Wendel: The best World Series of all time
From SABR member Tim Wendel at The National Pastime Museum on November 27, 2016:
In Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, the Atlanta Braves and host Minnesota Twins were locked in a scoreless duel through nine innings. That’s when Twins Manager Tom Kelly went to lift his starter, Jack Morris.
His right-hander had already thrown 118 pitches and more than matched the Braves’ John Smoltz in wriggling out of jams. Smoltz had already been lifted for a reliever. A bitter pill for the Braves starter, who had grown up idolizing Morris.
After Morris set down Atlanta in order in the top of the ninth inning, closer Rick Aguilera began to warm up to pitch the 10th inning, if needed. In the Twins dugout, Kelly told Morris, “That’s all. Can’t ask you to do any more than that.”
While what followed has suffered from revisionist history, it underscores the importance of partnerships in the game. How the best results don’t necessarily happen with everyone gathering around for a “Kumbaya” moment. Sometimes genuine disagreements foster a winning outcome. If anything, true partners and teammates often expect a few fireworks—some real friction as things are sorted out.
Read the full article here: http://www.thenationalpastimemuseum.com/article/best-world-series-all-time
Originally published: November 28, 2016. Last Updated: November 28, 2016.