World Series 2010: Ranking the Top 25 Unsung Heroes in World Series History

Throughout baseball history, the unlikely has become the probable.  Each year there are new heroes and stories to be told. Whether it is in just a single game or throughout the entire series, these heroes are in a class of their own. 

Legends are created in the month of October and baseball has forever been a sport where anything can happen.  So keep watching for more and more performances like these, they may even happen tonight, who knows?

These 25 performances will forever be remembered in the annals of baseball.  For they were not only done on the game's biggest stage, but by the most unlikely of talent.

Here are 25 Unsung Heroes of the Fall.

25. Bobby Richardson, 1960

Greg Trott/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - JUNE 24: Manager Joe Torre #6 of the New York Yankees greets 1962 World Series hero Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees at a ceremony honoring players from that World Series prior to a game against the San Francisco Giants during a Ma

Bobby Richardson was a hero for the New York Yankees despite their losing the 1960 World Series.

Though the Pittsburgh Pirates' Bill Mazeroski came up with the biggest hit of the series, and quite frankly one of the biggest of all time, it was Richardson who was the best player in the series and earned MVP honors. 

Richardson hit .357 with 12 RBI in the '60 Fall Classic.  Though he had only hit .253 that season and was known for his fielding, he delivered when it mattered most.  

24. Carlos Ruiz, 2008

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 17: Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies at bat against the San Francisco Giants in Game Two of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 17, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff

Carlos Ruiz is known as Senor Octobre in Philadelphia and rightfully so.  

In 2008, he delivered for the World Champion Phillies by hitting .375 in the Series.  This was a change for "Chooch," who had only hit .219 during the regular season.

Since, Ruiz has become a leader for the Phillies and a solid bat out of the 8-hole for them as well.  This Philadelphia team still has a lot of time to win and the legend of "Chooch" is certain to continue.  

23. Luis Sojo, 2000

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

3 Oct 2000: Luis Sojo #14 of the New York Yankees waits for the pitch during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Yankees 5-3.Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

Luis Sojo's 15 minutes of fame came in the 2000 Subway Series against the New York Mets.  Sojo, known for his defense, became a hero in the Bronx during Game 5 of the series.  

Sojo hit only .261 in his career but delivered in the clutch on this particular night.  His two-out single in the top of the ninth was the difference in the series as Mariano Rivera shut the door in the bottom of the inning. 

Though this World Series was remembered for Yankee dominance and reign of New York, it was much closer than folks remember.  

22. Craig Counsell, 1997

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

26 Oct 1997: Pitcher Craig Counsell of the Florida Marlins hits a sacrafice fly to allow outfielder Moises Alou to score during the seventh game of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Marlins won t

Craig Counsell has been a key contributor throughout his playoff career for his World Series winning teams in Florida (1997) and Arizona (2001).  This one is for his 1997 performance against the Cleveland Indians.

Counsell's crucial sacrifice fly sent Game 7 to extra innings and ultimately helped Florida win it all.

Then, later in the bottom of the 11th, his speed got him to reach first on an error and set up the series-winning run off of an Edgar Renteria single.  This was one of the most memorable plays in baseball history.   

21. Darrell Porter, 1982

Darrell Porter was known to be a good player in his career but his shining moment came in the 1982 World Series.  

After a .231 mark during the regular season, Porter did more than his share to deliver in the Series.  

His clutch hitting and all-around leadership were instrumental to St. Louis' success.  The fact that Porter went to two other World Series and performed poorly make this 1982 story even more impressive.  

20. Donn Clendenon, 1969

Donn Clendenon was nothing more than a utility/platoon player for the 1969 Amazing Mets. He shared time during the regular season and didn't even play in the NLCS.

However, this all changed when the World Series came.  He hit .357 in the Series and although he wasn't the only Amazing Met in '69, he may his legacy remains amazing.  

Not to mention that Clendenon was responsible for almost half of their offense in this series.  

19. Brian Doyle, 1978

Brian Doyle is the epitome of an unsung hero and is another who dons pinstripes.  Doyle was a backup who played in only 39 games during the regular season and just came in to replace Willie Randolph in the World Series.  

Doyle would hit .438 for the series and prove to be a worthy replacement of Randolph.  Doyle wasn't even the best Yankee in this series, though, as Bucky Dent would win MVP.  

18. Gene Tenace, 1972

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

1987 - Gene Tenace #18 of the Houston Astros poses with his bat before a 1987 season game. (Photo by: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

To say that Catcher Gene Tenace showed up for the Oakland A's in the 1972 World Series is an understatement.  

Tenace, the series MVP, was only a part-timer during this season.  Later though, he would become instrumental in their repeats in 1973 and '74.  

Tenace only hit .241 for his career but still was remembered as a major part of the Oakland Dynasty of the early '70s.  Tenace had 18 hits in his playoff career; impressively though, 8 of them came in the '72 Series .

17. Scott Brosius, 1998

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

27 Oct 2001: Scott Brosius of the New York Yankees in action at bat against the Arizona Diamondbacks during Game 1 of the of the Major League World Series at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees 9-1. DIGITAL IMAGE.

Scott Brosius, yet another Yankee that makes this list.  Brosius was the 1998 World Series MVP hitting .417 and adding to Yankee history.  

He would play for the Yankees for four seasons, reach four World Series and win three of them. WOW!

Brosius will be remembered as a solid leader but mediocre play.  This was not the case in '98 though.  He was the best player in that series and is now an October hero in the Bronx among many others.   

15. Marquis Grissom

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

30 Jun 1999: Marquis Grissom #9 of the Milwaukee Brewers swings the bat during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Brewers 5-4.

Marquis Grissom was always a solid player, yet got that twinkle in his eye when the World Series came around.  Grissom hit .317 during his playoff career and an even better .390 in the Series.  

No Series in particular could categorize Grissom so it was easier to pick all of his three appearances.

Even through his great performances, Grissom would only win one of those Series.   

14. David Eckstein, 2006

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA- APRIL 9: Second baseman David Eckstein #3 of the San Diego Padres makes a play against the Los Angeles Dodgers during their MLB game on April 9, 2009 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

David Eckstein was a workhorse for the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals.  He would win MVP of the series but not before dealing with struggles in the early going.

Eckstein went 1-for-11 in the first two games of the series and then turned it around by going 7-for-11 to finish strong for the champion Cardinals.  

While Eckstein might not necessarily be unlikely, his performance was impressive as it didn't come from a big-name player like Albert Pujols or Scott Rolen.  

16. Pat Borders, 1992

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

TORONTO - OCTOBER 22: Pat Borders #10 hits an Atlanta Braves pitch during game 5 of the World Series at the SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on October 22, 1992. The Braves on 7-2. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Pat Borders was one of several unsung heroes during the Toronto Blue Jays' early '90s dynasty.  He was the only Jay hitter that came to bat in the '92 Series putting up a .450 tilt and leading his team to their first of two titles.

Borders was the only glimmer of hope offensively in a defensive-minded series.  The rest of his teammates hit a combined .210 and their title hopes were on Borders' shoulders in 1992.   

13. Brooks Robinson

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 31: Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson attends the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on July 31, 2005 at the Clark Sports Complex in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Brooks Robinson clearly isn't unlikely right?  Well, he actually is so hear me out on this one.  

In 1969, Robinson hit a horrid .053 in the Series for the Baltimore Orioles.  Fast-forward one year later and Robinson is suddenly the 1970 World Series MVP.  

This was a transformation for the veteran Robinson who was making his second playoff appearance in '69. He was a 15-year veteran at the time and was now seeing his post-season fortunes turn in his favor.  

12. Bucky Dent, 1978

This one kills Red Sox fans as this was also the year that he became known as Bucky "***in' " Dent, yeah, you get the idea.  

This picture pretty much says it all as Dent helped the Yankees climb into the World Series with this home run at Fenway Park in the ALCS.

Dent wouldn't stop there, though, as he would hit .417 in the Series and win MVP.  Better yet, Buck had only hit 40 home runs in his career with a .248 average.  Pretty remarkable, huh? 

11. Larry Sherry, 1959

After a short 1958 season, Larry Sherry went on to become a phenom in 1959.  Still only at 23, Sherry was a top reliever and carried that into the playoffs that year as well. 

Sherry threw 12.2 innings in the '59 Series and posted a 0.71 ERA for the champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Despite his great season in '59, this wasn't expected out of the youngster, as he put his name on the map that Fall.  

10. Mickey Hatcher, 1988

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

1990: Infielder Mickey Hatcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches the ball during a game. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

This man was able to be a main factor in the 1988 World Series. His name wasn't Kirk Gibson, it was Mickey Hatcher.  

Hatcher inserted himself into the series in a big way by hitting .368 and hitting two home runs as well. 

Hatcher, throughout his career had only 38 HRs over 3,607 plate appearances.  Those are some astonishing numbers and make Hatcher one of the most unsung heroes in World Series history.  

9. Steve Yeager, 1981

Steve Yeager was one of three Dodger MVPs in the 1981 World Series.  His  was most impressive though as he only hit .209 that season and came through with a .286 average in the Fall Classic. 

He had hit only two home runs all season and turned that into two more in the Series.  

All in all, Yeager turned in a great performance against the Yankees in the World Series.

8. Rick Dempsey, 1983

Getty Images/Getty Images

11 May 1986: Manager Earl Weaver (left) of the Baltimore Orioles talks with catcher Rick Dempsey on the mound during a pitching change in an Orioles home game. Mandatory Credit: Allsport USA/ALLSPORT

Rick Dempsey was a career .233 hitter and had a sub-par 1983 regular season.  All of that changed during the Baltimore Orioles' "I-95 Series" against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dempsey won MVP and hit .385 in the Orioles' quick decimation of the Phillies.  

7. Joe Carter, 1993

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

23 Oct 1993: Firrst baseman Joe Carter of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after a home run in the ninth inning during the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Toronto Sky Dome in Toronto, Canada. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allspor

"Touch 'Em All Joe."  Joe Carter's home run was among the biggest in baseball history.

It will forever be remembered by Toronto and Philadelphia fans alike, albeit for different reasons.  Carter will be hated in Philadelphia, yet revered in Toronto.

His home run ended the Phillies' magical run in 1993 and continued their, "there's always next year" philosophy. But for his Jays, this was a repeat and it was cause for a celebration.  

MVP Paul Molitor stole the show, and so Carter wasn't expected to deliver this huge hit in Game 6.  But he did, and he's a part of history.  

6. John Wetteland, 1996

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 22: John Wetteland #35 of the New York Yankees stands on the field during Game three of the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium on October 22, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Yankees defeated the

John Wetteland was the last Yankee closer not named Mariano Rivera.  

Amazing that 14 seasons later and Rivera has come to be the most dominant closer in playoff history. Wetteland though was there first in 1996 with his performance against the Atlanta Braves.

Wetteland won MVP honors, earning saves in all four wins.  Though he posted 330 saves throughout his career, he was an unlikely Yankee to win the award.  

Any time a closer performs this well in a Series, it's a big deal.  

5. Bill Mazeroski, 1960

Bill Mazeroski hit one of the greatest home runs in baseball history back in 1960.  During Game 7 against the New York Yankees, Mazeroski ended the 1960 season with his home run.  This would be his high mark as he would become a non-factor by the time the Pirates next saw the post-season in the '70s.

Mazeroski, only 23 at the time, came through for the Pirates in the most opportune time and will be a Hero by the Rivers forever now.

4. Johnny Podres, 1955

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 28: Former Pitcher Johnny Podres of the Los Angeles Dodgers waves to the crowd during ceremonies honoring memebers of the 1955 World Champion Dodgers before the game with the Houston Astros on August 28, 2005 at Dodger Stadium in Los

Johnny Podres posted a 4-1 career playoff record, but perhaps no wins were bigger than his two in the 1955 World Series.  At age 23, Podres became an instant part of history. 

He went 2-0 with two complete games for the Brooklyn Dodgers and was named Series MVP  for his efforts.  

This would be one of their last seasons in Brooklyn as a move to Los Angeles was imminent.  While in L.A., Podres won two more World Series titles. 

3. Josh Beckett, 2003

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 09: Starting pitcher Josh Beckett #19 of the Boston Red Sox throws the ball during warm-ups before Game Two of the ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Angel Stadium on October 9, 2009 in An

Josh Beckett had some mediocre seasons at best in Florida.  He was never a big-time regular season pitcher, or at least wasn't at that point.  But one thing is for sure, he is  one of the best post-season pitchers of all-time.  

Maybe not lately, but in 2003, Beckett, at age 23, was a fantastic post-season pitcher.  

He only was 2-2 in the playoffs that year, but for a youngster leading the Fish against the almighty Yankees, his efforts were a marvel.  

2. Kirk Gibson, 1988

In 1988, Kirk Gibson hit the greatest home run in baseball history.  Vin Scully's call was spectacular whether you're a Dodger fan or not.  

This was Gibson's only plate appearance of the Series but quite frankly it was all that his team needed on many levels.

With injuries to both legs, Gibson's home run in Game 1 set the tone for the rest of the series.  He showed here why he was the NL MVP in '88 and has become a hero because of his memorable trot around the bases. 

1. Don Larsen, 1956

Don Larsen posted a pedestrian 81-91 lifetime record while pitching for many teams throughout his career.

However, he will be enshrined forever due to his perfect game in Game 6 of the 1956 World Series.

Larsen's perfection was the most rare of occasions for the Yankees at that time.  This was something no one saw coming.

Under the circumstances, though, it was probably the greatest perfect game ever pitched.  If you could rank perfection, this would be right at the top.