The Top Five Moments That Changed The Game Of Baseball Forever

Watching the Major League Baseball playoffs this year, I thought about how we arrived at the point in baseball where we now stand. I decided to look further into it, do some research, and put together a list of the top five moments, in my mind, that have changed baseball forever.

I looked at moments that changed a team, a style, a tradition, and the game itself. So here it is:

5. Roberto Clemente dies in plane crash while going to aid earthquake victims in Nicaragua

Roberto Clemente is known as an all-time great on the baseball diamond. He was a fantastic player on the field, and a fantastic person off it. His off-seasons were filled with charity work, and for him to die doing such work was the most unexpected tragedy baseball has ever seen. His death was so heartbreaking that his best friend and teammate Manny Sanguillen did not attend his funeral. Sanguillen chose to dive into the waters near Clemente's death to try to find his friend.

Just a few months after Clemente's death, the Baseball Hall of Fame decided to waive Clemente's waiting period to get voted in and put him on the ballot. He received 92% of the vote, easily making him a hall of famer.

Ever since, many awards have been named for and honored after Clemente, and his death is still mourned by many. He has widened the door for charity in baseball and has forever left his mark on the game.

4. BALCO is investigated, many well-known MLB players found on customer lists

The day that Barry Bonds was found on the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) customers list was the day paranoia began in Major League Baseball.

Barry Bonds was on pace to break all kinds of records, and was being mentioned as already possibly the best player to ever play the game. In most discussions among conscientious baseball fans, that quickly went away.

On September 5th, 2003 after a search of the BALCO facilities, a list of notable customers was released. Barry Bonds headed the list.

Most of us know the rest of this story. Mark McGwire was also accused of using steroids, along with Rafael Palmeiro and many others. All three have never been thought of in the same light since.

Then the MLB went deeper into this. George Mitchell was picked to research and compile a detailed report on the situation. When the report was finally released, names like Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite and Eric Gagne headlined this list of accused steroid users.

Ever since, people are wondering who is taking steroids and who isn't. Whenever someone looks at a "big" baseball player, they instinctively think of whether they are all-natural or not. It's a shame because we will never be able to look at baseball players the same way again.

3. Hank Aaron hits home run number 715, passing Babe Ruth for first on the all-time home run list

To me, there's no doubt that the most historic home run in baseball history was Hank Aaron's 715th home run.

After a long winter filled death threats, Aaron did not give up. He did not give in. All he did was go out and do what he did best.

He started the season with 713 home runs, and tied Ruth's 714 in his first at-bat of the season. When the Braves played their first game in Atlanta, a record crowd of 53,775 attended what would end up being one of the most memorable moments in baseball history.

You're currently logged into Facebook

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