250 for 250: Top 10 greatest games

As part of our celebration of America 250, MLB's content team has created 25 top 10 lists that capture the plays, people, rituals and moments that made baseball America’s game.

1. 2025 World Series Game 7
Dodgers go back-to-back in 11-inning thriller

No recency bias here; the final game of the 2025 World Series had everything. Extra innings. A game-tying home run in the ninth inning by an unlikely hero in L.A.’s Miguel Rojas. A series-saving catch by center fielder Andy Pages, who held on despite colliding with left fielder Kiké Hernández. After a Will Smith homer in the 11th, the Dodgers celebrated as back-to-back champs.

2. 1975 World Series Game 6
Fisk waves it fair at Fenway

In the bottom of the 12th inning at Fenway Park, Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk presented perhaps the most iconic gesticulation in baseball history. He hit a pitch from the Reds’ Pat Darcy to deep left, but would it stay fair? Fisk began emphatically waving his arms toward fair territory, and once the ball hit the foul pole, an elated Fisk was left with his arms raised over his head in victory.

3. 2016 World Series Game 7
After 108 years, the Cubs break the curse

When you’ve waited more than a century for a World Series title, what’s one more inning -- and a little rain? After Cleveland’s Rajai Davis stunned the Cubs with a game-tying dinger in the eighth inning, the teams sat through a 17-minute rain delay before the start of the 10th. Ben Zobrist had the go-ahead hit for Chicago in that frame, ultimately leading to the end of the Curse of the Billy Goat.

4. 2011 World Series Game 6
Freese's walk-off HR caps Cards' comeback

The Rangers were one out from their first World Series title -- twice. But the Cardinals tied the game in the ninth and 10th innings, setting the stage for David Freese in the 11th. He homered to center field, and TV play-by-play broadcaster Joe Buck added to the moment by echoing a call his father, Jack, made on a World Series walk-off homer 20 years earlier: “We will see you tomorrow night!”

5. 1991 World Series Game 7
Morris' 10-inning shutout wins title for Twins

Two future Hall of Famers engaged in one of the best pitchers’ duels in MLB postseason history in Game 7 of the ‘91 Fall Classic. The Braves' John Smoltz was great, shutting out the Twins over 7 1/3 innings. But Jack Morris’ performance was extraordinary. The 36-year-old threw 10 shutout innings before Gene Larkin’s RBI single in the 10th gave Minnesota its second championship in five years.

6. 1986 NLCS Game 6
Mets need 16 innings to win the NL

This stood as MLB’s longest postseason game in terms of innings for almost two decades. The Astros were three outs away from a Game 7 when the Mets struck for three runs in the top of the ninth at the Astrodome. What followed was a thrilling set of extra innings, including a run from each team in the 14th. The Mets scored three times in the 16th and won by one run to advance to the World Series.

7. 2014 AL Wild Card Game
A's, Royals go 12 innings in one-game playoff

The Royals’ road to the 2014 AL pennant nearly ended at the start of the postseason. Trailing by four runs to the Athletics in the eighth inning of win-or-go-home game, Kansas City rallied to force extra innings. The A’s went back ahead with a run in the 12th, but the Royals scored twice in their half, capped by a walk-off RBI single from Salvador Perez that lifted Kansas City to the ALDS.

8. Marichal, Spahn and the greatest game ever pitched
July 2, 1963

It was 16 innings of pure pitching bliss between the Braves’ Warren Spahn and the Giants’ Juan Marichal. In a game the likes of which we will never see again, both legendary aces went the distance, combining for 31 scoreless innings along the way. The battle was ended by one of baseball’s greatest hitters, as Willie Mays slugged a walk-off homer against Spahn in the bottom of the 16th.

9. Merkle's Boner
Sept. 23, 1908

Fred Merkle didn’t touch second base. Instead of advancing from first to second, Merkle began celebrating what he thought was a game-winning hit for his Giants by Al Bridwell. The Cubs, realizing Merkle never reached second, got the ball to the infield to record a forceout that nullified the run. Chaos ensued. The game was replayed. The Giants lost the game and the pennant to the Cubs by one game.

10. 2004 ALCS Game 4
The start of the biggest comeback in MLB postseason history

The Red Sox were three outs away from being swept in the ALCS by the rival Yankees. That’s when they began their march to history. Boston tied Game 4 in the ninth inning against legendary closer Mariano Rivera. It won that game and the series, becoming the first MLB team to advance when trailing three games to none. The Sox swept the Cardinals in the World Series for their first title in 86 years.

Honorable Mentions:

• Sandy Koufax's perfect game | More >
• Yankees-Twins 14-12 thriller in 2019 | More >
• Phillies 23, Cubs 22 in 1979 | More >
• Cleveland's comeback from down 12 runs vs. Seattle More >
• Bill Buckner's error decides 1986 World Series Game 6 | Watch >
• Rays comeback on dramatic final day of 2011 regular season | More >
• The 33-inning Minor League game | More >
• Bill Mazeroski's homer ends 1960 World Series Game 7 | More >
• Phillies-Astros Game 5 in 1980 NLCS | Watch >
• Pitcher Rick Camp homers in 19-inning marathon | More >
• Twins' Game 163 win in 2009 | Watch >
• 2017 World Series Game 5, Dodgers vs. Astros | More >
• Rockies win Game 163 in 2007 | Watch >
• Chris Davis earns a win in 17-inning game | More >
• Dave Henderson homers in 1986 ALCS Game 5 | More >
• 2017 World Series Game 2, Astros vs. Dodgers | More >
• Willie Mays hits four HRs, Hank Aaron hits two | More >
• 2023 World Baseball Classic Final, USA vs. Japan | More >
• Seven lead changes, 38 hits in Dodgers-Rockies | More >