{"id":1037,"date":"2014-07-08T11:38:50","date_gmt":"2014-07-08T11:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.johnpaciorek.com\/?p=1037"},"modified":"2020-10-31T17:43:29","modified_gmt":"2020-10-31T17:43:29","slug":"is-the-team-equal-or-greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-part-2-of-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.johnpaciorek.com\/?p=1037","title":{"rendered":"Is the Team Equal to, or Greater than, the Sum of Its Parts? Part 2 of 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

The decade of the 80s would prove to be the justification for the Hope the 70s presented, for under Lasorda\u2019s leadership Team-Dodgers won World Series\u2019 in 1981 and 88, 4 pennants, and 8 divisions championships. And there is no reason why the Dodger players of the 80s would not have rendered the same admiration and honor to Lasorda as they did in the 70s.\"Dodger\"dodgers1988\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Another hallmark acclamation to the inspiration not found merely under the auspices of common<\/strong> Team Credibility was the episode considered by many as \u201cThe Miracle\u201d at the 1988 World Series. The following are excerpts from my essay describing the subtle nature of heroic proportion (October 6, 2013):<\/p>\n

Not even Albert Einstein and all the renowned physicists of his time, and \u201csaber-metricians\u201d of this modern-era, could have approximated the statistical improbability<\/strong> of what Kirk Gibson did on October 15, 1988\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

In late 1987, Kirk left the A.L. Tigers and, in January, joined the Hapless Dodgers of the National League, whose dismal \u201887 season needed something of a \u201cHobbsian\u201d spark to generate new life into a ball-club in disarray…<\/em> At Spring Training a few opportunities presented themselves early in Camp to set the stage for an immediate change of direction in Team attitude and focus that would eventually lead the march to a much improved status and uncontested standing in the National League West\u2026<\/em> Frivolity and practical jokes took a back seat to Kirk\u2019s ultra-professional and business-like mentality, and the team flourished from beginning \u2018till the season ended\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

His modest season ending stats earned him National League MVP honors while helping the Dodgers win 21 more games than the season before. But it was his uncommon \u201cpersonal-leadership\u201d and otherwise intangible, undaunted presence that invoked the \u201cmythical hero\u201d image his teammates and adversaries had learned to admire and would attempt to emulate\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Kirk purportedly had done all he could to get the Dodgers to that World Series, but \u201cthey\u201d were presumably going to have to get to the \u201cPromised Land\u201d without him, for the injuries he incurred along the way were too severe for any \u201cmortal\u201d to overcome and give a last ditch effort… And<\/em> everyone knew that even with Gibson, there was slim if any chance for them to beat the powerful Oakland Athletics, whose superior arsenal of player personnel had amassed an incredible record of 104 wins to 58 losses.<\/em><\/p>\n

In Game One, the \u201cA<\/em>s<\/em>\u201d held a 2 run lead until the Dodgers scored again in the 6th<\/sup> inning. The game remained at 4 to 3, Oakland leading in the bottom of the 9th<\/sup>\u2026 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Throughout the game, there were brief TV glimpses of Kirk Gibson hobbling around in the dug-out as he was traversing the distance from the training room and back, trying to massage and loosen his painful joints and hamstrings. Ever-optimistic<\/strong>, Tommy Lasorda seemed to be coaxing his beleaguered star, to see if any type of \u201cmiracle\u201d was in the offing. Vince Scully repeatedly commented that there was \u201cabsolutely\u201d no chance of Gibson making an official appearance.\"Vin<\/a>\"Vin<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

With T.V. and radio broadcasts coming into the locker room, Gibson heard one of Scully\u2019s commentaries as if providence were beckoning for him to consider an alternative thought<\/em>\u2026 \u00a0And Kirk realized an inexplicable surge of unwarranted confidence streaming through his consciousness. \u201cBut what could I do?\u201d would have been the common query instigated by mortal fear that must be wrested away from that mind intent on fulfilling a noble purpose.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

After Dodger pitching blanked the Athletics in the top of the ninth, the otherwise stalwart performance of Oakland Pitcher, Dave Steward, ended when statistically prudent \u201cA<\/em>s<\/em><\/span>\u201d manager, Tony LaRussa replaced his Starter with the League\u2019s Premier \u201ccloser,\u201d Dennis Eckersley. It looked like a sure win for Oakland, since \u201cEck\u201d was destined to face the bottom of the Dodger line-up (though somewhat of an ominous sign, in hind-sight). Eckersley got the first two outs in rapid succession, and was about to face a formidable, former teammate who was set to pinch-hit for the 8th<\/sup> batter in the line-up.\"Eckoak1988\"<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, in the Dodger dug-out, Lasorda learned that Gibson had begun a personalized mental and physical rehabilitation process, which immediately spurred Tommy\u2019s ever-percolating mind to envision a preemptive scenario of his own. After appointing Mike Davis to pinch hit for Alfredo Griffin, he surreptitiously placed Dave Anderson in the on-deck circle, to make Eckersley and LaRussa think that they could afford to be a little cautious with Davis (a potential threat) and contemplate the \u201cend\u201d by pitching to the very weak-hitting Anderson\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

All potentially constructive Dodger strategy lay in the proposition that Gibson regain a semblance of his former self. Yet, even if he could overcome the acute pain and obvious debility, what could he hope to achieve in his debilitative condition?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Bob Costas would later remark that while he was in the stairwell of the Dodger dug-out, he could hear the groaning, anguishing strokes of a batter\u00a0 desperately trying to ready himself for one last at-bat, even \u201cone last-swing,\u201d while teammate Orel Hershiser was feeding baseballs onto the tee for Gibson\u2019s convenience. <\/em><\/p>\n

Although most of his teammates must have sensed the futility of Kirk\u2019s somewhat contrived heroism, they probably also could not have expected anything less from \u201cthe man\u201d who had proven himself so many times before. They all must have thought the \u201cgood-prospect\u201d all but possible, however their past experience would at least warrant a \u201cstatistically\u201d derived- at chance of success. \u201cYOU\u2019VE GOT TO BELIEVE\u201d would have been the genuine inspirational sentiment pouring into the ears of the players from the mouth<\/em> and heart of “never-doubting Thomas” Lasorda and the Great Dodger in the Sky\u2026\"T.<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Kirk is now sitting at the end of the dugout bench, fully dressed, and armed with helmet and \u201chickory,\u201d speculating the purview the situation has presented. \u201cI have inspiration and commitment to do something, but what, and how far can my own <\/strong>determination carry me? Will Davis get on base to set up my \u2018grand entrance,\u2019 and what emotion will the fans exude? And will it give me that final burst of adrenaline to be propelled to heights previously unknown?\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Eckersley just walked Mike Davis! Taking a deep yet unstrained breath, Kirk\u2019s electrifying and confident image popped onto the top step, then out of the dugout to the thunderous roar of the now ecstatic and frenzied crowd. Lasorda\u2019s unending chants of \u201cnew promise\u201d inspired his Team and the Dodger Faithful to loftier heights of exaltation, as Kirk finished his preliminary swings. His slow, deliberate, but majestic walk to the plate must have been a nerve-wrenching ordeal for the Oakland pitcher, even though he exuded a confidence rather than impatience to get the game over\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0One could only speculate as to what order of thoughts must have been aligning themselves in Gibson\u2019s mind as his footsteps proceeded into that rarefied cubicle of variable distinction. Before assuming his characteristically \u201cSpartan\u201d batting-stance, his back cleat scratched the hardened dirt for a foothold to secure a base from which his afflicted body might launch its purposeful attack. <\/em><\/p>\n

He was finally ready, and none too soon for the exasperated Eckersley, who let his arm commence with the business at hand, firing a blazing, side-arm, tailing fastball, for which Gibson must have felt a tad unprepared. All observers couldn\u2019t help but notice the constrained, oblique wrenching, late response Gibson\u2019s off-balanced body and bat conveyed as it almost<\/strong> completely missed the ball. <\/em><\/p>\n

The second pitch gave the same explicit message, and the fans as well as Eckersley himself must have sensed that \u201cthe Gibber\u201d was no match for the \u201cEck.\u201d Kirk was behind 0 and 2 in what seemed like a \u201cheart-beat,\u201d and Dennis was determined to finish him off on the next pitch…<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0After his first pitch to Gibson, it became obvious to Eckersley, as well as the \u201cbrain-trusts\u201d in both dugouts, that Kirk was not the optimum threat for which everyone fancifully hoped or cautiously suspected. But he was quickly portending to be a formidable adversary, even in his seemingly \u201cpowerless\u201d condition. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cEck\u201d recognized that with all the pitches Gibson was subtly calculating, making superficial contact with every one, it might only be a matter of time before he can put one in play, perhaps to the detriment of Oakland. Therefore, he can\u2019t let Davis steal second base. <\/em><\/p>\n

Before his second and third pitches he made 3 throws to keep Davis close. With 2 strikes on Gibson, the Dodgers might be desperate. His third pitch was a ball outside, going a little farther to see if Kirk would bite beyond the fringe. He didn\u2019t! <\/em><\/p>\n

Since \u201cEck\u201d didn\u2019t throw over before the 4th<\/sup> pitch, Davis attempted a steal on the 5th<\/sup>. Gibson had his best swing yet, but fouled it back. Eckersley didn\u2019t think Davis would steal on consecutive pitches, and he was correct, but threw \u201cBall 2\u201d in the process.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Before his 7th<\/sup> pitch, he threw to first base again. But on the pitch to Gibson, the ball was further outside, and Davis successfully stole second base, much to the consternation of LaRussa, Eckersley, and the \u201cAs<\/span>\u201d dugout as the count rose to 3 and 2\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Gibson\u2019s impotent yet \u201cfrisky\u201d at-bat posed a conundrum whose immediate solution never materialized. So, for Eck, there was only one direction in which to proceed!<\/em><\/p>\n

Gibson had neither rhythm nor timing when he came to the plate. But through the course of his gauntlet-like \u201ctrial-by-pitch\u201d he had developed both<\/strong> to a rather insignificant level. Now, it was thought by \u201cEck,\u201d to end this dilemma. He knew what he had to do. And he will do it, NOW! <\/em><\/p>\n

The Game wasn\u2019t necessarily on the line, if his strategy failed. Gibson would walk, and the Dodgers would still have a runner in scoring position, presenting merely a secondary condition that would quickly be dismissed. But \u201cEck\u201d was confident, he could not fail\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0The statistical probability for Eckersley\u2019s success was astronomical! Kirk Gibson seemed to have been abandoned by the \u201cgods\u201d and his mythological legend was about to become irreparable.\u00a0 The most he could hope for was simply to flare a base hit that might tie the game. But in Eckersley\u2019s mind, a game-ending out is all Gibson\u2019s \u201cgunna\u201d get! <\/em><\/p>\n

With the count 3 and 2, \u201cEck\u201d is about to deliver the most potent pitch in his repertoire. The Dodger dugout is ecstatic. Now, with the fleet-footed Davis in scoring position, a base-hit would tie the game, and that is all and the best they could expect from their forlorn hero. <\/em><\/p>\n

But Eckersley had other plans! And, what was Gibson himself thinking?<\/em><\/p>\n

Just before Eckersley was to deliver his \u201csecret\u201d pitch, Kirk abruptly stepped out of the batter\u2019s box, as if to regain his composure under this momentous circumstance. But, in that instant, a higher source<\/strong> seemed to beckon him to recall an otherwise innocuous fact that Kirk had read on a report prepared by an astute and meticulous \u201cscout\u201d (Mel Didier) before the playoffs began. <\/em><\/p>\n

After pondering the present situation, all statistical possibilities seemed to be aligned in a favorable position. And the curtain was about to fall, with a dramatic conclusion, on one of these conquering heroes, each with his own weapon of invincibility in hand.<\/em><\/p>\n

Kirk looked toward the mound, then stepped into the \u201cBox,\u201d knowing he had all the information he needed. But is his faith in his belief strong enough; and will his mind\u2019s commitment to act unflinchingly, in spite of his apparent bodily condition, enable<\/strong> his warrior-heart? 55,000 spectators are about to find out as well.<\/em><\/p>\n

Neither antagonist is smiling but each exudes an indefinable confidence<\/strong>, even while knowing well that \u201cone will die today.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Eckersley takes his stretch and prepares his \u201cLoad\u201d for delivery. Gibson makes a final but ominous mental query designating his unquestioning tact as \u201cthe die is cast,\u201d \u201cSure as I\u2019m standing here, partner,\u00a0 you\u2019re going to throw me that ‘back-door’ slider, aren’t you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

As the pitch leaves his hand, Eckersley recognizes the ball\u2019s trajectory to be perfect, right where he wanted it. With all the pitches he had thrown, he knew Gibson would see the ball moving directly toward the outside. He also thought Gibson\u2019s quick sense would assume that since his side-armed fast ball \u201ctails,\u201d<\/strong> the pitch\u2019s destination would obviously move farther outside for a ball. He was expecting Kirk to momentarily relax, and not have enough time to respond to the pitch\u2019s abrupt deviation of speed and direction, until it was too late\u2026\"dennis<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSure enough,\u201d realized Kirk, upon first glance! His \u201cabsolute faith,\u201d and patience allow him to wait<\/strong>. He\u2019s not yet lifted his front foot as he did previously while expecting Eckersley\u2019s fast ball. An extra nanosecond of Time is in his favor. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, all I have to do is get my timing right, to be able to explode at the precise moment!\u201d In his extremely \u201cclosed-stance,\u201d as he discerned the ball\u2019s outside trajectory, he waited until he could detect its subtle and abrupt turn toward him.<\/em> Then his front foot exaggerated its deliberate stride toward third base, as his body was \u201cgathering\u201d its forces to uncoil as his foot would plant into the ground\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0As if he knew what was coming, \u201cEck\u201d saw Kirk\u2019s foot plant, his body uncoil, his arms extend, and in a final explosive lunge of shoulders, hands and wrists observed the bat contact the ball with an uncanny perfect synergy that launched the round projectile with improbable force in the direction from which it came\u2026\"dennis&Kirk\"<\/em><\/p>\n

With all spectators and both dugouts watching in apparent disbelief, the ball kept rising and carrying farther and farther in its ellipticity until it finally disappeared over the right-field wall. <\/em><\/p>\n

Throughout the day not a hint of joy was expressive of the face of Kirk Gibson, only a stoic fa\u00e7ade, hiding pain, disappointment, resentment, and disdain for his helpless and impotent condition. <\/em><\/p>\n

As the follow-through of his celestial swing of bat was complete, and he cautiously embarked on an unrehearsed, and as yet undefined, trek, an observer could detect a gradual change in facial disposition. \"Kirk\"Kirk\"Gibson2\"<\/a>The remorseful look of indifference was suddenly transforming into a heavily distinguishable canvas of ecstatic jubilation. And in a moment of triumphant glory he pumped his bent right arm in successive punches along the side of his beleaguered body \"kirkafter the subjugated leather-bound projectile did indeed traverse the height of the outfield fence for an uncontested, historic \u201cTour De Force\u201d of amazing ramifications, the conclusion of which would be directly revealed\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

The instant of evidentiary proof of Gibson\u2019s success immediately transformed the hopeful yet solemnly-cautious dispositions of Dodger fans and Teammates (who might not have believed in Santa Clause) into genuinely faith-filled<\/strong> followers who, at that \u201choly instant,\u201d probably could have moved a mountain or two. <\/em><\/p>\n

The dug-out Dodgers were streaming out onto the field, arms flaying and voices shouting \u201cHallelujah\u201d (from the roof-tops) to their \u201cresurrected \u201cmessiah\u201d as he buoyantly circumnavigated the bases in all but reconstructed, glorified form\u2026\"Kirk\"dennis-eckersley-After<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

His amazing feat did provide a Home Run of incomparable distinction. And it did win that First Game of the \u201cSeries,\u201d in abrupt and miraculous fashion. But the intangible essence of that single act of unfathomable \u201cHeroism\u201d also unlocked a momentarily imprisoned spirit of Team unity that suddenly \u201cempowered\u201d the Dodgers to claim the 1988 World Series Title, even without Kirk playing another moment of any of the remaining 4 games. <\/em><\/p>\n

Kirk Gibson\u2019s Home Run was truly the \u201csingle-most amazing performance piece in Sports history,\u201d but also glorified the presence of an intangible element of team unity that simply enhances the prospect for understanding that \u201cthe Team is greater than the sum of its parts.\u201d \u00a0 \"Vin\"Los<\/a>\"Kirk<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Coming Soon: Part 3 of, “Is the Team Equal, or Greater, than the Sum of Its Parts?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The decade of the 80s would prove to be the justification for the Hope the 70s presented, for under Lasorda\u2019s leadership Team-Dodgers won World Series\u2019 in 1981 and 88, 4 pennants, and 8 divisions championships. And there is no reason why the Dodger players of the 80s would not have rendered the same admiration and … Continue reading Is the Team Equal to, or Greater than, the Sum of Its Parts? Part 2 of 3<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t