Where does Archie Bradley rank among the best pitcher-hitting moments in postseason history?
If you happened to hear a faint roar in the distance at around 11 p.m. ET on Wednesday night, don't be alarmed: That was just Chase Field rocking after
As you might imagine, he was pretty pumped about it:
But while Bradley's triple was instantly iconic, where does it fit in among the very best October hitting performances by a pitcher?
Not only is
Dave McNally, Game 3, 1970 World Series
McNally hit a two-run homer in the 1969 Fall Classic -- but it came in a Game 5 loss, as the Miracle Mets finished off Baltimore for their first-ever title.
So, as the O's returned to the World Series in 1970, how could he top himself? How about becoming the first pitcher to hit a postseason grand slam:
Kerry Wood, Game 7, 2003 NLCS
After a heartbreaking loss in Game 6, the Cubs entered Game 7 against the Marlins at Wrigley with the Curse of the Billy Goat looming ominously overhead. Giving up a three-run dinger to
But Chicago would not go gentle into that good night. It quickly tied things up again, thanks to a homer from the most unlikely of sources:
The Cubs eventually fell, 9-6, but at least the curse is no more.
Bob Gibson, Game 7, 1967 World Series
As if facing Bob Gibson in Game 7 of the World Series wasn't daunting enough, he went ahead and helped his own cause with a solo shot to left-center at Fenway:
Amazingly, that wasn't even the only World Series homer Gibson hit -- he went yard again the very next year, in a Game 4 win over the Tigers.
Steve Carlton, 1978 NLCS, Game 3
After dropping Games 1 and 2 to the Dodgers, the Phillies watched their 4-0 Game 3 lead get trimmed to 4-3 at a raucous Dodger Stadium. Heading into the sixth inning, Philly desperately needed some insurance. It needed a slugger. It needed Steve Carlton:
Lefty's three-run blast -- just the 10th of his career -- brought the lead back up to four, and Philly cruised to a season-saving 9-4 win.
Dontrelle Willis, Game 4, 2003 NLDS
You probably remember Game 4 of the 2003 NLDS for That Play at Home Plate, but the Marlins wouldn't have even taken a lead into the ninth inning without the effort of Willis -- not on the mound, but at the plate.
The lefty singled twice and scored a run in his first two at-bats of the day, and he saved his best for last. In the bottom of the fifth, Willis smoked a triple to center, the last by a pitcher in the postseason until Bradley on Wednesday night.
What will Bradley and the rest of the NL's finest #PitchersWhoRake do for an encore? There's only one way to find out: the Cubs and Nationals meet for Game 1 of the National League Division Series presented by T-Mobile on TBS on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT.
