Minnesota Twins fans have something to say about best World Series
The 2017 World Series has been exciting no doubt, but Minnesota Twins fans have been getting a little tired of the “best Series ever” talk
Every well-matched World Series provides excellent games, but it seems the Minnesota Twins have a pretty good claim on participating in the greatest one ever, no matter what hyperbole you may read about the 2017 series.
Before 2017 can even enter that conversation, it really does need to go the distance of 7 games, but even then, it would have work to do to catch up with the brilliance of 1991, when the Twins and Atlanta Braves squared off in what is widely considered the best World Series in the last 50 years.
Extra inning drama
Sporting news recently compared three of the top contenders for the best series of all time and some of the attributes they carried for excitement. In each of those, the Twins and Braves were ahead of the other two mentions.
In the 1991 World Series, the Twins and Braves played 3 extra inning games, games 3, 6, and 7, with the Braves winning one and the Twins winning two. Mark Lemke became an Atlanta hero based on his play in game 3 – and the rest of the World Series – as he knocked in the game-winning run.
Baseball fans throughout the game know of the epic game 6 of Kirby Puckett. He quite literally put the team on his back, making an amazing leaping grab against the wall to steal an extra-base hit, and then in extra innings, he took Braves veteran Charlie Liebrandt deep, winning the game in a walk-off, sending the series to game 7.
In that 7th game, neither team could push a run across until the 10th inning when Dan Gladden doubled to lead off the 10th inning, Chuck Knoblauch sacrificed him over, and Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek were intentionally walked. Gene Larkin pinch hit, sending a long single to left center to win the ball game and the series.
The 2017 series does have two extra inning games so far, so it has a chance to hit 3, which is something that other “contenders” simply can’t match with the 1991 series.
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: Does the MLB or the Twins have a Spending Problem?
- Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
- Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason
- Minnesota Twins: After signing with the Mets, Correa spurns Twins again
- Minnesota Twins: You Spin Me Right Round, Right Round
Final games drama
Both game 6 and game 7 were notable in the 1991 series for their drama, with 1991’s final game considered one of, if not THE single, best game 7’s of all time.
The 1975 World Series had an epic game 6, but while game 7 was incredible, it wasn’t to the same level as the back to back extra-inning affairs of 1991. The 2001 World Series had one of the few game 7’s that can match up with 1991, but game 6 was a considerable blow out victory for Arizona.
Of course, the 2017 series has yet to even have a game 6 and isn’t guaranteed a game 7, so this area may not even be in play this season.
Next: Twins Bullpen Options for 2018
So when you hear this interview from John Smoltz, one of the two men who battled out game 7, and he suggests that this season’s Series is “better”, but he also qualifies it by mentioning the player emotions, it isn’t the same as many have used that clip in saying that Smoltz is claiming the series is better overall.
Hopefully, the game tonight can be exciting, but remember through the hyperbole that we as Twins fans have already seen one of the most epic performances ever!