Down to the Last Pitch

by Tim Wendel

  After getting two strikes on Gibson with fastballs, Eckersley tried to end the game with a backdoor slider. But Gibson was ready and jerked the offering down the right-field line to win the game. The next evening, NBC inter-spliced shots of Gibson limping around the bases with shots of Robert Redford from the movie The Natural.

  JOE CARTER’S WALK-OFF (1993): The Blue Jays were looking to repeat as World Series champions and Carter made sure they did so. The Blue Jays’ star had often pictured himself hitting the game-winning home run to win the Fall Classic. In this Game Six, against the Philadelphia Phillies, he transformed such dreams into reality. The table was set in the bottom of the ninth when Rickey Henderson walked and then Paul Molitor singled against Phillies closer Mitch Williams. With the count 2-and-2, Carter tagged a lackluster slider, lining it barely over the left-field fence at SkyDome. Carter rounded the bases, running and jumping, as the celebration was on once again in Toronto.

  EDGAR RENTERIA’S ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS (1997): The Florida Marlins rallied to tie Game Seven against the Cleveland Indians in the bottom of the ninth inning. They won it in the bottom of the eleventh when Renteria’s single to center field brought around Craig Counsell. In doing so, the Marlins became the first wild-card team to win the Fall Classic.

  LUIS GONZALEZ’S BLOOPER (2001): After witnessing the New York Yankees rally to take Games Four and Five, the Arizona Diamondbacks came from behind against closer Mariano Rivera. The deciding blow occurred on Gonzalez’s single over a drawn-in infield, which plated the Series-winning run.

  DAVID FREESE’S HEROICS (2011): In a Game Six where the St. Louis Cardinals were twice down to their last strike, Freese did his best impersonation of Kirby Puckett. Freese’s home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning forced a Game Seven, which St. Louis won.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Any book can come down to a series of moments when you’re searching for any sign that things will work out. If anything, you feel as if you’re on thin ice, perhaps a long ways from shore and the ice is beginning to crack. At such moments the next conversation, the next piece of advice can make all the difference.

  Robert Pigeon, my editor at Da Capo, was there at such times, always with good counsel and great enthusiasm. So was Chris Park, my agent extraordinaire at Foundry Literary+Media. Thanks to both of them, as their suggestions often made all the difference.

  For many of my recent books—this one, High Heat, and Summer of ’68—I’ve begun at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. Any trip there is both eye opening and reassuring. Not only is so much material about the national pastime gathered in one place, but I love to walk those floors, take in the exhibits and check in with my friends Erik Strohl, Jim Gates, John Odell, Tom Shieber, Brad Horn, Lenny DiFranza, Mary Quinn, Tim Wiles, Scot Mondore, Gabriel Schechter, and Jeff Idelson. Special thanks to Pat Kelly, who went out of her way to track down several hard-to-find photographs at the eleventh hour. In addition, the Hall’s Bill Francis remains one of the best researchers and baseball experts around. Good to have him in my corner.

  Lori Hobkirk at the Book Factory and copy editor Josephine Mariea made sure this came together on the actual page. A tip of the hat to Lissa Warren and Justin Lovell at Da Capo, who always keep me on track.

  Several years ago, acclaimed photographer Jose Luis Villegas and I worked together on a book for National Geographic entitled Far From Home: Latino Baseball Players in America. In the late innings of this project, Jose Luis once again stepped up and delivered many of the images in this new book. Thank you, Jose Luis.

  Few major-league ballclubs employ team historians, but after visiting Minneapolis and spending time with Clyde Doepner, the oracle of all things about the Minnesota Twins, I cannot fathom why more teams don’t have a full-time person in that position, too. Clyde not only took the time to show me around Target Field but also made sure I understood the ramifications of that epic 1991 World Series. Thanks to John Rosengren for making sure Clyde and I connected. In the Twins’ press box, I found another expert in Stew Thornley, the team’s official scorer. Thanks to those gentlemen for taking the time to walk me through a golden era in that franchise’s history.

  Adrienne Midgley came through for me when it came to the Atlanta Braves. In addition, I was fortunate to fall in with the Magnolia Chapter of Georgia of the Society of Baseball Research there. In fact, chapter president Mil Fisher brought me down for visit in 2009, which I realize became one of the starting points for this book. Thanks to him, as well as Leslie Heaphy, Lyle Spatz, Larry Taylor, and Terry Sloope.

  Dave Raglin and Mark Pattison continue to be a treasure trove of information. In fact, when Dave bequeathed me a stack of Baseball Americas from this amazing season, I knew I was on to something.

  Sometimes conversations with one person will lead you to another and then another. Over the years, I’ve often turned to my good friend and esteemed author Paul Dickson for advice. He introduced me to Frank Ceresi, who has become another good friend, and to Thomas Mann, the master of time and space at the Library of Congress. It was Frank who introduced me to Jeffrey Martin, who may rival Clyde Doepner when it comes to all things Twins.

  The good folks at the Minnesota Historical Society—Adam Scher, Dan Cagley, and Brian Horrigan—were insightful about directions I could take with this project.

  Closer to home, my good friend Sam Moore continues to be the baseball man I can always count on.

  I’m grateful for interviews and conversations through the years with the following people: Hank Aaron, Rick Aguilera, Michael Allen, Sparky Anderson, Fred Anklam, Bud Anzalone, Tony Attanasio, Ann Bauleke, Budd Bailey, Johnny Bench, Peter Bhatia, Steve Blass, Scott Boras, Erik Brady, Gary Brozek, Shaun Burke, Randy Bush, José Canseco, Rod Carew, Joe Carter, Jeanie Chung, Tom Coffey, Pat Coleman, Bob Costas, Bobby Cox, Roger Craig, Jonathan Crowe, Terry Crowley, Steve Dalkowski, Chili Davis, Ken DeCell, Frank Deford, Tom DiPace, Bryan Donaldson, John Dowd, Lizz Downey, Dave Duncan, Dennis Eckersley, Eric Enders, Greg Frazier, Greg Gagne, Ron Gant, Ron Gardenhire, Tim Gay, Barbara Jean Germano, Dan Gladden, Tom Glavine, Kirk Gibson, Pat Gillick, Jay Goldberg, Don Gooselaw, the Reverend Billy Graham, Mark Grant, Brian Harper, John Hart, Dana Heiss, Rickey Henderson, Whitey Herzog, Steve Hirdt, Kent Hrbek, Reggie Jackson, Milton Jamail, David Justice, Stan Kasten, Jim Kaat, Joe Kelly, Tom Kelly, Orv Kelly, Mike Kennedy, Steve Kettmann, Gary Kicinski, Andrea Kirby, Tony La Russa, Rick Lawes, Gene Larkin, Jane Leavy, Scott Leius, Jim Lefebvre, Ryan Lefebvre, Mark Lemke, Drew Lindsay, Larry Lucchino, Andy MacPhail, Howard Mansfield, Buck Martinez, Leo Mazzone, Jack McKeon, Tim McQuay, Paul Molitor, Joe Morgan, Jack Morris, Dustin Morse, Charles Nagy, Jim Naughton, Bob Nightengale, Dave Parker, Terry Pendleton, John Pietrunti, Phil Pote, Scott Price, Kirby Puckett, Rob Rains, Tom Reich, Alvin Reid, Bobby Richardson, Cal Ripken, Frank Robinson, Ted Robinson, John Rosengren, Nolan Ryan, Tom Sakell, Norm Sherry, John Schuerholz, Glenn Schwarz, Janet Marie Smith, Lonnie Smith, Ozzie Smith, John Smoltz, Deron Snyder, Jim Souhan, Tom Stanton, Terry Steinbach, Dave Stewart, Dick Such, Bruce Sutter, Don Sutton, John Thorn, Joe Torre, Andy Van Slyke, Ron Washington, Earl Weaver, Paul White, Candice Wiggins, Jerry Willard, Pete Williams, Dave Winfield, Lisa Winston, and Andrew Zimbalist.

  Special thanks to Charles Eisendrath and the Knight-Wallace Fellowship folks at the University of Michigan.

  The Writing Department at Johns Hopkins University continues to be my professional home and where I’ve done much of my best work. Thanks to David Everett, my students, and fellow faculty members.

  Thanks to my parents, Jane and Peter Wendel, and my siblings, Amy, Bryan, Chris, and Susan. We’ve been through a lot over the years, and we are still able to talk and share a smile about it all.

  And my last pitch goes out to Jacqueline Salmon, Sarah Wendel, and Christopher Wendel. They remain the heart of my order.

  NOTES

  PREFACE

  ixthe ballpark looks as if: “Warts, Love and Dreams in Buffal
o,” Sports Illustrated, Jan 20, 1969.

  ix“last fine time: Verlyn Klinekenborg, The Last Fine Time, 3–7.

  GAME ONE

  1as loud as they had been in 1987: Greg Gagne, author’s interview, Feb 21, 2013.

  1despite a bad knee: Gene Larkin, author’s interview, May 7, 2013.

  2“What people target is that both of them”: Ibid.

  2thinking nearly the same thing: Brian Harper, author’s interview, Feb 14, 2013.

  3Such postseason classics can be counted: Discussions with the researchers at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

  4“Every pitch, every strike”: Terry Pendleton, author’s interview, May 21, 2013.

  4“My father told me”: “Jack Morris and Tom Kelly Relive Game Seven,” (St. Paul) Pioneer Press, Aug 5, 2011. Kelly said something similar in the victorious clubhouse after the final game in 1991.

  4“great for our industry”: “Last-to-1st Duel Would be Sweet,” Chicago Tribune, Oct 14, 1991.

  4marked only the third time in last sixty-one World Series games: “World Series notes,” USAT Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 18–24, 1991.

  5had risen quickly: “Rookie settles in,” USAT Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 18–24.

  6“Chuck’s development”: Andy MacPhail, author’s interview, Sept 19, 1991.

  6“He’s stepped in”: Terry Crowley, author’s interview, Sept 19, 1991.

  7“It was a glamour team”: “At last, Atlanta,” Sporting News, Oct 14, 1991.

  8“Just kidding”: author’s observation.

  8“It’s the feel”: Frank Robinson, author’s interview, July 9, 1995.

  10“be ready for the fastball”: Gagne interview.

  10“that’s what he got”: Tom Kelly, press conference, Oct 19, 1991.

  11“I wasn’t close to any of them”: Gagne interview.

  12“He struck out Kirby Puckett twice”: Greg Olson, author’s interview, Oct 19, 1991.

  12In short order: Paul White, author’s interview, June 9, 2013.

  14“Damn right I was worried”: Tom Kelly, press conference, Oct 14, 1991.

  14“Sure, you wonder”: Joe Carter, author’s interview, August 1, 1993.

  15“we knew he could play”: Kirby Puckett, postgame, Oct 19, 1991.

  15“We had a very patient ownership group”: Pat Gillick interview, Hall of Fame, accessed at http://article.wn.com/view/2011/07/24/Pat_Gillick_built_teams_with_a_personal_touch/#/related_news.

  16“Thanks for that phone call”: author’s observation.

  17“it wasn’t a popular thing to say”: MacPhail interview.

  17“She was more embarrassed than anything”: Fay Vincent, postgame comments, Oct 19, 1991.

  18“the most human baseball player”: “The Crazy & The Wacky,” ESPN The Magazine, May 2004.

  18“if he wasn’t in baseball”: Joe Kelly, author’s interview, Aug 16, 1991.

  18“If I wasn’t managing baseball”: Tom Kelly, author’s interview, Aug 17, 1991.

  19“It gave me an understanding”: “The Twins’ Silent Partner,” New York Times, July 13, 1992.

  19“You ain’t doing diddly”: Ibid.

  21“such a competitor”: Harper interview.

  21“We didn’t invent the rally caps”: Mark Grant, author’s interview, April 13, 2013.

  22“doing deep-breathing exercises”: Footage of the Braves after the National League Championship Series, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzQbp5r0RVI.

  23“They got us to the seventh game of the World Series”: “Pitching Potential,” USA Today Sports Weekly, June 18, 2003.

  23“the best pitching in baseball”: Andy Van Slyke, author’s interview, June 11, 2013.

  GAME TWO

  27The Metrodome opened for business: Gary Gillette and Eric Enders, Big League Ballparks: The Complete Illustrated History, 364–367.

  28“nuke this place”: “Pave paradise, put up a Metrodome,” Baltimore Sun, Oct 19, 1991.

  28“good uses for nuclear weapons”: “Jim Caple’s Worst Ballparks,” ESPN.com, http://espn.go.com/mlb/photos/gallery/_/id/8073928/image/6/the-metrodome-jim-caple-worst-ballparks.

  28“the rain pelting”: “The Metrodome has its moments,” ESPN. com, page 2.

  28“problem with the roof”: “NL champ to enter house of horror,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 19–25, 1991.

  28“You cannot do that in the Metrodome”: Harper interview.

  29“Lemke has much better range”: Pregame press conference, Oct 20, 1991.

  29Team payrolls: USA Today, accessed at http://content.usatoday.com/sportsdata/baseball/mlb/salaries/team/1991. It’s amazing to change the year from 1991 toward future dates on this Web site. You literally see the separation between the haves and the have-nots in baseball. The Oakland Athletics go from being the team with the biggest payroll in the game to the team of Moneyball before your eyes.

  30“I’m not stupid”: Chili Davis, author’s interview, May 18, 2013.

  30“He helped everybody”: “Words flow easily—but infrequently—from Chili Davis,” (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, Oct 6, 1991.

  30“the guys won about 75 percent”: Davis, Pregame comments, Oct 20, 1991.

  31“it’s synonymous with my name”: “Ex-umpire Don Denkinger feels for umpire Jim Joyce,” Associated Press, June 4, 2010.

  31“Had I got that play right”: “Study shows 1 in 5 close calls wrong,” ESPN.com, Aug 16, 2010.

  31“My back and my arm were killing me”: Harper interview.

  31“We try to stay away from circuses”: Tom Kelly and Ted Robinson, Season of Dreams: The Minnesota Twins’ Drive to the 1991 World Championship, 255.

  32“double my size”: Ron Gant, postgame comments, Oct 20, 1991.

  32tale of the tape: The Baseball Encyclopedia: The Complete and Definitive Record of Major League Baseball, Macmillan, 1993.

  32“The officiating has got to be better”: Gant, postgame comments, Oct 20, 1991.

  32“He came into the base”: Kent Hrbek, postgame comments, Oct 20, 1991.

  32“His momentum”: Drew Coble, postgame comments, pool reporter, Oct 20, 1991.

  33“There is no appeal”: Don Denkinger, postgame comments, pool reporter, Oct 20, 1991.

  33“You don’t like to cry”: Bobby Cox, postgame comments, Oct 20, 1991.

  33“Ron Gant forgot to slide”: Dan Gladden, author’s interview, May 28, 2013.

  33“Andy was asking me the usual questions”: Harper interview.

  33“Umpires don’t like to be embarrassed”: Cox, postgame comments, Oct 20, 1991.

  34“gave our approval”: “Twins bobblehead on Aug. 5 to immortalize Hrbek/Gant tango,” (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, March 7, 2011.

  34“still cursed”: Gladden interview. This is another reason why I’ll tune in the Twins’ broadcasts. Gladden will do the goofiest stunts.

  34reminded pitching coach Leo Mazzone of Whitey Ford: “Glavine is the Whitey Ford of his era,” USA Today, July 22, 2002.

  34“stoic figure”: Ibid.

  35signature pitch: “A Gripping Tale,” Sports Illustrated, July 13, 1992.

  35“dial up on that heater”: Major League Baseball Network, July 20, 2009.

  35“made all the difference to me:” Sports Illustrated, “A Gripping Tale, July 13, 1992.

  35“changeup after changeup”: John Schuerholz with Larry Guest, Build to Win: Inside Stories and Leadership Strategies From Baseball’s Winningest GM, 50.

  36Montana, for example pitched no-hitters: “When smiles leave the game,” USA Today, Aug 22, 2005.

  36McGwire quit baseball temporarily: Ibid.

  37“just one black crayon?”: “The Specialists,” USA Weekend, Aug 27, 2000.

  37“lottery ticket”: Ibid.

  37“old basketball move”: “When smiles leave the game,” USA Today, Aug 22, 2005.

  38“Everyone dreams”: “Whoopee for the Kid from U.P.!” Sporting News, Aug 6, 1990.

  39“my pitches are hittable”: Kevin
Tapani, author’s interview, Sept 9, 1991.

  39“always could command his fastball”: Harper interview.

  40“But who’s up next?”: Ibid.

  40“In looking back:” Kevin Tapani, author’s interview, Aug 2, 2001.

  40Back home after 9/11: “Kevin Tapani, in his own words, MLB. com,” Sept 16, 2001.

  41“sweet spot in time”: Steve Hirdt, author’s interview, Jan 30, 2013.

  42“There’s no question”: “Baseball union observes anniversary,” (Bend) Bulletin, July 2, 1991.

  42“to turn back the clock”: Tom Reich, author’s interview, July 16, 1991.

  42“hated the feeling”: “The Two Sides of Tom Glavine,” Sporting News, May 1, 1995.

  43“Fans were ticked off”: “Glavine has vintage Ford look,” USA Today, July 23, 2002.

  43“big fan of Mike’s”: Scott Leius, author’s interview, Feb 22, 2013.

  44“I didn’t know if I was really ready or not”: Ibid.

  44“were both happy”: “Leius matches hero with dramatic homer,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 25–31, 1991.

  44“a great coach”: Leius interview.

  45“Glavine had all his pitches going”: Ibid.

  45“Every night it’s somebody different”: “Leius matches hero with dramatic homer,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 25–31, 1991.

  45“kind of that team we were”: Ibid.

  45“didn’t know what to do”: Leius interview.

  46Early save numbers: National Baseball Hall of Fame.

  47As Dalkowski soon disappeared: Steve Dalkowski remains one of my favorite characters in baseball. For more about this phenom fireballer who didn’t make it, check out my book High Heat: The Secret History of the Fastball and the Improbable Search for the Fastest Pitcher of All Time.

  48This phase was redefined beginning in 1987: The 1986–1987 Oakland Athletics were one of the first teams I ever covered on a daily basis, which I touch on several times here. They were a colorful group, and nobody was more of a showman than Dennis Eckersley, the pitcher that manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan made into the prototypical closer.