Delivering in the clutchCatching up with Dana KieckerEAGAN, Minnesota - Down one game to none in the 1990 American League Championship Series the Boston Red Sox turned to an unlikely arm.
After Oakland A's starter Dave Stewart out-dueled Roger Clemens in Game 1, Dana Kiecker found himself on center stage with the entire world watching. It was quite a situation for Kiecker, considering it was his first year in the Major Leagues. All of Red Sox nation put their hearts and souls into his right-arm. ”It certainly was an honor and one of my most memorable baseball experiences without a doubt,” said Kiecker. “That last month I was pitching probably the best baseball I had been pitching all season long. It was an honor.” Kiecker was named the Game 2 starter because the Red Sox had been forced to use Mike Boddicker in the final game of the season. That matchup with the Chicago White Sox was a must-win game for the Red Sox to ensure a playoff spot. Regardless of the circumstances, Kiecker made the most of his opportunity. Battling Oakland starter Bob Welch, who went 27-6 that year, Kiecker matched him pitch for pitch and left the game with a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning. “Most of their potency was right-handed hitters from Dave Henderson to Carney Lansford to Jose Canseco to Mark McGwire,” said Kiecker. “I had good success against right-handers and had come off a good performance against them in Oakland in a game that I had a no-decision in. That game gave me a lot of confidence heading into the ALCS.” Kiecker allowed just one earned run on six hits in the playoff start. He struck out two and walked one. It was a clutch performance when the Red Sox needed it most. “The Fenway crowd was outstanding that night and I had to make sure I did not get to caught up in that,” said Kiecker. “They pump you up like no other crowd. You get a couple outs, get 0-2 on somebody and you still see it today where they rise to their feet. They are without a doubt the best baseball fans to ever play for.” By the time the game ended, however, Kiecker’s performance had been wasted. Oakland won Game 2 and ended up sweeping the series. ”I still wish I hadn’t given up a couple of singles and could have pitched into the seventh or the eighth,” said Kiecker. “Low and behold we just didn’t score enough runs to win those games.” The days, Kiecker is back home in Eagan, Minnesota, a suburb south of St. Paul. He lives with his wife Julie and their daughter Paige, 12, and son, Mitchell, eight. Kieciker is beginning his 12th year as an executive with UPS, where he is the National Accounts Manager. Continued... |
