You're saying that nobody has even been in the position to be able to hit one since 2015? No wonder it's never happened before. It's a shame that of all people Jarrod Dyson ended up in the spot, although things like that are probably not exogenous. It's like the infamous time that ARI decided that Barry Bonds was more likely to bring in the tying runner from second than the next batter was to bring him in from third, so walked Bonds with the bases loaded.
What's likely happened most of the time in the history of baseball is that the opponent would ensure the bases wouldn't be loaded for such a good hitter. They would just deal with having runners on second and third or something. I'm happy it happened to Freddie. He's a second hand Canadian, so I've always found myself cheering for him some. I still can't believe this took almost 700 games to happen though.
You make some excellent points about game theory and managerial decisions! I should clarify - my data only went back to 2008 due to Baseball Savant limitations, so there could have been more potential walk-off grand slam situations before that. You're absolutely right about the strategic element too - the Dyson situation is actually a perfect example of what you're talking about.
Also want to add that if we look at that 2015 game more closely, we see that the Mets intentionally walked both Zobrist and Hosmer to get to Dyson. That's exactly the kind of strategic decision-making you're describing - they preferred facing Dyson with the bases loaded over dealing with better hitters in a different situation. It's similar to your Bonds example (which is still one of the most fascinating intentional walks ever).
The fact that it took nearly 700 World Series games probably reflects both this strategic avoidance you've mentioned AND the general rarity of extra-inning, bases-loaded, home team situations in such high-stakes games. Managers are especially careful in the World Series about letting dangerous hitters beat them.
And agreed on Freeman! There's something fitting about such a consistent, excellent hitter being the one to finally do it. His Canadian connection making you root for him reminds me a bit of Larry Walker's impact on baseball fans north of the border.
You're saying that nobody has even been in the position to be able to hit one since 2015? No wonder it's never happened before. It's a shame that of all people Jarrod Dyson ended up in the spot, although things like that are probably not exogenous. It's like the infamous time that ARI decided that Barry Bonds was more likely to bring in the tying runner from second than the next batter was to bring him in from third, so walked Bonds with the bases loaded.
What's likely happened most of the time in the history of baseball is that the opponent would ensure the bases wouldn't be loaded for such a good hitter. They would just deal with having runners on second and third or something. I'm happy it happened to Freddie. He's a second hand Canadian, so I've always found myself cheering for him some. I still can't believe this took almost 700 games to happen though.
You make some excellent points about game theory and managerial decisions! I should clarify - my data only went back to 2008 due to Baseball Savant limitations, so there could have been more potential walk-off grand slam situations before that. You're absolutely right about the strategic element too - the Dyson situation is actually a perfect example of what you're talking about.
Also want to add that if we look at that 2015 game more closely, we see that the Mets intentionally walked both Zobrist and Hosmer to get to Dyson. That's exactly the kind of strategic decision-making you're describing - they preferred facing Dyson with the bases loaded over dealing with better hitters in a different situation. It's similar to your Bonds example (which is still one of the most fascinating intentional walks ever).
The fact that it took nearly 700 World Series games probably reflects both this strategic avoidance you've mentioned AND the general rarity of extra-inning, bases-loaded, home team situations in such high-stakes games. Managers are especially careful in the World Series about letting dangerous hitters beat them.
And agreed on Freeman! There's something fitting about such a consistent, excellent hitter being the one to finally do it. His Canadian connection making you root for him reminds me a bit of Larry Walker's impact on baseball fans north of the border.