Greater World Series: 1975 (Reds/Red Sox) or 1991 (Twins/Braves)

[TMC]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_World_Series

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_World_Series

*Both World Series had at least five games decided by one run (and at least two that went into extra innings).

*Both World Series were marred by controversy - Ed Armbrister's bunt in Game 3 of the '75 Series and Kent Hrbek practically pulling Ron Gant off of first base in Game 2 of the '91 Series.

*Both World Series featured some of the most gustiest pitching performances out there - Luis Tiant in '75 and Jack Morris in '91.

*Both World Series featured unexpected heroes - Bernie Carbo in '75 and Mark Lemke in '91.

*Both World Series featured youngsters, who seemed destined for greater things - Fred Lynn in '75 (the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP Award winner) and Steve Avery in '91 (who won 18 games for the Braves that year and the MVP Award in the National League Championship Series against Pittsburgh).

*Game 6 of both World Series were ended on dramatic home runs by future Hall of Famers - Carlton Fisk in '75 and Kirby Puckett in '91.

[James]

Being a Reds fan I will have to say 1975, even though I was but three years of age and remember the 1991 Series a lot better--my grandmother gave me a baseball with the Twins' signatures on it for Christmas that year!

[Marvo301]

1975 Red Sox vs. The Big Red Machine!!

[TMC]

To me, the 1991 World Series was better because it seemed like more was at stake going in. Both the Twins and Braves finished in dead last the year before. Therefore, they seemed to play with a sense of uncertainity (thinking that this may be their one good shot in other words). The '91 World Series was filled with so much intensity and personal desire, because both teams played like there was no tomorrow.

When compared to 1975, the Reds had already in the past few years, established themselves as the most dominate force in at least, the National League. Therefore, it sort of seemed like the Reds at least, didn't have as much to lose as both the Twins and Braves.

Also, I hate to say it, but I think that Carlton Fisk's home run is one of the most overrated moments in baseball history. Sure, it was the puncuation mark of an epic Game 6. But to me, that was all but nullified by virtue of the fact that the Red Sox couldn't capitalize with a Game 7 win. Because of that, Kirby Puckett's home run was way, more significant. The '91 World Series also has to get the edge since its seventh game went into extra innings unlike in 1975.

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by TMC

...Also, I hate to say it, but I think that Carlton Fisk's home run is one of the most overrated moments in baseball history. Sure, it was the puncuation mark of an epic Game 6. But to me, that was all but nullified by virtue of the fact that the Red Sox couldn't capitalize with a Game 7 win. Because of that, Kirby Puckett's home run was way, more significant. The '91 World Series also has to get the edge since its seventh game went into extra innings unlike in 1975.

If you want to know the most overrated moment in baseball history, it's Kirk Gibson's HR in 1988.

I don't agree that Fisk's HR is overrated. The Sox were on the verge of elimination. They led game six 3-0 after 4 innings. The Reds came back with 3 runs in the 5th to tie it, and then led the Red Sox 6-3 going to the bottom of the 8th inning. That's when Carbo hit his two out, three run, pinch hit HR to tie the score.

In the bottom of the 9th inning, the Red Sox loaded the bases with no one out. Fred Lynn flew out to George Foster down the left field line, and Foster threw out the potential game-winning run at the plate for the double play. The Reds then got out of the inning.

In the top of the 12th, the Reds had runners at 1st and 2nd base with one out, but the Sox got out of it. That set the stage for Fisk's HR.

The sixth game was full of drama not just because of Fisk's HR, but because of a bunch of things that happened prior to it.

Funny thing, it's not often that an elimination game ends with a walk off HR. Yet, in these two series, both game sixes were won on walk off HRs by Hall of Famers (Fisk, Puckett). And both came in extra innings (Fisk in the 12th inning, Puckett in the 11th).



And while the '75 Game Seven didn't go into extra innings, the winning run was scored in the top of the 9th inning. As in game six, the Red Sox took a 3-0 lead in game seven. The Reds came back with 2 runs in the 6th and one run in the 7th to tie it.

With runners at the corners and two outs in the top of the 9th inning, Joe Morgan came through with a bloop single to CF, scoring Ken Griffey (Sr) with the winning run.

Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski made the final out of the series by flying out to CF.



I think both series were outstanding. I would give an edge to the '75 series, in part because of the number of Hall of Famers that were on the field competing:

Reds: Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez...and of course, Pete Rose would be except for that little slip-up he had

Red Sox: Yaz, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice

Also, the Reds had 9x all star Dave Concepcion at short and Ken Griffey Sr (a 2x all star). They also had a number of pitchers who had made the All Star team at various times

Among Red Sox players, Fred Lynn was Rookie of the Year AND MVP in 1975. Lynn didn't make the HOF, but he was a 9x all star. Dwight Evans only made the All Star team 3x, but he is probably one of the 10 most underrated players in baseball history. Luis Tiant's career was of HOF quality (at about the Catfish Hunter, Jim Bunning, Don Drysdale level).

The only current HOFer from the 1991 Series is Kirby Puckett, although both John Smoltz and Tom Glavine will also make the HOF (easily) once they're eligible. Other than that, that's pretty much it. There are no other viable HOF candidates from the '91 series from either team.

The '91 series was certainly surprising in terms of how good the games and the series turned out to be, but I would take the star-studded lineups from the '75 series any day, especially since, even as we watched it, we knew we were watching a good number of future HOFers (not as many as we thought, since Rose didn't make it).

[AMackII]

I go with the 1975 World Series matchup between the Reds & the Red Sox; Reds were dominant that year.

[MrCleveland]

1991...but how about the 2016 WS?

Both Teams, the Cubs and the Indians, haven't won it all in years. The Cubs haven't had a win in 108 years and wins it all...unfortunately...the Indians now have the longest deficit...always Cleveland....

2018 better be Tribe Time, then Chief Wahoo can retire happy....

[Babalu]

1986 was better than both.

[TMC]

Explore how the Atlanta Braves overcame a decade of losing seasons to build a dominant roster under Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz. This look at the 1991 season highlights the pivotal roster decisions and strategic shifts that transformed the franchise from the league's worst into a competitive force.

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