Phil Niekro went to bed on Oct. 5, 1985 conflicted and unsure about what he would do the next day. His Yankees had just lost to Toronto 5-1, and that essentially ended New York's season. They had entered this final three-game series trailing the Blue Jays by three games in the American League East. A sweep could have forced a one-game playoff, and New York did win the first game. But with Saturday's loss, the chase had ended, the last hope was lost, and the Sunday game, at least in the larger context of pennant races, was meaningless.
Baseball 79: Phil Niekro
Baseball 79: Phil Niekro
Baseball 79: Phil Niekro
Phil Niekro went to bed on Oct. 5, 1985 conflicted and unsure about what he would do the next day. His Yankees had just lost to Toronto 5-1, and that essentially ended New York's season. They had entered this final three-game series trailing the Blue Jays by three games in the American League East. A sweep could have forced a one-game playoff, and New York did win the first game. But with Saturday's loss, the chase had ended, the last hope was lost, and the Sunday game, at least in the larger context of pennant races, was meaningless.