This writer considered many determining factors in concocting this list of all-time greatest walk-off home runs. Among those were the historical impact of certain events. Today’s home run makes this list almost purely on that criterion alone. Much as with Roger Connor, this dinger has a terrific story to tell. Another commonality the two share is their place as a historic first. For Connor, it was the Major Leagues’ first grand slam. For today’s subject, it was the first-ever walk-off home run in an All-Star Game. It was also the first Midsummer Classic walk-off in any form. How fitting, then, that it came off the bat of the Splendid Splinter himself, Ted Williams.
In 1941, Williams had yet to attain legendary status. However, he was well on his way thanks to 30+ homers and 140+ RBI in his rookie year in 1939. He made his first All-Star appearance in 1940, but his performance in ’41 is worth remembering. Not only did he have an outstanding offensive performance, but he managed to make this list of the greatest walk-off home runs. In an All-Star Game filled to the brim with future Cooperstown honorees, Williams stands head and shoulders above the rest. The Boston Red Sox legend proved that he was there to stay…and he did it in absolute style.
The 15 Greatest Walk-Off Home Runs: #13
July 8, 1941-Ted Williams (Score: 20)
The AL and NL squads in this season’s All-Star Game featured a who’s who of all-time greats. The Senior Circuit’s roster boasted the bats and gloves of Johnny Mize, Arky Vaughan, Al Lopez, Joe Medwick, Mel Ott, and Enos Slaughter. Meanwhile, pitching legend Carl Hubbell anchored a staff that included Bucky Waters and Paul Derringer. Breakout Brooklyn Dodgers star Whit Wyatt earned the start. All of this was helmed by defending World Champion manager Bill McKechnie. So, the National League’s squad was scary.
However, the American League was not to be outdone. They sent out an offense that included Williams, Bobby Doerr, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Cronin, and Bill Dickey. Their bench had Jimmie Foxx, Luke Appling, Lou Boudreau, and DiMaggio’s little brother Dom. Regarding pitching, Bob Feller and Red Ruffing headed up a group that included 15-game winner Al Benton and 20-game winner Thornton Lee. Managing this motley crew of legends and household names was Del Baker. Baker was an interesting standout in this group as his Detroit Tigers had won the AL Pennant the year before…and would not do so again before he left two years later.
A Slow Start
Pitching dominated the first portion of this All-Star Game. Starters Feller and Wyatt combined to allow two baserunners through the first three-and-a-half innings. Derringer pitched a scoreless third before Lee matched him in the top of the fourth. The AL finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning when Cecil Travis launched a double into the left-field gap. After the elder DiMaggio flew out sharply, Williams stepped to the plate and promptly doubled Travis home. It was 1-0 AL, and with their pitching staff firing on all cylinders, things looked bleak for the guys in the Senior Circuit.
However, at the top of the sixth, they managed to find a chink in Lee’s armor. New NL pitcher Walters led off the inning with a double. Leadoff hitter Stan Hack sacrificed him to third, and, in true manufacturer’s style, Terry Moore followed with a sacrifice fly. This classic, hard-nosed small ball may be almost unheard of in today’s game. But, in 1941, it was still extremely popular. Unfortunately for the NL, they couldn’t get anything further and the AL answered in the bottom of the inning with a Boudreau RBI single.
Offensive Outbursts
In the top of the seventh, the NL struck right back. Slaughter started things with a base hit that Williams booted in left field, allowing the speedy runner to advance to second. Vaughan launched the next Sid Wilson offering over the right field fence, giving the NL a 3-2 advantage. He followed that up in the next inning by hitting another two-run homer, this time off Eddie Smith, scoring himself and Mize and pushing the lead to 5-2. Once again, though, the AL was not to be outdone, and they certainly weren’t going away. The younger DiMaggio got to play a bit into the comeback in the eighth, poking a single to right-center field and scoring his older brother. But the actual fireworks were still to come.
In the top of the ninth, Smith set down the NL All-Stars in order, setting the table for an offense that, on paper, should have been a lot more thunderous. Opposing them was Claude Passeau of the Chicago Cubs, who was entering his third frame of relief. He started the ninth innocently enough by inducing a pop fly off the bat of Frankie Hayes. Then, pinch hitter Ken Keltner and Joe Gordon got back-to-back singles. Travis followed with a walk, loading the bases for the elder DiMaggio. He managed to scratch a run across via a groundout, shrinking the NL’s lead to one. Williams stepped to the dish with a huge opportunity and took full advantage. He planted a 2-1 offering deep into the right field seats, giving the AL a 7-5 victory and giving Williams one of the greatest walk-off home runs.
Main Photo Credits: Brandon Brown/Seacoastonline / USA TODAY NETWORK
