Every season, 2,430 Major League Baseball games are played – not including the Postseason. That’s a LOT of baseball. Even though some of these games might be fun to watch or historic in some regard – maybe a pitcher throws a no-hitter or a batter hits for the cycle – it’s exceedingly rare for a single game to go down as legendary. We found 30 games that definitely fit the bill, however.
In order for a baseball game to be considered legendary, it needs to have found its way into baseball lore, somehow contributing to the history and legacy of the sport. It could be the thrilling and dramatic end of a World Series. It could be a game in which a player accomplished a monumental, nearly superhuman feat. It could be the game in which a player had a career-defining or infamous moment, for better or worse.
Regardless, all of these games have a few things in common: They’re all legendary, they’re all games that fans of the victorious team hold in almost mythical regard, and they’re all games that fans remember exactly where they were when the action went down. Also, not surprisingly, some of them are games that involved some of the best baseball players of all time.
Game 7 of the 1960 World Series
The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the New York Yankees in a dramatic 10-9 victory, capped off by Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Bobby Thomson’s ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ (1951)
In a playoff game between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers, Bobby Thomson hit a three-run walk-off home run to win the NL pennant for the Giants, sending them to the World Series.
Game 6 of the 1975 World Series
The Boston Red Sox and the Cincinnati Reds played a legendary 12-inning game, culminating in the Red Sox’s Carlton Fisk’s iconic walk-off home run off the foul pole, forcing a Game 7.
Don Larsen’s perfect game (1956 World Series)
New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history, leading his team to a 2-0 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5. The Yankees went on to win the Series.
Game 6 of the 1986 World Series
The New York Mets staged a dramatic comeback against the Boston Red Sox, culminating in Bill Buckner’s infamous error that allowed the Mets to win the game and eventually the series.
Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run (1988 World Series)
Injured and pinch-hitting for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kirk Gibson hit a memorable walk-off home run off Oakland Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley in Game 1 of the World Series, famously pumping his arm as he rounded the bases.
Jackie Robinson’s major league debut (1947)
Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier when he made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers, forever changing the game, on April 15, 1947.
Homer in the Gloamin’ (1938)
In a pivotal game between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates late in the 1938 season, Gabby Hartnett hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, helping to propel the Cubs to the National League pennant. Because the game was played in near-darkness, It was nicknamed the “Homer in the Gloamin’.”
Game 7 of the 2001 World Series
The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees in a thrilling 3-2 victory, capped off by Luis Gonzalez’s walk-off single against Mariano Rivera.
Reggie Jackson’s 3 home runs (1977 World Series)
New York Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches in Game 6 of the famous “The Bronx is Burning” 1977 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Game 7 of the 1991 World Series
The Minnesota Twins defeated the Atlanta Braves in a 1-0 nail-biter, with Gene Larkin delivering the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning.
David Ortiz’s grand slam (2013 ALCS)
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz hit a game-tying grand slam in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers.
Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS
The Boston Red Sox staged a historic comeback against the New York Yankees, winning the game in extra innings after being down 0-3 in the series.
Willie Mays’ ‘The Catch’ (1954 World Series)
New York Giants outfielder Willie Mays made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians.
Harvey Haddix’s 12 perfect innings (1959)
In one of the most infamous losses in history, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Harvey Haddix threw 12 perfect innings against the Milwaukee Braves on May 26, 1959, only to lose the game in the 13th inning. Talk about a lack of run support!
Derek Jeter’s dive into the stands (2004 ALCS)
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter made a memorable diving catch into the stands during Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox, emerging from the stands dazed, with a bloodied face.
Game 6 of the 1996 World Series
After an 18-year drought, the underdog New York Yankees staged an incredible comeback after falling behind 2-0 in the series against the favored Braves, winning in Yankee Stadium and beginning their acclaimed “Dynasty” years of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout game (1998)
Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood struck out 20 batters in a single game against the first-place Houston Astros on May 6, 1998, tying the major league record at the time.
Dock Ellis’ no-hitter on LSD (1970)
After not realizing that he was slated to pitch that day, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres while allegedly under the influence of LSD on June 12, 1970, and it’s since gone down as one of baseball’s most infamous stories.
The Pine Tar Incident (1983)
The Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees had a controversial game in which George Brett’s go-ahead home run was nullified due to an excessive amount of pine tar on his bat. It’s become immortalized by the famous shot of Brett angrily storming out of the dugout to confront the umpire.
The 1999 All-Star Game
The Fenway Park game featured Ted Williams being honored and included the naming of the All-Century Team, making it arguably the most memorable game in All-Star Game history.
Game 7 of the 2016 World Series
The Chicago Cubs ended a 108-year championship drought by defeating the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling 8-7 victory in extra innings (including a rain delay), culminating in a dramatic final out.
Mickey Mantle’s walk-off home run (1964)
New York Yankees slugger Mickey Mantle hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to win Game 3 of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Sandy Koufax’s perfect game (1965)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs on September 9, 1965, cementing his status as one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
Babe Ruth’s called shot (1932 World Series)
New York Yankees outfielder Babe Ruth allegedly pointed to the center field bleachers before hitting a home run in Game 3 of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Whether the story is apocryphal or not, his “called shot” has gone down as one of his signature moments.
Hank Aaron’s 715th home run (1974)
On April 8, 1974, Atlanta Braves outfielder Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth’s career home run record by hitting his 715th home run off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Al Downing. He ended his career with 755 home runs.
David Freese’s clutch moments (2011 World Series)
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese delivered clutch hits in Game 6 of the World Series, including a game-tying triple in the ninth inning and a walk-off home run in the 11th inning.
Fernando Tatis’ 2 grand slams in 1 inning (1999)
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Fernando Tatis hit two grand slams in a single inning off Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park, becoming the only player in MLB history to accomplish this feat.
Mark McGwire’s 62nd home run (1998)
On Sept. 8, 1998, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris’ single-season home run record by hitting his 62nd home run of the season off Chicago Cubs pitcher Steve Trachsel. Though his legacy has been tainted by steroid use, the country was captivated by McGwire and Sammy Sosa’s race for the record, and this game was a thrilling conclusion.
Cal Ripken Jr.’s consecutive games streak (1995)
On Sept. 6, 1995, The Baltimore Orioles’ Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s record of 2,130 consecutive games played. He ended his career with 2,632 straight games played, a sports record that will probably never be broken.