The last out, the one that brought the Braves a World Series championship in 1995, ended up being rather routine. The bigger question is where is the ball?
Let’s start with the play: Two outs in the ninth inning in Game 6 against Cleveland and closer Mark Wohlers on the mound for the Braves. The Braves were up 1-0, the bases empty and Carlos Baerga at the plate for the Indians.
Wohlers let go of a fastball on the first pitch, and Baerga pushed it to left-center. Grissom ran and caught the ball with one hand. Ballgame. World championship.
“Our pitchers had worked hard on how to pitch to their hitters,’’ Grissom said. “I was also playing the right position, and it was a very routine catch.’’
So now, where’s the ball? “Before the game, a lady security guard asked me if (she) could have the ball if I caught the last out,’’ Grissom said. “When I caught it, I ran with the ball to jump into the pile. I saw the security guard, and I flipped her the ball.’’
Grissom said that the usher has offered to give him back the ball on several occasions.
“No,’’ he said. “She predicted that I would catch the last out, and I thought that was pretty cool. It’s hers. In fact, we have stayed in touch and a few years ago she said she still had it and offered it to me again. But I said no. She said her son was taking care of it.’’
