For fans of Major League baseball, the comfort of identifying with the home team’s broadcaster makes the game special. In many cases, it is an announcer’s home run call that serves as a signature. I am often asked to share my home run call with inquiring baseball fans. One problem: I don’t have one. My opinion is certainly not shared by all, but it’s my belief that all home runs are different and attaching a scripted phrase to every long ball, be it a moon shot or a wall scraper, doesn’t accurately tell the story.
Early in my big league career, I was pulled aside by a broadcasting executive who told me that he was going to take me to the next level. I thought he meant they were moving my office from the second to the third floor. I should have been so lucky. It seems that this executive felt I needed a unique home run call and that I should crank my volume up a notch or two to reach my full broadcasting potential. I have always felt that it is important to listen to constructive criticism, so I obliged. The next month and a half, I proceeded to call every pop up to second base with the same fervor as a Barry Bonds McCovey Cove shot. Every time I think back to that conversation, visions of Joe Buck screaming, “Slam-a-Lama-Ding Dong” bounce around my head. The lesson I learned, was that just like most home runs, great home run calls just happen.
For my money, the best home run calls are those that are spontaneous and capture the moment. For that reason, the most memorable home run calls are born from some of the game’s most memorable moments. While I’m not old enough to remember Russ Hodges’ classic call of Bobby Thompson’s three-run homer to lift the Giants over the Dodgers for the Pennant in 1951, I have had the privilege to hear some of the most memorable home run calls in recent history. With that, here is a list of my top five favorite home run calls. These obviously are all big game calls which gives them an advantage, but in my mind, they are some of the most memorable. Some are very basic and simple and some are more descriptive. To me though, they all captured the moment brilliantly.
5. Jack Buck-October 1985.
Game five of the NLCS-St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers. Ozzie Smith’s improbable ninth inning home run beat the Dodgers. “Smith corks one into right down the line! It may go! Go crazy folks, Go crazy! It’s a home run! And the Cardinals have won the game 3-2 on a home run by the Wizard….Go Crazy folks, Go Crazy.”
4. Jack Buck- October 1991.
Game six of the World Series-Atlanta Braves vs. Minnesota Twins. Kirby Puckett’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. “Into deep left-center for Mitchell…..and we’ll see you tomorrow night.”
3. Vin Scully-October 1988.
Game one of the World Series-Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland A’s. Kirk Gibson’s dramatic home run off Dennis Eckersley beats the A’s. “High fly ball to deep right field…..she iiiiis gooone.” Over a minute later, Scully added, “In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened.”
2. Tom Cheek-October 1993.
Game six of the 1993 World Series-Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays. Joe Carter’s walk-off home run ends the World Series. “Touch ‘em all Joe, you’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life.”
1. Jack Buck-October 1988.
Game one of the World Series. Kirk Gibson’s home run off Dennis Eckersley. “Gibson…swings and a fly ball to deep right field! This is gonna be a home run! Unbelievable! A home run for Gibson! And the Dodgers have won the game, 5 to 4! I don’t believe…what I just saw.”
This is a short list to be sure, but some of my favorite calls of all time.