PVLD Adult Services Blog

At New York’s Polo Grounds on Oct. 3, 1951, outfielder Bobby Thomson of the Giants hit a game-winning home run off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca for the National League championship.   The home run was immortalized as “the shot heard ‘round the world.”  Thomson died yesterday in Savannah, Georgia at the age of 86.

His home run capped a late-season push by the Giants, who caught the Dodgers in September, necessitating a three-game playoff.  In later years, it was revealed that the Giants stole opposing catchers’ signals during the 1951 season.  Thomson denied having been tipped off about the high fast one from Branca that he hit into the left field stands.

Library resources: The shot heard ’round the world, NY/SF Giants, Brooklyn/LA Dodgers