“Sandy Koufax for two weeks …” For nearly 20 years, that’s how I’ve thought of (and described to others) what Kenny Rogers did from October 6 through October 22 in 2006. That was, and is, overstating the case a little bit, but somehow the hyperbole seems appropriate, for what that […]
At the end of their spectacular journey in 1970, the World Champion Baltimore Orioles could look at their collective postseason work (a sweep against the Twins in the ALCS, a five-game hold over the Reds in the Fall Classic) and point to and acknowledge a few standout individual batting performances: […]
One of the reflective joys of the postseason comes in the echoes and reverberations, the links to the past that are constructed, seemingly, on the fly. Something happens in the present, or a series of somethings, and almost instantly, moments and performances and names from the past – often having […]
In 2001, Randy Johnson – author of 21 regular season wins, an MLB-best 2.49 ERA and a universe-vibrating 372 strikeouts – had the chance to continue his otherworldliness into the postseason. Chance received, challenge accepted, opportunity knocked outta the park. In six appearances that October and early November, the southpaw […]
Let the historical records show that as of today, there are 89 pitchers in postseason history that can stake the claim to at least 10 starts and that right-hander Aníbal Sánchez is one of them. Let the organizational impulses show that there are 26 pitchers to have at least 10 […]
When Jim Thome took Derek Lowe deep in the bottom of the third inning in Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS, the Indians took an 8-7 lead over the Red Sox and Thome already had his second two-run home run of the contest. Again, this was the third inning. Then […]
Detroit’s Bill Donovan issues his first pitch to Pittsburgh’s leadoff hitter, Bobby Byrne … Christy Mathewson and Smoky Joe Wood duel it out for the final three innings … Walter Johnson receives a chance at redemption … Pete Alexander comes on in relief to fan Tony Lazzeri with the bases […]
The victims of the first-ever perfect game in World Series history, the 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers had little time to regroup and recharge in their return to the diamond just a day later: a must-win Game 6 at Ebbets Field. A Duke Snider single in the first eliminated any concern about […]
It’s October 10, 1948. A reported 86,288 fans are on needles and pins at Cleveland Municipal Stadium to see if the Indians can clinch the franchise’s first World Series title since 1920. The incomparable Bob Feller gets the start for Cleveland, a shot at redemption after losing Game 1 to […]
During the Yankees’ three-game sweep of the Rangers in the 1999 ALDS, Derek Jeter came to the plate 13 times and in that baker’s dozen opportunities to provoke a bit of chaos for the opposition, managed quite nicely, going 5-for-11 with a double, a triple and two walks. All smashed […]