Now that the World Series is over, I suppose we can conclude two things. First, the 2001 Major League Baseball season was one of the most memorable in the history of the game. Second, don't bet on my prognostications.
It is true that my prediction for the series was Yankees in five. Not only that, half of my last column was an explanation of why Mariano Rivera is the biggest reason that the Yankees will win another championship. But, as we all learned on Sunday, nobody's perfect, not even the great Rivera.
Certainly, with the mystifying endings to games four and five, followed by the classic game seven, the 2001 World Series was the best that I have ever been alive to see. But if there ever was a season that deserved such an ending, it was this one.
Major League Baseball sustained a huge black eye from the strike of 1994. Fortunately, many of the fans that vowed never to watch another game after that debacle slowly but surely returned as the 1998 season unfolded. It was during this year that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa chased each other and Roger Maris for the single-season home run crown, while the Yankees marched toward a 114 win season.
Many hailed the 1998 season as one of, if not the greatest season in history. Television commentator and former catcher Tim McCarver actually wrote a book to express his adoration for the summer of '98. 1998 was really good. But 2001 was better.
Never has another season even come close to the amount of records and milestones that were broken and surpassed by players during this year. Let's take a look at a few of the records, in order of increasing importance.
Roger Clemens became the first pitcher in history to start his season with a 20-1 record. Without any question, the "rocket" had a tremendous year. But his accomplishment might have been more impressive had he not receivedthe type of run support about which pitchers of yesteryear could onlydream.
Barry Bonds broke the single-season record for walks, passing Babe Ruth.Of course, half of the current Major League pitchers haven't the guts
or ability to pitch to somebody of Bond's caliber, especially when he was trying to do something as special as brake a certain home run record. More on that later. The Seattle Mariners posted 116 victories, the most in the history of the game. While this is pretty incredible, three facts qualify the greatness of the feat. First, the Yankees won 114 only three years ago. Second, the 1906 Cubs, whose record was broken, played far fewer games than Seattle. Third, the M's feel apart in losing to the Yankees in five in the ALCS. Now to the really, really big ones. For the last three, it's Rickey, Barry, Rickey.
Rickey Henderson became the new all-time leader in walks. This is a truly fantastic accomplishment made possible only by excellence and longevity.
But the importance of the walk record is augmented by the fact that the new record holder is also the all-time leader in stolen bases. In other words, when Ricky drew four balls, he walked to first and then ran to second.
Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs to break the single-season record set by McGwire in 1998. Even though this year's chase generated only a fraction of the excitement that was spawned by the last one, Bonds accomplishment is every bit as impressive.
The biggest difference is that Bonds is one of the greatest players in baseball history, while Mark McGwire isn't.
Barry also broke the single-season slugging percentage record. For those who don't know, slugging percentage is a statistic that basically details the type of hits that a player his gotten.
A higher slugging percentage means that a good portion of the player's hits went for doubles triples and home runs. Many baseball experts consider the slugging percentage to be as important as batting average. While I do not entirely agree with that, there is no doubt that this achievement was of gigantic proportions.
While the home run record is one of the most romanticized, the biggest record that was broken during the 2001 season was the all-time runs-scored mark set by the aforementioned Rickey Henderson. Simply put, the direct object of a team while playing the game of baseball is to score more runs than their opponent. The team that scores the most runs, wins. The team with the most home runs, or RBI, or base hits does not necessarily win.
It's all about runs. Henderson combined a keen eye at the plate, fast wheels and intelligence on the bases, and longevity to score more runs than anyone else.
When Rickey touched home plate at the very end of the season, to break the record that was held by Ty Cobb for over 70 years, he wrote more history than Bonds, or Clemens, or any active player. Ironically, the record has been passed from one arrogant S.O.B to another. But perhaps it takes a certain amount of cockiness to be able to attain such a record.
Whatever it takes, Henderson has it. His immense feats on the diamond will easily overshadow his poor attitude or penchant for not hustling. Cooperstown will come calling exactly five years after he retires. But knowing Ricky, that won't be for a very long time.
Of course, the 2001 season was also highlighted by the retirements of two all-time greats. Cal Ripken will best be remembered for his consecutive games played streak. But hopefully, this mark will not overshadow the fact that the two-time MVP revolutionized the shortstop position, by combining size, fielding ability, and power.
Tony Gwynn is one of the best pure hitters to ever step into the batter's box, as evidenced by his numerous batting championships. But what many people don't remember is that before he blimped out, Gwynn one a fine fielding outfielder, winning several Gold Gloves.
At the conclusion of the regular season, I was truly astonished that all of these events, plus Ichiro-mania, took place within one season. Then we had the World Series. The 2001 season will help to increase baseball's popularity among Americans who have been distracted by the ultra-excitement of soccer or the beautiful sportsmanship of hockey.
But more importantly, this season has proven why baseball is the best. No other sport has the history to make its records as significant and intriguing as baseball's marks. As for dramatics, the tension and surprise of the final inning of 2001's final game are treats offered only by baseball.
I'm glad I was able to see it all. I know it's getting cold, but eventually the calendar will flip to the month of April, and our national pastime will once again rise to the occasion.
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