The 25 most decisive plays in World Series history
By Bill Felber
25. Game 7, October 27, 1991. Atlanta Braves at Minnesota Twins
Kent Hrbek vs. Mike Stanton. Change in Championship Probability: 27.49 percent
There is general agreement that the seventh game of the 1991 World Series, the pitchers’ duel between Jack Morris and John Smoltz, ranks among the great games in baseball history.
Several moments stand out from that evening, two of which rank among the 25 most decisive in World Series history. Both unfolded during the eighth inning of that scoreless duel, and – on a pitching-dominant night — both turned in favor of the defense.
By the bottom of the eighth, it seemed clear that if either team could push across a run, that would be the difference in the world championship. When Randy Bush, pinch hitting for Greg Gagne, opened the bottom of the eighth with only the fifth hit off Smoltz, the wheels began turning in both dugouts.
Twins manager Tom Kelly sent Al Newman out to run for Bush, entrusting the offense to leadoff hitter Dan Gladden. Smoltz got him on an easy fly to Ron Gant in center.
But Chuck Knoblach sent a line drive past first baseman Sid Bream, allowing Newman to carry the go-ahead run all the way to third base. His hand forced, Braves manager Bobby Cox pulled Smoltz, opting instead for lefty ace Mike Stanton to walk the powerful Kirby Puckett and load the bases, then take his chances with the equally dangerous Kent Hrbek.
It was strictly a matter of playing the percentages. A 20-homer guy during the regular season, Hrbek Hrbek had found nothing but frustration against Braves pitching. His series had netted only three hits in 20 at bats, a .150 average.
Against Smoltz that night he’d had only buzzard’s luck: a lineout, a fly to the deepest part of the park, and – to add injury – he’d been hit by a pitch.
Facing Stanton, Hrbek worked the count to 2-1, looked for a fat fastball and got it. He squared it up but drove it right into the glove of Braves second baseman Mark Lemke. In a split second Lemke caught the ball and stepped on second for the threat-killing double play.
When Hrbek came to bat in a bases loaded, one out, bottom of the eighth situation, the odds of a Twins victory measured 77 percent. The line drive double play reduced those odds to dead even, 50 percent.