Post by redsox04071318champs on Nov 4, 2015 13:34:01 GMT -5
I resented the 1986 Mets because of their arrogance. I remember being annoyed when after they won Davey Johnson said something like, "Well, we're the best team. We should have won it!" And all I could think was it was gift wrapped for you. Credit to Carter, Mitchell, and Knight for refusing to make the last out, but the passed ball/wild pitch and the error were extreme gifts. Not to mention some terrible managing from the Red Sox dugout.
The 2015 World Series felt like a little payback, but honestly, it was really hard to dislike the 2015 version of the Mets. They were likable and I didn't sense any of that Keith Hernandez like arrogance. If a Mets team had to win, I would have been fine with the 2015 version, but given how close KC was in 2014 and knowing that their window isn't huge, I'm glad they were able to capitalize.
And truth be told, I'll always have a soft spot for the 1969 Mets and I was rooting for the Mets in the 2000 World Series of course.
No, he never said it, although his actions certainly implied it.
As a matter of fact, he doubled down on his decision to keep Buckner in the field saying that Buckner had good hands and that Stapleton's nickname was "Shaky" or something to that affect. I remember seeing MLB have a special in which they interviewed Hurst, Mookie, and Schiraldi, and when that nickname comment was mentioned by Bob Costas, Hurst shook his head and shot him a look of "What in the world are you talking about?"
Which basically implied that McNamara was making stuff up and that nobody remembered Stapleton being called "Shaky".
When I watch the replay of Buckner fielding the ground ball I see that it took him longer to plant his feet than it would a healthy person. Yes the glove was down and he should have gotten it, but I don't think there was a lot of time between getting his feet planted, getting his glove down, and having the ball trickle his way.
Stapleton was no Doug Mientkiewicz but he was healthy and agile enough to cover ground. Perhaps they don't get Mookie at 1b? Maybe Ray Knight (doubtful) pulls an Eric Hosmer and lights out for homeplate, but we'll never know.
I just remember thinking that in the 8th inning with the bases loaded, the Sox up 3-2, with 2 outs, and lefty Orosco forced into the game, that would have been the perfect time to pinch-hit Baylor and then insert Stapleton into the game for defense, and he had inserted Stapleton into the game for defense in every other World Series game that they had the lead. It wouldn't make sense that he suddenly decided that Buckner was the better defensive option than Stapleton.