Baseball's Best

An inning after the Tigers grabbed their first lead, Shane Victorino put the Red Sox back on top to stay with a grand slam in the seventh, and ALCS MVP Koji Uehara punched Boston's ticket to its third Fall Classic in 10 years with his third save of the series in the ninth.

Max Scherzer didn't allow a hit until the sixth and left after seven with a 5-1 lead, but David Ortiz hit a game-tying grand slam off Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit in the eighth and Jarrod Saltalamacchia delivered a walk-off single in the ninth as the Red Sox claimed Game 2 of the ALCS.

Juan Uribe slugged a two-run homer in the eighth inning as the Dodgers claimed their first NL Championship Series berth since 2009. The Braves had earlier overcome two Carl Crawford homers and outlasted Clayton Kershaw's first career start on short rest before Uribe's decisive shot.

The Pirates earned their first postseason victory since 1992 with a bang. Russell Martin hit two home runs -- and Marlon Byrd went deep in his first career postseason at-bat -- as part of a 13-hit barrage, and starter Francisco Liriano held the Reds to one run over seven innings.

Most pitchers celebrate a no-hitter from the mound. Henderson Alvarez celebrated his from the on-deck circle, having to wait until the Marlins scored the game's only run.

Pitching in his final Midsummer Classic, MVP Mariano Rivera and the AL pitching staff blanked the NL on just three hits to secure home-field advantage for the Junior Circuit for the first time since 2009. White Sox lefty Chris Sale earned the win with two perfect frames.

Yoenis Cespedes might not be an actual All-Star, but he was the undisputed star of the Chevrolet Home Run Derby on Monday night. Cespedes put on a show for the sold-out Citi Field crowd, banging out 17 home runs in the first round and six in the second, then capping his night with a final-round flourish of nine home runs to edge Bryce Harper and become the first non-All-Star to win the event.

Tim Lincecum no-hit the Padres, striking out 13 and needing 148 pitches -- the second-highest total ever in a no-hitter -- to complete the 15th no-hitter in Giants history. Early run support and several defensive gems let Lincecum breathe easy.

Homer Bailey, author of baseball's last no-hitter in September 2012, etched his name in history once again, overwhelming the Giants to the tune of one walk and nine strikeouts at Great American Ball Park to punctuate the 16th no-no in Reds history.

The Giants stifled the Tigers throughout the Fall Classic, and they allowed two homers but little else in Game 4 before Marco Scutaro's go-ahead hit in the 10th. Buster Posey went deep, and San Francisco got no-hit relief after Matt Cain's solid start to win its second title in three years.

Cincinnati Reds 1 at Pittsburgh Pirates 0 | F -- Homer Bailey twirled the Reds' first no-hitter since Tom Browning's perfect game in 1988 and the 15th in club history, allowing just two base runners -- on a Scott Rolen error and a walk -- while striking out 10. Todd Frazier drove in the game's lone run with a first-inning sacrifice fly.

Tampa Bay Rays 0 at Seattle Mariners 1 | F -- Felix Hernandez was untouchable, fanning 12 in the first perfect game in Mariners history and the third one of 2012. He got all the run support he'd need in the third, when Brendan Ryan scored on Jesus Montero's single.

Houston Astros 0 at San Francisco Giants 10 | F -- Matt Cain pitched the first perfect game in Giants history and 22nd overall while also tying Sandy Koufax's Major League-record 14 strikeouts in a perfecto. Cain was aided by Gregor Blanco's dazzling catch in the seventh inning and three two-run homers by his teammates.

St. Louis Cardinals 0 at New York Mets 8 | F -- Johan Santana took the mound Friday night at Citi Field and did something no Mets pitcher had done in the 51 seasons of the franchise, tossing the first no-hitter in club history.

Texas Rangers 2 at St. Louis Cardinals 6 | F -- A postseason run for the ages concluded with the Cards crowned as World Series champs for the 11th time in franchise history.

Minnesota Twins 4 at New York Yankees 6 | F -- Mariano Rivera becomes baseball's all-time saves leader, recording save No. 602.

Derek Jeter emphatically entered the history books by becoming just the second player to record his 3,000th hit with a home run, and the captain's fifth hit of the game snapped an eighth-inning tie, propelling the Yanks past the Rays in the Bronx.

Detroit Tigers 9 at Toronto Blue Jays 0 | F -- Justin Verlander turned in a dominating performance, becoming only the second Detroit pitcher to record two no-hitters, as he held the Blue Jays without a base runner until the 8th, and faced the minimum 27 batters while throwing 74 of his 108 pitches for strikes.

11/1/10: San Francisco Giants 3 at Texas Rangers 1, F - The Giants turned in one of the greatest team pitching performances in Fall Classic history -- backed by Edgar Renteria's MVP bat -- and rolled to their first world championship since moving west to San Francisco in 1958.

NY Yankees 1 at Texas Rangers 6 | F --The Rangers head to the first Fall Classic in franchise history, as Colby Lewis defeated the Yanks for the second time in the series and Josh Hamilton was named the ALCS MVP.

All-Star Game MVP Brian McCann hit a two-out, three-run double in the seventh and the NL withstood an AL threat in the ninth to win its first Midsummer Classic since 1996, 3-1.

Roy Halladay threw the 20th perfect game in Major League history, breezing through the Marlins' lineup and outdueling fellow ace Josh Johnson. The lone Phillies run scored on an error in the third inning.

Philadelphia Phillies 3 at New York Yankees 7 | F -- The Yankees christened their new home with their 27th World Championship; MVP Hideki Matsui's .615 series batting average is the third-highest in MLB history.

11/02/09: New York Yankees 6 at Philadelphia Phillies 8, F -- The Phillies rode Chase Utley's record-tying fourth and fifth homers of the World Series and another sparkling start by Cliff Lee to force the Fall Classic back to the Bronx down, 3-2. Utley's homer output has equaled Reggie Jackson's historic display in 1977 for the Yankees.

7/14/09: The American League extended its unbeaten streak in the Midsummer Classic to 13 years with a 4-3 win over the National League in front of 46,860. The AL's run without a loss is the longest unbeaten streak in All-Star history.

October 29, 2008: 2008 World Series, Game 5, Tampa Bay Rays 3 at Philadelphia Phillies 4, F -- The Phillies led the Series 3-1 when Game 5 got underway on Monday, October 27. For the third consecutive game, the Phils scored in the first inning, this time on Shane Victorino's bases-loaded two-run single.

Oct 19, 2008: BOS 1 at TB 3, F -- Akinori Iwamura stabbed Jed Lowrie's bad-hop grounder, had a moment of indecision about whether to flip the ball to shortstop Jason Bartlett, then he headed to second base. Once his foot touched down on the bag for the force out, the Rays were headed to the World Series, led by American League Championship Series MVP Matt Garza.

Baltimore Orioles 3 at New York Yankees 7 | F -- Eighty-five years of memorable moments and indelible achievements at Yankee Stadium have been book-ended by Babe Ruth's home run to christen the building and Mariano Rivera's final pitch to close it. Rivera recorded the final out in the history of the Bronx's storied Cathedral on Sunday, inducing a ground ball to first base that put the finishing touches on a 7-3 decision against the Baltimore Orioles, ensuring that Yankee Stadium went out the same fashion it came in -- with a win.

July 15th, 2008 -- On an evening honoring the rich tapestry of Yankee Stadium's history, the American League found another reason to celebrate the Midsummer Classic -- but it'd have to wait. The Cathedral isn't one to let the spotlight go easily.

May 19, 2008: Kansas City Royals 0 at Boston Red Sox 7, F -- If only all the spectators and teammates who reveled in Jon Lester's magical Monday night at Fenway Park could have seen the way it started. There the left-hander was in the bullpen warming up with catcher Jason Varitek, and he had nothing.

Cleveland Indians 2 at Boston Red Sox 11, F -- The Red Sox are the AL's best as they rode the home crowd and Dustin Pedroia's five RBIs to surge past the Indians. Daisuke Matsuzaka's solid start and a six-out save by closer Jonathan Papelbon bookended Boston's return to the Fall Classic.

American League 5 at National League, 4, F -- Ichiro Suzuki hit the first inside-the-park homer in All-Star history and had three hits en route to the All-Star MVP award. Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford and Cleveland's Victor Martinez also homered to help extend the AL's unbeaten streak to 11 games -- 10 victories and one tie in 2002.

October 27, 2006: 2006 World Series, Game 5: Detroit Tigers 2 at St. Louis Cardinals 4, F -- Jeff Weaver was astounding, allowing one earned run and fanning nine in eight innings, while Series MVP David Eckstein had two RBIs and scored a run to lead the Cardinals to their first World Series win since 1982.

October 27, 2006: 2006 World Series, Game 5: Detroit Tigers 2 at St. Louis Cardinals 4, F -- Jeff Weaver was astounding, allowing one earned run and fanning nine in eight innings, while Series MVP David Eckstein had two RBIs and scored a run to lead the Cardinals to their first World Series win since 1982.

October 9, 2005: 2005 NLDS Game 4: Atlanta Braves 6 at Houston Astros 7, F/18 -- The 2005 Houston Astros needed just about everyone on their 40-man roster to land their Wild Card berth, so it is also fitting that the heroics came from a melting pot of Astros players. The Braves were ahead 6-1 in the eighth, when Lance Berkman launched a grand slam, followed by a game-tying solo shot by Brad Ausmus in the 9th.

October 27, 2004: 2004 World Series, Game 4: Boston Red Sox 3 at St. Louis Cardinals 0, F -- Behind a dominant, three-hit effort by Derek Lowe, the Red Sox completed their World Series sweep of the Cardinals, winning their first title since 1918.

October 21, 2004: 2004 NLCS, Game 7: Houston Astros 2 at St. Louis Cardinals 5, F -- Scott Rolen blasted a two-run homer in the sixth inning to provide the go-ahead runs and Jeff Suppan threw six strong innings to lead St.

October 19, 2004: 2004 ALCS, Game 6: Boston Red Sox 4 at New York Yankees 2, F -- They seemed to be clinging onto fading hopes over the weekend at Fenway Park, as the board on the door exiting the Red Sox clubhouse offered a simple message. "We can change history.

May 18, 2004: Arizona Diamondbacks 2 at Atlanta Braves 0, F -- The Big Unit did more than turn back the clock on his amazing career, Randy Johnson tossed a perfect game, beating the Braves, 2-0, at Turner Field and proved that this 40-year-old superstar can still dominate an opponent. The Big Unit set down all 27 Braves he faced that night in Atlanta throwing 117 pitches while striking out 13.

October 16, 2003: 2003 ALCS, Game 7: Boston Red Sox 5 at New York Yankees 6, F/11 -- All that was on the line was a trip to the World Series. The starting pitchers?

October 14, 2003: 2003 NLCS, Game 6: Florida Marlins 8 at Chicago Cubs 3, F/11 -- The Cubs, just five outs from their first World Series berth since 1945, allowed eight runs in a wild and wacky eighth inning as the Marlins rallied to take Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, 8-3, at Wrigley Field and force a decisive Game 7. With Mark Prior cruising and the Cubs leading, 3-0, Juan Pierre hit a one-out double in the eighth.

Oct 5, 2003: CHC 5 at ATL 1, F -- The Cubs, anchored by another stellar performance from Kerry Wood, ended a 95-year drought with their 5-1 Game 5 win at Turner Field. The 3-2 Series win was the Cubs' first postseason series victory since their 1908 World Series win.

October 27, 2002: 2002 World Series, Game 7: San Francisco Giants 1 at Anaheim Angels 4, F -- Anaheim completed its magical run to the top of the sport with a 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 before 44,598 at Edison Field. Third baseman Troy Glaus, who batted .

November 4, 2001: 2001 World Series, Game 7: New York Yankees 2 at Arizona Diamondbacks 3, F -- A fitting finale to one of the BEST World Series ever. Surviving two stunning losses in Games 4 and 5, the Diamondbacks found their own late-inning magic in the person of Luis Gonzalez.

October 31, 2001: 2001 World Series, Game 4: Arizona Diamondbacks 3 at New York Yankees 4, F/10 -- Under a full moon on Halloween night, the Yankees pulled off one of the most spectacular and dramatic comebacks in history. Arizona ace Curt Schilling -- starting on three days rest for the first time in his career -- was solid through seven innings, giving way to closer Byung-Hyun Kim in the 8th.

Oct 13, 2001: NYY 1 at OAK 0, F -- With their backs against the wall for the first time since 1997, the Yankees traveled to Oakland one loss away from elimination. A's starter Barry Zito stifled the Yanks through four innings, until Jorge Posada belted a solo homer in the fifth.

July 10th, 2001: All-Star Game: National League 1 at American League 4, F -- There was magic in the crisp Seattle air at 2001 Midsummer Classic, as Cal Ripken prepared for his 19th and final All-Star Game. Everyone in attendance at Safeco Field (and watching at home) knew history was in the making.

October 26, 2000: NY Yankees 4 at NY Mets 2, F -- The Yankees held a three-games-to-one advantage as the modern-day Subway Series headed into Game 5 at Shea. Through eight, each club had pushed across just two runs against tough pitching -- the Yanks picking up solo home runs by Bernie Williams and Derek Jeter, and the Mets scoring two unearned against starter Andy Pettitte.

October 22, 2000: 2000 World Series, Game 2: New York Mets 5 at New York Yankees 6, F -- Although Roger Clemens dominated the game with eight two-hit innings, it wasn't his pitching that garnered the postgame headlines. The Yankees seized control of the first Subway Series in 44 years with a 6-5 victory, but the buzz of the game was the "Clemens vs.

October 27, 1999: 1999 World Series, Game 4, Atlanta Braves 1 at NY Yankees 4, F -- The Yankees became the first team to sweep consecutive World Series in 60 years -- since the DiMaggio Yankees did it to the Cubs and Reds in 1938-39 - when they beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 in Yankee Stadium. After a regular season filled with personal tragedies and illnesses, the final game of the decade saw 56,752 fans cheer on Roger Clemens for seven-plus innings as the future Hall of Famer allowed just one run, then sat back and watched as Mariano Rivera finished-off Atlanta and helped the Rocket earn his first World Series title.

Oct 17, 1999: ATL 3 at NYM 4, F/15 -- At five hours and 46 minutes, it is one of the longest games in postseason history -- but this Shea Stadium classic is well worth the wait. Facing elimination, the Mets hang on against the rival Braves until the 15th inning, when the bases fill up for Robin Ventura.

September 10, 1999: Boston Red Sox 3 at New York Yankees 1, F -- Pedro Martinez struck out 17 batters -- the most Yankees ever fanned in a single game -- and allowed only two base runners en route to his 21st victory of the season. DH Chili Davis's solo home run in the second inning provided the Yankees only run.

July 18, 1999: MTL 0 at NYY 6, F -- Before the game, the Yankees honored Yogi Berra, who caught the first pitch from Don Larsen. Almost 43 years earlier, with Berra behind the plate, Larsen pitched a perfect game in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers at the stadium.

September 6, 1995: California Angels 2 at Baltimore Orioles 4, F -- They called it the record that could never be broken. But Cal Ripken, Baltimore Orioles superstar, came to work for the 2,131st straight day, surpassing one of baseball's most mythic records.

May 6, 1998: HOU 0 at CHC 2, F -- The most dominating pitching performance of the 1998 season wasn't turned in by one of the usual suspects. No, it wasn't Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez or Roger Clemens who blew up on May 6th with a phenomenal 20-strikeout, one-hit gem; it was a 20-year old neophyte by the name of Kerry Wood who went from a promising Cubs rookie to a household name in a matter of hours.

October 26, 1997: 1997 World Series, Game 7: Cleveland Indians 2 at Florida Marlins 3, F/11 -- At first, the 1997 World Series between the powerful Cleveland Indians and the upstart Marlins seemed as if it would be memorable only because it marked the first time a wild-card team made it to the big dance. But as Florida's Craig Counsell touched home plate to end only the third extra-inning Game 7 in Major League history, it became clear that the two teams had played in a modern classic that was as memorable as any of the great Series-ending contests in Octobers past.

October 26, 1996: 1996 World Series, Game 6: Atlanta Braves 2 at New York Yankees 3, F -- Having blown a two-games-to-none lead in the series, the Braves needed a win to stay alive. But the Yanks broke through early, scoring three runs in the third inning off ace Greg Maddux.

Dodgers 9 at Rockies 0, F: Hideo Nomo's "Tornado" delivery had been baffling hitters for two seasons when capped an excellent sophomore year by tossing a no-hitter in the unlikeliest of ballparks: the high-altitude, hitter-friendly Coors Field.

October 28, 1995: 1995 World Series Game 6: Cleveland Indians 0 at Atlanta Braves 1, F -- After losing the 1991 and 1992 World Series, as well as the 1993 NLCS, the Braves (seemingly dubbed "The Team of the 90s" just a tad bit too early) finally put it all together in 1995. Tom Glavine was masterful, allowing just one hit and three walks over eight shutout innings, with Mark Wohlers working the ninth for the save.

October 23, 1993: 1993 World Series, Game 6: Philadelphia Phillies 6 at Toronto Blue Jays 8, F -- Facing elimination, the Phillies trailed by four in the seventh. But they battled back to score five runs -- three of them courtesy of a Lenny Dykstra homer -- to take a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the ninth.

October 24, 1992: 1992 World Series, Game 6: Toronto Blue Jays 4 at Atlanta Braves 3, F/11 -- Dave Winfield picked the perfect moment for his first extra-base hit in twelve career World Series games. With the score tied in the 11th and the Blue Jays one win away from Canada's first-ever World Series title, Winfield burned Charlie Leibrandt for a double down the left field line to put Toronto up 4-2.

October 14, 1992: 1992 NLCS, Game 7: Pittsburgh Pirates 2 at Atlanta Braves 3, F -- Pittsburgh's ace Doug Drabek was cruising along, holding the Braves scoreless for eight innings, getting out of his only real jam (bases loaded, no out) in the sixth inning. Atlanta's starter, John Smoltz, was similarly solid, with the Pirates scraping together two runs on an Orlando Merced sacrifice fly and an Andy Van Slyke single.

October 27, 1991: 1991 World Series, Game 7: Atlanta Braves 0 at Minnesota Twins 1, F/10 -- A classic World Series is capped by a classic Game 7 as the Twins and Braves need extra frames to determine a winner at the Metrodome. Jack Morris goes the distance with a seven-hit, ten-inning shutout masterpiece and a base-running blunder by Atlanta's Lonnie Smith in the eighth comes back to haunt the Braves as they hold the Twins scoreless through nine and might have won had Smith scored in the eighth.

May 1, 1991: Toronto Blue Jays 0 at Texas Rangers 3, F -- When baseball's King of Ks, Nolan Ryan, struck out Roberto Alomar for his 16th strikeout of the game, it marked the completion of Ryan's record seventh no-hit gem -- three more than the man with the second most no-nos in history, Sandy Koufax. The 44 year-old Ryan proved yet again that there was still plenty of life left in the "ole right arm.

October 20, 1990: 1990 World Series, Game 4: Cincinnati Reds 2 at Oakland Athletics 1, F -- Just as in 1988, the "Bash Brothers" Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire and the rest of the powerhouse A's were supposed to dominate the Series, this time against the overachieving Reds. But while Oakland ace Dave Stewart was sharp, he could not match Reds' starter Jose Rijo, who allowed just one run and two hits in eight-plus innings.

October 15, 1988: 1988 World Series, Game 1: Oakland Athletics 4 at Los Angeles Dodgers 5, F -- The Dodgers, already serious underdogs against the A's and Bash Brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, are given even less of a chance with injured star Kirk Gibson on the shelf. Canseco's second-inning grand slam gives Oakland a 4-3 lead until the bottom of the ninth, when dominating closer Dennis Eckersley comes on to finish it up.

October 27, 1986: 1986 World Series, Game 7: Boston Red Sox 5 at New York Mets 8, F -- Both teams were facing their final game in one of the most dramatic postseasons ever: the Mets finally triumphant in an epic NLCS vs. the Houston Astros; the Red Sox fighting the "Curse of the Bambino" and the California Angels in the ALCS...

October 25, 1986: 1986 World Series, Game 6: Boston Red Sox 5 at New York Mets 6, F/10 -- Leading 5-4 in the 10th inning, just one out away from their first Championship since 1918, the Red Sox (much to the frenzied delight of the Shea Stadium crowd) watch it all roll slowly away from them... literally.

October 15, 1986: 1986 NLCS, Game 6: New York Mets 7 at Houston Astros 6, F -- The Mets faced a must-win situation -- unless they wanted to face Astros ace Mike Scott in Game 7. Starter Bob Knepper shut out New York for eight innings before the Mets broke through to tie in the ninth.

October 12, 1986: 1986 ALCS, Game 5: Boston Red Sox 7 at California Angels 6, F/11 -- The Angels needed only one more out to earn their first World Series appearance, but it was the Red Sox who had destiny on their side. Angels closer Donnie Moore pushed Dave Henderson and the Red Sox one strike away from elimination, but Henderson earned redemption for an earlier fielding miscue by hitting Moore's second 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence to give the Red Sox a 6-5 lead.

Oct 11, 1986: HOU 5 at NYM 6, F -- Game 3 in a series tied 1-1 are always critical momentum changers. Mets starter Ron Darling was shaky early, allowing four runs in the first two innings, but settled down after that.

April 29, 1986: Seattle Mariners 1 at Boston Red Sox 3, F -- A 23-year-old legend-in-the-making, Roger Clemens strikes out the side in the first inning to set the tone for the chilly evening (Fenway held just 13,414 witnesses to history that night), as he becomes the first pitcher in Major League history to strike out 20 batters in a single game.

St. Louis Cardinals 0 at Kansas City Royals 11, F -- The "Show-Me Series" came to an end on October 27, 1985 at Royals Stadium when the night after becoming a father, Royals pitcher Bret Saberhagen threw a five-hitter while leading his team to victory.

St. Louis Cardinals 1 at Kansas City Royals 2, F -- Tense and scoreless until the eighth inning, Danny Cox and Charlie Leibrandt were locked in a spectacular Game 6 pitchers' duel.

October 14, 1984: San Diego Padres 4 at Detroit Tigers 8, F -- The Padres held a one-run lead in the eighth inning as manager Dick Williams paid a visit to Goose Gossage on the mound. With men on second and third and one out, first base was open for intentionally walking the powerful Kirk Gibson, who already hit a two-run home run earlier in the game.

Oct 20, 1982: MIL 3 at STL 6, F -- Clutch hits by Keith Hernandez and George Hendrick backed the gutsy pitching of Joaquin Andujar. When Bruce Sutter recorded the last out to close the door on the Milwaukee "Harvey's Wallbangers" Brewers, St.

National League 5 at American League 6, F -- Originally scheduled to be played on July 14, the 1981 All-Star Game was delayed until August 9th, due to a players' strike, which lasted until July 31st. The 1981 Midsummer Classic set the record for the highest attendance at an All-Star game, with the American League defeating the National League 6-2.

October 21, 1980: 1980 World Series, Game 6: Kansas City Royals 1 at Philadelphia Phillies 4, F -- With the Phillies just one tantalizing out away from a Championship, Tug McGraw got ahead on Willie Wilson, then struck him out swinging at a 1-2 fastball. McGraw threw his arms up, his teammates jumped all over each other, and the franchise had its first baseball championship.

October 17, 1978: 1978 World Series, Game 6: New York Yankees 7 at Los Angeles Dodgers 2, F -- Game 6 turned out to be grand finale for the unlikely heroic duo of Bucky Dent and Brian Doyle. Davey Lopes gave the Dodger home crowd a ray of hope with a leadoff home run off Catfish Hunter.

October 2, 1978: 1978 AL East Playoff: New York Yankees 5 at Boston Red Sox 4, F -- For two bitter rivals, it all came down to this one-game showdown at historic Fenway Park. The winner would earn a trip to the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals; the loser would go home with 99 wins, and nothing to show for them.

June 16, 1978: St. Louis Cardinals 0 at Cincinnati Reds 4, F -- On any given night in his career, Tom Seaver could be virtually unhittable.

October 18, 1977: 1977 World Series, Game 6: Los Angeles Dodgers 4 at New York Yankees 8, F -- In a performance as legendary as any Yankee great before him, Reggie Jackson blasted three consecutive home runs on three pitches against three different Dodger hurlers (Burt Hooton, Elias Sosa and Charlie Hough) into the frenzied Stadium throng. It was his defining moment in pinstripes; a dramatic performance that won over the fans, his teammates, (including captain Thurman Munson, with whom he'd had a tumultuous relationship since Reggie claimed he was "the straw that stirred the drink" even before he arrived in New York) and helped justify his self-styled nickname, "Mr.

October 21, 1976: 1976 World Series, Game 4: Cincinnati Reds 7 at New York Yankees 2, F -- On the heels of the high from Chris Chambliss' Royals-crushing home run in the ALCS to put the Yankees into the World Series, the Yanks crashed right into the steamrolling juggernaut that was the "Big Red Machine" from Cincinnati. With a lineup that boasted George Foster, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and Ken Griffey, the Reds only allowed the Yankees the lead once in the Series, for the first three innings of this Game 4.

Oct 14, 1976: KC 6 at NYY 7, F -- The first series in this budding postseason rivalry culminates in a see-saw affair that returns the Yankees to league preeminence. With the Royals trailing by three, George Brett blasts a clutch homer in the eighth to tie the game at six apiece.

October 21, 1975: 1975 World Series, Game 6: Cincinnati Reds 6 at Boston Red Sox 7, F/12 -- Home runs by rookie Fred Lynn, pinch-hitter Bernie Carbo and the Reds' George Foster made this back-and-forth affair a World Series game to remember through nine innings. Then Carlton Fisk waved, prayed, cajoled and otherwise willed his home run fair down the left-field line in the 12th, making this one of the most memorable games of all-time.

October 12, 1974: 1974 World Series, Game 1: Oakland Athletics 3 at Los Angeles Dodgers 2, F -- Reggie Jackson provided the power by opening the scoring with a home run in the second. Ace closer Rollie Fingers provided the pitching, coming on early in relief and earning the win.

October 17, 1971: 1971 World Series, Game 7: Pittsburgh Pirates 2 at Baltimore Orioles 1, F -- With four 20-game winners and a powerful lineup featuring Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell, the Orioles were expected to dominate. But with the help of a Roberto Clemente home run in the fourth, and a Willie Stargell run in the eighth, Pirates starter Steve Blass went the distance for the World Series champion Pirates.

October 15, 1970: 1970 World Series, Game 5: Cincinnati Reds 3 at Baltimore Orioles 9, F -- After a rocky first inning, Cuellar silenced the Reds over the final eight frames to earn a complete game, six-hit victory. Cuellar was backed by home runs by Frank Robinson and Merv Rettenmund, which highlighted a nine-run, 15-hit onslaught that saw every Baltimore position but Brooks Robinson either score or drive in a run.

October 16, 1969: 1969 World Series, Game 5: Baltimore Orioles 3 at New York Mets 5, F -- Slugger Donn Clendenon and light-hitting Al Weis each homered to back the five-hit pitching of Jerry Koosman as the "Miracle Mets" closed out their first-ever World Series championship with a 5-3 victory over the heavily favored Orioles. A key play in the sixth featured Cleon Jones being plunked on the foot by Baltimore starter Dave McNally.

Baltimore Orioles 0 at New York Mets 5, F -- With the Series tied 1-1, Tommie Agee got the momentum going for the "Miracle Mets" with a home run to lead off the bottom of the first. In the fourth, with runners on the corners and two out, Agee would amaze again with an over-the-shoulder, running grab at the wall to end the inning.

October 2, 1968: 1968 World Series, Game 1: Detroit Tigers 0 at St. Louis Cardinals 4, F -- 1968 was frequently called "The Year of the Pitcher," and that season, few were more dominant than Cards' ace Bob Gibson.

Oct 14, 1965: LAD 2 at MIN 0, F -- With a league-leading 26 wins, 2.04 ERA and a then-record 382 strikeouts, Sandy Koufax was unquestionably the best pitcher in all of baseball.

Oct 7, 1952: NYY 4 at BKN 2, F -- Gene Woodling and Mickey Mantle homered, and Billy Martin made a game-saving grab of an infield popup gone awry, as the Yankees recovered from a three game to two deficit to win their fourth of five straight World Series, in seven games over the Brooklyn Dodgers. Mantle's homer in the sixth gave the Yankees the lead for good, and an insurance run in the seventh made it 4-2.

Oct. 6, 1952: NYY 3 at BKN 2, F -- A classic "Subway Series," old-school style. Leading the Series 3-2, Brooklyn rookie Billy Loes battled Yankee veteran Vic Raschi zero for zero for five complete innings. Duke Snider and Yogi Berra exchanged solo shots in the sixth, and young slugger Mickey Mantle's first career World Series home run extended the lead to 3-1. Snider's second HR of the game drew the Dodgers within a run, but Yankees ace Allie Reynolds relieved Raschi and finished off the 3-2 win to send the Series to a seventh game. The Yankees would win that game the following day, leaving the Dodger faithful to, once again, "Wait 'til next year!"