Throwback Thursday x Bobby Thomson

The News Heard 'Round the World - Last week we learned the unfortunate news of the passing of one of baseball's most unexpected heroes -- Bobby Thomson who passed at the age of 86. Serving 14-years in the Major Leagues with five different ball clubs, Thomson was better known for his days spent with the New York Giants (1946-1953, 1957) where we was a 3-time All-Star. Though his service wouldn't interrupt his career on the baseball diamond, Thomson enlisted in the United States armed forces like most players during his time.

However, his greatest achievement would come in one of the most memorable moments in baseball history. After trailing the Brooklyn Dodgers by many as 13 1/2 games as late in the season as mid-August, the Giants finished the season by going on a tear winning 37 of their final 44 games, overcoming what many believed was a deficit well out of reach. Finding themselves in a tie with their arch rivals on the final day of the regular season, the Giants and Dodgers met for a three-game playoff to determine who would move onto the World Series.

After splitting the first two games and falling behind 4-1 heading into the ninth inning of game three, the Giants were in need of a miracle. With one out and two men on base, Thomson stepped up to the plate to face pitcher Ralph Branca who Thomson had a successful career against. With the count even at 1-1, Thomson sent the next pitch he seen deep into left-field in what would seal the deal for the Giants and win the game, 5-4. The pennant winning 3-run homer would be known as the Shot Heard 'Round the World.

The Giants would eventually lose in the World Series to New York Yankees in 6-games. With one swing of the bat, Thomson's legacy will live on in baseball immortality. To this day some 50+ years later, Thomson's Shot remains one of if not the most popular home run in the sports 100+ year history. Not only was it a huge hit considering it won both the game and the pennant, but the stage it was on in one the sports greatest and longest standing rivalry solidifies it as the granddaddy of them all.

Once a Giant, Always a Giant.

R.I.P Bobby Thomson
October 25, 1923 - August 16, 2010