Hanley Ramirez recreates iconic Red Sox moment on memorable night
Boston Red Sox slugger Hanley Ramirez was on the cusp of joining elite company on Wednesday night.
In the Red Sox 11-7 win against the Giants, Ramirez connected for three two-run home runs. He then had one opportunity to become just the 17th major-league player to hit four home runs in a single game, but grounded out in the eighth inning.
Ramirez’s big game featured home runs to all three fields, and was highlighted by a home run into Boston’s bullpen that was reminiscent of one of Boston’s most iconic postseason moments. That would be David Ortiz’s grand slam during Game 2 of the 2013 ALCS, which propelled them to a memorable victory in that game and in that series.
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Ortiz’s epic grand slam endures because it was about more than one big swing or four series-changing runs. It was about the effort of Torii Hunter, the Detroit Tigers right fielder who tumbled into the bullpen attempting to make a game-saving grab. Beyond that, it was about Boston police officer Steve Horgan, who raised his arms in celebration upon the baseball’s landing.
Those elements put together added up to one of the most memorable moments not only in Red Sox history, but baseball history.
That brings us back to Wednesday, where all those elements somehow came together again.
In the second inning, Ramirez launched the first of his home runs over the short wall into Boston’s bullpen. That alone didn’t take us back to 2013, but the image of Giants right fielder Mac Williamson tumbling over the wall attempting to make the catch sure did. Then the camera angle shifted to Horgan, the man whose initial reaction forever earned him the title Bullpen Cop, with arms extended again in celebration.
As Yogi Berra once said, it was deja vu all over again in Boston. Though this one had the added element of full-time pitcher and part-time home run catcher Robbie Ross Jr. snagging another one in his cap.
So much bullpen action. And no one’s even throwing. https://t.co/Vi8oReuGaT pic.twitter.com/JnXojO30X8
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) July 21, 2016
You can’t make these moments up, but we sure do enjoy sharing them when they happen.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!