16 viral home runs that made baseball history
Some moments in baseball transcend the sport itself and become part of American culture. These home runs didn’t just clear the fence – they captured the imagination of millions, sparked conversations around dinner tables, and created memories that last generations. Whether through television broadcasts, newspaper headlines, or modern social media, these blasts achieved something special: they went viral long before anyone knew what that meant.
From Babe Ruth’s legendary called shot to modern-day monsters that break the internet, these home runs represent more than just four bases and a run scored. They’re the moments that make baseball magical, the swings that turn players into legends, and the hits that remind us why we love this game.
Here is a list of 16 viral home runs that made baseball history and continue to captivate fans decades later.
Carlton Fisk’s Waving Wonder
Carlton Fisk’s 12th-inning walk-off home run in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series didn’t just win a game – it created one of sports’ most iconic images. The Boston Red Sox catcher stepped to the plate with his team facing elimination, down 3-2 in the series against Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine. What happened next has been replayed millions of times: Fisk launched Pat Darcy’s sinker down the left field line, then frantically waved his arms as if willing the baseball to stay fair. The baseball obeyed, striking the foul pole and sending Fenway Park into pandemonium at 12:33 a.m.
Hank Aaron’s Record Breaker
On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron stepped into the batter’s box in Atlanta needing one home run to tie Babe Ruth’s seemingly untouchable record of 714 career homers. Four days later, he made history with number 715. Despite facing racial hostility throughout his pursuit, Aaron’s poise and determination shone through as he launched over the left field fence at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The moment was broadcast live to millions and became a symbol of perseverance and excellence that resonates far beyond baseball.
Joe Carter’s Series Winner
The 1993 World Series between Toronto and Philadelphia seemed headed to Game 7 when the Blue Jays entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 6-5. With one out and runners on base, Joe Carter faced Philadelphia closer Mitch Williams, known for his blazing fastball. Carter connected on a 2-2 pitch, sending it over the left field fence and immediately beginning his famous celebration leap around the bases. It marked just the second World Series to end on a home run and gave Toronto back-to-back championships.
Bobby Thomson’s Shot Heard ‘Round the World
The 1951 National League playoff between the Giants and Dodgers created one of baseball’s most dramatic finishes. With the Giants trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning of the decisive Game 3, Bobby Thomson stepped to the plate against Ralph Branca. Thomson’s three-run homer completed the Giants’ historic comeback from a 13-game deficit during the season and was broadcast live to millions across the country. Radio announcer Russ Hodges’ famous call of ‘The Giants win the pennant!’ became as legendary as the swing itself.
Barry Bonds’ 756th Home Run
Barry Bonds may be a polarizing figure, but his 756th career home run on August 7, 2007, was undeniably historic. The Giants slugger stepped past Hank Aaron to claim the all-time home run crown in front of a packed crowd at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The baseball ended up in the hands of Matt Murphy, a 21-year-old student from Queens, who later sold it at auction for over $750,000. Despite the controversies surrounding Bonds’ career, the moment represented the culmination of one of baseball’s most impressive individual achievements.
Babe Ruth’s Called Shot
Perhaps no home run in baseball history has generated more debate than Babe Ruth’s blast in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series. Facing the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Ruth allegedly pointed to the center field bleachers before launching Charlie Root’s next pitch exactly where he had indicated. Whether Ruth actually called his shot remains disputed, but the legend has grown larger than the facts. The moment was Ruth’s final home run in his final World Series game, adding to its mystique.
Kirk Gibson’s Limping Legend
Game 1 of the 1988 World Series seemed lost for the Dodgers when Kirk Gibson hobbled to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, barely able to walk due to injuries to both legs. Facing Oakland’s dominant closer Dennis Eckersley with two runners on base and his team trailing 4-3, Gibson worked the count full before connecting on a backdoor slider. The two-run walk-off homer gave Los Angeles a 5-4 victory and inspired his team to an eventual World Series triumph. Gibson’s fist-pumping trot around the bases became one of sports’ most enduring images of triumph over adversity.
Bill Mazeroski’s World Series Walk-Off
The 1960 World Series between Pittsburgh and the heavily favored Yankees had been a back-and-forth affair, with Game 7 living up to its billing. Known more for his glove than his bat, Mazeroski led off the bottom of the ninth inning with the score tied 9-9 and crushed Ralph Terry’s second pitch over the left field wall at Forbes Field. The blast remains the only walk-off home run to end a Game 7 of the World Series, instantly making the Pirates’ second baseman a Pittsburgh legend.
Roger Maris’ 61st Home Run
The 1961 season captivated America as Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle chased Babe Ruth’s single-season record of 60 home runs. Maris entered the year having hit just 39 homers the previous season, and many expected Mantle to be the one challenging Ruth’s mark. But on October 1, 1961, Maris connected for number 61 against Boston’s Tracy Stallard at Yankee Stadium. The moment was historic not just for breaking Ruth’s record, but for doing so under the intense pressure of a nation watching his every at-bat.
Bucky Dent’s Impossible Homer
Bucky Dent hit just 40 home runs in his entire 12-year career and never more than seven in any single season. But in the 1978 American League East tiebreaker game between the Yankees and Red Sox, the light-hitting shortstop produced one of baseball’s most improbable moments. With New York trailing 2-0 at Fenway Park, Dent’s flyball just barely cleared the Green Monster, sparking the Yankees to a 5-2 victory and an eventual World Series championship. The blast earned him a nickname that Boston fans still can’t bring themselves to say.
Mark McGwire’s 70th Home Run
The summer of 1998 belonged to Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa as they chased Roger Maris’ single-season record. McGwire reached the magic number of 62 on September 8, but he wasn’t finished. His 70th home run of the season came on September 27 against Montreal, setting a new standard that seemed impossible to reach. The entire chase was broadcast nationally and helped revitalize baseball’s popularity following the 1994 strike. McGwire’s record would stand until Barry Bonds hit 73 three years later.
Mickey Mantle’s Tape Measure Shot
On April 17, 1953, Mickey Mantle hit what may be the most famous long home run in baseball history, a blast that supposedly traveled 565 feet at Griffith Stadium in Washington. Yankees publicist Red Patterson tracked down the landing spot in a residential yard across the street and declared the distance, coining the term ‘tape-measure home run’. Whether the baseball actually traveled that far remains debated, but the legend of Mantle’s mammoth power was cemented that day.
Reggie Jackson’s Three-Homer Night
Game 6 of the 1977 World Series belonged entirely to Reggie Jackson, who became ‘Mr. October’ with one of the most dominant offensive performances in postseason history. Jackson hit three consecutive home runs on three consecutive pitches from three different Dodgers pitchers, powering the Yankees to an 8-4 victory and the championship. Each homer traveled farther than the last, with the final blast reaching the black seats in deep center field at Yankee Stadium. The performance perfectly captured Jackson’s flair for the dramatic moment.
Aaron Boone’s Pennant Winner
The 2003 American League Championship Series between the Yankees and Red Sox went the distance, with Game 7 featuring the kind of drama these rivals always seem to produce. After Boston scored in the top of the eighth to take the lead, the game went to extra innings tied at 5-5. Aaron Boone, who had been benched for much of the series, led off the bottom of the 11th inning against Tim Wakefield and launched the knuckleball into the left field seats. The blast sent New York to the World Series and prolonged Boston’s championship drought for one more year.
David Ortiz’s Grand Slam
During the Red Sox’s historic 2004 postseason run, no moment was bigger than David Ortiz’s grand slam in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees. Facing elimination and trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the 12th inning, Ortiz crushed a Paul Quantrill pitch into the right field seats at Fenway Park. The blast kept Boston’s season alive and sparked the greatest comeback in baseball history, as the Red Sox became the first team to win a seven-game series after falling behind 3-0. Big Papi’s clutch hit helped end 86 years of championship heartbreak.
Giancarlo Stanton’s Dodger Stadium Crusher
On May 12, 2015, Giancarlo Stanton joined exclusive company by becoming just the fourth player ever to hit a home run completely out of Dodger Stadium. The Marlins slugger’s rocket shot cleared the roof that hangs over the left field bleachers, landing on Vin Scully Avenue outside the ballpark. Stanton’s jaw-dropping power displays have made him a social media sensation, with his home runs regularly going viral among baseball fans. The Dodger Stadium blast exemplified the kind of raw power that makes Stanton one of the most feared hitters in the game.
The Magic Lives On
These 16 home runs represent more than just impressive athletic feats – they’re cultural touchstones that connect generations of baseball fans. From Carlton Fisk’s frantic waving to Aaron Boone’s pennant-winner, each blast created a moment that transcended the game itself. In today’s social media age, these classic moments continue finding new audiences, while modern sluggers create their own viral sensations with every mammoth shot. The beauty of baseball lies in its ability to produce these magical moments when we least expect them, reminding us why we keep coming back to the ballpark season after season.
More from Go2Tutors!
- 16 Historical Figures Who Were Nothing Like You Think
- 12 Things Sold in the 80s That Are Now Illegal
- 15 VHS Tapes That Could Be Worth Thousands
Like Go2Tutors’ content? Follow us on MSN.
