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Nick Soulis · 07-29-2025, 07:33 AM

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HEAVEN'S DUGOUT — Post-Series Special: Series #218
Live from Cleveland Stadium — October 9th Presented by Louisville Slugger: “Swing for the Legends”

[Opening Scene]
(Soaring aerial shot of a golden sunset descending over Cleveland Stadium. The scoreboard still glows with the final score: Pittsburgh 6, Cleveland 3. Organ music plays softly as the camera fades into the heavenly broadcast booth.)

VIN SCULLY (Host):

“Pull up a seat, friends—wherever you may be. Welcome to Heaven’s Dugout, our post-series special for Field of Dreams Series #218, where the Pittsburgh 2011 Pirates have captured their first-ever series title in dramatic fashion, overcoming the 1968 Cleveland Indians in seven unforgettable games. I’m Vin Scully, joined tonight by a lineup that could only exist where baseball’s spirit never fades. Let’s meet our panel.”

The Panel

VIN SCULLY – Host

JACKIE ROBINSON – Hall of Fame Analyst

CASEY STENGEL – Legendary Manager

BOB GIBSON – Hall of Fame Pitcher

BILL JAMES – Baseball Historian

VIN SCULLY:

“Gentlemen, what a finale. Game 7 had everything—the quiet tension early on, the storm in the seventh, and a moment for the ages from Alex Presley. But first, let’s talk about the man who carried this Pirates club all series long. Jackie, your thoughts on our Series MVP, Josh Harrison.”

JACKIE ROBINSON:

“Vin, Josh Harrison played with the kind of heart you can’t teach. He hit .375, made big plays at third, and always looked ready. What stood out most to me was how he stayed calm. In Game 6 when things slipped away, he was the first guy out of the dugout to support his pitcher. Then in Game 7, he led by example again—two hits, scoring a run, never pressing. That’s leadership.”

CASEY STENGEL:

“Ya know, back in my day I used to say, ‘Get me a fella who don’t know he ain’t supposed to be nervous.’ That’s Josh Harrison! That boy got what you call the fire in the belly, the wheels on the track, and the spark in the wires! And he can hit, too!”

VIN SCULLY (chuckling):

“Well put, Casey. Bill, let’s talk about the pivotal swing of the series—Alex Presley’s grand slam in the seventh inning. The Pirates were trailing 2-0, two outs, full count. What does the data say about that moment?”

BILL JAMES:

“That’s one of the lowest-leverage spots statistically for a home run and yet it completely altered the trajectory of the game and the series. Presley had only hit .207 in the series until that at-bat. And boom. That one swing generated more Win Probability Added than any other play in the entire seven-game set. It’s the single most impactful hit of Series #218.”

BOB GIBSON:

“Let me tell you something—Sonny Williams was rolling. He was throwing good heat, spotting the corners, and then he hung a breaking ball to Presley with the bags loaded. That’s a pitch you don’t miss. Presley didn’t. Game over. Series over.”

VIN SCULLY:

“And yet, credit must be given to the 1968 Indians. Twelve hits in Game 7. Duke Sims with three doubles, setting a postseason record. Bob, how do you see their effort?”

BOB GIBSON:

“Man, they battled. Sims was terrific behind the plate all series, and with the bat he flat-out raked. Horton was knocking the seams off the ball. But you strand 11 runners in a Game 7? That’s the kind of thing that haunts you. Hanrahan got lucky late, but he made the final outs when it counted.”

CASEY STENGEL:

“You can’t win if you don’t cash ‘em in! You don’t eat if you don’t cook the meat!”

VIN SCULLY (smiling):

“Words to live by, Casey. Now, let’s take a look at the defining moments of this magnificent series.”

VIN SCULLY:

“One for the archives, one for the heart. This series had all the emotional texture that makes October so magical. Jackie, any final thoughts?”

JACKIE ROBINSON:

“The Pirates won it because they stayed composed. That’s what champions do. I tip my cap to both teams, but especially to Harrison. That young man carried himself with class and fire. That’s the future of baseball, right there.”

VIN SCULLY:

“And with that, we close the book on Series #218. The 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates advance in the Field of Dreams Tournament and take their place among the champions of history. From all of us here in Heaven’s Dugout, may your skies be clear, your glove always broken in, and your heart forever in love with the game.”

[Fade to black with a slow instrumental version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”]

Goodnight from Cleveland. ⚾

07-29-2025, 07:33 AM	#270
Nick Soulis Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,368	HEAVEN'S DUGOUT — Post-Series Special: Series #218 Live from Cleveland Stadium — October 9th Presented by Louisville Slugger: “Swing for the Legends” [Opening Scene] (Soaring aerial shot of a golden sunset descending over Cleveland Stadium. The scoreboard still glows with the final score: Pittsburgh 6, Cleveland 3. Organ music plays softly as the camera fades into the heavenly broadcast booth.) VIN SCULLY (Host): “Pull up a seat, friends—wherever you may be. Welcome to Heaven’s Dugout, our post-series special for Field of Dreams Series #218, where the Pittsburgh 2011 Pirates have captured their first-ever series title in dramatic fashion, overcoming the 1968 Cleveland Indians in seven unforgettable games. I’m Vin Scully, joined tonight by a lineup that could only exist where baseball’s spirit never fades. Let’s meet our panel.” The Panel VIN SCULLY – Host JACKIE ROBINSON – Hall of Fame Analyst CASEY STENGEL – Legendary Manager BOB GIBSON – Hall of Fame Pitcher BILL JAMES – Baseball Historian VIN SCULLY: “Gentlemen, what a finale. Game 7 had everything—the quiet tension early on, the storm in the seventh, and a moment for the ages from Alex Presley. But first, let’s talk about the man who carried this Pirates club all series long. Jackie, your thoughts on our Series MVP, Josh Harrison.” JACKIE ROBINSON: “Vin, Josh Harrison played with the kind of heart you can’t teach. He hit .375, made big plays at third, and always looked ready. What stood out most to me was how he stayed calm. In Game 6 when things slipped away, he was the first guy out of the dugout to support his pitcher. Then in Game 7, he led by example again—two hits, scoring a run, never pressing. That’s leadership.” CASEY STENGEL: “Ya know, back in my day I used to say, ‘Get me a fella who don’t know he ain’t supposed to be nervous.’ That’s Josh Harrison! That boy got what you call the fire in the belly, the wheels on the track, and the spark in the wires! And he can hit, too!” VIN SCULLY (chuckling): “Well put, Casey. Bill, let’s talk about the pivotal swing of the series—Alex Presley’s grand slam in the seventh inning. The Pirates were trailing 2-0, two outs, full count. What does the data say about that moment?” BILL JAMES: “That’s one of the lowest-leverage spots statistically for a home run and yet it completely altered the trajectory of the game and the series. Presley had only hit .207 in the series until that at-bat. And boom. That one swing generated more Win Probability Added than any other play in the entire seven-game set. It’s the single most impactful hit of Series #218.” BOB GIBSON: “Let me tell you something—Sonny Williams was rolling. He was throwing good heat, spotting the corners, and then he hung a breaking ball to Presley with the bags loaded. That’s a pitch you don’t miss. Presley didn’t. Game over. Series over.” VIN SCULLY: “And yet, credit must be given to the 1968 Indians. Twelve hits in Game 7. Duke Sims with three doubles, setting a postseason record. Bob, how do you see their effort?” BOB GIBSON: “Man, they battled. Sims was terrific behind the plate all series, and with the bat he flat-out raked. Horton was knocking the seams off the ball. But you strand 11 runners in a Game 7? That’s the kind of thing that haunts you. Hanrahan got lucky late, but he made the final outs when it counted.” CASEY STENGEL: “You can’t win if you don’t cash ‘em in! You don’t eat if you don’t cook the meat!” VIN SCULLY (smiling): “Words to live by, Casey. Now, let’s take a look at the defining moments of this magnificent series.” VIN SCULLY: “One for the archives, one for the heart. This series had all the emotional texture that makes October so magical. Jackie, any final thoughts?” JACKIE ROBINSON: “The Pirates won it because they stayed composed. That’s what champions do. I tip my cap to both teams, but especially to Harrison. That young man carried himself with class and fire. That’s the future of baseball, right there.” VIN SCULLY: “And with that, we close the book on Series #218. The 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates advance in the Field of Dreams Tournament and take their place among the champions of history. From all of us here in Heaven’s Dugout, may your skies be clear, your glove always broken in, and your heart forever in love with the game.” [Fade to black with a slow instrumental version of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”] Goodnight from Cleveland. ⚾ Last edited by Nick Soulis; 07-29-2025 at 03:36 PM.