Classic Baseball Daily Highlights

October 24, 1994 Atlanta Braves Pitcher Greg Maddux is named the National Leagues Cy Young award winner for the strike-shortened 1994 season. Maddux became the first player to win three consecutive Cy Young Awards in the National League and would add a 4th the following year. The 1994 Major League Players Association struck over their refusal to allow a league imposed salary cap. The 232 day strike halted the season with roughly 50 games left on each team's schedule and led to the cancellation of the World Series. Tony Gwynn was batting .394 with a legitimate chance to become the first .400 hitter since Ted Williams. San Francisco's Matt Williams, with 43 home runs, was on pace to at least tie Roger Maris's single season record of 61. And the doomed Montreal Expos, who in 2005 would become the Washington Nationals, had baseball's top record, 74-40 and would lose what would prove to be their only chance at the World Series. Other National League award winners included Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell who was MVP, and Los Angeles Dodger outfielder Raul Mondesi who was named Rookie of the year. The American League award winners were all unanimously selected. They included: Chicago White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas as MVP, Kansas City Royals pitcher David Cone as Cy Young, and Kansas City Royals designated hitter Bob Hamelin was Rookie of the Year.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:New CBB Podcast Intro Post Roll March 26

October 23, 1993 The sixth game in the Toronto Blue Jays -- Philadelphia Phillies World Series was a rematch between Game 2 starters Terry Mulholland and Dave Stewart. Toronto scored in the bottom of the first on a Paul Molitor triple, Joe Carter sacrifice fly, and Roberto Alomar RBI single. Paul Molitor added a solo home run in the fifth inning while the Toronto fans were chanting "MVP" for Paul, bringing the score to 5--1 for Toronto. Ultimately, Molitor became the first player in World Series history to have at least two home runs, two doubles, and two triples.In the seventh inning, Philadelphia fought back with five runs to take a 6--5 lead. The big hit of the inning was a Lenny Dykstra three-run homer. The inning brought an end to Stewart's night, leaving the game with six innings pitched and four runs given up. Philadelphia closer, Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams came on to pitch the bottom of the ninth with his team clinging to a 6--5 lead. After beginning the inning by walking Rickey Henderson, Williams tried to counter Henderson's speed by using a slide-step pitching delivery. This was the first time in his career he used the slide step and his pitch speed may have been decreased as a result. The walk to Henderson was followed by a Devon White fly out and Paul Molitor would single, moving Henderson to second. Joe Carter came up next and with the count 2--2, he hit a three-run home run to win the game and the World Series crown. That pitch allowed Blue Jays radio announcer Tom Cheek the opportunity to utter his famous quote "Touch 'em all, Joe" when Joe Carter ended the series. Carter joined Bill Mazeroski as one of the only two players to win a World Series with a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of the deciding game.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:Post Roll March 26New CBB Podcast Intro

October 22, 2000 Game Two of the "Subway Series" between the Mets and Yankees brought with it the long awaited matchup of Yankee Pitcher Roger Clemens against Mets Catcher Mike Piazza. Earlier in the year during regular season Interleague play, Clemens beaned Piazza with a fastball giving him a concussion and sending him to the disabled list. Their Game 2 matchup would not disappoint. In the first inning, Clemens quickly dispensed with the first two batters and Piazza's name was announced sending the 56,069 in attendance crazy. Clemens fired two quick strikes, then one out of the strike zone. The fourth pitch came inside and Piazza made contact shattering the bat and sending the ball foul. The pointed barrel of the bat bounced toward Clemens who fielded the wooden shard as if it were a grounder, then turned and threw the fragment sidearm toward Piazza on the first baseline. The barrel of the bat spun and skittered in front of Piazza who stood stunned, staring at Clemens, before stepping across the baseline toward the pitcher. Clemens raised his hand to the ump for a new ball as the two came face to face. The benches emptied but no punches were thrown as the two players were separated. Piazza would later hit a home run off reliever Jeff Nelson, but the Yankees would come away with a 6--5 win. After the game, Clemens would claim he did not see Piazza running and threw the bat because of nervous energy and mistakenly charged the incoming broken bat, believing it to be the ball. This win for the Yankees would extend their World Series winning streak to 14 consecutive games.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:New CBB Podcast Intro Post Roll March 26

October 21, 1998 - The New York Yankees close out their historic season with 3 - 0 victory against the San Diego Padres, sweeping San Diego in four games to win their record 24th World Series championship. Andy Pettitte, who struggled mightily throughout the regular season secured the victory with 7 1/3 strong innings. With the Yankees clinging to a 3--0 lead in the eighth, the Padres were able to load the bases against Yankee's reliever Jeff Nelson. Yankees closer, Mariano Rivera came in and shut down Jim Leyritz, known for his clutch postseason home runs, to end the threat and went on to pitch a scoreless ninth inning to end the Series. Yankee first baseman Scott Brosius sensed as the ninth inning began that he would make the final play, and in fact did. The Padres pinch-hitter Mark Sweeney grounded to third base, and after Brosius threw to first for the final out, he raised his hands into the air. Mariano Rivera, the Yankees' closer, dropped to his knees as the other Yankees piled on around him. Scott Brosius was named Series MVP on the strength of the 2 home runs he hit in Game 3, including one off of Padres closer Trevor Hoffman to give the Yankees a 3-0 Series lead.The Game Four victory gave the Yankees 125 wins against 50 losses for a .714 winning percentage, the best in the majors since their Murderers' Row club of 1927, as their American League record of 114 regular-season victories were the most ever for a major league champion team at that time.October 21, 1975, Carlton Fisk of the Boston Red Sox powers a dramatic 12th- inning home run to complete one of the most memorable games in World Series history. Playing in Game Six, Fisk homers off the foul pole at Fenway Park, giving the Red Sox a 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The Red Sox had trailed in the eighth inning, when Bernie Carbo hit a three-run, pinch-hit homer to tie the game at 6.In 2002 this event, seen by a record-75.9 million viewers, will be chosen as one of baseball's most memorable moments.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:New CBB Podcast Intro Post Roll March 26

On October 20, 1931 -- Mickey Mantle, the 'Commerce Comet', is born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. The newborn's dad, a lead miner known as Mutt, names his son after Mickey Cochrane, not realizing the major league catcher's real name is not Mickey but Gordon. The future Yankee outfielder is glad his father was not aware of this fact.Mantle talks about his Rookie Season, Famous teammates Maris and DiMaggio. 500th Homeruns and his retirement speech. Check Out, Mantles Page - https://thisdayinbaseball.com/mickey-mantle-page/Mantles most popular Video - https://youtu.be/dSL6s2Q91to Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:New CBB Podcast Intro Post Roll March 26

October 20, 2004 Game 7 of the ALCS began at 8:30 in the evening at Yankee Stadium. After winning the first three and loosing the next three, the Yankees were sending Kevin Brown to the mound to face Derek Lowe for the Red Sox. Johnny Damon, suffering through a 3 for 29 slump decided to play aggressively leading off the game with a single to left and a stolen base, but was thrown out at home trying to score on a Manny Ramirez base hit. The very next pitch, however, was lined into the right-field bleachers by David Ortiz to give Boston a 2--0 advantage. In the second inning, the Sox loaded the bases against Brown, causing Yankees manager Joe Torre to remove him and put in Javier Vázquez to face Johnny Damon. Damon hammered Vázquez' first pitch into the right-field seats for a grand slam. The rout was on. Damon, who also added an upper deck two-run blast in the fourth, had three hits in the game. Boston also enjoyed a solid performance from their starting pitcher, Derek Lowe, who allowed only one run and one hit in six innings of work, and was never even intended to be a starter in the postseason. He pitched game seven on just two days of rest. Pedro Martinez relieved Lowe in the seventh inning, receiving loud chants of "Who's Your Daddy?" which intensified as he gave up two runs. He eventually raised the velocity of his fastball to the mid-90s and shut down the rally. At 12:01 a.m., on October 21, Rubén Sierra hit a groundball to second baseman Pokey Reese, who threw to first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to finish the unprecedented comeback."Not many people get the opportunity to shock the world. We came out and did it," Boston first baseman Kevin Millar said. "You know what? We beat the Yankees. Now they get a chance to watch us on the tube."The Red Sox won 10--3 and became the first team in Major League Baseball history to win a seven-game series after losing the first three games.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:New CBB Podcast Intro Post Roll March 26

October 19, 2004 --The Yankees hold a 3-2 lead over the Red Sox in the ALCS with Game 6 to be played at Yankee Stadium. The starting pitchers were Curt Schilling of the Red Sox and Jon Lieber of the Yankees. Schilling pitched with a torn tendon sheath in his right ankle, which was sutured in place in an unprecedented procedure by Red Sox team doctors. The game was scoreless till the fourth inning when Sox second baseman Mark Bellhorn hit a shot into the leftfield stands. The ball struck a fan in the chest and dropped back onto the field, where Left field umpire Jim Joyce signaled that the ball was still in play. After a discussion with Sox Manager Terry Francona, the umpires huddled and overruled the call giving Bellhorn a three run homer and the Sox a 4-0 lead. Despite his injury, Shilling provided seven strong innings giving up only 1 run on a Bernie Williams homer before leaving the game completely exhausted and his sock soaked in blood.Bronson Arroyo would take over for Schilling in the eighth and give up a quick run on a Miguel Cairo double and a Derek Jeter single. With Alex Rodriguez up what followed was truly bizarre. ARod grounded a pitch back to Arroyo who scooped up the ball and ran down the first baseline to tag Rodriguez out, who slapped at Arroyo's arm and glove, knocking the ball loose. As the ball rolled down the baseline, ARod advanced to second and Jeter scored. The umpires huddled again and called Rodriguez out on interference and ordered Jeter back to first. Yankee Stadium erupted as fans rained debris onto the field prompting Francona to remove his players from the field for safety. The NYPD, in full riot gear, restored order and remained on the field for a full inning. Sox closer Keith Foulke would keep the Yanks off the board in the 9th and secure the game for Boston. The Red Sox, the 26th team in Major League Baseball playoff history to face a 3--0 series deficit, became the first to force a Game Seven.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:New CBB Podcast Intro Post Roll March 26

October 18, 1977 With the Yankees up three games to two against the Dodgers, Reggie Jackson seizes control of the game, the series, and is crowned "Mr. October" when he hits three consecutive home runs in Game Six of the World Series. Jackson hit a two-run homer in the fourth on the first pitch he saw from starter Burt Hooton to give the Yankees the lead. Lou Piniella made it 5–3 by adding a sacrifice fly. Once again, in the fifth with a man on Jackson connected on the first pitch off Elias Sosa to make the score 7–3. Finally, in the eighth, Jackson strode to the plate, amid chants of "REG-GIE, REG-GIE, REG-GIE!", and drove the first Charlie Hough knuckleball he saw 475 feet into the stands. An inning later, Jackson had led the Yankees to an 8 - 4 victory and the World Championship over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He became only the second player in history to smash three home runs in a single Series game. In addition, five home runs in one Series and four consecutive blasts over a two game period in the Series were also unprecedented. October 18 2004 – Game 5 of the ALCS opens in Fenway Park with the Yankees leading the Series 3-1. After 8 innings, the game was tied at 4 and would remain knotted there till the 14th inning. Yankee Pitcher Esteban Loiza walks both Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, bringing Ortiz up with two outs. The previous night's hero did his job again. Singling to center on the 10th pitch of the at-bat to bring home Damon, Ortiz set off celebratory chants of “Who’s Your Papi?”. After five hours, 49 minutes and 471 pitches, the Boston Red Sox outlasted the Yankees 5 – 4. Ortiz became the first player in history to hit two walk-off home runs during the postseason, and ended the longest game in ALCS history at 1:22 a.m.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:New CBB Podcast Intro Post Roll March 26

October 16th 2004 The Yankees lead the ALCS two games to noneover the Red Sox with Game 3 in Fenway Park. As in the first two games, theYankees began by scoring in the first and quickly building a 3-0 lead. The RedSox answered in the second inning with a leadoff walk by Jason Varitek and aTrot Nixon home run to right field. A double by Bill Mueller, an infield hit byJohnny Damon (his first hit of the series), and a Derek Jeter error led to twomore runs. The Red Sox led for the first time in the series, 4–3. This lead wasshort-lived as ARod led off the third inning with a home run over the GreenMonster and the Yankees would build a 6-4 lead. By the end of the third, theSox would even things up at 6 apiece off a double by Orlando Cabrera. That wasas good as it would get for the Sox for the rest of the night. When it was allover, the two teams combined for 37 hits and 20 extra-base hits, bothpostseason records. At four hours and twenty minutes, the game was the longestnine-inning postseason game ever played. The Yankees destroyed Boston, 19 -8 ,amidst chants from Yankee fans of“Nine-teen -Eight-teen”...the last time the Red Sox won a World Series. With a3 game to none, lead things looked bleak for the Red Sox.October 16, 1969 - The New York Mets win theirfourth straight game from the Baltimore Orioles with a 5 - 3 triumph behindpitcher Jerry Koosman, who throws a five-hitter, to take the World Series infive games. In the third inning, Baltimore takes a 3 - 0 advantage after homeruns by pitcher Dave McNally and outfielder Frank Robinson. After a strongargument by Mets manager GilHodges in the bottom of thesixth inning, Cleon Jones is awarded first base when shoe polish on the ballproves he was hit by a pitch, and Jones scores on a home run by Donn Clendenon.An inning later, Al Weis ties the game 3 - 3 with a solo home run, and in theeighth, Ron Swoboda's double and two Baltimore errors give New York two moreruns and the World Championship. Clendenon is named Series MVP.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:Post Roll March 26New CBB Podcast Intro

October 15, 1988 - With two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Kirk Gibson hits a pinch-hit home run off Dennis Eckersley to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5 - 4 victory over the Oakland Athletics in Game One of the World Series. Gibson, who injured himself making a game saving catch in the National League Championship Series, never came out for game one introductions and never took batting practice spending the entire game on the trainer’s table receiving treatment with Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda checking on him between innings. Inning after inning, Lasorda checked and was given the thumbs down each time until the bottom of the ninth with the A’s leading 4-3 when the clubhouse boy told Lasorda that Gibson wanted to speak to him. ”I think I can hit for you, Skipper” was the message Lasorda heard when he arrived in the trainer’s room. Eckersley got the first 2 batters out. Alfredo Griffin was next up when Lasorda sent Mike Davis to the plate instead, with Gibson warming up unbeknownst to anyone. As Eck settled in to pitch, Lasorda sent Dave Anderson to the on deck circle.Eckersley took notice and decided he wasn't going to let Davis hit it out of the ballpark. He worked the count to 3-2 and walked Davis. “Now get out there Big Boy” Lasorda ordered Gibson, whose appearance sent the crowd into a frenzy. Lasorda decided Gibson had two swings to try and hit it out of the park and then he gave Davis the green light to steal 2nd. With 1st base open, the A’s chose not to walk Gibson who worked the count to 3-2 andGibson launched the next pitch out of the park. Vin Scully’s call of the play say’s it all “"In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!"October 15, 1970 - For the third time, the Baltimore Orioles overcome a 3 - 0 deficit to bury the Cincinnati Reds, 9 - 3, and win the World Series in five games. Brooks Robinson won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award hitting .429 and breaking the record for total bases with seventeen. Robinsons stellar fielding earned him the nickname “Hoover”. Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball BroadcastsMentioned in this episode:Post Roll March 26New CBB Podcast Intro