behind the dugout

by john

The 1995 World Series is my greatest memories as a fan of the Atlanta Braves. I can’t think of a another time in the 18 years or so I’ve spent watching this great game that I had as much joy as when the Atlanta Braves captured the 1995 World Series crown. A perinial contender for the trophy the Braves had failed in their two previous attempts in the decade.

The Braves (90-54) once again made it to the World Series this time facing the Cleveland Indians (100-44). Following years of post season failure and a strike that had prevented the 1994 season from being completed the 1995 season held hope for the Braves. The 144 game season saw the Braves win the NL East by 21 games. Their record of 90-54 was the best in the NL, their rotation featured three guys who were the definition of winning; Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. The Braves made short work of the Rockies in the Divisional Series and then swept the Reds in the League Championship Series. Of course these were the Atlanta Braves and pulling off the big game was something the team had failed at in its previous two appearances in the 90’s. Meanwhile in the American League the Cleveland Indians were doing much of the same. The Tribe won the week Central Division by 30 games over the Royals and were the only team to amass 100 wins in all of baseball. The Indians featured a veteran rotation with the likes of Orel Hershiser, Dennis Martinez and Charles Nagy. Most of their starting lineup had grown up though the minors together. The Indians had not made a World Series appearance in forty one years and were poised to continue the Braves suffering.

Over 51,000 fans packed Fulton County Stadium for Game 1 of the series as NL Cy Young winner Greg Maddux faced off against Orel Hershiser. Maddux had just completed what many consider the best two years for a pitcher in baseball history. His 19-2 marked the highest winning percentage in a season of 20 or more decisions, and his 1.63 ERA was tops in baseball 2.55 below the NL average of 4.18. Maddux allowed only two hits and two runs as the Brave ace pitched a complete game to pick up the win.

The Braves won game one while I was at a Halloween dance, I remember it was 7th grade and I had just worn a Braves hat to the dance and a braves shirt. The weather had already turned cold. I got notice that the Braves had were leading during the dance and found out afterwards that the Braves had won 3-2 behind the great pitching of ace Greg Maddux. The Braves also won game two of the series in large part to a home run by catcher Javy Lopez. I remember being filled with joy when Lopez hit his homerun. The Braves had a 2-0 series lead and excitement was already forming.

The Indians breathed life into their hopes of a championship with a win in Game 3. In Game 4 however 25 year old Steve Avery held the Indians at bay and the Braves moved within one game of winning the series. Maddux didn’t pitch horrible in Game 5 but Orel Hershiser pitched well and the Tribe held on despite a ninth inning rally by the Braves. The Indians had forced a Game 6.

Any Brave fan old enough will tell you that Tom Glavine’s performance in Game 6 is the best pitched game they have ever seen.

During Game Six my mom found it appropriate to visit my dad at work. So we loaded up the Crown Victoria and visited him. I remember struggling to find the game on AM Radio. The score was deadlocked at zero after five innings. The Indians got their first hit in the top of the 6th but were unable to do anything and the game raced to the bottom of the 6th inning. The Indians called upon veteran relief pitcher Jim Poole to pitch again in the 6th inning. He allowed a solo homerun to David Justice and the Braves took at 1-0 lead.

Glavine had went 8 innings allowing only a weak single to Tony Perez in the 6th. The Indian pitchers however also held their own. Allowing only one run on six hits, the lone run on a solo homerun by David Justice. Alan Embree, Julian Tavarez, and Paul Assenmacher would prevent the Braves offense from scoring any further runs. Glavine would leave the game with a 1-0 lead in the 9th and make way for closer Mark Wohlers. Wohlers had compiled his best season, notching 25 saves and a 2.09 ERA over 64.2 innings.

Wohlers was able to get the Indians out in the 9th and Marquis Grissom secured his spot in Braves baseball lore by catching the final two outs. I remember a sigh of relief after he caught the first fly ball and went frantic after he caught the second. Catcher Javy Lopez ran and jumped into Mark Wohlers arms after the Grissom caught the last out and the Braves players ran onto the field and celebrated the win. Later in the post game celebration it was announced that pitcher Tom Glavine had been named World Series MVP, Greg Maddux would later be awarded his 4th consecutive Cy Young Award.

I went to bed that night knowing that a team that had been brides-maids so long finally were able to call themselves World Series Champions.