Most Iconic Baseball Plays for the MLB Teams

[selmaborntidefan]

Time to have some fun - and some of this is going to be difficult.

After the thread where the guy posted the "most iconic" play for CFB teams, I thought it would be fun to do it for MLB. Gonna be tough in a few cases.

Arizona - Luis Gonzalez single to center scores Jay Bell to win 2001 World Series and end Yankee dynasty

Atlanta - Hank Aaron's 715th home run

Baltimore - either Cal Ripken breaking the record or a Brooks Robinson dive at third in the 1970 World Series

Boston Braves - Hank Gowdy hitting .545 in baseball's first-ever four-game sweep in the World Series in 1914

Boston Red Sox - the final out of the 2004 World Series (Keith Foulke tosses Edgar Renteria ground out to Mientkiewicz at first)

Brooklyn Dodgers - Sandy Amoros makes a game-saving catch that ensures Brooklyn wins their only World Series in 1955

Chicago White Sox - the photo of the Eight Men Out (sorry, not sorry - it's true)

Chicago Cubs - Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo throw out at first ends 2016 World Series

Cincinnati Reds - you can choose here between Joe Morgan's single to win the 75 WS, a Pete Rose dive into third, or the pop out to end their stunning sweep of Oakland in 1990

Cleveland Indians - the pickoff play of the Braves's Phil Masi in game one of the 1948 World Series, the last time Cleveland won. In typical Cleveland fashion, Masi was out, but the ump called him safe. Masi admitted in a letter after his passing that he was actually out.

Colorado Rockies - Matt Holliday not touching home plate in the 2007 play-in game versus the Padres

Detroit Tigers - throwing out Lou Brock at home when he fails to slide in game 7, giving the Tigers a comeback win - or Kirk Gibson's 1984 shot that clinched game 5 and got his picture on a bunch of magazine covers

Houston Astros - paging @TexasBama , Dr. Texas Bama!!!

Kansas City Athletics - never a highlight

Kansas City Royals - sadly, it's the Don Denkinger call at first, and they deserve better - but it is. Unless you want to go with George Brett's Pine Tar homer.

Los Angeles Angels - Scott Spiezio's homer in game 6 of the 2002 World Series when they were only 8 outs from elimination; it didn't win the game, but it turned the momentum

Los Angeles Dodgers - lotta choices here......Gibson's homer to win game 1 in 1988 World Series

Miami Marlins - probably Livan Hernandez celebrating with torn shirt after winning the 1997 World Series, that or Counsell scoring the winning run.

Milwaukee Braves - the last out of the 1957 World Series

Milwaukee Brewers - probably Paul Molitor being retired to end his 39-game hit streak in 1987. That or perhaps Robin Yount's great day in the finale of the 1982 season or Peter Ladd bailing out the Brewers in the 1982 NLCS.

Minnesota Twins - Kirby Puckett's solo home run to tie the 1991 World Series at 3 wins apiece

Montreal Expos - sadly, it's giving up a ninth inning home run to Rick Monday to fall short of the 1981 World Series, a literal representation of their entire history in one pitch.

New York Giants - the shot heard 'round the world in 1951

New York Yankees - this one is REALLY hard (the Lou Gehrig speech is it, though)

New York Mets - the last out of the 1986 World Series, when Jesse Orosco throws up the glove that never is seen landing

Oakland Athletics - probably Al Michaels telling us all there's an earthquake prior to Game 3 of the 1989 World Series; that or Joe Rudi's stellar catch at the wall off of the bat of Denis Menke

Philadelphia Phillies - either one of the last two plays of the 1980 World Series, the Boone bobble caught by Pete Rose or the Tug McGraw strikeout of Willie Wilson.

Philadelphia Athletics - trailing 8-0 in game 4 of the World Series, the Athletics score ten runs to go up, 3-1, in games and win the series in game 5 versus the Cubs.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Willie Stargell's Series-winning home run vs Baltimore in Game 7 in 1979 World Series...or maybe Clemente standing at 2nd after his 3,000th hit, which turned out to be his last before his tragic death...or maybe the Bill Mazeroski walkoff to win the 1960 World Series, the only game 7 walk off in World Series history

San Diego Padres - Steve Garvey's game-winning home run off Lee Smith to tie the 1984 NLCS at two games each with a do-or-die game the following day (which the Padres won)

San Francisco Giants - probably the steel nerves and leather arm of Madison Baumgarner in the 2014 World Series

Seattle Mariners - Edgar Martinez doubles to left to score both Joey Cora and Ken Griffey Jr, who slides memorably, to give the Mariners their first post-season series ever in the 1995 ALDS vs the Yankees

St Louis Browns - Bill Veeck sending up midget Eddie Gaedel to bat against Detroit in 1951

St Louis Cardinals - uh, this one is tough.....probably Bob Gibson falling off the mound while striking out 17 Tigers in game one in the 1968 World Series

Tampa Bay Rays - tying the World Series game right before it was halted for snow in 2008; I know nothing about Tampa

Texas Rangers - Neftali Feliz strikes out Alex Rodriguez (who had gotten that incredible Rangers contract) to send Texas to their first ever World Series in the 2010 ALCS, although the Nelson Cruz grand slam to beat Detroit in 2011 is probably more chilling

Toronto Blue Jays - yeah, like this one isn't obvious (hint: Joe Carter)

Washington Nationals - winning the 2019 World Series, of course

Washington Senators (I) - the ball bouncing over Lindstrom's head to win the 1924 World Series

Washington Senators (II) - hiring Ted Williams as manager....

 

[81usaf92]

Yeah ours is either Hank’s 715 or the slide. But I lean towards the former.

Astros are difficult because there are alot of Nolan moments but I would think something with the 2017 WS or beating the Yankees in 19 would be theirs.

 

[81usaf92]

Dodgers is definitely the 88 WS walkoff

 

[TexasBama]

As far as the Stros, I guess you could say Cody Bellinger's grounder to Altuve for the final out in 2017.

Altuve's walk-off to put the Yankees to sleep in the 2019 ALCS was super sparkly awesome.

Mike Scott's no-hitter to clinch the division in 1986 was big.

Burke's walk-off in the 18th vs. the Braves in the 2005 NLDS was big (sorry about that, especially since the Astros went on to wet the bed vs. the White Sox).

Niekro winning his 20th in the 163rd game of the 1980 season was notable.

The opening of the Astrodome might top all these, for those familiar with Houston summers.

 

[81usaf92]

Time to have some fun - and some of this is going to be difficult.

After the thread where the guy posted the "most iconic" play for CFB teams, I thought it would be fun to do it for MLB. Gonna be tough in a few cases.

Arizona - Luis Gonzalez single to center scores Jay Bell to win 2001 World Series and end Yankee dynasty

Atlanta - Hank Aaron's 715th home run

Baltimore - either Cal Ripken breaking the record or a Brooks Robinson dive at third in the 1970 World Series

Boston Braves - Hank Gowdy hitting .545 in baseball's first-ever four-game sweep in the World Series in 1914

Boston Red Sox - the final out of the 2004 World Series (Keith Foulke tosses Edgar Renteria ground out to Mientkiewicz at first)

Brooklyn Dodgers - Sandy Amoros makes a game-saving catch that ensures Brooklyn wins their only World Series in 1955

Chicago White Sox - the photo of the Eight Men Out (sorry, not sorry - it's true)

Chicago Cubs - Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo throw out at first ends 2016 World Series

Cincinnati Reds - you can choose here between Joe Morgan's single to win the 75 WS, a Pete Rose dive into third, or the pop out to end their stunning sweep of Oakland in 1990

Cleveland Indians - the pickoff play of the Braves's Phil Masi in game one of the 1948 World Series, the last time Cleveland won. In typical Cleveland fashion, Masi was out, but the ump called him safe. Masi admitted in a letter after his passing that he was actually out.

Colorado Rockies - Matt Holliday not touching home plate in the 2007 play-in game versus the Padres

Detroit Tigers - throwing out Lou Brock at home when he fails to slide in game 7, giving the Tigers a comeback win - or Kirk Gibson's 1984 shot that clinched game 5 and got his picture on a bunch of magazine covers

Houston Astros - paging @TexasBama , Dr. Texas Bama!!!

Kansas City Royals - sadly, it's the Don Denkinger call at first, and they deserve better - but it is. Unless you want to go with George Brett's Pine Tar homer.

Los Angeles Angels - Scott Spiezio's homer in game 6 of the 2002 World Series when they were only 8 outs from elimination; it didn't win the game, but it turned the momentum

Los Angeles Dodgers - lotta choices here......Gibson's homer to win game 1 in 1988 World Series

Miami Marlins - probably Livan Hernandez celebrating with torn shirt after winning the 1997 World Series, that or Counsell scoring the winning run.

Milwaukee Brewers - probably Paul Molitor being retired to end his 39-game hit streak in 1987. That or perhaps Robin Yount's great day in the finale of the 1982 season or Peter Ladd bailing out the Brewers in the 1982 NLCS.

Minnesota Twins - Kirby Puckett's solo home run to tie the 1991 World Series at 3 wins apiece

Montreal Expos - sadly, it's giving up a ninth inning home run to Rick Monday to fall short of the 1981 World Series, a literal representation of their entire history in one pitch.

New York Yankees - this one is REALLY hard (the Lou Gehrig speech is it, though)

New York Mets - the last out of the 1986 World Series, when Jesse Orosco throws up the glove that never is seen landing

Oakland Athletics - probably Al Michaels telling us all there's an earthquake prior to Game 3 of the 1989 World Series; that or Joe Rudi's stellar catch at the wall off of the bat of Denis Menke

Philadelphia Phillies - either one of the last two plays of the 1980 World Series, the Boone bobble caught by Pete Rose or the Tug McGraw strikeout of Willie Wilson.

Philadelphia Athletics - trailing 8-0 in game 4 of the World Series, the Athletics score ten runs to go up, 3-1, in games and win the series in game 5 versus the Cubs.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Willie Stargell's Series-winning home run vs Baltimore in Game 7 in 1979 World Series...or maybe Clemente standing at 2nd after his 3,000th hit, which turned out to be his last before his tragic death...or maybe the Bill Mazeroski walkoff to win the 1960 World Series, the only game 7 walk off in World Series history

San Diego Padres - Steve Garvey's game-winning home run off Lee Smith to tie the 1984 NLCS at two games each with a do-or-die game the following day (which the Padres won)

San Francisco Giants - probably the steel nerves and leather arm of Madison Baumgarner in the 2014 World Series

Seattle Mariners - Edgar Martinez doubles to left to score both Joey Cora and Ken Griffey Jr, who slides memorably, to give the Mariners their first post-season series ever in the 1995 ALDS vs the Yankees

St Louis Browns - Bill Veeck sending up midget Eddie Gaedel to bat against Detroit in 1951

St Louis Cardinals - uh, this one is tough.....probably Bob Gibson falling off the mound while striking out 17 Tigers in game one in the 1968 World Series

Tampa Bay Rays - tying the World Series game right before it was halted for snow in 2008; I know nothing about Tampa

Texas Rangers - Neftali Feliz strikes out Alex Rodriguez (who had gotten that incredible Rangers contract) to send Texas to their first ever World Series in the 2010 ALCS, although the Nelson Cruz grand slam to beat Detroit in 2011 is probably more chilling

Toronto Blue Jays - yeah, like this one isn't obvious (hint: Joe Carter)

Washington Nationals - winning the 2019 World Series, of course

The Royals actually have three contenders

2014 ALWC
2015 ALDS game 4
2015 WS inside the park HR
2015 WS game 5 9th inning rally

 

[TexasBama]

The Royals actually have three contenders

2014 ALWC
2015 ALDS game 4
2015 WS inside the park HR
2015 WS game 5 9th inning rally

Jorge Orta's "single" in game 6 of the 1985 series.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Yeah ours is either Hank’s 715 or the slide. But I lean towards the former.

Astros are difficult because there are alot of Nolan moments but I would think something with the 2017 WS or beating the Yankees in 19 would be theirs.

That's why I solicited help.

Their big moments?
Winning the 80 playoff vs the Dodgers
Both Nolan Ryan AND Mike Scott pitching no-hitters in their division-winning games five years apart
Losing that gut wrenching 16-inning game to the Mets in 1986
Finally making the 2005 WS (best remembered for the Pujols moon shot)
winning the 2017 WS, finally

 

[TexasBama]

Yeah ours is either Hank’s 715 or the slide. But I lean towards the former.

Astros are difficult because there are alot of Nolan moments but I would think something with the 2017 WS or beating the Yankees in 19 would be theirs.

I remember getting home from track practice (put one foot in front of the other as quickly as possible) in time to see the game and Hank's dinger..

 

[TexasBama]

St Louis might be GC Alexander striking out Lazzeri in the 26 series.

ETA - my dad listened to that game on the radio.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

The Royals actually have three contenders

2014 ALWC
2015 ALDS game 4
2015 WS inside the park HR
2015 WS game 5 9th inning rally

To be fair - and I LIKE the Royals, I always have - that rally in 2015 is probably it.

It's just a whole lot more people used to watch the games - and a whole lot of those folks are still alive and while it's NOT fair to the Royals (who could easily have won that series in 4-5 games), it's what everyone thinks of.

That and George Brett blowing his cheeks when he got tossed for the pine tar.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

St Louis might be GC Alexander striking out Lazzeri in the 26 series.

Tell us what that was like...

That's a great point, though, and while I can't say. The Cards, Yankees, and Dodgers are difficult.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I remember getting home from track practice (put one foot in front of the other as quickly as possible) in time to see the game and Hank's dinger..

My mother tells me we all saw that together - they apparently were interrupting the TV schedule to show it - but I was four and don't recall that.

I DO recall hearing Brock get his 3,000th hit on the radio in 1979.
My Dad was waxing his truck and playing the radio, and he said, "Listen, you'll remember this forever."

Little did he know.......

 

[TexasBama]

Tell us what that was like...

That's a great point, though, and while I can't say. The Cards, Yankees, and Dodgers are difficult.

I only remember the Reagan version

 

[TexasBama]

To be fair - and I LIKE the Royals, I always have - that rally in 2015 is probably it.

It's just a whole lot more people used to watch the games - and a whole lot of those folks are still alive and while it's NOT fair to the Royals (who could easily have won that series in 4-5 games), it's what everyone thinks of.

That and George Brett blowing his cheeks when he got tossed for the pine tar.

I started following the Royals when I was watching a game and learned Amos Otis was from Mobile. That was back in the Freddie Patek days. Do you remember any catchers besides Darrel Porter that wore glasses?

 

[TexasBama]

My mother tells me we all saw that together - they apparently were interrupting the TV schedule to show it - but I was four and don't recall that.

I DO recall hearing Brock get his 3,000th hit on the radio in 1979.
My Dad was waxing his truck and playing the radio, and he said, "Listen, you'll remember this forever."

Little did he know.......

Biggio getting his 3000th hit was a pretty big deal here.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I only remember the Reagan version

And that MIGHT be why that's the right answer, too.

They haven't made a David Freeze movie starting a future President yet.

 

[TexasBama]

I'd think the Giants would be Thomson's shot (even though they were the New York baseball Giants then)

 

[81usaf92]

Tell us what that was like...

That's a great point, though, and while I can't say. The Cards, Yankees, and Dodgers are difficult.

Cards- David Freeze walkoff

Dodgers- 88 walkoff vs A’s

Yankees- tough but 2003 Boone walkoff vs Sox. But that is purely recency bias.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I'd think the Giants would be Thomson's shot (even though they were the New York baseball Giants then)

I would list them separately as I did with the Browns/Orioles - but I see I left out a few teams.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Cards- David Freeze walkoff

Dodgers- 88 walkoff vs A’s

Yankees- tough but 2003 Boone walkoff vs Sox. But that is purely recency bias.

All those are recency bias, though Gibson's homer holds up over the years.

The Yankees have a LOT of moments to choose:
- Gehrig's speech
- Larsen's perfect game
- Ruth's maybe maybe not called shot
- Bucky Dent's homer over the Monster
- Mantle hitting the facade
- Reggie's third bomb in game 6 in 1977
- Jeter's toss to get Giambi
- Aaron Boone's LCS winner

Cardinals have:
- Alexander striking out Lazzeri in 1926
- Dizzy Dean drilled in the head in 1934
- Pepper Martin runs wild in 1931
- Musial leading the upset in 1942
- Enos Slaughter's dash from first in 1946
- Bob Gibson, period
- Brock stealing 118
- David Eckstein in 2006 or the late homer to beat the Mets
- Freeze
- the obstruction play at third in 2013