Denver Post staff writer Mike Burrows recaps the major moments in Series history throughout
the week.
5
GAME 1, OCT. 15, 1988
Hollywood script
Dodgers 5, Athletics 4
Hobbled because of hamstring and knee injuries, Kirk Gibson had one at-bat in the 1988 World Series.
Dodgers fans and Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley won’t ever forget it.
Summoned by Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda to pinch hit with two out in the ninth, Gibson limped to the plate and hit a two-run homer off Eckersley to beat the mighty A’s and propel the Dodgers to a World Series title in five games.
Oakland slugger Jose Canseco hit a grand slam in the second inning at Dodger Stadium. When the A’s took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth, they had one of the dominant relief pitchers in baseball history on the mound.
Eckersley, a former 20-game winner who pitched a no-hitter in 1977, made a smooth transition to the bullpen and compiled 256 saves for the A’s from 1988-93. But he couldn’t save the A’s from Gibson’s blast.
Broadcasting the game, Jack Buck said it best: “I don’t believe what I just saw!”
4
GAME 6, OCT. 18, 1977
Mr. October
Yankees 8, Dodgers 4
Three muscular swings of Reggie Jackson’s bat at Yankee Stadium made sure the Yankees would win the World Series for the first time since 1962.
Jackson completed his first season with the Yankees in Ruthian fashion, hitting a home run in three consecutive at-bats.
First homer: A two-run shot off the Dodgers’ Burt Hooten in the fourth inning.
Second homer: A two-run shot off Elias Sosa in the fifth inning.
Third homer: A solo shot off Charlie Hough in the eighth inning.
Jackson had a new nickname, star status in Yankees lore and the MVP award of the 1977 World Series. There was no need for Game 7, not after Jackson batted .450, hit five homers, scored 10 runs and drove in eight to help the Yankees win in six.
