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The World Series

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from: Rick Rizzs
to: Bob Rathbun

Posted Friday, Oct. 24, 1997, at 3:30 AM ET

Dear Bob,

Oh the weather outside was frightening, but to the delight of a frigid Jacobs Field crowd, the Indians beat the Marlins 10-3 to even the World Series at 2-2. The game started in a deep freeze with the temperature at 35 degrees, the coldest game in World Series history!
Bob, it was so cold I didn't even see Jim Leyland's mom in the stands! Thank goodness somebody had the sense to get her into a warm booth to watch the game. At least I assume they did.
Despite the winter wonderland scene of snowflakes before and during the game, both teams somehow made this contest look like a game played in June. Only the heavy jackets, gloves, turtlenecks pulled over faces, and vapors of breath painted a picture of the harsh reality of the bitter cold. They survived the elements in this one.
The game featured pretty good pitching, plenty of power and runs, and solid defense, most of it from the Indians--unlike the debacle of Game 3 that featured too many walks and errors.
Bob, I'm still staying with the old pitching and defense theory.
One of the biggest questions going into Game 4 was which young starting pitcher would settle in first under the pressure of a Fall Classic setting. Jaret Wright or Tony Saunders?
The answer ... Jaret Wright.
Wright's performance was the catalyst for the Indians' victory. After six innings of work, he left with a 7-3 lead. The son of a former major leaguer, Jaret pitched like a seasoned vet, spotting his fastball, mixing in a good curveball, and generally keeping the Fish biting all night long.
Brian Anderson added three outstanding innings of shutout relief, thanks to an effective change-up. Both Wright and Anderson threw strikes and kept their defense in the game, rather than having to stand around in the freezing cold. That didn't happen in Game 3 and you saw what happened.
Bob, I thought this was a must-win game for the Indians, who didn't want to go into Game 5 down 3-1. It was like Manny Ramirez personally told the Marlins, "Not Tonight In Our House" with his first inning two-run homer. Matt Williams then said "No Way" with a bomb in the eighth! In between, I thought the Indians' hitters were patient the entire game and looked for their pitches. That made it a short night for Marlins starter Saunders.
Now we get ready for Game 5 at the Jake. Hershiser vs. Hernandez. The Indians hope the veteran has a different outing than Game One. The Marlins hope the kid has the same one.
By the way Bob, your theory of winning the odd-numbered game is coming up tonight. Hopefully, it'll be a good one, and maybe Jack Frost will stay home. That's where I'm going to be.

From my warm den in Seattle ... your buddy,
Rick

dialogues
entries
12345678910
from: Rick Rizzs
to: Bob Rathbun

Posted Friday, Oct. 24, 1997, at 3:30 AM ET
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Rick Rizzs has spent 12 years as a play-by-play announcer for the Seattle Mariners. Bob Rathbun has just completed his first year as a play-by-play announcer for the Atanta Braves on Fox Sports South. The two men worked together in the booth for three years with the Detroit Tigers.
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