Baseball Digest articles from October 2001

Baseball Digest archives from October 2001

MIKE SCHMIDT.(Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Famer)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Hall of Famer Featured in Baseball Digest 22 Years Ago IN 1979, MIKE SCHMIDT OF THE PHILLIES enjoyed one of his most productive major leauge seasons when he hit 45 homers with 114 RBI, 109 runs, 120 walks and a .253 batting average. ...

The Fans Speak Out.
October 1, 2001... When did Washington Senators pitcher Tom Cheney get his 20th and 21st strikeouts in the 16-inning game against Baltimore on September 12, 1962? Did he go the route? Tom Putnam Buffalo, N.Y. Cheney pitched the distance, 16 innings,...

Heartbreaking Losses Often Punctuate Playoff and World Series Games.
October 1, 2001... NOT TOO LONG AGO, MIKE HARGROVE, MANAGER OF THE ORIOLES, WAS REMINISCING about the 1997 World Series which was won by the Florida Marlins over the Cleveland Indians in the 11th inning of Game 7. It was an agonizing loss for the Indians who...

BETTER THAN EVER.(Sammy Sosa)(Interview)
October 1, 2001... Sammy Sosa Cubs' Star Focuses on Team Play Slugger has stepped up his performance in an attempt to help bring back a winning tradition to Chicago's north side SAMMY SOSA WOULDN'T RECOGNIZE himself if he could turn back the clock to a...

Some Players Undeserving of `Goat' Label.(when reporters blame crucial losses on a single player)
October 1, 2001... Pinning a critical loss on one individual in crucial games, especially in World Series, often unjustified NEVER MIND ALL THAT CUFF SPEWED BY THOSE ignorant and disdainful of anything that happened before they were born about the "good old...

QUIETLY SPECIAL.(John Olerud)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... John Olerud: Consistent Producer For The Mariners Seattle first baseman continues to put up solid statistics despite little recognition for his contributions A BOY AND HIS BEST FRIEND BUY some M-80s and ignite them in a pond, looking...

Carlton Fisk Home Run Forever Frozen in Time.(Red Sox Hall of Fame catcher)(Brief Article)(Interview)
October 1, 2001... Hall of Fame catcher recalls his historic blast that won Game 6 of the 1975 World Series for the Red Sox against the Cincinnati Reds WHILE NOT A SERIES-ENDING home run, the ball Carlton Fisk hit into the night sky off the left-field...

A Dynasty's Destiny Is To End in Dismay.(New York Yankees)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... THERE'S NO TELLING HOW THE Joe Torre Yankees of the past five years (1996-2000) will ultimately be measured against the other great teams in baseball history. However, a three-peat and four world championships in five years has easily qualified...

Baseball Quick, Quiz.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2001... Collect ten points for each question answered correctly. Answers on page 95. (If you score 80 or better, you are a baseball expert; 70 or better, superior; between 60 and 70, good, and between 40 and 60, average. 1. What club is the only...

WORST-TO-FIRST.(1991 Atlanta Braves)
October 1, 2001... 1991 Was A Magical Season For The Atlanta Braves Ten years have passed since club won its first N.L. pennant after finishing with the majors' most inferior record the year before IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES, THE worst-to-first of times. It...

After 50 Years, "Shot Heard `Round The World" Still A Defining Moment in Baseball.(Ralph Branca remembers fateful pitch)(Interview)
October 1, 2001... THE PITCH HAS BEEN MEMORIALized. The lives of the two players involved have been inexorably linked. Some 50 years ago, Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca threw a smoky fastball up and in to New York Giant Bobby Thomson, who turned on it...

Most Unlikely Players To Hit 30 Homers In A Season.(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... After years of failing to produce many circuit blows, some major leaguers put up lofty, unexpected power numbers TODAY'S MAJOR LEAGUE VERSION OF home run derby has yielded prodigious seasonal totals from the likes of Mark McGwire, Sammy...

BASEBALL PROFILE FERNANDO VINA.(Brief Article)(Interview)
October 1, 2001... FULL NAME: Fernando Vina AGE, HT., WT.: 32, 5-9, 175 Born: April 16, 1969 HOME: Stateline, Nevada STATUS/FAMILY: Single, with one son, Fernando Jr. NICKNAME: Rock or Nando LIFE OUTSIDE BASEBALL: I work out and keep...

Baseball Rules Corner.(foul poles)
October 1, 2001... Foul poles often the center of home run controversies EVERY MAJOR LEAGUE BALL PARK has foul poles. Although they range in size and color, they serve the same purpose of helping umpires determine whether batted balls are fair or foul. ...

World Series Results.(since 1903)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... The Fall Classic has been a best-of-seven series except for 1903, 1919, 1920 and 1921 when the World Series was a best-of-nine game showdown between the National and American League pennant winners. Listed on these pages are World Series...

League Championship Series Results.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)(Illustration)
October 1, 2001... The League Championship Series began in 1969 with a best-of-five game series before moving to a best-of-seven game format in 1985. Below are the results of each LCS by league. AMERICAN LEAGUE Year Winner ...

Divisional Series Results.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... The divisional round of playoffs began in 1995 when both leagues were divided into three divisons and a wild card team was included into the post-season format. The Division Series has been a best-of-five since its inception in 1995. Results...

World Series Records.(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... BATTING Most series played 14--Yogi Berra, Yankees, 1947, 1949-1953, 1955-1958, 1960-1963 Most times on series-winning club(playing one or more games each series) 10--Yogi Berra, Yankees, 1947, 1949-1953,...

Career Post-Season Batting Records.(Statistical Data Included)
October 1, 2001... HOMES RUNS WORLD SERIES LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION SERIES SERIES Player HR Player HR Player HR Mickey Mantle 18 George Brett 9 Jim...