"You spend your life gripping a baseball and it turns out it was the other way around all the time."
-------Jim Bouton
The real story from last night's game was all about a former Blue Jay. Roberto Alomar made two errors in the top of the 1st, struck out looking in the bottom of the inning and then came out of the game.
It was Alomar's first game after missing a week with back problems, and he told Lou Piniella last night that he was having difficulty seeing. Speculation is rife that he will announce his retirement later today.
If true, it brings a remarkable career to a sad and sudden end. Just three years ago, Alomar was on the fast track to the Hall of Fame, and 3000 hits looked to be within easy reach. He still looks eminently well-qualified to me, but his selection may not be as automatic as it once seemed.
Most players do not get to retire from the game - instead, the game retires them. If Alomar is indeed done, of the 38 men who played for Toronto's last World Series champion in 1993, only five are certain be active in 2005. And two of those five, Shawn Green and Carlos Delgado, were September call-ups in September 2003. They went a combined 0-7 and were not part of the post-season roster. Woody Williams was a rookie in 1993; he made 30 appearances out of the bullpen and was not used in the post-season.
The only men who participated in the 1993 post-season and are still active this season are Al Leiter and Mike Timlin. Leiter was the swing man in 1993, filling in for first Stewart, then Stottlemyre, and then Morris in the rotation; he pitched long relief when all five starters were on board. Timlin was the sixth man in the pen that year, behind Ward, Cox, Castillo, Eichhorn, and Leiter.
It's safe to say that if you had asked anyone in 1993 who on the Toronto team was most likely to still be a productive major leaguer in 2005, two names would have been mentioned by everyone: the 25 year old second baseman, who had just hit .326 with 17 HR and 93 RBI and won another Gold Glove; and the 24 year old first baseman, who had led the league in hitting at .363.
See, it's like Yogi always says: in baseball, you don't know nothing.
Alomar may yet be back. For that matter, John Olerud hasn't officially retired yet. Pat Borders has a minor league deal, and could pop up again. And Rickey Henderson, Doug Linton, and - who knows - the immortal Luis Sojo could still make one final curtain call. As unlikely as it may seem.
But as we speak, here's how it ended for everybody.
For one of the World Series champs, it actually ended well before the World Series:
1. Ken Dayley, Apr 14, 1993 - he faced two Seattle batters, allowed a BB and a 2B. Never pitched again. Never could overcome his sudden problem with vertigo.
2. Domingo Martinez, Oct 3, 1993 - pinch hit for Olerud in the season finale, stayed in at 1B, went 1-3. This was also the last regular season game for both Alfredo Griffin and and Willie Canate. Martinez signed with the White Sox in 1994, but never played for them.
3. Willie Canate, Oct 21, 1993 - pinch ran for Borders in the 8th inning of Game 5. Thrown out at home trying to score on a comebacker to the mound, with the Jays down 2-0.
4. Alfredo Griffin, Oct 23, 1993 - pinch ran for Olerud in the 8th inning of Game 6 as the tying run. He made it as far as third, but was stranded. Stayed in the game to play 3B. He was in the on-deck circle when Carter hit his HR. I remember looking at him when the count went to 2-2 and thinking "I hope Coles is getting loose."
5. Jack Morris, Aug 7, 1994 - pitching for Cleveland and was roughed up for 9 hits and 7 R in 3.1 IP, but Indians rallied to win. The strike hit before the week was over.
6. Duane Ward, Jun 22, 1995 - just his 4th appearance since the World Series finale in 1993. They were all disastrous. This night, he retired just 1 of 6 hitters. Went back to the DL, and never pitched in the majors again.
7. Dave Stewart, Jul 17, 1995 - back with Oakland, gave up 8 R in 2 IP, taking the loss and falling to 3-7 6.89 on the season. Called it a career.
8. Danny Cox, Sep 18, 1995 - three days shy of his 36th birthday, he had battled arm problems for the last 8 years of his career; Cito Gaston somehow squeezed one effective season out of him. Cox relieved Jeff Ware with a 1-0 lead, and allowed 3 in the 7th and 5 in the 8th. Took the loss.
9. Mark Eichhorn, Sep 14, 1996 - with his Angels down 4-3 in the 7th, Eichhorn came in with 1 on and none out. Gave up a hit and 3 BB. Didn't get into another game that year.
10. Dick Schofield, Sep 29, 1996 - finished up with the Angels, where he started. Played 2b in season finale and went 1-3.
11. Darnell Coles, May 22, 1997 - played briefly for the Rockies in 1997. He finished this game at 3B and singled against Doug Henry. Sold to Hanshin the next day.
12. Huck Flener, Jul 28, 1997 - started Game 2 of DH against Mil, came out trailing 4-2 in 3rd. Took the loss. An eye injury ended his career before he ever made it back.
13. Scott Brow, May 31, 1998 - worked a scoreless 6th against SF and left for a PH. Arizona traded him to the Yankees 3 days later, and he never pitched in the majors again.
14. Tony Castillo, Jun 19, 1998 - he was one of my favourites, and his swan song was awful. Grisly and Horrible. He walked 2, hit another, and gave up a 3-run HR to Matt Lawton. The White Sox released him two days later.
15. Paul Molitor, Sep 27, 1998 - Went 2-4 in the Twins' season finale. He then retired, full of honour and glory, and is the first man from this group to make it to the Hall of Fame.
16. Joe Carter, Sep 28, 1998 - Traded by the Orioles to the Giants at the deadline, suddenly got up and played like the young Joe Carter. Helped get the Giants into a one-game playoff with the Cubs. Alas, he went 0-4 and made the final out as the Giants lost. Retired as planned.
17. Rob Butler, Jul 10, 1999 - after some difficult personal problems waylaid his career, returned to his hometown team briefly for Jim Fregosi. This night he went 0-1 as a PH, batting for John Frascatore in the 5th.
18. Domingo Cedeno, Sep 10, 1999 - utility infielder made his final ML appearance as a batter. He struck out pinch-hitting as a Phillie against Randy Johnson.
19. Darrin Jackson, Oct 3, 1999 - finished up with the White Sox, going 0-2 against Eric Milton in season finale. May have gone back to play in Japan, I can't remember.
20.Juan Guzman, Apr 7, 2000 - in his one career start for Tampa, allowed 7 H and 8 R in 1.2 IP. His arm was done. Took the loss. Tampa paid him 12 million over 2000 and 2001, and that was the only game he pitched for them.
21. Turner Ward, July 27, 2001 - came off the Phillies bench to pinch hit for Cliff Politte, and was hit by Steve Trachsel. Phils acquired Felipe Crespo the next day. Overwhelmed by Blue Jays, he never played in the majors again.
22. Randy Knorr, Sep 9, 2001 - Went 0-1 as a pinch-hitter, didn't get into another game with the Expos.
23.Devon White, Oct 5, 2001 - I don't even remember him as a Brewer. He went 1-3 in the Friday game against Albie Lopez, and then didn't play in the final two games.
24. Ed Sprague, Oct 7, 2001 - came off the Seattle bench and went 0-1 as a pinch-hitter in season finale.
25. Tony Fernandez, Oct 7, 2001 - Went 0-1 as a pinch-hitter in season finale, after a graceful final lap as a pinch hitter.
26. Todd Stottlemyre, Jun 26, 2002 - His arm was falling off, but they loved him in Arizona. Made it back to work 1 scoreless IP in relief of the Big Unit in a 9-1 victory, and went back to the DL for good.
27. Doug Linton, Apr 18, 2003. Gave up a 2-run HR to Doug Mirabelli in 8th inning of 7-3 loss to Boston.
28. Rickey Henderson, Sep 19, 2003 - batted for Guillermo Mota as a Dodger. Was hit by pitch, came around to score. Just like he always did. Will be the next Hall of Famer from this group, unless he's leading off for Arizona or someone.
29. Luis Sojo, Sep. 28, 2003 - Finished game as Yankee 1B in season finale.
30. Pat Hentgen, Jul 21, 2004 - Gave up 7 H and 8 R against Yankees and retired before the week was over. Took the loss.
31. Pat Borders, Oct 9, 2004 - He caught the final 3 innings of Minnesota's last playoff game. Still willing to strap on the gear.
32. John Olerud, Oct. 20, 2004. After missing three games with a foot injury, he pinch hit, struck out, and finished up the LCS at 1B for the Yankees. Future uncertain at this point. The foot injury was a problem all winter.
The pitchers, in particular, almost all came to nasty ends. Dave Stewart, Huck Flener, Pat Hentgen, and Juan Guzman each lost their final ML start - and Stewart, Guzman, and Hentgen were pounded in those games. Jack Morris would have lost his as well if Cleveland hadn't scored 15 runs to get him off the hook. Danny Cox blew a save and took a loss. Ken Dayley, Tony Castillo, Mark Eichhorn, and Duane Ward all got shelled. Todd Stottlemyre and Scott Brow are the only guys who didn't allow a run.
None of the three long-time major league shortstops played shortstop in their final game: Griffin was at 3B, Schofield at 2B, and Fernandez was a pinch-hitter.
The only members of the 1993 Phillies still active last year were Todd Pratt and Curt Schilling.
Clearly, the best finish belongs to Paul Molitor with a couple of hits. Honourable mentions can go to Joe Carter (his fine play in a close pennant race somewhat eases the pain of a very disappointing final game) and Alfredo Griffin (just because he was waiting at home plate to greet Carter after the Series-ending homer.)
Age During Final Game
21 (1)- Willie Canate
26 (1)- Domingo Martinez
28 (1)- Huck Flener
29 (2)- Scott Brow, Rob Butler
30 (1)- Domingo Cedeno
31 (1)- Duane Ward
32 (1)- Randy Knorr
33 (2)- Dick Schofield, Juan Guzman
34 (3)- Ken Dayley, Darnell Coles, Ed Sprague
35 (4)- Danny Cox, Mark Eichhorn, Tony Castillo, Pat Hentgen
36 (4)- Alfredo Griffin, Turner Ward, Roberto Alomar, John Olerud
37 (2)- Darrin Jackson, Todd Stottlemyre
38 (5)- Dave Stewart, Joe Carter, Devon White, Doug Linton, Luis Sojo
39 (2)- Jack Morris, Tony Fernandez
41 (1)- Pat Borders
42 (1)- Paul Molitor
44 (1)- Rickey Henderson
If Alomar never plays again, he finished his career going 0-2 as a DH last September 5, and then being pinch hit for by Timo Perez.
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