“I dreamed it, worked towards it, and busted my tail for many years Brantley said. In 1989, he was 26 years old and helped the San Francisco Giants reach the World Series in their rookie season. What is his lasting memory 27 years later? Brantley said, “The earthquake, ofcourse.” “That’s it, really. People often tell me that you can work your entire life to make things happen, and then there is a 7.1 earthquake. It took away all of the excitement, all of the atmosphere, and all the experience. Brantley and other Major Leaguers from Mississippi will be sharing World Series memories Tuesday night at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Jay Powell, a 2017 Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of 1997 Series. He is joined by Chris Maloney (Cardinals third base coach), Joe Gibbons (Jackson native) and Stan Cliburn (major league catcher), Chad Bradford (ex-USM pitcher, MLB player), and Barry Lyons (MNL catcher, Delta State alum). Brantley says, “I think some of the other guys might have more to say about the World Series then I do.” It’s not clear. 1989 World Series: Battle of the Bay: Brantley’s Giants against the Oakland A’s. Oakland won the first two Oakland games, setting the stage to host Game 3 at Candlestick Park on October 17. Brantley and Giants colleague Mike LaCoss found themselves in the tunnel connecting the Giants clubhouse to the first base dugout just a few minutes before the scheduled start. Brantley describes it as being about 15 to 20 feet underground, and about 25 to 30 meters long. All of a sudden, everything began shaking. It was like a train coming at us. The lights went out. I knew what it was immediately. We ran to escape, but it was so dark that we kept running into each other. The shaking stopped when they got to the dugout. Brantley states that the shaking didn’t last for long but did a lot damage. It delayed the World Series by 10 days. Oakland won in four games. Although there was talk of moving it to Los Angeles, the World Series ended up being played at Candlestick Oct. 27 and 28. It was the fourth World Series final, even though it only lasted four games. Brantley, who was a relief pitcher, had thrown in Game One at Oakland. That’s another story that is worth telling. Brantley says, “I received the signal to get ready for the fifth inning.” “So, ofcourse, they had (Mark] McGwire, (Jose] Canseco, and (Dave] Parker coming up. Roger (Giants manager Roger Craig), would have me come in to pitch to Canseco or McGwire, as they had runners on the first and second bases. “Well, McGwire was out for the second but Canseco walked to load bases so I assumed Roger would pitch to Parker. “No, I was the man.” Parker had hit an earlier home run. Brantley had been watching Parker play for years and had seen him hit some of most long balls. Brantley responds, “Bases loaded, I get Dave Parker,” “So Terry Kennedy, the catcher, comes out and says that he wants to throw a fastball inside his hands on his first pitch. I say, “Yeah, right. Dave Parker, first pitch fastball.” Kennedy called for the fastball. Brantley, a rookie pitcher, laughed it off. Kennedy demanded it again. Brantley nodded, and then thought, “If I miss mine spot, he will hit this into next year.” Brantley threw his best fastball, right at Parker’s feet. Parker was a force to be reckoned with, but he hit a soft, broken bat groundball to the second baseman to close the inning. Kennedy told Brantley that he had said so. Brantley laughs and says, “Many times.” “He still tells him to this day.” ** The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum’s World Series Watch Party will open Tuesday at 5:30 with a reception and a barbecue meal. The players will be on stage at 6:30 to answer questions and share their experiences. Everyone is welcome to watch Game One on large screens throughout the museum during game time. All proceeds benefit the museum. Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased at the museum office, or by clicking here.