The 10 greatest moments in MLB history, according to AI
Technology is an amazing thing. Every day, our society is seemingly introduced to something new designed to make our lives easier, better, and more productive.
Recently, I learned about a technology called ChatGPT, a form of artificial intelligence (AI) that, according to the creators, “interacts in a conversational way. The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer followup questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests.”
Simply put, ask this AI program a question and, in mere seconds, you will likely have an answer. Want to drill deeper on the subject? No problem, the AI program can give you more information, quickly and efficiently.
If you want to learn more about what AI and specifically ChatGPT can do, this Twitter thread is fascinating.
I decided to put the AI to the test, with a baseball twist of course.
Revealing the 10 greatest moments in MLB history, according to AI
I started the experiment by asking, “What are the top 10 moments in MLB history?” ChatGPT quickly spit out a list of 10 moments. I then asked it to detail more about each of the moments. In less than a minute, I not only had the list, but also why AI selected those moments to be the top 10.
I shared this list with some friends in the baseball industry, and most gave it a thumbs up … with some suggestions on what they would put in there as well.
What follows is the list, as well as why the AI selected the moments. As a note, I did not change anything that you will read in the following pages, so, yes, there could be an inaccuracy or two. It’s not a perfect science, but it’s a fascinating way to see how AI sees our national pastime.
So what made the list and why, according to AI? Read on to find out.
Babe Ruth’s called shot
In 1932, Babe Ruth was playing for the New York Yankees in the World Series against the Chicago Cubs. In the fifth inning of Game 3, Ruth allegedly pointed to the center field bleachers before hitting a home run to that exact spot. This moment has become one of the most iconic in baseball history.
Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier
In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American player to play in the MLB. This was a significant moment in the league’s history, as it paved the way for other African American players to join the league and ended decades of segregation in professional baseball.
Kirk Gibson’s walk-off home run
In the 1988 World Series, Kirk Gibson hit a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Gibson, who was injured and had to be carried out to the plate, hit the ball out of the park on a full count, making it one of the most iconic moments in World Series history.
Cal Ripken Jr. breaks Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record
In 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s record for the most consecutive games played by a single player. Ripken had played in 2,131 consecutive games, surpassing Gehrig’s record of 2,130. This moment was celebrated by fans and players alike, and solidified Ripken’s place in baseball history.
Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa’s home run chase
In 1998, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa engaged in a thrilling home run chase that captivated the nation. Both players broke the previous single-season home run record, with McGwire ultimately hitting 70 home runs and Sosa hitting 66. This moment brought attention to the sport and is remembered as one of the most exciting moments in baseball history.
The “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”
In 1951, the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers were tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning of the final game of their National League playoff series. Giants player Bobby Thomson hit a game-winning home run, known as the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” to give the Giants the win and send them to the World Series.
The Chicago Cubs win the World Series
In 2016, the Chicago Cubs ended their 108-year World Series drought by defeating the Cleveland Indians in Game 7. This moment was historic, as it was the first time the Cubs had won the World Series since 1908. The victory was celebrated by fans and players alike, and is considered one of the most iconic moments in baseball history.
Mariano Rivera becomes the all-time saves leader
In 2011, Mariano Rivera broke the record for the most saves in MLB history. He had recorded his 602nd save, surpassing Trevor Hoffman’s previous record of 601. This moment solidified Rivera’s place as one of the greatest closers in baseball history.
David Freese’s walk-off home run
David Freese’s home run was a game-winning hit that occurred in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals were facing elimination against the Texas Rangers, and in the bottom of the ninth inning, Freese hit a game-tying triple to send the game into extra innings. In the 11th inning, Freese hit a walk-off home run to give the Cardinals a 10-9 victory and force a decisive Game 7. This moment is considered one of the greatest in World Series history, and helped the Cardinals to win their 11th World Series championship. Freese was named the MVP of the series for his impressive performance.
Boston Red Sox win the World Series
The Boston Red Sox winning the 2004 World Series was special because it ended the team’s 86-year drought without a championship. The Red Sox had not won the World Series since 1918, and the team’s fans had been waiting for a victory for many years. The 2004 season was a historic one for the Red Sox, as they came back from a 3-0 deficit in the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, a feat that had never been accomplished before. This set the stage for the World Series, where the Red Sox faced the St. Louis Cardinals. The Red Sox won the series in four games, giving their fans a long-awaited championship. This moment was celebrated by Red Sox fans and is considered one of the greatest moments in the team’s history.
Next. Ranking the 12 winningest teams in MLB history. dark
So what do you think of the MLB history list? What would you have added or deleted? Let us know in the comments section below.