In Game 5 of the 1988 World Series, Orel Hershiser keeps the A’s to a meager four singles. The 5-1 victory becomes the final game of the series as the Dodgers clinch the World Championship. The Dodgers pitcher also won Game 2 of the series and is named Most Valuable Player.
Maybe Oral was like Milk to the everyday rebel, but I will always remember him as someone who instilled in me that pitching was more than throwing. He always seemed to be thinking out there on the mound; thinking about what to throw next. Or maybe that was just his demeanor? and everyone eventually goes through that thinking process before every pitch?
I saw him in a few games late in his career, and he’s one of those pitchers that makes me wish I had been older while he was around so that I could more fully appreciate his level of play. A time machine is a must … some day…