Greatest MLB Postseason Games

I am planning on publishing this piece at the Bobby Abreu Appreciation Society and elsewhere. Below is the article in its current form. I may revise it based on your feedback, particularly if I missed facts or something else that needs elaboration. Please provide your feedback. Thank you.

 

1900s: 1907 World Series Game 1

1910s: 1912 World Series Game 8

 

After the recent 18 inning classic between the Braves and the Astros, some hardy sportswriters (hardy being a synonym for stupid) asked whether it was the greatest postseason game of all time. Of course not. But it is more fair to ask whether it was the greatest postseason game of the decade. With that in mind, here are my picks for the greatest postseason game of each decade. My picks are entirely subjective, so there is certainly room for debate. Games prior to 1920 required considerable guesswork, as radio did not even exist at the time, so the only viewers were the people actually at the game. Everyone who viewed my first three selections has passed away, and there's a long-shot that MAYBE there is someone alive who watched my fourth selection. Radio brought the game to the fans in the 1920s and '30s, and television brought baseball to fans by the mid-40s. Newsreels also carried game clips from about the 1920s onward. It is difficult to judge a game without seeing it, so if I have missed something, I hope to provide at least a little extra knowledge of the game's I did choose.

 

1886 World Series Game Six: Chicago White Stockings @ St. Louis Browns

Browns 4, White Stockings 3 (10 innings)

 

A postseason game before 1903? Yes, postseason games were held previously, but not well organized and generally considered exhibitions. The first two series between winners of the National League and the American Association featured sloppy play and low attendance. The third annual series however saw the first glimpse of real interest. With the Browns ahead three games to two, the White Stockings took a 3-0 lead in game six. In the bottom of the eighth however, the Browns scored three runs with Arlie Latham's two run triple tying the game. The game was the first postseason match to go extra frames and in the bottom of the 10th, Curt Welch stole home to win the game and the series for the Browns. Since the winner pocketed the proceeds, Welch's steal became known as the "$15,000 slide," and remains the most memorable play of the 19th Century. There is a question of whether Curt Welch actually slid, but there is ample suggestion he did.

 

1895 Temple Cup Game One: Baltimore Orioles @ Cleveland Spiders

Spiders 5, Orioles 4

 

The American Association dissolved after the 1891 season, leaving the National League as baseball's only major league. The league organized the Temple Cup as a series pitting the league's first place team against the second place team. While well intentioned, this move had the result of watering the regular season races. Fans in 1895 were treated to a great game however as Cy Young and the Spiders battled Ned Hanlon's roughneck Orioles. Cy Young and Orioles' pitcher Sadie McMahon traded zeroes until Cleveland scored in the fifth. Baltimore tied in the sixth, and the Spiders responded with another run in the bottom of the inning. The Orioles took the lead with two runs in the eighth, and again the Spiders scored in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at three.

 

In the ninth, two doubles from Wilbert Robinson and John McGraw plated a run for the Orioles. In the bottom of the ninth, Cleveland slashed four straight hits to tie the game. The Orioles forced a runner at home, but the next Spiders batter hit a ball that narrowly missed becoming a double play, and the Spiders earned the victory. McMadon and Cy Young both pitched complete games. The Spiders would win the series in five games.

 

Apart from being the dominant team of the decade, the 1890s Orioles became a baseball management factory of sorts. Catcher Wilbert Robinson would go on to manage Brooklyn from 1914-1931, and the team was named the Brooklyn Robins for a period. John McGraw would become Baltimore's manager for a couple years before managing the New York Giants from 1902-1932. Hughie Jennings managed the Detroit Tigers from 1907-1920, winning three league pennants. Joe Kelley managed the Cincinnati Reds from 1902-1905 and turned in a winning record. Frank Bowerman managed the Boston Braves for 76 games as a player-manager in 1909. Finally, Kid Gleason had the dubious honor of watching the Chicago White Sox sell the World Series in 1919, and managed the club from 1919-1923.

 

1907 World Series Game One: Detroit Tigers @ Chicago Cubs

Tigers 3, Cubs 3

 

The opening game of the World Series saw the first extra inning postseason game of the modern era. Wild Bill Donovan matched up against Orval Overall. Johnny Kling singled home Frank Chance in the fourth to score the first run of the game. The Tigers fought back in the eighth, scoring two runs when Sam Crawford singled and an error allowed Germany Schaefer to score from first. A sacrifice fly scored Crawford to make the score 3-1. The Cubs committed three costly errors in the inning. In the bottom of the ninth the Cubs fought back, closing the score to 3-2 and placing runners on second and third with two out. Pinch hitter Del Howard struck out but reached first on a dropped third strike, and Harry Steinfeldt scored the tying run on the play. Johnny Evers attempted to steal home to win the game but was unsuccessful. The game continued three more innings with no runs scored before it was called on account of darkness. The Cubs went on to win four straight and the series.

 

1912 World Series Game Eight: New York Giants @ Boston Red Sox

Red Sox 3, Giants 2 (10 innings)

 

A game inexplicably called on account of darkness led to a tie game and thus necessitated this eighth game in a best of seven series. Christy Mathewson, baseball's ultimate hard-luck postseason pitcher, started for the Giants against Hugh Bedient of the Red Sox. The Giants scored first when Red Murray's double scored Josh Devore in the third. The Red Sox tied the game in the seventh when Jake Stahl scored on Olaf Henriksen's double. The real heroics occured in the tenth. Fred Merkle singled in a runner in the tenth to score the go-ahead run. In the bottom of the inning, Clyde Engle hit a flyball to center field that was dropped by outfielder Fred Snodgrass. Snodgrass's muff led to two Red Sox runs, and the series for the Sox.

 

As a post note, I mentioned Christy Mathewson's poor luck. Mathewson pitched 3 games, completed all of them, surrendered three earned runs the entire series, and lost two games. Mathewson compiled an 0.97 ERA throughout his World Series career in 11 starts and somehow lost five games.

 

1926 World Series Game Seven: St. Louis Cardinals @ New York Yankees

Cardinals 3, Yankees 2

 

Many of you are familiar with the story. Down 3-2, the Yankees load the bases in the seventh inning with two outs and Tony Lazzeri batting. The Cardinals summon 39 year old Pete Alexander from the bullpen, fresh off his complete game victory over the Yankees in game six. According to legend Alexander is hung over, but he is not. He apparently stumbled leading out of the bullpen though, and legend is that Alexander got drunk during the 1915 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies. In any case, 1926 represented Alexander's chance at redemption and a World Championship. Alexander struck out Lazzeri to end the seventh, and held the Yankees scoreless the rest of the way to win the game and the series. The series ended when Babe Ruth reached base with two outs in the ninth and attempted to steal second.

 

1935 World Series Game Three: Detroit Tigers @ Chicago Cubs

Tigers 6, Cubs 5 (11 innings)

 

The 1930s saw precious few classic games. Babe Ruth called his shot in 1932, but one moment does not make a game, especially when that moment is greatly exagerrated over time. In 1935, the Tigers matched the Cubs, the Tigers looking for their first World Championship in team history. With the series tied at one game apiece, the Cubs took a 3-1 lead into the eighth. Things fell apart for the Cubbies however as Goose Goslin singled home two runs, driving pitcher Bill Lee from the game. Reliever Lon Warneke surrendered two more runs before the inning ended. The Cubs struck back in the ninth, scoring two runs to tie the game. The Cubs threatened in the tenth, bringing the winning run to third with one out but failed to score. The Tigers scored on Jo-Jo White's RBI single in the 11th and held the Cubbies in the bottom of the inning to win the game. The Tigers won the series in six games.

 

1947 World Series Game Four: New York Yankees @ Brooklyn Dodgers

Dodgers 3, Yankees 2

 

Baseball has seen only one postseason no-hitter; Don Larsen's perfect game. On one October night, Bill Bevins almost became the first, but ended up losing everything. The Yankees led 2-1 heading ti the bottom of the ninth. The Dodgers scored their run on two walks and a fielder's choice. Bevins had walked eight batters heading to the ninth. Bruce Edwards led off with a flyout to Dimaggio. One out. Carl Furillo walked. Spider Jorgensen hit a pop foul to the first baseman. Two outs. Al Gionfriddo pinch-ran for Furillo, while Pete Reiser pinch-hit for pitcher Hugh Casey. Gionfriddo stole second, leading to an intentional walk for Reiser. Eddie Miksis ran for Reiser, while Cookie Lavagetto pinch-hit for Eddie Stanky. Lavagetto doubled to right field, Bill Bevins lost a no-hitter, and both Dodger runners scored, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 win for the Dodgers. The Yankees recovered to win the series in seven games.

 

1956 World Series Game Five: Brooklyn Dodgers @ New York Yankees

Yankees 2, Dodgers 0

 

Losing a no-hitter would not be as exciting if a no-hitter was not memorable in its own right. On one night in 1956, Don Larsen reached baseball perfection, retiring 27 straight Brooklyn Dodgers to record the only no-hitter and only perfect game in World Series history. The Yankees won the series in seven.

 

1960 World Series Game Seven: New York Yankees @ Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates 10, Yankees 9

 

Yankee fans remember the ending, while the entire game is often forgotten. This game featured as many twists and turns as any game in history. The Pirates took a 4-0 lead after two innings. The Yankees got on board with Bill Skowron's home run in the 5th, and took the lead thanks to Yogi Berra's three run home run in the sixth, part of a four run inning. The Yankees tacked on two in the eighth, making it a three run lead. The Pirates fought back. Bill Virdon's single hit Tony Kubek in the throat, and Kubek was forced to leave the game. With two outs and two on and two already across, Hal Smith's three run homer placed the Pirates ahead 9-7. The Yankees refused to quit however, and placed two runs across the plate in the ninth to tie the game, the second thanks to a great baserunning play by Mickey Mantle. Finally in the bottom of the ninth, Bill Mazeroski led off with a home run, one of two series ending home runs in World Series history.

 

1975 World Series Game Six: Cincinnati Reds @ Boston Red Sox

Red Sox 7, Reds 6 (12 innings)

 

In a way, game sixes are better than game sevens. One team is fighting for victory, the other for hope. A victory for the trailing team means the ultimate anticipation for game seven. Game six of the 1975 World Series is often cited as the greatest game in baseball history, with good reason. The Sox took a three run lead in the first inning thanks to a three run homer by rookie Fred Lynn. The Reds got to Luis Tiant however, scoring three runs in the fifth, two in the seventh, and one in the eighth. All that amounts to is the prelude. Down 6-3, the Red Sox threatened in the eighth inning, placing their first two runners on base. The Reds quickly retired the next two batters, bringing pinch-hitter Bernie Carbo to the plate. Carbo looked overmatched early in the at bat, but worked the count to 2 balls, 2 strikes and hit a home run to dead center field. Tie game.

 

In the ninth, Red Sox' hitter Fred Lynn hit a fly ball to left, and Reds' left fielder George Foster threw home, nailing Denny Doyle at the plate. In the eleventh, Joe Morgan hit a ball that may have been a home run if not for a leaping catch by Dwight Evans. Evans doubled off Ken Griffey Sr. on the play, ending the inning. Finally in the twelvth, Carlton Fisk hit a leadoff home run to end the game. It is said the game re-vigorated interest in baseball.

 

1988 World Series Game One: Oakland Athletics @ Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers 5, Athletics 4

 

Before I begin, it must be stated that Kirk Gibson was the MVP of the National League in 1988. That fact is sometimes lost in the re-telling of this classic. That he went down and looked to miss the entire postseason was a severe blow to the Dodgers. That said, not many people gave the Dodgers much of a chance against an Oakland club that featured several monterous hitters, including Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire and Carney Lansford. The Dodgers struck in the first inning however, as Mickey Hatcher hit a two-run homer to give the Dodgers an early lead. The celebration was short-lived however, as Jose Canseco hit a grand slam in the second to give the Athletics a 4-2 lead. Mike Scioscia's RBI single in the 6th cut the lead to 4-3.

 

That set the stage for the ninth inning; Athletics leading 4-3 with their ace reliever Dennis Eckersley on the mound. Again, it must be emphasized how dominant a reliever Eckersley was. From 1988-90, Eckersley walked a total of 18 batters. Eckersley retired the first two batters before walking Mike Davis. Davis would steal second, and that does not really matter in the long run. An injured Gibson fought Eckersley for almost ten minutes, before Gibson finally deposited a 3-2 pitch into the right-field stands for the most Hollywood-esqe ending in World Series history. The Dodgers would go on to win the World Series in five games.

 

1991 World Series Game Seven: Atlanta Braves @ Minnesota Twins

Twins 1, Braves 0

 

Perhaps the last great pitching performance? With the World Championship on the line, John Smoltz and Jack Morris traded zeroes in Minnesota. Each team saw opportunities to score. The Braves threatened in the top of the eighth, but Lonnie Smith failed to score on Terry Pendelton's double. The Twins loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but Kent Hrbek lined into a double play. The Twins brought a runner to third in the bottom of the ninth, but again failed to score. Jack Morris came out to pitch the tenth inning, and retired the Braves in order. Finally, a Gene Larkin single brought in the winning run in the bottom of the tenth to score the winning run.

 

2001 World Series Game Seven: New York Yankees @ Arizona Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks 3, Yankees 2

 

There are many sweet moments for Yankee-haters, but nothing beats your first time. Here we witnessed two great pitchers lock horns, and both Clemens and Schilling were at the top of their games. The Diamondbacks scored the game's first run in the sixth, but the Yankees tied the game right back in the seventh. Alfonso Soriano's solo home run off his shoetops placed the Yankees up 2-1, and drove Curt Schilling from the game. More importantly, it gave Mariano Rivera a save opportunity. Remember, Rivera had not blown a postseason save since 1997. Randy Johnson pitched on one day's rest and shut down the Yankees the rest of the way, setting up the bottom of the ninth.

 

Mark Grace led off with a single. Bob Brenly called for a sacrifice bunt, which Rivera threw into center field, putting runners on first and second. Bob Brenly, showing the managerial genius that allowed the Yankees two improbable comebacks, called for another sacrifice bunt. This time the Yankees retired the lead runner. When all hope seeming lost, Tony Womack somehow hit a double to tie the game and bring the winning run to third. Rivera hit Counsell, bringing up Luis Gonzalez. Gonzalez hit a weak bloop single, winning the game.

 

Why this game and not any game from the 2004 ALCS, or the 18 inning game for that matter? This game has every element of a classic. A great pitcher's duel, another ace coming in on no rest in relief, an improbable comeback, and the unstoppable postseason juggernaut stopped at the last instant. No ending is etched further in my mind.

 

Like I said, these choices are entirely subjective. Whatever game you thing is the greatest is up to you, and you may be right.