Friday, September 22, 2006

god I love this game

"Eckersley battling Kirk Gibson; outfielders deep straightaway. Here it comes: Outside, ball one. Throw to first -- Davis had to struggle to get back in first. And Hassey almost picked him off. That would have been a terrible way for this Dodger team to end the game. One ball, two strikes the count. Gibson heaves a deep sigh, digs back in, gets back in and waits. One ball, two strikes, here comes another: The runner going, swing and a foul, out of play, off to the left. Boy, what a tough cookie this Gibson is. ... He's playing hurt, hurt, hurt. He's up there with a one-ball, two-strike count, two out, tying run at first, bottom of the ninth. The pitch: high, two and two.

"Two and two the count to Gibson, tying run at first, two out. Throw to first, the runner's back. The A's are leading, 4 to 3, bottom of the ninth, 55,000-plus for the first game of this '88 Series. Gibson will get back in with a 2-2 count, and sooner or later Eckersley's gonna have to come to him again. He had a two-strike count, now it's 2-2. The right-hander is ready. Here it comes, the runner going, it's outside. No throw, stolen base. Tying run at second, two out and 3-2 on Gibson!

"And now an easier opportunity to tie this game if Gibson can solve the Dennis Eckersley who saved 45 games for the A's this year. He's trying to save it for Dave Stewart. Mike Davis at second base with two out. Three and two to Gibson. A base hit would tie it, a home run would win it for the Dodgers. If Gibson gets on, Sax comes up. From the stretch -- time called by Gibson.

"We have a big 3-2 pitch coming here from Eckersley. Gibson swings, and a fly ball to deep right field. This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, 5 to 4. I don't believe what I just saw! I don't believe what I just saw!

"One of the most remarkable finishes to any World Series game. A one-handed home run by Kirk Gibson, and the Dodgers have won it, 5 to 4, and I am stunned. ... I have seen a lot of dramatic finishes in a lot of sports, but this one might top almost every other one. ... Will you give me a slap alongside the head so I can realize that what I saw is the truth?"

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