What is the greatest play in baseball history and why?

Answer 1

Well there are two and they are so close it is impossible to decide between the two of them:

1. Bobby Thompson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" to clinch a World Series berth for the comeback kids--the New York Giants who fought their way back from a thirteen game deficit in September of 1951 to defeat Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers. However the Giants went on to lose to the Yankees in the series, but that home run and the memorable call by Russ Hodges is almost the greatest sports moment in ANY sport.

2. Carleton Fisk's 12th inning home run to win game six of the GREATEST WORLD SERIES ever played--bar none. There is no debate that the 1975 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the "Big Red Machine" Cincinatti Reds stands alone as the best World Series ever played. Game for game, play for play no other series comes close (and keep in mind I am a die-hard Yankee fan saying this.)

And there you have the two greatest plays from the standpoint of a baseball historian who has read extensively about every World Series ever played.

Answer 2

Hmmm, the greatest single play...
It's hard to play single play that was the greatest. An at bat really doesn't differ. The best at bat ever would be one of many that produced a game winning RBI/ Grand Slam, etc. A perfect game isnt a play, it's a whole bunch of plays for 9 innings.

I'd say one of two theoritical possibilities:
An unassisted Triple Play to save and close out the 9th inning of a 7th game World Series Finale.
Or
A Home Run Robbing of what would have been the final at bat in the game to win the 7th game of the World Series. Something liek that almost happened this year when Endy Chavez of teh Mets robbed a HR off the Cardinals in the 7th games of teh NL Championship to keep the game tied at 1 in I think the 7th inning. However, the Mets went on to lose (Chavez even had the bases loaded for him and struck out), it wasn't the world series, wasn't the ending play of the game.

I would step aside and say the Jackie Robinson's entrance onto the field was the single greatest 'play' in baseball, as it helped to desegregate sports and brign together the US

Answer 3

Willie Mays played for the New York/SF Giants....Not the Brooklyn Dodgers....

Perhaps you are saying that the Giants beat Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers in '51?

Answer 4

Kirk Gibson's late game winning World Series homer comes to mind. Gibson had to limp around the bases because he was so injured, but his determination is an inspiration to this day.