Everyone around the baseball world is hoping to witness a dramatic end to one of the most improbable World Series matchups in recent baseball history.
With Tim Hudson set to take on Jeremy Guthrie and Madison Bumgarner lurking in the bullpen, Game 7 between the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals promises to be one for the ages.
But will it live up to some of the greatest Game 7’s in the history of the World Series? Let’s check in on those memorable moments of the past.
5. Babe Ruth Caught Stealing to End Series
Courtesy of SI.com: Ruth’s blunder is rarely talked about.
The New York Yankees were one year away from fielding what many consider to be the greatest team in MLB history. But against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1926, the Yankees failed to live up to expectations in a series that ended when Babe Ruth was caught stealing in the ninth inning of a one-run game.
Cardinals pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander had pitched a complete game the day before, but urged player/manager Rogers Hornsby to let him pitch the following day in Game 7. Alexander took over with the Cardinals up 3-2 and the bases loaded in the seventh. He got out of the jam and threw a perfect eighth inning. After getting the first two batters of the ninth, Alexander was tasked with facing Ruth, who ended up walking on a full count.
Unfortunately for the Yankees, Ruth attempted to steal second base on the very next pitch and was thrown out to end the series. Bob Meusel, who had hit .315 during the regular season, was at the plate at the time.
4. Edgar Renteria Plays Hero for the First Time
14 years before Renteria would have a dramatic home run for the San Francisco Giants in the 2010 World Series, he was a young pup with the Florida Marlins living a dream. And at this precise moment, Renteria was in a situation that many of us dreamed of growing up. Bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the 11th and the game tied at two against the Cleveland Indians. He proceeded to line a single over second base for the series-winning hit. This remains one of the defining moments in the modern history of the World Series.
3. Sandy Koufax Strikes out 10 on Two Day’s Rest
Is it possible we could see a repeat of this Wednesday night in Kansas City with Madison Bumgarner reportedly ready to pitch? All the storylines would match up here, especially considering Bumgarner is being compared to Sandy Koufax, who many consider to be the best World Series pitcher of the modern era.
Pitching on two day’s rest against the Minnesota Twins in the 1965 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers Hall of Famer threw together an absolute gem. He struck out 10 in a complete-game victory over Twins starter Jim Kaat. Koufax started three games, pitched 24 innings, threw two complete games and finished with a 0.75 ERA in the seven-game set.
2. Luis Gonzalez Beats Mariano Rivera in 2001
Facing the greatest relief pitcher in the history of baseball in the form of Mariano Rivera, former Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Luis Gonzalez made history himself. With the bases loaded, two outs and the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, Gonzalez hit a cue shot over Derek Jeter’s head for the game winner. It was one of the most improbable series wins in the history of the Fall Classic. And for Rivera, Game 7 of the 2001 World Series represented one major blemish on his postseason resume. This heart-breaking loss for the Yankees also came just a few months after the tragedy of 9/11.
1. Bill Mazeroski’s Walk-off Homer Against the New York Yankees in 1960
One of the most lopsided World Series in the history of baseball came in the form of the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960. And despite being outscored 55-27 in the seven-game set, Pittsburgh came out as World Champions.
New York outscored Pittsburgh 38-3 in the three games it won in the series, meanwhile the Pirates outscored the Bronx Bombers by just seven runs in their four wins. And as most of you already know, the series ended on a Bill Mazeroski walk-off homer. It still remains the only walk-off homer in a decisive Game 7 in the history of the World Series.
Here is to hoping history is made again on Wednesday night!
Photo: NY Daily News