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 make baseball America’s game. We’ll be revealing five lists per week over the course of five weeks.
1. Now batting, Dad! And he homers!
Vogt homers in final game after his kids announce him
“Now batting, our dad, No. 21, Stephen Vogt!” That was the PA announcement by Vogt’s three children for the first plate appearance of his final MLB game, on Oct. 5, 2022. In the seventh inning, in his final Major League plate appearance, he launched a home run to right field, creating a truly special moment for him, his family and the A’s. Vogt homered for his first MLB hit and his last one.
2. Like father, like son
The Griffeys make history with back-to-back homers
Ken Griffey Sr. (152) and Ken Griffey Jr. (630) combined for 782 home runs in the Majors. Incredibly, two of them -- one from each -- came for the same team in the same game. On Sept. 14, 1990, against the Angels in Anaheim, Dad launched a home run to center field for the Mariners, and Junior followed with a homer to left. It’s the only time a father and son have homered in the same game.
3. “Frederick!”
Have him in a rundown? Call him by his full first name!
Rundowns are always entertaining, but some rundowns are unforgettable. One of those came on April 18, 2021, when the Braves played the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman was caught in a pickle between second and third base, and it went on long enough that Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo got involved. What does he yell as he chases Freddie down? His full name, of course: “Frederick!”
4. The Splendid Splinter at the 1999 All-Star Game
Ted Williams leaves the game's greatest players in awe
The 1999 All-Star Game was at Fenway Park, and MLB announced the All-Century Team on the eve of a new millennium. Naturally, Ted Williams -- the last player to bat .400 in a season (.406 in 1941) was on that team, and he made a special entrance and held court with the All-Stars and fellow members of the All-Century Team. Among the players he spoke with were Tony Gwynn, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.
5. There IS crying in baseball!
Kerkering's dad overcome with emotion at son's debut
On Sept. 24, 2023, right-hander Orion Kerkering realized a dream by making his MLB debut for the Phillies against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park. It was also a dream realized for his father, Todd, who was brought to tears as he proudly watched his son take a Major League mound. It was an incredibly touching moment, and Orion tossed a scoreless eighth inning. See? There IS crying in baseball.
6. 2 sons, 2 debuts, 2 homers
Lombard watches as sons George and Jacob each homer in debuts
Aug. 4, 2026. That’s a date the Lombard family will never forget. George Lombard, a Major League outfielder from the late 1990s through the early 2000s, was on hand as his son, George Jr., homered in his MLB debut for the Yankees against the Cardinals at Yankee Stadium. On the same day, his other son, Jacob, homered in his professional debut with the Marlins’ Single-A club in Jupiter, Fla.
7. Surviving the Big Unit
Johnson's wild pitch terrifies Kruk at the 1993 All-Star Game
Left-handed hitters who dug into the batter’s box against Randy Johnson were brave. When Phillies first baseman John Kruk faced the Big Unit during the 1993 All-Star Game at Camden Yards, the first pitch was a blazing fastball over Kruk’s head. From there, Kruk wanted nothing to do with Johnson, eventually striking out with a sigh of relief. A memorable moment of levity at the Midsummer Classic.
8. The most unlikely grand slam ever?
Pitcher hits slam off Scherzer to spark comeback
Max Scherzer has given up five grand slams during his decorated 19-year MLB career. One of them is quite possibly the most improbable slam in MLB history. It came off the bat of Padres reliever Daniel Camarena with San Diego trailing the Nationals by six in the fourth inning at Petco Park on July 8, 2021. In just his second Major League at-bat, Camarena stunned everyone by launching a grand slam before the Padres came back to win, 9-8.
9. Age was just a number for this legend
Paige took the mound in an MLB game at age 59
Satchel Paige was among the greatest pitchers of his era, both for his dominance on the mound and his tremendous showmanship. After a storied Negro Leagues career, he made his AL/NL debut for Cleveland in 1948. He pitched for Cleveland again in ’49, for the St. Louis Browns from 1951-53 and, in ’65, he became the oldest player to appear in an MLB game, pitching for the Kansas City A’s at age 59.
10. Hold that thought. “God Bless America” is playing
No arguing during “God Bless America”!
So here’s a conundrum: You’re a big league manager arguing with an umpire, and suddenly, legendary Yankees PA announcer Bob Sheppard announces that “God Bless America” will be sung. For Hall of Fame skipper Jim Leyland, managing the Tigers at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 31, 2006, the answer was to pause and respectfully stand silently during the rendition, then pick right back up as if he’d never stopped.
Honorable Mentions
Bartolo Colon’s home run: Watch >>
JT Snow saves Darren Baker in 2002 World Series: Watch >>
Aaron Nola speeds it up for his brother: Watch >>
Joe Niekro hits the only HR of his career -- off his brother
A-Rod cedes shortstop to Cal Ripken Jr. in 2001 All-Star Game: Watch >>
Manny Ramirez high-fives a fan after catch: Watch >>
Jeter, Pettitte remove Mariano Rivera from final game: Watch >>
Norm Cash brings a table leg to the plate during Nolan Ryan's second no-hitter: Watch >>
Phillies help the grounds crew in Colorado: Watch >>
Luke Appling homers at age 75 at Old Timers Game: Watch >>
"The Rookie": Jim Morris debuts at age 35: Watch >>
The Contreras brothers homer in the same inning -- as opponents: Watch >>
Mike Yastrzemski homers at Fenway in 2019: Watch >>
Elly pokes Shohei: Watch >>