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8 unusual facts about Bobby Thomson


Bobby Thomson

Thomson died August 16, 2010 at his home in The Marshes of Skidaway Island, a CCRC in Savannah, Georgia.

The moment was immortalized by Giants play-by-play announcer Russ Hodges's excited multiple repetitions: "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!"

Thomson became a celebrity for his walk-off home run off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca to win the 1951 National League pennant.

Waiting in the on-deck circle to hit behind Thomson was rookie Willie Mays.

Ebba St. Claire

On February 1, 1954, St. Claire was traded by Milwaukee with Johnny Antonelli, Billy Klaus, Don Liddle, and $50,000 to the New York Giants for Bobby Thomson and Sam Calderone.

Giants–Yankees rivalry

Leo Durocher of the Giants had led the Giants to the fall classic over Bobby Thomson's famous Shot Heard 'Round the World home run against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Johnny Antonelli

He was later dealt to the Giants along with several other players for Bobby Thomson.

Stan Isaacs

He covered multiple historic sporting events, including Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard 'Round the World, Roger Maris' chase of Babe Ruth's single-season home run record, bouts between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and the New York Islanders multiple Stanley Cup victories in the late 1970s and early 1980s.


1951 Brooklyn Dodgers season

Bobby Thomson's dramatic ninth-inning home run off Dodger reliever Ralph Branca in the final game won the pennant for the Giants and was immortalized as the Shot Heard 'Round the World.

1962–63 Football League Cup

Birmingham won the first leg 3–1 at their home ground St Andrew’s, thanks to goals from Jimmy Bloomfield and Ken Leek (2), with Bobby Thomson scoring Villa’s goal.

Don Newcombe

In the memorable playoff game between the Dodgers and the Giants at the end of the 1951 season, Newcombe was relieved by Ralph Branca in the bottom of the ninth inning before Branca surrendered the walk-off home run to Bobby Thomson.


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