Most Memorable Home Runs

Craig Calcaterra tries his hand at this memory game.

No Tony Pena or Tony Fernandez for the Tribe, though until you get to the comments.

about 1 year ago emd2k3 20 comments 0 recs |

Comments

It’s pretty amazing with all the playoff success in the 90’s and homerun hitters we had on those teams there weren’t many memorable home runs that come immediately to mind.

by Toxicadam on May 20, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

He’s got an update that includes Pena, Alomar and Belle

by APV on May 20, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, the bicep one is certainly memorable … maybe the most.

by emd2k3 on May 20, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

The Alomar home run was the first one I thought about when I read his list. I think that home run is even more memorable because it came off of Rivera, who didn’t give up another postseason homer for about ten years after that one.

by Buckeye Brad on May 20, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Totally agree.

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on May 20, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Pena’s was the first that came to mind to me. His is memorable for the moment and the significance it held at the time. I don’t hold Alomar’s in a higher esteem just because of how other hitters fared against Rivera over the following 10 years.

Don’t get me wrong; it was great and the 2nd that came to mind. But I think the point of the list gravitates towards the memory that the HR produced in isolation.

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by rolub on May 20, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I think hitting a home run off of a pitcher as great as Rivera carries extra significance. It was certainly an important home run in its own right, but the fact that the pitcher was Rivera makes it more memorable in my opinion. The fact that other hitters didn’t hit a HR off Rivera just signifies how great of a pitcher he was; you’re right that that fact itself isn’t important, but it is an indicator of his greatness and an example of how special Alomar’s home run was.

by Buckeye Brad on May 20, 2011 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

still messes it up…I really wish there was video readily available to go with these

by The Grimace on May 20, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

The greatness of Peña was that Red Sox fans would just shake their head recalling it, for years afterward. “Tony freakin’ Peña … I still can’t believe that happened.”

by Jay on May 20, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I was really tired going to work the next day, I do remember that.

by emd2k3 on May 21, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I also love that it was on a 3-0 count… I think that adds to it significantly.. at least for me.

by baerga1 on May 23, 2011 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah … what was Grover’s great quote?

by Jay on May 23, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Frank Robinson homering in his first at bat on opening day as the first African-American manager in major league history in 1975 was also pretty significant.

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

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by woodsmeister on May 20, 2011 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

I was listening to that game through headphones on a radio in my 9th grade English class and screamed when he hit that homer. I thought I’d be in trouble but my teacher just wanted to know what happened. True story.

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on May 20, 2011 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

That’s great.

by ahowie on May 20, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Back then I never, ever missed an opener, so yeah, I was there. Full house at the ol’ girl and everybody went nuts when Frank lit ‘er off.. As I recall it we were wearing those horrible all red uni’s. Charley Spikes – the Bogaloosa Bomber – was playin’ in the OF with Gamble and George Hendricks. That much I remember. I had to look up some of the other players like SS Ed Crosby and C John Ellis. The Lord started and went the distance – as was his want – but the best part, the absolute best part, was we dumped the Yankees on opening day in front of 56,715 of the Faithful. Life was really, really sweet that day.

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by mauichuck on May 20, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Memorable ≠ Significant.

I’m sticking with Belle — that bicep shot in the dugout will be in highlights years to come.

by emd2k3 on May 21, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Frank Robinson’s shot was indelible in the memory of those who were old enough. We just don’t have vivid footage of it for younger folk.

by Jay on May 21, 2011 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree, but the images of Maz rounding third and Bobby Thomson doing the same really make those homers even more memorable. Not having footage is a detriment to the long-term consciousness of a significant play.

by emd2k3 on May 23, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Alomar’s homer in the ’97 All-Star game was also pretty freaking sweet. Sure it was just the All-Star game, but still.. Of course I am biased because I was there ;).

What a dream season for Sandy..

by baerga1 on May 23, 2011 1:46 AM EDT reply actions