GaryMrMets
10-10-2003, 02:03 AM
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/phi/news/phi_news.jsp?ymd=20031008&content_id=569023&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi
10/08/2003 4:41 PM ET
From underdogs to the Series
1993 was a season to remember in Philadelphia
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- The misfits and castoffs who spent the summer of 1993 in Philadelphia didn't pay attention to those who picked them to finish last.
Knowing that was a fate for losers, those vagabonds did the opposite. Starting with a season-opening, three-game sweep of the Astros, the Phillies fell two wins short of a parade down Broad Street. Along the way, that bunch captured the hearts of a city in a way that perhaps no other World Series runner-up ever could.
The Phillies stormed to 97 wins and won their first division crown since 1983. The regular season provided an effective blueprint for success, as the team saw brilliant production from platoons at three positions. Right fielders Jim Eisenreich and Wes Chamberlain had 99 RBIs, while left fielders Milt Thompson and Pete Incaviglia drove in 133.
The pairing of Mickey Morandini and Mariano Duncan combined for 106 RBIs, but Duncan's services were also utilized at shortstop.
Three players scored more than 100 runs, while the five starting pitchers posted double-digit wins -- the second time in franchise history that a rotation accomplished that feat. Though the ninth inning became a high-wire act rivaling one of Karl Wallenda's, closer Mitch Williams set a club record for saves at 43. (Jose Mesa set a new record with 45 in 2002).
Before the Phillies were allowed into Canada for a chance to dethrone the Blue Jays, they first had to get by the Braves, who had won their third straight NL West title. This was to be the last NLCS before the Wild Card format, and Atlanta had erased an 11-game deficit to beat out San Francisco on the final day of the season.
Already a severe underdog, the Phillies were brimming with confidence.
"(The Braves) knew they were going to win, but everybody in that clubhouse wearing red and white pinstripes knew that we were going to win," said former catcher Darren Daulton.
Curt Schilling started things beautifully for Philadelphia, striking out the side in the first. Then Lenny Dykstra -- The Dude -- led off the bottom of the first.
"Here's the 1-2 pitch, breaking ball line drive hit to left center field," boomed announcer Harry Kalas. "It's going all the way back toward the fence. A standup double for The Dude, Lenny Dykstra."
Dykstra later scored on a groundout and the Phillies were on their way. They took a one-run lead into the ninth, but a throwing error by defensive replacement Kim Batiste led to the tying run. After John Kruk doubled in the bottom of the 10th, Batiste redeemed himself by singling in the winning run.
A pregame visit by former teammate Dale Murphy -- whose presence prompted Kruk's line about a team of 24 morons and one Mormon -- didn't help the Phillies in Game 2. Tommy Greene, who arrived with Murphy in a trade with Atlanta, got roughed up for seven runs in 2 1/3 innings, and the Braves won, 14-3.
Back in Atlanta, the Braves took Game 3 as well when they plated five sixth-inning runs off Terry Mulholland and won, 9-4. With their backs squarely to the wall, the Phillies gave the ball to Danny Jackson for Game 4.
Jackson had been scorched in the 1992 playoffs by these Braves, while pitching for the Pirates, not getting out of the second. He pitched much better this time, allowing one run in 7 2/3 innings. A spectacular eighth-inning catch by Thompson helped, and the Phillies turned a double play in the ninth to tie the series.
Closer Williams blew a three-run lead in the ninth and came within a few inches of a getting a loss, as Bill Pecota's liner landed just foul down the left-field line. Knowing he needed to do something special, The Dude led off the 10th with a homer, and Larry Andersen closed out the 10th for the save.
"It was my first and only save of the year and probably the biggest moment of my career," said Andersen.
Returning to Philadelphia, the ball again went to Greene, who had much to prove. He was helped by a homer by Dave Hollins and a two-out triple by Morandini. Williams secured the series with an uncharacteristic perfect ninth inning.
The Phillies were going to you know where. Kalas said it best while describing the scene.
"A 1-2-3 save and this place is bedlam at Veterans Stadium. This wacky, wonderful bunch of throwbacks have won the National League pennant and go on to the World Series."
Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/images/2003/10/08/TkQeK3yi.jpg
Darren Daulton hit 24 homers and drove in 105 runs during the 1993 season. (Chris Gardner/AP)
10/08/2003 4:41 PM ET
From underdogs to the Series
1993 was a season to remember in Philadelphia
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com
PHILADELPHIA -- The misfits and castoffs who spent the summer of 1993 in Philadelphia didn't pay attention to those who picked them to finish last.
Knowing that was a fate for losers, those vagabonds did the opposite. Starting with a season-opening, three-game sweep of the Astros, the Phillies fell two wins short of a parade down Broad Street. Along the way, that bunch captured the hearts of a city in a way that perhaps no other World Series runner-up ever could.
The Phillies stormed to 97 wins and won their first division crown since 1983. The regular season provided an effective blueprint for success, as the team saw brilliant production from platoons at three positions. Right fielders Jim Eisenreich and Wes Chamberlain had 99 RBIs, while left fielders Milt Thompson and Pete Incaviglia drove in 133.
The pairing of Mickey Morandini and Mariano Duncan combined for 106 RBIs, but Duncan's services were also utilized at shortstop.
Three players scored more than 100 runs, while the five starting pitchers posted double-digit wins -- the second time in franchise history that a rotation accomplished that feat. Though the ninth inning became a high-wire act rivaling one of Karl Wallenda's, closer Mitch Williams set a club record for saves at 43. (Jose Mesa set a new record with 45 in 2002).
Before the Phillies were allowed into Canada for a chance to dethrone the Blue Jays, they first had to get by the Braves, who had won their third straight NL West title. This was to be the last NLCS before the Wild Card format, and Atlanta had erased an 11-game deficit to beat out San Francisco on the final day of the season.
Already a severe underdog, the Phillies were brimming with confidence.
"(The Braves) knew they were going to win, but everybody in that clubhouse wearing red and white pinstripes knew that we were going to win," said former catcher Darren Daulton.
Curt Schilling started things beautifully for Philadelphia, striking out the side in the first. Then Lenny Dykstra -- The Dude -- led off the bottom of the first.
"Here's the 1-2 pitch, breaking ball line drive hit to left center field," boomed announcer Harry Kalas. "It's going all the way back toward the fence. A standup double for The Dude, Lenny Dykstra."
Dykstra later scored on a groundout and the Phillies were on their way. They took a one-run lead into the ninth, but a throwing error by defensive replacement Kim Batiste led to the tying run. After John Kruk doubled in the bottom of the 10th, Batiste redeemed himself by singling in the winning run.
A pregame visit by former teammate Dale Murphy -- whose presence prompted Kruk's line about a team of 24 morons and one Mormon -- didn't help the Phillies in Game 2. Tommy Greene, who arrived with Murphy in a trade with Atlanta, got roughed up for seven runs in 2 1/3 innings, and the Braves won, 14-3.
Back in Atlanta, the Braves took Game 3 as well when they plated five sixth-inning runs off Terry Mulholland and won, 9-4. With their backs squarely to the wall, the Phillies gave the ball to Danny Jackson for Game 4.
Jackson had been scorched in the 1992 playoffs by these Braves, while pitching for the Pirates, not getting out of the second. He pitched much better this time, allowing one run in 7 2/3 innings. A spectacular eighth-inning catch by Thompson helped, and the Phillies turned a double play in the ninth to tie the series.
Closer Williams blew a three-run lead in the ninth and came within a few inches of a getting a loss, as Bill Pecota's liner landed just foul down the left-field line. Knowing he needed to do something special, The Dude led off the 10th with a homer, and Larry Andersen closed out the 10th for the save.
"It was my first and only save of the year and probably the biggest moment of my career," said Andersen.
Returning to Philadelphia, the ball again went to Greene, who had much to prove. He was helped by a homer by Dave Hollins and a two-out triple by Morandini. Williams secured the series with an uncharacteristic perfect ninth inning.
The Phillies were going to you know where. Kalas said it best while describing the scene.
"A 1-2-3 save and this place is bedlam at Veterans Stadium. This wacky, wonderful bunch of throwbacks have won the National League pennant and go on to the World Series."
Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/images/2003/10/08/TkQeK3yi.jpg
Darren Daulton hit 24 homers and drove in 105 runs during the 1993 season. (Chris Gardner/AP)