Our blog emphasizes business and marketing, but it’s a pleasure for me to share some of my hobbies as well. Baseball is one of them, and if you’re also interested in the sport, I think you’ll enjoy reading my article.
Over the past 35+ years, ever since I became a baseball fan, I’ve seen thousands of games in person and on TV. Thanks to the internet, I’ve discovered many games I hadn’t previously known about. To enhance your own appreciation of the game, I’d like to share some of my favorite games with you. Each of these match-ups has something special. Some fans might consider a few of these games average, but each has something exceptional that stayed with me. I think you will find this list interesting. If you know of any games that you think would top these, feel free to leave a comment. So here is my list of the 12 greatest MLB games I’ve ever seen:
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New York Yankees versus Baltimore Orioles
The first game I ever attended took place on my tenth birthday. Our neighborhood had a local community center where many of us kids would go after school to enjoy such activities as ping pong, chess, checkers, and other activities. One day a buddy of mine came to our apartment and told us that the center was gifting tickets to a Yankee game and that they would be taking us. Taking in Yankee Stadium, both outside and in, was a pleasure for me. I can still to this day remember visiting the stadium and also the smells of the foods from the concession stands. The Yankees won 7-4. The late great Rickey Henderson had three hits, and drove in three of those runs. That day, Henderson played at center field. It would be another two years, I believe, before he’d transition to playing mostly left field. I couldn’t help but revel a bit when he made a few putouts. Though, I’ll admit, part of me secretly hoped he’d drop one. Especially after one of those quick, jerky glove-snaps I’d often see him perform on TV. You could say my first-ever visit to Yankee Stadium marked the true start of my love and fascination with the game. Before my visit to Yankee Stadium, I was but a casual baseball enthusiast; by the end of this game, I had transformed into a wholehearted fan, realizing that my passion for this captivating sport would endure for a lifetime.
First Toronto Blue Jays game (April 7, 1977)
I only discovered this game two weeks ago. When the matchup began, temperatures were at 32° F (O° C), and on the field there was a light patch of snow. What I found most remarkable was how the Canadian fans seemed to be in awe of this new sport from down south that, although popular in Canada for many decades, had failed to draw in a team to its country, until the Blue Jays became the city’s beloved baseball franchise in 1977. You could see baseball players trying to warm themselves and I found the efforts of the coaches to warm themselves quite hilarious. All in all, a beautiful game that you must watch. It’s actually one of the few games I’ve seen played in the snow.
Mets versus Yankees in “Mayor’s Challenge” (April 1, 1989)
On April Fool’s Day in 1989, I went to my first-ever Mets-Yankees game. From 1963 to 1983, both teams would face each other in the annual Mayor’s Trophy Game. This event ended after the 1983 season, but they would meet again in 1989 in the “Mayor’s Cup.” At this game, I was ecstatic to see Darryl Strawberry, Gary Carter, and Keith Hernandez play in their final year as Mets. After the game, I met pitcher Jeff Innis of the Mets. I also met Yankees infielder Álvaro Espinoza outside of Yankee Stadium. They were very nice to me; these friendly encounters added to my appreciation of the game. Innis graciously signed my item. What stands out most in my memory of him is his tall, lanky frame and his remarkable friendliness, making him one of the most gracious baseball players I’ve ever encountered. Meeting these players was the cherry on top of a thrilling game, and it’s a day I’ll never forget.
Colorado Rockies versus Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field (May 1, 1994)
I’ll never forget my first game ever at Wrigley Field. The highlight of the game for me was witnessing legendary Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray sing Take Me out to the Ball Game during the seventh inning stretch from his booth. I’d seen it many times on TV and dreamed of seeing him one day in person, and my wish was finally fulfilled. I also saw Howard Johnson–a former Met and one of my favorite players–in a Colorado Rockies uniform. It was a fantastic day and the perfect beginning to my time in Chicago, marking my first visit to the Windy City.
Florida Marlins versus Los Angeles Dodgers at Joe Robbie Stadium (September 5, 1993)
My first visit to Joe Robbie Stadium [now known as Hard Rock Stadium] in Miami Gardens, Florida, left a lasting impression. I recall the field as being squarish and more suited to football. The stadium experienced a few years of challenges before the Marlins would move to another stadium. But the experience of seeing another baseball field with this new baseball team was quite interesting for me. I only recently remembered that Charlie Hough was the starting pitcher, and that former Met Roger McDowell also took the mound. I was looking at the game summary while researching for the article and saw the game in my mind’s eye! Afterwards, I met Dodgers pitcher Ramón Martínez, the brother of Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martínez, outside of the stadium as he and other players intermingled with us fans. He was so nice and we shook hands. I didn’t ask for autograph because I wasn’t prepared.
New York Mets versus Florida Marlins at Joe Robbie Stadium (October 2, 1993)
As the ’93 season neared its end, I found myself watching the Mets outside of New York—a first for me–in the next-to-last game of the season. The Mets would best the Marlins, for their 58th win, and with the victory, the Mets would have the longest winning streak of the year at 5 games. They would also win the final game the next day, for their longest winning streak since the summer of ’92. For those of us from the Big Apple, traveling often leads to encounters with fellow New Yorkers, no matter where we go. At this game, I met someone from the city, which turned out to be great because I got a free ride back to the university where I was studying.
Colorado Rockies versus New York Mets [First official game in Colorado Rockies history] (April 5, 1993)
On Opening Day 1993, with over 53,000 fans in the stands, I got to watch Dwight Gooden pitch against the new franchise Colorado Rockies. This was a thrilling game, not only because I had the chance to observe a brand-new baseball team take the field, but also due to the palpable excitement surrounding the Mets. I can even recall someone stating how they were sure that 1993 would be their year. The most beautiful experience I had that day, even more so than watching the game itself, was meeting the Mets pitcher John Franco after the game outside of the stadium. Unfortunately, I didn’t have paper and pen for an autograph, but John Franco was such a great guy; he left a lasting memory in me about the wonderful surprises that can await fans at every twist and turn of this fascinating game.
Pittsburgh Pirates versus New York Mets [Double Header] (June 7, 1987)
My first time at Shea Stadium remains unforgettable. On that day, I watched Rick Reuschel pitch in the first game against the Mets. Barry Bonds was in the lineup on that day and got a hit. My neighbor’s father treated us to several tickets from the Diamond View Suite. It had been a thrilling week for Mets fans, marked by Dwight Gooden‘s return to pitching just two days before. The day after that, Tom Seaver re-joined the Mets with the possibility of a contract if he performed well enough [on June 11th, he pitched for the Tidewater Tides and, eleven days later, played in his final game before retiring]. The highlight for me was meeting Mets pitcher Rick Aguilera. I still have the photo that we took together. Another beautiful part of that day was passing by the booth of Mets broadcasters Ralph Kiner and Tim McCarver prior to the game. I’ll never forget that day.
St. Louis Cardinals versus Chicago Cubs [Mark McGwire hits his 62nd home run] (September 8, 1998)
Millions of baseball fans tuned in for this game, eager to see Mark McGwire attempt to break Roger Maris’ long-standing record of sixty-one home runs in a season. For years many of us baseball fans wondered whether this record would be broken, and we were amazed every time Mark McGwire hit a home run. That season, Sammy Sosa was the only real competitor to McGuire’s attempt to break Maris’ record. Like most of his home runs that year, this one rocketed into the stands in a hurry, and I pumped my fist in the air while also wondering whether McGuire’s own total of 70 home runs in a season would ever be surpassed. .
New York Mets versus Boston Red Sox [World Series Game 6] (October 25, 1986)
Game 6 of the 1986 World Series is unquestionably one of the greatest moments in all of sports history. The Mets were down to their final strike but came back to tie and win it. Mookie Wilson's roller through Bill Buckner‘s legs is a moment we Mets fans will never forget. This game featured everything, from great pitching and offense, and I honestly thought that the Mets were done after Keith Hernandez’s fly out to Dave Henderson. But, miraculously, they came back, in a moment that really symbolized the entire season of somehow coming back from seemingly hopeless situations. Indeed, that game was one of the greatest I have ever seen.
Philadelphia Phillies vs Toronto Blue Jays [World Series Game 6] (October 23, 1993)
I watched this game from my college dorm. The Phillies and Blue Jays were battling it out for the chance to win the championship. The game ended on a Joe Carter home run. It was certainly a heartbreaker for Phillies fans. This iconic moment stands as one of–if not the greatest–moments in Blue Jays history as they won their second World Championship in their history, and second in as many years.
Chicago Cubs versus Chicago White Sox (June 13, 2010)
This was an interleague game on TV that I happened to catch late one night. I found it amazing that in this game that both pitchers Ted Lilly and Gavin Floyd had a no-hitters. Floyd would lose his in the 7th, though Lily would hold on to his until the 9th. A single by Juan Pierre one out in the 9th inning ended his hopes for this rare feat, but I was happy to have seen the game up until that point. No Cubs pitcher had thrown a no-hitter at Wrigley in 38 years–the last being Ferguson Jenkins in 1972. I’d never seen a game where both pitchers were flirting with a no-no. Chicago is a great sports city and fans have been supportive of their team throughout the years despite there are less than stellar performances and lack of a World Series berth until 2016. In all other respects, this was a rather ordinary game except for the flirtation with the no-hitter, but I thought I’d add it to my list.