It was the game that could turn things around for the 1996 New York Yankees in the World Series against the Atlanta Braves.
After losing the first two games at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees won the next two games in Atlanta thanks to a solid David Cone pitching performance in the third game, and an improbable home run by Jim Leyritz in the fourth game.
The Braves were primed for Game 5. John Smoltz, who finished his career with a 13-2 playoff record and a 2-2 World Series mark, was the Braves’ starter.
During the season, Smoltz went 24-8 with a 2.94 ERA and a WHIP of 1.001. He beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first playoff round, beat the St. Louis Cardinals twice in the second round, and won the World Series opener against the Yankees.
Andy Pettitte, whom Smoltz bested in the opener, was the Yankees’ starter. Pettitte had been less than excellent that game as the Yankees suffered an embarrassing 12-1 drubbing, giving up seven runs in only two and two-thirds innings.
During the season, Pettitte had been 21-8 with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.362 WHIP in a league with the designated hitter.
After getting belted by the Braves in the Series opener, Pettitte wanted redemption.
“I’m just excited that I’ll have another shot. Obviously, I’m not very satisfied with the outing I had in my first start,” said Pettitte.
Pettitte had major problems in the 1996 playoffs. In the second game of the first playoff round against the Texas Rangers, he gave up four runs, two home runs, and six walks in six and one-third innings. The Yankees managed to win, 5-4 in 12 innings.
In his next start, this time against the Baltimore Orioles in the second playoff round’s opener, the Birds scored four runs in seven innings against Pettitte, who walked four and gave up seven hits. The Yankees won, 5-4 in 11 innings.
Manager Joe Torre and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre were quite concerned. They and the reporters who had covered the Yankees all season wondered if Pettitte had a bad case of nerves.
But none of them really knew Andy Pettitte.
With the Yankees leading, three games to one, Torre gave the ball to Pettitte. All Andy did was hurl eight solid innings, allowing only a pair of runs, three hits, and one walk to clinch the AL championship series.
Now it was Game 5 of the World Series. Pettitte has worked 60 more innings in 1996 than he had ever worked, but he claimed that it didn’t affect him.
A key to Andy Pettitte was that he emphasized his strengths, not his opponents’ weaknesses.
He told reporters that “I have to change speeds, locate my pitches, and maybe work a little more away.”
The Yankees’ big left-hander was confident despite his recent problems. He knew that Stottlemyre was right when he said that Andy would succeed if he made quality pitches.
And did Pettitte succeed. He pitched eight and one-third scoreless innings, giving up five hits and three walks.
And with the help of John Wettleland, who was saved by a great catch off a Luis Polonia line drive to deep right field by Paul O’Neill, won his first World Series game.
He would go on to win many more October games before he called it quits.
References:
SMITH, Claire. “Pressure on Pettitte to Win an Edge.” New York Times (1923-Current file)1996: B16. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2006). Web. PROQUESTMS. 7 Feb. 2011 .
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