FanPost

Why Kirk Gibson's Homerun is So Important (to Dodger fans)

My wife, the native New yorker and genetically pre-disposed Yankees fan has come a long way towards respecting the Dodgers' legacy in our time together. When we first met, she had sworn she had "forgotten" about the Dodgers. Like many New Yorkers, she was convinced that the Dodgers stopped existing when they left Brooklyn...that they had no history in LA, and no accomplishments. Obviously - she didn't really understand the 5/1 ratio.

Regardless, last night we were watching some of the clips at the link mentioned in this post, she kept asking me why Dodger fans were so obsessed with this one homerun that happened 22 years ago. Aaron Boone this and Jeffrey Maier that and Bucky "fucking" Dent, she said. It's just a homerun.

I then realized exactly why it was such a big deal.

Despite the Dodger's storied history of masterful pitching, the team has often found itself on the wrong end of some of baseball's most famous home runs: 

 

Bobby Thompsons's shot heard round the world.

Reggie Jackson's three home runs on three pitches.

Hank Aaron's record breaker for career homeruns.

Ozzie Smith's walk off.

Barry Bond's record breaker for season homeruns.


For once, we had one...and it was spectacular. It was improbable. I can't say that it was the best game ever (because, I don't remember it)...but for Dodger fans it was pretty awesome.

This is a fan-written post that is in no way affiliated with or related to any of the authors or editors of True Blue LA. The opinions reflected in this post do not necessarily reflect those of True Blue LA, its authors or editors.