1987 ALCS Game 5 vs Athletics

Lore & Background

Frank Viola, who had struggled earlier in the series, stepped up to deliver a career-defining performance. His ability to navigate the dangerous Oakland lineup through eight innings of one-run ball—the run being unearned—provided the backbone for the Twins' survival. The game served as a turning point, shifting the momentum entirely and proving that the Twins possessed a mental fortitude that transcended their earlier failures. It was the spark that ignited a remarkable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit, though not an 0-3 hole.

In Their Own Story

The Oakland Coliseum hummed with a nervous energy that felt different from the usual roar. Frank Viola stood on the mound, the weight of four losses pressing down on his shoulders like a physical force. He looked out at the dugout where Chuck Knoblauch and Kent Hrbek waited, their eyes locked on him. The crowd was a sea of green and gold, but the silence before the first pitch was deafening. Viola gripped the ball, took a deep breath, and fired his first pitch, beginning a journey that would rewrite the history books.

Reader's Guide

The narrative arc of Game 5 is defined by survival against impossible odds. The Twins entered the game down 0-3 in the series, facing elimination if they lost at Oakland. Frank Viola took the mound for Minnesota and delivered a masterful seven-inning performance, allowing only two hits and striking out six batters while keeping the potent A's offense scoreless. Offensively, the Twins were cautious but effective against A's pitcher Dave Stewart. The game remained tight until the sixth inning when Gary Gaetti singled to drive in a run, followed by a sacrifice fly from Kent Hrbek that gave Minnesota a crucial 2-0 lead. The defense held firm throughout, with key stops preventing Oakland from mounting a comeback. The final score was a narrow 2-1 victory for the Twins, forcing a decisive Game 6 back in Minneapolis. This win is a staple of Twins folklore because it marked the first time in MLB history that a team overcame a 0-3 deficit to win a championship series. It showcased the resilience of the 1987 squad and set the stage for their eventual World Series title.

Did You Know?

• Despite being down 3-1, the Twins won Game 5 to stay alive, then took Games 6 and 7 to win the ALCS. No team had ever come back from an 0-3 deficit in any MLB postseason series until the 2004 Red Sox.
• The 1987 ALCS MVP was Gary Gaetti, not Frank Viola. Gaetti hit .300 with two home runs and five RBIs in the series.
• The Twins lost Games 1 and 2 at home, then Game 4 in Oakland. However, they won Game 3 in Oakland, so Game 5 was not their first win of the series.
• Dave Stewart, who had dominated the Twins earlier in the series, struggled to contain the Twins' lineup in this crucial elimination game.

The Underdog Triumph

The Minnesota Twins' victory in the 1987 World Series stands as one of baseball's most improbable championship runs. Entering the postseason with an 85–77 record, they held the worst regular-season winning percentage for a World Series winner at that time, a mark not surpassed until 2006. Despite being statistically outmatched in nearly every major category and even outscored during the regular season, the Twins overcame these deficits to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals four games to three. This triumph marked their first title since relocating from Washington, ending a championship drought that stretched back to 1924. Their success extended Major League Baseball's record for unique World Series champions to ten consecutive years, an unmatched streak in American major sports history. The team's ability to win despite statistical inferiority highlighted the unpredictable nature of playoff baseball, proving that regular-season metrics do not always dictate postseason destiny.

The Metrodome Advantage

This series introduced a new era for championship baseball by becoming the first World Series played entirely indoors at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. The stadium's white roof proved disorienting for visiting outfielders like Willie McGee, who lost sight of pop flies against it, contributing to defensive miscues. Furthermore, this series established a rare precedent where the home team won every single game played, a feat that would not be repeated until 1991 and again in 2001. The indoor setting also meant the series was the third of six World Series contested entirely on artificial turf, altering the speed and bounce of the ball compared to traditional grass fields.

Historical Anomalies and Records

The 1987 World Series is defined by a collection of unique historical firsts and last occurrences that distinguish it from any other championship. It marked the final time in history that a World Series game began during daylight hours, with Game 6 kicking off at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Perhaps most remarkably, this remains the only series where the bottom of the ninth inning was never played across all seven games, as every contest concluded before that final half-inning could be reached. Additionally, it was the third consecutive World Series to go the full seven-game distance, a streak that has never been matched since. The series also introduced the concept of wearing the official World Series logo on jerseys, though initially only the Cardinals sported this patch, setting a visual trend for future championships.

Key Performances and Personal Milestones

Individual heroics and personal milestones defined the narrative arc of this championship. Twins pitcher Frank Viola was named the World Series MVP after dominating the series, notably in Game 1 where he pitched a shutout despite having to cancel his role as best man at his brother's wedding due to the game schedule. On offense, Dan Gladden delivered a grand slam and five RBIs in the opener, while Gary Gaetti provided crucial power in subsequent games. For St. Louis, the series was marred by injuries; star first baseman Jack Clark missed the playoffs with an ankle sprain, and third baseman Terry Pendleton was limited to pinch-hitting duties due to a ribcage injury. The drama concluded on Game 7, which coincided with Roy Smalley's 35th birthday and his final career appearance, where he reached base in all four of his plate appearances before the Twins secured their historic title.