When the MLB Network began showing its list of the 20 greatest games of all-time, I was convinced Game 163 of the 2009 season -- Twins 6, Tigers 5, (12 innings) -- would get snubbed.
The series has been terrific so far, but on the intro show, when Bob Costas and Tom Verducci listed the 50 games under consideration for the Top 20, I just got the feeling Game 163 wouldn't make the cut. That night, they showed a quick clip of Alexi Casilla's game-winning hit, with Carlos Gomez making his celebratory head-first slide into home plate, but that play alone wouldn't have been enough to make this list.
You need the build-up and all the twists and turns. Well, today came word that this game ranks 16th on the network's list. Michael Cuddyer sat down with Costas and Verducci for a show that will run Monday at 7 p.m.
Here's something from the transcript that I didn't know. Asked about the events leading up to Game 163, Cuddyer says, "The owners threw us a party and the owners are giving us a speech – this is with three weeks left in the season – 'Well, the season didn't go as planned, but we appreciate the effort that you guys put forward,' and we're kind of looking at each other going, 'We've still got a little ways to go, albeit uphill,' and lo and behold we go out and put ourselves in a position to get into the playoffs."
Good stuff. I can't wait to watch the rest.
