Mickey Mantle in 1963

Baseball's Greatest Home Runs

On May 22, 1963, Mickey Mantle blasted what is today known as the hardest hit home run of all time. Mantle took Bill Fischer’s pitch deep off of the right field facade to give the Yankees the win. According to those present, the ball was still rising when it hit the 108-ft. high facade. It is estimated that the shot went an astounding 636 feet. (AP Photo)

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Bill Mazeroski i... The Pittsburgh Pirates were matched up against the powerful New York Yankees for the 1960 World Series. Game 7 was a dogfight that came down to a single at bat in the ninth inning. Bill Mazeroski would hit a walk-off home run to stun the favored Yankees and capture the World Series for the Pirates. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Mickey Mantle in... On May 22, 1963, Mickey Mantle blasted what is today known as the hardest hit home run of all time. Mantle took Bill Fischer’s pitch deep off of the right field facade to give the Yankees the win. According to those present, the ball was still rising when it hit the 108-ft. high facade. It is estimated that the shot went an astounding 636 feet. (AP Photo)
Joe Carter in 19... It was the bottom of the 9th inning in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. The Philadelphia Phillies were moments away from forcing a Game 7. Closer Mitch Williams was on the mound. With Joe Carter at the plate, Williams’ pitch missed its mark and Carter made him pay with a game-winning home run that crowned the Blue Jays the World Series champions. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Scott Brosius in... In the 2001 World Series, Yankee Scott Brosius was at the plate with Game 5 on the line against the Diamondbacks. There were two outs and the Yankees were down two runs. The pressure was on Brosius to get the job done with a runner on base. In dramatic fashion, Brosius came through in the clutch and provided the Yanks’ with a two-run shot that would send the game into extra innings. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Babe Ruth in 193... Babe Ruth approached the plate in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series. Before taking a pitch, Ruth pointed with his bat to the center field bleachers to signify a home run shot. Sure enough, he took the next pitch deep into center field and over the outfield wall. The infamous home run is known as ‘The Called Shot.’ (AP Photo/National Baseball Library, Cooperstown, N.Y.)
Scott Podsednik ... Chicago White Sox lead off hitter Scott Podsednik had not homered throughout the entire 2005 season. The odds were heavily against him to do so in the World Series. He would defy those odds and hit a walk-off homer to give the White Sox a Game 2 victory over the Astros.
Los Angeles Dodg... Los Angeles Dodgers: The 2006 Dodgers were down four runs in the ninth inning vs. the Padres. Many Dodger faithful began clearing the bleachers as they assumed the game was over. But to their surprise, the Dodgers would hit four consecutive home runs. Nomar Garciaparra was mobbed at home plate after hitting the fourth consecutive homer. The Padres were bewildered and were unable to close. The Dodgers would go on to win 11-10 in 10 innings. (Reuters/Robert Galbraith)
Mark McGwire in ... Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were chasing Roger Maris’ single-season home run record throughout the 1998 season. It was only a matter of time before one of them accomplished the feat. That night would arrive for "Big Mac" on September 8th against the Chicago Cubs. McGwire rocketed a shot deep for his 62nd home run of the season, and broke Maris' record. He would go on to hit a total of 70 home runs for the season. (AP Photo/John Gaps III)
Kirk Gibson in 1... An injured Kirk Gibson only had one plate appearance in the 1988 World Series against the Athletics. With two injured legs and a stomach virus, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda reluctantly put him into the game. With the count 3-2, Gibson took the next pitch deep over the right field wall to win Game 1 of the series. (AP Photo/Mark Cornillie, File)
Chipper Jones in... In a great start to the 2008 season that saw Chipper Jones batting above .400, he accomplished another feat. Chipper became the 43rd player in MLB history to hit 400 career home runs. The shot came at home against the Florida Marlins. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Johnny Pesky Johnny Pesky only had 17 home runs in 13 seasons for the Boston Red Sox. Six of those homers hit off of the right field pole at Fenway Park. It was only fitting for the Red Sox to name the pole ‘Pesky Pole’ in honor of the unusual feat. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Robin Ventura in... In the 15th inning of Game 5 of the '99 NLCS, Robin Ventura came to bat with the bases loaded. The Braves were able to hold off the Mets offense until Ventura parked a grand slam to end the game. He never made it to home plate, however, as his teammates mobbed him at second base. (AP Photo/Chris Gardner)
Carlton Fisk in ... In Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, Carlton Fisk hit a shot down the right field line. It appeared to be heading into foul territory. Fisk directed the ball to stay fair as he waived his arms and ran down the first base line. The ball stayed fair, went into the stand for a home run, and gave the Red Sox a 7-6 victory over the Reds. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)
David Justice in... Game 6 of the 1995 World Series was a defensive match up between the Braves and the Indians. David Justice was struggling all series and had recently made negative statements about Atlanta’s fans in the newspaper. He knew he had to step up his game. In the in the sixth inning, Justice blasted a solo that scored the only run of the game and won the Braves the World Series. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Kirby Puckett in... Kirby Puckett was up to bat in the 11th inning of a dogfight World Series Game 6 against the Atlanta Braves. Puckett had led his team all season, and this night would be no different. He hit a solo shot that would end the game and force a Game 7. The Twins would go on to win the 1991 World Series. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Hank Aaron in 19... Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves chased Babe Ruth’s career home run record throughout the 1974 season. During this season he would not only have to overcome tough pitching, but death threats as well. Neither of the two could prevent Aaron from accomplishing the feat as he hit home run No. 715 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 8th. (AP Photo)
Jim Thome in 200... The White Sox were down 7-1 to the Angels. It was now the bottom of the ninth, and Jim Thome stepped up to the plate 0-for-4 in the game. Against all odds, he hammered a 3-2 pitch off of Dustin Moseley for the win and the 500th home run of his career. (AP Photo/Jerry Lai)
Frank Thomas in ... Throughout Frank Thomas’ career he has been known as a long-ball hitter. Although his power hitting has waned over the years, "Big Hurt" is still a reliable threat at the plate. He proved this on June 28, 2007 when he belted in his 500th career home run as a new member of the Toronto Blue Jays. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Alex Rodriguez i... The road leading up to A-Rod’s 500th home run was a bumpy one. It was beginning to feel as though he would never clear No. 499. Even in a game where his team hit eight home runs, he could not come up with one. Finally, on August 4, 2007, A-Rod became the youngest player to hit 500 home runs. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Reggie Jackson i... Game 6 of the 1977 World Series included an outstanding individual performance by Yankees' great Reggie Jackson. The newest member of the team hit three home runs in the game. All together he had five home runs in the series. The accomplishment was so spectacular that Sports Magazine awarded him a brand new car and named him MVP of the series. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler)
Manny Ramirez in... Manny Ramirez is well known for his unique personality on and off the field. On May 31, 2008, he was recognized for a different feat when he joined the 500 Home Run Club. He completed the historic accomplishment in the 7th inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
Ted Williams in ... In 1960 vs. the Baltimore Orioles, Red Sox's great Ted Williams was at the plate for what would be the last time in his illustrious career. He roped a pitch deep over the outfield wall for career home run No. 521. (AP Photo)
Ken Griffey Jr. ... "The King of Swing" has had an injury-prone career filled with ups and downs. Despite many marred seasons, Griffey has still managed to secure his spot as one of MLB’s elite home run hitters. On June 9th of this year, he hit his 600th career home run against the Florida Marlins. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Aaron Boone in 2... In a deciding Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, Aaron Boone was at bat in the 11th inning for the Yanks. He had entered the game earlier as a pinch runner and only remained in the game due to a depleted roster. He took advantage of his opportunity and hit a solo blast that decided the game and carried the Yankees to the World Series. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Barry Bonds in 2... Bonds has had a troublesome career. Despite his on-field success, steroid allegations have haunted him for that past few seasons. The death of his father and former MLB player, Bobby Bonds, also affected him a great deal. This all led up to the emotional event that occurred on August 7, 2007 when he hit the now famous 756th home run against the Washington Nationals. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Roger Maris in 1... In the 1961 season, Yankees’ Roger Maris was set to challenge Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record for the second time in his career. Maris entered the last game of the season just one home run shy of the record. In the 4th inning of the game, he would take a pitch deep against Red Sox’s Tracy Stallard to seal his place in baseball history. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)
Derek Jeter in 1... In the bottom of the eighth inning in Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS, Derek Jeter hit a home run that allowed the Yankees to even the score with the Orioles. Perhaps the credit should go to 12-year-old Jeffrey Maier. The youngster was seated in the right field stands, when the O's Tony Tarasco attempted to track the ball down. He eyed the ball up just before the home run fence, but Maier assumed it had already cleared the fence and stuck his glove out to snag the catch. Maier's hand tipped the ball over the wall and the umpire signaled a home run. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Cal Ripken in 20... Ripken was set to compete in his final All-Star Game during the 2001 season. It was pegged as his final opportunity to show that he still had it despite his approaching retirement. In the 3rd inning "The Iron Man" did just that and connected for a solo home run. He would go on to win MVP of the game. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)