When it comes to the iconic home runs, a game as storied as Major League Baseball has no shortage, I’ve been a lifelong fan of the game since my early childhood, so some of these are formative memories. Today’s list covers the most famous home runs in the game’s history, some of which might surprise you.
The 1991 World Series
At Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, the Twins were facing elimination. The past three games had gone to the Atlanta Braves and ace pitcher Steve Avery was on the mound. Kirby Puckett would fire off one of the most iconic home runs in history at the bottom of the 11th inning. Atlanta had taken the lead before extras, but Puckett’s rocket to the stands kept the Twins in the Series.
Bucky Dent
Baseball history will never show Bucky Dent as one of the power hitters. He’ll never be mentioned in the same breath as Roger Maris, Babe Ruth, or Hank Aaron. The 1978 AL East division was on fire with a dominant Red Sox and Yankees team that year. During the fight for the pennant, the Red Sox had a good shot of winning. However, game 163 saw Bucky Dent’s moment to shine. Dent went to bat with two outs on the board and ended up slamming one of the most iconic home runs in baseball history to win the game.
Number 756
August of 2007 was a season for iconic home runs. The contentious world record attained by Barry Bonds still raises questions and concerns, especially after allegations of performance-enhancing drug use. Bonds hit one of the most iconic home runs in history after nailing the 756th of his entire career. This broke Hank Aaron’s legendary record and went straight to the history books.
The 1993 World Series
The early 1990s were great for the Toronto Blue Jays. Based out of Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays were on their way to becoming one of baseball’s great dynasties with a dominant run starting from 1989 to 1993. Hoping to repeat their success, the Blue Jays entered the 1993 World Series against the Phillies. Game 7 saw an utter slugfest that resulted in one of the game’s most iconic home runs. Joe Carter went up to bat against star pitcher Mitch Williams. Carter’s final home run of the game would see the 1993 World Series title go to the Blue Jays.
The Summer of 1998
Few seasons in baseball history are as immediately memorable as the 1998 regular season. This set up the home run duel between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Roger Maris’s legendary run was finally being contested. August of 1998 would see McGwire hit one of the game’s most iconic home runs, matching Maris’s score of 61 home runs for a season. McGwire would finish the season at 70 home runs to Sosa’s 66.
Carlton Fisk’s Wish Comes True
The 1975 World Series was one to remember. The Reds and Red Sox fought a hard battle complete with pitching duels, and razor’s edge wins. Game 6 saw the Red Sox risking it all with one of the most iconic home runs in the game’s history. Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk took to bat and smashed it right down the left field’s foul line. Fisk started trying to wave the ball fair, and ultimately got his wish as the Red Sox proceeded to Game 7.
Kirk Gibson Proves Them Wrong
The 1988 World Series has one of the most iconic home runs in the game’s history, and for good reason. Gibson had turned the Dodgers around from a scrappy team to a World Series contender. The outfielder was not in the game, he was busy nursing leg injuries. Gibson would ice his legs to the point of numbness to go to bat and ended up smashing a home run to take the World Series for the Dodgers.
Hank Aaron Breaks the Record
Despite being one of the all-time greats for the Atlanta Braves, Hank Aaron isn’t what you would call a power hitter. The legendary player was better suited for consistency. The 1974 season saw Hank Aaron, at the time 40 years old, smash Babe Ruth’s all-time career home run record. Aaron would hit his 714th home run in just three games at the start of the season, and it is one of the most iconic home runs in all of sports history.
Bill Mazeroski Does the Impossible
You don’t talk about the most iconic home runs in the history of the game without bringing up Bill Mazeroski. Believe it or not, the World Series typically isn’t won with a single dramatic home run at the bottom of the 9th in the final game. For Mazeroski, the impossible came true. Mazeroski was defined by his excellent defensive play, something he carried with the Pirates throughout his entire career. That all went out the window with a truly magnificent home run that gave the Pirates the World Series title.
The Giants Take it Home
The 1951 Season had the Dodgers as the clear favorite to go to the World Series. The Dodgers led the entire division, including their rivals the Giants by 13 games. However, this posed no threat to the Giants who achieved an astounding 37 wins out of 44 games toward the regular season’s end. A tiebreaker would be fought for the division, and it was home to one of the most iconic home runs in baseball history. Bobby Thomson would smash one of the game’s iconic home runs, and the Giants took the pennant.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Eugene Onischenko/Shutterstock.com.
