If You Could Pick One Game You'd Like to have Seen...

[tommybaseball]

You get to go back in time, any era, to see one game. Which one do you pick? Is it Larsen's Perfect Game? "The Catch" Willie Mays made in game 1 of the '54 Series? Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World"? Jackie Robinson's first game? The Babe's "Called Shot"? Which one do you choose?

[bhss89]

1988 World Series, Game Numero Uno!

[milladrive]

I was too young, but I would've liked to have seen Game 5, '69 World Series.

[AG2004]

I would choose the game between the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the Atlantic Base Ball Club at Brooklyn's Capitoline Grounds on June 14, 1870.

[rugbyfreak]

You get to go back in time, any era, to see one game. Which one do you pick? Is it Larsen's Perfect Game? "The Catch" Willie Mays made in game 1 of the '54 Series? Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World"? Jackie Robinson's first game? The Babe's "Called Shot"? Which one do you choose?

Tommy-boy! I notice your home location is Da Bronx, and from that I assume that you, like me, are a Bombers fan. If I'm right, then fuhgeddaboudit, you and me can hang!

Regarding your question, I am blessed in the fact that I actually did attend my dream game. First, in my early days of fandom (beginning in '69), when I endured years of miserable baseball, but loved them anyway, I dreamed that they would someday rise again and win the WS. When they started doing that, I wished that somehow, I could be in the park when the Yanks clinched a WS. But unless you're a beat writer or someone who goes to every game, what are the odds of that?

Well, it happened. Starting in '96, a group of friends began buying the 26-game package (you circle the games you want on a schedule, and--surprise--we usually got every game we wanted. That package, at the time, was the minimum you had to buy in order to guarantee post-season tickets--one game per round. Saw some beauties: Duque's gem against the Pods in '98, the 10-inning opener against the Mets in '00, Game 3 in '01 (first game back home, post-9/11 emotion, Pres. Bush in attendance), down 0-2 in games, when Clemens won that must game.

Then there was '99. That year, we drew Game 4 against the Braves. Oh well, I said, not this year, since they definitely won't be up 3-0. But in fact, they were, so, with Rocket once again on the mound, I watched them close it out. More miraculous, I made it to work the next day.

(Note: I actually blew a chance to do this years earlier. In '77, a hometown friend invited me to Game 6--the Reggie game--and I turned it down, since I was returning to college that night, and being carless, I could not have made the last bus out of NY. What a mistake! Another note: I had once been in the Stadium for a WS clincher--but it was the Reds doing the clinching the year before.)

But to answer your question properly, I'd probably go with the Thomson game in '51. I have always felt that nothing could compare with being a baseball fan in NY in the '50s, no matter who you rooted for. They all had great moments. And there's nothing quite like a walk-off HR. Ironically, plenty of seats were still available at gametime, as many fans stayed away, convinced they'd never get in.

[Colorado Express]

As a Twins fan, I would love to have been at game 6 of the '91 World Series with Puckett's dramatics.

As a second choice, I would take game 7 of that same Series when Morris pitched one of greatest games in game 7 history.

My third choice (and 1st non-Twins choice) would be the game that Clemens struck out 20 Mariners.

[AstrosFan]

Ruth's called shot. Did he really do it? I'd be there with a pair of binoculars, trying to make sure. I'd go see it multiple times to get a more accurate read.

[FatAngel]

The entire 1919 series - or at least one of the fixed games where Jackson supposedly dogged it.

[Victory Faust]

I'd go to the Merkle boner game. Or any deadball game.

[johnnypapa]

Tough choice between Ruth's called shot and Bobby Thomson's HR. I'll go with Ruth's called shot just because I would like to know if he really did it and also I would get to see Gehrig hit a couple of homers too.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Merkle's boner, or maybe the double no-no, or a Yankees game. Myabe game 1 of the '96 ALCS, or Larsen's perfection

[AlecBoy006]

The Shot Heard Round The World.

[TRfromBR]

This certainly is a tough one.

Having to choose only one, I'd want to see 21-year-old Babe Ruth in Game Two of the 1916 World Series, when he pitched thirteen scoreless innings against the Brooklyn Robins. Seeing him on the mound at his finest, and watching him as a burgeoning power hitter must've really been something.

[BoSox Rule]

I saw the game, but there's no game I'd rather be at live than October 27, 2004.

[Victory Faust]

If I had the chance to go back in time and watch one game, I'd consider going to a random Detroit Tiger game during the deadball era -- a game which I didn't already know the outcome.

Even though it would be neat to see the Thomson homer, or any of the other great moments, I think a big part of the mystery of baseball would be lost by already knowing how the game was going to end.

I would be more interested in soaking up the essence of going to a deadball era game: How the fans dressed, the catch-phrases they used in conversation ("Say, that Cobb kid is a real crackerjack!").

I would also be interested in the subtleties of how a deadball game differed from a modern game: one umpire, heavier bats and different ways of swinging them, the way catchers would sort of stoop rather than squat behind the plate.

I think going to a random deadball game involving my favorite team (Detroit) without knowing the outcome would be more pleasureable to me than seeing any of the great moments in person.

Unless, of course, the Tigers lost!! Then it wouldn't be very pleasurable! :grouchy

[GotMelk?]

Aaron Boone-Game 7 2003 ALCS

It still amazes me that Mariano Rivera pitched three scoreless innings.

[Knick9]

Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World"?

I'd have to go with this one. What happened after "The Shot" was clearly unforgettable. Many people went crazy. I would have loved to see that game.

[RuthMayBond]

It still amazes me that Mariano Rivera pitched three scoreless innings.Not as amazing as Pedro :grouchy -ing Martinez in 1999 ALDS Game 5 :grouchy

[plask_stirlac]

Maybe when Lazzeri hit for the natural cycle... but it was also a 4-HR day for Lou Gehrig.

But it would be 1991 Game 7.

[Williamsburg2599]

Game 2 of the 1942 Negro League world series. Paige Vs. Gibson. I'd like to see what REALLY happend.

[TRfromBR]

I would be more interested in soaking up the essence of going to a deadball era game: How the fans dressed, the catch-phrases they used in conversation ("Say, that Cobb kid is a real crackerjack!").



Actually, Faust, I think they may have used the very same catch-phrase we still use to describe the great TC, that is, "Say, that Cobb is a real ............!"

[RuthMayBond]

Actually, Faust, I think they may have used the very same catch-phrase we still use to describe the great TC, that is, "Say, that Cobb is a real ............!"

I'm thinking of going to the park and calling visitors "progeny of a female canine". Wonder how long it would take