Top 10 greatest MLB postseason moments

As the regular season of the MLB comes to an end, the excitement for the future has risen. The much-awaited postseason also called October baseball is nearly there. The new format of the knockout phase will now feature best-of-three wild card games instead of one, giving the teams an equal chance of progressing. This season the action was packed with thrilling drama and entertainment and the postseason promises to be the same.

When somebody talks about the postseason, the iconic home runs, stunning catches, and awesome pitching efforts of players come to mind. Over the years gone by in MLB, several key moments have decided the difference between winning and losing. There has been plenty of joy and heartbreak as baseball turns wild in this month.

From the great comebacks of the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs to the individual brilliance of legends like David Ortiz, the postseason has seen it all. Let’s delve into this article even further and relive some of the greatest moments in postseason history.

Related: Top 10 highest scoring MLB games in history

Top 10 MLB postseason moments

10. Astros-Mariners settle ALDS after 18 innings (2022 ALDS Game 2)

One of the best things about baseball is that there are no ties. Unlike sports like soccer, a winner is decided in every game. When teams are inseparable after the nine allotted innings, games go into extra innings. The number 10 pick on this list is not from a long ago. In fact, it took place last season.

The Seattle Mariners ended their two-decade wait for postseason baseball and swept the Toronto Blue Jays in the wild-card round. Their reward? An ALDS matchup with the Houston Astros. While the Astros won Game 1, the Mariners were reluctant to give up this easily. It took 18 innings and a solo home run from Jeremy Pena to separate them. Marked at 6 hours and 22 minutes, it is one of the longest postseason games.

9. Jose Altuve’s walk-off home run against Aroldis Chapman and New York Yankees (2019 ALCS Game 6)

Sticking with the Astros, they have enjoyed some pretty great days in October. While the sign-stealing scandal continues to put a mark against some of their achievements, there is no denying that some of those moments have been memorable ones. One of them was Jose Altuve‘s iconic walk-off winner against Aroldis Chapman and the New York Yankees.

The 2019 ALCS series between these two was a rematch of the 2017 one. Just like in 2017, the Astros came out on top. Leading the series 3-2, the Astros were one out away from winning it. However, a home run from DJ LeMahieu made it 4-4 sending the home side to bat. Unlucky for the Yankees, Altuve was able to hit a two-run walk-off home run against Aroldis Chapman. The commentary from Joe Buck, the Minute Maid Park exploding to life and Chapman’s reaction makes this a great moment.

8. The Catch by Willie Mays (1954 World Series Game 1 )

Going all the way back to 1954, the number eight spot goes to “The Catch” by Willie Mays. There have been some moments in MLB that have been decided through defensive plays. One of them that comes up in the minds of many who might have not even witnessed it is “The Catch” by Mays. As the name suggests it was not some ordinary catch.

With the Indians and the Giants leveled at 2-2 all into the eight, upstepped Vic Weltz. The Indians hitter had cashed in the runs earlier and seemed to launch another big hit for his side. Mays though had another idea. He would sprint down the field without looking at the wall eyes firmly on the ball, and make an over-the-shoulder grab to collect the out. This turned crucial as the New York Giants went to win the game 5-2 and sweep the Cleveland-based side 4-0.

7. Jose Bautista’s iconic bat flip vs. Texas Rangers (2015 ALDS Game 5)

From one iconic catch to a great bat swing. While the three-run home run from Jose Bautista was iconic as it put them ahead, his bat flip is the one that is talked about the most. Bat flips are one of the most common things done by hitters to celebrate their dominance over the pitcher.

With the series leveled at 2-2, it was down to this. A seventh inning which consisted of three infield errors, this moment stood out on top. Bautista would connect with his home run and send the Toronto Blue Jays fans into ecstasy. He would go on to produce one of the greatest bat flips. This would later lead to a wild brawl between the two sets of players as the play was stopped for a few moments.

6. Reggie Jackson’s three-home run game (1977 World Series Game 6)

Hitting a home run is considered one of the hardest things in MLB. Hitting two in the same game is said to be a great feat. Now imagine hitting three home runs in a deciding game. That is exactly what Reggie Jackson did in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series.

As the New York Yankees entered Game 6 leading 3-2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jackson decided to steal the show. After walking in his first at-bat, he would hit three consecutive home runs to help this side win the game 8-4 and clinch the trophy. This heroics would later him the nickname “Mr. October”.

5. Joe Carter’s walk-off home run seals the World Series (1993 World Series Game 6)

The Toronto Blue Jays are the only non-American side in the MLB. The Canadian outfit are however one of the big names in the league and are also one of the few to win back-to-back World Series crown. After their triumph in 1992, they would repeat it the following year and claim their second and final World Series to this date.

Carter would somehow live the dream of every kid who grew up admiring this sport – hit a walk-off home run to complete the comeback and win the World Series. With the Philadelphia Phillies leading 6-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Carter connected with the ball and sent it just above the wall, sending the fans into dreamland.

4. David Ortiz’s walk-off winner inspires Boston Red Sox to mount the greatest MLB comeback (2004 Game 4)

“Big Papi” David Ortiz is one of the greatest designated hitters of all time. The Boston Red Sox legend had time and again come up with clutch performances. None of them are bigger than his heroics during the 2004 ALCS against bitter rivals Yankees. After the side was demolished 19-8 in Game 3, the host faced a likely scenario of getting swept.

Ortiz though would not go down with a fight. A game that went into extra innings saw the Dominican star hit a walk-off home run to give the Red Sox the win. As the time had passed midnight, Joe Buck made a legendary call “Ortiz into deep right field, back is Sheffield… we will see you later tonight.” What happened next? He hit another walk-off hit as the Red Sox completed the greatest MLB comeback to win the series 4-3. They still remain the only side to win a series after being 3-0 down.

3. David Freese denies Texas Rangers the World Series (2011 World Series Game 6)

Losing a final is always a tough pill to swallow. Losing out on a championship on two occasions in the same game through the same player is the worst feeling. This is what the Texas Rangers felt when David Freese turned up in Game 6 for the St Louis Cardinals.

He would hit a game-tying triple through poor fielding to take the game into extra innings. He would later come up clutch once again and hit a walk-off home run to take the series into Game 7. On both occasions, the Rangers were one strike away from winning the World Series as they entered Game 5, leading 3-2. The Cardinals won Game 7 as Freese became a franchise legend.

2. Don Larsen “Perfecto” (1956 World Series Game 5)

Throwing a no-hitter is an incredible accomplishment in baseball. Doing it without any mistakes is called a perfect game. In the history of MLB, only 24 perfect games have been thrown. One of them came in Game 5 of the World Series as Don Larsen etched his name in history.

After having a poor outing in Game 2, Larsen made sure to make things right this time. He would become unplayable that day as he destroyed the Dodgers lineup. He would pick up seven strikeouts and help his side claim a huge win. The Yankees went on to win the series in Game 7. As of 2023, this is one of the only three no-hitters thrown during the MLB postseason.

1. Chicago Cubs ending a 108-year drought (2016 World Series Game 7)

The 2016 World Series between the Cleveland Indians (Guardians) and the Chicago Cubs is regarded as one of the greatest series of all time. Both sides enter the Fall Classic hoping to bring a long drought to an end. With the Cleveland Cavaliers coming back to win the NBA Championships that year, it seemed destined that the Indians would finally win it.

However, destiny had other plans. The Cubs would come back from 3-1 down to win the series 4-3 to end a 108-year World Series drought. During Game 7, the Indians would come back and tie it up at 6-6 with a late home run from Rajai Davis. A 17-minute rain stoppage washed up the momentum they had and allowed Cubs to finally win it all.

In case you missed it:

• How long is a baseball game in 2023 after new MLB pitch clock rule changes?
• “This is a disaster” – Fans react as Trevor Bauer reveals SHOCKING details about accuser after settling lawsuit

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW