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The World Series, Major League Baseball’s championship series, has provided baseball fans with some of the most memorable moments in sports history. From iconic home runs to dramatic finishes, the plays detailed in the content below highlight the drama, excitement, and unpredictability that foster unforgettable thrills. Each play, players, and teams involved have left an indelible mark on the history of baseball, creating memories that fans cherish and celebrate.
Without further ado, here are the top five most famous moments in World Series history:
In Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the heavily favored Oakland Athletics. Kirk Gibson, who was injured and unable to start, was called upon to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth inning.
With two outs and the Dodgers trailing by one run, Gibson faced the intimidating Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley. In a moment that seemed scripted for Hollywood, Gibson clocked a backdoor slider over the right-field fence for a walk-off home run. Gibson’s dramatic limp around the bases and his iconic fist pump have since become one of the most iconic images in baseball history.
The Chicago Cubs ended their North American professional sports record 108-year World Series championship drought in dramatically. Facing the Cleveland Indians in a tense Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, the game went into extra innings after the Indians tied it in the eighth inning.
Following a brief rain delay, the Cubs rallied in the top of the 10th inning, scoring two crucial runs. The Indians scored one in the bottom of the inning, but Cubs pitcher Mike Montgomery induced a groundout from Michael Martinez to seal the 8-7 victory. The celebration that followed was one of pure joy and relief, as generations of Cubs fans finally saw their team crowned champions.
Game 6 of the 1986 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets featured the most famous blunder in baseball history. With the Red Sox leading the series 3-2 and just one out away from winning the championship, the Mets managed to tie the game in the bottom of the 10th inning.
With runners on base, Mookie Wilson hit a slow ground ball toward first base. Bill Buckner, the Red Sox first baseman, let the ball roll through his legs, allowing the winning run to score. The Mets went on to win Game 7, and Buckner’s error became a haunting memory for Red Sox fans, propelling their curse forward until their eventual redemption in 2004 snapped it at 86 years.
One of the most fabled moments in baseball lore is Babe Ruth’s “called shot” during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs. According to legend, Ruth pointed to the center-field bleachers before hitting the next pitch for a home run precisely in that direction.
While the exact details of the gesture remain debated, the myth of Ruth calling his shot has endured.
The 1960 World Series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees culminated in one of the most dramatic finishes in baseball history. In Game 7, with the score tied 9-9 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Pirates second baseman Bill Mazeroski hit a series-winning walk-off home run.
This homer remains the only Game 7 walk-off home run in World Series history. Mazeroski’s jubilant dash around the bases is forever etched in baseball lore.
In Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk hit a dramatic walk-off home run in the 12th inning against the Cincinnati Reds. Fisk famously waved his arms, seemingly willing the ball to stay fair.
New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen delivered the only perfect game in World Series history during Game 5 of the 1956 Fall Classic against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.