Barry DeMann Remembers....Baseball Playoffs

After taking it on the chin last night with the Minnesota Twins...a 3/1 underdog....Barry DeMann was in a blind rage last night.

The Twins absolutely blew this game. Taking a 3-1 lead into the ninth, reliever Joe Nathan had not given up a home run with a man on....all season! A-Rod's post-season woes, have been well documented, even though he's started this season's playoffs on fire. What does he do? He hit's a two-run blast of Nathan to tie the game.

If that wasn't enough, the Twinkies left men on base in every inning...including the bases loaded with no outs in the 11th.

Games like this make Barry DeMann reach for the Pepto-Bismol.

The feeling I had reminded me of the worst beat BD ever took on a baseball playoff game. I am sure you remember the game, but not in the way that the gambler does.

October 17, 1999; National League Championship Series..Mets vs. Braves.

DeMann felt confident placing his wager, this day, on the posted
run total of 7.5 runs. DeMann took the, over 7.5, feeling certain
that Atlanta would knock around Mets starter Masato Yoshii.

DeMann's instincts couldn't have been more wrong.

A pitcher's duel throughout, the game was still tied at 2, in the 15th inning.
DeMann still needed four more runs for a winner.

The Braves went up 3-2 in the top of the 15th. Then, the Mets tied the game and methodically filled the bases, in the bottom of the 15th. DeMann could sense the possible magic in his excitable bones.

One of DeMann's all-time favorite players, Robin Ventura, stepped to the dish.
Ventura had proven to be dangerous in these situations, as he hit 18 career grand slams(tied for fourth on the all time list).

As if he sensed DeMann's wishes, Ventura ripped one over the right field wall for a "GRAND SLAM". DeMann, in the middle of his third back flip, barely noticed the comments of Bob Costas, who kept questioning how they were going to "score this".
In their excitement, The Mets mobbed Ventura, who never made it to second base. After some delay the final score was posted as 4-3...Ventura credited with what would be known as the "grand slam single" and DeMann...well he just took it in the shorts.

Just another reminder in this business...you never know....even when you do know!

Be careful out there.

Barry DeMann