The 25 Most Memorable Moments In The History Of Major League Baseball
With its roots going back to 1876, Major League Baseball is by far the oldest of North America's four main sports organizations. And it's witnessed an avalanche of historic moments over the past century and a half. Hard as it may be to narrow down these highlights, we've compiled a list of the 25 most unforgettable moments — from mid-game brawls to World Series heroics.
1. Mike Trout makes rookie history
Mike Trout practically hasn’t stopped breaking records since the Los Angeles Angels drafted him in 2009. The Millville Meteor is in the MVP conversation year after year, and he boasts the highest combined on-base and slugging percentages among active players. But Trout’s arguably most memorable feat came when he achieved the greatest rookie season ever in 2012, which saw him bat .326, smash 30 homers, and steal 45 bases.
2. Babe Ruth’s called shot
Baseball icon Babe Ruth was renowned just as much for his trash talk as his skills on the field. But he put his money where his mouth was in the World Series of 1932 when he gestured towards the center of Wrigley Field. Ruth then propelled the ball above that exact same spot as he hit a home run. However, some believe that Ruth was actually pointing at Chicago Cubs pitcher Charlie Root.
3. Roy Halladay’s postseason no-hitter
The late Roy Halladay also entered the record books numerous times. He’s one of just six pitchers to receive the Cy Young Award for excellence in both the National and American Leagues. He’s also among the five pitchers to have thrown more than one no-hitter during an MLB season. In 2010, the Phillies ace achieved his first in his perfect game against the Florida Marlins in May; his second, meanwhile, arrived six months later against the Cincinnati Reds when he struck out eight batters and walked just one.
4. Jackie Robinson’s debut
Incredibly, it took nearly half a century before a Black player was allowed to join the MLB. Though he wasn't the very first, the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson, who first showcased his talents in the segregated Negro Baseball League, was the man who paved the way when he walked out onto Ebbets Field in 1947. That same year he was crowned the National League Rookie of the Year, and in 1962 he was honored with a Baseball Hall of Fame induction.
