January 21, 2008
Lucky Sevens
The Hardball Times looks at the greatest World Series game sevens. At the top of the list was a game I wasn't familiar with, the 1924 classic between the Giants and Senators.
In the final game of the Washington's first World Series, player-manager Bucky Harris made a surprising decision, calling on Curly Ogden as his starting pitcher, a completely forgettable right-hander who hadn't yet appeared in the Series. Everyone had expected the team's number-two hurler, southpaw George Mogridge. Huh?
There was a method to Harris's madness. Everything hinged on young first baseman Bill Terry. He was already a robust hitter for the Giants, but John McGraw liked to hide him against southpaws. If Harris started Mogridge, Terry would be available for pinch hitting duty later in the game; that was menacing as he matched up quite well against Harris's relief ace, right-handed Firpo Marberry.
But start Ogden, and you ensure Terry starts the game. Once McGraw had submitted his lineup card, and Ogden began the game, Harris planned on bringing in Mogridge. However, when Ogden struck out the first batter, Harris left him in: maybe it's his day.
No. After he walked the second batter, Ogden's day was done. Mogridge came in. McGraw, aware that was he being played to set up Marberry, refused to blink.
I always thought John McNamara should have done this with Boyd and Hurst in game seven in 1986. Davey Johnson loved his platoons. If the Red Sox started Boyd, then Dystrka and Backman start for the Mets. If McNamara then brings in Hurst, Johnson would either stick with his lefties against the lefties and have a weak lineup, or substitute early and lose flexibility later. Of course, Hurst starts the game and the Mets win the game and the series.