Atlanta Braves

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Lore & Background

The 1992 NLCS Game 7 featured a matchup between Doug Drabek and John Smoltz. The Pirates scored first on a sacrifice fly by Orlando Merced in the first inning, then added a run in the sixth on a single by Andy Van Slyke. Drabek held the Braves scoreless through eight innings, allowing only five hits, but was relieved by Stan Belinda in the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, Terry Pendleton doubled, David Justice reached on an error by second baseman José Lind, and Sid Bream walked to load the bases. Reliever Stan Belinda induced a sacrifice fly from Ron Gant, then walked Damon Berryhill and retired Brian Hunter on a popup. Francisco Cabrera, who had batted only ten times in the 1992 regular season, singled to left field on a 2–1 count. Justice scored easily, and Bream slid just under the tag of catcher Mike LaValliere to score the winning run. The play sent the Braves to their second World Series in a row and ended the Pirates' three-year divisional championship run.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium is thick with tension as the bottom of the ninth inning begins on October 14, 1992. The Pirates lead 2–0, three outs away from their first World Series since 1979. Doug Drabek has pitched eight shutout innings, but the Braves' middle of the order is due up. Terry Pendleton doubles, David Justice reaches on an error, and Sid Bream walks to load the bases. Jim Leyland pulls Drabek for Stan Belinda. Ron Gant hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Pendleton. After a walk and a popup, Francisco Cabrera steps to the plate with two outs. On a 2–1 count, Cabrera lines a single to left field. Justice scores easily. Barry Bonds fields the ball and throws home, but the throw is slightly offline and bounces. Bream slides just under the tag, and the Braves win 3–2. The crowd erupts as the Braves advance to the World Series.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves peaked in the 1991 and 1992 National League Championship Series. In 1991, the Braves defeated the Pirates in seven games. In 1992, the Braves again defeated the Pirates in seven games, with the decisive Game 7 featuring a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Pirates had won three consecutive National League East championships from 1990 to 1992, but after the 1992 season, they lost Barry Bonds, Doug Drabek, and other key players. The Pirates did not have another winning season until 2013. The Braves, meanwhile, went on to win the 1995 World Series. The two teams have not met in the postseason since 1992.

Did You Know?

• Francisco Cabrera had batted only ten times in the 1992 regular season before his game-winning single in Game 7.
• Home plate umpire John McSherry worked the entire Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS; he later died on the field on Opening Day in 1996.
• Pirates manager Jim Leyland opposed a trade that would have sent Barry Bonds to the Braves in March 1992, and the deal was rescinded.
• The Pirates came within one out of overcoming a 3-games-to-1 deficit in the NLCS, a feat previously accomplished by the 1925 and 1979 Pirates in the World Series.