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Los Angeles Dodgers: Worst moments of the 30-year drought

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws his glove after he was unable to catch a ground rule double hit by Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros (not pictured) during the eighth inning in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws his glove after he was unable to catch a ground rule double hit by Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros (not pictured) during the eighth inning in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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2008 NLCS

After 20 years the Los Angeles Dodgers finally won a playoff series, sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS. It was the closest they had been to winning a World Series since that night in Oakland when Orel Hershiser struck out Tony Phillips to end the 1988 season.

In the NLCS that year the Dodgers faced a slugging Philadelphia Phillies team that were seeking to end their own 28 year World Series drought.

After finding themselves down 2-1 with a crucial win needed in game four, the Dodgers couldn’t falter if they wanted to switch the momentum of the series. Leading 5-3 in the top of the eight inning the Dodgers needed just six more outs to tie the series.

Most Dodgers can recite by heart the debacle that was the four run collapse by the bullpen that sealed the Dodgers fate. The nadir being the two run home run given up by closer Jonathan Broxton to pinch hitter Matt Stairs

Stairs’ home run provided the 7-5 final score, but there was a bigger play that happened before the Stairs home run. With a man on first and no outs, the Dodgers had the right man up in the eighth.

Cory Wade brought his regular season 2.27 regular season ERA to face former Dodgers prospect Shane Victorino. As a reliever, the hard throwing Wade was one of the more reliable arm out of the bullpen having struck out 51 and walked just 15 in 71 innings of work.

On Wade’s very first pitch a hanging breaking ball Victorino whipped his bat around and sent a line drive over the right field bullpen stunning the fans and Dodgers tying the game. Three batters later came the Stairs home run. The Dodgers went on to lose the series the next game.

Fans may remember Broxton giving up the winning home run but it doesn’t happen if Wade doesn’t falter against Victorino.

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