The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't officially reveal Blake Snell to be their Game 1 starter for the National League Wild Card Series until he walked into the interview room before Monday's workout at Dodger Stadium. Though, it was strongly implied by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts at the conclusion of the regular season, and the assignment was one Snell had long been aware of. "I found out a while ago," he said. "I'm excited. There's no better feeling than being in Game 1, starting it off. And the goal is to get us off to a good start, a win and go from there."
When the winning run scored in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, the New York Mets melted into a white-and-blue swirl near home plate, celebrating their implausible comeback from the brink of defeat. Right in the middle of all that humanity was Davey Johnson, who had arrived at the mob scene before many of his players. Those '86 Mets with all their brashness, belligerence and unapologetic brilliance would not have been the same without their 43-year-old manager.
Ed Sprague's outlier year was 1996, where he set career highs in runs (88), hits (146), homers (36), RBI (101), walks (60) and slugging average (.496). This performance ranks as one of the best seasons for a Blue Jay third baseman, marked by the presence of controversy around the team's association with Roger Clemens' trainer.
Freeman's grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series has become iconic, with fans celebrating his triumphant moment through tattoos and memories, marking a significant career highlight.