When we ended up with a Cubs-Indians World Series, we knew we were in store for a treat. And they certainly delivered. A seven-game classic that had a little bit of everything and ended with Chicago's first championship in 108 years.
This was the highest-rated World Series in years. The initial numbers on Game 7 indicate that more than 40 million people watched the game. And it was a fitting climax to a tremendous series. From the leadoff home run to the Indians comeback to the rain delay, which of course came in the top of the 10th inning. It was a great World Series, and it's only fitting that it went the distance.
Game 7 was a worthy finale. One that will be remembered for a long time, and not just by those on the North Side of Chicago. But where does it rank all-time among World Series Game 7's? It's not at the top, but it's definitely in the top 10.
10. Giants-Royals (2014): Two words--Madison Bumgarner. He completely owned the 2014 Postseason, so was it any surprise that he pitched five innings of scoreless relief in the clincher? As soon as you saw him warming up, you knew he was coming in. And as soon as he came in, you knew it was over.
9. Mets-Red Sox (1986): Does Game 7 remotely compare to Game 6, one of the all-time classic games in baseball history? Absolutely not! But Game 7 was a fitting conclusion to an incredible series. Boston led 3-0 after five, and the Mets only had one hit off Bruce Hurst. Then they scored three in the bottom of the sixth to tie it...before putting up another three-spot in the seventh. After Boston pulled within 6-5, the Mets scored twice more in the bottom of the eighth before Jesse Orosco threw his glove up in the air in celebration after getting the final out.
8. Cardinals-Red Sox (1946): Enos Slaughter's "Mad Dash" will always be remembered as one of the most famous plays in World Series history. Boston tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the eighth, only to see Slaughter score from first on a single to center in the bottom half of the inning. It would end up being the series-winning run, as the Cardinals took both the game and the series 4-3.
7. Cubs-Indians (2016): Immediacy always results in the most-recent games ending up ranked highly in all-time lists, even if hindsight finds them moved down eventually. But I think this year's finale will remain up there for a while. First you had the historical significance of the Cubs finally winning after more than a century. But it was also how they won it. Up 5-1 in the fifth and 6-3 after six, only to see the Indians put up a three-spot in the eighth. Then there was a rain delay right before extra innings, after which Chicago scored twice. Cleveland got one back in the bottom of the 10th, but the tying run was left stranded at first when Michael Martinez grounded to Kris Bryant, sending Cubs fans everywhere into delirium.
6. Marlins-Indians (1997): Cleveland hasn't had the best of luck in World Series Game 7's. Nineteen years ago, they played one against an upstart Marlins team. Cleveland led 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth with its closer Jose Mesa on the mound, but Moises Alou scored on Craig Counsell's sac fly to tie the game. Two innings later, Counsell scored on Edgar Renteria's walk-off single up the middle and the Marlins were World Champions.
5. Senators-Giants (1924): Playing in his first World Series, Washington's legendary Walter Johnson, one of the greatest pitchers in history, lost his first two starts. The Senators battled back to force a Game 7, though, giving Johnson a chance to redeem himself. It was 3-1 Giants in the eighth when Washington scored two to tie it. Johnson entered in relief in the ninth and pitched four scoreless innings. Finally, in the bottom of the 12th, Freddie Lindstrom and the infamous "ball off the pebble" resulted in the series-winning run scoring, giving Johnson and the Senators their first (and only) championship.
4. Dodgers-Yankees (1955): Yes, some might consider this ranking be a bit high. But the historical significance of this game is why I've got it up there. It was the fifth Yankees-Dodgers matchup in 10 years, and this is the only time Brooklyn came out on top. Johnny Podres threw a shutout to earn MVP honors, as the Dodgers won 2-0 for their first World Series title (and their only one before relocating to California).
3. Pirates-Yankees (1960): It's one of two World Series to end on a walk-off home run, and the only one where that series-clincher came in a Game 7. Bill Mazeroski's home run is by far the most famous in World Series history. But this game was so much more than just that homer. It was 4-0 Pirates after two, 7-4 Yankees in the middle of the eighth, 9-7 Pittsburgh after eight, and tied going into the bottom of the ninth, when Mazeroski etched his place in World Series history.
2. Diamondbacks-Yankees (2001): After Alfonso Soriano homered in the top of the eighth, it looked like the Yankees were well on their way to a fourth straight title. Then the unthinkable happened. The Diamondbacks got to Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth. First there was the throwing error that led to the tying run, then Luis Gonzalez hit the bloop single heard around the world and, suddenly, the Yankees dynasty was over.
1. Twins-Braves (1991): In my opinion (and that of many others), this is the greatest World Series of all-time. And the epic Game 7 only added to that mystique. This game is the primary reason why I think Jack Morris belongs in the Hall of Fame. If it was still going on, he'd still be mowing down the Braves one batter after another. Finally, in the bottom of the 10th, Gene Larkin hit a walk-off single to give Minnesota the title.
No comments:
Post a Comment