Baseball Flashback: Hometown Heroes

All World All Sports

-Digger's Daily-

Big time players from Babe Ruth to current stars like Derek Jeter are household names in baseball country. There's also a long list of players not well known beyond the city hosting their team. They were lesser known players who electrified crowds when called into action. Some were reserves, late season call-ups or deadline beating trades.

So, I decided to have a little fun compiling a position by position list of players from my lifetime who had huge moments when it counted most. A few went onto enjoy great careers. Others had very brief golden moments. Here they are:

1B- Don Clendenon - (1969) Expos traded DC to Mets mid-season for Bill Carden, Dave Colon, Devin Collins & Steve Renko. Helped spark an enemic New York offense on their way to becoming the "Amazin' Mets" after over taking a Cubs 10 game lead to become run away winners of NL East. 12 HR in 72 games. Named World Series MVP.

2B- Brian Doyle - (1978) Filled in after popular Willie Randolph was lost for the playoffs due to injury. Batted only .192 in 54 late season AB's. Played exceptional defense earning loud ovations in Yankee Stadium. Forever remembered as helping Yanks win World Series over LA when he batted .438. Short career ended soon thereafter.

3B- Evan Longoria - (2008) An instant Tampa sensation and Rookie of the Year winner. Helped Rays to 1st ever winning season and division title. 27 regular season homers. Lead Tampa into World Series with 4 HR in ALCS. Shining star enjoying a superb 2009.

SS- Bucky Dent - (1978) Initially a popular players player but over shadowed in fans eyes by star names until his infamous homer over "The Green Monster" to win a one game winner take all game in Fenway Park vs the Red Sox. Instrumental player for NY team that trailed Boston by 14 games earlier in the year. Forever referred to by Boston fans as "Bucky F------ Dent!" Named World Series MVP in victory over Dodgers.

LF- Miguel Cabrera - (2003) June 20th call-up homered in first Marlins game becoming an instant South Florida favorite. Later homered in 1st two NLCS games and batted 10-30, 3 HR overall. A star was born vs Roger Clemens in the World Series. Clemens knocked him down with a high hard head hunting fastball. Cabrera homered on the very next pitch. Marlins eventually won Series. He's currently an MVP candidate in '09 for Detroit.

CF- Del Unser (1980) Semi-journeyman had already been a local favorite for previous teams. He was a pinch hitter extraordinaire toward the end of his career in Philadelphia beginning in '80 season. Had key PH AB in come from behind Game 5 WS win vs Royals (Phillies won in 6). Batted .455 with three doubles in 1980 post-season competition.

RF- Shane Spencer (1998) Late season call-up electrified New York by crushing everything in sight. In 73 plate appearances he nailed 10 homers, 27 RBI, .373 BA, 1.321 OPS. Had fans standing on their feat with every at bat. 8 September HR's, 21 RBI in 10 starts. Homered in both starts during ALDS vs Toronto (3-6, 2 HR, 2B). Yanks fan favorite and platoon player until the magic wore off in '02.

C- Eddie Perez - (1999) Braves super sub backstop came through with big hit after big hit. Became personal catcher for Steve Avery pitched games in '96. In '97, he was preferred by Greg Maddux who went 19-4, 2.20. Destroyed Mets pitching in '99 NLCS filling in for injured Javy Lopez. Won NLCS MVP batting 10-20, 2 HR.

DH- Edgar Martinez (1987-2004) Probably Seattle's 2nd All Time favorite player behind Ken Griffey, Jr. A pure hitting talent and potential Hall of Fame inductee. He burst onto the scene in '87 batting .372 with 7 of his 16 hits going for extra bases. Two time American League batting champ played in 7 All Star Games. Martinez was as hot as a hitter can be during Seattle's first playoff appearance ('95) vs Yankees. In a best of five series, he guided Seattle to victory by batting .571 (12-21, 6 R, 3 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI). His Game 5 bottom of the 11th inning lined shot double to LF was the game winning walk off hit. Finished career with a .312 BA in 2055 games.

SP- Don Larsen - (1956) He was hero for a day after pitching the only perfect game in World Series history mowing down 27 cross town rival Brooklyn Dodgers. Not bad for a guy who lost 21 games two years prior.

CL- Adam Wainwright - (2006) 33 save closer Jason Isringhausen got hurt at the end of '08 season. Mgr LaRussa thrust first year pitcher Wainwright into closer role for playoffs. He was absolutely stellar. Biggest highlight was striking out Carlos Beltran with bases loaded to save NLCS Game 7 vs Mets. Cardinals eventually won World Series. Wainwright was an instant sensation and playoff hero. 9 games, 9 IP, 0 runs, 15 K, 4 Saves. Currently a Cards starting pitcher.

Manager- Don Zimmer - (1965-2009) Beloved former player, fiery manager/coach spent his entire adult life in professional baseball. High's and low's throughout career. One of baseball's most colorful figures. Managed two cursed teams: Boston Red Sox & Chicago Cubs. His 1978 Red Sox blew a large late season lead and one game playoff to New York Yankees. Guided Cubs to 1989 NL East title but they lost NLCS. Joe Torre's bench coach during World Series hey-day. Yankees have not won a Series since Zimmer stormed out of NY after fueding with team owner George Steinbrenner.

Honarable mention: Rusty Staub (1973 NYM), Cesar Cedeno (1985 STL), Joe Charboneau (1980 CLE), Pat Borders (1992 TOR), Kerry Wood (1998 CHI), Tug McGraw (1973 NYM, 1980 PHI), Joba Chamberlain (2007 NYY), Bernie Carbo (1975 BOS).

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