Baseball's Most Exciting Games, No. 25: A Little Roller Up Along First

Game 6, 1986 World Series: Boston Red Sox at New York Mets

October 25, 1986, Shea Stadium, Queens, New York

Red Sox lead series 3-2

It was finally within their grasp. Finally, 67 years after selling Babe Ruth, 68 years after last climbing to the top of the baseball world, the Red Sox were one out away from winning the World Series. It naturally didn't come easy - what championship ever did? - as Boston had twice blown leads in Game 6. But now here they were, leading 5-3 in the top of the 10th thanks to a Dave Henderson home run, one out from an elusive title.

At that exact moment - leading by two with two outs - the Red Sox had a 99% chance to win Game 6 and with it, the World Series. At that exact moment, only one postseason team had ever turned a 99% chance to win into a loss. Clubhouse attendants had already covered Boston's locker room in tarps so that the upcoming champagne celebration wouldn't ruin their clothes. Bruce Hurst had already been voted World Series MVP. Game 6 starter Roger Clemens had gone to the locker room to shave so he could look better for post-game interviews.

The first Mets hit wasn't a big deal. Gary Carter's two-out single only decreased Boston's chances of winning to 96%. The Mets would need more than that. Kevin Mitchell's single wasn't a big deal, either. Carter only got to second, so there was no guarantee he'd score on a single. Plus, it was Mitchell's run that mattered, not Carter's.

Ray Knight fell behind 0-2. Now the Red Sox were one strike away. But Knight hit another single, deep enough for Carter to score and Mitchell to go to third. It was 5-4. The tying run was on third, and the winning run was now on base. Now it was time to worry.

Now it was time for questions. Bob Stanley replaced Calvin Schiraldi on the mound, but why wasn't Stanley on the mound to start the 10th? Why have Schiraldi bat in the top of the 10th when he had already pitched the 9th, and Stanley had pitched better in the World Series anyway? And while we're asking questions, why was Bill Buckner still at first? He had been replaced defensively late in all three Boston wins this series. Why keep him in now?

It might not have mattered anyway. Stanley worked Mookie Wilson to a 2-2 count, then Wilson fouled off two pitches that might have ended the series, swinging weekly and barely making contact but fouling them off nonetheless.

Oops.

Then, another ball, but this one to the backstop. Mitchell scored, Knight went to second, and a 99% chance to win suddenly turned into a 60% chance to lose. Shea Stadium was delirious. Toilet paper streaming from the rafters and piling behind home plate. The Mets' players out of the dugout and clapping on the field. Mookie Wilson fouling off two more pitches. 

Then came the 10th pitch of the at bat, and a little roller up along first...   

Game 6, 1986 World Series Overall Rank: 25 Top 10 Swing: 202 Top Play: Bob Stanley's wild pitch ties the game (WPA 41% for New York) Loser's largest WE: 99 B10, 2 outs, nobody on, Red Sox lead 5-3 Average LI: 1.67 Highest Leverage Moment: 7.06 (Mookie Wilson's final plate appearance, pre-wild pitch)