Bobby Thompson

If you’re a baseball fan of any age, you’ve heard the legend of Bobby Thompson and the Shot Heard Round The World. I’m not sure if they awarded MVP trophies back then as in 19512 most played for the love of the game, not the multi-million dollar salaries that they pay to 17 year olds like Bryce Harper.
No, these guys “earned” it and no one earned it more than Bobby Thompson who was the star of the 1951 baseball playoffs.

In the 3rd and deciding game of the 1951 NL playoffs, Thompson hit a two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth inning that capped, what is thought by many, to be the greatest pennant race in the history of baseball. Hence..the now famous “Shot Heard Round The World”.
The Giant’s Win The Pennant! The Giant’s Win The Pennant! The Giant’s Win The Pennant! The Giant’s Win The Pennant!…listen to the most famous sports broadcast of the era below.

On August 11th 1951 the Giants stood 13 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the National League standings. The Giants went on to win 37 of their last 44 games and tied the Dodgers after the regular season ended.
After splitting the first two games the third game was played at the Polo Grounds on October 3rd, 1951. Thompson faced Ralph Branca that day and hit the 0-1 pitch into the lower deck in left field. Thompson, ironically, had hit a two run homer of Branca in the first game of the series.
Hall of Fame Giant announcer Russ Hodges made the dramatic call that day of Thompson’s home run. His “The Giants Win the Pennant” call rings down through the ages. The Giants had not only won the pennant–they had beaten the feared Dodgers.
On deck that day was a young rookie who was hoping to not have to come to bat. Willie Mays went on with the Giants to become the greatest player in their long history.
A picture exists of a Dodger player staying in his position to make sure everyone touched all of the bases. Jackie Robinson held his ground until he was assured that the runners had all touched properly. Several years later Robinson was traded to the Giants but retired instead rather than joining the hated Giants.
Bobby Thompson and Ralph Branca made many appearances together over the years and made a small livelihood of signing autographs.

Bobby Thomson, the man who hit the “shot heard ’round the world”, died Tuesday at the age of 86.