You might also think of Mariano Rivera blowing the save in game seven. Mark Grace singled, Rivera turned a sac bunt attempt into runners on first and second, Tony Womack eventually knocked home the tying run. Then Tim McCarver – without so much as a spoiler alert – laid out exactly what was about to happen like he’d seen it already, and Luis Gonzalez shoveled a ball over the drawn in infield to win the World Series. Just like that, the greatest closer of all time blew game seven of the World Series, ending a Yankee dynasty in its tracks.

But that’s not it either. I’m talking about Jay Witasick’s beautifully disastrous performance in game six.

With the Yankees up three games to two in the 2001 World Series, the series shifted back to Arizona for a critical game six. The Yankees were just one win away from their fourth consecutive World Series championship, while the Diamondbacks, in their fourth season, hadn’t yet existed in a world in which the Yankees were not the champs. Kim’s consecutive blown saves put Arizona in this position, but in game six, it would be the Yankees bullpen that would implode. Though Jay Witasick’s meltdown didn’t come in as high a leverage situation as Kim’s (nor Rivera’s), it was something to behold.

Witasick entered Game 6 with runners on second and third with the Yankees trailing 5-0. It was still early. The game was in reach. Here’s how hitters fared against Witasick that inning:

• Single to LF
• Single to LF
• Single to LF
• Single to RF
• Tony Womack strikes out swinging (phew!)
• Single to CF
• Double to LF
• Single to CF
• Double to CF
• Reggie Sanders strikes out swinging (finally!)

In a game when the Yankees could have clinched a World Series victory, Joe Torre let Witasick stay in the game to surrender four consecutive hits – twice! – in one inning. By the time Reggie Sanders finally struck out, the Diamondbacks led 12-0. Relievers are often made to wear it the way Witasick did here, but a win in this game meant a World Series title. This wasn’t a normal game. This was the type of game when – normally – you never give up. Witasick’s 8 earned runs tied him with Grover “Pete” Alexander for the most runs ever given up in a World Series game. Alexander took 2 1/3 innings to give up that many in the 1928 World Series against the Yankees. 

Witasick would give up two more hits the next inning (he started another inning!), giving him a final line that looks like this (parents, cover your children’s eyes): 1 ⅓ innings, 10 hits, 9 runs (8 earned), 4 strikeouts. Randy Choate came on and allowed Witasick’s stragglers to score, by which point the Diamondbacks led 15-0. Luis Gonzalez – their consensus best player – was pulled for rest in the bottom of that inning (the 4th inning!). Given the stakes of the game, it’s amazing that Torre allowed Witasick to get shelled the way he did. 

I’ll give Torre this: games four and five of the 2001 World Series went into extra innings, and leading 3 games to 2 going into game six, the Yankees had some cause to pack it in by the time Andy Pettitte left the game without recording an out in the third inning. And it’s not as if Witasick was giving up home runs. These were mostly bleeders through the left side of the infield – but they weren’t totally cheap knocks either. 

On the other hand, when Pettitte exited the game, it was still just a 5-0 deficit in the 3rd inning. Of course, Torre also had reason to doubt whether his offense could come back from a deficit that large. In the first five games of the series combined, the Yankees had scored a total of four runs in innings 1 through 8. Without a pair of clutch ninth-inning home runs from Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius, the Yankees came dangerously close to losing all 7 games of the series (which, of course, would have been impossible). 

Still, Witasick’s ill-fated stint in the third and fourth inning of game 6 stands out as a woeful performance with the season on the line. Witasick put together a solid professional career, pitching for 7 teams over 12 years with a 4.64 ERA/4.69 FIP, and it’s hardly his fault that Torre decided to pack this one in by the third inning, but it’s worth a re-watch nonetheless.

Kim is unfortunately best known for blowing saves in back-to-back games against the Yankees during the 2001 World Series. He surrendered crushing home runs to Derek Jeter and Scott Brosius in games four and five, marring an otherwise breakout season for the electric 22-year-old. Kim’s quick delivery, submarine arm slot and sweeping breaking ball made him an engaging character on the Diamondbacks’ lone championship team, for whom he was tremendous up until the World Series. Two games after Kim’s second blown save, Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera would do him a solid and prove that a blown save can happen to anyone, as the Diamondbacks game back in the bottom of the ninth against Rivera to win their first and only World Series. That season Kim saved 19 games with a 2.94 ERA over 98 innings while recording 10.4 K/9.

Kim bounced back from the rough showing in the World Series with a career year in 2002, earning 36 saves with 2.04 ERA in 84 innings. The Diamondbacks version of Kim would have fit nicely in today’s game as a high-usage multi-inning reliever, though it was a short run of success. He was traded to the Red Sox in May of 2003, where his career eventually unraveled, though he did turn in a strong 79 1/3 innings of 3.18 ERA baseball for Boston that season, including five starts. Kim also played for the Rockies and Marlins, last appearing in the major leagues for Florida in 2007.

Kim returned to Arizona for the 20th Anniversary and took part in the festivities. His strongest major league seasons were without a doubt his early years in Arizona, where he recorded 70 of his 86 career saves. For his career, Kim finished with a 54-6o record with a 4.42 ERA in 394 appearances, 87 of which were starts. Kim is fourth on the Diamondbacks all-time saves list.

• Byung-Hyun Kim signed with the Nexen Heroes of the KBO for $437K, according to a link from the Yonhap News Agency passed along by Dan of MyKBO.net. Kim, who's still just 32, has a 4.42 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in parts of nine MLB seasons. He famously allowed game-changing home runs to Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius in the 2001 World Series. Kim last appeared in the Major Leagues in 2007.
• Former big leaguer Brian Bass signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO for $300K, according to a Naver Sports article passed along by Dan of MyKBO.net. Bass, 30, has a 5.16 ERA with 5.1 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 183 innings over the course of three seasons with the Pirates, Orioles and Twins. The Pirates granted the right-hander free agency after the 2011 season, but he last appeared in the Major Leagues in 2010.

• Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that free agent starter John Maine is throwing bullpen sessions and is auditioning for teams (Twitter link). The 29-year-old right-hander had his shoulder cleaned up last summer.
• Mets GM Sandy Alderson has not had any contact with former GM Omar Minaya since early January according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. Alderson indicated that there was a position available for his predecessor, assuming he wants it. 
• Tyler Kepner of The New York Times wrote about the legacy of Gil Meche.
• Former Tiger Mike Maroth told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he's retiring. Maroth started 100 games for the Tigers from 2003-05, but the left-hander's elbow has caused problems since. He last pitched in 2007 for the Cardinals and Tigers.
• The Rakuten Golden Eagles have announced the signing of Byung-Hyun Kim, according to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker. The 32-year-old spent nine seasons with the D'Backs, Rockies, Red Sox and Marlins, posting a 4.42 ERA with 8.6 K/9 as a starter, closer and reliever. He allowed memorable home runs to Paul O'Neill and Tino Martinez in the 2001 World Series.
• Alex Speier of WEEI.com hears that the Red Sox aren't likely to sign any more pitchers to major league deals this offseason.
• The Royals edged out the Rays, Braves, Blue Jays and Phillies in Keith Law's organizational rankings at ESPN.com.
• Royals GM Dayton Moore explains to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that he intends to turn the Royals into a "consistent, solid, thriving organization" by continuing to develop young players.
• Mets GM Sandy Alderson told ESPN.com's Adam Rubin that he would like to avoid arbitration with R.A. Dickey and remains open to a multiyear deal with the knuckleballer.

• The Giants' Byung-Hyun Kim experiment is over, as the pitcher asked the Giants for his release according to Baseball America's Matt Eddy.
• Multiple teams are interested in free agent outfielder Elijah Dukes, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
• Murray Chass chatted with agent Ron Shapiro about the Joe Mauer deal.  Speaking of Mauer, 620 WTMJ's Dan O'Donnell spoke to MLBTR's Mike Axisa about how the catcher's deal might impact Prince Fielder. 
• The Marlins' interest in Mike Lowell is "barely above zero," learned MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.  Lowell told Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald today that he's not sure if a move back to the NL would work.
• The Diamondbacks don't expect to sign Dominican outfielder Wagner Mateo, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
• Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune spoke to Padres CEO Jeff Moorad, who wouldn't be surprised to see Adrian Gonzalez play two more seasons for his team.
• In reference to Mets rookie Jenrry Mejia, ESPN's Keith Law notes that "promoting prospects who aren't ready is a hallmark of GMs in fear for their jobs."
• Tracy Ringolsby is now on Twitter, give him a follow.
• Joel Sherman of the New York Post examines the Mets' reconfiguration of Hisanori Takahashi's contract.
• I'll be participating in an NFBC fantasy league Sunday evening.  They've got all kinds of events and prizes, check it out.

• Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer hears that Eric Wedge is taking this year off by choice.  The former Indians skipper, who is still under contract with the club for one more year, was connected to the Mets' bench coach job for a while.
• The strong play of Nats rookie shortstop Ian Desmond could bump Cristian Guzman from the starting lineup, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.  However, it  will be difficult for Washington will find a taker for Guzman's $8MM salary.
• Newly acquired Dodger Garret Anderson knows that he's fighting for a very limited role with club, writes MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.  Anderson played in 135 games for the Braves last season, hitting .268/.303/.401 with 13 HRs.
• Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets that Giants pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim has the right to opt out of his contract on March 15th if he doesn't think he'll make the 25-man roster.  The 31-year-old – who last pitched in the majors in 2007 – signed a minor league deal with San Francisco in February.
• Bobby Valentine told Marlins beat reporters that he was never spoke with club owner Jeffrey Loria about managing the team, writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.  Bobby V said the speculation was unfair to skipper Fredi Gonzalez, who led guided Florida to 87 wins and a second-place finish in the NL East.
• Arizona GM Josh Byrnes said that the club wants to look at internal candidates first if Brandon Webb is unable to start the regular season, tweets MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.  Byrnes added that the club, as always, will keep an eye on the waiver wire as Spring Training winds down (also via Twitter).
• Despite the impressive play of Josh Bell, Miguel Tejada will be the Orioles' starting third baseman barring a "dramatic" event, writes Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun.  The O's signed Tejada to a one-year, $6MM deal in late January.
• Joe Posnanski takes a look at the history of the Rule 5 draft.  Fun Fact: The Rule 5 draft goes back more than 100 years.

Kim, now represented by Paul Cobbe, spent most of the last few years "re-charging" in South Korea.

• Giants top pitching prospect Madison Bumgarner surprisingly gets the big league call today, says John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.  The bad news: Cy Young contender Tim Lincecum is out with back spasms.
• Evan Grant of D Magazine shows how little the Rangers got out of the 2002-05 drafts (including the "DVD" trio), yet they had the game's best farm system coming into the season.
• MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has the reverse standings, which give an idea of the 2010 draft order.
• Eddie Bajek looks at various scenarios where Placido Polanco could ascend to Type A status.  It's a good reminder on how the Elias rankings come together.
• Tigers owner Mike Ilitch is behind the decision to let Magglio Ordonez's 2010 option vest, believes John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press.
• Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire finds the upcoming free agent class lacking in depth.
• East Windup Chronicle passes along a report suggesting Byung-Hyun Kim wants to make a comeback.  Is he still represented by Scott Boras?
• Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee feels the team can win in 2010 with the same group, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.  Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune considers possible moves for next year.
• Brad Penny had a strong preference to pitch in the NL, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.  Twins players Mike Redmond and Carl Pavano lobbied Penny directly.
• Ben Kabak of River Ave. Blues expresses concern that Derek Jeter's next contract could approach $100MM.

8:40am: Dave O’Brien was right – the Braves chose Tyler Yates as the out of options reliever to deal.  They sent him to the Pirates today for a minor league hurler named Todd Redmond.  On Monday, O’Brien said he expected the Braves to trade one of Scott Thorman or Brayan Pena as well.

Yates, a 30 year-old Hawaiin, has a solid 8.3 per nine innings strikeout rate in his 162 inning career.  He needs to work on his control though. Yates was drafted by the A’s and dealt to the Mets in the Dave Justice deal.  Baseball America says he began ’04 as the Mets’ fifth starter but was shortly converted to relief.  He missed the ’05 season with rotator cuff surgery.  His acquisition may push Jaret Wright or Byung-Hyun Kim out of Pittsburgh.

Redmond, 23 in May, was ranked as the Pirates’ #27 prospect by Baseball America.  They note his "outstanding control" but lack of dominant stuff.  BA believes he profiles as a middle reliever in the long term.

The 29 year-old Kim whiffed 107 in 118.1 innings in ’07, winning ten games.  But he also posted a 6.07 ERA.  He earned $2.5MM for his efforts.

The 29 year-old Kim whiffed 107 in 118.1 innings in ’07, winning ten games.  But he also posted a 6.07 ERA.  He earned $2.5MM for his efforts.

The following hurlers had to settle for minor league deals: Tony Armas Jr., Kris Benson, Brendan Donnelly, Jorge Julio, Rudy Seanez, and Steve Trachsel.  It’s hard to see where Kim is coming from, if the Schulman report is accurate.  You’d think Kim would just be anxious to get to camp and start working.  In his defense, he is 29 and whiffed 107 in 118.1 innings last year.

The following hurlers had to settle for minor league deals: Tony Armas Jr., Kris Benson, Brendan Donnelly, Jorge Julio, Rudy Seanez, and Steve Trachsel.  It’s hard to see where Kim is coming from, if the Schulman report is accurate.  You’d think Kim would just be anxious to get to camp and start working.  In his defense, he is 29 and whiffed 107 in 118.1 innings last year. 

• Stark dug around to find all the Mark Prior suitors and came up with this list: Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, Mariners, Mets, Cardinals, Padres, Astros, Giants, Reds, Nationals (11 teams).  Let’s compare notes.  MLBTR readers have seen the Yankees, Mets, Cards, Padres, Astros, Reds, and Nats linked to Prior already.  So Stark has added the Red Sox, White Sox, Mariners, and Giants.  The idea of the Mariners runs contrary to this MLB.com article.  Stark did not name the Rangers, who are said to be aggressively pursuing Prior.  Prior is dead set on a one-year deal and would take a big league mound in May in the best case.
• The Phils are focused on Geoff Jenkins and Mike Cameron, offering two year deals to each.  They might just take the first one to accept.  Stark says Kenny Lofton could be an option if both decline.  Lofton batted a career-best .335 for the Phils in ’05.
• Stark rattles off a laundry list of pitchers the Phillies are interested in: Akinori Otsuka, Byung-Hyun Kim, Roberto Hernandez, Kris Benson, John Parrish, Sidney Ponson, Chad Durbin, Kyle Lohse, and Jeremy Affeldt.  Given Stark’s 21 years at the Philadelphia Inquirer, I imagine he has a connection or two.  Most of those are new names besides Benson, Lohse, Ponson, and Affeldt.
• A source of Stark picks the Yankees as the favorite for Johan, but it should be noted that they’re having internal debates about pulling Phil Hughes off the table.
• For all the crazy Cubs fans we’ve got here: Stark says they’ve talked to the Orioles about both Brian Roberts and Erik Bedard, but couldn’t pull off a deal for both.  They favor Roberts even though they need Bedard much more.

• First off, there’s the fact that Omar Minaya met with Scott Boras yesterday.  Minaya says he talked to Boras about all the players he represents.  Besides Mr. Rodriguez, Eric Gagne, Byung-Hyun Kim, Kenny Rogers, and Kyle Lohse may be considerations for the Mets.  Indeed, there is some buzz that the Mets could bring Kim in to compete for a rotation spot.
• So what about A-Rod?  He’d cost the Mets a ton of money, plus the #22 overall pick in the 2008 draft.  It sounds like the Mets may hear Boras out as a courtesy, and even put in an offer they feel is reasonable.  That number might fall far short of what it will take, as did theirs for Daisuke Matsuzaka and Barry Zito a year ago.  That said, Mets insiders aren’t afraid of the full retail price of Rodriguez.
• The top priority remains pitching.  Carlos Silva, Tom Glavine, Hiroki Kuroda, and A.J. Burnett are on the radar.  On the relief side, Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch could again be in the mix.  The Nats’ are said to have their eye on Carlos Gomez and Mike Pelfrey.  Gomez is a hot topic these days – the Twins want him too, and could offer up Matt Garza, Kevin Slowey, or Scott Baker.