On September 18, 1989, the Cubs went into the 9th leading the Mets 10-4. Mitch Williams got the first two outs easily, then gave up a double, a walk, two singles and a HBP making the score 10-6 and loading the bases, bringing the tying run to the plate.

The scheduled batter was Darryl Strawberry. But he wasn’t on deck or in the dugout. There was a delay while they went to find him — he was half-dressed, getting ready to shower, because he had made the 2nd out of the 8th inning and didn’t figure he would bat again.

He hurriedly got dressed and came to bat. Williams struck him out to end the game.

I’m guessing this kind of thing happens all the time; we just never hear about it.

Buster Olney (on ESPN this morning) said Hernandez was drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette in the clubhouse while the rally was happening.

Also, I remember hearing elsewhere that Kevin Mitchell was also in the clubhouse during the 10th inning of Game 6 and was getting undressed when his turn to bat came up. He had to run out and bat without any protective gear on under his uniform pants.

In his story, Gammons notes (non-judgmentally) that Hernandez was drinking a beer in the clubhouse and watching the rally on TV.

Also, regarding Kevin Mitchell, if you read the article (page 6), it sounds like Mitchell was going commando when he batted in the 10th (and he got a base hit).