A special day in Los Angeles Dodgers history occurred on October 15. Even though they were born 29 years apart, Kirk Gibson and Justin Turner have the rare distinction of hitting walk-off, clutch home runs in the postseason.
Gibson’s achievement was most notable in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Despite suffering from separate hamstring and knee problems, he was able to come through as a pinch-hitter in the bottom half of the ninth inning.
The Dodgers took a 5-4 lead and 1-0 series lead in the Fall Classic thanks to Gibson’s two-out, two-run walk-off home run after he worked a full count against Oakland Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley.
The explosion set the tone for the remainder of the series, as Los Angeles went on to win the World Series in five games against Oakland, their sixth in team history.
During the 1988 World Series, Gibson made just one appearance—a thrilling pinch-hit at-bat.
Turner is a part of Dodgers postseason history.After almost thirty years, Justin Turner achieved an incredible home run of his own, imitating Gibson’s enchantment. The Dodgers needed some heroics in the closing stages of the game to give them a 2-0 lead over the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 National League Championship Series.
Yasiel Puig led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk to Cubs reliever Brian Duensing, tying the score at one. Before Kyle Farmer struck out to record the second out of the inning, Charlie Culberson advanced him to second base via a sacrifice bunt.
With a six-pitch walk that stretched the frame, Chris Taylor made it possible for Turner to create his own memorable October moment. Turner ignited Dodger Stadium with a walk-off three-run home ball to center field on the second pitch from Cubs right-hander John Lackey.
After defeating the Cubs in five games, the Dodgers went to their first World Series since 1988. Turner, who finished the series with a blazing.333/.478/.667, shared MVP honors with Taylor.