1987 World Series
Encyclopedia
The 1987 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins versus the St. Louis Cardinals
.
Minnesota was victorious in a World Series
that was the first in which the home team
won every game. This happened again in (also a Minnesota championship) and .
The World Series win was the first for the Twins franchise since 1924, when the team was located in Washington, D.C.
, and was known as the Washington Senators.
) and the final Series game to start earlier than prime time
in the eastern United States (Game 6, with a 4 p.m. ET
start), and was the first World Series in which all games were won by the home team. (Four previous series had the home team winning the first six games). The 1987 Twins set the record for the worst regular season win-loss record of any World Series championship team (85–77, .525). This record stood until broken in 2006 by the Cardinals themselves, who won the World Series
after going 83–78 (.516).
Besides setting a record for the worst ever regular season winning percentage for a World Series winner and hosting the first ever World Series game indoors, the 1987 Twins were the first team to ever enter the World Series having been outscored in the regular season. The 1987 Twins, as a team, were pretty much outnumbered in virtually every major statistical category. As ABC play-by-play man Al Michaels
put it in the pre-game show for Game 1 "They were out everything!"
The Cardinals posted a 95–67 record during the regular season, but were affected by injuries throughout the postseason, most notably with the loss of their lone home run threat, first baseman Jack Clark
, due to a sprained right ankle suffered in a game in Montreal on September 9. During the regular season, Clark led the National League in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage despite playing in Busch Memorial Stadium
, which was reputed to be the league's most extreme "pitcher's park." He hit 35 home runs in 131 games, and was the only Cardinal to hit more than 12. The Cardinal who hit 12, starting third baseman Terry Pendleton
, though named to the World Series roster, was hampered with a ribcage injury. Normally a switch-hitter, Pendleton was only able to swing lefthanded during the World Series and was also unable to play the field.
The Cardinals replaced Clark on their World Series roster with 36-year-old Dan Driessen
, who was a starting major league first baseman from 1977 through 1985, but was released by two different organizations in 1986. The Cardinals had signed Driessen to a minor league contract on June 9 and called him up to the majors on September 1.
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
A raucous, sold-out Metrodome met the Cardinals on the October 17, stunning them at times with the sheer noise. The crowd noise in the Metrodome
could exceed 110 decibel
s, which is about the same as what a jet plane makes when it takes off. Their play was marred with numerous mistakes brought by the Dome's fast AstroTurf and white roof. The Twins' aggressive play hardly helped the Cards at all, and the game was a 10–1 blowout. Starting pitcher Frankie "Sweet Music" Viola
put the lights out on the Cards easily. Dan Gladden
hit a grand slam
home run capping off a seven-run fourth inning and Steve Lombardozzi
added another two-run shot.
Frank Viola was supposed to be the best man at his brother's wedding, but had to back out when the Twins reached the World Series, since it fell on the same night as Game 1, which he was scheduled to pitch. ABC showed clips of the wedding throughout the game's broadcast.
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
While improving on their game one performance, the Cards were unable to hold the Twins offense again and fell behind 7–0 before beginning to rally. The Cards total of nine hits was just one short of the Twins but their bats lacked power as they managed only one double against three doubles and two home runs hit by Minnesota. The Twins broke the game open in the fourth, scoring six runs and chasing starter Danny Cox from the game. The final score was 8–4. Randy Bush
and Tim Laudner
each came through with a pair of two run scoring hits in the fourth.
in St. Louis, Missouri
Traveling down the Mississippi, to the open air of Busch Stadium
, Game 3 saw a tense pitching duel between Twins starter Les Straker
and John Tudor of the Cardinals. Les Straker was the first Venezuela
n to pitch in the World Series.
After five scoreless innings by both teams, the Twins broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Tom Brunansky
's RBI single looked like all the offense the game would see. But, in the bottom of the seventh, Juan Berenguer
, in relief of Straker, surrendered leadoff back-to-back singles to Jose Oquendo
and Tony Pena
. Terry Pendleton
sacrificed the runners to second and third, and Vince Coleman
slammed a two-run double to give the Cards a 2–1 lead. Ozzie Smith
followed by singling in Coleman for the final run, and Todd Worrell
closed out the win for Tudor.
in St. Louis, Missouri
In Game 4, Tom Lawless
hit a three-run homer off Viola (only his second Major League homer after going 2 for 25 during the regular season) in the fourth inning, one of Viola's five earned runs in the game.
Just prior to Game 4, Reggie Jackson
, who was working as a field reporter for ABC's coverage of the 1987 World Series, admitted that he didn't know who eventual Game 4 hero Tom Lawless was.
in St. Louis, Missouri
Game 5 was a much closer ball game, but eventually the Cardinals were victorious, by a score of 4–2. Curt Ford
hit a two-run single in the sixth, breaking a scoreless pitcher's duel between Danny Cox
and Bert Blyleven
. By the end of the seventh, the Cards were up 4–0. The Twins scored two in the eighth on a triple by Gaetti off reliever Todd Worrell and made a game of it but eventually relinquished the save to him. The Cardinals stole five bases in Game 5, the most for one team since the 1907 Chicago Cubs
.
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Series returned to the Metrodome with the Twins facing elimination (a position they would find themselves in once more four years later
against the Atlanta Braves
). ABC allowed the game to be played at 4 p.m. ET
on Saturday afternoon – the only day game of the series, and the last World Series game to date to be played in the daytime (although as the game was played in the Metrodome, the game took place under artificial illumination all the same).
The Cardinals drew first blood off Les Straker
on a Tommy Herr home run in the first, and the Twins countered with two in their half of the first on RBI singles by Kirby Puckett
and Don Baylor
. The Cardinals quickly tied it in the second on a Jose Oquendo
RBI single.
In the fourth, the Cards chased Straker when Dan Driessen
led off with a double to right and went to third on a Willie McGee
single. McGee took second on the attempted throw home by center fielder Dan Gladden
. Terry Pendleton
followed by singling home Driessen and Oquendo hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4–2. Another run scored for the Cards in the fifth when lefty Dan Schatzeder
walked Ozzie Smith
. Smith went to second on a groundout, to third on a flyout, and scored on another McGee single.
But, in the bottom of the fifth, the Twins began to claw back against John Tudor. Puckett led off with a single and was doubled in by Gary Gaetti
. Benefitting from use of the designated hitter
in their home ballpark, the Twins then tied it on a mammoth home run by their DH, Don Baylor
. After Tom Brunansky
followed with a single, the Twins took the lead for good when Steve Lombardozzi
singled him with two out on a close play at the plate.
The Twins then blew the game open in the sixth. Greg Gagne led off with an infield single and Puckett walked. A passed ball
by Tony Pena
advanced the runners. With first base open and one out, Cards veteran Bob Forsch
intentionally walked Baylor to load the bases. After Brunansky popped out, left-hander Ken Dayley
was brought in to face the lefty-hitting Kent Hrbek
. Hrbek finally broke out of his batting doldrums and hit a grand slam
and essentially put the game out of the Cards reach.
Brunansky drove in the final run in the eighth and the Twins had staved off defeat.
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Game 7 was the 500th World Series game ever played. Game 7 forced the scheduled National Football League
game between the Denver Broncos
and the Minnesota Vikings
to be played the following night (also on ABC
).
Joe Magrane
of the St. Louis Cardinals
became only the sixth rookie pitcher to start the seventh game of a World Series. He also is the only pitcher in World Series history to start Games 1 and 7 of a World Series without any starts in between.
In the second, the Cardinals looked poised to send Frank Viola
to an early shower. Three straight no-out singles by Jim Lindeman
, Willie McGee
, and Tony Pena
plated the first run. Viola settled down to retire the next two hitters, but then Steve Lake
singled in McGee for a 2–0 lead. Viola would settle into a groove, however, and allow only two more hits and no runs in eight strong innings.
The Twins came back in their half of the second on a Steve Lombardozzi
RBI single, but not before a missed call at home plate by umpire Dave Phillips had already cost the Twins a run. Twins DH Don Baylor
reached base on a hit-by-pitch by Magrane to lead off the inning and Tom Brunansky
singled him to second. With one out, Tim Laudner
singled to left and Baylor was gunned down at home by Vince Coleman
in left, but replays clearly showed that Baylor was safe. Lombardozzi then singled in Brunansky.
In the fifth, the Twins tied it when Greg Gagne reached on an infield hit and Kirby Puckett
drove him in with a double. Incidentally replays showed Gagne to be out on his infield hit, thus this run served to counteract the run the Twins lost in the second on the missed call on Baylor at the plate. The Twins seemed on the verge of taking the lead when Gary Gaetti
followed Puckett with a walk and went to second when Puckett was thrown out by Lake trying to advance to third on a wild pitch that was deflected when it hit the home plate umpire in the face-mask. Baylor followed with a single to left, but Coleman threw out Gaetti at the plate in a violent collision with Lake. Coleman became the first outfielder to throw two runners out at the plate in one World Series game.
The sixth inning proved to be controversial. In the top of the sixth, Tom Herr
was picked-off of first base, and called out. In the third missed call of the game, replays showed Herr to be safe. Umpire Lee Weyer
's view was blocked by Kent Hrbek
who, according to the broadcast crew, not only made the tag late, but also should have been called for interference as he stood in Herr's path during the run-down before he had the ball. Had this been called, Herr would not only have been safe, but been awarded second base, and the Cardinals would have had a runner at second with one out. As it was, the Cardinals would score nothing. The Twins then took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, off Danny Cox
, who had relieved Magrane the previous inning. Cox walked Brunansky and Hrbek to lead off, and was replaced by Todd Worrell
. As Cox was leaving, he got into an argument with home plate umpire Dave Phillips and was ejected as he was leaving the field. After retiring the first batter Worrell faced, he walked pinch-hitter Roy Smalley to load the bases and then gave up a two-out RBI single to Gagne.
The Twins' final run came in the eighth on an RBI double by Dan Gladden
. Jeff Reardon
retired the side in the ninth to give Minnesota their first World Series victory.
Twins manager Tom Kelly
became the youngest non-playing manager to win the World Series since John McGraw in 1905
.
(A.L.) over St. Louis Cardinals
(N.L.)
was not on the Twins' playoff roster, he still attended the White House
to be congratulated by President Reagan
. While making a photo op with the president, local newspapers listed the names of all of the Minnesota Twins. The only man who wasn't listed (and simply identified as a Secret Service
agent) was a tall man wearing dark sunglasses in the back. The man in question was Carlton.
The 1987 World Series featured at least two players who would go on to win Manager of the Year awards. The Twins' Don Baylor
won it in 1995
for his work with the Colorado Rockies
while the Cardinals' Tony Peña
won it in 2003
for his work with the Kansas City Royals
.
The success of the 1987 Twins inspired Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestly) in Beverly Hills 90210 to explain why the Twins were the ultimate definition of a team thus enabling him to win the Dreyer Scholarship.
The Twins' World Series triumph was the first championship for an American professional sports franchise in the Minneapolis – St. Paul metropolitan area, and in the state of Minnesota
in particular, since the Minneapolis Lakers
won the 1954 NBA Finals
. During that long drought, the NFL
's Minnesota Vikings
made it to Super Bowl IV
, VIII
, IX
and XI
in 1969, 1973, 1974 and 1976, but lost each time.
1987 St. Louis Cardinals season
The 1987 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 106th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 96th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 95-67 during the season and finished first in the National League East Division for the third and last time before moving to the NL Central in 1994....
.
Minnesota was victorious in a World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
that was the first in which the home team
Home team
In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans...
won every game. This happened again in (also a Minnesota championship) and .
The World Series win was the first for the Twins franchise since 1924, when the team was located in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and was known as the Washington Senators.
Summary
The 1987 Series was remarkable in several regards: It featured the first World Series games played in an indoor stadium (the Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
) and the final Series game to start earlier than prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
in the eastern United States (Game 6, with a 4 p.m. ET
Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
start), and was the first World Series in which all games were won by the home team. (Four previous series had the home team winning the first six games). The 1987 Twins set the record for the worst regular season win-loss record of any World Series championship team (85–77, .525). This record stood until broken in 2006 by the Cardinals themselves, who won the World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
after going 83–78 (.516).
Besides setting a record for the worst ever regular season winning percentage for a World Series winner and hosting the first ever World Series game indoors, the 1987 Twins were the first team to ever enter the World Series having been outscored in the regular season. The 1987 Twins, as a team, were pretty much outnumbered in virtually every major statistical category. As ABC play-by-play man Al Michaels
Al Michaels
Alan Richard "Al" Michaels is an American television sportscaster. Now employed by NBC Sports after nearly three decades with ABC Sports, Michaels is one of the most prominent members of his profession...
put it in the pre-game show for Game 1 "They were out everything!"
The Cardinals posted a 95–67 record during the regular season, but were affected by injuries throughout the postseason, most notably with the loss of their lone home run threat, first baseman Jack Clark
Jack Clark (baseball)
Jack Anthony Clark , also known as "Jack the Ripper," is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1975 through 1992, Clark played for the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox...
, due to a sprained right ankle suffered in a game in Montreal on September 9. During the regular season, Clark led the National League in both on-base percentage and slugging percentage despite playing in Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
, which was reputed to be the league's most extreme "pitcher's park." He hit 35 home runs in 131 games, and was the only Cardinal to hit more than 12. The Cardinal who hit 12, starting third baseman Terry Pendleton
Terry Pendleton
Terry Lee Pendleton is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball, and a former hitting coach and current first base coach of the Atlanta Braves. He played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, but he also spent time with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Kansas...
, though named to the World Series roster, was hampered with a ribcage injury. Normally a switch-hitter, Pendleton was only able to swing lefthanded during the World Series and was also unable to play the field.
The Cardinals replaced Clark on their World Series roster with 36-year-old Dan Driessen
Dan Driessen
Daniel Driessen is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for five teams in his eighteen year career, and is best known as a member of the Cincinnati Reds "Big Red Machine" of the 1970s....
, who was a starting major league first baseman from 1977 through 1985, but was released by two different organizations in 1986. The Cardinals had signed Driessen to a minor league contract on June 9 and called him up to the majors on September 1.
Game 1
Saturday, October 17, 1987 at Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
A raucous, sold-out Metrodome met the Cardinals on the October 17, stunning them at times with the sheer noise. The crowd noise in the Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
could exceed 110 decibel
Decibel
The decibel is a logarithmic unit that indicates the ratio of a physical quantity relative to a specified or implied reference level. A ratio in decibels is ten times the logarithm to base 10 of the ratio of two power quantities...
s, which is about the same as what a jet plane makes when it takes off. Their play was marred with numerous mistakes brought by the Dome's fast AstroTurf and white roof. The Twins' aggressive play hardly helped the Cards at all, and the game was a 10–1 blowout. Starting pitcher Frankie "Sweet Music" Viola
Frank Viola
Frank John Viola, Jr. is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Minnesota Twins , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox , Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays . A three-time All-Star, he was named World Series MVP with the Twins in 1987 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 1988...
put the lights out on the Cards easily. Dan Gladden
Dan Gladden
Clinton Daniel "Dan" Gladden III is an American former Major League Baseball player and current radio broadcaster.-Baseball career:Gladden is a graduate of Westmont High School in Campbell, California...
hit a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
home run capping off a seven-run fourth inning and Steve Lombardozzi
Steve Lombardozzi
Stephen Paul Lombardozzi is a former American professional baseball player who was a second baseman for the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros for six Major League Baseball seasons. Lombardozzi, perhaps best known for his defense, provided key hits in the 1987 postseason when the Twins won the...
added another two-run shot.
Frank Viola was supposed to be the best man at his brother's wedding, but had to back out when the Twins reached the World Series, since it fell on the same night as Game 1, which he was scheduled to pitch. ABC showed clips of the wedding throughout the game's broadcast.
Game 2
Sunday, October 18, 1987 at Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
While improving on their game one performance, the Cards were unable to hold the Twins offense again and fell behind 7–0 before beginning to rally. The Cards total of nine hits was just one short of the Twins but their bats lacked power as they managed only one double against three doubles and two home runs hit by Minnesota. The Twins broke the game open in the fourth, scoring six runs and chasing starter Danny Cox from the game. The final score was 8–4. Randy Bush
Randy Bush
Robert Randall Bush , is a former professional baseball player and currently a front office member of the Chicago Cubs. With the hiring of Theo Epstein, Bush will continue as an assistant General Manager, and will be involved in the hiring process of the field and scouting staff.Bush played for...
and Tim Laudner
Tim Laudner
Timothy Jon Laudner is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Minnesota Twins from 1981 to 1989.-Playing career:...
each came through with a pair of two run scoring hits in the fourth.
Game 3
Tuesday, October 20, 1987 at Busch Stadium (II)Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
Traveling down the Mississippi, to the open air of Busch Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
, Game 3 saw a tense pitching duel between Twins starter Les Straker
Les Straker
Lester Paul Straker Bolnalda , best known as Les Straker, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Minnesota Twins....
and John Tudor of the Cardinals. Les Straker was the first Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n to pitch in the World Series.
After five scoreless innings by both teams, the Twins broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Tom Brunansky
Tom Brunansky
Thomas Andrew Brunansky , nicknamed "Bruno", is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981 to 1994 for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers....
's RBI single looked like all the offense the game would see. But, in the bottom of the seventh, Juan Berenguer
Juan Berenguer
Juan Bautista Berenguer was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins and other teams. He had a career record of 67 wins and 62 losses. A mean-looking, husky Panamanian with long hair and a mustache, he was called "Pancho Villa" by his...
, in relief of Straker, surrendered leadoff back-to-back singles to Jose Oquendo
José Oquendo
José Manuel Roberto Guillermo Oquendo Contreras is a former Major League Baseball infielder and the current third base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
and Tony Pena
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
. Terry Pendleton
Terry Pendleton
Terry Lee Pendleton is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball, and a former hitting coach and current first base coach of the Atlanta Braves. He played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, but he also spent time with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Kansas...
sacrificed the runners to second and third, and Vince Coleman
Vince Coleman
Vincent Maurice Coleman is an American former Major League Baseball player, best known for his years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a left fielder, Coleman played from to and set a number of stolen base records. He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.-Biography:Coleman attended...
slammed a two-run double to give the Cards a 2–1 lead. Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith
Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith is an American former baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996...
followed by singling in Coleman for the final run, and Todd Worrell
Todd Worrell
Todd Roland Worrell is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers from to ....
closed out the win for Tudor.
Game 4
Wednesday, October 21, 1987 at Busch Stadium (II)Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
In Game 4, Tom Lawless
Tom Lawless
Thomas James Lawless was a Major League Baseball player between and , playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays....
hit a three-run homer off Viola (only his second Major League homer after going 2 for 25 during the regular season) in the fourth inning, one of Viola's five earned runs in the game.
Just prior to Game 4, Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
, who was working as a field reporter for ABC's coverage of the 1987 World Series, admitted that he didn't know who eventual Game 4 hero Tom Lawless was.
Game 5
Thursday, October 22, 1987 at Busch Stadium (II)Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri that operated from 1966 to 2005....
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
Game 5 was a much closer ball game, but eventually the Cardinals were victorious, by a score of 4–2. Curt Ford
Curt Ford
Curtis Glenn Ford , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1985-1990. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies...
hit a two-run single in the sixth, breaking a scoreless pitcher's duel between Danny Cox
Danny Cox
Danny Bradford Cox , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1983 to 1988, the Philadelphia Phillies from 1991 to 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992, and then the Toronto Blue Jays from 1993 to 1995, when he retired...
and Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
. By the end of the seventh, the Cards were up 4–0. The Twins scored two in the eighth on a triple by Gaetti off reliever Todd Worrell and made a game of it but eventually relinquished the save to him. The Cardinals stole five bases in Game 5, the most for one team since the 1907 Chicago Cubs
1907 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in first place in the National League with a record of 107-45, 17 games ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was their second straight NL pennant...
.
Game 6
Saturday, October 24, 1987 at Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
The Series returned to the Metrodome with the Twins facing elimination (a position they would find themselves in once more four years later
1991 World Series
The 1991 World Series pitted the Minnesota Twins of the American League against the Atlanta Braves of the National League. The series was played from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, October 27....
against the Atlanta Braves
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
). ABC allowed the game to be played at 4 p.m. ET
Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
on Saturday afternoon – the only day game of the series, and the last World Series game to date to be played in the daytime (although as the game was played in the Metrodome, the game took place under artificial illumination all the same).
The Cardinals drew first blood off Les Straker
Les Straker
Lester Paul Straker Bolnalda , best known as Les Straker, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Minnesota Twins....
on a Tommy Herr home run in the first, and the Twins countered with two in their half of the first on RBI singles by Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
and Don Baylor
Don Baylor
Donald Edward Baylor is a Major League Baseball coach currently the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former player and manager. During his 19-year playing career, he was a power hitter who played as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
. The Cardinals quickly tied it in the second on a Jose Oquendo
José Oquendo
José Manuel Roberto Guillermo Oquendo Contreras is a former Major League Baseball infielder and the current third base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
RBI single.
In the fourth, the Cards chased Straker when Dan Driessen
Dan Driessen
Daniel Driessen is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for five teams in his eighteen year career, and is best known as a member of the Cincinnati Reds "Big Red Machine" of the 1970s....
led off with a double to right and went to third on a Willie McGee
Willie McGee
Willie Dean McGee is a retired professional baseball player who won two batting titles and was named Major League Baseball's National League MVP. McGee primarily played center and right field, winning three Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence. McGee spent the majority of his 18-year career...
single. McGee took second on the attempted throw home by center fielder Dan Gladden
Dan Gladden
Clinton Daniel "Dan" Gladden III is an American former Major League Baseball player and current radio broadcaster.-Baseball career:Gladden is a graduate of Westmont High School in Campbell, California...
. Terry Pendleton
Terry Pendleton
Terry Lee Pendleton is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball, and a former hitting coach and current first base coach of the Atlanta Braves. He played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, but he also spent time with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Kansas...
followed by singling home Driessen and Oquendo hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4–2. Another run scored for the Cards in the fifth when lefty Dan Schatzeder
Dan Schatzeder
Daniel Ernest Schatzeder is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the major leagues from - for nine different teams. Schatzeder played college baseball at the University of Denver...
walked Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith
Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith is an American former baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996...
. Smith went to second on a groundout, to third on a flyout, and scored on another McGee single.
But, in the bottom of the fifth, the Twins began to claw back against John Tudor. Puckett led off with a single and was doubled in by Gary Gaetti
Gary Gaetti
Gary Joseph Gaetti , nicknamed "G-Man", "Rat", or "Zorn" is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , California Angels , Kansas City Royals , St...
. Benefitting from use of the designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
in their home ballpark, the Twins then tied it on a mammoth home run by their DH, Don Baylor
Don Baylor
Donald Edward Baylor is a Major League Baseball coach currently the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former player and manager. During his 19-year playing career, he was a power hitter who played as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
. After Tom Brunansky
Tom Brunansky
Thomas Andrew Brunansky , nicknamed "Bruno", is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981 to 1994 for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers....
followed with a single, the Twins took the lead for good when Steve Lombardozzi
Steve Lombardozzi
Stephen Paul Lombardozzi is a former American professional baseball player who was a second baseman for the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros for six Major League Baseball seasons. Lombardozzi, perhaps best known for his defense, provided key hits in the 1987 postseason when the Twins won the...
singled him with two out on a close play at the plate.
The Twins then blew the game open in the sixth. Greg Gagne led off with an infield single and Puckett walked. A passed ball
Passed ball
In baseball, a catcher is charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or control a legally pitched ball that, with ordinary effort, should have been maintained under his control. When, as a result of this loss of control, the batter or a runner on base advances, the catcher is thereby charged...
by Tony Pena
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
advanced the runners. With first base open and one out, Cards veteran Bob Forsch
Bob Forsch
Robert Herbert Forsch was an American right-handed starting pitcher who spent most of his sixteen years in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals before finishing his playing career with the Houston Astros...
intentionally walked Baylor to load the bases. After Brunansky popped out, left-hander Ken Dayley
Ken Dayley
Kenneth Grant Dayley is a former professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, Dayley played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball between 1982 and 1993.- Braves :...
was brought in to face the lefty-hitting Kent Hrbek
Kent Hrbek
Frequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
. Hrbek finally broke out of his batting doldrums and hit a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
and essentially put the game out of the Cards reach.
Brunansky drove in the final run in the eighth and the Twins had staved off defeat.
Game 7
Sunday, October 25, 1987 at Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
Game 7 was the 500th World Series game ever played. Game 7 forced the scheduled National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
game between the Denver Broncos
1987 Denver Broncos season
-Schedule:-Playoffs:-External links:* *...
and the Minnesota Vikings
1987 Minnesota Vikings season
-Schedule:Note: The October 18 game against Tampa Bay was originally scheduled to played in Minneapolis. The game was switched with the November 15 game due to Game 2 of the World Series...
to be played the following night (also on ABC
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
).
Joe Magrane
Joe Magrane
Joseph David Magrane is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and is currently a color commentary broadcaster for the MLB Network. He was teamed with play-by-play announcer Dewayne Staats from 1998 to 2008 as part of the Tampa Bay Rays television team.Magrane served as an analyst for NBC Sports'...
of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
became only the sixth rookie pitcher to start the seventh game of a World Series. He also is the only pitcher in World Series history to start Games 1 and 7 of a World Series without any starts in between.
In the second, the Cardinals looked poised to send Frank Viola
Frank Viola
Frank John Viola, Jr. is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Minnesota Twins , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox , Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays . A three-time All-Star, he was named World Series MVP with the Twins in 1987 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 1988...
to an early shower. Three straight no-out singles by Jim Lindeman
Jim Lindeman
James William Lindeman is a former Major League Baseball player. He played mostly in the outfield and at first base, appearing in parts of nine seasons in the majors from until .- Professional career :...
, Willie McGee
Willie McGee
Willie Dean McGee is a retired professional baseball player who won two batting titles and was named Major League Baseball's National League MVP. McGee primarily played center and right field, winning three Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence. McGee spent the majority of his 18-year career...
, and Tony Pena
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
plated the first run. Viola settled down to retire the next two hitters, but then Steve Lake
Steve Lake
Steven "Steve" Michael Lake batted and threw right-handed, and is a former professional baseball backup catcher. He played Major League Baseball from 1983-93 for the following teams: Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies, and finishing his career with the Cubs...
singled in McGee for a 2–0 lead. Viola would settle into a groove, however, and allow only two more hits and no runs in eight strong innings.
The Twins came back in their half of the second on a Steve Lombardozzi
Steve Lombardozzi
Stephen Paul Lombardozzi is a former American professional baseball player who was a second baseman for the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros for six Major League Baseball seasons. Lombardozzi, perhaps best known for his defense, provided key hits in the 1987 postseason when the Twins won the...
RBI single, but not before a missed call at home plate by umpire Dave Phillips had already cost the Twins a run. Twins DH Don Baylor
Don Baylor
Donald Edward Baylor is a Major League Baseball coach currently the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former player and manager. During his 19-year playing career, he was a power hitter who played as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
reached base on a hit-by-pitch by Magrane to lead off the inning and Tom Brunansky
Tom Brunansky
Thomas Andrew Brunansky , nicknamed "Bruno", is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981 to 1994 for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers....
singled him to second. With one out, Tim Laudner
Tim Laudner
Timothy Jon Laudner is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Minnesota Twins from 1981 to 1989.-Playing career:...
singled to left and Baylor was gunned down at home by Vince Coleman
Vince Coleman
Vincent Maurice Coleman is an American former Major League Baseball player, best known for his years with the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a left fielder, Coleman played from to and set a number of stolen base records. He was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.-Biography:Coleman attended...
in left, but replays clearly showed that Baylor was safe. Lombardozzi then singled in Brunansky.
In the fifth, the Twins tied it when Greg Gagne reached on an infield hit and Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
drove him in with a double. Incidentally replays showed Gagne to be out on his infield hit, thus this run served to counteract the run the Twins lost in the second on the missed call on Baylor at the plate. The Twins seemed on the verge of taking the lead when Gary Gaetti
Gary Gaetti
Gary Joseph Gaetti , nicknamed "G-Man", "Rat", or "Zorn" is an American former third baseman in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins , California Angels , Kansas City Royals , St...
followed Puckett with a walk and went to second when Puckett was thrown out by Lake trying to advance to third on a wild pitch that was deflected when it hit the home plate umpire in the face-mask. Baylor followed with a single to left, but Coleman threw out Gaetti at the plate in a violent collision with Lake. Coleman became the first outfielder to throw two runners out at the plate in one World Series game.
The sixth inning proved to be controversial. In the top of the sixth, Tom Herr
Tom Herr
Thomas Mitchell Herr is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1979 to 1991 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets...
was picked-off of first base, and called out. In the third missed call of the game, replays showed Herr to be safe. Umpire Lee Weyer
Lee Weyer
Lee Howard "Big Lee" Weyer was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1961 until his death. In a 1987 Sports Illustrated poll of NL catchers, Weyer was rated the best at calling balls and strikes...
's view was blocked by Kent Hrbek
Kent Hrbek
Frequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
who, according to the broadcast crew, not only made the tag late, but also should have been called for interference as he stood in Herr's path during the run-down before he had the ball. Had this been called, Herr would not only have been safe, but been awarded second base, and the Cardinals would have had a runner at second with one out. As it was, the Cardinals would score nothing. The Twins then took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, off Danny Cox
Danny Cox
Danny Bradford Cox , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1983 to 1988, the Philadelphia Phillies from 1991 to 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992, and then the Toronto Blue Jays from 1993 to 1995, when he retired...
, who had relieved Magrane the previous inning. Cox walked Brunansky and Hrbek to lead off, and was replaced by Todd Worrell
Todd Worrell
Todd Roland Worrell is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers from to ....
. As Cox was leaving, he got into an argument with home plate umpire Dave Phillips and was ejected as he was leaving the field. After retiring the first batter Worrell faced, he walked pinch-hitter Roy Smalley to load the bases and then gave up a two-out RBI single to Gagne.
The Twins' final run came in the eighth on an RBI double by Dan Gladden
Dan Gladden
Clinton Daniel "Dan" Gladden III is an American former Major League Baseball player and current radio broadcaster.-Baseball career:Gladden is a graduate of Westmont High School in Campbell, California...
. Jeff Reardon
Jeff Reardon
Jeffrey James Reardon , nicknamed "The Terminator" for his intimidating presence on the mound and 98 mph fastball, is a former professional baseball relief pitcher from 1979-1994 who played for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati...
retired the side in the ninth to give Minnesota their first World Series victory.
Twins manager Tom Kelly
Tom Kelly (baseball)
Jay Thomas Kelly , is the former manager of the Minnesota Twins baseball team from to . Currently, he serves as a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Twins....
became the youngest non-playing manager to win the World Series since John McGraw in 1905
1905 World Series
- Game 1 :Monday, October 9, 1905 at Columbia Park in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaA pitchers' duel took place between Christy Mathewson and Eddie Plank. Both pitchers got out of jams and were able to shut the offense down. In the Giants top of the fifth, Mathewson singled, but was forced by Roger...
.
Composite box
1987 World Series (4–3): Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
(A.L.) over St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(N.L.)
Aftermath
Although Steve CarltonSteve Carlton
Steven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
was not on the Twins' playoff roster, he still attended the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
to be congratulated by President Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
. While making a photo op with the president, local newspapers listed the names of all of the Minnesota Twins. The only man who wasn't listed (and simply identified as a Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
agent) was a tall man wearing dark sunglasses in the back. The man in question was Carlton.
The 1987 World Series featured at least two players who would go on to win Manager of the Year awards. The Twins' Don Baylor
Don Baylor
Donald Edward Baylor is a Major League Baseball coach currently the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former player and manager. During his 19-year playing career, he was a power hitter who played as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
won it in 1995
1995 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Atlanta Braves over Cleveland Indians ; Tom Glavine, MVP*All-Star Game, July 11 at The Ballpark in Arlington: National League, 3-2; Jeff Conine, MVP-Other champions:...
for his work with the Colorado Rockies
1995 Colorado Rockies season
The Colorado Rockies' 1995 season was the 3rd for the Rockies. The team competed in the National League West, finishing with a record of 77-67, 2nd in the division. This earned the Rockies the 1995 National League Wild Card, and a first round matchup in the playoffs against eventual World Series...
while the Cardinals' Tony Peña
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
won it in 2003
2003 in baseball
-Headline event of the year:*The Florida Marlins become World Series champions, holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team, 4 games to 2.-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Florida Marlins...
for his work with the Kansas City Royals
2003 Kansas City Royals season
The 2003 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing third in the American League Central with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses...
.
The success of the 1987 Twins inspired Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestly) in Beverly Hills 90210 to explain why the Twins were the ultimate definition of a team thus enabling him to win the Dreyer Scholarship.
The Twins' World Series triumph was the first championship for an American professional sports franchise in the Minneapolis – St. Paul metropolitan area, and in the state of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in particular, since the Minneapolis Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
won the 1954 NBA Finals
1954 NBA Finals
-Series Summary:Lakers win series 4-3-Team rosters:-External links:*...
. During that long drought, the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
made it to Super Bowl IV
Super Bowl IV
Super Bowl IV was the fourth AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, and the second one to officially bear the name "Super Bowl"...
, VIII
Super Bowl VIII
Super Bowl VIII was a professional American football game played on January 13, 1974 at Rice Stadium. in Houston, Texas to decide the National Football League champion following the 1973 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Miami Dolphins defeated the National Football...
, IX
Super Bowl IX
Super Bowl IX was an American football game played on January 12, 1975 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana to decide the National Football League champion following the 1974 regular season. It would be the last pro game at legendary Tulane Stadium...
and XI
Super Bowl XI
Super Bowl XI was a football game played on January 9, 1977 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1976 regular season...
in 1969, 1973, 1974 and 1976, but lost each time.