World Series Game 6: The 10 most decisive moments in MLB history
By Bill Felber
4. Lance Berkman, 2011 St. Louis Cardinals. Hamilton’s previously mentioned home run appeared to give Texas the decisive two-run extra inning advantage heading in to the bottom of the 11th. But appearances can be deceiving, especially when the Cardinals are involved.
In the bottom of that same inning, Texas sent Darren Oliver out in search of those final three outs. But Daniel Descalso and Jon Jay singled, and a sacrifice bunt later Oliver was removed in favor of Scott Feldman.
Ryan Theriot managed only a ground out, but it was enough to get Descalso across and draw St. Louis one run closer. With slugger Albert Pujols due next, Rangers manager Ron Washington ordered an intentional walk, opting to face veteran Lance Berkman rather than Pujols.
From a Ranger standpoint, the veteran switch hitter was not much of an improvement on Pujols, coming off a .301 season that included 31 home runs and 94 RBIs. Berkman worked the count to 2-2, then lined a base hit into center field that scored Jay with the tying run. Berkman Win Probability Added: 47 percent.
3. Bob Meusel, 1923 New York Yankees. The two-time defending World Series champion New York Giants faced their cross-town rivals the Yankees, with survival on their minds. The Yanks needed just one more win to dethrone the Giants and pick up their first World Series title in franchise history.
Seven innings into the game at the Polo Grounds, the Giants led 4-1, keeping their hope of a three-peat alive and well. But that hope evaporated in a few minutes, the heart of the Yankee offense being responsible.
Wally Schang and Everett Scott set the stage with one-out singles off Giant ace Art Nehf. A walk loaded the bases for Yankee pinch hitter Joe Bush, who also walked, forcing home a run and knocking Nehf off the mound in favor of Rosy Ryan.
Then a third straight walk, this one to Joe Dugan, made it 4-3. Ryan recovered with a strikeout of Babe Ruth, leaving him one out away from escaping the bases loaded mess as Yankee cleanup hitter Bob Meusel came to the plate.
Meusel was a slashing hitter coming of a .313 regular season as he stood in. He took a strike, then slapped a ground ball past Ryan and on into center field, scoring the tying and go-ahead runs, and adding an insurance run when Giant center fielder Bill Cunningham threw wildly to third base.
Two failed Giant at bats later the Yanks walked off as 6-4 winners and Series champions. Meusel Win Probability Added: 54 percent.