Today we will continue to look at our memorable moments in the American League Championship Series by focusing on the five most memorable non-walk off home runs. Enjoy.
#5. October 9, 1996: Baltimore Orioles at New
York Yankees, Game 1: Derek Jeter
With the Yankees trailing the
Orioles by a score of 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth, Derek Jeter hit a fly
ball deep to left that looked like it was going to be caught by right fielder
Tony Tarasco. But a twelve-year old fan stuck his glove out and the ball ricocheted
off the glove and into the seats for a home run.
While the Orioles protested the
interference, right field umpire, Rich Garcia, did not see it and called it a home run. None
of the other umpires overruled him and the home run call stood. Tie game, 4-4.
The Yankees would win the game
on a Bernie Williams home run in the eleventh.
#4. October 7, 1989: Oakland Athletics at
Toronto Blue Jays, Game 4: Jose Canseco
After
scoring two runs in the top of the third, the A’s would watch their lead
increase to 3-0 when Jose Canseco hit the first ever fifth-deck home run in
the Rogers Centre (then called SkyDome). The crowd was at the same time
silenced and mesmerized when the Oakland right fielder launched the ball an
estimated 480 feet (it was actually the height of the ball that was
breathtaking.)
The A’s would win the game 6-5
and would clinch the series in five games the following afternoon.
#3. October 19, 2013: Detroit Tigers at Boston
Red Sox, Game 6: Shane Victorino
The Red Sox held a three games
to two lead in the ALCS, but trailed the game 2-1 heading into the bottom of
the seventh. Victorino came up with the bases loaded but was struggling in the
series, getting only two hits in 23 at bats.
However, with the count no balls
and two strikes, Victorino crushed a curve ball over the Green Monster in left
field, giving the Sox a 5-2 lead and sending the Boston fans into a frenzy. The
Red Sox would win the game and series advancing to the World Series.
#2. October 12, 1986: Boston Red Sox at
California Angels, Game 5: Dave Henderson
With
the Angels holding a three games to one lead in the best-of-seven ALCS, the Red
Sox found themselves trailing by a score of 5-2 going to the top of the ninth.
Down to their last outs, the Sox tried to muster a rally to prolong their season.
With one out and a man on base, Boston DH Don Baylor hit a two-run homer to make the score
5-4.
An out later, Sox catcher Rich
Gedman was hit by a pitch. The Angels brought in reliever Donnie Moore to pitch
to Dave Henderson. The man they called “Hendu” ripped a forkball into the left
field stands to give the Red Sox the lead, 6-5. Although the Angels tied the
score at six in the bottom of the ninth, Boston pushed across the winning
run in the eleventh and won the game, 7-6.
The Red Sox would take the next
two games in Boston to win the series, four games to three.
#1. October 11, 1992: Toronto Blue Jays at
Oakland Athletics, Game 4: Roberto Alomar
Trailing
in the series two games to one, the A’s jumped all over Toronto starter Jack
Morris in the third inning, scoring five runs. They added another in the sixth
and took a 6-1 lead into the eighth inning. The Jays scored three runs in the
top of the eighth and had the tying runs on base when Oakland closer Dennis
Eckersley struck out Toronto pinch hitter Ed Sprague to end the inning.
Eckersley then turned to the Toronto dug out and taunted them with a fist pump.
Now trailing 6-4 in the top of
the ninth, Devon White led off the inning with a triple. That brought up second
baseman and future Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar, who hit a line drive over the
right field fence for a two-run home run to tie the game at six.
The Jays would score the winning
run in the top of the eleventh to win the game 7-6, and would eventually win
the ALCS in six games. But the image of Alomar raising his arms to celebrate
his game-tying home run would cement his legacy in the Jays’ history.
Follow us on Twitter at @topofthethird
Like us on Facebook
No comments:
Post a Comment