On October 3, 1951, Bobby Thomson made baseball history with one swing of the bat. With the New York Giants trailing the Brooklyn Dodgers 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tiebreaker game to decide the National League pennant, Thomson hit a three-run home run off pitcher Ralph Branca to give the Giants a 5-4 victory. The moment became known as the “Shot Heard ’round the World” and remains one of the most iconic moments in baseball history.
But what many people forget is the crucial double play Thomson made just a few innings earlier that ultimately saved his legacy. In the top of the eighth inning, with the Dodgers leading 2-1, Jackie Robinson hit a ground ball to Thomson at third base. With the tying run on third base and the go-ahead run on second, Thomson fielded the ball cleanly and fired it to first base for the first out. But what happened next is what truly saved the Giants’ season.
Dodgers runner Eddie Miksis, who was on second base, attempted to advance to third on the play. Giants first baseman Whitey Lockman quickly relayed the ball back to Thomson, who put the tag on Miksis for the crucial double play. This outstanding defensive play not only prevented the tying run from scoring, but it also kept the go-ahead run from advancing to third base with less than two outs.
Thomson’s double play not only kept the Giants within striking distance in a tense game, but it also set the stage for his dramatic home run in the ninth inning. Without that double play, Thomson’s heroics at the plate may have never happened, and the Giants may have never won the pennant.
While Thomson’s home run is what is most remembered and celebrated from that fateful day, it is important to acknowledge the crucial role that his defensive play had in the Giants’ victory. It was a testament to Thomson’s all-around skills as a baseball player and his ability to come through in clutch situations.
Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ’round the World” may have solidified his place in baseball history, but it was his double play earlier in the game that truly saved his legacy and helped to secure his spot as a baseball legend.