1991 v 2016: Game 7

[Longdistancetwins]

 

Another thing about the 91 series is the build-up of excitement leading into game seven.

 

Game two was decided by one run.

 

Game three was decided by one run in 12 innings.

 

Game four was decided by one run.

 

Game six was decided by one run in 11 innings.

 

And then that absurd game seven happened.

 

Five games decided by one run, three of them going into extras.

 

Yeah, when a coworker who is Cleveland fan complained she was exhausted by this Series, I said, "You don't know what exhausted is."  Even Kirby complained of exhaustion in the 1991 Series.

[gil4]

 

1991 was pretty boring if you weren't a fan of either team.....tense, but boring.

 

This game was sloppy, but didn't get real interesting until the end. But, imo, it was likely much more entertaining for the masses.

For a 1-0 game it had a lot of baserunners, so there was tension the whole time.  This year's game really didn't have that for most of the game because it looked like the Cubs had it wrapped up (until Maddon overmanaged the Braves back into it.)

[mazeville]

I've watched both games and 1991 was the better game. I really don't think that should be in question. 0-0 heading into the 10th. Winning pitcher pitches 10 innings. 10 innings! Both teams worst-to-first. I mean ... come on.

 

The Cubs-Indians game was sloppy and over-managed. Kyle Hendricks taken out in the fourth inning. Chapman less effective after pitching nearly 100 pitches in three games. Kluber not striking out a batter. Bunch of errors. To me, there's no question that 1991 was the better game.

 

That said, certain elements made the 2016 Game 7 a higher stakes game and added to the intensity. 

 

It was a more entertaining game for the general public because of the amount of scoring. Offense is more fun.

 

Yet the fact that you had two teams with title droughts lasting 70 and 100 years facing off in game 7 to end their respective curses made the stakes that much higher in this contest.

 

So if you're judging the game on the baseball quality, you have to give it to the 1991 game.

 

If you're judging on total entertainment value, 2016 probably wins out. 

[notoriousgod71]

 

No love for Game 7 of the '97 World Series?  I'd put it in the conversation, but probably still put '01 ahead of it I think.

 

 

I don't think 2016 Game 7 was better than '91, '01, or '97.

 

I would compare it to Game 7 of 1986. You pretty much had a feeling who was going to win the entire game and only for a brief moment did you think otherwise.

 

I also don't think Game 7 was even the best game of this series. Game 3 and Game 5 were both better in my opinion.

 

 

But I see all the new rankings have immediately thrust this year's game to the top spot for some reason. I was so riveted by this game that I was flipping back and forth between this and MLBN's "Baseball Seasons" which I've seen a dozen times.

[USAFChief]

 

1991 was pretty boring if you weren't a fan of either team.....tense, but boring.

 

This game was sloppy, but didn't get real interesting until the end. But, imo, it was likely much more entertaining for the masses.

Huh?

[Sarah]

I'd agree with that Mazeville. Of course as a Twins fan I'm going to say 1991 but I have to disagree with some of you - I thought 2016 was epic. I loved that the ball fell between Chisenhall and Davis allowing two runs to score and then Davis was the hero later in the game with his home run. I loved questioning some of the managerial decisions throughout the game. I loved that there was a rain delay and that must have been some divine intervention because it allowed the Cubs to re-group and score in the next inning. And of course the storyline of two teams battling to end their long droughts. After the Cubs had taken the lead in the 10th there was a shot of Anthony Rizzo standing on third base with his hands on his head and you could read his lips when he said "Oh my god." Kind of summed up the emotion of the game! 

[jimmer]

 

I'd agree with that Mazeville. Of course as a Twins fan I'm going to say 1991 but I have to disagree with some of you - I thought 2016 was epic. I loved that the ball fell between Chisenhall and Davis allowing two runs to score and then Davis was the hero later in the game with his home run. I loved questioning some of the managerial decisions throughout the game. I loved that there was a rain delay and that must have been some divine intervention because it allowed the Cubs to re-group and score in the next inning. And of course the storyline of two teams battling to end their long droughts. After the Cubs had taken the lead in the 10th there was a shot of Anthony Rizzo standing on third base with his hands on his head and you could read his lips when he said "Oh my god." Kind of summed up the emotion of the game! 

I loved when Rizzo was there with Ross in the dugout and Ross was trying to calm him a little bit.  At one point, Rizzo buried his head in Ross' shoulder.  Big example of men being boys :-)

[theBOMisthebomb]

You cannot top game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Maybe match it, never surpass.

[Squirrel]

I'd agree with that Mazeville. Of course as a Twins fan I'm going to say 1991 but I have to disagree with some of you - I thought 2016 was epic. I loved that the ball fell between Chisenhall and Davis allowing two runs to score and then Davis was the hero later in the game with his home run. I loved questioning some of the managerial decisions throughout the game. I loved that there was a rain delay and that must have been some divine intervention because it allowed the Cubs to re-group and score in the next inning. And of course the storyline of two teams battling to end their long droughts. After the Cubs had taken the lead in the 10th there was a shot of Anthony Rizzo standing on third base with his hands on his head and you could read his lips when he said "Oh my god." Kind of summed up the emotion of the game!

 

For me, those are the things that made it an entertaining game, but not a great, intense game of baseball from the first pitch to the last out. For me, and for that, it will never compare to 91, not even in the same class.