50 Greatest LCS Moments

Now the MLB Playoffs has reached its final four in the form of the American and National League Championship Series, with the winners earning a trip to the world series.
Started back in 1969 when the two leagues split their leagues into East and West divisions, many of baseball's legendary moments have occurred in the LCS.
So I have complied a list of what I think are the 50 greatest moments in the history of the League Championship Series.
One note before I start, the LCS used a best-of-five format from 1964-84 and since 1985 has used a best of seven format, so there are Game 5s on this list that were the deciding game of the series before 1985.
Now that I've explained that, here is the list:

50. 1969 Game 2 Twins-Orioles

Orioles pitcher Dave Mcnally pitches 11 innings of shutout baseball as he strikes out 11 batters and allows only three hits, none after the 4th inning, but it takes Curt Motton’s pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the 11th to give McInally the 1-0 victory.

Dave McNally pitched a gem in Game 2 of the 1969 American League Championship Series.

49. 2011 Game 2 Tigers-Rangers

Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz hits the first walk-off grand slam in postseason history as his grand slam home run in the bottom of the 11th gives Texas a 7-3 win and a 2-0 series lead over the Detroit Tigers as the Rangers would go on to win the series in six games(double-click to play).

48. 1985 Game 7 Royals-Blue Jays

Kansas City catcher Jim Sundberg’s bases-clearing triple proves to be the back-breaker in the Royals’ 6-2 win over the Blue Jays, completing their comeback from a 3-1 series deficit, the first time that happened in the LCS in the first year of the best-of-seven format in the LCS.

47. 1977 Game 5 Yankees-Royals

Down 3-2 in the top of the 9th and three outs away from elimination, the Yankees score three runs to rally for a 5-3 victory and clinch their second straight trip to the World Series.

46. 2002 Game 5 Twins-Angels

Angels second baseman Adam Kennedy hits three home runs in the Angels’ 13-5 pennant-clinching victory over the Minnesota Twins to clinch their first trip to the World Series.

45. 1971 Game 2 Pirates-Giants

Pirates 1st baseman Bob Robertson becomes the first player since Babe Ruth to hit three home runs in a postseason game as his three homers account for five runs in the Pirates’ 9-4 victory.

Bob Robertson is one of three players to hit three home runs in a LCS game.

44. 2014 Game 5 2014 Cardinals-Giants

Giants first baseman Travis Ishikawa hits a walk-off three-run home run to give San Francisco a 6-3 win and send them to the World Series for the third time in five years.

43. 1973 Game 3 Orioles-A’s

Oakland’s Ken Holtzman and Baltimore’s Mike Cueller compete in a pitching duel for the ages as both men would pitch 11 innings each and combine to strike out 18 batters and allow only seven hits between the two of them.

Holtzman would come out the winner of this duel thanks to A’s shortstop Bert Campaneris’ walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 11th to give Oakland a 2-1 win.

Ken Holtzman was the victor in his pitching duel with Mike Culler in Game 3 of the 1973 ALCS.

42. 1988 Game 3 Dodgers-Mets

Ahead 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th, Dodgers closer Jay Howell is pitching to Mets third baseman Kevin McReynolds when New York manager Davey Johnson calls timeout and wants the umpire to check Howell’s glove for an illegal substance.

The umpires find pine tar in the glove and eject Howell from the game, leading to five runs by the Mets in the 8th for a 8-4 win and a suspension for the rest of the series for Howell.

Jay Howell(50) gets the ejection call after pine tar is found to be in his pitching glove.

41. 1998 Game 2 Indians-Yankees

With the game tied 1-1 in the top of 12th and a runner on 1st base, Indians third baseman Travis Fryman lays down a sacrifice bunt down the first base line that is picked up by pitcher Jeff Nelson, who throws it to first where it hits Fryman in the back and rolling into the outfield.

While second baseman Chuck Knoblauch stood at first base arguing that interference should have been called on Fryman, Enrique Wilson continues to run from and ends up scoring what would be the go-ahead run as Cleveland goes on to win the game 4-1.

40. 2018 Game 4 Red Sox-Astros

In the bottom of the 1st inning with his team down 2-0, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve sends a
deep drive to right field that goes beyond the wall and the glove of Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts,
who was attempting to make the catch.

The ball bounces off the hands of an Astros fan and back onto the field of play, leading to umpire
Joe West to call Altuve out citing fan interference.

The play is reviewed and though replays show Betts’ glove make contact with some fans,
it appears that none of the fans reached into the field of play to make the catch, which would be
fan interference.

Nevertheless, the call stands and the Red Sox would win the game 8-6 to take a 3-1 series lead as
they would win the series in five games.

39. 1990 Game 4 Red Sox-A’s

Roger Clemens is ejected in the second inning for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Terry Cooney, though Clemens claims he was talking into his glove, setting off a wild reaction from the Red Sox dugout as they threw water coolers and litters onto the field in protest.

By the way, the A’s would win the game 3-0 to clinch their straight trip to the World Series.

38. 1987 NLCS Giants-Cardinals

Jeffrey Leonard ties a postseason record by hitting a home run in four consecutive games as he hits a home run in each of the series’ first four games, but is more remembered for his slow home run trots that draw the wrath of the Cardinals, resulting in him being hit by a pitch by Cardinals pitcher Bob Forcsch.

Leonard would be named MVP of the series but the Giants would lose in seven games.

37. 1989 Game 1 Giants-Cubs

It took Will Clark just three at-bats to tie the LCS record for RBIs in a series as he hits a RBI double, a solo home run, and then a grand slam to propel the Giants to a 11-3 victory over the Cubs.

Clark would go on to break the record for RBIs in a series as his eight RBIs and .650 batting average lead the Giants to a five-game series win over the Cubs.

36. 2017 Game 5 Dodgers-Cubs
Dodgers center fielder Enrique Hernandez becomes the 10th player in the MLB postseason history to hit three home runs in one game, one of which is a grand slam, and also ties the MLB postseason record for most RBIs in a game with seven as he leads Los Angeles to a 11-1 win over the Chicago Cubs that sends the Dodgers to their first World Series in 29 years.

35. 1989 Game 4 A’s-Blue Jays

A’s slugger Jose Canseco hits a mammoth home run into the fifth deck of the Toronto Skydome as Oakland goes on to defeat the Blue Jays 6-5.

The home run is measured at 480 feet, but most experts believe it was actually over 500 feet.

34. 1973 Game 3 Reds-Mets

The game was a easy 9-2 victory for the Mets, but it was memorable for a bench-clearing brawl that erupted when Pete Rose slid hard into second baseman Bud Harrelson while trying to break up a double play.

Amazingly, there were no one was ejected or even suspended as the Mets would go on to win the series in five games.

33. 1992 Game 4 Blue Jays-A’s

Down 6-1 entering the 8th inning, the Blue Jays score three runs in the top end of the inning, then tie the game in the top of the 9th thanks to Roberto Alomar’s two-run home run sending it to extra innings where the Blue Jays would win 7-6 when Derek Bell scored on Candy Maldonado’s sacrifice fly in the 11th.

The comeback win allowed for Toronto to take a 3-1 series lead as they would go to win the series in six games.

32. 2008 Game 5 Rays-Red Sox

It appeared that the Rays were on the verge of eliminating the Red Sox as they held a 7-0 lead with seven outs remaining in Game 5, only to have Boston score eight runs over the course of the next 2+ innings, the last run being Kevin Youkilis coming off J.D. Drew’s single in the bottom of the 9th to complete the second-biggest comeback in a MLB postseason game.

The Rays would go on to win the series in seven games.

31. 2006 Game 4 A’s-Tigers

Magglio Ordonez hits a walk-off three-run home run that only gives the Tigers a 6-3 win over Oakland in Game 4, but clinches Detroit’s first American League pennant in 22 years.

30. 2000 Game 4 Yankees-Mariners

Roger Clemens ties a LCS record by striking out 15 batters and allows only one hit in his complete game shutout as the Yankees defeated the Mariners 5-0 and seize control of the series with a 3-1 lead as New York would go on to win the series six games.

29. 1972 Game 2 Tigers-A’s

The A’s won the game 5-0 but would lose their shortstop for the rest of the series when Bert Campaneris throws his bat at Tigers pitcher Larrin LaGraw after being hit by a pitch leading to a bench-clearing brawl that saw Campaneris and Tigers manager Billy Martin being ejected.

Campaneris would return for the World Series and help Oakland to the first of three straight world titles.

28. 1977 Game 3 Dodgers-Phillies

In Philadelphia, it is known as “Black Friday” as the Dodgers score three runs in the top of the 9th (all with two outs) to pull out a 6-5 win and take a 2-1 series lead.

The comeback is aided by a controversial call when shortstop Larry Bowa appears to throw out Davey Lopes at 1st base for what would have been the final out only to have umpire Bruce Froemming call him safe.The Dodgers would win Game 4 to advance to the World Series for the second straight year.

27. 1984 Game 4 Cubs-Padres

Padres 1st baseman Steve Garvey caps off his five RBI night with a walk-off two-run home run that gives San Diego a 7-5 victory and forces a deciding Game 5 with the Chicago Cubs.

26. 1988 Game 4 Dodgers-Mets

On the verge of going down 3-1 in the series, the Dodgers come back against the Mets with a two-run home run by Dodgers catcher Mike Scioscia off Mets ace Dwight Gooden that tied the game 4-4 in the top of the 9th and then win the game 5-4 with a solo home run by Kirk Gibson in the top of 12th.

The win is the turning point of the series as the Dodgers go on to win the series in seven games(double-click to play).

25. 1999 Game 4 Yankees-Red Sox

Down 3-2 in the bottom of the 8th, the Red Sox’s rally is stopped when the Yankees get an inning-ending double play, even though it is clear that Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch does not come close to tagging out Jose Offerman on his way to second base.

The Yankees would explode for six runs in the 9th to put the game away with a 9-2 win and then go on to defeat Boston in Game 5 to clinch the series.

24. 1997 Game 5 Braves-Marlins

Thanks to home plate umpire Eric Gregg’s enormous strike zone, Marlins pitcher Livian Hernandez strikes a LCS record 15 batters to lead the Marlins to a 2-1 victory and a 3-2 series lead over the Atlanta Braves.

Hernandez would be named series MVP after the Marlins clinch the series with their Game 6 win.

23. 2019 Game 6 Yankees-Astros
After Yankees 1st baseman D.J. Lemahieu hits a game-tying two-run home run in the top of the 9th inning, Astros 2nd baseman Jose Altuve answers with a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 9th to give Houston a 6-4 win and their 2nd AL pennant in three years.

22. 1972 Game 5 Pirates-Reds

Down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Reds catcher Johnny Bench hits a game-tying solo home run that sparks a Cincinnati rally in which George Foster scores the game-winning run on Bob Moose’s wild pitch that sends the Reds to their second World Series in three years.

21. 2016 Game 6 2016 Dodgers-Cubs

For the first time since 1945, the Chicago Cubs earn a trip to the World Series as they defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 to clinch their first National League pennant in 71 years.

20. 1981 Game 5 Dodgers-Expos

Dodgers outfielder Rick Monday hits the go-ahead home run in the top of the 9th to help send the Dodgers to a 2-1 win and clinched their third National League pennant in five years.

The game is referred to as “Blue Monday” in Montreal as it was the closest the Expos would ever get to the World Series.

19. 1978 Game 3 Royals-Yankees

Royals third baseman George Brett hits three home runs but is not enough as Yankees catcher Thurman Munson hits the go-ahead two-run home in the bottom of the 8th to give the Yankees a 6-5 win.

But Yankees catcher Thurman Munson hits a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth which gives the Yankees a 6-5 lead which they hold on to for the win(double-click to play).

The Yankees would win Game 4 to win their third straight ALCS, all over the Royals, but two years later...

18. 1980 Game 3 Royals-Yankees

The Royals exorcise their demons against the Yankees as they advance to the World Series after three consecutive losses to the Yankees in the ALCS with the key moment being George Brett’s three-run home run into the upper deck of Yankee Stadium in the third game of Kansas City’s three-game sweep of New York.

17. 2005 Game 2 Angels-White Sox

With two out in the bottom of the 9th and the game tied 1-1, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski swings at a low pitch for the third strike, but realizes he is not called out by home plate umpire Doug Eddings and runs to first base even though it appears that Angels catcher Josh Paul had caught the third strike(who had the ball back to the mound thinking Pierzynski was out).

Pablo Ozuna would pitch-run for Pierzynski would score the game-winning run on a Joe Crede single that helped the White Sox to take a 2-0 series lead as they would go to win their first American League pennant since 1959.

16. 1980 Game 5 Phillies-Astros

Garry Maddox’s RBI double in the top of the 10th gives the Phillies a 8-7 win and brings an end to one of the most exciting postseason series in MLB history as four of the five games are decided in extra innings.

15. 1984 Game 5 Cubs-Padres

The Curse of the Billy Goat strikes again as the Cubs blew a 3-0 lead in the deciding Game 5 against the Padres and lose the game 6-3 with the big blow being a ground ball going through the legs of first baseman Leon Durham, allowing for the tying run to score and spark a four-run 7th inning for the Padres.

Chicago became the second team to lose a LCS after jumping out to a 2-0 series lead(double click to play).

14. 2005 Game 5 Cardinals-Astros

Leading 4-2 in the top of the 9th and just one strike away from the World Series, the Astros are rocked by Albert Pujols’ three-run home run off Houston closer Brad Lidge that would give the Cardinals a 5-4 victory and force a Game 6 back in St. Louis.
The Astros would rebound to win Game 6 but Pujols’ blast is the most memorable moment for this series.

13. 1985 Game 6 Cardinals-Dodgers

Needing one more out to force a Game 7, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda lets pitcher Tom Niedenfuer pitch to the Cardinals’ Jack Clark even though 1st base is open as St. Louis as runners on 2nd and 3rd.

Clark makes the Dodgers pay as he sends Niedenfuer first pitch 450 feet into the Dodger Stadium bleachers that puts the Cardinals ahead 7-5, a lead which would they keep as the Dodgers go 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 9th to be eliminated by St. Louis in six games.

12. 2003 Game 3 Yankees-Red Sox

Tensions reach a boiling point between the two rivals when both benches clear following Manny Ramirez’s angry reaction to a high pitch from Roger Clemens.

Taking the opportunity to respond to Pedro Martinez drilling the Yankees’ Karim Garcia earlier in the game, 72-year-old coach Don Zimmer charges at Martinez, only to end up on the ground when the Red Sox ace tossed him to the ground.

New York would go on to win the game 4-3.

11. 1999 Game 5 Braves-Mets

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 15th, Mets third baseman Robin Ventura sends Kevin McGlinchey’s 2-1 fastball over the right field fence for an apparent grand slam.

The Mets are so excited that they mob Ventura between 1st and 2nd bases, making the grand slam only a single as Shawon Dunston had crossed home plate with the winning run before Ventura’s path is interrupted.

The “Grand Slam Single” as it become to known, gave the Mets a 4-3 win and forced the series back to Atlanta for a Game 6

10. 2006 Game 7 Cardinals-Mets

Mets left fielder Endy Chavez brings back a sure home run as he makes an amazing catch near the left field wall and then throws to first base for a double play that preserves the 1-1 tie.

However, the Cardinals would go on to win the game 3-1 thanks to Yadier Molina’s two-run home run in the top of the 9th.

9. 1996 Game 1 Orioles-Yankees

12-year-old Jeffrey Maier etches his name in Yankee lore when he reaches over the right field wall to bring a ball that would have been caught by Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco and instead go in for a home run that tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the 8th.
Tarasco and the Orioles argued for fan interference but the umpires in favor of the Yankees, who would go to win the game 5-4 in 11 innings after Bernie Williams’s walk-off solo home run.

8. 1986 Game 6 Mets-Astros

It appears that the Astros are going to force a Game 7 as they hold a 3-0 lead going into the top of the 9th inning.
But the Mets score three runs in the 9th to force the game into extra innings, where the game would not end until Mets reliever Jesse Orosco strikes out Kevin Bass to end the longest game in LCS history as the Mets clinch the National League pennant with a 7-6 win in 16 innings in a game that took 4 hours and 42 minutes to play.
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7. 1985 Game 5 Dodgers-Cardinals

Never hitting a home run from the left side, switch-hitting shortstop Ozzie Smith picks the right time to his first home run as a left-handed batter as he sends a Tom Niedenfuer fastball over the right field wall for a walk-off home run to give the Cardinals a 3-2 and propelling Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck to tell his listeners” Go crazy, folks. Go crazy”.

6. 1976 Game 5 Royals-Yankees

With the game tied 6-6 in the bottom of the 9th, Yankees first baseman Chris Chambliss sends Mark Littell’s pitch over the right field wall for a game-winning run that sends the Yankees to the World Series for the first time in 12 years and setting off a wild celebration where thousands of fans jumped from the bleachers and onto the field.

5. 2003 Game 7 Red Sox-Yankees

Aaron Boone sends the Yankees to the World Series with a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 11th for a 6-5 victory, completing New York’s comeback from a 5-2 deficit with one out in bottom of the 8th.

Boston manager Grady Little is criticized for leaving in starter Pedro Martinez when he begins to tire in the 8th, and then proceeds to allow in three runs after Little had visited him on the mound.

In the offseason, Little is fired as manager of the Boston Red Sox(double-click to play).

4. 1986 Game 5 Red Sox-Angels

Needing just one more strike to send his team to the World Series, Angels reliever Donnie Moore throws a forkball that Red Sox outfielder Dave Henderson hits beyond the left wall stands to give Boston a shocking 6-5 lead after entering the top of the 9th down 5-2.

The Angels would tie the game in the bottom of the 9th, but the Red Sox would prevail 7-6 in 11 innings, with Henderson knocking in the winning run on a sacrifice fly.

The comeback forced the series back to Boston where the Red Sox would win Games 6 and 7 to win the American League pennant and deny the Angels their first trip to the World Series.

3. 2003 Game 6 Marlins-Cubs

Just five outs from the World Series, the Cubs blew a 3-0 lead when fan Steve Bartman interferes with left fielder Moises Alou’s attempt to catch a foul ball and has the ball bounce off his hands and into the stands, instead of the possible second out of the inning.

That sets off a chain of events that includes shortstop Alex Gonzalez’s error on a possible inning-ending double play and Mike Mordecai hitting a bases-clearing double in a 8-run inning that gives the Marlins a 8-3 win and forces a Game 7 which Florida would win 9-6, denying the Cubs their first trip to the World Series since 1945.

2. 1992 Game 7 Pirates-Braves

Down 2-1 with two out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, pinch hitter Francisco Cabrera hits a line drive into left field that allows David Justice to score with the tying run and a chance for slow-footed Sid Bream to score with the winning run from second base.

Bream barely beats catcher Mike Laverille’s tag for the winning run to give the Braves a 3-2 win and send Atlanta to the World Series for the second straight season after being down 2-0 entering the final inning.

1. 2004 ALCS Red Sox-Yankees

There are just too many moments from this series to pick so the whole series gets picked as the greatest moment in LCS history as the Red Sox become the only team in MLB postseason history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.

The comeback begins in the bottom of the 9th of Game 4 with Boston down 3-2 and facing Yankees closer Mariano Rivera when Dave Roberts comes in to pinch run for Kevin Millar after he drew a leadoff walk, and proceeds to beat Jorge Posada’s throw as he steals second base, to set up the game-tying run on Bill Mueller’s single.

Boston would win the game 6-4 in the 12th thanks to David Ortiz’s walk-off two-run home run, who would go on to hit the game-winning RBI single in the 14th inning of Game 5 for a 5-4 victory.

Ortiz’s heroics set up Curt Schilling’s courageous performance as he pitched seven strong innings as blood soaked through his sock following a procedure to repair his torn tendon sheath to force a Game 7 which Boston won easily 10-3, thanks to Johnny Damon’s two home run, six-RBI performance.