Morris, Smoltz reminisce about iconic Game 7

As the zeros piled up across the scoreboard, the two future Hall of Famers had the same thought: “Get me one and it’s over.”

The setting: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.

The date: October 27, 1991.

The stakes: World Series, Game 7.

Neither Jack Morris nor John Smoltz would give in. Tension built. The powerful righties matched each other in one of MLB’s greatest games on the biggest stage. As the drama intensified, the only question was which lineup would break through. The answer would mean a championship.

In the bottom of the 10^th, the Twins ended the stalemate on Gene Larkin’s walk-off knock. Minnesota had a 1-0 victory and its second World Series title in five seasons. It is the only Game 7 in World Series history to finish 1-0 in extra innings.

“[Twins manager] Tom Kelly summed it up the best,” Morris said. “If it was a book, Chapter 1 kept you engaged and at the end of Chapter 2 you couldn’t wait for Chapter 3. And ultimately you read the whole book because it was overwhelming.”

Indeed, the 1991 Fall Classic was captivating. The Twins and Braves had each finished the previous season in last place. A year later, they were competing for the ultimate prize. Through the first six games, the home team won each contest. Four of the six were decided by one run and two went to extra innings. The Twins forced the decisive Game 7 on Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett’s iconic walk-off homer in the 11^th.

“Puckett hits that homer, and it’s just total focus for Game 7,” Smoltz said.

“When Game 6 ended, I knew Game 7 was going to be special,” Morris said.

Morris and Smoltz described similar preparations for the winner-take-all showdown. Both slept well despite the enormity of the game. Both embraced the spotlight despite the pressure. Both described a jolt of adrenaline as they went through their pregame routine.

Both knew they’d deliver with everything on the line.

“I don’t think I ever had more confidence going to any game in my career,” Morris said. “Physically, I was at the top of my game. But what made it different was my focus. I never had a negative thought.”

Smoltz had the same belief.

“This game defines for me who I am from early childhood. I had thoughts of pitching in the biggest games, the biggest moments from when I was 8 years old. And I never let go of it,” he said. “It’s the way I’ve always been.”

Morris threw all 10 innings and was prepared to do whatever it took.

“I was going to pitch 15 or 16 if I had to. It was a game that built and built and built,” he said. “I was stronger in the 8^th than I was in the 6^th. I was stronger in the 10^th than I was in the 8^th."

Smoltz, who a week earlier tossed a 6-hit shutout in Game 7 of the NLCS, was similarly dominant, going 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball.

The Braves came agonizingly close to taking the lead in the 8^th. Lonnie Smith led off with a single. MVP Terry Pendleton followed with a double (though Morris is adamant he struck out Pendleton earlier in the at-bat on a pitch ruled a foul tip). Pendleton’s knock could have scored Smith, but he held up at third. With runners on 2^nd and 3^rd and no outs, Morris was in a jam.

“I never believed I couldn’t get out of a situation. I never thought about making a mistake,” said Morris, who was named MVP of the series. "That’s what set it apart for me.”

Smoltz began the inning in the clubhouse, moving from his normal spot in the dugout to try to change the fortune for the struggling Braves bats. When Atlanta had runners in scoring position, he changed course.

“I decided I’m going back into the dugout to watch us score, take it in, and finish the game,” Smoltz said. “We score, the game is over. I finish it out and go nine.”

Morris wouldn’t cooperate. With the infield drawn in, he got Ron Gant to ground out weakly to first. The runners held. And after an intentional walk, Morris induced Sid Bream into a 3-2-3 double play to escape unscathed. The raucous Minnesota crowd of 55,118 fans waving white hankies went wild.

Smoltz was ultimately pulled in the bottom of the 8^th after the Twins put runners on 1^st and 3^rd with one out. But reliever Mike Stanton came through by getting Kent Hrbek to hit into a double play, keeping the game scoreless.

When asked if he thought manager Bobby Cox’s decision to pull him would have been different if the Braves had been leading, Smoltz said, “No doubt.”

“There wasn’t a thought that I wasn’t going 9 innings in Game 7,” Smoltz said. “When I got taken out, I was so deflated.”

Morris’ masterpiece continued. He retired the Braves in order in both the 9^th and 10^th, finishing with 126 pitches. No pitcher has thrown at least 10 shutout innings in a postseason game since Morris’ epic outing.

After failing to score in the 9^th, the Twins ultimately prevailed in the 10^th on Larkin’s clutch hit. The game was an instant classic. It is still regarded as arguably the greatest pitchers’ duel ever.

“That night, I only needed one,” Smoltz said. “But the problem was Jack Morris only needed one.”