The Greatest Game?

Being known as the "greatest" something or other in sports is just about the best thing you can ever be called. Dennis Rodman is the greatest rebounder ever. Anthony Munoz the greatest lineman. Babe Ruth the greatest hitter. Richard Petty the greatest racer.

Even being the greatest to play on a particular team insures infamy. Who's the greatest Cardinal? The greatest Dodgers pitcher? Even the greatest minor leaguer lives forever in his own town - you don't know who Jody Gage is or P.J. Forbes are, but if you lived in my town you would.

MLB Network decided to count down the "20 Greatest Games" in MLB history. Having played in the greatest game ever or even one of them? Now that's some serious fame. The problem is, as it turns out, that the list is about singular moments than the full game.

Last night was No. 8, the famous Cubs vs. Marlins "Steve Bartman game." The moment Bartman knocks the ball away from Alou is about as famous as any in baseball. But as a full game? It would be No. 1 on the most overblown games in the history of baseball.

Bartman going all Motombo on Alou shouldn't have actually meant anything to the game. In fact, you could make an argument that it really didn't mean a darn thing! Luis Castillo comes up with nobody out and one man on base. Let's say Alou makes the catch. Then Juan Pierre is still on second and the next batter, Ivan Rodriguez, singles. Pierre scores and it's 3-1. Alex Gonzalez makes an error on Miguel Cabrara's liner. Derrek Lee doubles, make it 3-2 with second and third with one out.

Now, we know how Dusty Baker is, but let's just say that he still goes to the bullpen here. Mike Lowell would still get intentionally walked and Jeff Conine would still get the sac fly - only to tie the game. Sammy Sosa still misses the cutoff man, Todd Hollinsworth is still walked and Mike Mordaci still clears the bases with a double.

OK, you don't have to let facts get in the way of a great story. The outrage over Bartman goes hand-in-hand with the superstitious nature of the game. It's those types of stories that allows the game to be passed down. But, there is no way in hell that moment makes the Cubs vs. Marlins game 6 one of the greatest games in Major League Baseball history.

Funny that when you ask a baseball fan why he loves the game, he'll eventually get to: "you have to play all nine innings, there's no killing the clock." If the idea is that all 27 outs are important, then how can one wacky foul ball make a great game?

The game wasn't pretty, either. There were errors, wild pitches and managerial blunders a plenty. Shouldn't the greatest game have great play rather than who screwed up worse?

Historical context, legendary characters, unlikely heroes, a magnificent ending and that infamous moment. The Cubs/Marlins only has several aspects: Chicago's World Series drought and the Billy Goat thing, Bartman is your character, unlikely hero and moment. But an 8-3 game is one of the 20 best ever? Could a 6-2 Stanley Cup Finals game make your top 1,000? How about a 27-10 NFL game?

Do any of the greatest films of all time have bad endings? If we didn't find out what Rosebud was, would Citizen Kane mean a darn thing? How about the bomb not going off in Dr. Strangelove? Would Rocky be in the top 100 films ever if Stalone doesn't scream Adrian's name? That's exactly what having a great game with a blah ending is. Great endings don't make a great game either. The ending to Godfather 3 is pretty powerful, if you don't pass out half way through.

That being said, here's my list based on the 50 possible choices (which leaves out Cardinals vs. Astros game 7 NLCS 2004 for some reason, though neither is the 'Shot Heard 'Round the World') given by MLB Network:

20) 1988 Game 4 NLCS Mets vs. Dodgers

Orel Hershiser was committed in 1988 to make his place in history. Not only did he throw the most consecutive innings without giving up a run, but in Game 4, he pitched relief and made his way out of a bases loaded jam just one day after starting Game 3. That wasn't the only drama to this one as in the ninth, down by two, catcher Mike Scioscia hit a two-run home run home run to tie the game at four. Three innings later, in Shea Stadium, Gibson hit the game winning bomb.

19) 1992 Game 7 NLCS Pirates vs. Braves

You could watch an entire season's worth of baseball and never see an umpire have to be replaced, but in this game John McSherry left with chest pains early. Pirates fans STILL think if Randy Marsh hadn't replaced McSherry, that they would have been in the World Series. Even the Wiki page claims that Marsh was "particularly tight" in the ninth inning when the Braves scored all three of their runs. Sid Bream running is memorable on its own, much less him sliding into home to end the series.

18) 1997 Game 7 Marlins vs. Indians

Cleveland nabbed two runs in the third inning on a Tony Fernandez two-run single. For a minute you think Fernandez is the unlikely hero as the Indians take a 2-1 lead into the ninth. Cleveland must have felt great with Jose Mesa and his 2.40 ERA on the hill for the ninth, but a pair of singles and a sacrifice fly and the game headed to extras. Enter: Fernandez. Enter: Baseball Gods. Only they would allow something so sick as for the second baseman, who would have been a hero to a town that hadn't won since the 40s, to misplay a ball in the eleventh inning. While I still feel weird about the Marlins having a World Series championship, Renteria's walk-off single is one of the most memorable moments in series history.

17) 2007 Game 163 Rockies vs. Padres

There's something about a game that leaves you wondering. Great films do the same. They leave you thinking "what if?" Not only was this game wacky because five runs were scored in the 13th after four straight scoreless innings, but also because we'll never know if Matt Holliday was safe. There's an everlasting image of his face bouncing off of the dirt around home plate. But was he safe? Isn't it just indicative of baseball to have a play where the camera can't even tell us the answer?

16) 1986 Game 6 NLCS Astros vs. Mets

 The box score alone is just weird. Three runs by the Astros in the first, three runs by the Mets in the ninth. Things didn't really get interesting until the, oh, 14th inning. The got a run in the top, but left the bases loaded. The Astros make them pay in the bottom with a home run by Billy Hatcher. In the 16th, the Mets must have thought they had rid themselves of Houston by scoring three runs, but the Astros scratched out two runs before finally being shut down. Many Mets players have said if they hadn't won Game 6, Mike Scott surely would have beaten them in Game 7 (or at least it makes it sound more important when you say that).

15) 1976 Game 5 ALCS Royals vs. Yankees

Whitey Herzog and Billy Martin, two legendary managers facing off in five games none separated by more than three runs. Kansas City had come back with three runs in the eighth inning and thought they had it wrapped up. But, as a friend often says: "never bet against the Yankees." Tell me you'll ever forget the scene of Chris Chambliss being mobbed by thousands of fans?

14)1985 Game 5 NLCS Cardinals vs. Dodgers

Do I really need to say more than "Go crazy folks, go crazy!" Well, yes. The Dodgers had their ace on the mound Fernando Valenzuela, who somehow walked eight batters and still only allowed two runs through eight innings. On the other side, St. Louis' starter was out by the fourth inning after allowing two runs. The bullpen trio of Ken Dayley, Todd Worrell and Jeff Lahti held the score at 2-2 until the ninth. Then of course, our unlikely hero Ozzie Smith hits a walk-off home runs. Smith, a switch hitter, slammed the pitch out against righty Tom Niedenfuer after not hitting a single left-handed home run all season.

13) 2001 Game 7 World Series Diamondbacks vs. Yankees

The perfect ending to the wackiest World Series I've ever witnessed. The thing is, the Yankees had this one won. But, as is typical of Joe Torre, he mismanaged his bullpen electing to pitch Mariano Rivera two innings. In the ninth, it was a bunt by Tony Womack which was consequently misplayed by Rivera, that ended up leading to the broken-bat single. The ending to this one still has me wondering why Torre didn't play Derek Jeter at double-play depth with bases loaded and one out.


12) 1980 Game 5 NLCS Phillies vs. Astros

This entire series was off the wall. All but one game went into extra innings and the last one, Game 5, was the best. Houston took a 5-2 lead into the eighth inning with Nolan Ryan on the mound, but somehow the Phillies - on the back of an inauspicious and single, walk and groundout - tied the game. A two-run triple put them ahead. But, the Astros scored two of their own in the eighth to eventually send it to extras at 7-7. A pair of doubles later and the 'Phils were on their way to the World Series. I hate to put a single game so high because it embodied the beauty of the entire series, but for this one, I'll make an exception.

11) 1995 Game 5 ALDS Mariners vs. Yankees

The first playoff series win ever by the Mariners. Edgar Martinez's double. Griffey rounding third. This whole series was incredible, and that moment wrapped it up perfectly. The superstar power in this series and game stood out. Griffey Jr. hits his fifth bomb, Randy Johnson comes in in relief. The game goes into 11 innings and the Yankees score in the top. You think it's over and here comes Griffey again. Though your unsung hero is Joey Cora for laying down a bunt single and scoring the tying run. This is the first playoff game I remember clearly and I will never forget it.


10) 2006 Game 7 Cardinals vs. Mets

It could have been Scott Rolen, Albert Pujols or Jim Edmonds. It could have been David Wright or Carlos Beltran. But, the heroes of this Game 7 were Endy Chavez and Yadier Molina. Now, baseball people know Molina is the league's best defensive catcher, but on this night he hit a home run in the eighth inning to put the Cards ahead. Earlier in the game, Chavez made one of the league's all-time best catches, leaping up and reaching his glove well over the wall to stop the potential game leading home run. Regardless, the moment that will live forever is rookie pitcher Adam Wainwright's curveball on a 3-2 count with the bases loaded and a one-run lead. Molina is rarely credited for daring to call the pitch with a rookie on the hill.


9) 2004 Game 4 Red Sox vs. Yankees

Maybe the greatest unexpected hero ever Dave Roberts. You'll never forget "The Steal." Neither will I. Not only does it take a damn miracle to beat Mariano Rivera in the post-season, but Bill Mueller is the one who drives him in. BILL MUELLER. It's always looked at as the moment that turned around the greatest series comeback in the history of the game. Game 4 is perfectly finished off by the most exciting play in sports: a walk-off home run.


8) 1962 Game 7 World Series Giants vs. Yankees

Giants fans like to think if there had been the types of grounds crews there are today, they'd have another World Series victory. The game was 1-0, and Willie Mays gets walked. Next batter hits a double but Mays has to stop at third because the wet conditions held the ball up from rolling to the wall. Willy McCovey comes up, nails a line-drive right at Bobby Richardson, game over. Any World Series that ends 1-0 in Game 7 with the winning run on base deserves top 10.


7) 2001 Game 4 Yankees vs. Diamondbacks

 You would be kidding yourself if you thought this World Series didn't mean more being 2001. Though the Yankees lost the series, you would have thought they were destined. Honestly, I've never seen so much emotion in an MLB stadium as there was during Game 4. It wasn't just Jeter's "Mr. November," but Tino Martinez's two-run home run to tie the game against the helpless Byung-Hyun Kim.

6) 1986 Game 6 Red Sox vs. Mets

What makes this game stick out so much to me is Vin Scully. The calls, "it's so quiet in New York you can hear Boston" and "behind the bag." Scully's calls add a special type of drama that makes you want to watch the highlights over and over. The ball rolling under Buckner's legs doesn't stand out in my mind as much as the faces of the Red Sox players. Clemens freshly-shaved face. Henderson's smile when he tosses in the ball after recording the second out. Then absolute heart break.

5) 2002 Game 6 Angels vs. Giants

 One of my personal favorite World Series winning teams ever. Absolutely no big name stars vs. Barry Bonds. In Game 6, Bonds is almost a hero, hitting his eighth home run of the post-season. He almost celebrated the championship he'd left Pittsburgh to grab. And, somehow, Scott Spezio rips it out of Bonds' grasp.

4) 1991 Game 7 World Series - Braves vs. Twins

Best pitched game ever? Maybe. But zeros in extra innings of Game 7 of a World Series? Kirby's catch? Jack taking it to the 10th? Walk-off ending? Yeah.


3) 2003 Game 7 ALCS Yankees vs. Red Sox

For my money, Pedro Martinez was the best pitcher in the history of baseball. In 2003, he faced up with what you could have called the greatest lineup in the history of baseball. Of course, Aaron Boone is your unlikely hero for his extra innings home run against Tim Wakefield, but if Grady Little doesn't let Pedro convince him to stay on the mound...well....who knows. Funny thing is, Martinez made a beautiful pitch to Jorge Posada with runners on second and third and one out. Posada gets jammed and floats one into the outfield scoring two to tie the game at five.  

2) 1975 Game 6 World Series Red Sox vs. Reds

Carlton Fisk made his name forever by waiving his arms at a fly ball down the line, but it was Bernie Carbo's three-run home run in the eighth that allowed Fisk a chance. I'm never as interested in the last moment as I am about the events that allowed THE moment to happen. Things like Fred Lynn nearly making a diving catch on a George Foster line drive or three days of rain that allowed the Sox to pitch Luis Tiant in Game 6 and Bill Lee in Game 7.

1) 1986 Game 5 ALCS - Red Sox vs. Angels


I'd be lying if I said that what happened with Donnie Moore years after this game didn't influence my choice to have this game as No. 1. Moore's eventual suicide gives extra meaning to this game in the long-term. But, there was so much more to it than just Dave Henderson's home run. Tied at 5-5, the Angels loaded the bases with just one out but couldn't score against Steve Crawford. In the 10th, Henderson came through again with a sacrifice fly to eventually win the game for the Red Sox.

It's the greatest game on the list because it encompasses every aspect of what makes a single game great. It has unlikely heroes like Crawford. It has nine innings of well played baseball and one ever-lasting moment in Moore's flat forkball. There is lore that will live on forever, such as the fact that Moore wasn't even supposed to pitch that day due to arm soreness. Without that forkball to Henderson, Bill Buckner never misses a slow grounder down the first base line.