Chapter 32
from One Pitch
at a Time
October 31, 2019
Crusty’s Corner
by R.Q. Crutchfeld
The World Series ended last night with the Washington
Nationals defeating the Houston Astro 6 - 2 to claim the trophy for the first
time in franchise history. It’s always fun when the series goes to Game 7.
After 162 regular season games and multiple playoff rounds, it all came down to
one game. For a baseball fan, the anticipation was terrific, and the game did
not disappoint.
Nats pitcher Stephen Strasberg was
named the MVP, and rightfully so. And the series provided a showcase for many
of the brightest young stars of the game. But for this old newsboy, the most
satisfying outcome was to see two battle scarred veterans earn World Series
rings. I’m talking about Howie Kendrick and Ryan Zimmerman.
Howie was a favorite of mine when
he played for the L.A. Angels, always solid, reliable, and productive, if
unspectacular. To see him contribute big hits throughout the postseason brought
a smile to my face. His homerun last night gave the Nats a lead they would not
relinquish.
In 2005, Ryan Zimmerman became the
first draft pick of the newly relocated Washington franchise. His career has
been plagued by injury, but he always found a way to bounce back.
Case in point: Zimmerman began the
2017 season with a hot streak. Through 32 games, he was hitting .410 with 12
homeruns. He went on to an outstanding season, including a start at first base
in the All-Star Game and recognition as Comeback Player of the Year.
Here’s an interesting statistic:
Walk-off Homeruns. Jim Thome holds the all-time record with 13. There are six
guys tied at 12 (Babe Ruth, Jimmy Foxx, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, Frank
Robinson, and Albert Pujols). And then three players tied with 11 (Tony Perez,
David Ortiz, and Ryan Zimmerman). Yep, there’s that name again, and that is one
hell of a list to be on.
The great ones don’t play the game
with the goal of winding up on some obscure list. They play to be known as
champions, to be on the field celebrating when the last out of the final game
of the season is made. It felt right that Howie and Zimm got to celebrate last
night at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
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