Preventing History

Kevin Cash's 6th inning decision in game six will be one of baseball's hot topics during the winter.

How could it not be? Blake Snell was totally in control -- the Rays young ace holding the big Dodger bats to just one hit in five innings. An Austin Barnes single was all that it took for Tampa Bay's manager to pull him from the game. And as fate, or justice, would have it, L.A. quickly built a game-changing two run rally, as they took command en route to a Series clinching victory.  

While what's done is done, and analytics-driven moves are the way baseball is played in 2020, wouldn't you love to hear Vin Scully or Sandy Koufax's take on Cash's decision to pull Snell from the game?

Could you imagine in 1963 or '65, Walter Alston coming out to remove Sandy (or Don Drysdale) because of some "risky matchup?" Or World Series game seven 1955, Alston pulling Johnny Podres out in the 7th inning of game seven (en route to a Series-ending shutout) after Elston Howard singled because Mickey Mantle (the next man up) homered off Johnny in game two?

Maybe Casey Stengel's "tablet" -- probably carved by the guy who gave them to Moses and Mel Brooks -- said to remove Don Larsen during the historic 1956 World Series perfecto because one of many Dodgers who crushed his pitches a few days earlier was about to face him for the third time?

Thankfully, Alston and Stengel -- Hall of Fame managers for all the right reasons -- managed with their guts and guile -- not some mystical printout. Thus, we were treated to enduring performances, classic drama and games fans like us talk about decades later.

There's a difference between sports and theater. One is spontaneous, the other is scripted. When the manager or director forgets that, bad things are likely to occur.