On Friday, Freddie Freeman hit the first walk-off home run in World Series history, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-3 victory and a 1-0 lead over the New York Yankees. Fox broadcaster Joe Davis perfected the moment in just six words:
“She’s… gone! Gibby, meet Freddie!”
While Freeman’s grand slam was historically significant in itself, Davis found a way to connect it to a very important part of Dodgers history. This is because, although there was no walk-off home run in the World Series, there was a walk-off home run by a limping first baseman in Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium.
Davis replaced the legendary Vin Scully in the 2017 season and has been serving as the Dodgers’ play-by-play man during the regular season. Davis decides to honor Scully by borrowing her signature, “She’s Gone!” The home run sparked Freeman’s grand slam.
He also compared the moment to Kirk Gibson’s home run in the 1988 World Series, when the All-Star slugger pinch-hit in Game 1 with both legs injured and the Oakland Athletics’ Hall of Fame closer Dennis. – Walked against Eckersley.
Scully’s call for this home run was one of the best of his legendary 67-year career. “She’s… gone!… In an impossible year, something impossible happened!” Here, both calls are superimposed.
Davis and Scully both chose to quiet the moment after their initial reactions, allowing the sounds of the jubilant team and stadium to take over. Davis waited a full minute before bowing in the aftermath.
“Just like that October night 36 years ago, I was the hero of the Dodgers in Game 1, limping along. Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam to give the Yankees a 6-3 victory in Game 1 of the World Series. I won.”
Davis was even able to quote Gibson’s home run second call, like Jack Buck’s “I can’t believe what I just saw!” It is highly regarded in the history of baseball broadcasting.
When color commentator John Smoltz said he couldn’t believe the moment, Davis responded: “You can’t believe what you just saw?”
Freddie Freeman hits the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history. (Photo by Daniel Shiley/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
What made the night even more special for the Dodgers was the presence of players with patches on their uniforms. Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, who won the World Series in 1988, passed away earlier this week.
The Dodgers held a moment of silence for Valenzuela before Friday’s game, did not throw a ceremonial first pitch to Valenzuela’s former teammates Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager, and instead placed the ball on a mound emblazoned with Valenzuela’s number 34.
Dodgers Radio Network play-by-play man Steven Nelson always remembers Valenzuela and another legendary Scully call (“If you’ve got a sombrero, throw it in the air” after Valenzuela’s 1990 no-hitter). pointed out. Unique reference to Gibson:
“He hit the ball, hit it deep, came back and disappeared! Freddie Freeman channeled his inner Kirk Gibson. A walk-off home run in Game 1 of the World Series! A grand slam! They rejoiced at the plate, and the game-winner was six. 3 vs. 3. And if you have a sombrero, throw it in the air, the Dodgers win Game 1 in Game 34.
It was a special night at Dodger Stadium. Davis and Nelson’s calls helped bring the magic to the millions watching at home. That’s the broadcast station’s job.
