The Seven Most Memorable Moments in MLB Playoffs History

Since the inception of major league baseball in 1869, there have been countless playoff moments that have been forever etched into the memory of fans over the years. Here are the seven most memorable moments in MLB playoff history that I have witnessed in my lifetime.

1988 World Series - Game 1

The Oakland Athletics entered the 1988 World Series as heavy favorites over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It did not help the Dodgers' case that their best hitter, Kirk Gibson, was hurt. The stage was set in Game 1 when the Dodgers were trailing the A's by a run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Hall of Fame reliever Dennis Eckersley was on the mound when a hobbling Gibson approached the plate. After countless pitches, Gibson finally connected and hit a game winning home run. The momentum of the home run would carry the Dodgers to a World Series championship in five games. The image of Gibson rounding the bases, pumping his fist, has become associated with the World Series.

1986 World Series - Game 6

Entering this game, the Boston Red Sox held a 3 - 2 series lead and were looking to put the New York Mets away. Everything was going their way until the Mets were able to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly. Eventually the game would go into extra innings.

In the top of the tenth inning, the Red Sox scored two runs and looked to close the game out. But the Mets were far from done and started their comeback. Eventually the Mets tied the game when they sent Mookie Wilson to the plate. Wilson connected on a slow grounder that should have sent the game to the eleventh inning. Instead it went through the legs of first baseman Bill Buckner as Ray Knight scored the winning run. The Mets went on to defeat the Red Sox in game 7 and earn the World Series title.

1993 World Series - Game 6

The Toronto Blue Jays were battling the Philadelphia Phillies for the right to be named World Champions. The Blue Jays had a 3 - 2 series lead though were in danger of being forced into a game seven. That was until the Blue Jays Joe Carter had the chance to do something every young boy dreams of.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Blue Jays were down one run when Carter came to the plate to face the Phillies closer Mitch Williams. With two men on base, Carter would connect and send a shot into the outfield bleachers. Carter's homerun not only won the game, but won the World Series. This marked the second time the World Series was won by a walk off home run.

1991 World Series - Game 6

Though the Minnesota Twins Kirby Puckett did not fit the mold of a prototypical baseball player, he was one of the greatest hitters in the game during his time. His career was punctuated by the extra inning home run he hit in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series.

The Twins were already down 3 games to 2 to Atlanta in the World Series and were in danger of losing the series. Even though Puckett's home run did not win the World Series for the Twins, it gave them new life. They would take advantage of it, winning Game 7 of the series and becoming World Series champions.

2004 American League Championship Series - Game 4

When baseball fans are discussing the greatest comeback in playoff history, this one ranks at the top. The Boston Red Sox were down 3 - o to the rival New York Yankees and were facing elimination. The Red Sox faithful were preparing to go another season under the curse of the Bambino.

Things started to turn around for the Red Sox. They were able to tie the game in the ninth inning and force extra innings. In the 12^th inning, David Ortiz nailed a two-run homerun to seal the victory and started the greatest comeback in the history of baseball. After this victory, the Red Sox would go on to win every game for the remainder of the post season.

2006 American League Championship Series - Game 4

The Detroit Tigers were having a magical season after having been missing from the baseball playoffs since the 1980's. The Tigers already had a commanding 3 - 0 game lead over the Oakland Athletics and were looking to close the series out.

Despite this, the Tigers found themselves in a tie game at the bottom of the ninth inning. Desperate for their playoff lives, the A's had their closer Huston Street in to face the Tigers Magglio Ordonez. Ordonez nailed a three home run off of Street to win the Tigers their first American league pennant since 1984.

1997 World Series - Game 7

Under the guidance of manager Jim Leyland, the Florida Marlins not only improved upon their 2006 season, but they shocked the baseball world by reaching the World Series after the team had only been in existence since 1993.

When they entered the World Series against the Cleveland Indians, the Marlins were the underdogs. Led by eventually World Series MVP, Livan Hernandez, the Marlins forced a game seven. The Marlins won the game on in the bottom of the 11^th inning by a score of 3 - 2. Though the Marlins were able to sign significant free agents to help with the team's development, their accomplishment still goes down as one of the best of all time.

Resources

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/postseason.shtml

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_ds.jsp