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The baseball season is a long grind, a marathon of games that are all working towards the World Series. Players and teams that perform well enough in the regular season simply earn the right to start from zero on the biggest stage in October. We are here to talk about the best and brightest acts in any single postseason.
The original goal here was to write a top-10 article, but the performances I'd be leaving off didn't sit right, so 25 it is (and I squeezed in some duos). Baseball's first official World Series came in 1903, and outside of 1904 and 1994, has been played every year since. All but four series were best-of-seven (1903, 1919-21 were nine), with 1969 introducing the League Championship Series (best-of-five until '85, becoming seven). The re-alignment in '94 led to the Wild Card and a third playoff round, with 2012 bringing the Expanded Wild Card era.
The point is that we must judge the eras for what they were and not punish those who "only" played in a handful of games, embracing the totality of baseball. Remember that I am just a man with an opinion and you are free to get at me on Twitter @NMariano53 if you want to discuss and debate these any further. Winning counts for something, but not everything! Here are my top 25 postseason performances, starting from #25.
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Honorable Mentions
- Hitters: Hank Gowdy, 1914; Mark Grace, 1989; Bernie Williams, 1996; Manny Ramirez, 2008; Alex Rodriguez, 2009
- Pitchers: Waite Hoyt, 1921; George Earnshaw, 1930; Jose Rijo, 1990; John Smoltz, 1996; Wade Miller, 2015
#25. Andrew Miller, Indians – 2016
2016 Postseason Stats: 10 Games, 19 ⅓ IP, 2 Ws, 1 SV, 5 HLDs, 30 Ks, 1.40 ERA, 0.88 WHIP
“Shh, the fireman coming.” Are those Lil Wayne lyrics or what Terry Francona would say when Miller entered the game? Miller was a midseason acquisition and posted a ho-hum 1.55 ERA/0.55 WHIP with 46 strikeouts in 29 innings of relief before October. The lefty would make 10 appearances, going over an inning in each game with 30 total strikeouts in 19 ⅓ IP.
#24. Mariano Rivera, Yankees – 1998
1998 Stats: 10 Gs, 13 ⅓ IP, 6 SVs, 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP
The ‘98 Yankees didn’t necessarily need Rivera to be at his peak to win it all, but it sure looked cool. Mo yielded one lonely hit in seven combined appearances between the ALDS and ALCS. He would record a save in Games 1, 3, and 4 of the World Series to cap off a scoreless run of 13 ⅓ IP in the postseason.
One could easily argue his record-setting 0.44 WHIP from the 2003 run was better form (zero walks in 16 IP!), but I’ll give the WS ring and 0.00 ERA an edge.
Mariano Rivera’s postseason game logs in the 1998 postseason:
1 IP, 0 ER
1.1 IP, 0 ER
1 IP, 0 ER
2 IP, 0 ER
1 IP, 0 ER
1.2 IP, 0 ER
1 IP, 0 ER
1.1 IP, 0 ER
1.2 IP, 0 ER
1.1 IP, 0 ERDominant. pic.twitter.com/qTRps2QYel
— YankeesMuse (@YankeesMuse) March 4, 2023
#23. Billy Hatcher, Reds – 1990
1990 Stats: 8 Gs, .519/.567/.889 slash, 7 XBH, 12 R+RBI
Hatcher helped push the underdog Reds past the Pirates with a healthy .333 average in the NLCS, but that’s not why we’re here. He propelled a World Series sweep by going 9-for-12 with a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch.
The resulting .750 AVG and .800 OBP are still World Series records. He was notably 7-for-7 through two games, but he sprinkled in some outs to throw off suspicion of a Monstars-like talent channeling.
#22. Josh Beckett, Marlins – 2003
2003 Stats: 6 Gs, 42 ⅔ IP, 2-2, 47 Ks, 2.11 ERA, 0.77 WHIP
Beckett’s postseason started with his Marlins losing a game with one run allowed over seven frames and winning a game where he allowed six runs. Weird, eh? He made up for the hiccup with a complete-game shutout, striking out 11 Cubbies with only two hits and a walk as blemishes.
He then tossed four innings of relief three days later to lock up Game 7 and punch Florida’s ticket to the World Series. His Game 3 performance was strong, but the series-winning CGSHO in Yankee Stadium was a masterpiece.
#21. Corey Seager, Dodgers – 2020
2020 Stats: 18 Gs, 8 HRs, 2 SBs, 1.171 OPS, 40 R+RBI
The shortened 2020 season can have its qualifications, but the playoffs were the same! Seager made up for earlier October underperformances with eight HRs and a 1.171 OPS over 18 games.
His most notable box score came in a dire NLCS Game 5 with the Dodgers trailing the Braves 1-3 in the series. Seager’s two HRs powered the Dodgers to a 7-3 victory that led to an eventual 4-3 comeback, enabling them to go on and beat the Rays in the World Series.
#20. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – 2019
2019 Stats: 6 Gs, 36 ⅓ IP, 5-0, 47 Ks, 1.98 ERA, 0.94 WHIP
Stras gave his all in 2019, throwing an MLB-leading 209 innings in the regular season before logging a 1.98 ERA over 36 ⅓ postseason IP. His best singular performance was Game 3 of the NLCS, which housed a 12-strikeout drubbing of the Cardinals.
He then posted a pair of quality starts in the World Series, suppressing a strong Houston offense. This includes 8 ⅓ IP in a must-win Game 6 after the Astros pulled ahead 3-2 with three straight dubs. The Nats would rally and take the series after Stras stabilized things.
Stephen Strasburg will always be a Nationals legend and his performance during the 2019 World Series run will go down as one of the best in postseason history.
5-0
1.98 ERA
0.94 WHIP
47/4 K/BB Ratio pic.twitter.com/qVj6QrT63P— Shaun Salehi (@ShaunSalehi) August 24, 2023
#19. Reggie Jackson, Yankees – 1978
1978 Stats: 10 Gs, 4 HRs, .417/.511/.806, 21 R+RBI, 3 HRs in WS G6
How could we leave Mr. October off? Astute Jackson enthusiasts will note we’re talking ‘78, but the moniker came in ‘77. Yes, Jackson only went 2-for-16 in the ALCS that year and notched two hits in the first three games of the WS.
The three-homer Game 6 is an ultimate highlight, as are the five round-trippers across Games 4-6, but he was simply better in ‘78. Reggie ran it back with hits in 9-of-10 games, including four HRs and 14 RBI.
#18. Lew Burdette, Braves – 1957
1957 Stats: 3 Gs, 27 IP, 3-0, 3 CGs, 0.67 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
Burdette silenced the mighty Yankees with a 0.67 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across three complete games. He danced around seven hits in each game, finding outs when it mattered and refusing to let any damage stack up. Hank Aaron also had a fantastic series, going 11-for-28 (.393) with three HRs and a triple.
Today In 1957: The Milwaukee #Braves defeat the New York #Yankees in seven games to become World Series champions! Pitcher Lew Burdette is named MVP of the "Fall Classic" after going 3-0 with a 0.67 ERA in 27.0 IP! #MLB #Baseball #History #Postseason pic.twitter.com/lHaAVwrBtW
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) October 10, 2022
#17. Bob Gibson, Cardinals – 1967
1967 Stats: 3 Gs, 27 IP, 3-0, 3 CGs, 26 Ks, 1.00 ERA, 0.70 WHIP
Gibson won three complete games in the ‘67 World Series, allowing three runs with a pair of 10-strikeout gems over those 27 innings. Boston may have pushed things to seven games, but they simply ran into the buzzsaw that was Gibby.
I must throw in that Gibson also threw three complete games in ‘68, one of which housed 17 strikeouts, but he allowed four runs in a Game 7 loss, so let’s go with ‘67 instead. Also, Lou Brock hit .414 with seven steals in ‘67 before hitting .464 with another seven swipes in ‘68.
#16. Jack Morris, Twins – 1991
1991 Stats: 5 Gs, 4-0, 36 ⅓ IP, 2.23 ERA, 10-IP CGSHO in WS G7
Morris made his lone season with Minnesota count for the Twin Cities. He was in the circle of “very good” by winning his first three starts of the ‘91 playoffs, but then he went against John Smoltz on three days’ rest in Game 7 of the World Series. All he did was throw a 10-inning shutout, blanking the Bravos until a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th by Gene Larkin.
#15. Adolis Garcia, Rangers – 2023
2023 Stats: 15 Gs, 1.108 OPS, 8 HRs, 22 RBI, 2 SBs
Garcia suffered an oblique strain in Game 3 of the World Series, but he still broke the record for single-season postseason RBI with 22. The Rangers were tangled in a streetfight series against the Astros when Garcia homered five times in Games 4-7.
Then he opened the World Series with three hits, including yet another long ball. Texas would finish the job without him, but Garcia’s postseason still stands a cut above.
Adolis Garcia accomplished 3 things w/ this swing
1) Extended playoff HR streak to 5 straight
2) Set a MLB RECORD for most RBI in a postseason with 22
3) WALKED OFF GAME 1 OF THE WORLD SERIES!!!! (First WS G1 walkoff since Kirk Gibson’s famous HR in 1988) pic.twitter.com/grnpvcU6V6— Jared Sandler (@JaredSandler) October 28, 2023
#14. Willie Stargell, Pirates – 1979
1979 Stats: 10 Gs, .415/.435/.927, 5 HRs, 22 R+RBI
Stargell’s age-39 season saw him carry success through the NLCS and WS with an overall .415/.435/.927 slash line in October. He swatted 11 extra-base hits (six doubles, five HRs) in 10 games, including a heroic four-hit day with three XBH in a triumphant Game 7 over Baltimore. The Pirates haven’t been back to the Fall Classic since, but Stargell’s sweet lefty swing still lives on in the hearts of many Steel City oldies.
#13. David Ortiz & Koji Uehara – 2013
2013 Stats: 16 Gs, 1.206 OPS, 5 HRs, 25 R+RBI & 7 SVs, 0.66 ERA, 16:0 K:BB
Hear me out, because I know 2004 is when Big Papi took off. But that World Series win was a team effort in the end. Six Sox posted an OPS of at least .900, with Ortiz’s 1.086 coming in fourth. Contrast that with the 2013 World Series, when Ortiz posted a .688/.750/.1.188 slash line. No other Sox had an OPS above .600, for reference.
He dragged the offense while Uehara and his 16:0 K:BB was always there to shut the door. Outside of a solo HR surrendered in Game 3 of the ALDS, Uehara would scatter six hits across 12 other games to help Boston lock up the title. Said homer was by Jose Lobaton for you trivia enthusiasts.
In the 2013 postseason, David Ortiz hit .353 with a 1.206 OPS. The rest of the Red Sox collectively hit .213 with a .602 OPS and they won the World Series. pic.twitter.com/GsZY41DdqB
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) October 16, 2020
#12. Randy Arozarena, Rays – 2020
2020 Stats: 20 Gs, .377/.442/.831, 10 HRs, 33 R+RBI, 52.6% HR/FB
Arozarena had barely gotten his feet wet in the majors (42 games) before Tampa’s playoff run began. You’d never guess it by watching him in the spotlight, though. He would hit .377 over 20 games, crushing a postseason-record 10 HRs when no one else even has nine.
#11. Mickey Lolich, Tigers – 1968
1968 Stats: 27 IP, 3-0, 21 Ks, 1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP
Lolich went toe-to-toe with Bob Gibson on the biggest stage and emerged victorious, which is not something many can claim! The Portland product won all three of his World Series starts, which were all complete games, of course. The Cardinals couldn’t piece together more than three runs in any of their matchups with Lolich, which allowed them to pull off the 4-3 series victory.
#10. Yogi Berra, Yankees – 1956
1956 Stats: 7 Gs, .360/.448/.800, 3 HRs, 15 R+RBI, 4 BB, 1 K
Berra was fresh off one of his finest seasons, posting a .911 OPS (142 OPS+) while tying his career-high in HRs (30). The Yanks would need every bit of his playoff prowess in a seven-game series against the Brooklyn Dodgers (he had played in 40 already!), and did Berra ever deliver.
After going hitless in Game 1, Yogi cleared the fence with four RBI in Game 2 and would eventually hit .360 with a 1.248 OPS on the series. Berra and company failed to clinch the series in Game 6 and turned to Don Larsen for Game 7.
Ol’ Yogi would help call and receive a perfect game that day, while also slugging two homers in his first two at-bats off of none other than Don Newcombe. His 10 RBI became a Series record at the time. The 18-time All-Star played 75 total playoff games over his illustrious career, but these were his finest.
#9. Carlos Beltran, Astros – 2004
2004 Stats: 12 Gs, .435/.536/1.022, 8 HRs, 35 R+RBI, 6 SBs
Beltran was already good on Kansas City, but he turned into a demon after being dealt to Houston. Over 90 regular-season games, Beltran would crack 23 HRs while going a perfect 28-for-28 on steals. The 2004 season was his first taste of the postseason and he did not disappoint.
In just 12 games, Beltran would tie the record for HRs with eight, something Barry Bonds did in 17 games. He hit over .415 in both the NLDS and NLCS. He logged more walks (9) than strikeouts (8) while continuing his run of perfection on the basepaths, swiping six more. He couldn’t drag the Astros to the Fall Classic, but his run is worthy of immense praise regardless.
Man, if you do ANYTHING in the postseason that causes them to reference Carlos Beltran's 2004 in the graphic, buddy you are on another planet.
— Matthew Leach (@MatthewHLeach) October 19, 2022
#8. Barry Bonds, Giants – 2002
2002 Stats: 17 Gs, .356/.581/.978, 8 HRs, 34 R+RBI, 13 IBB
I’m a firm believer that you can’t tell baseball’s story without including Bonds in some manner. You hear that, BBWAA? Opposing pitchers knew throwing anywhere near the zone was asking for trouble, as evidenced by his 27 walks in 74 plate appearances in the 2002 postseason.
But Bonds still got his, cracking eight total HRs (a playoff record) while striking out six times. His OPS was above 1.200 in the Divisional, Conference, and World Series. Hardy har har. While the Giants would fall short of the title, Bonds’ deep drive of Game 2 is likely the most iconic moment of the series.
The Halos held a two-run lead with two outs in the ninth with Bonds at the dish, but the bases were empty so he could only do so much. The slugger would crank a moonshot to deep right that escaped the camera’s tracking. A shot of the Angels’ dugout showed Tim Salmon in awe, exclaiming that it was the farthest ball he’d ever seen hit. Me too, man, me too.
Remember when Barry Bonds made Tim Salmon say, “That’s the farthest ball I’ve ever seen hit”? pic.twitter.com/PGaaRCNBnF
— Remember When MLB? (@RememberWhenMLB) March 4, 2019
#7. David Freese, Cardinals – 2011
2011 Stats: 18 Gs, .397/.465/.794, 8 2B, 5 HRs, 33 R+RBI
Freese debuted at 26 and entered the 2011 postseason with a healthy-not-heroic.783 OPS in 667 plate appearances and posted a fine 1.8 WAR in the ‘11 regular season. He did well enough in the NLDS, going 5-for-18 with two doubles, one HR, and five RBI before catching fire against Milwaukee. Freese would go 12-for-22 with three doubles, three HRs, and nine RBI to capture NLCS MVP honors, but he wasn’t done yet!
The World Series came around and the hot bat stayed lit, as Freese collected another seven RBI on three doubles, a triple, and another homer. He posted a 1.160 OPS in the seven-game series to earn MVP honors once again. His 21 RBI was a postseason record that stood until 2023. One simply must include Freese on the list!
Shoutout to future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols as well. He had seven hits in the NLDS before 11 in the NLCS, including four doubles and two taters with nine RBI. His WS was rather quiet outside of Game 3, but what a game that was. Pujols went 5-for-6 with three HRs, four runs scored, and six RBI in the 16-7 drubbing. Kudos to Texas for pushing seven games with both Freese and The Machine locked in.
#6. Orel Hershiser, Dodgers – 1988
1988 Stats: 5 Gs, 3-0, 1 SV, 42 ⅔ IP, 32 Ks, 1.05 ERA, 0.89 WHIP
It’s strange to look at Hershiser’s stats here and realize he’s not even the best Dodger pitcher on the list. His ‘88 season saw him lead the majors in innings (267), naturally leading to his casually tossing another 42 ⅔ IP across the playoffs. He somehow got stronger as the workload piled up, culminating in three straight complete games on October 12, 16, and 20.
While the individual performances were each spectacular, his one-out save in Game 4 of the NLCS sums up Hershiser’s campaign well. Despite throwing seven innings the day before, he saddled up to finish the 12th inning with the Dodgers out of available arms.
Somehow, this didn’t deter him from throwing a complete-game shutout just three days later to win Game 7. Then he would allow seven measly hits over 18 innings of work against Oakland in the World Series. Oh, and he would lead MLB’s innings count the next season, because why not?
#5. Sandy Koufax, Dodgers – 1965
1965 Stats: 3 Gs, 24 IP, 3-0, 2 CGSHO, 0.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 29 K, 5 BB
Koufax’s ‘65 World Series got off to an ominous start. The Left Hand of God would allow two runs (one earned) over six innings to lose Game 2, as Jim Kaat was nigh untouchable on the other side. This seemingly just fueled Sandy to reach back for another level in Game 5, when he struck out 10 Twins throughout a CGSHO. Four hits and a walk were all Minny could muster despite Koufax pitching on three days’ rest.
When Game 7 came calling then Koufax was ready once again, despite only two days’ rest this time around. He walked two in the first inning before settling in for the long haul. Yet another CGSHO to secure the title, the WS MVP, and firmly entrench his spot in baseball lore.
Yes, he had thrown a pair of complete-game wins in the ‘63 WS but this run was above that. It’s a shame he couldn’t stay healthy but we’re lucky to have witnessed such a talent, no matter how briefly.
#4. Curt Schilling & Randy Johnson, Dbacks – 2001
2001 Stats: 6 Gs, 48 ⅓ IP, 4-0, 56 Ks, 1.12 ERA, 0.64 WHIP & 6 Gs, 41 ⅓ IP, 5-1, 47 Ks, 1.52 ERA, 0.80 WHIP
Arizona took down the Yankee dynasty on the back of these two workhorses. Schilling posted respective K:BBs of 18:2, 12:2, and 26:2 in the NLDS, NLCS, and WS. His 56 postseason punchouts are nine more than anyone else, with his teammate Johnson tied with four others at 47.
Johnson had a pair of CGSHOs amidst five quality starts and then recorded the final four outs of their championship-clinching Game 7 a day after winning Game 6 with seven robust innings.
#3. Lou Gehrig & Babe Ruth, Yankees – 1928
1928 Stats: 4 Gs, .545/.706/.1.727, 1 2B, 4 HR, 14 R+RBI, 6 BB, 0 K & .625/.647/1.375, 3 2B, 3 HR, 13 R+RBI, 1 BB, 2 SO
The 1928 Yanks swept the Cardinals, but we won’t hold four games played against Gehrig. The Iron Horse went 6-for-11 with four HRs and 14 R+RBI. His nine RBI matched the Cards’ entire team total. But he wasn’t selling out for power either, logging six walks to zero strikeouts. His 2.433 OPS edged out Babe Ruth’s 2.022 mark so we give Gehrig his due.
The Bombers were trailing 2-1 late in Game 4 when Ruth smashed a HR to tie it, only for Gehrig to follow that up with a go-ahead HR of his own. It was a tour de force. Most of the other Yankee regulars didn’t hit above .250, but a pair of OPS marks north of 2.000 is usually enough.
#2. Madison Bumgarner, Giants – 2014
2014 Stats: 7 Gs, 52 2/3 IP, 4 W, 1 SV, 2 CGSHO, 1.03 ERA, 45 K, 6 BB, .407 OPS against
MadBum’s seven legendary appearances yielded MVP awards in the League Championship and World Series. The southpaw struck out 10 in a dominant CGSHO over the Pirates in the NL Wild Card game. His only loss of the ‘14 postseason came in Game 3 of the NLDS, but two earned over seven strong innings is tough luck.
He would throw 7 ⅔ IP of scoreless work to open the NLCS before another quality start in Game 5, which served as a healthy warmup for what was to come. Kansas City may require several generations before the name Madison is conferred to its youth. He threw seven innings of one-run ball in Game 1, allowing just four baserunners in an easy 7-1 win.
Then he unleashed a four-hit CGSHO with zero walks and eight strikeouts. Undeterred, the Royals forced a Game 7 that cemented Bumgarner’s legacy. The Giants were clinging to a one-run lead after four innings and skipper Bruce Bochy had seen enough. Bumgarner shut it down over the next five frames, picking up an epic save where only two Royals reached base.
In Game 7 of the 2014 World Series, Madison Bumgarner became the only pitcher in postseason history to record a save while pitching at least 5 innings.
See Bumgarner’s heroic effort now on @MLB YouTube. #OpeningDayAtHome pic.twitter.com/b9zpEdd2Xq
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) March 27, 2020
#1. Christy Mathewson, Giants – 1905
1905 Stats: 3 Gs, 27 IP, 3-0, 3 CGSHO, 18 K, 1 BB, 13 H
While others have made three strong appearances in one series, Mathewson stands alone with a trio of complete-game shutouts. As always, we recognize pitching was different then, but Mathewson did this in Games 1, 3, and 5, with the last being on one day of rest.
remember when Christy Mathewson did this in the 1905 World Series?
Monday (Game 1): 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Thursday (Game 3): 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
Saturday (Game 5): 9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
I don't either but I bet it was pretty freakin' cool!!!!!
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) October 19, 2019
He still stands as the only pitcher to not allow a single run in 27 or more innings of playoff work. (Waite Hoyt did post a 0.00 ERA over 27 IP in 1921, but two unearned runs scored.)
Known as the Big Six, a nickname linking him to New York City’s fire company in putting out the flames, Mathewson also posted an overall 0.52 WHIP. This stood as the WS and postseason record until Mike Scott (0.50) in 1986. What more could he have done at the time?
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