Ep 18 - Greatest Stretch Runs

 In the history of modern baseball (since 1900) there have been some storied team stretch runs that led teams not only to the playoffs and pennant, but all the way to a World Series victory.  

With that as the premise the ‘Miracle Braves’ of 1914 are still well remembered 116 years hence. In fact, the Braves who started 26-40 and were in last place, streaked with a 68-19 record to win the NL pennant by 10 games. Those then Boston Braves then went on to win the 1914 World Series vs. the 3 out of the previous 4 seasons champion Philadelphia A’s who were led by fabled manager of 53 years Connie Mack.  

Most people know about the 1951 New York Giants and their stretch run to come from 13.5 games behind to tie the Dodgers and then won a wild three game playoff on Bobby Thomson’s home run off of Ralph Branca.  But how about the 1948 Cleveland Indians?  They too had great stretch run and had a playoff of only one game vs. the Red Sox winning that and also winning the 1948 World Series (the last one for them) vs. the New York Giants.  

The 1964 St. Louis Cardinals themselves had a great stretch run to go all the way yet those that were around are more familiar with the collapse of Gene Mauch’s Phillies.   

The 1969 Mets are another example of a great stretch run.  

The 1978 Yankees and Bucky Dent are part of lore coming back from a 14-game deficit in July and also winning a one game playoff vs. the rival Red Sox on Bucky Dent’s home run.  

All of these ended up as World Series champions.  My son Gordon and I have a podcast and we talk about these and others in our most recent AlmostCooperstown.com show.   

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1066072/episodes/5585020