Most historic game you saw in person

[dabigyankeeman]

Probably game 7 of the 1997 World Series, extra inning win for the Marlins.

Also saw in person when Mark McGwire tied and then broke the National League record for homers in a season. In the next game, which i was also at, he hit 2 more, the second giving him 59 for the season. At that time it was so exciting as we didnt know anything about the steroids.

[YankeeFan]

Dave Righetti's no-hitter vs Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on George Steinbrenner's birthday, July 4, 1983.
I still have my ticket stubs, parking pass and Kodak photo's taken during and immediately after the game.

2nd place (maybe tied for first): September 30, 1973, the last game at the original House That Ruth Built. I still have the ticket stubs and program to that one.
I remember using by Boy Scout pocket knife to slowly cut through a wooden slat in my seat. Who knew they'd be selling entire seats at Korvette's for 19.99!
I also remember yelling "Houk must go!" with the crowd towards the end of the game, and then feeling bad the next day when I heard that he was fired.

[sycks22]

Seeing the "Big Hurt's" 500th hr at the dome and game 163 about 6 years ago. I also remember the '91 world series game 2 when the Twinks took down the Braves.

[RichardSimon]

Jim Bunning's perfect game in 1964 (still have my stub) and
1970 NBA Finals Game 7, Willis Reed walks out of the tunnel.

[novakjr]

Cliff Lee's 20th win of his Cy Young season in '08, when he became the first 20 game winner for the Indians since Gaylord Perry in '74. Not much in terms of overall history, but for Cleveland Indians history it's somewhat significant. 34 years between is a fairly long wait..

[ephus]

My Dad was a middle school principal. He convinced his boss to let him off for Sept 10 to go to Cincinnatti to see his favorite player Pete Rose try and break Ty Cobb's hit record. Fortunately his boss let him off and he and I went to the game. Unfortunately Pete went 0-3 that night. My dad and I had to drive back to Bowling Green, KY that night empty handed and disappointed( 3 1/2 hours ). My Dad had just enough nerve to ask off for the next day, Sept 11. We went back that night and got to see hit 4192. We were also interviewed moments after the hit by a local radio person for our thought and reaction. It was so cool at the time how he hugged his son on 1 base and how they pulled a red corvette onto the field to present to Pete for this great accomplishment.
My birthday is Sept. 12, but I received my present on Sept 11 that year by being able to witness history with my Dad.

[TCMA]

Game 3 of the 1986 NLCS Mets vs Astros at Shea. Dykstra went yard for the walk off win . I was 8yo.

My father was at the final Opening Day at the Polo Grounds, in 1957.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

1) Rod Carew's 3000th hit
2) Game 5 of the 2003 ALDS Sox vs A's (big fight between players and fans and Damon got carted off by ambulance after colliding with 2nd baseman). Sox won. A's fans after seeing me exit car pre-game with Sox hat gave car beer bath and showered with broken bottles.
3) Game 1 2002 WS Angels vs. Giants

[kkkkandp]

Almost my entire family was at Jeter's 3K game on July 9, 2011. It was my wife's birthday present.

[mark evans]

Well not exactly 'historic,' but a strange coincidence nonetheless. The first major league game I attended was on July 2, 1960, at Griffith Stadium. My family had traveled up from Norfolk on vacation.

Appearing in that game were the only two major leaguers to have attended my high school. Chuck Stobbs (Washington) and Hank Foiles (Cleveland) had been battery-mates at Granby High School during the mid-40s, around 20 years before my time.

[bigfanNY]

Game 4 2001 World series with my Son, Jeter's 3000 hit with My wife And Jeter's only inside the park Home run with 12 members of my Family. Great Moments and Sharing them with the one's you love......

[collectbaseball]

Nothing super historic but a few record breakers and especially memorable games (all at Fenway):

June 14, 2003: Red Sox vs. Astros. Freddy Sanchez records 10 assists at third base (one shy of the record). Sox win 8–4.

June 27, 2003: Red Sox vs. Marlins. Red Sox score 10 runs before the first out is recorded (setting a record). Johnny Damon tallies three hits in a single inning (tying a record, only done once before in the modern era). Marlins RP Kevin Olsen gets hit in the face with a line drive and is down for ten minutes before being carried away on a stretcher (based on what I can find he was OK, though never really pitched again). David Ortiz gets plunked at the end of the game, Red Sox pitcher throws behind one of the Marlins batters and benches clear but no punches are thrown. Sox in 25–8. Red Sox legend Byung-Hyun Kim gets the win.

October 6, 2008: Red Sox vs. Angels, Game 4 of the ALDS. Pitching matchup was John Lester against John Lackey, both threw gems. Jed Lowrie hits a walk-off single to clinch and advance to the ALCS. This is probably my favorite of all the games I've been to.

[Bobmc]

I was a young man working at Lowe's in 1974 and 1975 and won an Enterprise Paint contest sending me on trips to Super Bowls IX and X. Super Bowl IX was to be played in the New Orleans Super Dome but not being completed, rusty ole Tulane Stadium, instead hosted the Steelers vs Vikings. The night before my group went bar hopping in Fat City and saw Vikings Bill Brown #30 (with his short hair flattop) bellied up to a bar, knocking down a few cold ones and mingling with fans at midnight. Very cold weather and low, dark clouds engulfed the stadium at game time. O.J. Simpson sat a few rows behind me and he signed autographs throughout the game. The score was 2-0 at the half and the Steelers defense mauled the Vikings all day. I took 6 rolls of Super 8mm film that day.

Super Bowl X at the Orange Bowl was played in nice Miami weather. Hollywood filmed a portion of a movie that day (Black Sunday) with the Goodyear blimp floating overhead capturing shots of the Orange Bowl spectators (so, I'm in the movie...ha ha). Actor Robert Shaw roamed the sidelines during the game as filmmakers cameras rolled. Lynne Swan made his famous catch. And, at halftime, I stood shoulder to shoulder, side by side at the urinals, with Jack Nicklaus.

[D. Bergin]

I was at the game Kevin Brown was booed off the mound in Yankee Stadium and broke his own hand in frustration, pretty much ending his career as an effective pitcher.

That's all I've got.

[Andy Baran]

Great Topic

In chronological order (not necessarily by importance):

Yaz Day - Oct 1983 - Fenway
1999 All Star Game - Fenway (Ted Williams honored)
2004 WS Game 4 in St. Louis
Fenway 100th Anniversary Game - April 2012
2013 WS Game 6 @ Fenway

[oldjudge]

Game 7 of 2003 ALCS, the Aaron Boone HR vs the Red Sox. It was also the best game I was ever at. Pedro was amazing and should not have been taken out. Giambi kept the Yankees in the game with two solo HRs.

[tjv815]

The 2003 All-Star game here in Chicago. I was there with my wife, who is a big baseball fan. She had to go to the bathroom, left our seats and the AL was down 6-4. Comes back and had missed it all. Hank Blalock hit a 2 run HR to put AL on top. I thought the atmosphere at the game was unbelievable. I also met Andre Dawson and Harmon Killebrew at the game. So cool!

[glynparson]

Hands across america going through three rivers stadium, held hands with guy that was Punky Brewsters teacher, also was at three rivers stadium when Stargell returned to Pittsburgh for his first game as a member of Chuck Tanners braves staff. I lived across the state near Philly but saw way more Pirates games live.

[Lordstan]

Cubs vs Mets July 13, 1977. Ray Burris vs Jerry Koosman.
NYC blackout!
It was around 9:30 pm with Lenny Randle batting. The stadium went dark. You could see a little out the back that the whole area was dark, but nobody knew it was the whole of NYC that had lost power.
It was kind of surreal. For a while, everyone waited, figuring it was temporary. No one panicked. The organist, Jane Jarvis, played music. In a bit, a couple of cars were brought on to the field through the outfield fence. The headlights were put on to light up the field and a few players came out to run around and entertain us. I don't know who they were as we couldn't see them all that well.
A bit later, the news filtered in that the whole of NYC was blacked out. Most people hurried to their cars to get out of there. My dad drove home without any highway or street lights. There was lots of mayhem.

The blackout lasted until the next day. Power returned one area at a time starting around 7am. By 10:40 the power had been restored to the entire city. Unfortunately, this blackout was marked by extreme vandalism and theft.

The first part I can remember just as it was yesterday.
The last bit I got from Wikipedia's page about the blackout.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Yor...ackout_of_1977

My actual game program.

[guy3050]

tony gwynn's 3000th hit....

[Koufax32fan]

Game 6 of the 2011 World Series - greatest game, even for this Cubs fan.

Game 1 of the 1984 NLCS

1990 All Star Game at Wrigley

[chris6net]

Diehard Mets Fan so all the 1986 games. Then the 1999 Playoffs with Todd Pratt beating the Diamondbacks in 1999
Games 3 and 5 against the Yankees in 2000
The Endy Chavez catch in game 7 against St Louis which they lost in 2006
Last game at Shea Stadium 2008
First Game at Citifield 2009
But my historic games were any game Tom Seaver Pitched for the Mets when I was a young Kid!

[Peter W Thomas]

1960 freshman at MIT last class @ 1:00 then to Fenway. Williams last at bat drive deep into centerfield bleachers, landing about 50 feet from me. Not many in bleachers, but at least 10 closer to the ball. I think of it several times a year.

[WhenItWasAHobby]

- September 8, 1993 Darryl Kyle throws no-hitter in the Astrodome.
- Last baseball game in the Astrodome
- First baseball game in Enron Field (Now Minutemaid Park)
- First official interleague game - Rangers vs Giants - June 12, 1997

[obcbobd]

Yaz's 3000th hit
Saw the Sox clinch the pennant in 86/07/13 and the World Series in 2013
Yanks clinch Pennant in 99
99 All Star Game
Triple Play by John Valentine (ARod's first game)
The Dave Robert Steal Game

But the most memorable game was 7-19-1970, my first. Great seats behind home plate and saw Yaz hit a HR on his first at bat!

[CamaroCPA]

Originally Posted by sycks22

Seeing the "Big Hurt's" 500th hr at the dome and game 163 about 6 years ago. I also remember the '91 world series game 2 when the Twinks took down the Braves.

Game 163 would have been amazing to witness live! I lived in Michigan at the time and watched it with a bunch of Tigers fans!

[BBT206]

Went to the 1994 All-Star game at Three Rivers. That was a great All Star game.

Been to many Pirate playoff games in 90, 91 and 92.

But nothing can possibly top the atmosphere of the game I went to on October 1, 2013. This was the playoff game between the Pirates and the Reds. First above .500 team since 1992, when Bonds left. If you remember, this is the game Johnny Cueto pitched. Fans were yelling Cueto, Cueto. He dropped the ball on the mound, the crowd went crazy and Russell Martin put the next pitch in the seats. Unbelievable

[mets41]

In no special order:

1976 and 1996 all star games in Phila.

final day of the 1991 season--David Cone (Mets) struck out 19 phillies

Tom Seaver's 300th win at yankee stadium

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by ephus

My Dad was a middle school principal. He convinced his boss to let him off for Sept 10 to go to Cincinnatti to see his favorite player Pete Rose try and break Ty Cobb's hit record. Fortunately his boss let him off and he and I went to the game. Unfortunately Pete went 0-3 that night. My dad and I had to drive back to Bowling Green, KY that night empty handed and disappointed( 3 1/2 hours ). My Dad had just enough nerve to ask off for the next day, Sept 11. We went back that night and got to see hit 4192. We were also interviewed moments after the hit by a local radio person for our thought and reaction. It was so cool at the time how he hugged his son on 1 base and how they pulled a red corvette onto the field to present to Pete for this great accomplishment.
My birthday is Sept. 12, but I received my present on Sept 11 that year by being able to witness history with my Dad.

Since you brought up 4192, I'll mention something I've wondered for awhile now:

Since Cobb has been officially reduced to 4189 hits, instead of the previous total of 4191, why do we never hear anything about hit #4190? Who was it against? Where's the film? Do people care that the hit against Show didn't actually break the record? And so on...

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by Tabe

Since you brought up 4192, I'll mention something I've wondered for awhile now:

Since Cobb has been officially reduced to 4189 hits, instead of the previous total of 4191, why do we never hear anything about hit #4190? Who was it against? Where's the film? Do people care that the hit against Show didn't actually break the record? And so on...

MLB still officially recognizes 4191.. It's outside sources that cite 4189..

[Steve D]

Originally Posted by Tabe

Since you brought up 4192, I'll mention something I've wondered for awhile now:

Since Cobb has been officially reduced to 4189 hits, instead of the previous total of 4191, why do we never hear anything about hit #4190? Who was it against? Where's the film? Do people care that the hit against Show didn't actually break the record? And so on...

Pete Rose's 4,190th hit was a first inning single at Wrigley Field off Reggie Patterson, on Sep 8, 1985.

He got his 4,191st hit off Patterson in the fifth inning of the same game.

Steve

[Michael B]

Carl Yastrzemski - 3000th hit off of Jim Beattie September 12, 1979 at Fenway Park

Manny Ramirez - 500th home run May 31, 2008 Camden Yards. This was a fluke for me. I had no idea. The D.C. alumni chapter of my wifes law school does a baseball outing to Baltimore when the Red Sox are in town for their weekend series. I will actually have two stubs from the game at my booth during the National

Monica Abbott - pitches a perfect game for the Chicago Bandits against the Akron Racers August 5, 2011 at Rosemont Stadium. This happened during the National in Chicago that year. The stadium was a ten minute walk across the street from the convention center.

[Maddog]

Final game of the 1996 WS
A-Rod's 500Th HR
Last game of old Yankee Stadium
First game of new Yankee Stadium

[Luke]

I almost caught Griffey's 8th straight homer in consecutive games. So close.

[HOFautosChris]

Cal Ripkens 2131 game. The following year was able to get Cal to sign my ticket stub. In the fracas he actually stopped for a few minutes from signing and chatted with me about the game.

[ZenPop]

DAVE DRAVECKY's comeback game.

He lost half of his deltoid muscle when they removed a cancerous tumor... The doctors told him he would never pitch again. About a year later he warmed up in the bullpen and received one of 10 standing ovations that day.

He pitched seven innings and gave up only one hit before finally getting touched up for 3 runs in the 8th. The Giants nailed down the victory, 4-3. Unbelievable game.

He would go on a bit later to pitch in Montreal where he would pitch outstanding ball for another five or so innings before his arm snapped. I remember that one, too... watching on tv and seeing his arm wrap around his body as he released the pitch... he looked like he got shot.

He would go on to lose that arm... but his strength and determination will always stay in my memory. I was in the bleachers that day, screaming my lungs out for him. AMAZING day.

[tjb1952tjb]

Originally Posted by ephus

My Dad was a middle school principal. He convinced his boss to let him off for Sept 10 to go to Cincinnatti to see his favorite player Pete Rose try and break Ty Cobb's hit record. Fortunately his boss let him off and he and I went to the game. Unfortunately Pete went 0-3 that night. My dad and I had to drive back to Bowling Green, KY that night empty handed and disappointed( 3 1/2 hours ). My Dad had just enough nerve to ask off for the next day, Sept 11. We went back that night and got to see hit 4192. We were also interviewed moments after the hit by a local radio person for our thought and reaction. It was so cool at the time how he hugged his son on 1 base and how they pulled a red corvette onto the field to present to Pete for this great accomplishment.
My birthday is Sept. 12, but I received my present on Sept 11 that year by being able to witness history with my Dad.

Touching father/son story.......a memory made more special by being together, father and son. Thanks for sharing.

[tjb1952tjb]

Originally Posted by Peter W Thomas

1960 freshman at MIT last class @ 1:00 then to Fenway. Williams last at bat drive deep into centerfield bleachers, landing about 50 feet from me. Not many in bleachers, but at least 10 closer to the ball. I think of it several times a year.

And, true to form, Ted doesn't slow down, tip his cap or even look up as he trots to into the Red Sox dugout................

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by novakjr

MLB still officially recognizes 4191.. It's outside sources that cite 4189..

Originally Posted by Steve D

Pete Rose's 4,190th hit was a first inning single at Wrigley Field off Reggie Patterson, on Sep 8, 1985.

He got his 4,191st hit off Patterson in the fifth inning of the same game.

Steve

Thanks to both of you.

[CMIZ5290]

Braves vs. Pirates 1992 NLCS game 5. Braves down 2-0 bottom of the ninth, and they win 3-2. Of all the loudest venues I have ever witnessed, this was the loudest, bar none....

[AMBST95]

The most historic game I saw in person was the first and second half of Game 5 of the 2008 World Series. The weather was awful but the delay made the second half even more exciting, talking about what the managers would do.

The other I wish I could forget 8/22/2007 there was a doubleheader in Bmore. Dave Trembley had just signed a deal to be the new manager of the O's and had a 3-0 lead over the Rangers. Then the Orioles gave up 33 unanswered runs. They went on to lose Game 1 30-3 to the Rangers. They didn't want to waste the bullpen for Game 2 and Texas just teed off on the hapless Orioles arms. The O's went on to lose Game 2 as well by a more respectable 9-7.

[Touch'EmAll]

My dad took me to the 1974 Game in which Ryan recorded the fastest pitch - still record in Guinness Book.

I really don't know if he should legit still hold record? Some pitchers have posted faster? Something about when they clocked it - apparently in 1974 the clocked it as the baseball went over home plate with 100.9 mph. If they clocked at release point, it may have been much faster than that, upwards of 105 mph or even faster. I do know that the pitch had to be a strike to qualify for the record. Perhaps today they clock pitchers at release point instead? And maybe nowadays pitches do not have to be strikes? Help. Thanks.

[Al C.risafulli]

As a boy, I was at the Bobby Murcer game in 1979, the first game after Thurman Munson's funeral, when Murcer delivered the eulogy and then drove in 5 runs to singlehandedly beat the Baltimore Orioles. Probably the only highlight of the 1979 season for Yankee fans.

Also as a boy, on the football side, I was at the New York Giant game that resulted in "the fumble," when instead of sitting on the ball with less than 30 seconds in the game, Joe Pisarcik handed off to Larry Csonka, who fumbled the ball. Herm Edwards picked up the ball and galloped for a touchdown and an impossible Eagles win.

Since I've been a grown man, I haven't been to any games of historical consequence.

-Al

[dealme]

Game 4 of the 2004 World Series. Picked up one of my college baseball coaches on the way from Indy to St Louis to watch the Sox win. It couldn't have worked out better. Even going into work the next day having not slept at all was rather enjoyable after that. Hard to believe it's been nearly 10 years ago.

Mark

[dabigyankeeman]

Time for this thread to pop up again.

I saw an historic game, but then I didnt.

I was at Yankee Stadium on Saturday August 9th and Derek Jeter got the hit that moved him past Honus Wagner on the alltime career hit list. It was a hot brutal day but seeing this made it worth it.

Then a few days later I read that they later (a couple of days later) made an official scoring change on a hit that Jeter was given in a game prior to the game I was at. They took a hit away from him and now this means that the hit I saw only TIED Wagner, it was NOT the hit that put him ahead of Wagner. Geez.

[Jobu]

Two come to mind.

The 2002 All Star game, "The Tie"

Dave Winfield's 400th homerun

[Boomer]

1985 World Series Game 6 KC beat St Louis

[MooseDog]

1972 ALCS Bert Campaneris throws bat at Lerrin LeGrow after getting hit (on Billy Martin's command).

1973 Oakland A's Game 7 and 1974 Game 5 WS clinching games.

Bonds breaking McGwire's single season HR record.

1975 Last game of regular season four A's pitchers combine for no-hitter.

[Gmrson]

1984 World Series Game 4

Roger Clemens 20K game at Detroit

[JrMacdaddy]

Perhaps the two greatest regular season games ever.

1. July 24, 2004. NY at Boston. Jason Varitek/Arod brawl capped off by Bill Mueller's GW HR off of Mariano Rivera.

2. October 6, 2009 AL Tie-breaker game between Detroit and Minnesota.

Also game 1 of the 1987 World Series.