Perhaps the most famous home run in the history of baseball occurred on October 3, 1951. The New York Giants won 37 of their final 44 games of the season to tie the Brooklyn Dodgers, forcing a best-of-three playoff series for the National League crown. The teams split the first two games, and the Dodgers took a 4-1 lead to the bottom of the ninth in the deciding game. The Giants scratched out a run, making the score 4-2, and had men on second and third when Bobby Thomson "went yard" (to use today's vernacular) on Ralph Branca (who had just relieved Don Newcombe), prompting announcer Russ Hodges to cry, "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!" Thomson's legendary home run became known as "The Shot Heard 'Round The World."
Questions:
1) What future hall-of-famer made the first (and only) out for the Giants in the bottom of the ninth inning?
2) What future hall-of-famer was in the on-deck circle when Thomson hit his homer?
3) What future hall-of-famer was born on the date of October 3, 1951?
Pictured: Bobby Thomson baseball card (#330 in the 1953 Topps Archives set).
Well, let's see. Monte Irvin popped out to start the inning. Whitey Lockman was the first baseman for that team so it couldn't have been Willie McCovey on deck so it must have been a young Willie Mays.
I cheated on the last question – looked it up. I think it was Dave Winfield.
Now, we all know that Russ Hodges said "The Giants Win the Pennant" but what other famous broadcaster was doing that game and said "it's gone" as the ball left Thompson's bat? he later admitted he may have made the call a bit early!
Who is this fella named Bob ZINNECKER? Is someone giving him "inside information"???
Your answers are correct, although Irvin's pop-out didn't start the inning. He batted third, following singles by Alvin Dark and Don Mueller (or so says Wikipedia).
As for your broadcaster question, my (Wikipedia) research suggests that you're looking for Ernie Harwell.
Just watched my favorite movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" for the umpty umpth time. In it, there are three professional sports teams referenced. Who are they?
Bonus points, a player in one sports has his name and number displayed. Another player in another sport has his name called out. Who are they?
The name softball was given to the game in 1926. A tournament (1933) at the Chicago World's Fair spurred interest in the game. The Amateur Softball Association of America (founded 1933) governs the game in the United States and sponsors annual sectional and world series championships.
amazing post about Baseball Trivia: The Shot Heard 'Round The World thanks for sharing!!