Call to the pen
Fansided

The most memorable moments for each team in MLB history

By David Hill

NEW YORK - JULY 4, 1939. Lou Gehrig, first baseman for the New York Yankees, is shown at the microphone during Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day, a farewell to the slugger, at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)
NEW YORK - JULY 4, 1939. Lou Gehrig, first baseman for the New York Yankees, is shown at the microphone during Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day, a farewell to the slugger, at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Houston Astros – Asterisk no more

The Houston Astros had won the World Series in 2017, a title that had been tarnished by AstroGate and jokes about trash cans and buzzers. Those jokes were put to rest in 2022 as the Astros won a second title, defeating the Phillies in six games. Dusty Baker finally earned that elusive title, Justin Verlander won a game in the series, and the stigma of AstroGate has been washed away.

Los Angeles Angels – A no-hitter to honor a fallen teammate

Tyler Skaggs had unexpectedly passed away on July 1, 2019, the victim of an opioid overdose. His passing hit his teammates and the franchise hard, with tributes around Angel Stadium in their first home game after his passing. However, the greatest tribute came on the mound when Taylor Cole and Felix Pena fired a combined no-hitter on July 12, the day before Skaggs would have turned 28 years old. The Angels scored seven in the first inning, and 13 in the game, as 7/13 would have been his birthday. It was the perfect ending for an emotional day.

Oakland A’s – The Man of Steal sets the record

It was a matter of time before Rickey Henderson chased down Lou Brock for the stolen base title. That moment came on May 1, 1991, when Henderson swiped third base for the 939th steal of his illustrious career. The images of Henderson ripping third base out of the ground, and his speech when he proclaimed himself the greatest, will be a part of his enduring legacy and the most memorable moment of his four stints with the A’s.

Seattle Mariners – The double

Back in 1995, the Mariners made the postseason for the first time in franchise history. Their reward – facing the Yankees in the ALDS. It was not a surprise when the Yankees won the first two games of the series, but the Mariners fought back to force Game Five. The Yankees took a 4-2 lead in Game Five, but the Mariners scored two in the eighth to force extra innings. After the Yankees scored a run in the top of the 11th, a bunt single by Alex Cora and a Ken Griffey Jr. single to short right set the stage for Edgar Martinez, who lined a game winning double down the left field line. Not only did the Mariners advance in the postseason for the first time, but that play is considered to be key in keeping the franchise in Seattle.

Texas Rangers – Rougned Odor rocks Jose Bautista

Rougned Odor taking exception to a hard slide from Jose Bautista will live on in infamy. Bautista slid hard into second in an attempt to break up a double play, something that Odor took offense to. The Rangers second baseman first shoved Bautista, then belted him in the jaw with an overhand right, knocking the Blue Jays’ outfielder’s glasses off and briefly staggering him. To Bautista’s credit, he stayed on his feet and was ready to square up before a benches clearing brawl broke out, separating the combatants. Odor eventually received an eight game suspension for his actions, although it was reduced to seven on appeal.

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