Those damn Tampa Rays.
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Those damn Tampa Rays.
- A Giant is gone: Bobby Thomson dies at age 86
The Giant who hit the home run for the ages now belongs to them.
As first reported by the New York Daily News, Bobby Thomson — the man who hit "The Shot Heard 'Round The World" to win the 1951 NL pennant — died "peacefully" at his Georgia home on Monday night. He was 86 years old and had been in poor health.
Thomson played for five teams over 15 seasons, hit 264 career home runs and was a three-time All-Star. But he ensured his name will always be remembered on Oct. 3, 1951, the day he hit his dramatic home run off Brooklyn's Ralph Branca to send the Giants to a 5-4 victory that earned them entry into the 1951 World Series. It has often been called the greatest home run of all time.
Thomson's blast landed in the left-field stands at the Polo Grounds and capped a four-run ninth-inning rally that was emblematic of the Giants' season. The team trailed the Dodgers by 13 1/2 games on Aug. 11, but went 37-7 to finish the season and force a three-game tiebreaker series with their crosstown rivals. Thomson's home run to win the decisive third game was so big that it basically made the ensuing World Series a historical footnote. (Who ever remembers that the Giants lost to the Yankees in six games?)
Though a 2001 Wall Street Journal story alleged that the moment was a product of stolen signs, Thomson never admitted to knowing what was coming from Branca.
But that's neither here nor there as today is a day to remember the man who experienced baseball's ultimate feeling before players like Carlton Fisk, Kirk Gibson, Kirby Puckett and Aaron Boone(notes) ever did. There are undoubtedly going to be a lot of nostalgic baseball fans reminiscing about that game and even more "The Giants win the pennant!" impressions going on over the next few days.
And rightfully so. Check out the magic moment once again.
The Braves getting Derrick Lee is big that might put them over the top in the N.L
roger clemens indicted
Strasburg might have Tommy John surgery. I feel bad for the Nationals fans. I remember the Cubs with Kerry Wood & Mark Prior going through major injuries & basically ruining their careers. I hope Strasburg comes back strong.
he might still be good, but they have to be careful not to rush him
has anyone else noticed that people think the same 3 N.L. teams are good at the beginning of the season, but by this time they've all done shit?
Los Angeles Dodgers
Chicago Cubs
New York Mets
I think the cubs think they have to lose
^^Lol. Yea the Mets, Cubs, Dodgers normally have big payrolls. The Cubs are at 140 mil. And 20 games under .500. The Mets are going nowhere. The Dodgers are trying to sneak into the wild-card. Smart trades & good scouting should be the recipe for success. But the Cubs signed Milton Bradley. They gave Alfonso Soriano an 8 year deal. Yes, 8 years, when 5 should of been enough. Dumb moves like these are why the Cubs are going on 103 years of no title.
good to see frank Thomas get his jersey retired
Jesus Montero near 1.000 OPS since June, not bad for a 20 year old in his first full AAA season
^^ daaamn at :06
seems like Derrek Lee brought along shit from chicago as the phillies are now in first place. what were they like 7 games back?