Greatest World Series Moments

Finally! The Top 10 World Series Moments of my lifetime (that I remember)….

Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!: Game 6 (October 18, 1977): This is my first World Series memory. Reggie hit three homers on three pitches off of three pitchers. He had homered in his last at bat in Game 5, so he hit four in a row.

Tug McGraw: Game 6 (October 21, 1980): I remember seeing the end of this series. It was an interesting one. Hemmorrhoids, circus catches, and Tug McGraw. McGraw struck out Willie Wilson to end the series and give the Phils their first title ever.

Goosebusters: Game 5 (October 14, 1984): Goose Gossage refused to walk Gibson. Gibson deposited a Goose pitch into the upper deck. Gibson literally roars around the bases. Tigers win their first series in 16 years.

Royal Comeback: (1985): Kansas City came back from 3-1 down to win the ALCS. They did it again to win the World Series. In Game 6, Don Denkinger blew a call at first. Instead of bearing down, the Cards collapsed. In Game 7, KC won 11-0.

The Walk Off is born: Game 1 (October 15, 1988): Kirk Gibson does his Roy Hobbs impression. Afterward, Dennis Eckersley coined the term “walk-off.” Gibson’s two big series’ home runs were off Hall of Famers.

Morris vs. Smoltz: Game 7 (October 27, 1991): Perhaps the greatest game ever played. John Smoltz and Jack Morris match zeros. Lonnie Smith slips rounding the bases. Morris pitches into the 10th. Twins win.

15-14: Game 4 (October 20, 1993): WTF?

Torre sticks with Cone: Game 3 (October 22, 1996): Yankees are down 2 games to none in their first series since 1981. They are up 2-0 in the 6th inning of game 3. David Cone gets himself into a bases loaded jam. Torre leaves Cone in and he escapes with only 1 run scoring. New York scores three in the 8th to bust it open. Atlanta never recovers.

The 2001 World Series: The greatest series ever. The Diamondbacks led 2-0 going back to New York. Then came three incredible games (and Yankee wins) which included homers by Jeter, Brosius, and Tino Martinez. The Yanks led 3-2 going to the desert. Game 6 was a clunker and I went to bed early. Game 7 was a classic. Schilling vs. Clemens. Randy Johnson comes out of the pen (I remember thinking “that’s not fair.”) Yanks led 2-1 in the 9th. Mariano makes an error. Diamondbacks win on the Luis Gonzalez single. Wow!

Red Sox win: Game 4 (October 27, 2004): Never thought I’d see it. I thought the apocalypse was around the corner.

Honorable Mention:

1978: Reggie strikes out vs. Bob Welch: This was a mighty matchup and Reggie goes down swinging.
1979: Pops homers: We are family...Stargell leads Pittsburgh back from 3-1 down.
1980: Boone and Rose pair up for a circus catch: You knew KC was done when things like that happen.
1986: Buckner: This has lost its meaning since Boston won.
1989: The Earthquake
1990: Reds sweep A’s: Too bad. hehe
1993: Joe Carter: Never thought I'd see a Bill Mazeroski moment.
1995: David Justice homers to give the Braves the series
1997: Edgar Renteria singles in extra innings in Game 7. Poor Cleveland.
2002: Game 6: The Glaus double and a Giant choke. Poor Barry.
2005: Weird guys hit home runs: Pods? Blum?
2006: Tigers pitchers can’t field