So I’m currently rewatching the 2003 ALDS on the Pedro server. Fantastic series.
Forgotten moment in Gump history:
Game 4. Sox down 2-1 in the series, up 2-1 in the game, top 6. Oakland 5-6-7 hitters due. Burkett on the hill. To that point he’s given the Sox 5 solid innings, dancing out of trouble here and there including getting out of a bases loaded, no out situation after a run had already crossed. Heading into the 6th he was over 90 pitches.
Lead off man Hatteburg hits a soft ish liner up the middle that Burkett gets a piece of but becomes an infield hit. Ok, I can see giving Burkett another hitter.
Next batter Guillen smokes a liner but Mueller makes a phenomenal diving catch. One out. I’m thinking you gotta yank him now. No move from Grady. Ok, I kind of understand, at least he got an out.
Next batter is lefty Melhuse who is already 2-2 and swinging the bat great. He launches a rocket to right over an outstretched diving Trot (who was a little gimpy with a sore calf). A run scores to tie the game and Melhuse advances to 3rd on the throw and is the take the lead run.
At this point Burkett is well over 100 pitches and clearly done. Wakefield is warm in the pen (why him but that’s a question for another day). Jermaine Dye due up.
So what does Gump do? Leaves Burkett in, of course. What does Dye do? You guessed it. Parking garage roof across Lansdowne.
So with the season on the line he let a 38 year old washed up gassed Burkett face Jermaine Dye.
I almost wish they lost that game to avoid the ALCS game 7 pain. They sure deserved to.
Man Grady was awful.