Each MLB Team’s best gift ever received

Royals: Don Denkinger’s World Series call
In umpire circles, Denkinger was a star. But because of one call in a crucial moment, he’s an enemy on the eastern side of Missouri and somewhat of a cult hero on the western side. In Game 6 of the 1985 World Series, with the Cardinals leading the Royals, 1-0 — and 3-2 in the series — the Royals came to bat in the bottom of the ninth. Pinch-hitter Jorge Orta hit a chopper on the AstroTurf and steamed up the line. Cardinals first baseman Jack Clark fielded the ball in front of second baseman Tom Herr as reliever Todd Worrell ran to first, and Clark threw it sidearm to the bag. It’s a close play at first glance — Denkinger rules the runner safe as the Cardinals begin arguing. On the replay, it’s clear Orta was out. But there was no instant replay challenge then, and the call stood. Of course, the Cardinals contributed to their own demise after that; Clark didn’t catch Steve Balboni’s foul popup, and then Balboni singled. After a passed ball, two men were in scoring position, and Dane Iorg got to be a hero against his former team, driving in two runs with a single to right and sealing the Royals’ victory. And perhaps the greatest gift for the Royals was 21-year-old Bret Saberhagen’s stellar performance in Game 7, shutting out the Cardinals to give Kansas City its first World Series title. –Anne Rogers