The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 9-8 yesterday (July 21, 2002), winning a game on a "walk-off walk" in the bottom of the ninth.
Victory gave the Yankees a four game lead over the Red Sox, which while nice, comes with almost half the season to go. In and of itself, it is a lead that must yet stand the test of time, hot sun and hardened infields; October is a long way off.
Yet, it was a game destined to be the subject of discussion and analysis for decades, one replete with many twists and turns invoking old baseball clichés and perhaps adding new ones.
When it was over, Jason Giambi commented, "It's unbelievable the magic that kind of happens around here." Well, yes and no Jason. Yes, there is magic. No, it just doesn't "happen."
Branch Rickey, the Hall of Fame genius who built baseball empires in St. Louis and Brooklyn and broke the color line by introducing Jackie Robinson, once commented, "Luck is the residue of design."
To paraphrase Rickey, magic doesn't just happen; rather it is the residue of preparation and execution. It might be further said that preparation and execution are the ingredients in the formula for professionalism. The Yankees had it on July 21, 2002; but then again, they do more often than not.
Action on the field was full of ups and downs for the participants as well as 55,581 attendees. There were some bright moments for both clubs and fans thereof. So much so that reviewing each twist and turn before the fateful ninth inning would be redundant to a fault.
Suffice it to say that prior to the ninth, Jeff Weaver, allegedly a new Yankee top-line pitcher, continues to reveal no evidence of such possibilities. Indeed, he tied a record for Yankee futility - giving up five home runs during his seven innings. His ignoble effort (the major league record is six) was accomplished by three other Yankee pitchers - Joe Ostrowski in 1950, John Cumberland in 1970, and Ron Guidry in 1985. Reportedly, it was the first time to happen at Yankee Stadium.
But the ninth inning - ah, therein lies the rub (as Shakespeare would put it).
In the top of the ninth, for some inexplicable reason, Jose Offerman attempted to steal third base with one out and the left-handed Trot Nixon at the plate. Conceivably, the presence of the left-handed hitter made an easier throwing path for Jorge Posada, who gunned Offerman down. A glance into the Boston dugout indicated surprise at Offerman's attempt.
What prompted Offerman's attempt to steal third when he was in scoring position on second base already is speculation. At any rate, "magic" was beginning to happen by reason of this ill-prepared and ill-executed move.
Entering the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees were down 8-7, and here events for the ages continued to unfold.
First it was Jason Giambi, who quickly went to a no ball, two strike count against Boston closer Ugueth Urbina. Thereafter, showing the hitting professionalism that has made him an All-Star and an MVP, Giambi hung in for a nine-pitch at bat, and extended the count to 3-2. Then, he attempted to check his swing and dribbled a fluke down the unguarded third- base line for a single.
Looking futile on the first two pitches from the tough Urbina and hanging in for a 3-2 count leads to results which may appear to be magical. Again, preparation and execution to the fore!
Enrique Wilson came in to run for Giambi, and Bernie Williams was up next.
Williams would also be quickly behind 0-2, and lashed a single into right field past Tony Clark at first base - who might have been close to the bag guarding Wilson.
Bernie Williams - by reason of his preparation - is not afraid to hit down in the count - and he is capable of executing accordingly.
Magic next appeared in right field, where Trot Nixon, apparently having no chance to prevent the speedy Wilson from reaching third with none out, overran the ball and had to trot (pun intended) a good distance behind where he stood, allowing Wilson to score and Williams to go to third.
Now the plot would thicken as Boston manager Grady Little made some big (pun intended) decisions that seemed questionable in their inception.
He removed right fielder Nixon and replaced him with Lou Merloni - a move no doubt embarrassing to Nixon (and one perhaps having confidence implications for Nixon down the road). Little then proceeded to order both Robin Ventura and Raul Mondesi intentionally walked.
Baseball is a game so unique it has often been said that on any day at any given game, something will happen that one has never seen before. And here it did. When Merloni replaced Nixon, Little positioned a five-man infield and a two-man outfield, something I have never seen in a major league game before. Undoubtedly, the plan was to strike out the next batter - Jorge Posada - and then hope for a double play and extra innings.
Poet Robert Burns had the line about "the best laid plans" not working out. Circumstances being what they would turn out to be, this bizarre positioning had no affect on the dawning conclusion of the game.
Jorge Posada had a miserable series against Boston, looking totally helpless at the plate. Thus, he must have seemed an easy mark for Urbina, who went after him with no outs, the bases loaded, and the possibility that a run could end the game tragically for the Red Sox and "magically" for the Yankees.
Enter Posada, 0 for his last 13, with the law of averages and Posada's talent at drawing walks. Certainly, the Yankee plan was not for Posada to wait out a walk, and most of the outfield was vacated by a quintet of infielders. A pop fly would end it.
Urbina jumped ahead of Posada 1-2, and then the contest began between pitcher and batter. Obviously clearing his mind of the dismal performance over the three game series, Posada drew on his ability to handle pitches and wait out a pitcher. Nine pitches later, he drew the walk, and Bernie Williams trotted across the plate for the most "magical" win.
Years from now, when this game is replayed by scores of baseball fans, the bottom line will be that the Yankee formula works: preparation and execution equal success. Particularly, in the most unusual circumstances.
» Sam Person is a retired CPA and former university professor who enjoys writing on baseball topics.
Also by Sam Person
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» The Search For Dean Chance
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» On The John Rocker Trade
» DiMaggio for Williams: The Trade That Never Happened
» My Favorite Events at Each Position
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» My Brother’s Baseball Cards
» Strange Endings to Baseball Careers
» The Pitching Change
» More submissions
Copyright © 2002 by Sam Person. Posted July 22, 2002.
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