I have to say the Twins and Braves from 1991, it turned me from a kid that did nothing but read the back of baseball cards, to actually enjoying watching the game.
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I have to say the Twins and Braves from 1991, it turned me from a kid that did nothing but read the back of baseball cards, to actually enjoying watching the game.
Ditto...that was an amazing series
Now being a relativly well kown yankee hater who doesnt REALLY remember 91... (an it has nothing to do with the yanks... 2001 to be was great... I liked 2002 with the angels came back to win it :D.
I did like '08 WS too tho I was REALLY pullin for Tampa. Other than that I have not enjoyed the series in a while. The Sox Yanks series in 03 and 04 to be were just amazing... especialy the Sox with the comeback.
I mean come on... if if you are a Yanks fan... that was an unbelievable series to see the self proclaimed "Iddiots" come back against the best closer in my lifetime (so far) and probalby one of the best reliever in post season history. I forget who used to come to the mound with "lights out" playing or on the board ow whatever but I have ALWAYS felt when Mo came out onto the field... the game was over.
1998, 1999, and 2000 are the best I've seen :)
ug... 98... it was so boring tho... a sweep... no dramatics same with I believe 99.
I wasnt into the whole mets yanks on 2000... the mets didnt belong i thought
1988 Dodgers. Kirk Gibson.
1989 A's. Earthquake. Dave Stewart. Rickey Henderson.
Actually... I'd have to say the 1977 WS is the best one that I've seen (didn't watch it live, of course).
Great result. Pretty boring series though. The A's didn't even compete against the Mighty Dodgers that year.Quote:
Originally Posted by reflections
I guess when their best player got taken out of the yard by a one-legged man they knew they had met their match.
http://www.analogartsensemble.net/up...71-788431.jpeg
You're joking, right? WS sweeps and 5 game series are in no way a good WS just because your team won. As a Red Sox fan, I would never suggest that 2004 or 2007 was a great WS just because Boston won. Thats absurd.Quote:
Originally Posted by koolzach1
1977 was not a good WS either. Six game series with only one 1 run game. Give me a break.
In the past 20 years the best WS was clearly the 1991 Twins-Braves matchup. Games 6 and 7 were absolutely riveting.
My choice would be the 1975 WS between Boston and Cincinnati. My team lost, of course, but I still watch the highlights occassionally, and have 3 of the games on cassette. The '75 WS is generally regarded as one of the best, if not the greatest World Series ever played.
Best WS I ever saw was the Yankees vs. Diamondbacks in 2001.
the 2006 or 2001 WS the 2003 WS in a close 2nd
1987 Cards vs. Twins I thought was great. i was only 9 at the time and this was really the first WS I remember near vividly.
1993 Phils vs. Blue Jays. Joe Carter, enough said. The greatest moment in baseball history IMHO.
Definitely 2001 Diamondbacks vs. Yankees. Great Series.
Also, 2002 was great. I love 7-game series. There hasn't been one since the Angels (yes!) beat the Giants
Either the 2001 Series or the 2004 one, though I have to say the ALCS that year was more exciting :D
His homer wasnt that dramatic, they had runners on first and second with no outs down by one run. It seemed likely if anything they would tie.Quote:
Originally Posted by dickay
2001 World Series.
The homer was dramatic. It did clinch the WS. The "problem" is that it was only Game 6, and the Blue Jays were not facing elimination. Game 6 of the '75 WS featured 2 more dramatic homers (Carbo, who tied the game in the 8'th, and Fisk, who won it in the 12'th), mainly because Boston was down 3 games to two at the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by ragecage
But I think its an overstatement that it was the greatest moment in baseball history. That Fisk homer was a much better moment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampdog
I don't think there is a "greatest moment in baseball history."
Oh yes there is, and I think this is it. I got this off a website.Quote:
Originally Posted by HoustonGM
Who Invented Baseball?
In reality, baseball evolved out of several different “bat and ball” games such as English Rounders, Cricket, and American Town Ball that had been around for centuries. But there is one man who deserves the credit for establishing the fundamental rules of the sport and for organizing the first baseball game. He is Alexander Cartwright.
Cartwright was a member of the New York Knickerbockers, a club of young businessmen who regularly played Town Ball to escape the confines of their office lives and get some exercise after work. In 1845, Cartwright and a committee from his club drew up clear rules designed to convert Town Ball into a more elaborate sport. He called it Base Ball.
Cartwright actually wrote down his rules for Base Ball, and many of them are still fundamental parts of the game, including the concepts of: (1) fair and foul territory; (2) three strikes per out; (3) three outs per inning; (4) nine players per side; and (5) ninety feet between bases. He also outlawed the Town Ball practice of “soaking a runner,” which allowed a defender to hit a runner with the ball to get him out. Given the speed of a Roger Clemens fastball, that particular change was very good for today’s players.
The first baseball game played under these new rules took place on June 19, 1846 between Cartwright’s Knickerbockers and another squad known as the New York Nine. The teams reviewed the Cartwright Rules before the game, and then began the competition. One difference between the First Baseball Game and the current game is that the teams played until one squad reached 21 runs. There were innings, but they were not limited to nine. The New York Nine slaughtered Cartwright’s Knickerbockers 21-1.
Cartwright eventually moved to California in 1849 to chase the gold rush. On his journey across the country, he introduced baseball to every town he stayed along the way. He later moved to Hawaii and set up formal baseball leagues, which have been credited as the direct precursors of the Major Leagues.
In 1953, Congress officially recognized Cartwright as the inventor of modern baseball. Some baseball scholars now challenge this assertion, but to date, there is no proof of an earlier baseball game or an earlier delineation of the formal rules of the game. Unless and until such evidence is unearthed, it should be accepted that Alexander Cartwright invented baseball.
i wholeheartedly agree rage and was about to post it myself :D
Okay. Definitely can't argue with that.
it was a walk off WS clinching homer, first and only of its kind.:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by ragecage
I can see arguing that it wasn't the greatest momont in baseball history...I stated it was my opinion, and I stand by it (at least that of which I've seen). Saying it wasn't dramatic though??? Thats baffleing.
Absolutely agree with this one. Followed closely by 1975 (Reds-RedSox) Several otherS were very good, but pale kinda to these two, IMHO.Quote:
Originally Posted by ragecage
Twins-Braves in '91 and Yanks-Diamondbacks in 2001 were both VERY good, but I'll go with Blue Jays-Phillies. The weirdest part of that series it that there were more (non-Toronto) Canadian fans cheering for the Phillies (and how could you not? They LOOKED like a beer league team! Probably my favorite baseball team ever) than the perceived 'corporate' Jays. :D
I have yet to watch an entire WS from beginning to end, I just started following baseball in the 2006 season.
Wrong--1960 Bill Mazeroski's walk off WS clinching homer was probably better and more dramatic than Joe Carter's.Quote:
Originally Posted by dickay
Agreed, it was against the powerhouse Yankees, and the walk-off HR came in Game 7 of the Series (Carter's came in Game 6, with his team leading the series 3-2)Quote:
Originally Posted by eggson27
wow, i actually didn't know about that one. I wonder why it gets no play...we constantly hear and see Carters, Bobby Thompsons, and many other memorable HR's. I wonder why game 7 clincher is talked about so infrequently??Quote:
Originally Posted by eggson27
I hear about it quite alot, Prime 9 ranked it as the 2nd greatest HR of all timeQuote:
Originally Posted by dickay
1991.
It's talked about quite a lot actually. Hell, it got Maz into the hall.Quote:
Originally Posted by dickay
A few years back I made a post on another site, ranking the best World Series of the past 50-odd years, which was the post WWII era. Updating that to 60-odd years, since the WWII era, this is how I would rank the best ever.
First, I have to establish the criteria for a good, or a great WS. Being a fan of one of the teams is irrelevant (although it makes that WS special). To qualify as a great WS I think you must have:
1) A Game 7. Absolutely required. A good WS that ends in Game 6 (or earlier) is just missing a major ingredient. Thats an opinion I share with many others. Game 7 of the WS is, to me, potentially the best event in a calendar year in sports. You cant match the drama of a good game 7.
2) Close games and few blowouts. One run games are exciting, 12-3 games are not. For this purpose, all WS are ranked to include one run games, and a blowout is defined as a 5 or more run difference.
3) Late inning heroics. The more the better. How many games were decided in the 9'th inning, or extra innings? How many times, late in the game (the 7'th inning and beyond) did a team come back to tie, or did the lead change hands? This is what makes a WS memorable.
4) Game 7 itself. How close was the game? If Game 7 was a laugher (1985, for example, when the Royals beat St Louis 11-0), it detracts from the overall event.
There are other factors as well, but these are the main elements of a great WS. I would factor in "star power"...the number of HOF-type players in the WS, and also a subjective judgement as to what effect, if any, the WS had on baseball in general.
So, I count a total of 26 WS that have gone 7 games since WWII. First, the 5 worst 7 game series, in no particular order:
1956 Yankees-Dodgers. It had Larsen's perfect game and little else. Awful Game 7 (9-0 NY). One 1 run game, 2 blowouts. Only one game decided in the 9'th or in extras.
1965 Dodgers-Twins. A good Game 7 cant save this WS. No one run games, 3 blowouts. No games decided in the 9'th or later.
1967 Cardinals-Red Sox. Poor Game 7 (7-2 Cards, 7-1 in the 6'th). Despite memorable performances by Gibson, Yastrzemski, Brock, and Lonborg, the WS was dull. One 1 run game, 3 blowouts. Just one game decided in the 7'th inning, and none later.
1968 Tigers-Cardinals. Pretty good Game 7, but little else. Well, Gibson did fan 17 Tigers in Game 1, and Lolich won 3 for Detroit, but...no one run games and 3 blowouts. 2 games decided in the 7'th, none later than that.
1987 Twins-Cardinals. A "homer" series, as the home team won all 7 games. However, zero one run games, and 3 blowouts. Only one game decided in the 7'th inning (Game 3), and none later than that. A decent Game 7 cant save this WS.
I picked the ten best WS since WWII and was able to immediately cull out the best 5. So working my way up, with no commentary, are the "Honorable Mention" classics, in no particular order:
1958 Yankees-Braves
1962 Yankees-Giants
1971 Pirates-Orioles
1979 Pirates-Orioles
1997 Marlins-Indians
A review of the top 5 WS leaves little doubt as to how they should rank, except for the top 2. These are, to me, the greatest World Series since WWII, or just over 60 years. So, here's my countdown, starting with the 5'th best:
#5 2002 Angels-Giants. Clearly better than anything ranked lower, and not as great as the top four. Four 1 run games, 2 blowouts. Three games decided in the 7'th inning or later (none in the 9'th or extras though). A relatively weak Game 7 (4-1 in the third inning, and thats the final score).
#4 2001 Diamondbacks-Yankees. Similar to 2002, but better. Like 2002, Four 1 run games and 2 blowouts. But this series had 3 games decided late; 2 in extra innings and another (Game 7) in the bottom of the ninth. Speaking of Game 7...great game. The best WS of this century, and fourth best in my rankings.
#3 1972 A's-Reds. Overall, this one ranks closer to 2001 and 2002 than it does to the top 2. Nonetheless, an incredible SIX of the seven games were decided by one run. It's the only WS in history that can boast 6 one run games. The other game was an 8-1 blowout. Two games decided in the 9'th, and another one in the 7'th. Oakland won Game 7 by a 3-2 score. Lots of star power here; Bench, Rose, Morgan, Griffey, Foster, Gullet for Cin, and Hunter, Jackson, Rudi, Bando, Fingers, Blue for Oak (note-Reggie Jackson was injured and missed this WS). Possibly the most underrated WS of the past 60 years.
That leaves the top 2. The 1975 Reds-Red Sox, and the 1991 Twins-Braves. I find
these two WS very difficult to separate. They both featured 5 games decided by one run. Each had only one blowout. Each had FOUR games decided in the 9'th inning, or extra innings. Each had another game decided in the 7'th or 8'th inning. These are numbers that no other WS can match. Both years had a great Game 7. Cincinnati beat Boston 4-3 on Morgan's hit in the ninth, and the Twins beat the Braves 1-0 in 10 innings on Larkin's single. Two very incredible series.
To break the tie, I look at the lesser factors. Biggest stars; 1975 had Bench, Rose, Morgan, Griffey, Yaz, Fisk, Evans, Tiant and Lynn. 1991 had Glavine, Justice, Smoltz, Pendleton, Puckett, Morris...and who, Chili Davis? Steve Avery. Ron Gant? Hmm.... advantage 1975.
Each series featured a dramatic, walk-off homer to end Game 6. Of course, the Carlton Fisk homer has been immortalized, while the Puckett blast is largely, and unfairly, forgotten. Nonetheless, advantage 1975.
Finally, was there any significant effect on baseball that can be attributed to either WS? Baseball attendance had stagnated in the early and mid 70's. Baseball set a record attendance in 1976, broke that record again in 1977, and also in 1978, and in 1979. Many baseball scholars, including Bill James, believe that the 1975 WS "reminded people how great baseball can be", and was a factor in the increased interest in the sport. Attendance slightly decreased in 1992 (after the 1991 WS), then took a huge jump in 1993. The jump was quite likely due to expansion, and increased offense (runs per game jumped from 8.2 rpg in 1992 to 9.2 in 1993, as the steroids era was underway), moreso than the '91 WS, but its hard to tell. I suspect that the '75 WS had more of an impact, but I'll call it a wash.
The final results are in, and my call is:
#2 1991 Twins-Braves
#1 1975 Reds-Red Sox
Thats how I see it anyway.
For anyway who doesnt know, ESPN ranked all the WS recently, and their top 12 are:
12-1971, 11-1972, 10-2002, 9-1947, 8-1986, 7-1958, 6-1924, 5-1912, 4-1952, 3-2001, 2-1975, and 1-1991. I made all my selections before I saw this list, for what thats worth. Nothing I see on their site changes my mind. 1947 was good, not great. 1986 (the "Buckner" series) was Ok, and if not for Game 6, nothing special.They vastly overrate 1952, as I see it. And of course, I didnt rank 1912 or 1924, but both were wonderful Fall Classics as well.
The link to their rankings:
http://espn.go.com/swf/mlb/anniversa...eries_100.html
I think 2001 or 2003 when the underdog marlins and their victory cigars won
some nice research there Swampdog. I have not seen a lot of older "pre 1990" WS' but I think after reading about '75 I'll have to check it out. And if choosing between 2001 and '91 I would go with 2001 only because I was actually old enough to watch it live rather than see it later and knowing what was going to happen.
agreed Swampy nice job.
I wish I had seen 91 live.... or maybe I did and thats 1 reason im a braves fan in CT???
*not the real reason of course :) *
THIS is an awesome post.Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampdog
But, since I wasn't a baseball fan in 1975, 1991 is the best I've seen.
Thanks Swampy, that is pretty interesting
Yeah I wasnt alive to see that 75 series, so im still going to go with 1991 as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by filihok
It's a generational thing. If this forum was made up of mostly of guys who were between about 10 and 22 in 1960, it would be talked about a lot in these kind of threads. As it is, I think I'm probably about the oldest person who posts here on anything near a regular basis, and even I wasn't born then.Quote:
Originally Posted by dickay
Anyhow, my answer would be 91, I think. That year's game 7 was definately the best game I've ever seen.