World Series Notes and Thoughts

The 2014 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants is tied at one game each after the Royals followed SF’s 7-1 game 1 win with a 7-2 win in game 2.

The Royals were stymied by Madison Bumgarner in the opener. Remember Jack Nicholson’s “Randall” asking someone in “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” who he liked in the opener of the ’63 World Series? That one matched true greats Sandy Koufax and Whitey Ford as mound opponents.

In game two, Kansas City, bolstered by franchise great George Brett throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, eased after a 5 run 6th inning to win.

Only one of the Giants’ 7 World Series victories came in a (1-1) series and that was in 1905, when the great Christy Mathewson pitched three shutouts, a feat that is likely to never be matched again in World Series play.

This is the first time in 3 World Series that the Royals are involved in a (1-1) series. In 1980 KC lost the first 2 at Philadelphia vs the Phillies, won the first 2 at home but lost game 5 at home and #6 at Philly giving the Phils their first title in their long history.

In 1985, the Royals won their only World Series to date. This was accomplished despite falling down (2-0) and (3-1) in that  Series.