Sport: Looking for That October Magic

Who can claim hero's status in the 1981 World Series?

One of the enduring charms of baseball—and baseball's charms have had to endure a lot lately—is that practically every October, virtually without exception, one player is singled out for a mystical moment. He may be quite a remarkable player, like Reggie Jackson, or quite an unremarkable one, like Gene Tenace. For Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente, 1971 was a long overdue moment in the sun. For fellow Pirate Willie Stargell, 1979 was a well-deserved moment in the twilight of a magnificent career.

In every case, something...