Robert Hann Game 162 Game 162.

There are 2,430 games played every regular season in Major League Baseball. There are 30 teams, and each team plays 162 games. They span over 6 months starting March 31st and ending September 28th. Lots can happen in those 2,430 games, but ultimately it means nothing if you cant make the playoffs. For a few teams, it comes down to that last game. Game 162 For most teams in Major League Baseball, it is the last game of their season. For those select teams who have already secured a spot in the playoffs, it means absolutely nothing, and for the few teams who are still in the race, game 162 is the most important game of the year. Game 162 The last day of the regular season fell on September 28th this past year. For avid baseball fans like myself, the stars were perfectly aligned for a historical night, and to the joy of many, and the heartbreak of others, the night played out like clockwork. Sound Effect: the dong of a clock 7:10 I turn on the TV, and flip to the Braves game. My beloved Braves are playing the Phillies, the best team in baseball. The Phillies are chasing a franchise record for number of wins in the regular season at 102. Were 89-72 and barely clenching on to a spot in the playoffs. The Cardinals just moved to 89-72 the night before to pull even with us for the National League wildcard spot. My fists are clenched. My face is stoic, and my eyes are fixed as Tim Hudson throws the first pitch to Jimmy Rollins. Sound Effect: ball hitting a glove Sigh* Strike. I relax a little. Maybe things will turn out all right. A month ago, things seemed so close. A month ago, we were 8 games ahead of the Cardinals for the National League wildcard spot. It was our year. The Braves were destined to make history with a hotshot young bullpen and with seasoned veterans at bat like Dan Uggla. Craig Kimbrel, a rookie, was having the year youd expect to come from a veteran closer. He had the best ERA of any closer heading into September and the most strike outs by a solid 40 KOs. No one could touch the stuff he was throwing. Jonny Venters, a reliever, in his second

Robert Hann year was tearing it up. The Braves bullpen was a force to be reckoned with, and there was no doubt in my mind we would make it to the World Series. This was our year. Sound Effect: crack of a bat Well, it looks like Im going to be in for a long night. Ryan Howard just hit a double sending in a runner. Its only the first inning, and were already down 1-0 to the Phillies. Sound Effect: distant cheers And right on cue, Chris Rissano down the hall in 450. I always heard how Phillies fans were pretty damn obnoxious, and Chris Rissano is no exception. Hes born and raised and Philadelphia and is pretty damn proud to tell you about it. Sound Effect: the dong of a clock 8:03 (Yelling) In your face Chris!! Dan Uggla just hit a two run shot to left. Now were up 3-1! I hope to God we can pull this win off. I could use something to be happy about these last few days. Its been rough being a Braves fan lately. What was it that the sports announcer said? Oh yeah, on the verge of the greatest collapse of any team in the history of baseball. We were 8 games ahead of the wildcard race only one month ago. We hit a wall, and its been ugly since. It could be worse though. I could be a Red Sox fan. Theyre tanking even worse than the Braves this month. The Red Sox dropped their 9 game lead they had over the Rays this past month. Sound Effect: the dong of a clock 9:45 Its the 8th inning, and Im starting to think that we could actually pull this off. Ive actually gotten so much confidence that I have relocated to Chriss room, the obnoxious Phillies fan to make our victory taste that much better. They just showed the score of the Cardinals game, and theyre up 7-0, so it looks like theyre going to win this one. If things go well today, the Bravesll have to play them in a one game playoff tomorrow, knock on wood. Knowing the Braves, theyll screw it up some how. This last month, theyve become the choke artists of the century. All we have to do is make it through one inning. Thats all we need. Three outs. Sound Effect: the dong of a clock 10:11

Robert Hann Youve got to be kidding me! Leave it up to the Braves to screw this up. The Phillies scored the tying run in the 9th, and now its going to extra innings. Well, this is going to be a long night. At least it looks like the Rays are pulling it back close against the Yankees. The Rays were getting slaughtered earlier. They were down 6-0 by the 5th inning. They were in the same boat as my Braves. They were tied with the Red Sox for the American League wild card. They too were fighting to play another day. Sound effect: the dong of a clock 11:13 My head starts to hurt, and my fingers ache from gripping the remote so tightly. Its the 13th inning, and I can hardly stand watching the game anymore. Sound effect: pitch hitting mitt Strike three. One out. Im starting to think that we might actually pull this off. They just showed the final score of the Cardinals game. They won 8-0. How come we got stuck with the number one team in baseball, and they only played the terrible Astros? Just our luck. Sound effect: crack of bat on ball Oh no. Its not looking good. Theres a man on third with only two outs. Come on Linebrink, we only need one out to stay alive. Sound effect: the dong of a clock 11:40 I cant believe it. Were officially the choke artists of the century. The Phillies scored in the 13th, and now we can now say that we are the greatest collapse of any team in September. How did this happen? 8 games we were up. And look how it turned out. Sound effect: click or static of a TV I cant watch this anymore. I stand up and start pacing. Im fuming. To make things worse, Chris Rissano and the rest of my dorm mates dont hold back at all. I start to regret all of that trash-talking I dished out before September. This is going to be a long night. Sound effect: crack of bat I look to the TV. The Orioles just hit a double to tie the game up in the 9th inning against the Red Sox. Wait a minute. If the Red Sox lose this one, itll be an even worse collapse

Robert Hann than the Braves. Never in my life, did I ever think I would be an Orioles fan. I glimpse over at the clock. It reads 12:00. Sound effect: dong of a clock 12:02 I cant believe it! They did it. Robert Andino just hit a game-winning single. The Orioles beat the Red Sox 4-3. Well at least it takes some heat off the Braves. We no longer hold the title for greatest collapse in baseball history. Sound effect: click or static of TV We flip to the Yankees, Rays game. Its the 12th inning and tied at 7. How did the Rays pull this one off? They were down 6-0 just a few innings ago. My question is answered as Evan Longoria steps to the plate, and they play a highlight from earlier in the game. He hit a grand slam in the 8th inning. What a game. At this point, there are about seven of us watching the games. Sound effect: crack of a bat Go! Go! Go! Sound effect: clip of announcers reaction Evan Longoria hits a walk off solo homerun to beat the Yankees and secure a spot in the playoffs. Hes living a scenario that kids dream about every day in ballparks around the country. I still see myself stepping up to my spray-painted home plate in the culd-e-sac back home in Atlanta. I call my shot to deep left, close my eyes, and suddenly Im in the big leagues hitting against CC Sabathia, the big shot Yankees closer. The counts 3-2. There are two outs, and I get the signal from the third base coach to swing away. Its the bottom of the 9th, and the games tied up. The windup. The pitch, and Robert Hann smashes it deep left. Its going, going, gone. I just witnessed one of the greatest moments in baseball history. That night, September 28, 2011 has been labeled the greatest night in baseball. Within 20 minutes I witnessed the collapse of two of the great franchises in baseball history and saw the rise of an unlikely team that overcame a 6-0 deficit to win in one of the most electrifying finishes in the history of baseball. It was a once in a lifetime night. The stars were perfectly aligned, and that night was one of the greatest finishes of any season in baseball. It showed the magic that can happen in one night, and how one season can come down to one game. Game 162.