In 2004, New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera saved a career-high 53 games, posting a stellar 1.94 ERA. And yet in the 2004 ALCS, Mo blew two late-inning leads to allow the Boston Red Sox to complete their historic and unlikely comeback.
In 2006, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina's season stats looked like this: .216 batting average, six home runs, 49 RBI. But when the calendar turned to October, Yadier "Pujols" Molina discovered how to swing the bat - he hit two crucial homers in the NLCS and batted .412 in the World Series to help St. Louis take the crown.
This year, Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Josh "Dragon-slayer" Fogg had an ERA of almost 5.00 to go with his unsightly WHIP of 1.53. Guess what? This October, he's 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA and has led his team to the World Series.
You can forget the regular season - this is October.
The heroes of this World Series will likely be the Yadier Molinas of baseball, the unknowns who've been saving their fireworks for the world's biggest stage. Meanwhile, each team's season-long champions may suddenly look like, well ... Yadier Molina.
Here are my picks for the Unlikely Heroes of the 2007 World Series:
Fan-favorite outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury could provide that necessary spark to the Red Sox' lineup. He's got incredible speed, pop from the left side of the plate and a precocious ability to hit the ball to the gaps. Just like when Dave Roberts motored around the bases in the 2004 ALCS to help wipe out New York, Ellsbury's speed and high on-base percentage could be the deciding factor in a close game.
For the Rockies, second baseman Kazuo "the bright lights of Queens scare me" Matsui could play the hero. He's hit well this postseason, batting .310 with a home run, a stolen base, two triples, and a surprising eight RBIs. That kind of speed at the top of the order - he was 32-of-36 in stolen base attempts this year - is just what a team needs to kick-start those crucial, momentum-changing innings. Plus, Kaz swings the lumber from both sides of the plate. He joins Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe as the only Rockies starters who can hit from the left side, a skill that will become imperative when facing the Red Sox' all-righty starting rotation.
Of course, these are only guesses - who brings his game face to the Series is a mystery. This World Series, only one thing is for sure - it will Rock your Sox off!
Ellis Rochelson '09 would like to apologize for the last line of this column.
