For the second year in a row, Pittsburgh and Atlanta met in the playoffs, and for the second time Atlanta won the pennant. This year, they did it in heartstopping fashion (or heartbreaking fashion, depending on your point of view). The Braves rallied from a 2-0 deficit in Game Seven to score three runs in the bottom of the ninth, the key hit being a two-out, two-run single by Francisco Cabrera.
        This was also the second straight year that Barry Bonds and Terry Pendleton finished 1-2 in the MVP vote. The year before, Pendleton won the award; this year, Bonds won his second MVP.

        Despite missing 22 games with injury problems, Bonds was again clearly the best player in the league, and was deserving of the MVP. This was the first season that he posted a slugging percentage over .610, and also the first year he had an on-base percentage over .410. After establishing himself as the best player in the league, Bonds got even better... and then, a year later, would improve some more. And then some more after that. Ten years later, he would still be improving on his past performances.
        Fred McGriff had one of his best seasons. McGriff was originally a Yankee prospect, but made his debut with the Blue Jays in 1987. He was a tall, left-handed hitter who had awesome power, and often drew comparisons to Willie McCovey. He lived up to those expectations, and hit more home runs during the George H.W. Bush administration than any other player in baseball.
        In 1991, McGriff was dealt to San Diego in a blockbuster deal that saw Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar move to Toronto. In 1993, he was part of another major deal that saw him join Atlanta. His arrival in July of that year spurred the Braves to an incredible pennant run in which came from far behind to catch and pass the Giants. McGriff remained in Atlanta for four more years, winning a World Championship with the Braves in 1995.
        At this writing, McGriff is nearing the end of his career; at the end of the 2002 season he has 478 homers, only 43 behind McCovey. He also had over 2400 hits and 1500 RBI. His career numbers may demand that he be inducted into the Hall Of Fame. On the other hand, McGriff has never hit 40 home runs in a season, in an era where sluggers have hit 40, 50, 60 and even 70 homers. He has never had a season in which he was a strong MVP candidate. He has had a fine career, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will join McCovey in Cooperstown.
        Gary Sheffield made his debut with Milwaukee in 1988 at age 19. He was considered to be a brilliant young prospect, but he had some attitude problems and a big mouth. In 1992, he hit only .194, and was run out of town. This year he joined San Diego, and had an incredible season, raising his average more than 100 points and hitting for power.
        Sheffield's stay in San Diego was short. In 1993 the Padres traded off their best players, including McGriff and Sheffield. Gary moved to Florida; he also moved to the outfield, because his defense at third became unacceptable. As a Marlin, Sheffield continued to play brilliantly, though was also inconsistent and injury prone. He had a monster season in 1996, and helped them win the World Series in 1997. At this writing, Sheffield remains one of baseball's best hitters.
        Bonds' outfield mate, Andy Van Slyke, also had a great season, the best of his career. Van Slyke began his career as a platoon player with St. Louis; after joining Pittsburgh in 1987, he emerged as an outstanding regular. Van Slyke was both a fine hitter and an outstanding defensive player, and won five consecutive Gold Gloves. A brilliant percentage base stealer, Van Slyke had 245 career thefts, and was caught only 59 times.         Darren Daulton was another player who rebounded from an awful season. Darren hit .196 in 1991, but was one of the best hitters in the league this year. His teammate in Philadelphia, Dave Hollins, also had an outstanding season. The Phillies finished in last place this season, but Daulton and Hollins were not flukes; they continued to play outstanding ball in 1993, and the Phillies won the pennant.