Shot Heard 'Round the World (baseball)

The Shot Heard 'Round the World

In baseball, the Shot Heard 'Round the World is the term given to the home run hit by New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson off of Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca at the Polo Grounds to win the National League pennant on October 3, 1951.

As a result of the home run, the Giants won the game 5-4, and the series 2 games to 1. They faced the New York Yankees in the 1951 World Series, losing to the Yankees in six games.

Thompson's walk-off home run came with a count of 0 balls and 1 strike. It cleared the 279 foot (85 meter) wall in left field, and was especially unique because it did not travel high enough off the ground to go into the upper deck stands in left field, which were only 250 feet (76 meters) from home plate.

The home run was once voted as the greatest home run in baseball history. Giants radio broadcaster Russ Hodges' call of the home run is one of the best-known audio clips in baseball history.