In Memoriam - Bobby Thomson

Bobby Thomson 

1923-2010

As the 2010 calendar year comes to a close, I wanted to take one final moment to pay homage to one of the best Giants to ever wear the orange and black. We've all seen the highlight reel about a thousand times over, the most prolific home run in the history of Major League Baseball, "the shot heard 'round the world." On an overcast day on Oct. 3, 1951, Bobby Thomson launched a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to not only defeat arch-rival, Brooklyn Dodgers, but to help the New York Giants win a three game playoff to capture the National League pennant and to face the Yankees in the World Series.

Thomson would end up playing another nine years in the Bigs, with stops in Milwaukee, Chicago (Cubs), Boston, Baltimore, and back to the New York Giants. At the end of his 15-year career he accumulated 264 home runs, 1,026 RBI, and a .270 batting average. Even though he never played for the San Francisco Giants, fans in the Bay Area always thought of him as if he did, for the simple fact that he beat the Dodgers in one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Major League Baseball. 

With so many great memories from the 2010 San Francisco Giants, we should all reflect on all those who've come before us and the moments they've given us. Each time I see the video of Bobby's shot, I still get chills, just like when I see highlights of the 2010 Giants winning the World Series.

I don't know, call me crazy, but maybe just maybe, Bobby gave the Giants a little help during the 2010 postseason. I believe in the Baseball Gods, and on August 16, 2010, another Baseball God entered the Heavens and his name was Bobby Thomson.

The original walk off home run

Bobby Thomson

"It was a delirious, delicious moment."

Bobby Thomson

"While Bobby was so well known throughout the world as the man who hit the most famous home run in baseball history, he was also a true gentleman who showed the respect for the game and carried himself with dignity that is so important to baseball."  

Bill Neukom

General Managing Partner

World Champions - San Francisco Giants

"The shot heard 'round the world"

Bobby Thomson