Chicago – A baby was never in better hands.
Outside the visitors clubhouse, blended into a sea of hangers-on, long-lost relatives and close friends, White Sox third baseman Joe Crede held his infant daughter Anna. He bounced her up and down in his arm, leaving her with a smile brighter than her pink suit.
She had no idea that her father had played his best in the biggest game of his life. She knew, however, she wasn’t going to drop.
On a chilly Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field, Crede made two spectacular defensive plays and hit the go-ahead home run, delivering the White Sox a 5-3 victory over the Houston Astros in the World Series opener.
“That’s just Joe. That’s what he’s been doing all year,” catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. “If he gets a glove on it, you’re out.”
Nothing against Crede, but this wasn’t supposed to happen. This game was supposed to center on Roger Clemens, the future Hall of Famer soaking up the spotlight and mopping up White Sox hitters.
Crede, however, spilled ketchup on that script. All he did was go Brooks Robinson. All Clemens did was head to the locker room after two forgettable innings with a left hamstring injury. Nearly 50 minutes after the game, Clemens finally provided an explanation.
“I had the problem in the second inning, and fought my way through that. I came (into the clubhouse) to have them check it, and the fluid had already started to build up in my leg,” Clemens said. “They gave me medication, and I’m going to treat it, and that’s all I can tell you from there.”
Clemens will be hard-pressed to top the performance turned in by Crede. Bursting from obscurity, if not mediocrity, this October, Crede worked over the Astros. In the sixth inning, Crede’s team white-knuckled a 4-3 advantage, a cushion provided by his solo home run.
Ozzie Guillen, who manages without a seat belt, decided to take a calculated risk.
With Willy Taveras standing on third and one out, he ordered his infielders to play on the grass to cut the run at home. Houston’s Morgan Ensberg lined a shot to third that screamed double off the bat.
Crede calmly dropped to his knees, backhanded the ball and threw a strike to first. Mike Lamb grounded out to second base moments later, extinguishing the threat.
“I have seen Joe make that play all the time,” shortstop Juan Uribe said. “He’s a good player. I am not surprised.”
In what amounted to a replay, Crede stabbed a Craig Biggio one-hopper with runners at first and third in the seventh. Biggio could only kick dirt in disbelief after easily being erased at first base.
“I was just fortunate to be in the right spot at the right time,” Crede said. “As far as the magnitude of the game, sure there’s no bigger stage.”
That’s why the Rocket’s failure to lift off seemed so odd. Clemens seemed out of sorts from his first pitch, and without his good splitter, was left naked against the White Sox. Had he won, it would have provided ammunition for all those who believe the Astros will claim their first World Series title.
In the end, he was outpitched by Jose Contreras, who worked seven innings before giving way to the bullpen.
“I knew I was coming out because the guys were so fresh,” Contreras said. “I could get more outs, but it was their turn.”
For all of the Astros’ problems with Clemens and their lame at-bats with runners in scoring position, they still had a chance to win in the eighth. Neal Cotts and Bobby Jenks struck out the side with two runners aboard. Jeff Bagwell went down on six pitches, including three from Jenks that reached 100 mph.
The outcome, it turns out, was already shaped by Crede’s dependable hands.
“Obviously, I had butterflies,” Crede said. “Once you realize it’s still a game, you calm down and try to get a win any way you can.”
2005 WORLD SERIES
THE PITCH
Contreras has the edge
What seemed unthinkable when they were Yankee teammates is now reality. Jose Contreras is better than Roger Clemens, a matchup that holds the key to the series. Contreras grinded through seven innings of three-run ball. More important, his victory helps neutralize Game 3 starter Roy Oswalt’s impact.
DUGOUT DECISION
Oh, what a relief
Ozzie Guillen showed no fear in going to a well-rested and potentially rusty bullpen. Neal Cotts and Bobby Jenks struck out the side in the eighth inning. That’s one more out than the White Sox relievers recorded in their five-game demolition of the Angels in the American League Championship Series.
BY THE NUMBERS
19 years
Gap between Clemens’ first World Series and his last. He looked every day of his 43 years, laboring through two innings, struggling to get loose with a strained left hamstring. Evidence his split-finger has vanished: Clemens has thrown 161 pitches over his last eight postseason innings and struck out just two batters.
TODAY
Game 2
Houston (Pettitte 17-9; 1-1) at Chicago (Buehrle 16-8; 2-0), 6:09 p.m., KDVR-31
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
