Letters
Notable Omissions
Your article The Greatest Game I Ever Saw was definitely the best one in the Special Classic Edition (July 19), but how could you have overlooked Toronto versus Atlanta in Game 6 of last year's World Series? Charlie Leibrandt went to a full count against Dave Winfield in the top of the 11th inning. Winfield hit a double down the third base line, Devon White and Roberto Alomar scored, and the Blue Jays won the game 4-3 and the Series 4-2. Remember...?
DYLAN SMITH
Appleton, Ont.
The greatest game I've ever seen was the fifth and final one of the 1976 American League Championship Series. The Royals were an eight-year-old expansion team, playing in their first postseason and facing the Yankees in New York. George Brett homered for Kansas City in the top of the eighth inning to tie the score 6-6. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Chris Chambliss homered off Mark Littell to win the game and the pennant for the Yankees. I was nine years old at the time, and I will never forget Al Cowens as he leaned against the rightfield wall and tossed his glove into the air in despair. It's the only time a sporting event has ever moved me to tears.
DAVID CARR
Boulder, Colo.
How could you have excluded the Twins' 10-inning, 1-0 victory over the Braves in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series?
JIM PAULSEN
Minneapolis
How can a team of baseball luminaries possibly put together a list of the greatest games they ever saw without including either Game 6 of the 1986 National League Championship Series or Game 6 of the '86 World Series? In the Championship Series the Mets rallied from three runs down in the top of the ninth to tie the score, the Astros tied it again in the 14th on a two-out homer by Billy Hatcher, and the Mets finally prevailed in the 16th inning to win the series and prevent Houston ace Mike Scott from getting a shot at pitching in Game 7. In the sixth game of the World Series, the Mets, having already come from behind in the eighth inning, overcame a two-run deficit in the bottom of the 10th to beat the Red Sox, thanks to Bob Stanley's wild pitch and Mookie Wilson's fateful grounder that went through Bill Buckner's legs. New York then went on to win Game 7.
KEVIN G. CHAPMAN
New York City
Speaking of Buckner....
It was sad to read that Bill Buckner is leaving Boston because Red Sox fans won't forgive his error in Game 6 of the '86 World Series (POINT AFTER, July 26). Buckner's gaffe was just the final nail in the coffin for Boston in the 10th inning. Manager John McNamara did not insert a defensive replacement for Buckner, as he had been doing all season. Calvin Schiraldi gave up three consecutive hits and one run, and the tying run scored on a wild pitch (which catcher Rich Gedman barely moved to reach) by Bob Stanley. Even if Buckner had fielded Mookie Wilson's ground ball and beaten him to first, which was no sure thing, the Sox would have been in a tie game with not much left in the bullpen. Buckner did not lose Game 6 by himself. He had a lot of help.
PETER A. GEIGER
The Bronx
Lest Red Sox fans forget, Boston also squandered a 3-0 sixth-inning lead in Game 7.
MATT AMODEO
Burtonsville, Md.
Give me a break, all you Red Sox fans who can't forgive Buckner. This man was a great ballplayer. Without him Boston might not have been in the World Series. Instead of his wearing an E-3 on his chest everywhere he goes, Red Sox fans should encourage him to wear ALL-STAR, BATTING CHAMP, WORLD SERIES PLAYER.
BROOKS COLVIN
O'Fallon, Ill.
A Summer Job
I was an 18-year-old baseball fanatic working a summer job at the Baseball Hall of Fame on Aug. 8,1966, the day Ted Williams and Casey Stengel were inducted (SCORECARD, July 19). Like the young man you described in the article, I, too, have a baseball I got that day, autographed by Stengel—and Williams.
At 7:30 the next morning Williams appeared at the Hall for an early-morning meeting. Having read so many stories about his contentious nature, I was unsure what approach to take in congratulating him on his induction and for his eloquent speech. But Williams seemed quite humbled by his day and genuinely appreciative of my comments, responding with a warm smile and some words of thanks. His warmth has stayed with me to this day, and I want to thank him for giving me my favorite baseball memory.
THEODORE D. PETERS
Bellevue, Wash.
PHOTO
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buckner's gaffe in 1986 made for a memorable game but painful memories.
Letters to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED should include the name, address and home telephone number of the writer and should be addressed to The Editor, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, N.Y. 10020-1393.
