Greatest home run in MLB history?

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Non's avatar

Non

Senior Member

9,517 posts
Aug 18, 2010 12:15 AM
Vote for your favorite home run of all-time from the list above...

...or just post your favorite.

It might not even be one that's memorable to the baseball world as a whole but it is for your team or just you.

My favorite is actually Pedro Alvarez's walk-off home run to beat the Rockies just two Saturdays ago.


[video=youtube;5ZhNIEA7QcE][/video]


As far as the poll, I had to try and narrow the list to 10.

I think the home runs by McGwire and Bonds are pretty meaningless now. So I didn't include those.

I think if it's a home run that's from a long time ago and there isn't really any footage, just the documented history of it, it's not as memorable as if it was in the modern era, on television and replayed numerous times. Although I still included Babe Ruth's called shot home run because of the overall impact it's had on the game. Anyone who has ever played baseball has tried to duplicate that feat at least once.

I really liked the timing of the Cal Ripken home run so I included that, even though it wasn't important in terms of being in a championship type setting.


A few good ones that didn't make the list:
- Chris Chambliss' GW in Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS...crazy with all of the fans on the field, I love that one
- Bucky Dent's go-ahead HR in 1978 playoff game...important home run but it happened on the road so I always thought that took away from it some
- Albert Pujols home run off Brad Lidge in Game 5 of 2005 NLCS...wow what a shot, it was great watching live, but the Astros did win the series anyway
- Reggie Jackson's three home runs in Game 6 of 1977 World Series....you could make a case for the last one being on the list because it went about 475 feet and served as an exclamation point to that amazing day, but I still think it's more the fact that he hit three that made it memorable rather than one of them being the best ever
- Ozzie Smith's GW in Game 5 of 1985 NLCS...improbable HR hero and a great call by Jack Buck








Aug 18, 2010 12:15am
wildcats20's avatar

wildcats20

In ROY I Trust!!

27,794 posts
Aug 18, 2010 12:24 AM
The one Paul Janish(Soft J) hit earlier tonight to give the Red Legs a 3-2 lead lol

One the list, I would say Aaron Boone's. Even though he was a Yankee at the time and I was pulling for the Sox; I love Aaron Boone. Plus it's only 1 of 3 or 4 I actually saw happen.
Aug 18, 2010 12:24am
killdeer's avatar

killdeer

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Aug 18, 2010 12:27 AM
my own, being a Reds fan, was Bench's '72 NLCS shot that led to Reds victory.

also.....although not in my lifetime...Ted Williams going out on a big fly in his last AB before retirement is pretty cool.

But the one's that immediately came to mind when I read the thread was 1. Thomson's, 2. Gibson's hobbler in the WS, and 3. Mazeroski in the WS. Aaron's record breaker also in the discussion.
Aug 18, 2010 12:27am
darbypitcher22's avatar

darbypitcher22

Senior Member

8,000 posts
Aug 18, 2010 12:45 AM
had to vote for Aaron Boone.... Big knock for my guys after doing virtually nothing in the 2nd half after the trade
Aug 18, 2010 12:45am
S

Sonofanump

Aug 18, 2010 6:50 AM
Maz: Game 7 WS.
Aug 18, 2010 6:50am
P

purple_rein

Senior Member

349 posts
Aug 18, 2010 7:40 AM
IMO, there is only 2 acceptable non-biased answers to this question.

The first is Babe Ruth's called shot. The second is Bill Mazeroski's Game 7 winner.

I voted Ruth because of how legendary it was. The first baseball story I ever heard was Ruth's called shot and it happened 80 years ago. People will continue to tell that story to their kids forever. It also passes the grandma test. My grandma hates baseball and has no favorite team or anything like that. But she knows about the Babe's called shot. She would have no idea about any other home run in MLB history.
Aug 18, 2010 7:40am
lhslep134's avatar

lhslep134

why so serious?

9,774 posts
Aug 18, 2010 8:43 AM
purple_rein;454854 wrote:IMO, there is only 2 acceptable non-biased answers to this question.

The first is Babe Ruth's called shot. The second is Bill Mazeroski's Game 7 winner.

I voted Ruth because of how legendary it was. The first baseball story I ever heard was Ruth's called shot and it happened 80 years ago. People will continue to tell that story to their kids forever. It also passes the grandma test. My grandma hates baseball and has no favorite team or anything like that. But she knows about the Babe's called shot. She would have no idea about any other home run in MLB history.


+1 I agree but I voted for Bill Maz. Game winning home run, bottom of the 9th, game 7? Come on man, doesn't get any better than that.
Aug 18, 2010 8:43am
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

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Aug 18, 2010 11:04 AM
Deep down I think it is Bobby Thompson's shot, but I voted for the best one in my lifetime: Kirk Gibson's bomb off Dennis Eckersley in the '88 Series. First off, that game was amazing -- Canseco hit a moon shot to dead center that literally trashed the camera used during the game. Then a limping, gimpy Gibson rolls up against a dominant reliever, and the rest if history ... unreal. You know its good cause I was PISSED at the Dodgers for upsetting the Mets in 7 games in the '88 NLCS, yet still enjoyed every minute of it.
Aug 18, 2010 11:04am
BRF's avatar

BRF

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Aug 18, 2010 12:12 PM
I'm gonna have to go with Gibson, too.
Aug 18, 2010 12:12pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

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Aug 18, 2010 12:22 PM
I also went with Gibson, but Maz is very close.
Aug 18, 2010 12:22pm
Heretic's avatar

Heretic

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18,820 posts
Aug 18, 2010 12:33 PM
The Maz. It was the Pirates and it was against the Yankees to win a World Series. All the reasons I need right there!
Aug 18, 2010 12:33pm
Commander of Awesome's avatar

Commander of Awesome

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23,151 posts
Aug 18, 2010 12:38 PM
I voted Ruth's called shot. How badass is that?
Aug 18, 2010 12:38pm
N

Nate

Formerly Known As Keebler

3,949 posts
Aug 18, 2010 1:52 PM
When I read the question, the first one that popped into my mind was Gibson's. So, that is where my vote went.
Aug 18, 2010 1:52pm
karen lotz's avatar

karen lotz

TuTu Train

22,284 posts
Aug 18, 2010 3:32 PM
Can't beat a walkoff in game 7 of the World Series. Gibson is a close second considering his physical condition and the pitcher he hit it off of.
Aug 18, 2010 3:32pm
T

tigerfan82

Senior Member

342 posts
Aug 18, 2010 4:20 PM
Tony Pena, bottom of the 14th I believe, as an Indian in the 95 playoffs................
Aug 18, 2010 4:20pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

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49,363 posts
Aug 18, 2010 8:32 PM
Where the hell is Joe Carter's? He ended a WS as well and it was incredibly exciting. I understand all the diffent angles of Gibson's....and the call was THE best ever...but it was game 1...don't give me the momentum stuff or the Red Sox would've been the 1975 champions.

I like Joaquin Andujar's called HR batting left-handed for a grand slam back in the mid 80's.
Aug 18, 2010 8:32pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

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49,363 posts
Aug 18, 2010 8:33 PM
^^^^I know it was on the poll but no mention in any posts yet it was bigger than many of the ones being ranked.
Aug 18, 2010 8:33pm
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KnightXC1

Captain Charisma

1,031 posts
Aug 18, 2010 8:48 PM
My personal favorite is Magglio Ordonez's walk off home run to send the Tigers to the World Series in 06 in part because I was at the game. Simply amazing scene and feeling to be there.

Of the ones listed, Bobby Thompson has to be up there, Mazerowski is something that may never happen again, Gibson's was just gutsy and clutch, as was Joe Carter's. The Babe's and Maz seem to be the best but most of those could make an argument for the top spot.
Aug 18, 2010 8:48pm
swamisez's avatar

swamisez

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1,990 posts
Aug 18, 2010 8:54 PM
Gibby of the Eck in game one.......amazing moment.
Aug 18, 2010 8:54pm
D

dave

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4,558 posts
Aug 18, 2010 10:19 PM
I'd say Ruth, it may not be the most important but it's the greatest IMO which is what this poll asks.

My personal favorite was Eric Davis in game 1 of the 1990 WS because I was there.
Aug 18, 2010 10:19pm
karen lotz's avatar

karen lotz

TuTu Train

22,284 posts
Aug 18, 2010 10:30 PM
KnightXC1;455514 wrote:My personal favorite is Magglio Ordonez's walk off home run to send the Tigers to the World Series in 06 in part because I was at the game. Simply amazing scene and feeling to be there.


That and it set off one of the best celebrations I've seen in sports with the players bringing the champagne out onto the field and spraying the fans with it. Awesome to see.


[video=youtube;udYnR_Sqt4A][/video]
Aug 18, 2010 10:30pm
Ironman92's avatar

Ironman92

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49,363 posts
Aug 18, 2010 10:48 PM
Jeff Treadway's 3rd Hr in one game


Duane Kuiper's 1 and only HR in some 1,000+ at bats
Aug 18, 2010 10:48pm
GOONx19's avatar

GOONx19

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7,147 posts
Aug 18, 2010 11:23 PM
Not the greatest or most important, but my favorite reaction:

Aug 18, 2010 11:23pm
darbypitcher22's avatar

darbypitcher22

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Aug 18, 2010 11:34 PM
Ironman92;455492 wrote:Where the hell is Joe Carter's? He ended a WS as well and it was incredibly exciting. I understand all the diffent angles of Gibson's....and the call was THE best ever...but it was game 1...don't give me the momentum stuff or the Red Sox would've been the 1975 champions.

I like Joaquin Andujar's called HR batting left-handed for a grand slam back in the mid 80's.

I was too young then but I've heard the call enough times to remember Bob costa's words: "Touch em' All Joe, you'll never hit a bigger homer in your life."
Aug 18, 2010 11:34pm
se-alum's avatar

se-alum

The Biggest Boss

13,948 posts
Aug 19, 2010 8:09 AM
Joe Carter's is the only one I saw happen, so that's my vote!
Aug 19, 2010 8:09am