GAME 7: Why Baseball Isn't Fair (ft. Mariano Rivera & Aroldis Chapman) l Baseball Bits

Foolish Baseball
11 Feb 201913:30
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis episode of 'Baseball Bits' examines high-pressure situations in Game 7 of the World Series, focusing on the performances of two legendary pitchers: Aroldis Chapman and Mariano Rivera. It explores the 2001 and 2016 World Series, revealing how Chapman managed to force extra innings, while Rivera faced his most significant failure. The video delves into the unpredictability of baseball, showcasing that excellent pitching does not always equate to success, and poor pitching can sometimes go unpunished. It analyzes key moments, including Rivera's infamous blown save in 2001 and Chapman's exhausted performance in 2016, illustrating the game's complexity and the human element in sports.

Takeaways
  • 🏆 The script examines pivotal Game 7 moments from the 2001 and 2016 World Series, highlighting the performances of star pitchers Aroldis Chapman and Mariano Rivera.
  • 👊 It emphasizes that great pitching does not always equate to successful outcomes, and poor pitching can sometimes go unpunished, challenging simple notions of success and failure in baseball.
  • 📅 The 2001 World Series Game 7 saw the New York Yankees, aiming for their fourth consecutive title, face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks, an expansion team in just its fourth year.
  • 🔥 Mariano Rivera's cutter was a dominant pitch, especially effective against left-handed hitters, but in this game, it led to a game-tying hit by Mark Grace.
  • 🤕 An error by Derek Jeter on a bunt attempt by Damian Miller contributed to the Diamondbacks' momentum, showcasing the importance of fielding in high-pressure situations.
  • 🚫 In the 2016 World Series Game 7, Aroldis Chapman, despite being exhausted, returned to the mound to try to save the game for the Chicago Cubs.
  • 📉 Chapman's exhaustion was evident through his pitches being out of the strike zone, reliance on off-speed stuff, and inability to throw triple-digit speeds.
  • 🎯 The script points out that Mariano Rivera's dominance was partly due to his predictable pitch selection, which was effective but risky in high-stakes situations.
  • 🚨 A critical missed double play opportunity and a hit by Tony Womack forced Rivera into a situation where he had to face Luis Gonzalez with the game on the line.
  • 🌟 Luis Gonzalez's game-winning hit off Rivera is a testament to the unpredictability of baseball, even against the best closer in history.
  • 👁️ The video also provides a detailed analysis of the pitchers' strategies and the batters' approaches, illustrating the complexity and tension of baseball's high-leverage situations.
Q & A

  • Who are the two closing pitchers mentioned in the video script?

    -The two closing pitchers mentioned in the script are Aroldis Chapman and Mariano Rivera.

  • What is the significance of the ninth inning in a World Series Game 7?

    -The ninth inning of Game 7 in the World Series is significant because it is a high-pressure situation where the outcome can lead to either triumph or heartbreak, determining the champion of the series.

  • What year and teams were featured in the first World Series Game 7 discussed in the script?

    -The first World Series Game 7 discussed is from 2001 between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

  • Who were the starting pitchers for the Arizona Diamondbacks that helped them take a 2-0 lead in the 2001 World Series?

    -The starting pitchers for the Arizona Diamondbacks who helped them take a 2-0 lead were Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.

  • What was unique about Mariano Rivera's pitching repertoire?

    -Mariano Rivera's pitching repertoire was unique because he threw a cut fastball 90 to 95 percent of the time, which was highly effective against right-handed hitters and surprisingly effective against lefties as well.

  • What happened in the 2001 World Series Game 7 that led to Mariano Rivera giving up a hit to Mark Grace?

    -Mariano Rivera threw a cutter inside with a late break right on the hands to Mark Grace, who managed to muscle it over the infield for a single.

  • What year and teams were featured in the second World Series Game 7 discussed in the script?

    -The second World Series Game 7 discussed is from 2016 between the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs.

  • What was the situation when Aroldis Chapman came out to pitch the 9th inning in the 2016 World Series Game 7?

    -Aroldis Chapman came out to pitch the 9th inning in the 2016 World Series Game 7 after having already appeared in the 8th inning. He was trying to prevent disaster and allow no runs to keep the Cubs' hopes alive.

  • How many pitches did Aroldis Chapman throw in the last three games leading up to his appearance in the 2016 World Series Game 7?

    -Aroldis Chapman threw 83 pitches in the last three games leading up to his appearance in the 2016 World Series Game 7.

  • What was the final outcome for Mariano Rivera in the 2001 World Series Game 7?

    -Mariano Rivera experienced the greatest failure of his Hall of Fame career in the 2001 World Series Game 7, as he allowed a hit to Tony Womack that tied the game, leading to a blown save.

  • What happened on the final play of the 2001 World Series Game 7 that led to the Arizona Diamondbacks winning the game?

    -On the final play, Luis Gonzalez hit a ball that cracked his bat and was able to get a base hit off Mariano Rivera, scoring the winning run and giving the Arizona Diamondbacks the victory.

Outlines
00:00
🏆 High Leverage Situations in Baseball History

This paragraph sets the stage for a deep dive into two pivotal moments in baseball history: Game 7 of the 2001 World Series between the Yankees and the Diamondbacks, and Game 7 of the 2016 World Series between the Indians and the Cubs. It highlights two legendary pitchers, Aroldis Chapman and Mariano Rivera, known for their closing prowess. The narrative is framed around the intense pressure of the ninth inning in a decisive game, where the careers of these pitchers are tested. The paragraph emphasizes that the video will explore how excellent pitching does not always equate to success, and poor pitching is not always penalized, using these two World Series games as case studies.

05:01
🔥 Mariano Rivera's Unprecedented Challenge

This section focuses on Mariano Rivera's performance in the 2001 World Series, particularly in a high-stakes situation. Rivera, known for his cutter that was particularly effective against left-handed hitters, faced a critical moment in the ninth inning with the Yankees leading by one run. Despite his usual dominance, Rivera encountered difficulty when Mark Grace managed to get a single, and then a failed bunt attempt by Damian Miller led to a fielding error by Derek Jeter. The paragraph also fast forwards to 2016, contrasting Rivera's situation with that of Aroldis Chapman, who, despite having already appeared in the eighth inning and facing exhaustion, was tasked with securing the final three outs to prevent a disaster for the Cubs. Chapman's struggles are evident as he leans on his off-speed pitches and fails to throw his signature fastball at his usual velocity.

10:02
🥊 The Climactic Conclusions of Two World Series

The final paragraph brings the narratives of both World Series games to their dramatic conclusions. It revisits Rivera's predicament with two runners on base and no outs, highlighting a missed opportunity for a double play due to a lack of a throw to first base by Scott Brosius. The narrative then shifts to Tony Womack, a left-handed batter who managed to hit a double off Rivera, tying the game and putting the Diamondbacks in a position to win. The paragraph also discusses Aroldis Chapman's struggle, detailing his inability to rely on his fastball and his risky reliance on sliders. The summary concludes with the anticipation of the next batter, Francisco Lindor, and the challenges that Chapman would face to escape the inning without conceding a run, thus drawing a parallel between the two pitchers' experiences and the unpredictable nature of baseball.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Closing Pitchers
Closing pitchers, also known as closers, are relief pitchers who specialize in finishing games where their team is ahead. They are often brought into the game during the ninth inning to 'close out' the opposing team and secure a win. In the video, Aroldis Chapman and Mariano Rivera are highlighted as two special closing pitchers, with Rivera being a Hall of Famer known for his incredible career as a reliever.
💡High Leverage Situations
High leverage situations are moments in a game that have a significant impact on the outcome. They are typically characterized by tight scores and late innings, where every play can drastically change the game's momentum. The video discusses how pitchers like Chapman and Rivera are often placed in these situations due to their skill and ability to handle pressure.
💡World Series
The World Series is the championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the winners of the American and National Leagues. It represents the pinnacle of achievement in professional baseball and is the ultimate high-leverage situation. The video script examines Game Seven of both the 2001 and 2016 World Series, emphasizing the pressure and significance of these games.
💡Cutter
A cutter, short for cut fastball, is a type of pitch thrown by a baseball pitcher that has a slight lateral movement. It is designed to 'cut' through the air, making it difficult for hitters to make solid contact. Mariano Rivera was known for his cut fastball, which he threw 90 to 95 percent of the time, and it was particularly effective against left-handed hitters.
💡Postseason
The postseason refers to the championship playoff games that occur after the regular season in baseball. It is a time when the best teams compete for the league championship. Mariano Rivera's performance in the postseason is highlighted in the script, noting his impressive .70 PRA (Pitcher Run Average) and the rarity of scoring an earned run off him in the playoffs.
💡Extra Innings
Extra innings occur in baseball when the game is tied at the end of the ninth inning, and additional innings are played to determine a winner. The video discusses how Aroldis Chapman succeeded in forcing extra innings in Game Seven of the 2016 World Series, which is a critical moment that can change the outcome of the game.
💡Blow a Save
Blow a save refers to a situation where a relief pitcher enters the game with a lead, but then gives up enough runs for the opposing team to tie or take the lead, resulting in a loss for their team. The script mentions that Mariano Rivera experienced the greatest failure of his career by blowing a save in a high-pressure situation.
💡Missed Opportunity
In the context of the video, a missed opportunity refers to a situation where a player or team fails to capitalize on a chance to change the game's outcome. The script describes a moment in the 2001 World Series where a missed double play opportunity by Scott Brosius led to a significant shift in the game.
💡Hit by Pitch
A hit by pitch occurs when a batter is struck by a pitch and is awarded first base. In the video, Craig Counsell is hit by a pitch from Mariano Rivera, which is a critical moment because it brings up Luis Gonzalez, who then hits the game-winning ball.
💡Walk-off
A walk-off refers to a game-winning event, such as a home run or a hit that scores the winning run, that occurs at the end of a game, often in the home team's last at-bat. The video script describes Luis Gonzalez's walk-off hit in the 2001 World Series, which is a defining moment in baseball history.
💡Slider
A slider is a type of baseball pitch that has a sharp, sliding motion as it approaches the plate, making it difficult for the batter to hit. The script mentions that Aroldis Chapman relied heavily on his slider during critical moments in the 2016 World Series, which is a strategy used by pitchers to keep batters off balance.
Highlights

Comparison of two special closing pitchers, Aroldis Chapman and Mariano Rivera.

Examination of Game 7 of the 2001 World Series between the Yankees and Diamondbacks.

Analysis of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series between the Indians and Cubs.

Chapman succeeding in forcing extra innings in the 2016 World Series.

Rivera experiencing the greatest failure of his Hall of Fame career in the 2001 World Series.

Study of how good pitching doesn't always lead to good outcomes.

Discussion on how bad pitching isn't always punished.

The unpredictability of Mariano Rivera's cutter against left-handed hitters.

Mark Grace's single against Rivera in the 2001 World Series.

Damien Miller's failed bunt attempt against Rivera.

Aroldis Chapman's exhaustion and struggle in the 2016 World Series.

Chapman's reliance on off-speed pitches and inability to throw triple digits.

Carlos Santana's at-bat against Chapman with a focus on Chapman's pitch selection.

Jay Bell's bunt and the missed double play opportunity against Rivera.

Tony Womack's game-tying double off Rivera in the 2001 World Series.

Luis Gonzalez's game-winning hit against Rivera.

The unpredictability of baseball outcomes despite the skill of the players.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
World SeriesBaseball HistoryHigh LeveragePressure SituationsMariano RiveraAroldis ChapmanRelieversGame SevenSports AnalysisPitching Performance