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All of MLB: The 91 final outs by a batter in the World Series – Baseball-Reference PI

Posted by Sean Forman on September 19, 2007

All of MLB: The 91 final outs by a batter in the World Series - Baseball-Reference PI

I saw a post in a forum suggesting we show not only the SO and non-SO outs, but all outs together, so I've added that option to the Play Index Event Finder.  The above list is the list of all 90 batters who made the final out in a World Series.  When we get the baserunning events added in we'll be able to make a complete list of every final out in the play index.

7 Responses to “All of MLB: The 91 final outs by a batter in the World Series – Baseball-Reference PI”

  1. kingturtle Says:

    1. I saw under REL SCORE there was one instance of TIE! Turns out the 1912 WS was won on a final out - a Sac Fly by Larry Gardner in to give Boston a 4 games to 3 games WS victory! I had thought that Joe Carter and Bill Mazeroski were the only guys to win WS with a final at bat...well, add Larry Gardner to the list!
    2. Poor Boss Schmidt did it twice! and consecutively!

  2. kingturtle Says:

    Frank Baker (1921) and Bruce Edwards (1947) each ended World Series hitting into double plays.

  3. truman Says:

    Carlos Baerga not only made the last out of the '95 WS, but he made the last out in 3 of the Indians' 4 losses - all 1-run games (twice with the tying run on base). Just think how Albert Belle's legacy (and HOF chances) could have been changed had he not finished all 3 games in the on-deck circle.

  4. themadjuggler Says:

    I remember Renteria won the 1997 World Series with a single as well as hit into the last out of the 2004 series. The ensuing Wikipedia search gave me this:

    "Renteria is one of only three players to be the last hitter of two World Series, having won the 1997 Series with a walk-off RBI single and ended the 2004 World Series with a groundout to the pitcher. Boss Schmidt of the Detroit Tigers ended the 1907 World Series by popping up and the 1908 World Series by grounding out. Goose Goslin struck out to end the 1925 World Series and won the 1934 World Series with a walk-off RBI single."

  5. kingturtle Says:

    In chronological order, here are the pitchers who finished 2 or more World Series:
    *Christy Mathewson (2)
    *Art Nehf (2 consecutive)
    *Johnny Murphy (2)
    *Joe Page (2)
    *Bob Kuzava (2 consecutive)
    *Sandy Koufax (2)
    *Bob Gibson (2)
    *Rollie Fingers (2)
    *Will McEnaney (2)
    *Mariano Rivera (3 consecutive)

  6. kingturtle Says:

    More about Bob Kuzava...he finished two consecutive World Series. Each time, that was his only Series appearance.

    Casey Stengel went on hunches. He didn't use Kuzava at all in the World Series except to end the Series. The first time (1951) was one inning to end the 6th game. The 2nd time (1952) was 2.2 innings to end a 7th game.

    In 1953, Stengel used Kuzava once again. It was game five, and the Yankees were trying to take a 3 games to 2 lead. Taking a 10-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth, the Dodgers staged a 4-run, two-out rally. Stengel brought in Kuzava to face pinch-hitter Dick Williams (later of Charley O. Finley Oakland A's fame). Kuzava struck Williams out to end the threat. The Yanks got an insurance run in the top of the 9th with a solo HR by Gil McDougald (one of my favorite Yankees). With two out and no one on and an 11 - 7 lead, Stengel let Kuzava bat; Joe Black struck Kuzava out. Stengel wanted Kuzava for the ninth.

    Kuzava gave up a dinger to the first batter, Jim Gilliam. Pee Wee Reese flew out. And Duke Snider singled. This was too much for Stengel, what with Jackie Robinson coming to bat. So Stengel brought in Allie Reynolds, who enticed Robinson into a 4-6-3 game ending double play.

    So in game six, in the 8th inning with a 3 - 1 lead, Stengel didn't (as he did in 1951 and 1952) go to Kuzava; Stengel went to Allie Reynolds. The eighth went well, giving up just a single (to Jackie Robinson). In the ninth, Carl Furillo hit a one-out, two-run homer. Stengel left Reynolds in there, and Reynolds struck out Billy Cox and Clem Labine (the pitcher! Is that why Chuck Dressen was replaced by Walt Alston?)

    In the bottom of the ninth, Clem Labine walked Hank Bauer, got Berra to fly out, and suffered a dribbling single from Mantle. Our hero Billy Martin then singled to win the game, and the Series. That's right, Billy Martin had the last at bat of the 1953 Series.

  7. kingturtle Says:

    When is the last time an obscure player appeared on two completely different and obscure lists in STAT OF THE DAY?

    Johnny Murphy not only appears on the list of only 10 pitchers to toss the final out of two different World Series, *BUT* eight years later he set the record for most games pitched without a decision (with 32).

    He broke Jack Wisner's 1925 mark of 25. Murphy's mark was later trumped by Larry Andersen in 1982 with 40. The current mark of 48 by Scott Aldred might be eclipsed this season by Trever Miller who currently has 75.

    SEE: http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/rcbj