Disclaimer:  This list is written by a Dodger fan based in Los Angeles who will never set foot in the original Yankee Stadium, but recognizes the historical value of this venue, akin to another stadium that is close to his heart—the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.  Please note—this list is limited solely to sporting events. 

10. 11/20/60, Chuck Bednarik knocks out Frank Gifford—This play took place a few months before I was born, but I swear I could feel in while still in the womb.  OK, not really, but as far as knockout blows are concerned, this has to be one of the all timers. 

Gifford is quoted later that it wasn’t a cheap shot saying, “If he wanted to, Chuck could have killed me.”  He later added, "It was perfectly legal, if I'd had the chance, I'd have done the same thing Chuck did."

Gifford’s injury caused him to sit out the 1961 season.  Frank returned in ’62, switched from running back to flanker (as the wide receiver position was known as at that time), and regained his pro bowl status at the new position. 

Years later, no matter how annoying Howard Cosell could have gotten during the years Gifford and Cosell worked together on Monday Night Football, Frank could always tell himself Howard wasn’t that bad in comparison to Chuck.

9.  10/17/03, Aaron “F#@&ing” Boone—A game winning home run in the 11th inning of game seven of the AL Championship Series over their blood enemy, the Boston Red Sox, advance the New York Yankees to the World Series. 

In the game that was to become Grady Little’s Waterloo, a tiring Pedro Martinez gets Nick Johnson for the first out of the eighth inning then allows four consecutive hits to tie up the game before Little removes him.  Alan Embree and Mike Timlin stop the bleeding, sending the game into extra innings. 

After recording a 1-2-3 tenth, Red Sox hurler Tim Wakefield’s first pitch in the 11th inning is belted by Boone into the left field seats and becomes another page of lore in this rivalry, just the kind of thing I would expect a good USC Trojan to do.  And then, there is that special nickname Boone will always enjoy in Beantown.

8.  10/1/61, Roger Maris Hits 61st Homer—Maris eclipses Babe Ruth’s single season record for home runs despite intensely negative media coverage from reporters who do not want to see Babe Ruth’s record broken.

Hitting in the same lineup as Mickey Mantle, who made his own assault on the record in 1956 resulting in brickbats from the New York writers, Maris had an additional burden heaped upon him.  Due to the 1961 season being an expansion season with new franchises in Los Angeles and Kansas City, the season is expanded by 8 games from 154 to 162. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?