Punching Out The Lights In The Post-Season
Posted by Steve Lombardi on December 20, 2009
Back when I was in Little League - and this is way back there...circa 1974-75...you never wanted to be the guy to make the last out in a game. Worse...you never, ever, wanted to be the guy making the last out of a game via a strikeout. (Keep in mind, this was way before the days where Run Expectancy Tables were widely known...suggesting that a strikeout "out" was no worse, for the most part, than another other "out.") It was just a terrible feeling to have to walk back to the dugout...with your bat in hand...as the other team began to whoop it up. (Yeah, I speak from experience here...as it happened to me...at least once or twice.)
I wonder how big leaguers feel about this? I'm sure, over the grind of a full season, it's not a happy-time for them (if this happens). But, I would also bet it rolls off their back, somewhat, too. But, what about the post-season, where the stakes are higher? How about in the final game of a post-season series? To that end, I used Baseball-Reference.com's Play Index Post-Season Event Finder to list all post-season batter strikeouts where that out was the last out of a series. Here's the list:
| Cr# | Gm# | Date | Series | Gm# | Batter | Tm | Opp | Pitcher | Score | Inn | RoB | Out | Pit(cnt)Sequence | RBI | Play Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1903-10-13 | WS | 8 | Honus Wagner | PIT | @BOS | Bill Dinneen | down 0-3 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 2 | 1 | 1925-10-15 | WS | 7 | Goose Goslin | WSH | @PIT | Red Oldham | down 7-9 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking | |
| 3 | 1 | 1933-10-07 | WS | 5 | Joe Kuhel | WSH | NYG | Dolf Luque | down 3-4 | b10 | 12- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 4 | 1 | 1944-10-09 | WS | 6 | Mike Chartak | SLB | @STL | Ted Wilks | down 1-3 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 5 | 1 | 1949-10-09 | WS | 5 | Gil Hodges | BRO | NYY | Joe Page | down 6-10 | b 9 | 12- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 6 | 1 | 1950-10-07 | WS | 4 | Stan Lopata | PHI | @NYY | Allie Reynolds | down 2-5 | t 9 | 12- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 7 | 1 | 1956-10-10 | WS | 7 | Jackie Robinson | BRO | NYY | Johnny Kucks | down 0-9 | b 9 | 1-- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 8 | 1 | 1965-10-14 | WS | 7 | Bob Allison | MIN | LAD | Sandy Koufax | down 0-2 | b 9 | 1-- | 2 | 5 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 9 | 1 | 1967-10-12 | WS | 7 | George Scott | BOS | STL | Bob Gibson | down 2-7 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 10 | 1 | 1971-10-05 | ALCS | 3 | Curt Blefary | OAK | BAL | Jim Palmer | down 3-5 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 11 | 1 | 1974-10-09 | ALCS | 4 | Don Baylor | BAL | OAK | Rollie Fingers | down 1-2 | b 9 | 12- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 12 | 1 | 1974-10-09 | NLCS | 4 | Richie Hebner | PIT | @LAD | Mike Marshall | down 1-12 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 13 | 1 | 1977-10-08 | NLCS | 4 | Bake McBride | PHI | LAD | Tommy John | down 1-4 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 4 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 14 | 1 | 1979-10-05 | NLCS | 3 | Cesar Geronimo | CIN | @PIT | Bert Blyleven | down 1-7 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 6 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking |
| 15 | 1 | 1979-10-06 | ALCS | 4 | Brian Downing | CAL | BAL | Scott McGregor | down 0-8 | b 9 | 1-- | 2 | 4 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 16 | 1 | 1980-10-10 | ALCS | 3 | Willie Randolph | NYY | KCR | Dan Quisenberry | down 2-4 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 6 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking |
| 17 | 1 | 1980-10-21 | WS | 6 | Willie Wilson | KCR | @PHI | Tug McGraw | down 1-4 | t 9 | 123 | 2 | 4 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout |
| 18 | 1 | 1981-10-09 | ALDS | 3 | John Wathan | KCR | @OAK | Dave Beard | down 1-4 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 19 | 1 | 1981-10-11 | NLDS | 5 | Dave Roberts | HOU | @LAD | Jerry Reuss | down 0-4 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 20 | 1 | 1982-10-20 | WS | 7 | Gorman Thomas | MIL | @STL | Bruce Sutter | down 3-6 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 10 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 21 | 1 | 1983-10-08 | ALCS | 4 | Tom Paciorek | CHW | BAL | Tippy Martinez | down 0-3 | b10 | 1-- | 2 | 4 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 22 | 1 | 1983-10-08 | NLCS | 4 | Bill Russell | LAD | @PHI | Al Holland | down 2-7 | t 9 | -2- | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 23 | 1 | 1986-10-15 | ALCS | 7 | Jerry Narron | CAL | @BOS | Calvin Schiraldi | down 1-8 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 24 | 1 | 1986-10-15 | NLCS | 6 | Kevin Bass | HOU | NYM | Jesse Orosco | down 6-7 | b16 | 12- | 2 | 6 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 25 | 1 | 1986-10-27 | WS | 7 | Marty Barrett | BOS | @NYM | Jesse Orosco | down 5-8 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 6 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 26 | 1 | 1988-10-12 | NLCS | 7 | Howard Johnson | NYM | @LAD | Orel Hershiser | down 0-6 | t 9 | -2- | 2 | 7 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking |
| 27 | 1 | 1988-10-20 | WS | 5 | Tony Phillips | OAK | LAD | Orel Hershiser | down 2-5 | b 9 | --3 | 2 | 6 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 28 | 1 | 1989-10-08 | ALCS | 5 | Junior Felix | TOR | OAK | Dennis Eckersley | down 3-4 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 7 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 29 | 1 | 1990-10-12 | NLCS | 6 | Don Slaught | PIT | @CIN | Randy Myers | down 1-2 | t 9 | 1-- | 2 | 5 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 30 | 1 | 1993-10-13 | NLCS | 6 | Bill Pecota | ATL | @PHI | Mitch Williams | down 3-6 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 6 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 31 | 1 | 1995-10-07 | NLDS | 4 | John Vander Wal | COL | @ATL | Alejandro Pena | down 4-10 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 32 | 1 | 1995-10-14 | NLCS | 4 | Reggie Sanders | CIN | @ATL | Mark Wohlers | down 0-6 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 33 | 1 | 1996-10-05 | ALDS | 4 | Omar Vizquel | CLE | BAL | Randy Myers | down 3-4 | b12 | --- | 2 | 5 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking |
| 34 | 1 | 1996-10-05 | ALDS | 4 | Dean Palmer | TEX | NYY | John Wetteland | down 4-6 | b 9 | 12- | 2 | 4 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 35 | 1 | 1997-10-15 | ALCS | 6 | Roberto Alomar | BAL | CLE | Jose Mesa | down 0-1 | b11 | 1-- | 2 | 7 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking |
| 36 | 1 | 1998-10-03 | ALDS | 4 | Darren Bragg | BOS | CLE | Mike Jackson | down 1-2 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 4 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 37 | 1 | 1999-10-11 | ALDS | 5 | Omar Vizquel | CLE | BOS | Pedro Martinez | down 8-12 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout | |
| 38 | 1 | 2000-10-07 | NLDS | 3 | Paul Bako | ATL | STL | Dave Veres | down 1-7 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 5 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 39 | 1 | 2001-10-15 | ALDS | 5 | Eric Byrnes | OAK | @NYY | Mariano Rivera | down 3-5 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 5 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 40 | 1 | 2003-10-05 | NLDS | 5 | Andruw Jones | ATL | CHC | Joe Borowski | down 1-5 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 4 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 41 | 1 | 2003-10-06 | ALDS | 5 | Terrence Long | OAK | BOS | Derek Lowe | down 3-4 | b 9 | 123 | 2 | 4 (1-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking |
| 42 | 1 | 2004-10-10 | NLDS | 4 | Alex Cora | LAD | STL | Jason Isringhaus | down 2-6 | b 9 | -2- | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 43 | 1 | 2006-10-19 | NLCS | 7 | Carlos Beltran | NYM | STL | Adam Wainwright | down 1-3 | b 9 | 123 | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Looking |
| 44 | 1 | 2006-10-27 | WS | 5 | Brandon Inge | DET | @STL | Adam Wainwright | down 2-4 | t 9 | 1-3 | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 45 | 1 | 2007-10-08 | ALDS | 4 | Jorge Posada | NYY | CLE | Joe Borowski | down 4-6 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 46 | 1 | 2007-10-28 | WS | 4 | Seth Smith | COL | BOS | Jonathan Papelbo | down 3-4 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 5 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 47 | 1 | 2008-10-04 | NLDS | 3 | Alfonso Soriano | CHC | @LAD | Jonathan Broxton | down 1-3 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 48 | 1 | 2008-10-06 | ALDS | 4 | Ken Griffey | CHW | TBR | Grant Balfour | down 2-6 | b 9 | --- | 2 | 5 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 49 | 1 | 2008-10-27 | WS | 5 | Eric Hinske | TBR | @PHI | Brad Lidge | down 3-4 | t 9 | -2- | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 50 | 1 | 2009-10-10 | NLDS | 3 | Rick Ankiel | STL | LAD | Jonathan Broxton | down 1-5 | b 9 | -2- | 2 | 3 (0-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 51 | 1 | 2009-10-12 | NLDS | 4 | Troy Tulowitzki | COL | PHI | Brad Lidge | down 4-5 | b 9 | 12- | 2 | 5 (2-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
| 52 | 1 | 2009-10-25 | ALCS | 6 | Gary Matthews | LAA | @NYY | Mariano Rivera | down 2-5 | t 9 | --- | 2 | 6 (3-2) | 0 | *ENDED GAME*:Strikeout Swinging |
.
There's some "brand names" on this list. And, note that Jesse Orosco, Orel Hershiser and Adam Wainwright ended two post-season series in the same year by getting a batter to strikeout. Granted, sure, this could only happen from 1969 forward. But, that's still pretty cool that only three pitchers have done this twice in the same post-season.
December 20th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Steve - Do you have a source for the lack of an effect of strikeouts on run-scoring?
December 20th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Just wondering, but why are the batters no longer linked to their pages?
December 20th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
ImAShark3 - I dunno.
Raphy - here's one source: http://www.tangotiger.net/RE9902event.html
Therein, note an out is -0.299 and a K is -0.31
December 20th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Thanks Steve.
December 20th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Thank you Mr. Lombardi. See, I am more proper.
December 20th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Maybe I'm missing something, but shouldn't any kind of out, be it strikeout or "another other 'out'", that comes as the last out of a game be the same. The way I am reading your intro it seems you are implying that now that we know about run expectancies there should be "worse" outs to end a game. But like I said, maybe I am missing something.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
De nada Raphy & ImAShark3.
BoondockSaint - yes, on the stat sheet, that final out is what it is...in the end. But, in terms of the feeling that it leaves with the batter, and the fans of his team, the whiff just seems to sting more...then again, maybe that's conventional wisdom too? I wouldn't fight those who said it is... 😉
December 21st, 2009 at 12:55 am
Beltran may well have deserved the '06 MVP, and has a tremendous postseason record, but I get the feeling a lot of Mets fans most associate him with taking that called third strike against the Cardinals.
December 21st, 2009 at 6:33 am
and only Omar Vizquel did it twice, in the 1996 and 1999 ALDS
December 21st, 2009 at 8:43 am
Wouldn't it be more appropriate to limit a query like this to situations where the game is close? I'm sure Jackie Robinson was disappointed when he struck out down 9-0, but I doubt he lost any sleep over it knowing that his team was almost certainly beaten regardless what he did. Terrence Long on the other hand...
I'd suggest limiting it to players who could have tied or won the game.
December 21st, 2009 at 10:36 am
I couldn't agree more Twisto. A single in that situation probably plates two with pinch runners and all, and would've tied the game. Instead 3 quick strikes from Wainwright, and the Cardinals move on to win the World Series. Who would've thunk it?
December 21st, 2009 at 11:47 am
Quiz: The biggest stings may be said to belong to Kuhel ('33 Senators), Chartak ('44 Browns), and Robinson ('56 Dodgers). Why?
December 21st, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I know that it was the last appearance for Chartak and Robinson, but not for Kuhel--but it was Kuhel's last postseason appearance.
December 21st, 2009 at 1:56 pm
TheGoofyOne Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I know that it was the last appearance for Chartak and Robinson, but not for Kuhel--but it was Kuhel's last postseason appearance.
Interesting...I hadn't even noticed that regarding Chartak and Robinson. I'm looking for something more about the franchise.
December 21st, 2009 at 4:04 pm
It was the last World Series appearance for each of those teams before they relocated.
December 21st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
ImAShark3 Says:
December 21st, 2009 at 4:04 pm
It was the last World Series appearance for each of those teams before they relocated.
That's what I was looking for.
December 21st, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I know, that's why I said it.
December 21st, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I wonder if, in the long run, Eric Hinske will either replace or join as an equal Willie Wilson in Phillies lore. He probably won't replace him because the first win is always the sweetest, but a lot of Phillies fans weren't around for that first one.