34 years ago:
Devon White made the most incredible catch I’ve ever witnessed.
The Jays pulled off a 3-2 victory, grabbing a 2-1 series lead. Without that catch, the outcome could have been very different—two runs would have scored, giving the Braves a runner in scoring position with no outs. This pivotal play happened in the fourth inning, with the game still scoreless. In the bottom half, Joe Carter launched a home run to put us ahead.
Juan Guzman surrendered the tying run in the sixth. Deion Sanders doubled, Terry Pendleton singled, and David Justice drove in Sanders with another single. Fortunately, Guzman managed to limit the damage. In the eighth, the Braves took the lead when Otis Nixon reached on a Kelly Gruber error, stole second, and scored on a Lonnie Smith single.
Gruber redeemed himself with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning, tying the game. In the ninth, Roberto Alomar singled and stole second. The Braves intentionally walked Carter, and Dave Winfield executed one of his rare sacrifice bunts (just 19 in 22 seasons). After another intentional walk loaded the bases, Candy Maldonado delivered a walk-off single.
That was easily the greatest catch I’ve ever seen. Devon quickly threw the ball back in to hold the runners. He was so smooth in the outfield—he rarely needed to make spectacular plays because he reached balls others couldn’t—but this one was truly special. Kevin Pillar has made some impressive catches as well, but I still think this tops them all.
It could have been a triple play if not for a missed call, but that’s baseball. I’d rather focus on the catch itself.
We went on to win the series in six games. I remember the final play vividly: Mike Timlin was pitching, with the tying run (John Smoltz, pinch-running) on third and Otis Nixon at the plate. Nixon laid down a well-placed drag bunt, but Timlin reacted quickly and made a perfect throw to Carter at first. As soon as the out was called, Joe started leaping in celebration—I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone jump higher (though he may have outdone himself a year later). I’ll admit, I was jumping up and down too.
I love re-watching this. Devon was such a smooth outfielder.
33 Years Ago Today:
The Jays triumphed in Game 5 of the 1993 World Series, edging out the Phillies 15-14 in an unforgettable slugfest.
Devon White was the hero once again, smashing a two-run triple in the eighth inning. That game set a World Series record for most runs scored.
I’m not going to recap it all, but here’s a snapshot:
- Todd Stottlemyre wasn’t good, giving up 6 runs in 2 innings.
- Al Leiter pitched next and wasn’t much better, giving up 6 runs in 2.2 innings.
- Tony Castillo got the W, giving up just 2 runs in 2.1 innings.Timlin got 2 outs, and Duane Ward got the last 4 outs to get the save.
- Rickey Henderson went 2 for 5 with a double, walk and steal, scoring 2 and driving in 2.
- White went 3 for 5, with a double, triple, walk and steal, scoring 2 and driving in 4.
- Carter was 3 for 6, with a double, scoring twice.
- Tony Fernandez was 3 for 6 and drove in 5.
- My favourite non-Jays reliever, Mitch Williams, got the blown save and loss. It was his third blown save of the playoffs that year. He would have one more, which you likely remember.
- On the Phillies side, Lenny Dykstra scored and drove in 4 (Lenny has had an interesting life since, but that’s a story for another time), and Milt Thompson drove in 5.
14 Years Ago Today:
John Farrell left for the Red Sox, much to our frustration. Fortunately, Gibby returned to manage, and the Sox later fired Farrell from his so-called ‘dream job.’ In the end, things worked out for us. That day’s comment thread was one of the few occasions when the language rules were relaxed here.
As compensation, we got Mike Aviles, but quickly traded him and Yan Gomes for Esmil Rogers. Looking back, no compensation might have been better.