The thrill of the chase, the agony of defeat – the MLB Wild Card has delivered iconic moments that etch themselves in baseball lore. Since its introduction, the Wild Card has transformed the postseason push, creating nail-biting finishes and miraculous turnarounds. Explore the most electrifying Wild Card races, from improbable comebacks to tie-breaking showdowns, that defined a generation of baseball fans. These games have become ingrained in baseball history, reminding us that, in the words of Yogi Berra, ‘It ain’t over till it’s over’.
5 Most Crucial Wild Card Races
2011 AL Wild Card: Rays Come Back from 9-game deficit to Edge Red Sox
The 2011 American League Wild Card race is considered one of the greatest collapses/comebacks in MLB history. The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox were tied for the lone AL Wild Card spot. The Rays closed a nine-game deficit since the start of September, winning 21 of 26 games while the Red Sox lost 18 of 23 games. But the comeback seemed unlikely as the Rays were down 7-0 to the New York Yankees. Meanwhile, Boston held onto a lead over the last-place Baltimore Orioles.
The thrilling conclusion unfolded as Evan Longoria‘s walk-off home run sealed the Rays 8-7 victory over the Rays. Boston’s Jonathan Papelbon‘s blown save allowed the Orioles to win 4-3.
The Rays captured the AL Wild Card, making three consecutive postseason appearances for the first time in franchise history. Unfortunately, they lost to the Texas Rangers in four games in the ALDS.
2011 NL Wild Card: Cardinals Win, Finish Off Braves Collapse
Chris Carpenter and the St. Louis Cardinals completed a comeback similar to the Rays on the exact same day. The Cardinals clinched the National League Wild Card with an 8-0 over the Houston Astros and a later loss by the Atlanta Braves. St. Louis punched their ticket when the Braves fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 in 13 innings. The Cardinals trailed the Braves by 10 1/2 games on August 25, then won 23 of the last 31 games to finish the impossible.
The Cardinals beat the Phillies in five games in the NLDS and the Milwaukee Brewers in six games in the NLCS. They defeated the Rangers in the World Series in seven games.
2007 NL Wild Card Tie-Breaker: Rockies Late Rally
In 2007, the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres engaged in a game for the ages. After 162 games, both teams were tied for the NL Wild Card. A tie-breaking contest turned into 13 innings of adrenaline-rush baseball. After San Diego took a two-run lead on Scott Hairston‘s homer in the top of the 13th, Trevor Hoffman came on the mound. Trailing 8-6, the Rockies started the inning with back-to-back doubles to cut the deficit to one. Matt Holliday came to the plate with a chance to tie or win the game. His triple tied the game and two batters later, Holliday came home to score the winning run on a sacrifice fly. Despite some controversy regarding whether he touched home plate, it completed a stunning finish to the season by the Rockies.
Colorado went on to sweep their first seven postseason games to win the NL pennant. Fans and media nicknamed the Rockies Cinderella run in October, Rocktober. However, the Rockies were swept in the World Series by the Red Sox in four games. It was the only season the Rockies have ever made the World Series.
1995 AL West Tie-Breaker: Mariners First Taste of the Postseason
The 1995 American League West division title was decided in a thrilling one-game tiebreaker between the Seattle Mariners and California Angels. Played on October 2, 1995, at Kingdome in Seattle, the Mariners emerged with a 9-1 victory, behind Randy Johnson‘s impactful seven-inning performance. The win marked a turning point in Mariners’ history, securing their first postseason berth and sending them to the ALDS. Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr. led the offense, combining for five hits and four RBI. The Mariners victory capped an improbable comeback, overcoming a 13-game deficit in mid-August to catch the Angels.
In the postseason, the Mariners defeated the Yankees in the best-of-five ALDS. It was a series notable for Martinez’s walk-off 11th-inning double in the fifth game. In the ALCS, the Mariners fell in six games to the Cleveland Indians.
1999 NL Wild Card Tie-Breaker: Mets Shuout Reds
On October 4, 1999, the New York Mets shut out the Cincinnati Reds 5-0 in the NL Wild Card tiebreaker. Al Leiter pitched a two-hit gem, striking out 19, while Mike Piazza‘s two-run homer and Edgardo Alfonzo‘s two hits and two RBI fueled the Mets’ offense. The victory secured the Mets first postseason berth since 1988 and snapped the Reds’ postseason hopes. After defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in four games in the NLDS, the Mets advanced to the NLCS, where they were defeated by the Braves in six games.
Main Photo: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
