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. We’ll be revealing five lists per week over the course of five weeks.
1. Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby debuts break barriers
April 15 and July 5, 1947
In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s modern color barrier when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, enduring immense racial hostility to pave the way for integration. Less than three months later, on July 5, Larry Doby debuted for the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first Black player in the American League. Together, their courage changed professional sports forever.
2. Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man" speech
July 4, 1939
On Independence Day, Yankees legend Lou Gehrig delivered his iconic farewell speech at Yankee Stadium after being diagnosed with ALS. Despite his tragic, career-ending illness, Gehrig stood before a tearful crowd and declared himself "the luckiest man on the face of the earth." His remarkable grace, humility and stoicism created one of the most emotional and enduring moments in sports history.
3. Vin Scully calls Hank Aaron's 715th
April 8, 1974
When Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record by hitting his 715th career home run off Al Downing, legendary broadcaster Vin Scully framed the historic moment brilliantly. Scully noted: "What a marvelous moment for baseball; what a marvelous moment for the country and the world. A Black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol."
4. Baseball's post-9/11 healing power
Fall 2001
As play resumed seven days after 9/11, Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck read a heartfelt poem at Busch Stadium that channeled feelings of grief, unity and resilience. Three days later, Mets catcher Mike Piazza’s towering home run in New York’s first post-9/11 game was a cathartic blast. And President George W. Bush’s perfect strike before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series proved a powerful pitch.
5. Frank Robinson's historic double duty
April 8, 1975
On April 8, 1975, Frank Robinson made history as MLB's first Black manager, taking the field for the Cleveland Indians. Serving as player-manager, he capped the meaningful moment in storybook fashion by hitting a home run in his very first at-bat. Robinson’s debut shattered baseball’s managerial color barrier, marking a monumental milestone for equality and leadership in sports.
6. Rick Monday rescues the flag
April 25, 1976
During a game between the Cubs and Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, two protesters ran onto the field and attempted to set fire to an American flag in the outfield. Recognizing what was happening, Cubs outfielder Rick Monday dashed across the grass and snatched the flag away just before it could be ignited. His patriotic quick thinking earned an enduring spot in baseball and American history.
7. Roberto Clemente cements his legacy
Sept. 30, 1972
Late in the 1972 season, Pirates legend Roberto Clemente doubled against the Mets for his 3,000th career Major League hit, cementing his place among baseball's all-time greats. Tragic fate struck three months later when Clemente died in a plane crash delivering relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, making the milestone double the final hit of his Hall of Fame career.
8. Dee Gordon's homer for José Fernández
Sept. 26, 2016
Just days after Marlins ace José Fernández tragically died in a boating accident, teammate Dee Gordon led off against the Mets wearing Fernández's helmet and batting right-handed in tribute. Switching back to his natural left side, Gordon launched an emotional, unlikely home run -- his only one of the season -- and rounded the bases in tears during an unforgettable moment of grief and love.
9. Bobby Murcer turns grief into greatness
Aug. 6, 1979
Just hours after delivering the eulogy at teammate Thurman Munson’s funeral, Bobby Murcer drove in all five runs in an emotional 5-4 walk-off win for the Yankees over the Orioles. Murcer hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to bring New York back and delivered a two-run walk-off single in the ninth, turning a day of profound grief into one of baseball’s most cathartic moments.
10. David Ortiz, Red Sox rally Boston
Game 6 of 2013 World Series
Following the tragic April 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, David Ortiz rallied a devastated city at Fenway Park by passionately declaring, “This is our [expletive] city.” The iconic rallying cry galvanized the Red Sox, who rode an emotional wave to win the 2013 World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals. The championship victory at Fenway delivered a cathartic triumph that helped heal and unite Boston.
Honorable mentions
John McDonald homers on Father's Day, five days after his father's passing: Watch >
Stephen Piscotty homers in first game after his mother's passing: Watch >
Michael Lorenzen pitches and goes deep in first game after father's death: Watch >
Tony Womack's emotional Father's Day grand slam: Watch >
Willson Contreras' big home run after Venezuela earthquake: Watch >
Angels remember fallen teammate Nick Adenhart after winning 2009 AL West title
Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. hit back-to-back home runs: Watch >
Ted Williams honored at 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park: Watch >