October 23, five years ago, is a day I remember vividlv.
In Game 5 of the World Series, the Florida Marlins beat the New York Yankees 6-4, bringing the team within one game of winning the baseball championship.
It was the game that may be the most memorable in Brad Penny's career. The series was tied at 2-2 with the Yankees when Penny took the hill.
It was pretty obvious during the first inning that Penny didn't have command of his explosive breaking pitches and he allowed a first inning run. Which, as it turns out, would be the only earned run he would allow during his time on the mound. Since the breaking stuff wasn't working he just threw 97-98 mph fast balls the rest of the game. Spotting the fast ball up, down, in and out in the strike zone. Changing the eye levels of the hitters and playing hit if you can. They couldn't.
Penny pitched seven innings in the game and getting his second win of the series. If that is where the story ended it would be enough, however there is more.
In the bottom of the second with two outs Brad laced a single to center to drive home Derrek Lee and Alex Gonzalez.
It was Penny's final outing of the series and he finished with a 2-0 record and a 2.19 ERA. Of course his .500 BA and 1.000 OPS at the plate didn't hurt.
It was a good day.