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The 50 Greatest Walk-off Home Runs in Baseball History
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One of the best parts of baseball is the fact that a game can exist decided with i swing of the bat in the ninth inning, as we have seen through the years with some of the most clutch moments in sports history.
Whether it is in jump training, a regular season contest or on into the postseason, a walk-off habitation run is one of the most heady plays in all of sports.
That said, well-nigh of these will exist playoff home runs, as walk-off home runs mean a lot more in a vii-game series than they practice in a 162-game flavor.
Then hither are the l greatest walk-off home runs in MLB history as we have a look at some of baseball game's most memorable moments.
No. fifty: Warren Morris, 1996 College World Series
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With the starting time spot on this list, we volition testify some love to the College World Series, which is just around the corner.
With LSU trailing viii-7 to Miami in the championship game, Warren Morris stepped up to the plate for the Tigers with ane on and ii out and launched a title-winning dwelling house run.
The home run was Morris' start of the season, and it marks the only time the College Earth Series has ended with a dwelling house run.
No. 49: Ted Williams: 1941 All-Star Game
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In the first Midsummer Archetype that was decided with a game-winning home run, it was Ted Williams who came through with the big hit.
The AL trailed five-3 going into the bottom of the ninth, and they would be facing Claude Passeau of the Chicago Cubs.
It was his 2nd time through the society, and he had struck out Williams looking the concluding time around. This time, Williams got the all-time of him, following upwards a Joe DiMaggio RBI ground out with a walk-off three-run homer to give the AL the win.
No. 48: Roger Connor: 1881 Regular Season
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Roger Connor was the premier power hitter of the expressionless-ball era, and when he retired in 1897, he held the career record with 138 home runs, a mark that stood for 23 years.
On top of that, he hit what is believed to be the first yard slam in baseball history on September tenth, 1881 as a member of the Troy Trojans, and information technology happened to be a walk-off as he gave his team an eight-7 win.
No. 47: Harold Baines: 1984 Regular Season
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While it did not carry quite the significance of some of the abode runs on this list, Harold Baines home run on May 8th, 1984 was far from your run-of-the-mill walk-off home run.
That is because that particular game was the longest in baseball history, spanning 25 innings and lasting a ridiculous viii hours and 6 minutes.
Making things even more ridiculous, was the fact that in the 21st inning, the Brewers scored iii runs, merely the White Sox were able to answer with iii of their own to keep the game going.
Non until the 25th inning did the game finally end, when Chuck Porter, in his eighth inning of relief, gave upwardly a walk-off homer to Baines.
No. 46: Roberto Clemente: 1956 Regular Season
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At that place take been a number of occurrences of walk-off, inside-the-park dwelling runs through the years, but in that location has only been a walk-off, inside-the-park m slam and that belongs to Roberto Clemente.
The Pirates led five-0 going into the eighth inning, but the Cubs put upwardly seven runs in the acme of the 8th and scored some other in the top of the 9th, as the Pirates trailed viii-v going into the bottom of the 9th.
It was and so that Clemente pulled off the most impressive domicile run to date, with an inside-the-park, walk-off thousand slam.
No. 45: Jay Bruce: 2010 Regular Season
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In front of the dwelling fans last September 28th, the Reds got to celebrate their first division title in 15 seasons thank you to a walk-off smash.
With the game knotted up at 2-2 heading into the ninth, the Reds brought in Aroldis Chapman to pitch the summit of the ninth, and he once again blew hitters away, striking out two in the inning.
The Astros then went to Tim Byrdek in the bottom of the ninth, and Jay Bruce continued with the first pitch that Byrdek threw to give the Reds the NL Cardinal crown.
No. 44: Alan Ashby: 1981 NLDS, Game 1
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With Nolan Ryan on elevation of his game, giving up only one run on two hits through nine innings of piece of work, the Astros entered the ninth inning tied 1-one.
After eight strong innings from Fernando Valenzuela, the Dodgers turned to a young Dave Stewart out of the bullpen in the ninth. After getting the kickoff two batters of the inning out, Stewart gave upward a unmarried to pinch-hitter Craig Reynolds earlier viii hitter Alan Ashby took him a thou for a walk-off win.
No. 43: Mark Teixeira: 2009 ALDS, Game two
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The Twins looked to have Game 2 of the 2009 ALDS locked up, every bit they led three-1 going into the 9th inning and had one of the best closers in the game in Joe Nathan.
Still, subsequently Mark Teixeira opened the ninth with a single, Alex Rodriguez tied things upwardly with a two-run homer, every bit Nathan blew a rare save but got out of the inning without further damage.
After a scoreless 10th, the Twins loaded the bases with no one out in the top of the 11th but were unable to push across a run. From at that place, Teixeira led off the bottom of the inning and pushed beyond a run all by himself with a game-winning solo shot.
No. 42: Manny Ramirez, 2007 ALDS, Game two
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Subsequently striking for two runs in the first inning, the Red Sox were held off the lath until the bottom of the fifth they scored a lonely run to necktie things upward at 3-3.
That remained the score heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, and Angels reliever Justin Speier took the mound for his second inning of work after a 1-2-3 eighth.
Julio Lugo led off the 9th with a single for the Red Sox and was moved to second on a Dustin Pedroia footing out. From there, the Angels brought in closer Francisco Rodriguez, and he got Kevin Youkilis to strike out swinging. And so, with two outs, the Angels opted to intentionally walk David Ortiz to get to Manny Ramirez. Manny Ramirez in plow opted to hit a 3-run, walk-off home run. Advantage Ruddy Sox.
No. 41: Alfonso Soriano, 2001 ALCS, Game four
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In one of the odder postseason pitching performances, neither team scored a run until the eighth inning, still both starters were out after five innings, despite giving up a combined i striking.
For the Mariners, starter Paul Abbott was "effectively wild" as he walked eight through v but didn't give up a hit. For the Yankees, Roger Clemens gave style to Ramiro Mendoza, who would become iii inning to bridge the gap to Mariano Rivera.
Afterwards each team scored one run in the eighth, the both teams went to their closers in the ninth. Rivera got the Mariners out in order in the top of the inning, but Kaz Sasaki was not as lucky. He surrendered a one-out single to Scott Brosius earlier giving up a two-run bomb to Alfonso Soriano for the Yankees win.
No. xl: Johnny Bench: 1973 NLCS, Game 1
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In the opening game of the 1973 playoffs, the Mets jumped out to an early on i-0 atomic number 82 with a run in the 2d inning.
For a while, it looked as though that would be plenty, every bit Mets ace Tom Seaver was dealing, giving upward just iv hits through 7 innings while hit out eleven.
However, a solo habitation run by Pete Rose in the bottom of the eighth tied things up, and then Johnny Bench took Seaver deep as well with ane out in the ninth to give the Large Cherry Motorcar a walk-off win.
No. 39: Jeff Kent: 2004 NLCS, Game v
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With the series tied 2-2, both teams looked to win the swing game with the Astros looking for their starting time always pennant and the Cardinals looking for their first since 1987.
Brandon Backe came out for the Astros and pitched the game of his life, giving up one hitting through eight innings. However, he was countered by Woody Williams, who gave upward simply 1 striking through seven innings, every bit both teams entered the ninth scoreless.
Brad Lidge came on and pitched a perfect peak of the ninth for the Astros, while Jason Isringhausen came out for his 2nd inning of piece of work in the bottom of the inning.
Carlos Beltran led off the inning with a single, then stole second after a Jeff Bagwell fly out. That led to an intentional walk of Lance Berkman to bring up Jeff Kent. With the offense finally clicking, Kent took full advantage, hit a three-run walk-off homer to move the Astros within ane game of the pennant.
No. 38: Jim Edmonds: 2004 NLCS, Game 6
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The very adjacent game, information technology again came down to the wire, every bit the Astros pushed across a run in the ninth confronting Jason Isringhausen to forcefulness extra innings.
After three ascendant innings of relief from Brad Lidge, starting in the ninth, the Astros had to go with some other arm, and that arm was Dan Miceli.
Subsequently a walk to Albert Pujols to open the bottom of the twelfth, Miceli got Scott Rolen to pop up. That would be the only out he got a gamble to get, however, as the side by side concoction was Jim Edmonds, and he smashed i to right-centre field for the 2nd walk-off in as many days for the series.
No. 37: *Robin Ventura: 1999 NLCS, Game five
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The Mets scored two quick runs in the outset inning of this one, but the Braves answered with ii fourth inning runs to tie things upward. That would exist all the scoring until all the way in the fifteenth inning.
The Braves struck for a run against Octavio Dotel, in his third inning of piece of work, when Keith Lockhart hit a two-out RBI triple. That put the Braves 3 outs from clinching the series.
However, Kevin McGlinchy took the colina for his second inning of work and immediately ran into problems, as he loaded the bases with just one out, then walked in a run with a complimentary pass to Todd Pratt. That brought upwardly Robin Ventura, who with 13 career grand slams connected with what appeared to be number fourteen.
All the same, afterwards the winning run scored, Ventura was mobbed by his teammates and is officially credited with an RBI single. Nevertheless, information technology was a home run, and a big one, even if it wasn't scored as such.
No. 36: Rafael Furcal: 2004 NLDS, Game 2
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After the Astros jumped out to a 2-0 lead later iii innings, the Braves used single runs in the 7th and eighth to knot things up at 2-ii.
The Braves turned to John Smoltz in the eighth, and he threw iii hitless innings. Yet, the Astros managed to go along the Braves off the scoreboard too. That is until the bottom of the 12th.
In for his second inning of work, Dan Miceli sandwiched a pair of outs around a Charles Thomas unmarried to open up the inning. Notwithstanding, he could non escape the inning, as Rafael Furcal took him deep to give the Braves the win in Game 2 and even the series at 1-1.
No. 35: Benny Agbayani: 2000 NLDS, Game 3
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Down to their concluding out, and trailing two-1 with a runner on start, the Mets looked to be headed for a defeat and a 2-1 series deficit. After Doug Henry got the first two outs of the inning for the Giants, they turned to closer Robb Nen to slam the door for the final out.
However, after allowing Lenny Harris to steal second, Nen gave upwardly an RBI double to Edgardo Alfonso before hit out Mike Piazza to end the inning. Still, the damage was done, and the game was heading for extras.
Both teams went scoreless in the tenth, 11th and 12th, and the Giants failed to score in the summit of the 13th. Later retiring Robin Ventura to lead off the lesser of the inning, Giants reliever Aaron Fultz gave up a longball to Benny Agbayani, who was 0-5 upwards to that betoken but came through with the game winner.
No. 34: Jim Leyritz: 1995 ALDS, Game 2
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A 24-hour interval after the Cherry Sox and Indians played thirteen innings and ready the record for longest postseason game, the Mariners and Yankees played 15 innings and topped the time of the other game by vi minutes. Coincidentally enough, both games ended with a walk-off home run and both are on this list.
With the score tied 5-5 after nine, the teams likewise managed to each push beyond a run in the twelfth inning, and it was not until three innings later that the game was decided.
Mariners reliever Tim Belcher, who had blown the save in the bottom of the twelfth, was in his third inning of piece of work going into the lesser of the 15th, and afterwards a Don Mattingly ground out, he walked Pat Kelly before surrendering a game-winning bomb to catcher Jim Leyritz
No. 33: Tony Pena: 1995 ALDS, Game 1
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In what turned out to be a five-hour marathon of a game, it was a backup catcher who ended upwardly making the divergence.
With the game tied iii-3 after nine innings, the Red Sox and Indians were headed for actress inning, and when the Red Sox scored in the 11th, the Indians answered with a run of their own.
Finally, in the bottom of the 13th, Tony Pena, who had entered the game afterwards starting catcher Sandy Alomar was lifted for a compression-runner in the 11th, came through with a two-out home run to give the Indians the victory.
No. 32: Bernie Williams: 1996 ALCS, Game one
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This game is remembered more for the home run that tied information technology up in the eight than it is for the walk-off home run in the 11th, in one of the most controversial games in playoff history.
With the Yankees trailing 4-iii in the bottom of the eighth, Derek Jeter hitting an Armando Benitez offering to deep right field, where 12-twelvemonth-old Jeffrey Maier reached over an seemed to interfere with the ball which looked similar it would exist caught by right fielder Tony Tarasco. However, umpire Rich Garcia awarded Jeter a home run and the game was tied.
The game would remain 4-4 until the bottom of the 11th, when Orioles closer Randy Myers, who entered the game in the 9th, gave upwards a dwelling run to Bernie Williams to open up the inning, equally the Yankees won their starting time game on their way to a World Series title.
No. 31: Bert Campaneris: 1973 ALCS, Game 3
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In a true pitchers duel, the Athletics Ken Holtzman and Orioles Mike Cuellar had each given up ane run on four hits through ten innings, as both offenses struggled to figure out the two hurlers.
Holtzman took the colina again in the height of the ninth and coaxed a 1-2-3 inning out of the Orioles, and Cuellar came out again too looking to exercise the aforementioned.
It was non to be though, equally the first batter of the inning Bert Campaneris took him a chiliad on the commencement pitch of the inning. That gave the A's a 2-1 series lead, and they would eventually win the series ii-ane.
No. 30: Bernie Williams: 1999 ALCS, Game 1
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The Red Sox jumped on Yankees starter Orlando Hernandez for 3 runs in the get-go two innings, only the Yankees kept information technology close with two runs in the second inning. The score would remain 3-two until the bottom of the 7th when an RBI unmarried by Derek Jeter tied things up.
Neither team scored in the eighth or ninth, and Yankees closer Mariano Rivera pitched a scoreless top of the 10th in his 2nd inning of piece of work. The Red Sox then brought in Rod Brook to pitch the bottom of the inning, and Bernie Williams greeted him by launching his first offering into the stands for a walk-off win.
Not only did it give the Yankees a win, simply it made Williams the first histrion in postseason history with two walk-off home runs.
No. 29: David Ortiz: 2004 ALDS, Game iii
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Up 2-0 in the series, the Cerise Sox came into Game 3 looking to slam the door on a series sweep of the Angels, and they came out hot, jumping out to a vi-1 pb after five innings.
However, the Angels had other ideas, and they tied things up with a five-run seventh inning, backed past a thousand slam from Vladmir Guerrero.
The game fabricated it to the bottom of the 10th, when the Angles turned to starter Jarrod Washburn to relieve Francisco Rodriguez with one on and two out to face the left-handed David Ortiz. He managed to throw i pitch, and just like that, the game and the series was over.
No. 28: George Vukovich, 1981 NLDS, Game 4
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With the Phillies trailing the series two-ane and facing elimination, they jumped out to an early 4-0 lead. However, by the stop of the seventh inning, it was all tied up at five-v.
Both teams went to their closers in the eighth, and Tug McGraw sent the Expos downwardly 1-2-3 in the eighth and ninth, while the Expos closer Jeff Reardon did the same to the Phillies.
McGraw was perfect again in the top of the tenth, but the outset man Reardon faced in the bottom of the inning was pinch hitter George Vukovich, who had made just 26 at bats during the regular season, and he hit the kickoff pitch he saw for a game winner.
No. 27: Trot Nixon: 2003 ALDS, Game 3
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Downward two-0 to the Athletics in the series and facing elimination, the Cherry-red Sox scored an early run in the second inning and held that lead until the A'south knotted things upwardly in the sixth. That would be all the scoring through 10 innings.
Later Scott Williamson set down the side 1-two-3 in the top of the 11th for the Red Sox, the Athletics sent Rich Harden in the bottom of the inning, and later getting the beginning batter out, he gave up a single to Doug Mirabelli. The Ruby-red Sox then pinch-hit for Gabe Kapler with Trot Nixon, and it proved to be a great phone call, every bit Nixon striking a homer to send the Ruby-red Sox domicile winners.
They would go on to win the next two games every bit well to come up back from facing elimination to advance to the ALCS.
No. 26: John Lowenstein: 1979 ALCS, Game 1
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With plenty of early scoring, the Orioles and Angles were all knotted up at three-iii later the sixth inning, simply they couldn't push anything across from at that place, as starters Jim Palmer and Nolan Ryan both buckled downward.
Ryan was out of the game after half dozen innings, while Palmer made it nine, but it would accept extras to make up one's mind this ane, and reliever Don Stanhouse sent the Angels down ane-2-3 in the elevation of the 10th.
In the bottom of the inning, the Orioles managed a leadoff single, just then, John Montague managed to get a pair of quick outs in what was his third inning of work. After Al Bumbry was intentionally walked, the Orioles sent John Lowenstein to the plate as a pinch-hitter, and he connected with an 0-two offering for a game-winning blast.
No. 25: Steve Garvey: 1984 NLCS, Game 4
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The Cubs jumped out to a 2-0 serial lead in the 1984 NLCS, but the Padres were not to exist taken lightly, and afterward taking Game Three, they carried a v-3 pb into the 8th inning of Game Four.
Notwithstanding, the Cubs scored a pair of runs in the top of the eighth to tie things upwardly, and subsequently holding the Padres scoreless in the bottom of the inning, they besides were unable to score in the height of the 9th.
The Cubs then called on closer Lee Smith to keep things where they were, only that wouldn't happen. Afterward striking out the commencement hitter, Smith gave up a single to Tony Gwynn before Steve Garvey connected with a game-winning blast to correct-center field, giving him five RBI on the day and setting an LCS record with xx career RBI.
No. 24: Marker McGwire: 1988 World Series, Game three
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The 1988 World Series is all-time remembered for Kirk Gibson'due south legendary home run on two bad knees to walk-off win Game 1. However, information technology is as well the only series to always have 2 walk-off home runs in information technology.
In Game three, which would end upward being the only win the Athletics had in the series, both teams struggled to notice any offense, as the game was tied 1-ane heading into the lesser of the ninth.
After getting the get-go out of the inning, Dodger reliever Jay Howell served up a home run brawl to Mark McGwire on what was only the A's fifth hit of the game, as they came abroad with the win.
No. 23: Todd Pratt: 1999 NLDS, Game four
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With Mike Piazza on the shelf, the Mets were forced to starting time veteran Todd Pratt at catcher in what marked a significant offensive downgrade, but one that worked out in the end.
Downwards 2-1 going into the eighth inning, the Diamondbacks struck for two runs in the top of the inning, simply the Mets answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. After a scoreless ninth, the teams headed for extras.
John Franco came in and pitched a i-2-3 10th for the Mets, while Diamondbacks closer Matt Mantei came out for his tertiary inning of work. After coaxing a fly ball out of Robin Ventura for the offset out, Pratt hitting the get-go pitch of the at bat out for a game-winning and series-clinching dwelling run.
No. 22: Chad Curtis: 1999 World Series, Game iii
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Throughout the 1990s, left field was somewhat of a revolving door for the Yankees, and in 1999, information technology was a platoon between Chad Curtis and Ricky Ledee that manned the position.
Subsequently Ledee started the first 2 games of the series, Curtis got the nod in Game 3, and he fabricated the most of it.
After the Braves jumped out to an early v-1 lead, Curtis hit a solo domicile run in the fifth to pull things closer. Two more Yankees home runs by Tino Martinez and Chuck Knoblauch tied things upwards at v-5 heading into the 9th.
Later on a scoreless ninth, the Braves went downwards quietly in the top of the 10th. Curtis so led off the bottom of the inning and hit the first pitch he saw from reliever Mike Remlinger into the stands for his second home run of the gameand a Yankees win.
No. 21: Mickey Drape: 1964 World Series, Game 3
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In the twilight of his storied career, Mickey Mantle was still one of the all-time, and his abode run in the 1964 series is one of legend.
Not simply was it a walk-off to give the Yankees a 2-1 series atomic number 82 (although they would eventually fall in vii games), only he likewise broke Baby Ruth'due south record for dwelling runs in the World Series with the 16th of his career.
Too, fable has it that Mantle, who was leading off the inning, told on-deck hitter Elston Howard to head back into the dugout because he was going to terminate the game with a home run. Truthful or not, that'due south an awesome story.
No. 20: Lenny Dykstra: 1986 NLCS, Game iii
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After the Astros jumped out to a 4-0 pb after the second inning, the Mets managed to tie things up with a four run sixth inning. Still, that would exist curt lived, as the Astros struck for a run in the superlative of the seventh to take the lead in one case over again.
It remained 5-iv heading into the bottom of the ninth, as the Mets had one last take chances against Astros closer Dave Smith.
Pinch-hitter Wally Backman led off the ninth with a unmarried, bringing up another pinch-hitter Danny Heep who flew out for the first out of the inning. He was followed by Lenny Dykstra, who had entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning. After a outset pitch strike, Dykstra drove the adjacent offering into the right field bleachers for the game-winner.
The home run marked the first time in postseason history that a game-winning dwelling run was hit by a team that was trailing.
No. 19: Chris Shush: 2005 NLDS, Game four
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In what was the longest playoff game in history, the Astros and Braves played a whopping xviii innings, spanning nearly 6 hours, every bit a total of xiv pitchers were used.
The Astros came in up 3-0 in the series with a risk to sweep. However, the Braves led half-dozen-one going into the bottom of the 8th, just that was when the wheels savage off. The Astros scored iv in the lesser of the eighth on a Lance Berkman grand slam, then forced extras when Brad Ausmus homered with ii outs in the bottom of the ninth.
That was followed by seven scoreless innings of bonus baseball, before Chris Burke who entered the game in the 11th as a compression-runner but all the same managed three at bats finally ended it with a solo habitation run in the 18th to transport the Astros to the NLCS.
No. 18: Jim Thome: 2007 Regular Season
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Walk-off home runs are always special, but even more than special is the ultra-rare 500th home run of a player's career equally there are 25 players to reach that feat.
However, only one of those players reached the hallowed 500-mark with a walk-off blast, and that was Jim Thome back in 2007.
With the game tied 7-seven in the bottom of the ninth, Thome took the Angels Dustin Moseley deep for a two-run shot, hitting a milestone and giving the Sox a win all in one swing.
No. 17: Tommy Henrich: 1949 Earth Series, Game 1
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The opening game of the 1949 Globe Serial was the definition of a pitcher's duel, equally the Dodgers Don Newcombe and Yankees Allie Reynolds each threw eight scoreless frames.
Reynolds, who gave up just two hits in the game, retired the Dodgers in order in the elevation of the ninth, every bit he was admittedly dominant the entire game.
For Newcombe, he had given up just four hits, while hit out xi through eight innings, and he faced second hitter Tommy Henrich to start the acme of the ninth. And simply like that, the shutout and the game were over, equally Henrich his the beginning pitch he saw for a game-winning homer.
No. 16: Ozzie Smith: 1985 NLCS, Game 5
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Prior to the 1985 flavor, the League Championship Series' were changed from a best-of-five format to a best-of-vii format, so when the Cardinals and Dodgers entered Game Five tied at ii-2, it was not a chance to win the series, but certainly to have control of it.
The Cardinals jumped to an early on 2-0 lead, only the Dodgers tied things upwards with a two-run fourth inning, and the score remained tied heading into the bottom of the ninth.
The Dodgers turned to reliever Tom Niedenfuer to keep things tied, after eight strong innings from ace Fernando Valenzuela. Later on inducing a popup from the first hitter of the inning Willie McGee, that brought Ozzie Smith to the plate hitting left-handed. In 3,009 at bats in his career batting left-handed, Smith had never homered, but when it mattered near, he came through with a game-ending jack to correct field.
"Go crazy, folks, go crazy"Cardinals announcer Jack Cadet
No. 15: Magglio Ordonez: 2006 ALCS, Game four
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The Tigers were dominant through the first three games of the ALCS against the Athletics, as they outscored them xvi-5, and that set up a chance for a sweep and a trip to the World Series.
The teams were all tied upwards 3-3 heading into the lesser of the seventh, and when a pair of A'south reliever loaded the bases with just one out, manager Ken Macha turned to his closer Huston Street to go out of the jam, and he did with a double play ground out.
Flash forward to the bottom of the ninth, and the score was even so 3-3 as Street entered his third inning of work in the lesser of the ninth. After getting ii quick outs, he gave upward back-to-back singles, bringing up cleanup hitter Magglio Ordonez. He took advantage of a tired Street, and launched a three-run bomb to ship the Tigers to the World Series.
No. 14: Alex Gonzalez: 2003 Globe Serial, Game four
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After coming back to beat the Cubs in the NLCS, the Marlins once again found themselves down in the series against the Yankees, 2-ane.
Later hit for three runs in the first inning, the Marlins held a three-1 lead going into the ninth inning. That brought closer Ugueth Urbina, and he gave up a two-out, two-run triple to Ruben Sierra to necktie things upwardly and send it into extras.
Subsequently a scoreless 10th and 11th, the Marlins finally bankrupt through in the bottom of the 12th, when shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who was hitting just .077 to that point in the serial, led off the inning with a game-winning longball.
No. 13: Scott Podsednik: 2005 World Series, Game two
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The White Sox held a 6-4 atomic number 82 heading into the top of the ninth inning, as they looked to go up 2-0 against the Astros. They called on closer Bobby Jenks, and he did non have his all-time stuff to close out the game.
He had runners on second and third with 2 outs, and the White Sox yet upward 6-4, when the Astros called on pinch-hitter Jose Vizcaino for ane last run a risk. He hit the first pitch he saw for a two-run single, tying things up and chasing Jenks. Neal Cotts managed to get the Sox out of the inning without farther impairment.
The Astros then called on their own closer, Brad Lidge, to keep the game tied. After getting the beginning batter of the inning out, Scott Podsednik came to the plate for the Sox. In 507 regular flavor at bats, Podsednik had gone without a domicile run, but he drove Lidge'southward two-1 offering over the correct-center field wall for the most improbable of walk-off wins.
No. 12: Eddie Mathews: 1957 World Series, Game 4
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The Braves trailed the Yankees ii-1 following a 12-three shellacking in Game 3, and they had their ace Warren Spahn on the colina with a chance to fifty-fifty the series.
Spahn pitched well through 8, giving up just 1 run as the Braves led 4-i heading into the top of the ninth. However, he ran into trouble in the 9th, giving upward three runs equally the Yankees tied things upwards to force extra innings. The Braves and so opted to leave Spahn in for a 10th inning, and he gave upward another run as the Braves found themselves downwardly 5-4 heading into the bottom of the 10th.
The first batter of the inning was hit by a pitch then sacrificed over. That was followed by an RBI double from Johnny Logan, every bit the Braves tied things up. The impairment was not done, however, every bit the adjacent batter was Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews, and he launched a habitation run to deep right field to requite the Braves the win and bail out Spahn.
No. eleven: Dusty Rhodes: 1954 World Series, Game one
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This game is best remembered for the "The Catch" when Willie Mays made an insane over the shoulder catch on a dead dart to preserve a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth. However, that grab likewise fix up one of the biggest walk-off home runs of all time.
The Indians struck for two runs in the first inning, just the Giants came back and tied things upwardly in the bottom of the third. The teams would go scoreless through the 9th inning.
After the Indians failed to score in the top of the tenth, they sent their ace Bob Lemon back to the mound for a 10th inning of piece of work. Subsequently striking out the leadoff, Lemon walked Willie Mays, who then stole second base of operations. That led to an intentional walk of Hank Thompson to set up up the double play.
With Monte Irvin scheduled to hit next, the Giants elected to compression-striking, as Irvin was 0-for-3 in the game and they sent utility human Dusty Rhodes to the plate. He responded, hitting the offset pitch he saw for a game-winning dwelling run to deep right field.
No. 10: David Ortiz: 2004 ALCS, Game 4
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Coming off of a 19-eight drubbing in Game 3, the Red Sox found themselves facing a sweep at the hands of their rivals, equally they trailed iv-three going into the bottom of the ninth.
Kevin Millar led off the inning with a single, and compression-runner Dave Roberts stole second base to prepare a game-tying single from Bill Mueller, as Mariano Rivera blew a rare postseason salve opportunity. He did, still, get out of the inning with the score nevertheless tied.
After a scoreless 11th, the Yankees failed to score in the height of the 12th, and the Red Sox had another opportunity to come away with the win. Paul Quantrill came in to pitch for the Yankees, and after a Manny Ramirez single, David Ortiz gave the Ruby-red Sox the win with a two-run shot. That began maybe the virtually improbable comeback in sports history, and the Crimson Sox won the adjacent three games to become the first team to ever come back from downwards three-0.
No. ix: Chris Chambliss: 1976 ALCS Game 5
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With the Yankees leading their ALCS series with the Royals three-1, they plant themselves i game from being in the World Series, and they held a 6-iii lead heading into the summit of the eighth inning of Game Five.
A lead-off single by the Royals Al Cowens chased Yankees starter Ed Figueroa, and after another unmarried by Jim Wohlford, the Royals tied things up when George Brett launched a two-run homer off of reliever Grant Jackson.
The score remained 6-6 until the lesser of the ninth inning. Royals reliever Mark Littell was on the mound once more to start the inning afterward entering the game with i out in the seventh. The first batter he faced in the ninth was Chris Chambliss, and he hit the commencement pitch he saw over the right-center field wall to clinch the AL Pennant for the Yankees.
No. 8: Derek Jeter: 2001 World Series, Game 4
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With the Diamondbacks holding a 3-1 lead heading into the eighth inning, Diamondbacks managing director Bob Brenly turned to his closer Byung-Hyun Kim for a ii-inning save. He responded by hit out the side in the eighth, merely ran into problem in the ninth, and a two-run dwelling house run by Tino Martinez sent things into extra innings.
After the Diamondbacks failed to score in the top of the 10th, Brenly decided to stick with his closer for a third inning. He got the first two batters of the inning out, bringing up Jeter merely as the clock at Yankee Stadium passed midnight, marking the first time baseball had been played in November.
After drawing a full count, Jeter smacked one over the wall in right field for an opposite field game winner. That earned him the nickname Mr. November. Kim would blow another save the next game, merely the Diamondbacks got the last laugh, winning the serial in seven games when Yankees closer Mariano Rivera blew a relieve of his ain.
No. 7: Aaron Boone: 2003 ALCS, Game 7
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With Pedro Martinez pitching bang-up for the Red Sox, the Yankees trailed v-three heading into the lesser of the eighth inning. Martinez took the mound in the 8th despite a high pitch count after assuring director Grady Little that he withal had something left.
Afterwards getting the get-go out of the inning, Martinez gave upward a double to Derek Jeter, followed by an RBI single to Bernie Williams. That drew Picayune to the mound, but to the surprise of everyone, he left Martinez in. He then promptly gave upwardly a double to Hideki Matsui and was finally chased after a two-run double Jorge Posada, with the score at present 5-5.
It would remain five-5 until the bottom of the 11th, as the Cherry Sox sent Tim Wakefield out for his second inning of relief. Leading off for the Yankees was Aaron Boone, who had entered the game as compression-runner in the eighth inning. He hit the starting time pitch he saw from Wakefield over the left-field wall to send the Yankees to the Globe Serial.
No. 6: Kirby Puckett: 1991 World Serial, Game half-dozen
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Down three-2 to the Braves in the World Series, it was do-or-die for the Twins in Game 6, and they jumped out to an early 2-0 atomic number 82 in the start inning. The Braves tied things upwardly at 2-2 in the top of the fifth, but the Twins once over again took the lead with a run in the bottom of the inning.
A Mark Lemke single to open the seventh inning chased Twins starter Scott Erickson, and after reliever Mark Guthrie loaded the bases, Ron Gant tied things up with an RBI footing out. The score would remain 3-iii until the bottom of the 11th, when Puckett led off the bottom of the inning with a home run to left-centre off of a 2-1 pitch from reliever Charlie Leibrandt.
This not only won the game for the Twins, merely also set up ane of the best postseason pitching performances of all time, as Jack Morris threw 10 shutout innings, and the Twins won 1-0 to take home the championship.
No. 5: Carlton Fisk: 1975 World Series, Game half-dozen
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On the brink of elimination down three-2 to the Reds in the Earth Series, the Red Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game at 6-6, and that remained the score until the bottom of the twelfth inning.
Later throwing two perfect innings of relief, the Reds' Pat Darcy took the mound for his third inning of work in the 12th, and first up for the Red Sox was cleanup hitter Carlton Fisk.
After taking the first pitch he saw for a ball, Fisk lined a brawl deep down the left-field line that had the distance but looked equally though information technology may drift foul. With Fisk waving his artillery in an attempt to coax information technology fair, in what has become and iconic baseball moment, the ball kicked off the left-field foul pole for a home run.
The Red Sox would become on to lose Game seven, but the abode run has gone down as one of the best in baseball history.
No. 4: Kirk Gibson: 1988 World Series, Game ane
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Later on the Dodgers struck for ii runs in the first inning, Athletics starter Dave Stewart settled downwardly and gave up just one more run through eight innings. The Athletics, meanwhile, scored iv runs of their own in the top of the second inning, as the score sat at 4-iii inbound the bottom of the ninth inning.
The A'southward turned to their All-World closer Dennis Eckersley, who had an AL-all-time 45 saves and finished second in AL Cy Young voting, to slam the door in the ninth inning. After getting two quick outs, Eck walked pinch-hitter Mike Davis, and the Dodgers turned to Kirk Gibson to compression-hit for the pitcher'due south spot.
With two bad knees, Gibson hobbled upward to the plate as the Dodgers concluding chance. Afterward fouling off a number of pitches, he managed to piece of work a full count. According to Gibson, Dodgers scout Mel Didier had told him that Eckersley throws a backdoor slider nigh exclusively when he has a 3-2 count. Gibson got the pitch he was looking for an striking it into the right-field bleachers, setting the tone for the rest of the series, which the Dodger would win in v games.
The footage of Gibson hobbling effectually the bases and pumping his fist is baseball legend, and Jack Buck's line, "I don't believe what I only saw!", is every bit much a part of history as the abode run itself.
No. 3: Bobby Thomson: 1951 NL Playoff
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After trailing the Dodger by as many equally 13.five games, the Giants airtight out the 1951 season by winning 37 of their final 44 games to pull into a tie with the Dodgers and force a three-game playoff for the NL Pennant.
The teams split the starting time two games, with Thomson striking a two-run home run in Game 1 off of Ralph Branca that proved to be the difference in that game.
Don Newcombe started Game iii for the Dodgers, and he gave upward just i run through eight innings as the Dodgers led iv-ane heading into the bottom of the 9th. Newcombe gave up dorsum-to-back singles to open up the ninth, and after getting a flyout, an RBI double by Whitey Lockman chased him from the game.
The Dodgers turned to Branca to get the final 2 outs, and the first batter he faced was Thomson. With an 0-1 count, Thomson turned on a pitch and with i swing gave the Giants the NL Pennant.
The home run would come to be known as the "Shot Heard 'Round The World," and Russ Hodges telephone call of the game and his repeating of "The Giants win the pennant" is one of the nigh widely recognized calls in baseball history.
No. 2: Joe Carter: 1993 World Series, Game 6
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With the Blue Jays upwards 3-2 in the serial, the Blueish Jays held a 5-1 atomic number 82 heading into the top of the seventh inning with starter Dave Stewart pitching well.
Yet, Stewart led off the inning with a walk and a single, and a three-run Lenny Dykstra habitation run promptly chased him from the game. The Phillies would go on to score two more runs before the Jays got out of the 7th, and they held that 6-5 pb heading into the bottom of the ninth.
The Phillies turned to closer Mitch Williams in the ninth. Williams had 43 saves during the regular season, but he was not known as "Wild Thing" for zippo, and he walked the first batter of the inning in Rickey Henderson. After getting a flyout, Williams and then surrendered a single to Paul Molitor. That brought up Joe Carter, and hitting a 2-2 pitch to deep left field, just clearing the wall to give the Jays the win and the serial.
"Affect 'em all Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life!"Bluish Jays announcer Tom Cheek
No.1: Bill Mazeroski: 1960 Earth Series, Game seven
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Mazeroski is widely regarded as the best defensive 2nd baseman to ever play the game, withal the crowning accomplishment of his career is without a doubt his game-ending and World Serial-ending abode run in 1960.
Later on hit 11 home runs during the regular flavour, one of just six times he broke double digits during his 17-yr career, Mazeroski led of the bottom of the ninth inning in what had been a back-and-forth game.
Later scoring 5 runs in the 8th to take a ix-7 lead, the Pirates surrendered 2 runs in the top of the ninth to necktie things up. Mazeroski led off the bottom of the ninth, hitting in the eighth spot in the lineup, and he crushed Ralph Terry's i-0 offering over the left-field wall for the first Earth Series-winning home run in baseball history.
Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/707191-the-50-greatest-walk-off-home-runs-in-baseball-history
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