by Mitch Albom | Oct 29, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
ANDUJAR: “You’re horsebleep!”
UMPIRE: “You’re horsebleep too! And you’re out of here!
— Alleged exchange between Joaquin Andujar and umpire during Andujar’s ejection from Game 7. KANSAS CITY — Well now, wasn’t that a nifty little World Series? A little bit of hitting, a little bit of pitching, a little bit of those nasty words your Mommy always told you never to use when company was over.
Kansas City wins. St. Louis loses. The good guys come out on top. The baddies get theirs in the end. At least that’s what they’re saying around this part of Missouri.
by Mitch Albom | Oct 28, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
KANSAS CITY — Champagne on his head, an MVP trophy in his arms, a World Series victory under his belt, a newborn baby in the nursery, and the President waiting for him on the phone.Oh, to be Bret Saberhagen for just a minute Sunday night.This was a remarkable...
by Mitch Albom | Oct 28, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
KANSAS CITY — You could have relived your childhood in the time in took the ball to make up its mind. It was long and high and rising down the left field line, with 40,000 people screaming their guts out — STAY FAIR! STAY FAIR! — and there, at home...
by Mitch Albom | Oct 27, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
KANSAS CITY — They passed in the tunnel. Charlie Leibrandt was being shuffled out to the field by a horde of interviewers. Dane Iorg was being shuffled back in by a horde of interviewers. They saw one another and leaped above the throngs of microphones to slap their hands in a high five.
“Hey, Charlie!” Iorg yelled over the din of cheers still echoing outside, tribute to the most dramatic ninth inning the World Series has seen in years.
“I knew we would win, man! We couldn’t let you lose another heartbreaker. No way!”
by Mitch Albom | Oct 27, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
KANSAS CITY — They can talk MVP. They can talk Cy Young. But there are a few other awards to come out of this 1985 World Series that should not be overlooked. A little less well known, maybe, but just as cherished by the recipients. Sort of.
May we have the envelopes, please?
THE MISTER ROGERS “WOULD YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?” AWARD: To Cardinals pitcher John Tudor, who, when asked by a reporter why he didn’t seem to be enjoying his Game 5 victory, replied, “Do you want me to punch you in the mouth? Would that make you happy?”
by Mitch Albom | Oct 27, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
I awake in the desert. The sun, she is hot. The earth, she is dry. My tongue, she is parched. Many moons have I traveled in search of the hidden treasure, the prize that no mortal has ever possessed: the sure thing in pro football.
See the skeletons of those who tried before me. Some are curled in the sand. Some have the stale cigar still in their teeth. Hey, wait a minute, I know that guy. That’s Ralph!
by Mitch Albom | Oct 25, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
ST. LOUIS — The stands were a sea of red, and boiling over. “Tonight! Tonight!” they chanted. Everybody in this city was repeating those words. The cabdrivers. The brewery workers. The guy in the bird suit jumping around outside the stadium.
“Gonna be tonight, Cardinals. . . . Bring it home tonight, Cardinals. . . It all ends tonight, Cardinals. . . . “
by Mitch Albom | Oct 25, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
ST. LOUIS — Put down those bats and gloves. Drop those box scores. Just for today we’re talking mood. Color. Flavor. For all you unfortunate souls who can’t be here at this All-Muh-ZU- rah World Series, and you don’t know what you’re missing — but then, how could you know what you’re missing? How could anyone know what they’re missing, come to think of it? — I am here to capture some of the sights and sounds and smells. A Day in the Life of an I-70 Classic. Spanning the streets. Leaving no Bud can unturned. The thrill of the foam, the agony of the hangover.
by Mitch Albom | Oct 24, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
ST. LOUIS — Hoist the guillotines. Polish the blades. We’re down to one game again, and it’s time to see if the Kansas City Royals finally get their heads chopped off.
Of course, anyone who has followed this team since late September knows the Royals seem to gravitate to a disadvantage like Prince does to purple underwear.
They had to charge to catch California in their division. They were down 3-1 to Toronto in the American League playoffs before coming back to win in seven. And now, down they are again, this time 3-1 in the World Series.
by Mitch Albom | Oct 23, 1985 | Detroit Free Press
ST. LOUIS — How would you feel if your boss suddenly said you could keep your job but not do any work?
Quit cheering. It’s a hypothetical question.
Except in baseball.
Consider Hal McRae, age 39. Occupation: Designated hitter, Kansas City Royals. Job Performance: Excellent. Experience: First rate. Priority to team: Highest.
Starting Role in World Series: None.
Reason: Rules.
