I Feel Like I’m Watching the Bizarro World Series
October 30th, 2010 by slangon

What more do you say at this point? I guess we all just need to stop sitting around and waiting for the Rangers to beat the snot out of the Giants, “just like we all said they would”. I really do think, however, that the rest of the series will not be played the way that the first 2 games were. Of course, I also said that game 2 wasn’t going to be played the way game 1 was. I guess in my defense though, it wasn’t. In game 1, Texas gave up a boat load of runs, but they also scored a lot, too. In game 2, they still gave up a boat load of runs, they just didn’t score any. Oh well, maybe a change of scenery will help.

Let’s look at some Game 3’s of World Series past.

Tommie Agee was the friggin’ MAN in Game 3 of the ’69 World Series. The Mets had split 2 games in Baltimore, and were playing the first post-season game in Shea Stadiums history, facing a very tough Jim Palmer. Tommie got the Mets off on the right foot by parking one in the seats to lead off the game. He also saved at least 5 runs with his defense, which considering the Mets only scored 5 runs, changed the complexion of the game to say the least. With 2 outs in the 4th, the Orioles had runners on 1st and 3rd, Agee made a backhanded running catch of a line drive off the bat of Ellie Hendricks. I’m pretty sure that’s the play pictured on this card. I say pretty sure, because that wasn’t the only spectacular play Agee made that game. In the 7th inning, the Orioles had the bases juiced with 2 outs. This time Tommie made a headfirst diving grab of a Paul Blair line drive.

First of all, let me start by saying that the 1972 World Series may have been the greatest World Series as far as team nick names go. The Big Red Machine vs. The Mustache Gang. Awesome. This card shows the only run of the game crossing the plate, when Cesar Geronimo singled in Tony Perez. The Reds won 1-0. Interestingly, Perez actually could pretty easily been thrown out at home since he slipped on some wet grass rounding 3rd. Apparently though, Oakland second baseman Dick Green didn’t realize he fell and therefore never made a play. Game 3 was also noted for a rare trick play that occured in the  top of the 8th. Johnny Bench was batting with a 3-2 count against Rollie Fingers. Oakland manager Dick Williams visited the mound and signaled for intentional walk. Catcher Gene Tenace stood to catch ball four, but at the last minute returned to his crouch as Fingers delivered a strike on the outside corner. A surprised Bench watched the pitch go by for strike three.

Maybe Texas should try some plays like that.

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