The "The Shot Heard Round The World" Story

It was an ordinary day.  The date was October 3, 1951.  I had just turned 7 years old the previous month and had entered 2nd grade a few days before my birthday in September.  So, what was so important about October 3 of 1951.  Well, for one thing, the Brooklyn Dodgers were playing the New York Giants to determine whom would play in the 1951 World Series against the New York Yankees who had won the World Series the previous year.  I got home from school about 3:00 P.M. and immediately turned the radio on so I could hear who was going to win today's game and qualify to play the Yankees in the 1951 World Series.  Seems that all season the Dodgers were in first place in the National League.  But right at the end of the season the Giants pulled even with them.  Came down to the final game which was to be played at the Polo Grounds.  The Polo Grounds, an odd name for an odd stadium, was home to the New York Giants until the team eventually moved to San Fransisco.  All season long the Dodgers had a lead over the Giants until the final game when the teams needed the season tied for 1st place.  The Giants had won their final 16 games to tie the Dodgers on the final day of the regular season.  People stood in line that early day in October to see who would qualify for the World Series.  The game was close throughout until the Giants pitcher, Sal Maglie, tired and gave up three runs.  In the bottom of the 9th the Giants scored a run and had two runners on base when Bobby Thompson came to bat.  On deck was my all-time favorite Willie Mays.  I kept hoping the Dodgers would walk Thompson to get to the much younger Mays.  Well, the Dodgers summoned  Ralph Branca from the bullpen to pitch to Thompson.  The first pitch was a fastball right down the middle.  Strike one!  The next pitch was up and in...not a good pitch to swing at...but Thompson swings anyway and tomahawks the ball.  I must have been screaming at the radio and never heard my mom yell at me to keep the noise down when all of a sudden the radio announcer yells "The Giants win the pennant!  The Giants win the pennant!  The Giants win the pennant!  I listened as Thompson rounded the bases as the announcer described the scene over the radio.  Bobby Thompson's homer will forever be known as "the shot heard round the world."  

Bobby Thompson hitting his homer in 1951

It's been years ago, but I still remember that magical day in 1951.  I've always been a Willie Mays fan and that will never change.  Today my favorite team is the Philadelphia Phillies and that will also never change either.  But, I must admit that when I read, hear or see a story about "The Greatest Homerun in History," I still get excited and try and recall that day in history when the Giants won the pennant.  It was another extraordinary day in the life an ordinary guy.