1904 World Series: Philadelphia Athletics vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Despite the tiebreaker drama, the Pirates come into this World Series as the favourites. They boast a star studded lineup that includes LF Paul Molitor (2x time All-Star, 1x time Sliver Slugger, 1x time Golden Glove), 3B Edgar Martinez (1x time All-Star, 1x time Sliver Slugger), 1B Adam Dunn (leads the league in walks), C Dale Murphy (3x time All-Star, 2x time Sliver Slugger), and 2B Ozzie Albies (3x time All-Star, 1x time Sliver Slugger).
But the true firepower lies within their pitching. The names to know are Jim Devlin (1903's Pitcher of the Year), Milo Candini, and Dummy Tayor. Taylor has been a force of nature for the Pirates once he was given a starting role in June. His ERA never topped 2.00 as he accumulated a 14-6 record and 1.77 ERA, That ERA will go down in the record books as the best of all time, unfortunately that late start will likely count against him when it comes to Pitcher of the Year voting.
The Phildelphia Athletics are anchored by their outfield. LF Fred Lynn (2x time Golden Glove), CF Braggo Roth (2x time All-Star, 1x time Sliver Slugger over his two seasons), and RF Chick Hafey (1x time All-Star and AL leader in sluggging). They are backed up by a solid pitching rotation.
The Athletics have over-preformed against left handed pitching so they thought they had a chance against Jim Devlin but they simply had no answers against the reigning Pitcher of the Year. Their only success came in the top of the 9th, RF Chick Hafey hit a triple with a fly ball out to right field and then scored with a passed ball in the next at-bat. Unfortunately not enough of an impact as the Pirates take it out 3-1.
The Philadelphia bats are unleashed to tie the series back up. The Pirates have their chances, they have ever so slightly more baserunners over the game but it's the Athletics that deliver behind a strong performance from Big Bill Lee on the mound.
The Pirates once again fail to make use of their opportunities as the Athletics take advantage in the series. Dummy Taylor is pitching a gem when he starts the bottom of the 8th but Catcher Joe Astroth gets the ball rolling with a lead-off single on the first pitch and then the Pitcher Claude Hendrix smacks a triple to get a run home. Hendrix would then score on a wild pitch in the next at-bat. Pinch hitter Elmer Valo would then hit a line drive double, RF Chick Hafey bunts Valo over to third and then CF Braggo Roth hits a single to get Valo home and give the Athletics the lead.
The Pirates were't done. They load the bases in the top of the 9th but ultimately get no one home and the Athletics get the advantage.
The Athletics got nervous in the top of the 9th. They were sitting on a comfortable 5-1 lead but Philadelphia pitcher Ham Iburg started to show a lack of control. A single, hit by pitch, and a walk loaded the bases with only one out on the board. Another Hit by Pitch drove in a run and a LF Paul Molitor single drove in another. The pressure finally gave way a little when 3B Edgar Martinez grounded into a fielder's choice, it drove in another run but 1B Adam Dunn grounded out in the next at-bat to finish the game and put the Athletics one win away from the World Champion title.
It's fitting that the combo of Philadelphia CF Braggo Roth and RF Chick Hafey is the duo that provide the winning run in the bottom of the 8th. The two of them have been at the heart of the Athletic's success this season. With one out on the board, Hafey hit a double, LF Fred Lynn will strike out to bring up Roth. He'd watch the first pitch go for a ball, have a swing and miss on the second, and then smack the third for another double to get Hafey -- and the lead -- home.
It was a back-and-forth game. The Athletics got into the run scoring early with 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st but a massive 6-run inning from the Pirates in the 3rd changed the narrative of the game. The Athletics fought back in the bottom of the 3rd to trim the Pirates lead down to a single run.
The lead bounced around until finally settling in Philadelphia's advantage. Willie McGill took the mound for the top of the 9th, he gave up a single to Ozzie Albies but then promptly struck out the next three out to seal it up.
