Posted by Sean Smith
This will be the second time the World Series stretches into November. I could be wrong if for some reason an early World Series started that late, but I was thinking only in the current 3 round playoff format could a series go this long. The latest dates for a final world series game:
11/04/2001 Diamondbacks over Yankees
10/29/2008 Phillies over Rays ( game started 10/27)
10/28/1995 Braves over Phillies
10/28/2007 Red Sox over Rockies
10/28/1981 Dodgers over Yankees
This series will last until at the very least 11/02/2009, and possibly to 11/05/2009, so we may see a new contender for the title of Mr. November. Derek Jeter seems to get consideration for that honor, but his big heroics came in game 4 of the 2001 series on 10/31. In the three October games he was 2 for 11. The true Mr. November would have to be Steve Finley (5 for 9), Mark Grace (3 for 7), or Tony Womack (6-17) among the hitters, but Randy Johnson has to take the overall award, with 2 wins (8.1 innings, 8 strikeouts, 2 runs allowed). That is, unless somebody tops his performance this year.
Jeter’s HR in Game 4 of the ‘01 series came in extra innings—it was after midnight on November 1st when the ball left the yard. Hence the nickname.
Posted 10/30 at 07:43 PM
Sean Smith said...
Yeah, that’s right. I thought about that after I wrote the post. He’s the original, but I’ll stand by Randy Johnson as earning the title before the series was over. Maybe Jeter can reclaim “Mr. November” in a few days.
Posted 10/30 at 08:11 PM
Ian said...
It was the Indians, not the Phillies, who the Braves beat in 1995. I should know. I still have that entire Series on tape somewhere.
Posted 10/31 at 12:59 AM
Steve said...
Jeter did pretty well today. He’s now played in two WS in November. He was 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI. A decent day tomorrow (and or in game 6) and I think the title remains his.
Jeter’s HR in Game 4 of the ‘01 series came in extra innings—it was after midnight on November 1st when the ball left the yard. Hence the nickname.