It's a Long Way to October

I caught one of those "Sports Century" documentaries about Bob Gibson the other day, which included an interesting bit of trivia regarding the '82 Braves. Gibson was the pitching coach for that team, and those fans who remember know pitching was not what got those Bravos to the postseason. (Dale Murphy pretty much carried them on his back).

Anyway, what began as a joke from manager Joe Torre --- who suggested Gibson be activated to start some games down the stretch --- became a quest of then-owner Ted Turner to accomplish that very thing. For one reason or another, the rules (or Bowie Kuhn) wouldn't allow it. Gibson was willing, and it was an idea worth pursuing, considering the alternatives (Rick Camp?). Plus, it would've continued a legacy of recycling retired aces, beginning with Jim Bouton in '78 (pitching in the majors for the first time since 1970) and ending with Phil Niekro (back for one last bow in '87).

That little anecdote got me thinking about a rather revealing documentary ("It's a Long Way to October") chronicling the '82 Braves, which ran on TBS following that division-winning season. (There was a sequel filmed about the '83 team, as I recall). I've had no luck locating it ... any Office readers know of it (and know where, perhaps, it could be found?)

---CB