Breaking News :Bob Forsch and the 1987 NLCS: The Incident that Stoked the Fire.
Bob Forsch and the 1987 NLCS: The Incident that Stoked the Fire
The 1987 National League Championship Series (NLCS) between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants is remembered for its high drama, electrifying performances, and one controversial moment that involved Bob Forsch and the fiery outfielder Jeffrey Leonard. In a series filled with tension, the Cardinals’ ace pitcher, Forsch, made headlines for a moment that had both sides of the rivalry buzzing: a fastball that found its mark on Leonard’s back, sparking fury among both players and fans alike.
The Giants entered the series with a strong lead after Game 2, thanks in large part to the exceptional batting performance of Leonard. The veteran outfielder was red-hot, scoring nine runs and driving in five RBIs, becoming the focal point of the Giants’ offense. Leonard’s swagger on the field, particularly his “one-flap down” routine while running the bases, and his deliberate “Cadillac” home run trot, didn’t sit well with many, especially the Cardinals’ passionate fan base.
Leonard’s behavior during the series riled up Cardinals fans who took offense to what they perceived as showboating. His exaggerated style of running the bases after hitting home runs, with one arm flapping down like a bird, became a symbol of cockiness. The local St. Louis press, known for its critical eye, dubbed Leonard “both flaps down” after his antics became a source of increasing frustration for the Cardinals.
Amid the growing tension, the moment that would define the series’ drama came in Game 4. With the Giants leading the series 2-1 and Leonard continuing to have an impact with his bat, Forsch was on the mound in the fifth inning. As Leonard stepped into the batter’s box, the atmosphere was charged. Fans had already been vocal about their disdain for his style, and the heat of the moment reached a peak when Forsch delivered a fastball that hit Leonard square in the back. The crowd’s reaction was instant, a mixture of shock and approval from the home fans who saw it as payback for Leonard’s perceived disrespect.
In the aftermath, the incident stirred the pot in the press. The St. Louis media quickly seized on the moment, criticizing Leonard’s bravado while reinforcing the idea that Forsch’s pitch was intentional, a message sent in the heat of the competitive fray. The term “both flaps down” took on a life of its own, an iconic symbol of Leonard’s demeanor throughout the series.
However, when pressed about the pitch, Bob Forsch was less than convincing in his explanation. He downplayed the incident, commenting that he was “just trying to come inside.” This unconvincing line only fueled the idea that the hit-by-pitch was no accident. The tension in the series only escalated, as the narrative of retribution began to take hold in the minds of fans and media alike.
Despite the drama, the Cardinals found a way to push through, ultimately winning the series in seven games to advance to the World Series. However, the incident between Forsch and Leonard became one of the defining stories of the 1987 NLCS. It exemplified the intense emotions that can bubble up in a postseason series, especially when two teams with contrasting styles—like the fiery Giants and the hard-nosed Cardinals—collide on the sport’s biggest stage.
In hindsight, Bob Forsch’s brushback pitch to Jeffrey Leonard may have been one of the most memorable moments of his career, a flashpoint that represented the raw competitiveness of October baseball. Whether or not it was a message or just a pitch that got away, it perfectly encapsulated the fierceness of the 1987 NLCS, a series that still lingers in the memories of both Cardinals and Giants fans.
