Home runs have defined baseball’s greatest moments, turning underdogs into legends and sealing the fate of teams in a single swing. From Babe Ruth’s called shot to Kirk Gibson’s improbable blast, certain home runs have transcended the game, embedding themselves into the fabric of American sports history. In this article, we’ll explore the most iconic home runs in baseball history, reliving the drama, the stakes, and the unforgettable calls that made them legendary.
1. Babe Ruth’s Called Shot (1932 World Series)
Date: October 1, 1932
Game: Game 3, World Series
Teams: New York Yankees vs. Chicago Cubs
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago
No list of legendary home runs is complete without Babe Ruth’s supposed “called shot” in the 1932 World Series. Facing the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Ruth stepped to the plate in the fifth inning against pitcher Charlie Root. With two strikes, he allegedly pointed toward center field, then proceeded to crush a home run exactly where he had pointed.
While there is debate over whether Ruth actually called his shot or was just gesturing, the moment has become one of baseball’s greatest myths. The Yankees would go on to sweep the series, and Ruth’s legacy as one of the sport’s greatest showmen was forever cemented.
2. Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” (1951)
Date: October 3, 1951
Game: NL Pennant Tiebreaker (Game 3)
Teams: New York Giants vs. Brooklyn Dodgers
Location: Polo Grounds, New York
In one of the most dramatic moments in baseball history, Bobby Thomson hit a walk-off, three-run home run off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca to win the National League pennant for the New York Giants. The Giants had been trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth, but Thomson’s blast into the left-field stands completed their miraculous comeback.
Russ Hodges’ legendary radio call “The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!” made this moment even more unforgettable. The homer remains one of the most famous in baseball history, symbolizing the drama of America’s pastime.
3. Bill Mazeroski’s Walk-Off to Win the World Series (1960)
Date: October 13, 1960
Game: Game 7, World Series
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Yankees
Location: Forbes Field, Pittsburgh
Bill Mazeroski is the only player in MLB history to end a World Series with a walk-off home run in Game 7. Facing the heavily favored Yankees, the Pirates found themselves in a wild back-and-forth game. With the score tied 9-9 in the bottom of the ninth, Mazeroski launched a home run over the left-field wall to deliver the Pirates their first championship in 35 years.
This historic blast remains one of the most dramatic moments in baseball history, proving that anything is possible in October baseball.
4. Hank Aaron’s 715th Home Run (1974)
Date: April 8, 1974
Game: Regular Season
Teams: Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Location: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta
Breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record was one of the most significant moments in sports history. Hank Aaron entered the 1974 season just one home run shy of Ruth’s 714. In front of a packed home crowd, Aaron connected on a pitch from Dodgers’ pitcher Al Downing, sending it over the left-field fence for home run No. 715.
As Aaron rounded the bases, he was met by fans and teammates, celebrating a monumental achievement in baseball and civil rights history. The moment transcended sports, as Aaron endured racism and death threats throughout his chase of Ruth’s record, proving his resilience and greatness.
5. Carlton Fisk’s Game 6 Home Run (1975 World Series)
Date: October 21, 1975
Game: Game 6, World Series
Teams: Boston Red Sox vs. Cincinnati Reds
Location: Fenway Park, Boston
The image of Carlton Fisk waving his home run fair down the left-field line at Fenway Park is one of the most iconic in baseball history. In a must-win Game 6 for the Red Sox, Fisk came up in the bottom of the 12th inning and launched a shot off the foul pole to win the game and force a Game 7.
This moment was made even more memorable by the NBC camera crew, who captured Fisk’s animated reaction as he willed the ball to stay fair. Although the Red Sox lost the series, Fisk’s home run remains one of the greatest moments in postseason history.
6. Kirk Gibson’s Walk-Off Homer (1988 World Series)
Date: October 15, 1988
Game: Game 1, World Series
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland Athletics
Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
In one of the most improbable moments in baseball history, Kirk Gibson, barely able to walk due to injuries, stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Facing the dominant closer Dennis Eckersley, Gibson worked a full count before launching a walk-off home run into the right-field stands.
As Gibson limped around the bases, pumping his fist, legendary broadcaster Vin Scully delivered one of the most memorable calls in baseball history: “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!” The Dodgers carried this momentum to a shocking series victory over the heavily favored Athletics.
7. Joe Carter’s World Series Walk-Off (1993)
Date: October 23, 1993
Game: Game 6, World Series
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Location: SkyDome, Toronto
Joe Carter delivered one of the most dramatic moments in World Series history when he hit a three-run walk-off home run off Phillies pitcher Mitch Williams to clinch the title for the Toronto Blue Jays.
With Toronto trailing 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Carter sent a 2-2 pitch deep to left field, jumping for joy as the ball cleared the fence. Tom Cheek’s radio call“Touch ’em all, Joe! You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!” remains one of the most famous in baseball history.
8. David Ortiz’s ALCS Grand Slam (2013)
Date: October 13, 2013
Game: Game 2, ALCS
Teams: Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers
Location: Fenway Park, Boston
The Red Sox were on the verge of falling into a 2-0 series hole in the 2013 ALCS when David Ortiz stepped up with the bases loaded in the eighth inning. Facing Detroit’s elite closer Joaquin Benoit, Ortiz crushed a game-tying grand slam into the bullpen, sending Fenway Park into a frenzy.
As Red Sox bullpen cop Steve Horgan famously raised his arms in celebration while Torii Hunter flipped over the wall, the moment became an instant classic. The Red Sox went on to win the series and later the World Series, solidifying Ortiz’s legendary status in Boston.
Baseball has produced countless unforgettable home runs, each carrying its history and significance. Whether it was Ruth’s mythical called shot, Thomson’s legendary pennant-winner, or Gibson’s storybook moment, these home runs have defined baseball’s greatest moments. The beauty of baseball is that at any given moment, history can be made with just one swing of the bat. Who will be the next player to etch their name into the annals of home run history?
What’s your favorite home run moment? Let us know in the comments!
