by Tim Wendel
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.
48“Eck always threw strikes”: “One Eck of a Guy,” Sports Illustrated, Dec 12, 1988.
50“used like Jeff Reardon”: “Aguilera has last Minny ha-ha,” (New York) Daily News, July 15, 1990.
51“Off the field”: Harper interview.
GAME THREE
54“That series”: “Series becomes a classic one run at a time,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 19–24, 1991.
54“so sweet”: Ibid.
55“His concentration level is so great”: “Avery: New Steve Carlton?” Sporting News, April 30, 1990.
55grew up a Tigers fan: “NL Beat,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Aug 21–28, 1991. It does boggle the mind what could have been for the Detroit Tigers if they had somehow signed Avery and hung on to John Smoltz. The ballclub in the early 1990s had Cecil Fielder and the double-play combination of Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell, but after staff ace Jack Morris left to sign with the Twins the starting rotation was Frank Tanana and not much else.
56“Makes you wonder:” Tom Kelly, pregame comments, Oct 22, 1991.
56Although Avery was expected to get stronger: “At 21, Avery owns October,” (New York) Daily News, Oct 18, 1991.
56“It’s just a style I prefer”: “Who Is This Guy?” Baseball America, Aug 9, 1991.
56“It’s not his stirrups, shoes, or glove”: “Armed and Dangerous,” Los Angeles Times, July 15, 1991.
56“another day of death”: “The Prince of Darkness,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Aug 15–21, 1991.
56“Rockhead”: “Tense and intense,” (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, Aug 4, 1991.
56“snake in the grass”: Ibid.
56Top Gun at least one hundred times: “Night owl, future accountant, movie buff is multifaceted guy,” (Minneapolis) Star Tribune, “July 25, 1991.
57“Ted Ortiz”: Ted Robinson, author’s interview, Feb 25, 2013.
58attendance in Wisconsin dropped: “The Franchise Transfer that Fostered a Broadcasting Revolution,” The National Pastime: Baseball in the Peach State, Aug 2010.
59Georgia-born all-star team: “The All-Time Atlanta Braves All-Star Team,” The National Pastime. While he may have grown up a St. Louis Cardinals fan, Terry Sloope certainly embraced the Braves after moving to the Atlanta area. Not only did he compile this All-Star team, but he’s one of the key members of the Magnolia Chapter of the Society of American Baseball Research in Atlanta. I see now that one of this book’s beginnings came in 2009 when chapter president and author Mil Fisher brought me down to speak to the Magnolia Chapter about my book High Heat, in which I went in search of the fastest pitcher of all time. It was a great evening as Mil, Terry, and other chapter members talked baseball into the night and stayed in touch ever since.
59the Black Crackers: “The Atlanta Crackers,” The National Pastime. Leslie Heaphy wrote this piece and few know more about the game’s beginnings in this part of the country than him.
60“I’ll never forget meeting him”: the Rev. Billy Graham, author’s interview, May 27, 1994.
60Salvation Army gospel group: Mike Sowell, July 2, 1903: The Mysterious Death of Hall-of-Famer Big Ed Delahanty, 55.
60Baseball and girls: Graham interview.
61“He’s from North Carolina”: Bobby Richardson, author’s interview, May 15, 1994.
62“baseball is good as our national pastime”: Graham interview.
621978 San Francisco Giants: “The Gospel and Game: The Growing Number of Born-Again Christians in Baseball Tests Clubhouse Chemistry,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, June 14, 1994.
62“we always have guys hitting extra”: Kirby Puckett, author’s interview, May 1, 1994.
63“completely different breed”: Ibid.
63“That’s where I drew the line”: Kent Hrbek, author’s interview, April 29, 1994.
63“death in the family”: Ibid.
64“It had nothing to do with one’s religion”: Andy MacPhail, author’s interview, May 3, 1994.
64by design: Greg Cylkowski, author’s interview, May 2, 1994.
64Gaetti option: Dennis Bracken and Patrick Reusse, Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History, 124–125.
65one of baseball’s real innovators: “The Franchise Transfer that Fostered a Broadcasting Revolution,” The National Pastime: Baseball in the Peach State, Aug 2010.
65“You’re looking at a genius”: “Ted Turner, Hank Aaron influenced each other as well as Georgia,” Savannah Morning News, February 14, 2010; Hank Aaron, author’s interview, Oct 4, 1998.
66to call his own: “The Franchise Transfer that Fostered a Broadcasting Revolution,” The National Pastime, Aug 2010.
66“It would be Bobby Cox”: “What a beautiful ride: The Life and Times of Bobby Cox’s MLB managerial career,” Yahoo Sports, Nov 9, 2010.
66“Where’s Dave?” “Ted Turner managed to shake up baseball in ’77,” Washington Times, May 9, 2005.
67“take some credit for this”: Ibid.
67Turner’s flair: Van Slyke interview.
67“very, very marginal”: “Vincent tells Nixon to sit,” USA Today, Sept 17, 1991.
68“We coped”: “Nixon’s Caught,” Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept 17, 1991.
68“pieces that were necessary to compete”: Pendleton interview.
69Wiggins had wheels: National Baseball Hall of Fame research department.
70“became our catalyst”: Jack McKeon, author’s interview, May 3, 2000.
70“one of the best sparkplugs”: “Alan Wiggins, AIDS and the San Diego Padres,” Misc. Baseball, Jan 4, 2011.
70“I wouldn’t be telling the truth”: “Dick Freeman interview,” San Diego Magazine, April 2004.
70“Line of Death”: Tony Attanasio, author’s interview, June 3, 2013.
71shared needles: Attanasio interview; Candice Wiggins, author’s interview, May 7, 2013.
71“It shocks you”: Pendleton interview.
72“The only thing I know”: “Nixon’s Caught,” Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept 17, 1991.
73“Go ahead and do it”: Ibid.
73“spread like wildfire”: Van Slyke interview.
73“Rickey on ’roids?” “Rickey Henderson,” The New Yorker, Sept 12, 2005.
76“We had other superstars”: “Reminiscing with Lemke about 1991World Series,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog, Oct 24, 2012.
77“I ain’t missing it”: Davis interview.
77“It’s not a good feeling”: Pendleton interview.
78“We want Ted Turner to meet with us”: “Indian protests are loud, but peaceful,” (Baltimore) Sun, Oct 20, 1991.
79“I feel betrayed”: “Indians’ Protest Began Long Before the Chop,” Los Angeles Times, Oct 20, 1991.
79“only one pitcher embarrassed”: Kelly, postgame comments.
81“I felt pretty comfortable”: Rick Aguilera, author’s interview, April 1, 2013.
81“I surprised a few people”: Aguilera interview.
82“open range”: Pendleton interview.
82“too many balls tailing away”: Mark Lemke, author’s interview, Aug 10, 2013.
83“roller coaster ride”: Greg Olson, postgame comments.
83“storybook ending”: Randy Bush, postgame comments.
83“weirdest thing”: Kevin Tapani, postgame comments.
GAME FOUR
85“most underpaid pitcher out there”: “Series becoming classic,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 25–31, 1991.
86“the chanting makes it special”: Ibid.
86“That’s the way”: Leius interview.
87“I thought”: “Braves knock homers, heads,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 25–31, 1991.
87“I think back now”: Harper interview.
87“Maybe it’s the adrenaline”: Ibid.
87Buck Martinez breaks ankle: In my opinion, this is one of the wackiest, most courageous plays ever. Several years ago, I was a guest on Sirius/XM Radio morning baseball show and Martinez was one of the cohosts. I told him that this was one of my favorite plays and he replied that sometimes baseball can be a strange game. He had no explanation why this happened to him. Here’s the YouTube footage, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGksb1YOFC8.
88“Sometimes playing catcher”: Buck Martinez, author’s interview, May 15, 2009.
88“We hit straight on” Harper interview.
89“He lost a lot of his career”: Bill James, The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, 428.
89nothing on the gridiron: Harper interview.
90“A catcher must want to catch”: Baseball Hall of Fame research department.
90“I was satisfied if I could just be a backup catcher”: Harper interview.
90“I knew that Brian was strong”: “Harper crashes into World Series history,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 25-31, 1991.
90“I knew I was hurt”: “Rose’s hit, claims still hurt Fosse,” Fox Sports, July 5, 2012.
91John Dowd: “Why Rose can’t enter the Hall,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Jan 7, 1998. Much of this section comes from a cover story I did for Baseball Weekly. John Dowd remains one of the most passionate and most honest people I’ve ever met in baseball. You always know where you stay with the guy. He has nothing to hide and no matter how much you may love Pete Rose and how hard he played, it’s difficult to defend the guy after hearing Dowd out.
96“allow him to be on the ballot”: “Pete Rose’s image boosted by PED scandal,” USA Today, Aug 12, 2013.
96Pete Rose baseball card: Mark Lemke, author’s interview, Feb 15, 2000.
96“I wanted to play this game”: Ibid.
97“It was a lot of fun”: “Hot Bat is Lemke’s Reward for Patience,” New York Times, Oct 26, 1991.
98“It doesn’t shock anyone”: “Sacrifice was worth it for Willard, Braves,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 25–31, 1991.
98“waited all season”: “Hard-Hitting Braves Run the Twins Out of Town,” New York Times, Oct 25, 1991.
99Curtis Strong trial: “Outfielder fights back from drug problems,” (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, May 10, 1989; “Royals’ Smith blasts baseball’s drug program,” The Associated Press, July 29, 1987; “Lonnie Smith not shy in discussing his past drug problems,” Kansas City Star, May 19, 1985.
99Wanting to shoot Schuerholz: “Lonnie Smith still battles demons from his playing career,” McClatchy Newspapers, Nov 9, 2006; “Lonnie Smith is safe at home,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 12, 2003; “Lonnie Smith wanted to shoot John Schuerholz,” Deadspin.com, http://deadspin.com/212899/lonnie-smith-wanted-to-shoot-john-schuerholz.
99“was a special player”: “Baseball Renaissance,” Sporting News, Aug 7, 1989.
100Smith-Schuerholz hug: “Lonnie Smith is safe at home,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 12, 2003.
100“Mark Lemke”: Gene Larkin, author’s interview, May 17, 2013.
101Jim Lefebvre call: I cannot tell you how rare it is to have a big-league manager call you at the office to air a gripe. That’s how Lefebvre is. He doesn’t believe in letting things fester.
101Gilligan’s Island: “Bat Boy to Batman That’s Jim Lefebvre,” Houston Chronicle, March 19, 1969.
101Lefebvre first glimpsed the beauty: “Frenchy Lefebvre: He Found Romance in Hotel Coffee Shop,” Los Angeles Times, March 21, 1969.
102Lefebvre recalled that his former manager: “Lefebvre reveals his side of story,” (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, March 13, 1980; “After fight, Lasorda black and (Dodger) Blue,” Associated Press, Feb 18, 1980.
103“there’s no guarantee”: “Money Madness Goes Back to ’58,” Baseball America, June 25, 1991.
103“out for my scalp”: “Big Money Takes No Prisoners,” Baseball America, Dec 10, 1991.
103“tire companies”: Ibid.
103Don Zimmer-Ryne Sandberg: “How Do You Really Feel, Zim?” Baseball America, July 25, 1991.
104“end of payroll balance”: Ted Robinson interview.
105“die with your boots on”: “It’s the Young-Boy Network for Baseball Management,” New York Times, Oct 23, 1991.
105“But I got fired”: Ibid.
106“I was in the card game” Tom Kelly, author’s interview, August 15, 1991.
106“I came to Seattle”: “Lefebvre Joins List of Fired,” Los Angeles Times, Oct 11, 1991.
106“been with several clubs”: “Sacrifice was worth it for Willard, Braves,” USA today Baseball Weekly, Oct 25–31, 1991.
107“looked for Mack”: Ibid.
107“Thank God”: Ibid.
108“helluva call”: “Harper crashes into World Series history,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Oct 25–31, 1991.
108“I made contact”: Ibid.
108“you’re out most of the time”: Ibid.
108“TK screwed up”: “The Ultimate Gamer,” Sports Illustrated, March 31, 2003.
GAME FIVE
109told to put away his glove: Discussions with Chili Davis and Andy MacPhail, then and now, underscored that the onetime outfielder was considered a full-time designated hitter by the 1991 season.
110“I knew the National League parks”: Davis interview.
110“defensive liability”: Tom Kelly comments during the American League Championship Series, author’s notes.
110“You’re talking to Puck, right?” Davis interview.
110“got sick and tired”: “Trip to Atlanta a total washout for Twins,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Nov 1–7, 1991.
110“there’s nothing left:” Davis interview.
110“This guy”: Ibid. Over the years, Twins manager Tom Kelly has justifiably gained the reputation for methodically handling a ballclub. But team announcer Ted Robinson says that putting Davis in the field underscored how desperate the Twins were to win a game in Atlanta. Robinson and Davis agreed that the two close losses in Games Three and Four led to this roll of the dice.
111“I was playing him shallow”: Davis interview.
112The son of a dairy farmer: Love him or hate him, there’s no more intriguing person in baseball than super agent Scott Boras. I’ve had several conversations with him over the years, but a good starting point is BloombergTV, “Risk Takers,” Aug 10, 2013, http://www.bloomberg.com/video/73780580-scott-boras-profiled-bloomberg-risk-takers.html.
113“Ask anyone”: “Boras’ Clients Break the Bank,” Baseball America, Oct 10, 1991.
113“enough is enough”: Ibid.
114“he was the man for us”: “Taylor, Yankees Reach an Impasse,” Baseball America, July 25, 1991. “Acrimony Surrounds Taylor Deal,” Baseball America, Sept 25, 1991.
114“should be shot”: Baseball America, “Steinbrenner Ruins Amateur Draft,” Oct 10, 1991.
115“then pay for it”: Scott Boras, author’s interview, May 20, 1993. This remains a basic principle of Boras’ working philosophy and a statement that he has made many times.
115“Tommy threw the ball great”: “Braves Rout Twins, 14–5, Take World Series Lead,” Washington Post, Oct 25, 1991.
116Mazzone’s fears: Leo Mazzone, author’s interview, July 26, 1998.
116“wish I knew”: “Wildly Out of Control,” New York Times, Aug 23, 1998.
116“mark of a quality pitcher”: Nolan Ryan, author’s interview, June 10, 2009.
117“you ain’t nobody”: “This Day in Sports History,” Total Sports, Aug 22, 2010.
117“there’s no luck”: Bill Rigney, author’s interview, April 21, 1992.
117“No contest”: “Ageless Wonder,” New York Times, May 1, 1991.
118“we’ve only got nine or so guys”: Norm Sherry, author’s interview, June 1, 2009.
118string test: Ibid.
119“Just ask Nolan or Sandy�
�: Jeff Torborg, author’s interview, June 28, 2009.
119“compatible with warehouse”: Gillette and Enders, 402.
120Metrodome interior: Ibid, 364.
121“By the time”: Ibid, 355.
122“That was it”: Michael Allen, author’s interview, May 15, 1992.
122“retractable fences”: “Raising the Roof,” Sports Illustrated, June 12, 1989.
123“eighth wonder of the world”: Ibid.
123“Stonehenge of America”: Baseball Almanac, http://www.baseball-almanac.com/stadium/baseball_field_construction.shtml.
123“stars were aligned”: Janet Marie Smith, author’s interview, April 10, 2013.
124nod to the past: Ibid.
124“It was fitting”: “Camden Yards turns 20,” ESPN.com, April 6, 2012.
125“It was very exciting”: Ibid.
125“downtown setting”: Smith interview.
125Lonnie Smith accomplishments: National Baseball Hall of Fame research department. Smith was an accomplished performer in the postseason. Unfortunately, he will always be remembered for the base-running blunder in Game Seven. But to be with Lou Gehrig, Johnny Mize, Hank Bauer, and Reggie Jackson? That’s fine company.
126“My two favorites”: Larry Taylor, author’s interview, March 6, 2013.
126“you were lucky”: Brian Doyle, author’s interview, Feb 1, 2013.
126“There’s a phenomenon”: Fay Vincent, pregame comments, Oct 24, 1991.
127“a thousand knife marks”: “Justice triumphs in the end,” USA Today Baseball Weekly, Nov 1–7, 1991.
127“all about home-field advantage”: “Braves Give Plot a Twist,” Washington Post, Oct 26, 1991.
127“I remember”: Terry Slope, author’s interview, March 1, 2013.
128Bobby Cox backstory: “What About Bob?” Coach and Athletic Director, Nov 2006; “Power Socker Cox Joins Yank Third-Base Tussle,” New York Times, Dec 23, 1967; “Cox of Yankees Called a Dedicated Player,” New York Times, June 9, 1968.
129“It wasn’t only the X’s and O’s”: Grant interview.
129“the patience of grandma”: Pendleton interview.
130“There’s no place like it”: “Hard-Hitting Braves Run the Twins Out of Town,” New York Times, Oct 25, 1991.