During my travels of the last month, I completed reading "The Best Game Ever" by Jim Reisler. It's a really well-done book, featuring vivid details of 1960 World Series Game 7 and a historic backdrop of Pittsburgh and the Pirates _ who, if you don't know, won this game and World Series on Bill Mazeroski's walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth.
I was a decade and three months away from being born when this game took place, so I can't put this on my personal list of best games ever. My list featuers two games from my fan life and three from my professional. I'll present it in chronological order:
1. Yankees 5, Red Sox 4, October 2, 1978. I remember it was one of the Jewish holidays, although now I'm not sure whether it was Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. But there was no school, and I watched the game at my Aunt Evelyn's apartment in Brooklyn _ although not the entire game, because I recall hearing Yaz's second-inning homer off Guidry in our car, on WINS' broadcast. I still can feel the shock waves of Bucky Dent's seventh-inning homer, and the relief when Graig Nettles caught Yaz's foul pop in the ninth to leave the tying and winning runs on base.
UPDATE: Newsday's grand poobah of the sports night shift, Jeff Weinberg wrote in to say it was indeed Yom Kippur. Thanks, Jeff.
2. Mets 7, Astros 6, October 15, 1986 (National League Championship Series Game 6). Can't remember the first-pitch time, but I got home from school at about 3:00 in those days, so I might have even caught the bottom of the first inning, when the 'Stros jumped out to a 3-0 lead off Bobby Ojeda. Those Mets were so incredible with comebacks that it wasn't a shocker when they scored three runs in the ninth to tie it up. Then, the extra-inning tension: Roger McDowell pitched five shutout innings! Billy Hatcher's game-tying homer in the 14th secured this game's status as an all-timer. And Jesse Orosco, pitching on fumes, struck out Kevin Bass in the 16th to secure the Mets' first pennant since 1973 _ and keep them from a potentially fatal outing against Houston's Mike Scott in Game 7.
3. Red Sox 11, Yankees 10, July 24, 2004. I was standing outside the Yankees' clubhouse when Jerry Laveroni, the director of team security, informed the media that the game had been called due to rain. The Yankees were actually packing up their possessions and preparing to return to their hotel rooms. But it turned out to be a miscommunication. The Red Sox players convinced ownership to try and get the game in, and what a game it turned out to be. You had the infamous A-Rod-Jason Varitek brawl, and even when the Yankees took a 9-4 lead in the sixth, you knew this wasn't done yet. Bill Mueller's walkoff blast off Mariano Rivera made it a highight game in a highlight year for the Sawx.
4.Red Sox 5, Yankees 4, October 18, 2004 (American League Championship Series Game 5). What I remember most about this game, and this week, was how exhausted I was from merely covering it. And this game was the pinnacle. When Derek Jeter punched a three-run, sixth-inning double off Pedro Martinez, it looked as though The Captain was poised to add another item to his resume. But Tom Gordon had nothing left after working so hard all year, and Rivera actually pitched very well to keep the game tied into extras. And there was so much to savor in those extra frames: Varitek's inability to catch Tim Wakefield's knuckleballs (why didnt Joe Torre send his runners?). Esteban Loaiza, a complete regular-season bust, pitching brilliantly for the Yankees. And Big Papi delivering one more clutch hit, muscling the single to center off Loaiza to score Johnny Damon in the 14th.
5. Astros 7, Braves 6, October 9, 2005 (NL Division Series Game 4). My only non-New York game, although it featured some people we know well. In a must-win for the Braves, manager Bobby Cox went with Tim Hudson on three days' rest, and that decision paid off, as Hudson went seven-plus strong innings. But when Hudson tired, Cox went to his closer, Kyle Farnsworth, who blew a five-run lead _ five runs! _ culminating with Brad Ausmus' two-run, solo homer with two outs in the ninth. Roger Clemens, who had lost Game 2, actually entered the game as a pinch-hitter, a first and only such entrance for The Rocket, and stuck around to pitch three shutout innings. Chris Burke's solo homer in the bottom of the 18th advanced the Astros to the NLCS. Roughly 20 years apart, a second all-timer in Houston.
What is your best game ever?
Comments (20)
Ken,
As a huge Red Sox fan, I was happy to see two of my favorite Boston victories on your list.
Fans of the rivalry will also recall the July 1, 2004 game at The Stadium when Jeter went face-first into the stands, Nomar sulked on the bench, and the Yankees stole a victory from the Sox while I sat ten rows up from home plate in stunned silence.
Ken...your choices are all very memorable...I wouldn't call Game 7 of the 1960 WS as the best ever...while the Mets comeback win over the Red Sox in game 6 of the 1986 WS is 1A on my list...as a old-time Brooklyn Dodger fan, my sentimental favorite is Game 7 of the 1955 WS...Johnny Podres 2-0 shutout, saved by Sandy Amoros' catch of Yogi's shot in left field thus providing "them bums" with their only WS Championship.
Red Sox over Reds in Game 6 of the 1975 playoffs. It ruined my studying for midterms that year in college.
Numerous Hall of Fame players (Yaz, Fisk, Morgan, Perez, Bench - and Rose) , numerous key plays (Carbo HR, Evans catch, Sox running themselves out of a bases loaded situation on a short fly to Foster), and the 12th inning Fisk HR.
And most important, the game announcers were professional and let the moment speak, unlike the ESPN era or John Sterling's forced bleatings.
Ken, I enjoyed reading your list. As someone who grew up in Philadephia, my favorite game(s) would be the entire 1980 National League Championship Series, Phils vs. Astros. Last 4 games going extra innings, back and forth, with the Phils winning and going on to capture the World Series. My favorite non-Philly game happened in the '75 World Series when Carlton Fisk hit that great home run.
Your references to getting home from school remind me of the '69 Series. My father had ruptured his Achilles tendon and was home from work with a big cast on his leg during the Series. I would get home from school a little after 3:00pm and then watched the rest of the games with him. If it wasn't for his being hurt we wouldn't have had that time together. Great memories; thanks for bringing them back!
My dad's favorite was when the Yankees beat the Red Sox on the last day in 1949
Game 4 1996 WS
Game 7 2003 ALCS
Even games the Yankees lost like Game 5 1995 ALDS and Game 7 2001 WS were both classics, though I have a funny feeling YES won't show either as a Yankee Classic.
Hey Ken.
I know this memory will severely 'date' me but my all time favorite game is the 13 inning affair against Pittsburgh. It was my first year following baseball and as a 10 year old, the game was incredible. The Mets were playing the Pirates at home and in the top of the 13th, Pittsburgh's Dave Augustine hit a shot to left field destined for the bullpen and beyond. Miraculously, the ball hit the top of the wall and bounced directly back into the hands of Cleon Jones. He whirled and threw a bullet to Wayne Garret (went into short of Harrelson) who fired a strike to Ron Hodges in time to nail Richie Zisk running from first base. After the game, he late Hall of Famer Willie Stargell said 'we could have had 50 innings against the Mets and wouldn't have beat them.'
Yes, the Mets were born to run that year.
~Howard
Dusty Rhodes hitting a game winning home run, 276 feet straight down the right field line, over the head of Dave Pope, at The Polo Grounds, in the 1st game of the 1954 Giants-Cleveland World Series. Cleveland had a tremendous starting rotation- Feller, Lemon, Garcia, Narleski and won 111 regular season games (out of 154). The Giants, managed by Leo Durocher and led by Willie, swept the Indians 4-0.
May 2, 1901. First game of the Modern Era featuring the first base on balls. What an incredible play that was!
Seriously, I'll go with Game 6 of the '91 Series (Twins/Braves) just for the play at the plate after which an equal number of rowdy college guys, including myself, shouted either "safe" or "out" at the top of our lungs, even though the teams and players didn't really matter to any of us.
Jim from Mt. Sinai, I am already regretting not including the July 1, 2004 game with the Jeter dive into the stands. Games 4 and 5 of the 1996 World Series also were awesome.
Ken
Great list!! I loved these games:
1. Yankees v. Royals, Game 5 AL playoffs - Chris Chambliss homers to send NY to the World Series after 12 years in the wilderness for the team. Thrilling.
2. Reds v. Red Sox - 1975 World Series - Fisk waves the ball fair. An all around classic!
3. Dodgers v. Yankees - Game 6 of 1977 World Series - Reggie Jackson hitting three homeruns. Raw power.
4. Red Sox v. Yankees - 1978 one-game playoff at Fenway. Exciting all the way. This was a real Fall Classic.
Game 5, 1999 NLCS: The Grand Slam Single! it went 15 Innings, the Mets fell behind, drew a bases loaded walk to tie it and then Ventura blasted one and got mobbed before he could even get to second base. Though the Mets ended up losing the series in 6 games, Game 5 was amazing - a pitchers duel with a crazy ending and an unlikely hero.
Though as a Mets fan I dont see how you can beat Game 6 of the World Series there is a game that had me on the edge of my seat pitch for pitch. October 1, 1985 Mets vs. Cardinals. It was game 1 of a three game series and the Mets had to sweep to tie the Cards in the standings. Ron Darling pitched 9 shutout innings and Tudor pitched 10 for the Cards. But Daryl hit one out at 10:44 ct. time (I know this because he hit the clock) and the Mets won 1-0. They won game 2 of that series but Rick Aguilera lost game 3 and the Mets were basically eliminated (down by 2 with three to go).
You have to remember, with how fast the Cardinals were, anytime soneone got a walk or a single it was basically a double. That game was INTENSE!
In the modern Sox-Yanks rivalry, the two teams have played many memorable games -- and you choose two where the Yanks lost? What the hell is that? Game seven of the 2003 ALCS is better than the two games mentioned, and the Yankees' comeback against the Sox off Papelbon in the Boston Massacre part II was better as well.
Baileywalk, this is a very personal thing. For '03 ALCS Game 7, it was my first day back to work after the birth of my son. I was in a sleep-deprived fog. I didn't fully appreciate what I was watching.
As for the Sunday night game in Boston Massacre II, that was a memorable game and memorable weekend, but in my humble opinion, it lacked the gravitas of these other games. The whole weekend turned out to be apropos of nothing.
If anything, I regret not including July 1, 2004.
And, as a reminder, I really don't care who wins, nowadays. I am not a fan.
To Richie G (Lynbrook).
Wow, how could I have forgotten that game or series for that matter. I remember Strawberry's long homerun and was crushed when we lost the last game and the division.
~H
Mets game 6 of 1986 World Series, I was there when they inadvertantly flashed the Congratulations Red Sox on the scoreboard, (and I cherish the ticket stub to this day) only to watch the ball go through poor Bill Buckner's legs a short time later and the Mets get another day. I also got lucky and taped the game at home so I get to revisit often.I also taped game 6 of the Astro series, which is my second favorite. I guess I'm just a die hard Met fan.
Bailey: He's a reporter, if he cared who won he'd have a hard time doing his job. That's the great part of NY, we're generally not homers.
Though those back to back World Series games in 2001 should be getting more love I think.
Howard, you forgot that game because we lost game 3. It's funny, had we not come back in Game 6, Aguilera would have lost two season ending games for us.
First off, no need to preach to me what NYers are or are not -- I've lived here my entire life. But New Yorkers generally aren't homers? Now THAT is funny. If you're speaking about the reporters, fine, but the fans? I don't think so.
I wasn't suggesting Ken should root for the Yankees -- I just found it odd that, being a NY writer, he would pick two games where the Yankees lost. No one can be so objective that there's not a part of them with the team they cover -- unless you're a total misery SOB like Chris Russo, who hates pretty much every NY team.
But now hearing his personal experience with those games -- in particular the birth of his son -- it makes much more sense.
That BM part II might have meant nothing at the end of the year, but any five-game sweep -- especially against your chief rivals -- is a big deal, and that game was dramatic.
Choice #1...you were at Aunt Evelyn in Brooklyn, I was at Grandma Evelyn in North Bellmore!
I still love Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. Not only was it one of the greatest games I've ever seen, but it put my beloved Yankees in the World Series against the hometown Marlins, and I got to use my World Series tickets!
Bailey, of course NY fans are homers. But NY reporters are not supposed to be. And he is a NY reporter so many of us would lose a lot of respect for him if he ever went Suzyn Waldman on us.
And truthfully, when I was younger I was a low level reporter for a really small tv station. When I covered the Jets every Wednesday, I stopped rooting for them. Not because I was being objective, but because how big a jerks many of them were (Aaron Glenn, Wayne Chrebet, Bryan Cox etc.).
I'll never forget once how unproffessional Rich Cimini was towards Wayne Chrebet. I thought he was gonna ask him for his autograph at the end of the interview.
http://www.wcbs880.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=695991