Today In Blue Jay History: The Triple Play That Wasn't

I find it hard to believe, but 20 years ago today:

The Jays won the game, 3-2, taking a 2 game to 1 lead in the series. Without that catch, we likely wouldn't have won the game (2 runs would have scored and the Braves would have a runner in scoring position with no outs) and might not have won the series. This play came in the 4th inning, with no score yet. Joe Carter would hit a home run in the bottom of the inning to give us the lead.

Juan Guzman gave up a tying run in the 6th. Deion Sanders doubled, Terry Pendleton singled and David Justice single to drive in Sanders, but Guzman got out of the inning before it got worse. The Braves took the lead in the 8th, Otis Nixon got on base on a Kelly Gruber error, stole second and scored on a Lonnie Smith single.

Gruber made up for the error by hitting a lead off homer in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Roberto Alomar singled and stole second. Joe Carter was intentionally walked. Dave Winfield followed with one of the very few sac bunts of his career (19 regular season bunts in 22 seasons). An intentional walk to load the bases later, Candy Maldonado hit a walk off single.

That was likely the best catch that I have ever seen and then throwing the ball back in to get the base runners, it was just a great play. Devon was so smooth in the outfield, he rarely seemed to have to make that spectacular play, because he would easily get to ball that others couldn't, but that one was just amazing.

We'd go on to win the series in 6 games. I very clearly remember the last play. Mike Timlin pitching. Tying run on 3rd (John Smoltz in as a pinch-runner). Otis Nixon at the plate. Nixon put down a pretty good drag bunt, but Timlin was ready for it and made a nice play, throwing to Joe Carter at first. Joe started jumping up and down as soon as the out was called. I'm not sure I've seen anyone just higher.

How can it be 20 years ago?