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1993 World Series

The 1993 World Series was the second World Series in a row played outside of the United States of America. (See 1992 World Series.) It pitted the American League champion Toronto Blue Jays against the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies. With Toronto ahead 3 games to 2 in the series, Joe Carter hit a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the 9th inning of game 6 to win the series for Toronto. It was on the second time in World Series history that the series was ended by a home run (the first was in the 1960 World Series on a Bill Mazeroski home run for the Pittsburgh Pirates). It was Toronto's second consecutive World Series championship.

Series MVP: Paul Molitor, Toronto

Table of contents
1 Summary

Summary

Game One

Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome

The series' first game sent two staff aces -- Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto -- against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.

The deciding plays came in the middle innings. With Toronto behind 4-3 in the 5th inning, Devon White hit a solo home run to tie the game. The next inning, John Olerud hit a solo home run of his own to put Toronto on top. Toronto added three insurance runs in the bottom of the 7th and held on to win 8-5. Al Leiter pitched 2 2/3 innings -- in relief of a sporadic Juan Guzman, who walked four in just five innings -- for his first World Series win. John Kruk had three hits for Philadelphia.

Team 123 456 789 RHE
Philadelphia 201 010 001 5111
Toronto 021 011 30x 8103
W: Al Leiter (1-0) L: Curt Schilling (0-1) S: Duane Ward (1)

Game Two

Sunday, October 17, 1993 at SkyDome

In the second game of the series, Dave Stewart was on the mound for Toronto and Terry Mulholland started for Philadelphia. Philadelphia jumped out to an early lead: in the third inning, Jim Eisenreich followed John Kruk and Dave Hollins RBI singles with a three-run home run to deep right-centre. Toronto got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning courtesy of a Joe Carter two-run home run to left, but the Jays were unable to mount a significant offensive push later in the game. Philadelphia held on to win 6-4. Terry Mulholland pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing 3 earned runs, for the win.

Team 123 456 789 RHE
Philadelphia 005 000 100 6120
Toronto 000 201 010 480
W: Terry Mulholland (1-0) L: Dave Stewart (0-1) S: Mitch Williams (1)

Game Three

Tuesday, October 19, 1993 at Veterans Stadium

For Toronto, Pat Hentgen faced off against Philadelphia starter Danny Jackson in Game 3. Hentgen pitched a strong 6 innings, allowing just 1 run, and the Toronto offense took care of the rest. Toronto won 10-3.

Toronto manager Cito Gaston was faced with an unusual and difficult decision prior to game time. As the series switched the National League ballpark, Gaston was forced to sit one player from his regular line-up as the designated hitter (DH) would not be allowed to play. As regular DH Paul Molitor had been a hot hand in the line-up, Gaston elected to sit firstbaseman John Olerud and place Molitor at first base. The decision was potentially controversial as Olerud led the American League in batting during the year with a .363 average and Molitor was the less sure-handed fielder. Molitor, however, put these concerns to rest, going 3 for 4, hitting a home run in the 3rd inning, and driving in 3 runs.

Team 123 456 789 RHE
Toronto 301 001 302 10131
Philadelphia 000 001 101 390
W: Pat Hentgen (1-0) L: Danny Jackson (0-1)

Game Four

Wednesday, October 20, 1993 at Veterans Stadium

In the fourth game of the series, Todd Stottlemyre started for Toronto while Tommy Greene started for Philadelphia. The starters are notable because neither lasted three innings.

In one of the more unusual plays in World Series history, Todd Stottlemyre, trying to go first to third on a Roberto Alomar single in the 2nd inning, did a bellyflop diving into third base, where he was called out. Todd's awkward dive resulted in an abrasian on his chin and appeared to shake him up in the next inning, during which he surrendered a Lenny Dykstra two-run home run. Stottlemyre was pulled after the second inning, having already given up six runs. (Tommy Greene faired little better, being pulled after giving up seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.)

Philadelphia took a commanding 12-7 lead in the 5th inning, courtesy of two-run home runs from Darren Daulton and Dykstra, and a run-scoring double from Milt Thompson.

Toronto fought back from a 14-9 deficit in the 8th inning, scoring six runs on run scoring hits from Paul Molitor, Tony Fernandez, Rickey Henderson, and Devon White. Duane Ward pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, preserving the 15-14 victory. The 29 runs scored by both teams remains a World Series record.

Team 123 456 789 RHE
Toronto 304 002 060 15180
Philadelphia 420 151 100 14141
W: Tony Castillo (1-0) L: Mitch Williams (0-1) S: Duane Ward (2)

Game Five

Thursday, October 21, 1993 at Veterans Stadium

The offenses were due for an off-day, and it came in game five courtesy of a Curt Schilling (Philadelphia) and Juan Guzman (Toronto) pitching duel. Schilling shut down the previously unstoppable Toronto offense, limiting the team to just five hits and no runs. Guzman pitched well in a losing effort, allowing only two runs and five hits.

The two runs scored as a result of scrappy play from the Philadelphia offense. In the first inning, Lenny Dykstra walked, stolen second, moved to third on a Pat Borders throwing error, and scored on a John Kruk ground out. In the second inning, Darren Daulton opened with a double, took third on a ground out, and scored on a Kevin Stocker single.

Team 123 456 789 RHE
Toronto 000 000 000 051
Philadelphia 110 000 00x 251
W: Curt Schilling (1-1) L: Juan Guzman (0-1)

Game Six

Saturday, October 23, 1993 at SkyDome

The sixth game in the series was a rematch between Game 2 starters Terry Mulholland and Dave Stewart, who would have similar results. Toronto opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first with a run-scoring Paul Molitor triple, Joe Carter sacrifice fly, and Roberto Alomar RBI single. Molitor added a solo home run in the 5th inning, bringing the score to 5-1 for Toronto.

In the 6th inning, Philadelphia fought back with five runs to take a 6-5 lead. Lenny Dykstra hit a three-run home run, Dave Hollins had an RBI single and Pete Incaviglia hit a sacrifice fly. The inning brought an end to Dave Stewart's night, leaving the game with 6 innings pitched and 4 runs given up.

Philadelphia closer Mitch Williams came on to the pitch the bottom of the 9th with Philadelphia clinging to a 6-5 lead. The inning began with a Rickey Henderson walk, followed by a Devon White fly out. Paul Molitor followed with a single. Joe Carter came up next and, on a two strike pitch, he hit an inside pitch just over the left field fence, giving the Blue Jays a come-from-behind 8-6 victory, and the World Series crown.

Team 123 456 789 RHE
Philadelphia 000 100 500 670
Toronto 300 110 003 8102
W: Duane Ward (1-0) L: Mitch Williams (0-2)