, could do it all.

6) Koufax, Drysdale, Podres

Yes, Podres should be in there because of his two clutch World Series wins in 1959 and 1963. Should I mention he also won 2 for Brooklyn in 1955? But when it got to LA and Koufax (You knew what was coming alright, you just couldn't hit it), Drysdale (He'd knock down his own mother if she was batting, I swear) reached their prime...I mean, can you imagine playing a three game set against the Dodgers with these guys starting one after another? Just leave the bats at home! Plus, did I mention Podres was a lefty, as well?

5) Jordan, Pippen, Rodman

DEFENSE! Yeah, these guys were awesome! Is it any wonder in their three years together they won 3 NBA Championships? Anyways, Pippen was always better than his stats were, we all know that. Rodman was the best rebounder in the NBA from his rookie season until his last year, seriously. Jordan, well...

4) Bird, McHale, Johnson

Disclaimer:

I should have included Robert Parrish here, as no team in the 80s wins without a center. Actually, no team until the 90s could win without a center. See #5 for that. Also, in 85/86 the team had Bill Walton as the backup center. 5 Hall Of Famers.

But these three made the real difference. McHale, like Pippen, you had to see play. Bird, btw, was one of the smartest players ever, and DJ was the most underrated player, ever.

3) Kareem, Magic, And Big Game

Poor James Worthy, no one will ever remeber he scored 28 points to win the 1982 NCAA Final. Again, see #5 for who did that. Magic made the game fun and Kareem just got better with age.

2) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic

They've made tennis so much fun to watch in the last few years

1) Palmer, Nicklaus, Player

(Need I say more?)

Stanley Cup Finals 2012: The Story So Far, Game 1

Not a bad opener, in fact quite good.

Brodeur and Quick were good, but I'll give the edge to Brodeur because the Devils, I felt, missed finishing a few plays that could have changed the outcome.

That overtime goal by Kopitar was one of the nicest OT goals in a Stanley Cup Finals I've ever seen

The Kings needed this game more than them Devils, just as New Jersey will need game 2 more than Los Angeles.

9 wins in a row in this postseason, and 10 dating back to last year. Their last postseason loss was a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Sharks on April 14, 2011. It's been a long time coming

The way it was

1993

Los Angeles won game 1 vs Montreal on the road. I should saw Gretzky won it. 4-1 LA

1995

New Jersey won game vs the favoured Wings on the road, 2-1. I was their ninth straight win on the road in that postseason, sound familiar?

Attitudes In The Dressing Room At This Point:

Los Angeles: We can beat these guys, and we can win on the road, anywhere

New Jersey: These guys are for real and we need to finish plays better.

My three stars:

Brodeur

Quick

Kopitar

Game Rating Scale 1 (boring) - 10 (exciting)

8, more plays need to be executed and less give aways. But a good goaltending duel and exciting OT goal. Plus some bone crushing hits never hurts, eh?

The Kings: Playoff Veterans @ Such A Young Age!

I keep hearing that the Los Angeles Kings don't have experience, thus they will lose quickly and quietly.

What a bunch of bull.

Thing is, I took it on myself to look this up, and they do have experience.

Justine Williams played in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals with Carolina, and has played 65 playoff games, lifetime.

Mike Richards played in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals with the Miracle Flyers and 77 playoff games, lifetime.

Dustin Penner played in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals with Ottawa, and 54 playoff games, lifetime.

Jeff Carter played in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals with Philadelphia and 61 playoff games, lifetime.

Jarret Stoll (Not Staal, sadly) played in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals with Eric Staal and 49 playoff games, lifetime.

Matt Greene played in the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals with Carolina and 44 playoff games, lifetime.

Colin Frasier played in the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals with Chicago and 17 playoff games, lifetime.

Rob Scuderi (second oldest player on the team) played in the 2008 and 2009 Stanley Cup Finals with Pittsburgh and 75 playoff games, lifetime.

Drew Doughty has no Stanley Cup Finals experience, but played in the 7 gruelling games in the 2010 Olympic games!

That brings us to the coach, Darryl Sutter. In his second year with Calgary, back in 2004, he took them to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Sutter has coached 115 playoff games, lifetime. In addition, he played in 51 playoff games, lifetime.

Simon Gagne, I left out for the last. I don't know if I would want to play, given that he is recovered from a concussions, which as we saw earlier this year (in the case of Sidney Crosby) can come back at any moment. Gagne is the 2010-2011 Sidney Crosby of 2011-2012. He missed the last 46 games of the season (and 14 playoff games, so far) with his third concussion. If it matters, he's played in the 2010 Stanley Cup finals with the Flyers. Oh yeah, the Kings could use his playoff experience (105 games). Is it worth the risk? Ask Lindros, as a teammate of Gagne in the 1999-2000 regular season and playoffs.


References


Goss, Nicholas. “Stanley Cup Finals 2012: Kings Should Give Simon Gagne Chance to Play vs. Devils.” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report. Web.  26 May. 2012, <bleacherreport.com/articles/1197092-stanley-cup-finals-2012-kings-should-give-simon-gagne-chance-to-play-vs-devils>.

"Official Site of the National Hockey League” | NHL.com. National Hockey League. Web. 29 May. 2012.  <https://www.nhl.com>

Sports Reference LLC. "(title of a particular page or blank for general citation)." Hockey-Reference.com - Hockey Statistics and History.  http://www.hockey-reference.com. Web. 29 May. 2012.