There are few things more dramatic in baseball than a walk-off home run. They’re a staple of World Series history, and for many, they mark the most memorable moments in baseball’s greatest competition.
Freddie Freeman’s first-of-its-kind Game 1 grand slam flipped Dodger Stadium into Blue Heaven on Friday night. But it wasn’t the only World Series highlight of 2024.
The 1975 World Series is regarded as one of the greatest World Series games in history thanks to exciting lead changes and nail-biting turns of events. But it’s also infamous for the fact that Carlton Fisk’s famous “fingertip homer” in Game 6 was actually a hit off a clerical error.
Dennis Eckersley’s epochal ninth-inning relief appearance in the 1988 World Series remains a classic for good reason. The Dodgers were facing elimination and trailing the 104-win Boston Red Sox in a must-win situation with two outs. But Kirk Gibson, who’d been injured in the NLCS and wasn’t expected to play, pinch-hit and homered on his second swing. It inspired iconic pronouncements by Vin Scully and Jack Buck.
This year’s World Series has had its share of nail-biting moments, but few have rivaled the drama of the ’88 series. And despite the Dodgers’ shaky 9th inning, they still managed to beat the Yankees 4-2 and secure their first championship in 40 years. So in honor of this momentous occasion, here are the top World Series highlights to remember from 2024. (And don’t miss our full list of the best World Series games of all time, too). The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download it now for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
About the Author
