Friday, October 4, 2024

New York Home Runs

Photo Credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Sports fans love to debate and love lists (which they can debate) 

After Pete Alonso's game-winning home run on Thursday night in the third and decisive game of the NL Wild Card round for the Mets against the Brewers, there is a new discussion today. 

Biggest/best game-winning home runs in New York History. 

Don LaGreca of ESPN Radio and The Michael Kay Show, gave his top five on the show. 

Number 1 - Agreed. I mean, it's called "The Shot Heard Round the World" for a reason. It was a walk-off to the Giants the pennant. 

Number 2 - No. Should be lower. It won them the wild card round and was a go-ahead game winner, but not a walk-off (granted, that's because they were the road team). 

Number 3 - Should probably be number two. It not only sent the Yankees to the World Series, but it came in extra innings to the rival Red Sox. The Yankees, however, would fall to the Florida Marlins in the Fall Classic. 

Number 4 - Just like number three, it sent the Yankees to the World Series. This one should be higher on the list too. Just like 2003 though, the Yankees did not go on to win the World Series, as they were swept by the Cincinatti Reds and The Big Red Machine. You could debate this and Boone as number two or three, in my opinion. Both in the LCS and both years the Yankees went on to lose in the World Series. 

Number 5 - Is this really memorable? Not in my mind. Yes, it was in the playoffs but still would not have it in the top five. 

Okay, now what is missing, in my opinion? 

- Scott Brosius in the 1998 World Series against the Padres. Specifically, the go-ahead home run in game three off of Trevor Hoffman. 

- Brosius again in 2001 against the Diamondbacks to tie game five. 

- Tino Martinez the night before Brosius to tie game four. 

- Let's move to later the night after Tino's home run. Well, really, it was the next morning. Later in game four, Derek Jeter became Mr. November with his walk-off in game four in 2001. 

Let's stay in 2001 but go back a few weeks and head from the Bronx to Queens. 

September 21, 2001. Ten days after the September 11 attacks when Mike Piazza homered off Steve Karsay to give the Mets a 3-2 lead over the Braves in the eighth inning in the first game back in New York. I know this wasn't postseason, but it was so much more than sports. 

Those are my thoughts on Don's list and others I think of when I think about New York home runs. I am sure I am forgetting others too. 

Thoughts? 

Everyone can have their own opinion. Debating makes sports fun. 

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Side note, and I know this is a very unpopular opinion. I don't think Howie Rose's call of the home run on the radio was a very good call. He yells and talks to much. 

Lay out and let it breath. Let the listener head the crowd noise. 

Now, I will say, I thought all the description that Rose gave was great for a radio call. 

When I think of Rose's calls, the two that automatically come to mind are Stefane Matteau for the New York Rangers against the Devils in the 1994 playoffs and the aforementioned Piazza post-9/11 home run for the Mets against the Braves. 

In the Matteau call, it's a lot of screaming. On the Piazza home run call, he lays out more and lets the listener hear the crowd noise before talking again. 

I love the excitement in the Matteau call, but sometimes, it can be too much.  

With Piazza, Rose knew the moment and knew what it meant to the fans, and everyone in New York and wanted to let those listening hear it. 

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I love talking sports, especially baseball, and sports and baseball broadcasting as well. 

Looking forward to watching what the Mets and Yankees do in the playoffs. 

Subway Series? Maybe. People are already talking. 

For now, game ones in the ALDS and NLDS on Saturday. 

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