The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Texas Rangers 3-2 in Game 1 of the World Series. The winning run was knocked in by Allen Craig in the sixth inning. Craig is the first pinch hitter to knock in the winning run in Game 1 of the World Series since 1988. Craig’s hit wasn’t quite as dramatic as Kirk Gibson’s 1988 home run, but it might be just as important. Typically, a pinch hit hero in Game 1 leads to a World Series title. Here are the last five pinch hitters to knock in the winning run in Game 1 of the World Series.
1954 – Dusty Rhodes
The New York Giants defeated the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series. Rhodes helped the Giants get on the winning track. With the scored tied 2-2 in the 10th inning, Rhodes stepped to the plate for his first at-bat. Willie Mays and Hank Thompson were on the plate. Rhodes delivered them both home when he drilled a three run home run over the fence.
1964 – Carl Warwick
The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Yankees in seven games in the 1964 World Series. In Game 1, St. Louis picked up a thrilling 9-5 win to take the early series lead. With the score tied 4-4 in the sixth inning, pinch runner Carl Warwick drove in Tim McCarver to put the Cardinals ahead. They wouldn’t lose that lead for the rest of the game.
1988 – Kirk Gibson
Gibson is responsible for what might be the most famous hit in baseball history. Battling an injury, Gibson stepped to the plate against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the ninth with the Los Angeles Dodgers trailing 4-3. Gibson drilled a two run home run off of Dennis Eckersley to win the game. It was his only trip to the plate in the series.
1995 – Luis Polonia
The Braves made the playoffs every year between 1991 and 2005 but this was their only World Series win. Polonia helped them get started on the right foot. With the game tied 1-1 in the seventh inning, Polonia hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Fred McGriff. It wasn’t the most glamorous way to win a game but it did the trick.
2011 – Allen Craig
Time will tell if Craig’s game winning hit will lead to a St. Louis victory in the series. However, Craig did his part. He stepped in for Chris Carpenter in the sixth inning and delivered the key run in a 3-2 St. Louis victory. After that, the St. Louis bullpen shut Texas down.