{"id":64279,"date":"2023-11-17T09:00:58","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T14:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=64279"},"modified":"2023-11-16T20:32:25","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T01:32:25","slug":"greatest-walk-off-home-runs-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/11\/17\/greatest-walk-off-home-runs-12\/","title":{"rendered":"The 15 Greatest Walk-Off Home Runs: #12"},"content":{"rendered":"

The next entry on our list of the greatest walk-off home runs of all time might surprise you. No, the shock doesn\u2019t come from its inclusion, for these historic moments are why lists like this exist in the first place. But rather, the placement of this homer might cause a few eyebrows to rise and a few heads to swivel about in classic double takes. Yes, dear readers, our next subject is \u201cThe Shot Heard \u2018Round The World,\u201d and it\u2019s only coming in at number 12. \u201cBut wait,\u201d you say, \u201cthis shouldn\u2019t be a possibility. That\u2019s one of the most famous home runs ever hit, walk-off or otherwise!\u201d Indeed, Bobby Thomson<\/a>\u2019s classic moment of heroism definitely ranks up there with the best in baseball. However, the scoring system this writer used hit a bit of a snag.<\/p>\n

Before now, the home runs had all been judged on their impact on both their franchise as a whole and their title hopes for that year, along with its historical significance. The dozen entries left on our journey through the greatest walk-off home runs all tied with perfect scores of 30. So, the criteria were broken down even further. More to the point, the home runs are now going to be judged based on the game itself, the type of home run hit, and the ability of the opposing pitcher. These will be referred to as their “secondary scores.” Unfortunately for Thomson, and fans of the San Francisco Giants, his legendary home run came in a regular season game and came off a pitcher that wasn\u2019t quite the cream of the crop.<\/p>\n

The 15 Greatest Walk-Off Home Runs
\n#12: Bobby Thomson-October 3, 1951
\nSecondary Score: 22<\/em><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/em>This story of one of the greatest walk-off home runs begins with a singular number: one. That\u2019s the amount of wins it would take for the then-New\u00a0York Giants<\/a> to win their first National League title since 1937. They had fought all throughout the 1951 season to get to this moment. That included an unprecedented 16-game winning streak in the middle of August. They went from being 12 \u00bd games out on August 12 to five out on the 27th<\/sup>. Coming into the 157th<\/sup> and final game of the season, they\u2019d won eight of nine and were tied with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Their opponents for the day were those same Dodgers, who sought their second pennant in three seasons.<\/p>\n

The Giants were led by two future Hall of Famers: Monte Irvin<\/a> and Willie Mays<\/a>. Irvin, who had been a star in the Negro Leagues, was in his second season with the Giants. He hit .312 with 24 homers and 174 hits while finishing third in MVP voting. Mays took home Rookie of the Year honors after crushing 20 homers with 127 hits in 121 games. Then, there was leadoff man Eddie Stanky<\/a>. He was in the twilight of his career, but still walked 127 times and posted an OBP of .401. Add to that Thomson\u2019s team-best 32 homers and you had the recipe for one potent offense.<\/p>\n

A Pitcher\u2019s Duel<\/h2>\n

The Dodgers sent Don Newcombe<\/a> to the mound while the Giants countered with Sal Maglie<\/a>. Both men were considered aces and both had notched 20 or more wins in 1951. Maglie got things off to a rocky start for the Giants. He walked back-to-back batters before giving up an RBI hit to Jackie Robinson<\/a>. However, he settled in and retired Andy Pafko<\/a> and Gil Hodges<\/a> to minimize the damage. Unfortunately for the Giants, Newcombe was on his game as well, as he only allowed three baserunners through the first four innings.<\/p>\n

The duel continued until the bottom of the seventh, when the Giants finally broke through against Newcombe. Irvin led off the inning with a solid line-drive double. He then advanced to third when Whitey Lockman<\/a> reached on a fielder\u2019s choice gone awry. In true classic run manufacturing style, Thomson hit a sacrifice fly, tying the game and giving the Giants new life. The Dodgers appeared to be in trouble with a man on and Mays coming to the plate. However, Newcombe was able to get him to hit into a 6-4-3 twin killing.<\/p>\n

A Historic Home Run<\/h2>\n

In the top of the eighth, the Dodgers responded en masse. Maglie gave up back-to-back hits to Reese and Snider before delivering a wild pitch to Robinson that allowed Reese to come in. After intentionally walking Robinson, Pafko picked up an RBI hit, pushing the Dodgers lead to 3-1. Maglie got Hodges to pop out innocently before giving up another RBI single to Billy Cox<\/a>, bringing home Brooklyn\u2019s third run of the frame. It was 4-1 in the blink of an eye. Just as suddenly, the Giants were staring down the final six outs of their season. Heroism is often birthed in such environments and, fortunately for the Giants, this story wasn\u2019t over.<\/p>\n

Following an uneventful eighth, the Giants came to bat in the ninth facing the same deficit. Newcombe remained in the game as Dodgers manager Chuck Dressen<\/a> attempted to get a complete game out of him. Al Dark<\/a> led off the frame with an infield hit before Don Mueller<\/a> grounded one through the hole into right field. Newcombe managed to get Irvin to pop out before giving up an RBI double to Lockman. Next came Thomson, with his team down 4-2. Dressen called on starting pitcher Ralph Branca<\/a> to face him, and two pitches later, it was all over. Thomson\u2019s three-run homer gave the Giants a pennant and a berth in the World Series.<\/p>\n

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Today In 1951: “The Giants Win The Pennant!” ~ Bobby Thomson\u2019s \u201cShot Heard \u2018Round the World\u201d walk-off HR at the Polo Grounds becomes one of #baseball<\/a>‘s most memorable moments! #MLB<\/a> #SFGiants<\/a> #History<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/mGZSTBCE7j<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) October 3, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n