On October 15, 1988, Game 1 of the World Series had taken place in Los Angeles as the Dodgers faced the favored Oakland Athletics. On the mound for Oakland was 20-game winner Dave Stewart who was facing Dodgers pitcher Tim Belcher.
The Dodgers jumped out to an early lead when outfielder Billy Hatcher hit a two-run home run off Stewart. The lead would not hold up as Oakland loaded the bases in the top of the 2nd for American League MVP Jose Canseco. With two outs in the inning, Canseco hit a grand slam off Belcher as the Athletics took a 4-2 lead in the game.
The Dodgers cut the lead to 4-3 on an RBI single by catcher Mike Scioscia in the 6th inning. But the Athletics got the game into the 9th inning for closer Dennis Eckersley, who had been nearly unhittable all year long for them. The Dodgers held the Athletics offense down, and were still down 4-3 going into the bottom of the 9th inning.
Eckersley easily retired the first two batters in the inning. Pinch-hitter Mike Davis came up to hit for shortstop Alfredo Griffin, and drew a two-out walk. Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda then made a move that seemed unlikely at the time. Kirk Gibson, who was hurt during the National League Champion Series against the New York Mets, was called upon to pinch-hit for pitcher Alejandro Pena. Gibson had hurt both of legs during the NLCS, and could barely walk as he was in noticeable pain. Long-time announcer Vin Scully was heard on TV saying, "Look who's coming up!"
Scully further added, "and all year long, he answered the demands, until he was physically unable to start tonight——with two bad legs: The bad left hamstring, and the swollen right knee. And, with two out, you talk about a roll of the dice... this is it."
Eckersley quickly got ahead of Gibson with the count 0-2. Gibson worked the count in his favor, and Davis was able to successfully steal second base with the count 3-2. Instead of pitching around the hobbled Gibson with first base open, Eckersley went for the out.
Eckersley tried a backdoor slider to Gibson, and that was the pitch he was looking to hit. Gibson hit the ball into the rightfield bleachers as the Dodgers had won the opening game of the World Series. Gibson memorably pumped his fist hobbling around the bases as his teammates and Lasorda came charging out of the dugout as he crossed the plate. This stands as one of the most memorable moments in the history of baseball.
Scully after the home run said, "In a year that has been so improbable... the impossible has happened!"
Jack Buck's famous words on the radio broadcast of the World Series after the home run is often quoted by fans, "I don't believe what I just saw!"
The Dodgers took that momentum and won the World Series in five games over the favored Athletics. Gibson, bad legs and all, became a sports hero to the city of Los Angeles on this day. It easily over-shadowed the USC-Washington football contest that was decided late in the game in the city earlier in the day as well as all of sports. There was one more moment on this day in history that happened exactly one year later that's coming up in final entry for today's look back at history!
MLB.com has the highlight of the home run by Gibson. Have a look:
10/15/2008 09:33:00 AM
David Funk
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