SHOCKTOBER PREVIEW: THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR

 A few people have asked me why I chose to exclude a handful of World Series “upsets” from my latest book. The answer is quite simple: because some of baseball’s so-called “upsets” were not particularly surprising. The following matchups did not make the cut:

 

1931

St. Louis Cardinals over Philadelphia Athletics (4-3)

With three consecutive pennants to their credit and a six-game differential in the “win” column, the A’s were favored to beat the Cardinals, who were making their third World Series appearance in a four-year span. Few if any baseball pundits were taken off guard when the Red Birds, who carried five future Hall of Famers on their roster, gave Connie Mack’s crew more than they could handle.

 

1945

Detroit Tigers over Chicago Cubs (4-3)

With close to 200 players serving in the armed forces, the major league talent pool was seriously diluted. The Cubs—winners of 96 regular season games—were expected to beat the Tigers, who had squeaked into the postseason with 88 victories. Quality pitching was in short supply during the war years, but the Tigers had two of the best arms of the era with Hal Newhouser and Dizzy Trout in their rotation. They also got a shot in the arm when slugger Hank Greenberg returned from wartime duty in July. The end result was hardly shocking as the Cubs dropped their seventh consecutive World Series, extending a luckless streak that had begun with a loss to the A’s in 1910. 

 

1953

New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers (4-2)

The Dodgers had a distinct advantage in terms of regular season wins, having gathered 105 victories to New York’s 99. But the outcome of this Series was a no-brainer as the Yankees won it all for the fifth year in a row—a record that still stands. It was Brooklyn's fifth consecutive World Series loss to New York. 

 

1963

Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4-0)

The Yankees may have looked like the better team on paper. But Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris were hobbled by injuries during the regular season. Likewise, Yogi Berra was nearing the end of his playing days. The Dodgers won fewer games that year, but they had Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale—both of whom were very much in their prime. They also had NL batting champ Tommy Davis along with baseball’s reigning stolen base king, Maury Wills. The only thing moderately shocking about this Series was the L.A. sweep. 

 

1966

Baltimore Orioles over Los Angeles Dodgers (4-0)

Prior to their 1954 move from St. Louis to Baltimore, the Orioles (formerly known as the Browns) had established a losing reputation. The addition of four Hall of Famers (Brooks Robinson, Luis Aparicio, Frank Robinson, and Jim Palmer) made them contenders at long last, but they still didn’t get the kind of respect they deserved. Although the defending world champion Dodgers were expected to win this Series, Don Drysdale was having an “off” year and the lineup was full of forgettable players. (How often do Wes Parker, Jim Lefebvre, and Lou Johnson surface in baseball discussion nowadays?) Though technically an upset, the writing was on the wall before the first pitch was thrown.  

 

1995

Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians (4-2)

The Indians had some heavy hitters in residence, leading the majors with 207 homers. But Atlanta’s so-called “Big Three” (Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz) were well-equipped to shut down the Cleveland offense. The Indians won 100 games during the strike-shortened regular season and were favored to eliminate the Braves, who had gathered 90 victories of their own. The win differential was just about the only advantage the Indians held against an Atlanta squad that included six eventual Cooperstown inductees. (Fred McGriff, Chipper Jones, and Bobby Cox were all enshrined in addition to the “Big Three”)

 

1996

 New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves (4-2)

 

The Yankees had been absent from the Fall Classic for more than a decade—one of the longest droughts in franchise history. Atlanta still had a slew of Hall of Famers on board. But the Braves had a storied history of choking in the postseason. And the teams had similar won-loss records. With a lineup featuring the likes of Derek Jeter, Wade Boggs, and Tim Raines, the Yankees were underdogs in name only.

SHOCKTOBER PREVIEW: UNLIKELY WORLD SERIES HEROES (PART III)

 

TOMMY THEVENOW

(ST. LOUIS CARDINALS)

Thevenow spent 15 seasons in the majors, never hitting a single ball beyond the outfield fence. All three of his lifetime homers (accumulated during a three-week span in 1926) were of the inside-the-park variety. In spite of his weak hitting, Thevenow became a regular in the St. Louis lineup on account of his stellar defense. In the Cardinals championship season of ’26, he led American League shortstops in putouts and assists. His modest .256 regular season batting average was not a reliable predictor of what lay ahead as he posted the highest mark among both World Series clubs at .417. Only two players (Babe Ruth and Billy Southworth) scored more runs. Plagued by injuries throughout his career, Thevenow played for the Phillies, Pirates, Bees, and Reds before falling from the major league ranks for good in the late-1930s.

 

TIM LAUDNER

(MINNESOTA TWINS)

 Laudner struggled with a bat throughout his major league career. Although he had moderate power, he struck out fairly often while averaging just one walk per every 12 plate appearances. He launched a career-best 16 homers during the Twins’ championship year of 1987, but failed to crack the .200 mark during the regular season. Entering the World Series against the heavily-favored Cardinals, Laudner was among the least likely candidates for a breakout performance. Defying the odds, the free-swinging catcher showed uncharacteristic discipline at the plate, hitting .318 with 5 walks. His four runs scored and four RBIs helped Minnesota to an unlikely Series victory.  

 

DAVID ECKSTEIN

(ST. LOUIS CARDINALS)

At 5-foot-6, Eckstein was one of the smallest players in the majors. He carried the nickname of “Just Enough,” gaining acclaim for his energy and enthusiasm. Serving as the Cardinals’ leadoff man in 2006, he hit at a respectable .292 clip, earning his second (and final) All-Star selection. His performance in the World Series that year was next-level as he tied with teammate Scott Rolen in hits and doubles. Only Albert Pujols drove in more runs. Eckstein’s .364 batting average earned him Series MVP honors. It was the second championship of his career (the first one coming with the Angels in 2002). Eckstein retired after the 2010 campaign with a lifetime .333 batting mark in World Series play—more than 50 points above his lifetime regular season average.    

SHOCKTOBER PREVIEW: UNLIKELY WORLD SERIES HEROES (PART II)

 

HANK GOWDY

(BOSTON BRAVES)

Tall and lean at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Gowdy was once referred to as a “fair-haired skyscraper.” Originally property of the Giants, he came to Boston in a 1911 trade involving two other players. 1914 was Gowdy’s first season as a full-time catcher. The Braves got off to a rocky start, but Gowdy helped turn things around, leading major league backstops in extra-base hits. He faced three of the best pitchers of the era in the Fall Classic that year—Charles Bender, Eddie Plank, and Bullet Joe Bush. Rising to the challenge, Gowdy gathered a cumulative total of six hits and five walks, guiding the so-called “Miracle Braves” to a sweep of the powerful A’s, who had won three of the previous four World Series. Sportswriters began referring to Gowdy as “Hammerin’ Hank,” but as the Braves gradually sank in the standings, Gowdy faded into relative obscurity. His critical error for the Giants in the 1924 Fall Classic made him a Series “goat.”

 

DANNY BAUTISTA

(ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS)

Bautista was no stranger to postseason play. He came up through the Tigers farm system and wound up being traded to the Braves in 1996. Serving as a utility outfielder, he made sporadic appearances in the ’97 and ’98 playoffs. Acquired by the Marlines in 1999 and the Diamondbacks the following year, Bautista became a regular in the Arizona outfield during the 2001 slate. Prior to then, he had never appeared in 100 games for any team in a single season. The Diamondbacks clinched the pennant in spite of Bautista’s abysmal 1-for-10 showing at the plate in the Division Series and League Championship Series. Bautista caught fire against the Yankees in the Fall Classic, tying for the team lead in RBIs despite sitting out two of the seven games. He ended up with a .583 batting average as Arizona stunned New York. 

 

DAVID FREESE

(ST. LOUIS CARDINALS)

A late arrival to the majors, Freese was 27 years-old in his rookie season with the Cardinals. The St. Louis lineup was stocked with stars and Freese became part of a third base platoon that included veteran slugger Pedro Feliz. In 2011, Freese shared hot corner responsibilities with rookie Daniel Descalso. Freese was more adept with a bat and became St. Louis’s primary third-sacker in the 2011 playoffs. After capturing MVP honors in the NLCS against Milwaukee, he led the underdog Cardinals to a World Series victory over the Rangers, raking Texas pitching for 5 extra-base hits and 7 RBIs. He hit a walk-off homer in the sixth match and a game-tying double in the finale. His performance earned him another MVP award. He finished the 2011 postseason with 5 homers and 21 ribbies in 18 games. Freese returned to the World Series with the Dodgers in 2018, but was unable to recapture the magic that had put him on the map. He retired after the 2019 slate.

SHOCKTOBER PREVIEW: UNLIKELY WORLD SERIES HEROES (PART I)

 

MICKEY HATCHER

(L.A. DODGERS)

Hatcher was a versatile utility man who appeared at several defensive stations over the course of his 12-year career. He even took the mound once in a blowout loss against the Cardinals in 1989. Known more for his enthusiasm and hustle, Hatcher had little power at the plate and rarely walked. But his performance in the 1988 World Series helped carry the underdog Dodgers to a surprising victory over the A’s. Hatcher hit safely in all five games, leading both teams in homers and RBIs. Prior to the Series, he had knocked just one homer in his previous 118 appearances. Hatcher had another respectable season in ’89, but when his batting average dipped to .212 the following year, he disappeared from the majors. 

 

 HARVEY HADDIX

(PITTSBURGH PIRATES)

A product of the Cardinals’ farm system, Haddix won 20 games during his rookie year and never duplicated the feat. He is best known for tossing 12 perfect innings against the Braves in a game he ultimately lost during the 1959 campaign. A bit on the small side at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds, Haddix—by his own admission—lacked stamina in comparison to other pitchers of the era. “I’ve been a seven-inning pitcher at times because I’m a little man and have to work harder out there than some fellows,” he once said. The diminutive southpaw won 11 games for the pennant-winning Pirates in 1960 while posting a mediocre 3.97 ERA. He was much better in the World Series that year, winning his only start and picking up another victory out of the bullpen in Game 7. The Pirates' win over the Yankees came as a shock to many--especially slugger Mickey Mantle, who remarked sourly: "The better team lost...the only time I ever felt that way. It wasn't even close." 

 

DUSTY RHODES

(NEW YORK GIANTS)

Rhodes’s poor defense kept him on the bench for a majority of his seven-year major league career. But he was immensely popular with teammates. Describing his persona, Hall of Fame manager Leo Durocher once asserted: “He was a buffoon, and I say this affectionately. I loved him on my ball club because of his personality and the funny things he did that kept everybody loose. But I couldn’t have stood two of him.” After compiling a pedestrian .242 batting average in his first two seasons, Rhodes had a breakout year during New York’s pennant-winning effort of 1954. He was unstoppable in the World Series, delivering clutch hits in each of his three appearances. When the curtain closed on the Giants’ improbable sweep of the Indians (winners of 111 games during the regular season), Rhodes had slammed a pair of homers and driven in seven runs in six at-bats. 

SHOCKTOBER PREVIEW: PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN WORLD SERIES HISTORY (PART III)

 

1926 WORLD SERIES

YANKEES vs. CARDINALS

GAME 7

 

Prior to 1926, the Cardinals had been absent from championship play for more than three decades. Although they had four Hall of Famers in residence at the start of the season, their victory over the Yankees (who were stocked with franchise greats from top to bottom) would have been highly improbable without the services of fading superstar Grover “Pete” Alexander. Alexander had captured three consecutive Triple Crowns with the Phillies beginning in 1915. But chronic alcohol issues prompted Cubs’ manager Joe McCarthy to place the hurler on waivers in June of 1926. Believing he was worth the risk, the Cardinals added him to their roster. It proved to be a smart move as the 39 year-old veteran won nine games down the stretch and stymied the Yankees in the World Series. 

 

After beating New York in both of his starts, Alexander was called upon to extinguish a seventh inning Yankee rally in Game 7. The Bombers had loaded the bases against Hall of Famer Jesse Haines, who had developed a blister on his pitching hand and could not continue. Rumors abounded that Alexander was still intoxicated from an all-night bender, but the hurler vehemently denied those claims in later interviews. With two outs and the count at 1-1, Tony Lazzeri blasted a long drive down the left field line. Had it stayed fair, it would have given the Yankees a 6-3 lead. But it hooked just foul at the last second, saving Alexander from being labeled a Series “goat.” Lazzeri struck out and “Old Pete” followed with two innings of shutout ball, sealing a 3-2 Series-clinching victory for the Cardinals. There was no Series MVP Award in those days, but Alexander would have been a front-runner.   

SHOCKTOBER PREVIEW: PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN WORLD SERIES HISTORY (PART II)

 

1924 WORLD SERIES

NEW YORK GIANTS vs. WASHINGTON NATIONALS

GAME 7

 

The Giants were among the most powerful teams in baseball, having captured four consecutive pennants. The Nationals (often referred to as the “Senators”) had established a long tradition of losing, placing sixth or lower in the standings from 1901 through 1911. Their poor performances in the early years inspired a long-running joke: “Washington—first in war, first in peace, and last in the American League.” Trailing three games to two in the Series, the Nationals took the Giants completely off guard with a tense 2-1 victory over veteran pitcher Art Nehf, who was widely considered to be New York’s most reliable big-game pitcher. The Series finale was among the most unusual in history.

 

More than 31,000 fans flocked to Griffith Stadium in D.C. to see if the Nationals could finally shed their image as perennial losers. The Giants jumped out to a 3-1 lead before Washington’s player/manager, Bucky Harris, tied the game with an RBI single that took a bad hop at third base and bounced past Hall of Fame infielder, Freddie Lindstrom. The game was still knotted at three in the bottom of the 12th, when Muddy Ruel of the Nationals hit a one-out pop-up near home plate. It should have been an easy play, but Giants’ catcher Hank Gowdy tripped over his own discarded mask, dropping the ball. Given new life, Ruel ripped a double. Legendary hurler Walter Johnson, who had delivered four innings of scoreless relief for Washington on short rest, followed with a playable grounder to shortstop Travis Jackson. Jackson—a Hall of Famer who carried the nickname “Stonewall” for his sensational defense—booted the ball. Defying credibility, Nationals’ center fielder Earl McNeely followed with a sharp grounder that took another bad hop at third base and bounced into left field, bringing Ruel home with the Series-clinching run. Washington owner Clark Griffith believed it was divine intervention. Relief pitcher Jack Bentley (who was charged with the loss) later said it was one of the “weirdest” games he ever played in.

SHOCKTOBER PREVIEW: PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN WORLD SERIES HISTORY (Part I)

 

1906 WORLD SERIES

CHICAGO CUBS vs. CHICAGO WHITE SOX

GAME 5

 

The Chicago Cubs won 116 games in 1906 (a record that still stands) and carried four Hall of Famers on their roster. Their pitchers combined for 30 shutouts (an NL high) and a 1.75 ERA—tops in the majors. They were expected to make quick work of the White Sox, who had stunned the baseball world by capturing the AL pennant with an anemic .230 team batting average. Only one club fared worse at the plate that year—the Boston Nationals, who wound up with 102 losses.

 

With the Series tied at two games apiece, the White Sox defense completely fell apart, spotting the Cubs five unearned runs on an astounding total of six errors. But in a surprising turn of events, the ChiSox—dubbed “The Hitless Wonders” by sportswriters—outmuscled their intra-city rivals by a score of 8-6. Second baseman Frank Isbel led the charge for the Southside crew, clubbing four doubles—a World Series record. The resilient Sox followed their improbable Game 5 victory with another offensive explosion, knocking Hall of Fame pitcher Mordecai Brown out of the box by the second inning. The 8-3 victory completed a stunning upset. The 16 runs scored by the Sox in their last two outings exceeded the club’s collective total in their previous seven games.