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.
Note: Series clinchers got their own top 10 list right here, which is why all-time moments like Bill Mazeroski and Joe Carter's World Series-winning homers don't appear in this list.
1. Kirk Gibson's 'impossible' World Series homer
Game 1 of 1988 World Series
It’s hard to get more Hollywood than Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series for the Dodgers. Hobbled by multiple lower-body injuries, Gibson was out of the starting lineup for Game 1, but miraculously made himself available to pinch-hit in the ninth inning. Gibson crushed a walk-off two-run homer against A’s closer Dennis Eckersley in an iconic baseball moment, elevated by Vin Scully's perfect call: "In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened."
2. Carlton Fisk waves it fair
Game 6 of 1975 World Series
Carlton Fisk waving his walk-off home run fair at Boston’s Fenway Park in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series is one of the most indelible images in baseball history. Fisk led off the 12th inning by pulling a ball down the left-field line that certainly had the distance for a home run; the only question was if it’d stay fair. It did, in fact, stay fair, and give the Red Sox one of baseball’s most iconic moments.
3. Mets win Game 6 on Buckner error
Game 6 of 1986 World Series
Depending on your perspective, Bill Buckner’s 1986 mishap in Game 6 of the World Series remains one of the most famous -- or infamous -- moments in baseball history. In a potential clinching game that would’ve secured the Red Sox’s first World Series title since 1918, Boston was oh so close to doing so before a fateful 10th-inning rally that ended when Mookie Wilson’s grounder went through Buckner’s legs and secured the Game 6 win for the Mets, who would go on to win Game 7.
4. Freddie Freeman's World Series slam
Game 1 of the 2024 World Series
“Gibby, meet Freddie!” yelled FOX play-by-play broadcaster Joe Davis as Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam against the Yankees in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series, a moment that echoed Kirk Gibson’s game-ending homer in the first game of the ’88 Fall Classic. The eventual series MVP, Freeman became the first player with a game-ending slam in the World Series and cemented his legacy as a Dodgers great.
5. Ozzie Smith makes Cardinals fans go crazy
Game 5 of 1985 NLCS
“Go crazy folks! Go crazy!” proclaimed legendary broadcaster Joe Buck as Ozzie Smith did the unthinkable with his walk-off home run against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1985 NLCS. Smith had only 13 home runs to his name over more than 1,000 MLB games before he hit one of the biggest homers in Cardinals franchise history. The Hall of Fame shortstop was most known for his all-world defense, but this homer was his signature moment.
6. David Ortiz keeps Boston alive
Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS
With their backs against the wall, the Red Sox staged an improbable comeback in the 2004 ALCS against their archrival Yankees. Down 3-0 in the series, the Red Sox won a Game 4 thriller courtesy of David Ortiz’s walk-off two-run homer in the 12th inning. Ortiz also had a walk-off hit the next game in Boston. The Red Sox would become and remain the only team to erase a 3-0 deficit and win a series, going on to win the World Series and snap an 86-year title drought.
7. Kirby Puckett forces World Series Game 7
Game 6 of 1991 World Series
Kirby Puckett did it all for the Twins in Game 6 of the World Series. After making a miraculous catch on a potential homer in the third inning, he walked it off with a home run later in the game to send the series to a winner-take-all Game 7. The Twins would win the World Series the following night on Gene Larkin’s walk-off single in the 10th inning after a legendary pitchers' duel between John Smoltz and Jack Morris.
8. Rockies take Game 163 to win Wild Card
Game 163 in 2007
The Rockies and Padres ended the 2007 season with 89-73 records, forcing a Game 163 to determine which club would win the NL Wild Card spot. In one of the more thrilling winner-take-all games in baseball history, the Rockies emerged victorious when Matt Holliday slid home safely in the 13th inning. Colorado would eventually advance to its first and only World Series appearance.
9. Brett Phillips' wild World Series winner
Game 4 of 2020 World Series
Brett Phillips might be the most unlikely player to record a walk-off hit in the World Series. Owner of a career .619 OPS in parts of seven MLB seasons, Phillips ended a Game 4 thriller on a play that had many twists and turns. When Randy Arozarena finally dove into home to score the winning run, Phillips had proven the hero for the Rays, knotting the series up at two games apiece.
10. Robin Ventura's grand slam single
Game 5 of 1999 NLCS
Robin Ventura’s walk-off-grand-slam-turned-single remains one of the wackiest moments in baseball history. With the bases loaded in the 15th inning of Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS and the Mets facing elimination, Ventura deposited a ball over the right-field fence. As Ventura rounded first base, though, he was mobbed by his celebrating teammates before he ever reached home, meaning the play would officially be credited as a single. Nonetheless, the Mets had won the game.
Honorable Mentions
Scott Hatteberg gives Moneyball A's 20th consecutive win: Watch >>
Steve Garvey's homer keeps Padres alive in 1984 NLCS: Watch >>
Tim Anderson's stalk-off seals inaugural MLB at Field of Dreams Game: Watch >>
Evan Longoria caps Game 162 comeback to clinch Wild Card spot: Watch >>
Freddie Freeman's homer puts marathon 2025 WS Game 3 to bed: Watch >>
Bill Hall's Mother's Day homer: Watch >>
Big Dumper ends M's 21-year postseason drought: Watch >>
Gabby Hartnett's 'Homer in the Gloamin': Read more >>
Scott Podsednik puts White Sox up 2-0 in 2005 WS: Watch >>
Chris Burke clinches 2005 NLDS for Astros in 18th inning: Watch >>
Dusty Rhodes' pinch-hit homer wins 1954 WS Game 1 after Mays' iconic catch: Watch >>
Cookie Lavagetto evens 1947 World Series (and breaks up no-hitter): Watch >>
Jim Edmonds forces Game 7 in 2004 NLCS: Watch >>
Jackie Robinson's final career hit breaks scoreless tie in 1956 WS Game 6: Watch >>
Derek Jeter earns 'Mr. November' nickname in 2001 WS Game 4: Watch >>