Blasts from the Past : Joe Carter's Home Run Wins the 1993 World Series

Credit: Sportsnet

It's October 23rd, 1993... we're in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. The defending champions and AL Pennant winners Toronto Blue Jays are taking on the NL Pennant winners Philadelphia Phillies. The Jays were up in the series three games to two, but were losing 6-5 going into the bottom of the ninth.

Since the Phillies were up, they had their closer Mitch Williams on the mound to close out the game and force a Game 7 the next night. Being down one run, all the Jays needed to do was get one runner on base to score him to tie the ballgame and make the game go to extra innings. But, it would be even better if they could score two or more runs to walk it off in the bottom of the last half inning of the ballgame.

The Jays' offense would scrap together a Rickey Henderson walk, Devon White flyout, and Paul Molitor hit to lead to runners on first and second base with one down. Up came Joe Carter. Williams would throw him two straight balls to make the count in favor of Carter at 2-0, but then a called strike and a swinging strike later made the count 2-2.

Now, in a pivotal point in the game, what would Williams throw next to get Joe Carter out. This is where baseball strategy and skill comes into play. Carter was thinking he would get a breaking ball since there were two strikes in a count and Williams could throw it to get him to swing and miss or make weak contact to secure second, or potentially third out inning with a double play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F5HwiGm7lg

Credit: MLB

However, the Phillies' closer threw a low and in fastball. Carter recognized this and made the swing that the legacy of his Major League career is built on. The Jays' outfielder would smoke a line drive over the left field fence for a three run home run, walking-off the World Series for the Blue Jays as they won the game 8-6.

The SkyDome, or now known as the Rogers Centre, in Toronto erupted. This was only the second time in Major League history that a World Series was decided on a walk-off home run (the first time being Bill Mazeroski's homer for the Pirates to win the 1960 World Series over the Yankees, a Blast which we will cover later in this series).

Credit: Sports Illustrated

Unsurprisingly, Carter was jumping up and down in pure excitement and joy rounding the bases. The man just flippin' won the World Series for his team! Every kid dreams of this exact moment growing up playing with their friends in the yard.

The commentary makes this home run memory even better as legendary announcer Tom Cheeks famously says " Touch 'em all, Joe. You'll never hit a bigger homer in your life."

Credit: Sportsnet

These types of moments just send chills down your spine as you rewatch the video. The pandemonium within the fans in the stands, the excitement of Carter jumping up and down and being mobbed by his teammates and coaches at home plate, and the legendary play-by-play call form together to make an epic moment that will be remembered as one of the most famous home runs in the rest of baseball's history.

Reference:

MLB: https://www.mlb.com/news/revisiting-joe-carter-s-iconic-world-series-home-run