History's Best Baseball Showdowns

Major League Baseball doesn't build its legacy on stats alone. The World Series is proof of that—packed with shifts and shocks, people still talk about it like they happened last night. Here's a collection of those history-making turns. Give it a scroll and see which ones you remember the most.

Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA on Wikimedia

1. Ruth Calls His Shot At Wrigley

Although his intention remains highly debated, at Wrigley Field in 1932, Babe Ruth pointed to center field prior to hitting a home run. This moment popularized confident showmanship and inspired players to engage fans more directly. The 1932 Series drew over 191,000 spectators.

Babe Ruth's "Called Shot" jersey returns to Wrigley Field in Chicago by CBS Chicago

2. Larsen Throws A Perfect Game

Don Larsen's perfect game in 1956, Game 5, is the only one in World Series history. Retiring all 27 batters as the New York Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 2–0 at Yankee Stadium. A feat now immortalized with a plaque in Yankee Stadium, preserving the moment.

Don Larsen Perfect Game AI-Enhanced & Colorized by The Celebrated Mister K

3. Mazeroski Walks Off Game 7

Bill Mazeroski's Game 7 homer at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field ended the 1960 Series. His historic shot secured the Pirates' first championship since 1925. Mazeroski is still the only player to end a Game 7 World Series with a home run at that stadium.

Must C Classic: Bill Mazeroski belts Game 7 walk-off homer to lift Pirates to World Series title by MLB

4. Koufax Wins Game 7 On No Rest

He pitched Game 7 of the 1965 Series just two days after a complete game. That victory marked his third World Series title and solidified him as the first pitcher to win three series with the Dodgers, cementing Koufax's Hall of Fame career.

Valley Times on Wikimedia

5. Gibson Strikes Out Seventeen

Bob Gibson's 17 strikeouts in 1968 set a World Series single-game record that still stands. Game 1 drew nearly 54,000 fans in Busch Stadium. It was the "Year of the Pitcher" when pitching performances across Major League Baseball reached historic levels.

1968 WS Gm1: Gibson sets WS record with 17 strikeouts by MLB

6. Miracle Mets Shock The Orioles

The 1969 New York Mets pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Series history, defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in five games. Their victory earned them the nickname "Miracle Mets" and marked the first time an expansion team won a World Series.

1969 World Series, Game 5: Orioles @ Mets by MLB Vault

7. Robinson's Defensive Clinic At Third

Robinson was known as "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" for his defensive brilliance. In the 1966 World Series, Brooks Robinson showcased his exceptional defensive skills at third base. This helped the Baltimore Orioles sweep the LA Dodgers in four games and win their first championship.

1966 World Series: Baltimore Orioles vs Los Angeles Dodgers: Would You Believe 4 Straight?! by Baltimore Orioles Baseball

8. Fisk Waves It Fair At Fenway

Carlton Fisk's 1975 home run is one of the first World Series moments captured by a now-iconic waving motion on live TV. The NBC camera operator who captured this was stationed inside the scoreboard and was instructed to keep the shot on Fisk rather than follow the ball.

#WeKnowPostseason: Fisk waves it fair by MLB Network

9. Reggie Hits Three On Three Pitches

On October 18, 1977, Reggie Jackson cemented his legacy as "Mr. October" by hitting three home runs on the first pitch of separate at-bats at Game 6 of the World Series. His incredible performance—homers off Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa, and Charlie Hough—secured the Yankees' 21st championship.

Reggie hits three homers, becomes Mr. October by MLB

10. Stargell Powers The Pirates To Glory

Leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a seven-game victory over the Baltimore Orioles, Willie Stargell delivered a legendary performance in the 1979 World Series. The dominance he displayed throughout the series—batting .400 with three home runs and seven RBIs—earned him World Series MVP honors.

Sally Lindsay on Wikimedia

11. Cey Leads Dodgers To Victory

Ron Cey was pivotal in leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a six-game victory over the New York Yankees in 1981. His consistent performance throughout the series earned him co-World Series MVP honors alongside Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager.

WS1981 Gm3: Ron Cey connects for a three-run home run by MLB

12. Kirk Gibson Hobbles In A Walk-Off

In 1988's Game 1, Gibson limped to the plate despite battling injuries. Facing a full count in the ninth, his pinch-hit home run off Dennis Eckersley stunned Dodger Stadium. Kirk's dramatic limp around the bases and fist pump became an unforgettable image.

1988 WS Game 1: Kirk Gibson's dramatic game-winning home run by MLB

13. Joe Carter Ends The Series With Power

Carter's walk-off homer in 1993 sealed the Blue Jays' second straight title. Against the Phillies, his blast capped a tense Game 6, sending Toronto into euphoria. That blast at SkyDome made the Blue Jays the first team outside the United States to win back-to-back World Series titles.

1993 WS Game 6: Joe Carter wins Series with homer by MLB

14. Bumgarner Saves Game 7 On Short Rest

Pitching five scoreless innings on just two days' rest in the 2014 Series clincher, Bumgarner shut down the Kansas City Royals. It preserved the San Francisco Giants' 3–2 lead and secured their third championship in five seasons.

WS2014 Gm7: Bumgarner tosses five scoreless innings by MLB

15. Renteria Lofts A Game 7 Winner

In 1997, Edgar Renteria's walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th gave the Marlins their first World Series championship. The Marlins, an expansion franchise that had only existed for five seasons, completed an improbable rise to the top.

WS1997 Gm7: Fish win first WS on Renteria's walk-off by MLB

16. Buckner's Infamous Error In Game 6

In Game 6 of the 1986 MLB World Series, Bill Buckner's 10th-inning error on Mookie Wilson's grounder let the Mets steal a 6–5 victory, forcing a Game 7. Despite Boston's loss, this heartbreaking miscue became a cultural touchstone and defined the Red Sox's "Curse" until 2004.

Bill Buckner Didn't Deserve This… by Stark Raving Sports

17. Red Sox End The Curse In A Sweep

Boston's 2004 sweep over the Cardinals ended an 86-year championship drought. It was the culmination of a historic comeback in the ALCS and marked the official ending of the curse the franchise was long burdened by, infamously named "Curse of the Bambino."

Red Sox break the "Curse" by MLB

18. Freese Saves Game 6 With Two Big Hits

On October 27, 2011, David Freese's two-run triple and later walk-off homer forced a Game 7 for the Cardinals. What earned him the Series MVP remains one of the greatest displays of clutch hitting under pressure in the MLB Hall of Fame.

2011 WS Game 6: Freese leads Cardinals comeback by MLB

19. Cubs End Drought In Extras

The 2016 Cubs finally broke the longest championship drought in North American sports by winning Game 7 in 10 innings. A thrilling finish at Progressive Field energized fans worldwide and lifted a city haunted by near misses for 108 years.

108 YEARS IN THE MAKING: THE CUBS WIN by Brad Henson Productions

20. Astros Win Amid Cheating Allegations

Houston's 2017 title stirred controversy after revelations of sign-stealing. While their victory was historic for the franchise, critics argue that the cheating clouded the legitimacy. An MLB investigation confirmed the scheme had been used throughout 2017, leading to landmark penalties.

Houston Astros Final Play | 2017 World Series Champions by Hylights