Game Won: How the Greatest Home Run Ever Hit Sparked the 1988 Dodgers to Game One Victory and an Improbable World Series Title
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(as of Jan 12, 2025 02:20:21 UTC – Details)
When Los Angeles Dodgers pinch-hitter Kirk Gibson limped to the plate during Game One of the 1988 World Series, one thing was certain: victory depended upon him.
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Gibson was in an impossible situation. His two injured legs had kept him out of the starting lineup, forcing him to soak in ice as the game slipped out of reach. Now, here he was facing one of the greatest pitchers ever, cold to the touch and barely able to swing.
After six minutes of dueling with Oakland flame thrower Dennis Eckersley, Gibson received the pitch he wanted. Unable to stride forward off his back foot or land on his front foot without pain, he muscled a drive over the right-field fence for the game-winning home run, sending fans into pandemonium. With one swing, the Dodgers won Game One, 5-4, and eventually the World Series, due largely to Gibson’s inspirational blast. As he limped around the bases, one thing was clear: Gibson would not play again.
Game Won is the story of Game One, a thriller that set the tone for a five-game series that saw the weak-hitting Dodgers nearly sweep the powerful Oakland A’s. Featuring interviews with players, managers, coaches, fans, a broadcaster, and the man standing on second base when Gibson homered, Game Won captures the spirit of the Series, one of the great come-from-behind World Series games ever played—and the greatest home run ever hit.
ASIN : B09FPBCDBH
Publisher : Sunbury Press, Inc. (September 7, 2021)
Publication date : September 7, 2021
Language : English
File size : 5139 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 186 pages
Page numbers source ISBN : 162006667X
Customers say
Customers find the book realistic and entertaining. It provides context and background for the events leading up to the game. They describe it as a thorough account of the game that brings them back to that moment. The book provides great background from many perspectives, filling out the story into a masterful picture. Readers consider the game one of the greatest moments in sports history and one of the best homeruns in Dodger history. Overall, they find the book enjoyable and inspiring.
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7 reviews for Game Won: How the Greatest Home Run Ever Hit Sparked the 1988 Dodgers to Game One Victory and an Improbable World Series Title
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Mike Weiner –
The best part of life is great experiences
When all said and done, the things you will remember most during your life, are the great experiences you have. If youâre a big sports fan, this will include great experiences from your favorite player or teams. But as a sports fan, there will many intriguing experiences you have even outside of your favorite players/teams. We appreciate great players and performances. Whether itâs Tom Brady in Super Bowls, or MJ winning championships, or even Tiger transforming a sport completely. One of the greatest sporting events I have ever witnessed was from 1988. I was watching game 1 of the Dodger/Aâs World Series. The only reason I was watching was because, well, it was the World Series. As a yankee fan, I hated both of these teams. There were a few intriguing players like Hershiser, Canseco, or Eckersly, but otherwise no real interest for me.Just as I thought, a boring game. Canseco blasted a routine homer, and as I figured, the Aâs would sweep the series. I was doing something while the game was still on, but I was paying little attention. Hey, bottom of the ninth, so I watch the end of the game. It turns out to be probably the most incredible finish in sports history. OMG! So good, that I have regularly watched the 9th inning clip on YouTube at least a few times a month for years. Itâs so improbable, that it still today, as exciting as it was during the actual game. Inspiring and joyful to watch because it reminds you that anything is possible in life, and itâs a needed reminder for everyone.Enter Game Oneâ¦. First off, brilliant name. Steve Wagner takes possibly the greatest finish in any game in sports history, and delves into what led to this incredible experience. As great as this moment was, Steve shows the many stories, events, and circumstances that led up to this great moment, and it does nothing but make what happened even more incredible. Listen, I think you can see I loved this moment in sports history, but I actually enjoy it even more now knowing all the details that Steve shares in the book. If you don’t really know about this incredible moment, the book will be a grand tour. If you probably are familiar and already have experienced the magic of this game, this will reinforce its legendary status in your mind and in sports history.I CANT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK ENOUGH! ITS AN AMAZING BOOK THAT BUILDS ON WHAT IS PROBABLY THE GREATEST FINISH IN ANY SPORTS EVENT IN HISTORY. ITS A BOOK YOUâLL BE GLAD YOU READ! I AM 🙂
KBWillett –
A game relived, a GAME WON!
If youâve ever seen the top baseball highlights of all time, youâve probably seen Kirk Gibson triumphantly rounding second base. That moment in time will be forever etched in my mind. If you were lucky enough to have been there, as I was, this most thorough account of the game will take you back to that night and renew every last jolt of excitement you felt. If you werenât there, this book will be the closest you will ever come to experiencing it for yourself. No replays can bring you into that ballpark the way Wagner has done. He not only leads you on a detailed journey through the game but includes a great deal of information and comments that have been unheard of until now. Whether you were there or not, this book will be a rewarding trip back in time.
Jason Arellano –
Must read for every Dodger fan
When I talk to any Dodger fan who was alive and remembers 1988, every Dodger fan will tell you exactly where they were for the; “Gibson homerun.” Myself I was a 11 year old at the game. Now this book the author takes, you inning by inning, pitch by pitch, he describes every detail, of the game on the night Kirk Gibson hit one of the most historic homeruns in baseball history and the greatest homerun in Dodger history. Steve Wagner will give you insight information, on every single player who played in this game for the Dodgers and the A’s. This book is amazing, after reading the book you will want to go on YouTube and watch not just the homerun again, but the entire game. If your a Dodger fan or baseball fan, get this book.
Richard Brooks –
Wow, what a fun read.
Wow, what a fun read. Whether you are a Dodger fan or baseball nut, you will enjoy this book. It not only brought back wonderful memories of that moment, but it provides context to the events that lead to it. I remember watching the game with my two young sons. We sat on the sofa heads hung low as the game was wrapping up as it looked like the Dodgers were going to lose. But out walked Gibson. There was hope. And when he hit that blast there was excitement all around. Wagner’s book takes you back to that moment and with the detail of each player and what brought the teams together gives you a better insight as to how the stars aligned. Game Won is a big hit.
Rob Nichols –
Review by a Giants’ Fan
Game Won chronicles game one of the 1988 World Series between the L.A. Dodgers and Oakland Aâs. The game ended with Kirk Gibsonâs 9th inning home run off Aâs Hall of Fame reliever Dennis Eckersley. Many baseball fans would argue this was the greatest home run of all time. The author sets the stage by providing detailed baseball background and insight from the participants including Gibson, Dodgersâ manager Tommy Lasorda, Dodgersâ announcer Vince Scully, and the Aâs Jose Cansaco, Mark McGuire, Eckersley, and Aâs manager Tony LaRussa. The book is full of interesting statistical information and many fan testimonials providing perspective and giving the reader a real feel for the game. A must read for any Dodgersâ fan and a good read for any baseball fan, including this Giantsâ fan.
John S. Bugni –
If you like baseball you’ll LOVE this book
Steve has done it again. He has taken the details and statistics of a game of baseball and uses them to weave a story that draws you into the excitement of a particular moment in time. And as he does this, he brings out a history of the people and games that fills out the story into a masterful picture for the reader to step into. I wish I had Steve’s writings for every game I watch. You get so much more from a game the way Steve narrates it it. And there are some morsels in this one that no one that was at the game even got. GAME ONE is amazingly entertaining.
suehb –
This isn’t just for sports fans
I bought this book for my husband who is a huge Dodgers fan, but I picked it up and couldn’t put it down. This is an easy read, even for non-sports fans. Steven K. Wagner tells the story in such an easy manner and gives so much background from so many perspectives that I felt a personal connection with the game. I especially loved the testimonials from fans who were at there.