Top game-changing plays in World Series history

The World Series is often changed on one or two key plays that set off a devastating — or exhilarating — chain reaction.

As this year’s World Series comes closer, the four remaining finalists hope they will be on the right end of game-changing plays like the ones below.

Game 6, 1985 World Series: Don Denkinger’s mistake

The St. Louis Cardinals are nearing the World Series 26 years after they were robbed of a championship. Before umpire Don Denkinger mistakenly called the Kansas City Royals’ Jose Orta safe at first to start the ninth inning in Game 6, the Cardinals were up by one run and 3-2 in the series. After that, the Royals rallied to win and then slaughtered the Cardinals in Game 7 with Denkinger behind home plate.

Game 6, 1986 World Series: Buckner’s error behind the bag

Before Bill Buckner’s infamous error, Game 6 of the 1986 World Series had already turned against the Boston Red Sox. They had blown a two-run lead to the New York Mets in the bottom of the 10th after being a strike away from winning it all, at last. But Buckner’s misplay was the final psychological disaster that doomed the Red Sox and led to their Game 7 defeat.

Game 1, 1988 World Series: No one believes what they saw from Kirk Gibson

It looked like desperation for the underdog Los Angeles Dodgers to have hobbled MVP Kirk Gibson come to bat with one out left in Game 1 against the Oakland Athletics’ Dennis Eckersley. But once Gibson struck his impossible home run, it was easy to forget that the Dodgers were only up 1-0 in the series. Yet their 4-1 upset win became a footnote to Gibson’s blast.

Game 6, 1991 World Series: Puckett sets up legendary Game 7

The Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins ended the 1991 World Series with an incredible extra-innings pitching duel. But that wouldn’t have been possible without Kirby Puckett winning an extra-inning battle of his own with his home run in Game 6. It rescued the Twins from the brink and set them up for greater glory to come in Game 7.

Game 4, 1996 World Series: Leyritz sets up new Yankees’ dynasty

The New York Yankees used their 2-0 rally in the 1996 World Series over the Atlanta Braves to start a new dynasty. But if the Yankees didn’t erase a 6-0 deficit in Game 4, they would have been down 3-1 and likely out for good. Yet Jim Leyritz saved them with a three-run homer in the eighth to tie the game, which set up an extra-inning victory, a Yankees championship and three more titles in the next four years.


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