… AND FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 5 SEASONS!!!
Editorial Note: Mark Wernick, a SABR colleague, is one of the brightest, most intuitive, deeply history-steeped people we have ever had the pleasure meeting in the cyber world. Upon awakening this morning to his e-mail take on the World Series, we could not resist the urge to run what he wrote, verbatim, as The Pecan Park Eagle wrap on what we also think now stands as one the most exciting World Series of all time. The Eagle said at the start that the Royals’ chances rode on how well they handled the potential of facing phenomenal pitcher Madison Bumgarner three times in seven games and, last night, the Giants ace provided the final nail to the firmness of that prophetic guess. Lefty Bumgarner is living proof that there must be more than one 25-year old talented pitcher in the world that isn’t controlled by the 100 pitch count of today’s baseball culture, but, so far, he seems to be the only one who has shown up to prove that theory on baseball’s biggest stage. Congratulations to you too, Madison Bumgarner! Your career ERA of 0.25 is now the best of all time for pitchers who have worked a minimum of 30 World Series innings.
And thank you, Mark Wernick, for presenting us with an e-mail that was truly a spot on timely article with its own legs:
My World Series Take
By Mark Wernick
Mark Wernick
Today’s Columnist
A friend just wrote to me to express the notion that this could be one of the top 3 of all world series. Here is my reply:
To me these are the top World Series played to date: 1926, 1932, 1941, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1975, 1979, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2011, and 2014.
There are 28 World Series on this list, and 24 of them went 7 games. 1932 (4), 1969 (5), 1993 (6), and 1996 (6) went in less than seven games but were thrilling for other reasons.
I have a hard time picking any three of these as the top three. Both 1957 and 1958 were pretty thrilling if you were from Milwaukee or New York, and for lots of others also. And 1955 and 1956 were pretty thrilling if you were from New York. I found 1962, 1965, 1969, 1996, and 2002 pretty awesome. I was enthralled with 1973 and 1985, and my heart was broken by 2001. I was quite worked up and a bit infuriated with 2011.
Many agree that 1960 might have to be # 1 on any list, including me, even though that world series almost ruined my childhood. And I guess I’d have to include 1986 and 1991 on a top 3 list. So those might be my top three – 1960, 1986, and 1991.
But this one was definitely a great World Series.
I kind of wanted them to send Gordon all the way because I had no faith that Cain would hit Bumgarner. But it also occurred to me that you don’t want a World Series to end by getting thrown out at home. I also think Yost was slightly out-managed. I would not have had Escobar, one of their tougher hitters, bunt with no outs and Infant e on first in the 5th inning. I don’t think you can afford to give away a free out – especially by a strong bat – in the 7th game of a World Series when you’re behind by a run against a pitcher like Bumgarner.
Isn’t it great to have all the benefit of hindsight with no accountability?
For the past 5 years, the San Francisco Giants have been a great team. I tip my hat to them. Hunter Pence has two World Series rings in the last three years!
The Kansas City Royals won my abiding admiration and respect. Before the series started I had heard of only three players on their roster, and they were far from ‘A’ list draftees. (Infante, Shields, and Gordon.) What odds were given for the Royals to make it to the World Series in spring training – 5,000 to 1?
During the ALCS (Orioles-Royals playoff series), the broadcasters noted that Baltimore led MLB in homers while the Royals had the fewest homers in all of baseball. That is when I began to look at both teams more closely.
I noticed that with respect to SB and SB% they could be flipped. The Royals were tops, and the Orioles were at the bottom. Apparently they were, respectively, the fastest and slowest teams in MLB. Also, while the Royals’ offensive numbers didn’t attract any attention, they were the only MLB team under 1000 Ks. A team that makes a lot of contact can enjoy a certain advantage in a short series against filthy sliders and splitters and fastballs. In almost every category, their pitching was equivalent, except for one: HRs allowed. Baltimore yielded 151, among the most; KC yielded 128, among the fewest.
Without a lot of flash and without a superstar batter or pitcher in their lineup, the Royals did nothing to beat themselves, they had an intimidating bullpen, their speed was awesome, and their defense was impeccable.
No one can take the Kansas City Royals for granted anymore. Their years in baseball’s after-thought bin are over.
Houston, Baseball, & Other Musings.
The Pecan Park Eagle 