Midday Memories: Twins 1991 World Series Game 3

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport – US PRESSWIRE

The 1991 World Series was named the #1 Fall Classic of all time by ESPN.  Relive the memories this postseason by celebrating the anniversary of the ’91 World Series games.

It was no surprise after the controversial out at first in Game 2 that Atlanta Braves fans were less than welcoming to Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek when the team arrived at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The boos rang out loud and clear when the first baseman was introduced before the game, but Hrbek clearly enjoyed infamy and responded by tipping his cap to the crowd.

While Minnesota fans had a reputation for creating deafening excitement in the Metrodome, Atlanta was not about to let them run away with the title of #1 Fanbase, at least not without a fight.  Atlanta fans were loud, energetic, and were emphatic in their Tomahawk Chop.  (Author’s note:  Remembering the Tomahawk Chop is still liable to bring back my childhood nightmares.)

The Twins seemed to start off strong, with Dan Gladden tripling to center field in the first on a ball that probably should have been caught.  Gladden scored on a Chuck Knoblauch sac-fly, and the Twins were up 1-0.

Atlanta came back to tie it in the second, but Twins starting pitcher Scott Erickson otherwise kept his composure until the fourth and fifth innings.  These were big for the Braves, who hit two homeruns off of Erickson.  With the two dingers, a walk, and a wild pitch in those two innings, Erickson was yanked for Twins reliever David West, who upped the damage to 4-1 Braves by walking in a run.

The Twins chipped away at the deficit when center fielder Kirby Puckett got his first hit of the series, a solo shot in the seventh that made the score 4-2 Braves.  But it was pinch hitter Chili Davis who tied the game with a clutch two-run homer in the eighth.

The game remained tied and went into extra innings.  Closer Rick Aguilera became the twenty-third player used by Twins manager Tom Kelly when Aggie unsuccessfully pinch hit for Mark Guthrie with two outs in the twelfth.  Aggie took the mound in the bottom of the inning, and he couldn’t get out of it cleanly.  With men on first and second, Mark Lemke hit a shallow fly ball into left center.  Gladden threw the ball to the plate, barely missing the out.  Despite a strong Twins effort, David Justice scored, the game was over, and Atlanta had their first World Series win ever.

Check back at lunchtime on Tuesday for a Game 4 recap, as the Twins try to right the ship with Game 1 winner Jack Morris at the helm.