[nolemmings]

Coates did get a raw deal. He comes in with two on and no out, retires the first two without incident, then gives up what was not much more than a swinging bunt to one of the NL's best hitters. And yes, he was hustling all the way on that play but just couldn't get to the bag in time, assuming Skowron would have fed him perfectly anyway. Then it looks like he had Smith struck out, but the ump ruled that he checked his swing. That would have been worth a replay and discussion with Costas, and I wonder how that would have been called these days. Smith, by the way, seemed to just luck into one--he looked awful that whole at bat until that pitch.

A few observations.

It was a mistake to not start Whitey in the opener, no doubt. I wonder how much he would have left in game 7 though, having just twirled 9 innings the day before. Again, one lucky swing by Smith was the difference--could have come off of anybody, IMO. Putting in the wild Ryne Duren there and face a potential wild pitch would not have been wise, even though he threw hard the bats were finding the ball that day--no Ks.

As mentioned, Shantz had no business batting with two in scoring position in the top of the eighth. A pinch hit from Elston Howard or Long there could (maybe would) have broken the Bucs.

I really wonder why Casey came out to talk to Coates after the first pitch foul to Clemente. He was very animated, but what was his point? BTW, in today's game don't you think they would walk Clemente to set up a force at any base and pitch to the back-up catcher?

On Mantle's single in the 9th, Clemente booted the ball. Dale Long reached third and of course his pinch runner then scored the tying run on that infield smash to Nelson. He doesn't score if he was not on third. No error for Clemente, and Mel's play by play seems to suggest that Long was rounding second on his way to third, but a) I'm not sure he tries it if the ball is not booted--we can't see Long running and the situation didn't necessarily call for him trying to take that base; and b) a clean fielding play and throw by one of the stronger arms in the NL would have nailed the slow-footed Long, IMO. I guess all's well that end's well if you're a Pirates fan, but I wonder if that play would have been more widely discussed had the Bombers gone on to win.