OK, I’m a little late with the Olympic imagery. Anyway … What feat has been achieved by only these five pitchers? No one in this century has even had an opportunity to do it.
- Mordecai Brown for Cubs vs. Tigers, 1907 game 5 (clincher) and 1908 game 4
- Wild Bill Hallahan for Cardinals vs. Athletics, 1930 game 3 and 1931 game 2
- Christy Mathewson for Giants vs. Athletics, 1905 games 1, 3 and 5 (clincher), and 1913 game 2
- Art Nehf for Giants vs. Yankees, 1921 game 8 (clincher) and 1923 game 3 (both by 1-0)
- Allie Reynolds for Yankees vs. Dodgers, 1949 game 1 and 1952 game 4
Congratulations to Richard Chester! These five are the only pitchers with two World Series shutouts against the same team in different seasons. No one’s had a chance to do it this century because no pitcher has faced the same team in more than one Series; last year saw the first rematch of the century, but no pitcher from 2004 was on the same side in 2013. And of course, there hasn’t been an individual WS shutout since Josh Beckett’s 2003 clincher.
Does it have something to do with pitching multiple WS shutouts?
Yes, Richard.
To be clear, that’s not the full answer. Five others had multiple WS shutouts. So, why these five? Why has there been no opportunity this century?
Those five pitched shutouts against the same team in two separate WS.
Richard has it! (Sorry, nsb, but the clock says he beat you by 5 minutes.)
By George, I think I’m having a Henry Higgins moment:
Shutouts for the same team against the same opponent in different World Series.
I find really amazing that it´s been that long since the last World Series Shutout. Can somebody guess who was the last before Becket? (no looking)
Without looking I would have to go with – Bob Gibson?
Well, the great Morris-Smoltz standoff was since Gibson, but wow, maybe one of those 90’s Yankees (Clemens)?
Not Clemens. Not the 90´s. Yes the Yankees (sort of).
The answer is the Big Unit.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ARI/ARI200110280.shtml
BTW, since Beckett, there’s only been one WS complete game — Cliff Lee, 2009 game 1, one unearned run in the 9th inning.
In 2011, Derek Holland got within 2 outs of a shutout, but Washington yanked him after a 1-out walk in the 9th, with a 4-0 lead. The Rangers are one of six franchises still without an individual postseason shutout, along with the Angels, Mariners, Blue Jays, Rockies, and Rays.
Cmon now. Holland looked tired during that walk and was pretty happy to leave the mound 😉
Hallahan, Mathewson and Nehf each did it while their team won one series and lost the other.
Despite the fact he was 3-3 versus NYY in 7 WS starts, I believe Nehf was nicknamed “The Yankee Killer”. Iinitially saw this referenced by Tom Harmon (HB , fighterpilot, broadcaster, actor’s father) ina sports quiz book from the 1960s…..not to be confused with that other baseball serial killer, HARRY Coveleski, nicknamed “The Giant Killer” for several late season shutouts while twirling for the Phillies 100+ years ago