What is the most important hit in baseball history.

[Jcfowler6]

1960 game 7 Bill Mazeroski?
Babe's called shot?
Dimaggio's 1941 number 54?
Pete Roses 4192nd?
Jackie Robinson's first?
Ezra Sutton of the Cleveland Forest Citys on May 8, 1871 first home run ever?

Or is there another for you?

[bobbvc]

Hank Aaron's 715th was pretty important not just for Baseball, but for American history. Not sure if it's THE most important but a candidate to be sure.

[thekingofclout]

Here's my vote...

64710

[Leon]

When I thought of the question the first thing that came to my mind was Ruth's Called Shot. Even though it could easily have been misidentified it still is the most iconic baseball play. If it wasn't that then it might be the Babe's #714. That number has always stuck with me. Just some personal thoughts and everyone will have their own take on it.

[kmac32]

If you are a Yankee fan, consider October 5, 1921, the hit that started all of the Yankees World Series history by Elmer Miller. Only a single but was the start of the yankees history with the fall classic.

[timber63401]

Wont be a popular choice but McGwires 62nd HR has to be in top 10 atleast. His and Sosas chase brought back a lot of fans for the sports and also started the serious look at steroids in baseball.

[philliesphan]

by a long shot.

[Bill Stone]

Having been a Pittsburgh Pirate fan starting at age 5 I watched every year as the Pirates finished 7th or 8th in the National League from 1950 -1957 . My greatest joy was seeing them start to win more games in 1958 all of which culminated in ecstacy when they won the 1960 World Series on Bill Mazeroski's home run --I stayed home from school and watched the game on TV with my Dad, who recognized the importance of this game to me .

[GasHouseGang]

As a Cardinal fan it's either the triple in the ninth or this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vd0dAVd8Vo&feature=related

[barrysloate]

Shot Heard Round the World.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Don Delillo in Underworld makes a pretty good case for the Bobby Thomson HR, although of course his account has elements of fiction and perhaps exaggeration. In terms of importance beyond baseball, I would agree with #715 -- a blow that arguably put an exclamation point on the chapter started by Jackie Robinson.

[pcoz]

For me it's Maz. Bucs got outscored by the Yanks 55-27 for the series, and it's the only HR to end a WS that went 7 games. Although a slick fielder, you can make the case it was the hit that put him in the Hall.

[Cardboard Junkie]

shot heard round the world.

plus one!

[Wymers Auction]

Pete Rose 4192

[Exhibitman]

Personally, for me, it was the walk-off HR that Chris Chambliss hit in 1976 to give the Yankees their first pennant of my lifetime. Little did I know that it would be the only pennant I would enjoy as a NY resident. My family moved to LA in February 1977.

[packs]

Any of Pete Gray's hits.

[Tao_Moko]

I was at the game on September 11th when Pete broke the record and only 9 years old. That to me was an amazing moment in baseball that ultimately got me interested in pre-war players. I don't expect to see that record broken in my lifetime.

Runner-up was a sad, sad night for Cubs fans. Luis Castillo/Steve Bartman incident.

[frankbmd]

May 16, 1956

[alanu]

Jackie Robinson's 1st hit, whenever that was

[Wite3]

1. Jim O'Rourke's FIRST!
2. Jackie's First
3. Aaron's 715
4. Gibson's WS HR

My list is my opinion...

Joshua

[esd10]

what about the merkle bonner

[CW]

I'm not sure if it can be considered important, or perhaps simply historically significant, but Roger Maris' 61st HR should be considered in the list of great hits.

[3-2-count]

I'm not sure if it can be considered important, or perhaps simply historically significant, but Roger Maris' 61st HR should be considered in the list of great hits.

I agree Chuck. IMO it was both important and historically significant.

[cubsguy1969]

I would say the shot heard round the world, too.

But I think Mike Piazza's homer 10 days after 9/11 ranks right up there. I live in New York and as a Cubs fan, despise both the Yanks and Mets, but it was hard not to be moved by that moment. I still get chills when I think about it. And, gasp!, I pulled for the Mets that night. I think just about the whole country did. Perhaps even some Braves fans.
I don't think it "started the healing," as I've heard some people say. But it sure made sports fans feel better for a few minutes, and was a first step toward returning to normalcy.

Rob

[sycks22]

I'm not sure if it can be considered important, or perhaps simply historically significant, but Roger Maris' 61st HR should be considered in the list of great hits.


That would be my pick too. The true home run king.

[Cooper1927]

When Nolan Ryan pummelled Robin Ventura...those multiple hits cemented the old adage - Respect your elders!

[Bugsy]

Babe Ruth's 60th.

No other hit in history has come close to generating so many discussions and arguments. It seems like all premier sluggers over the past 75 years have had to face comparisons to the 60 home run season. Is Foxx going to be the guy to break it? How about Greenberg? Mantle? Even guys like Griffey and McGwire. Four guys have topped it, but were their achievements tainted or blemished? Yes, no, maybe? That is a matter of opinion, but we still continue to have these discussions (or arguments) because of #60 in 1927.

[terjung]

4192

[oldjudge]

A lot of good answers but I'll go with Gibson's PH HR in the WS (and I'm a Yankee fan)

[packs]

Mantle hitting the facade at old Yankee Stadium is pretty legendary.

[Mark]

It is tough to say which particular hit had the biggest impact on baseball or on other, less serious matters. As far as I know, Jackie Robinson didn't get a particular hit that made a big difference, even though his presence and subsequent success in the major leagues made a great difference in our society. But I would say that Ruth's 60th homer allowed fans to associate him with a particular number that set him apart from everybody else for generations. And this helped to elevate baseball's place in American culture. In addition, Mazeroski's homer gave Pittsburgh its first title in 35 years, and this helped to keep baseball alive in Western Pennsylvania for years. I am not sure how many other particular hits helped to change baseball or save a franchise. But I bet there are other examples.

[Robextend]

I will probably be the only one to choose this one, but Jim Leyritz off Wohlers in 1996 is #1 for me. If I was around in an earlier era it would probably be different, however for a Yankee fan that never experienced any winning, that was life changing.

[Peter_Spaeth]

715 was huge. For anyone to have broken what was probably the most sacred sports record in the American consciousness would have been enormous. Add to that the fact that it was broken by a black ballplayer playing in the Deep South, in a time that was still racially charged, only 6 years removed from MLK's assasination. Aaron later disclosed that he had received a deluge of hate mail, and death threats which had genuinely worried him, probably for good reason.

[David W]

715 has to be it....

[obcbobd]

To Me :)

July 19, 1970

Fenway Park

First Inning.

Yaz hits a HR off of Rollie Fingers

I was 8 years old, sitting behind home plate, and that was the first time I saw my favorite player in person

[mark evans]

I agree that Aaron's 715 likely most 'important.'

Most 'dramatic' probably Thomson or Maz (which was extremely painful for this 10-year old serious Yankee fan. I saw Maz at Chantilly and was tempted to tell him but couldn't bring myself to spend the $35.).

[prewarsports]

Greatest single hit...

Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard Round the World. Even non-Sports fans have heard the call on that one.

For me as a 35 year old, Kirk Gibson by a LOOOONG shot. That is the closest thing you get to Roy Hobbs in real life!

Rhys

[ethicsprof]

I'm sitting at my office desk staring at the side wall containing a Brace photo of Thomson with the matching baseball card ---both framed together and both autographed.
My vote is for the SHOT.
all the best,
barry

[MVSNYC]

Wont be a popular choice but McGwires 62nd HR has to be in top 10 atleast. His and Sosas chase brought back a lot of fans for the sports and also started the serious look at steroids in baseball.

+1

i know it's frowned upon (these days), but the HR race in the summer of '98 was pretty amazing. it captivated the entire country. everyone went crazy when he connected on #62. obviously we look differently at it today, but back then it was magical.

[TheBig6]

All memorable hits
Ruth's Called Shot
Aaron's 715
Ruth's 60th
Maris 61st
Bobby Thompson
Mazerowski's Homer
Fisk Homerun
The hit that went thru Buckner's wicket

Not an Important hit per say but a great emotional moment in Baseball History was Ripken's Homerun in game that broke Gehrig's streak.

[Matthew80]

I agree that Aaron's 715 likely most 'important.'

Most 'dramatic' probably Thomson or Maz (which was extremely painful for this 10-year old serious Yankee fan. I saw Maz at Chantilly and was tempted to tell him but couldn't bring myself to spend the $35.).

I completely agree. It's 715 > 61 because a black man eclipsed His Holiness. If Maris is black and Aaron white, then make it 61.

Not sure which of the two would mean more if they're both white or black.

[Exhibitman]

To Me :)

July 19, 1970

Fenway Park

First Inning.

Yaz hits a HR off of Rollie Fingers

I was 8 years old, sitting behind home plate, and that was the first time I saw my favorite player in person

Yes, Rollie Fingers was a great player.

[Clutch-Hitter]

When I thought of the question the first thing that came to my mind was Ruth's Called Shot. Even though it could easily have been misidentified it still is the most iconic baseball play. If it wasn't that then it might be the Babe's #714. That number has always stuck with me. Just some personal thoughts and everyone will have their own take on it.

My Take:

1. It was something he would do
2. The trash talking from both sides provided reason for #1
3. He hit it out in an area nobody else could, deep center

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3tc2fOvOFSU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Peter_Spaeth]

Yes, Rollie Fingers was a great player.

Is he the only pitcher in the HOF with a losing record?

[whitehse]

715 has to be it....

To me, as a 12 year old when Aaron broke the record, this is what is burned in my mind when one talks about a hit to remember.

And that All Time HR leader card from 1974 Topps......I could not beg, borrow or steal one back in '74 no matter how many packs I busted. This was the one card I really wanted and finally traded for one with one of the neighborhood kids who nearly took me for everything I had because he knew I wanted it so bad.

[darwinbulldog]

I'd probably go with 715 too. I'd like to add Clemente's 3000th in honorable mention.

[EGreenwood]

715

[toppcat]

I would argue Babe Ruth's 30th home run in 1920 was the most important hit in baseball history.

[leaflover]

I would think that Maz's homer would be most important as it won the 1960 World Series. But don't forget about Hal Smith hitting the 3 run HR in the bottom of the 8th that gave the Pirates a 2 run lead going into the 9th. If the Yanks hadn't tied the game with 2 runs in the 9th then Smith would have been the Hero. Maz wouldn't have come to bat or make the HOF. For my money, from that team, Dick Groat should be in the Hall and not Maz. Just my opinion.

[Jayworld]

1. The Shot Heard 'Round the World. As stated earlier, even non-baseball or sports fans have heard of it or seen the footage, which has been used across multiple venues in the entertainment field, including an episode of the classic M*A*S*H television show.

2. In my lifetime, the Carlton Fisk game six homerun in the 1975 World Series was a pretty big deal. I remember seeing that on television as an eight-year old.

[MVSNYC]

my first answer was Mac's #62, but i cannot forget to mention Mookie's game 6 dribbler in the '86 WS. as a 12 year old Mets fan it doesn't get better then that hit.

[wfubob]

For historical significance, the most important single hit to me was 715.

For me personally (see my avatar), it was Ozzie's LCS game 6 walk-off homerun off Niedenfuer, watching after school as a 14-year old boy (ahhh, playoff games in the daytime...). He was 0 for 3,009 hitting bombs from the left side of the plate in his career! I recall NBC had posted that stat just before the hit...

Of course, Don Denkinger's blown call in Game 6 basically gave the Series to the Royals, keeping this hit from being legendary to more than just us Ozzie fanatics :mad:

<iframe src='http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=13062871&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

[SetBuilder]

To me: 1997 World Series Game 7.

Edgar Renteria.

[Jlighter]

Called shot, hands down. 8/10 Americans are aware of it. The same cant be said of the shot heard round the world or any other. Every child this side of the mason Dixon line at one time or another mimicked it. Whether it happened or not( I will never believe it didn't happen) it is a moment that will resonate in the minds of baseball loving people, young or old. It is the most important hit in baseball, sports and a hallmark of American History.

The Babe lives

[peterose4hof]

4,192 & 4,256

If I had to make a non-homer pick it would be Aaron's 715.

[E93]

715 was huge. For anyone to have broken what was probably the most sacred sports record in the American consciousness would have been enormous. Add to that the fact that it was broken by a black ballplayer playing in the Deep South, in a time that was still racially charged, only 6 years removed from MLK's assasination. Aaron later disclosed that he had received a deluge of hate mail, and death threats which had genuinely worried him, probably for good reason.


+1

Aaron's 715th has my vote.
JimB

[FrankWakefield]

I attended 4192, saw it.... but I don't think of that hit as being the hit.

I've been a Cardinals fan since seeing Mr. Musial play in 1963. Saw Gibson pitch in game 7 of the 1964 World Series, which had Mantle's last WS HR. Saw Brock's 3000th hit. And even though I'm a Cardinals fan, I don't think it was McGwire's 62nd or 70th. ( But what a year, everyone stopped and watched McGwire hit during batting practice. Everyone, even the opposing team. )

Maybe, as time goes by, and folks look back with the perspective of time, David Freese's game 6 triple, or game 6 home run, will get there.

And notwithstanding Ruth's legendary presence, the Called Shot isn't the hit, nor is what I consider a close second, Mazeroski's homer. After thinking about this for a couple of days, and reading the thread, I think Thompson's home run, the Shot Heard 'Round the World, with Jackie Robinson watching Thompson touch the bases, I think that hit is the hit. Lots of good answers in this thread, though.

So as much as I enjoyed Mr. Buck's "Go crazy folks" call of Ozzie's shot, it has to be "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!"

[packs]

The Shot Heard Round The World call is played in every sports montage ever, along with the Do You Believe In Miracles? call. Have to say that's got to be the biggest baseball moment. But that depends on how you define moments. Ruth's called shot is the stuff of legends but no one saw it who wasn't there. No one experienced it unless they were there. There's no shared experience.

[Clutch-Hitter]

Here's a different angle on the called shot. Babe taunts them as he rounds the bases...great stuff

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Aji8TiPdyHw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>