Baseball History Today: October 17th

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

2005 – The Houston Astros held a three games to one edge in the NLCS. In Game 5, they were one out away from clinching the National League Pennant and their first World Series appearance. With Brad Lidge on the mound, all that stood in the ‘Stros way was Albert Pujols, then of the St. Louis Cardinals..

Then this…

The Cardinals would win Game 5 and force the series back to Busch Stadium.

1999 – The famous “grand slam single” by Robin Ventura.

The drive sent the NLCS back to Atlanta for Game 6.

1996 – The Atlanta Braves complete their comeback in the NLCS after trailing the St. Louis Cardinals, three games to one. In Game 7, the Braves rout the Cards, 15-0, for the biggest blowout in postseason history.

1995 – The Cleveland Indians defeat the Seattle Mariners 4-0 in Game 6 of the ALCS to capture their first AL pennant since 1954.

1989 – A mere minutes before the start of Game 3 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants…

If you don’t wish to watch all the pregame, forward to about 4:30. The game would be postponed and the Series would resume 11 days later.

1974 – The Oakland A’s complete the three-peat, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series by a score of 3-2. The A’s join the New York Yankees as the only teams to accomplish winning three Series in a row.

1964 – After compiling a 99-63 record and reaching the World Series, the New York Yankees fire manager Yogi Berra after the Yankees drop Game 7 of the World Series. In a strange twist, Cardinals manager Johnny Keane, who had defeated the Yankees in the Series, resigns and takes the helm of the Yankees.

Notable Birthdays:
Carlos Gonzalez (1985)
John Rocker (1974)
Jim “Junior” Gilliam (1928; d. 1978)