Any fans who leave the ballpark before the last out in a postseason game make a mistake they could regret for a lifetime. Here’s a look at the most shocking finishes among the 200-plus postseason games I have covered since 1984–including two that happened in the last week:
The Bill Buckner game
1. 1986 World Series
For untimely chaos and lasting repercussions, it’s hard to beat Game 6 in ’86, when a Mookie Wilson grounder went between Buckner’s legs in the bottom of the 10th at Shea Stadium.
Kirk Gibson’s homer
2. 1988 World Series
Gibson’s two-run shot off Dennis Eckersley in the bottom of the ninth in Game 1 would have been dramatic even if he hadn’t had to hobble out of the dugout because it set the tone for the Dodgers’ upset of Oakland.
Florida’s eight-run eighth
3. 2003 NLCS
Five outs from the World Series with Mark Prior on the mound in Game 6, the Cubs had no way to see this carnage coming.
Arizona’s ninth-inning rally
4. 2001 World Series
The Yankees were poised to win their fourth Series in a row when the Diamondbacks used big hits by Mark Grace and Luis Gonzalez to shock Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning of Game 7.
The Hendu game
5. 1986 ALCS
Dave Henderson’s two-out homer in the ninth off Donnie Moore in Game 5 sent the series from Anaheim to Boston, where the Red Sox won to position them to have Buckner break hearts all over New England.
16-inning Game 6
6. 1986 NLCS
A day after Henderson’s dramatic homer, the New York Mets scored three in the ninth to avoid a 3-0 loss and force the Houston Astros into a 16-inning duel that the Mets won 7-6. Both teams scored in the 14th, and the Astros came within one of tying it again after the Mets scored three in the 16th.
The Albert Pujols game
7. 2005 NLCS
Pujols’ monstrous blast off Brad Lidge on Monday night could climb the list if the Cardinals extend their shelf life all the way to the World Series.
The Morris game
8. 1991 World Series
A 10th-inning single by Gene Larkin gave Minnesota a 1-0 victory over Atlanta in a Game 7 that had been tense since Jack Morris’ opening pitch.
The Francisco Cabrera game
9. 1992 NLCS
Pittsburgh was one out from getting to the World Series with Barry Bonds when Cabrera dropped a pinch single into the Fulton County Stadium outfield to score two runs and send Atlanta to the World Series.
The Josh Paul game
10. 2005 ALCS
A.J. Pierzynski’s willingness to risk looking like a geek by running to first base was the catalyst for the White Sox reaching the World Series for the first time in 46 years. Game 2 unraveled in a hurry after Paul failed to tag Pierzynski, making sure of the out.
Honorable mention: Jose Mesa’s blown save for Cleveland in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, and Anaheim’s rally to win Game 6 of the 2002 World Series.
