Best Hitting Performances in MLB Playoffs History
By Chris Russo
Though all great players can perform well in the regular season, there is always some sort of elevated stage involved when it comes to the MLB playoffs that separates the wheat from the chaff. Dave Winfield was a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer even when he was Mr. May, but he got a lot more respect by winning a championship in Toronto. These are the some of the best hitting performances in postseason history, from players who put a stamp on their careers with October glory, or who built their entire reputation on one sterling moment.
How Many Grand Slams Have There Been in MLB Playoffs History?
There have been 65 grand slams in the history of the MLB postseason. The first came off the bat of Elmer Smith of the Cleveland Indians in the 1920 World Series. Probably the most famous one, however, isn't even technically a grand slam in the record books.
Notice in that clip that Gary Thorne says the Mets win 4-3, not realizing the ball cleared the fence. Since Ventura never reached second, he was right.
Though Johnny Damon's pennant-icing salami in the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees is iconic, David Ortiz's 2013 ALCS slam is probably the biggest of this millennium, considering the clutch factor and iconic photo of one of Boston's finest celebrating.
How Many Inside-the-Park Home Runs Have There Been in World Series Play?
There have been 10 inside-the-park homers in World Series history, though there has only been one since 1930.
It honestly looked more like an error by Yoenis Cespedes, but the official scorer decided it was a good day for an historic event, and therefore, Alcides Escobar got the Royals started in bizarre fashion.
Lou Gehrig probably hit the second-most famous homer of this variety when he knocked one against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1928.
Greatest Pinch-Hit Home Runs in MLB Playoffs History
Likely the best pinch-hit homer in the entire postseason catalogue is among the greatest moments in sports history.
Kirk Gibson, hobbled, on just one functional leg, took Dennis Eckersley deep into the night to cement the Los Angeles Dodgers as Game 1 winners in '88, pumping his fist as he etched his name deeper in the game's great history.
Bernie Carbo's game-tying three run jack in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series for the Boston Red Sox does not get enough love because of how teammate Carlton Fisk won it a few innings later, but we'll mark him down as a worthy footnote here.
At least in Philadelphia, an honorable mention should go to pinch-hit wizard Matt Stairs.
Walk-Off Home Runs in MLB Playoffs History
53 home runs have directly ended postseason games. Every one of them is thrilling, but it has to be subjective, in this case, as to which one is best. Because the stakes are at the absolute highest, I would argue for a homer hit by Bill Mazeroski, which ended the 1960 Fall Classic in Pittsburgh's favor.
The only other home run to end a World Series came off the bat of Joe Carter in 1993.
Though there are a ton that are worthy of this list, and it is not technically a postseason game, we would probably be remiss not to mention "The Shot Heard Round the World" to clinch the pennant for the Giants in 1951.
At least one of these things is bound to happen this October, and there is a long way to go before another standout, heralded or not, makes his mark.