Author Description

For more than a century, the game of baseball has captivated a nation— and filled history with unforgettable moments that will live forever. Now in Memorable Moments, thirty of the sport’s greatest milestones are celebrated in one splendid volume that every fan will cherish. Lavishly illustrated and including original commentary, Ken Leiker brings to life these astonishing feats in all their glory. There is Lou Gehrig’s stirring “luckiest man” farewell speech at Yankee Stadium; Willie Mays’ catch in the far reaches of center field at the Polo Grounds; Bobby Thomson’s dramatic homer that gave the New York Giants the 1951 National League pennant; Reggie Jackson’s three consecutive out-of-the-park blasts in the 1977 World Series; the incredible power displays by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998 and Barry Bonds in 2001; and ironman Cal Ripken Jr.’s streak of most consecutive games played. Major League Baseball’s Memorable Moments captures dazzling individual performances, intense season-long rivalries, career excellence, heated emotion, and important historical events. This momentous tribute is for anyone who has ever thrilled to the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd. In the summer of 2002, Major League Baseball and its corporate partner, MasterCard, invited fans to select the game’s most memorable moment by filling out ballots distributed at ballparks and by voting online. Millions of ballots were cast worldwide. The most popular moment, announced on October 23, 2002, before Game 4 of the World Series, was Cal Ripken Jr., breaking Lou Gehrig’s streak for consecutive games played. Coming in second was Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record.