The Yankees won the title this past Wednesday night, so the media has been less inclined to criticize or ignore baseball than usual of late. They’re also more likely to wrap the season up for 48 or 72 hours (instead of 24 or fewer) before moving 100% into football, instead of the 95% coverage the NFL has enjoyed since September.
But during the MLB playoffs, I did hear, nationally and locally, on TV, radio, and the blogs, that the postseason “lacked.” While it’s true no series went the distance, close to half of the 30 total games played went down the last  inning or even the final batter. The media’s consensus could not be more incorrect; this was a GREAT postseason overall.
Let’s take a look at the best games, in no particular order:
Game 3 ALDS: Anaheim at Boston
The Angels finally overcome a two-decade nightmare versus Boston by sweeping them in comeback fashion at Fenway: with three runs after two were out in the 9th, off a closer who’d never blown a postseason save.
Game 2 ALDS: Minnesota at New York
A-rod finally “gains his stripes” with a two run homer off Joe Nathan to tie the game in the 9th, then Mark Teixeira, in one of his few big hits during a subpar postseason, hits a walk-off to left in the 11th.
Game 4 NLDS: Philadelphia at Colorado
The Phillies close out the series with three in the 9th off Rockies’ closer Houston Street. This after the maligned bullpen blows a 2-1 8th inning lead, and the series looks destined to return to Philadelphia for a deciding fifth game.
Game 2 NLDS: Saint Louis at Los Angeles
Favored Cardinals are one out from tying the series on its way back to Saint Louis when Matt Holliday drops a fairly-routine fly ball, paving the way for an improbable Dodger rally off closer Ryan Franklin, capped by a walk-off single by seldom-used veteran Mark Loretta.
Game 4 NLCS: Los Angeles at Philadelphia
Dodgers are one out from a 2-2 series tie with pivotal game five on the horizon. However, Jimmy Rollins — who had a terrible postseason otherwise and was cocky to boot — splits the right centerfield gap to score two runs, giving the Phils a 3-1 series lead. They cruise in Game 5 to the pennant.
Games 2, 3 and 5 ALCS: Anaheim vs. New York
Game 2 saw Anaheim boot the ball all over the park, and blow an 11th inning lead, eventually losing in the 13th on an error in judgment by their second baseman. Rodriguez again hits a game-tying homerun to save the day for New York, this time in the 11th with two outs. Anaheim avoids pitching to him the rest of the series in close games.
In Game 3, Anaheim comes back from desperation down 3-0, ties the game, then after some questionable managerial moves by Joe Girardi, wins it on an 11th inning walk-off by their hot-hitting back-up catcher. (.533 in the playoffs)
Game 5 witnesses an early 4-0 Angels lead, then a six-run Yankee 7th as the Pinstripers move to within nine outs of the AL pennant. But Anaheim pieces together three clutch runs in the bottom of the frame, then holds on through a bases loaded, two out, full count at bat in the ninth. A spectacular game.
Game 4 World Series: New York at Philadelphia
A series changer. Phils comeback with a run in the 7th and 8th to tie Yanks, then Brad Lidge gets two quick outs in the 9th as Philadelphia looks toward the bottom of the 9th and a potential 2-2 series. Yet, down to his last strike, Johnny Damon singles, then Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada get back-to-back run-scoring doubles. New York puts a 3-1 stranglehold on the series as they move toward their 27th world title.
Honorable mention: Games 2 and 3 Philadelphia vs. Colorado; Game 2 Philadelphia at Los Angeles; Game 5 New York at Philadelphia.
And the best game, of course, was not a playoff game, but rather the “play-in” game on October 6 between Detroit and Minnesota. A classic if I ever saw one.
About AJ Kaufman
