The most memorable moments for each team in MLB history
By David Hill
Chicago White Sox – The Black Sox Scandal
The Black Sox Scandal rocked the baseball universe. Eight players on the White Sox, including stars Shoeless Joe Jackson and pitcher Eddie Ciccotte, were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series in a deal with sports gamblers. While all eight players were acquitted in court, they were banned from the game by Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who became the game’s first commissioner directly due to that scandal. The White Sox, then one of the better franchises in the game, never recovered from those losses and spent the next two decades in the lower end of the division.
Cleveland Guardians – Ray Chapman killed by pitch
Only one MLB player has ever passed away due to injuries suffered on the diamond – shortstop Ray Chapman. Yankees’ submariner Carl Mays fired a pitch up and in that it is believed Chapman never saw coming – it was close to dusk, the ball was darkened due to use, and he never moved out of the way. Chapman collapsed on the diamond before passing away in a hospital the next day, his passing leading to Mays being vilified and the spitter being banned.
Detroit Tigers – Kirk Gibson seals 1984 World Series
Kirk Gibson had a flair for the dramatic in his career, his homer off of Dennis Eckersley in the 1988 World Series one of the more famous highlights in MLB history. However, that was not the only dramatic home run of his career, as Gibson put the final nail in the coffin for the Tigers’ World Series victory in 1984. With the Tigers clinging to a one run lead in Game Five, Gibson belted a three run homer in the bottom of the eighth to clinch the Tigers’ most recent championship.
Kansas City Royals – The Pine Tar Game
The Royals may have a pair of World Series titles, but the most memorable moment came after what appeared to be an innocent home run. Yankees manager Billy Martin had noticed that George Brett had more than the maximum length of pine tar on his bat and waited for the right moment to say something. That happened when Brett hit a two run homer in the top of the ninth to give the Royals the lead. Martin requested that Brett’s bat be examined, and he was subsequently called out for the illegal bat. The future Hall of Famer went ballistic, charging the umpires in a tirade that will live on forever. Gaylord Perry attempted to swipe the bat in the ensuing chaos, with the Royals playing under protest. The call was eventually overturned with the home run counting and the Royals ended up with a 5-4 victory.
Minnesota Twins – Jack Morris cements legacy, Hall of Fame
Jack Morris spent one year with the Twins, but he used that season to burnish his reputation as one of the top big game pitchers in MLB history. Called on to start Game Seven of the 1991 World Series on three days rest, he pitched one of the best games of his career, firing ten shutout innings. The Twins finally made his performance count as Dan Gladden scored on Gene Larkin’s fly ball over a drawn in outfield, giving Morris and the Twins a moment that would live on forever.