Kirk Gibson's 1988 World Series home run

Gibson was initially held out of the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup with injuries to both legs, but after being called upon to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs, he hit a two-run, walk-off home run against Oakland Athletics pitcher Dennis Eckersley.

Gibson, who was not expected to play due to injuries in both legs sustained during the NLCS, was surprisingly inserted as a pinch hitter with the Dodgers trailing 4–3 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the tying run at first base.

Gibson's home run—his only plate appearance of the series—helped the Dodgers defeat the Athletics, four games to one, securing their sixth World Series title.

[2] Many of the images associated with the home run, particularly Gibson pumping his fist while circling the bases, are often shown in classic highlight reels, usually accompanied by play-by-play from broadcasters Vin Scully or Jack Buck.

Gibson, who played the previous nine seasons with the Detroit Tigers (winning a World Series title with them in 1984), quickly became the Dodgers' de facto leader both on the field and off.

One reason why the Dodgers were considered underdogs throughout the postseason was that they did not finish the regular season ranked in the top five of any major offensive statistical category.

Their opponent in the National League Championship Series was the New York Mets, who had compiled a more impressive 100–60 (.625) regular season record, and had won 10 of their 11 regular-season meetings with the Dodgers.

The A's, who also boasted 20-game winner Dave Stewart (himself a former Dodger from 1978 to 1983) and closer Dennis Eckersley who had saved 45 games during the regular season, had easily accounted for Boston in the ALCS, sweeping the Red Sox 4–0.

Los Angeles took an early lead on an improbable two-run home run by Mickey Hatcher in the first inning.

Unknown to the fans and the media at the time, Gibson was watching the game on television while undergoing physical therapy in the Dodgers' clubhouse.

[6] At some point during the game, television cameras scanned the Dodgers dugout and commentator Vin Scully, working for NBC for the 1988 postseason, observed that Gibson was "nowhere to be found".

[6] With a one-run lead, Oakland closer and future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, who led the AL with 45 saves during the regular season, was brought in to close out the game and seal the win for starter Dave Stewart.

Eckersley decided to pitch around Davis because he had seen him hit 20 home runs for the A's before the All-Star break the previous year.

Instead of risking making a mistake that Davis could hit for a game-tying home run, Eckersley pitched carefully and did in fact walk him.

He then swung clumsily and dribbled the ensuing pitch foul down the first base line, which seemed to confirm his inability to swing with any authority.

[6] Gibson said that when the count reached 3–2, he stepped out of the batter's box and, in his mind, could hear Didier's voice, with its distinctive Southern drawl, reiterating that same piece of advice.

Don Drysdale called Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run[9] for the Dodgers Radio Network: Well, the crowd on its feet and if there was ever a preface, to "Casey at the Bat," it would have to be the ninth inning.

Gibson, a deep sigh ... re-gripping the bat ... shoulders just shrugged ... now goes to the top of the helmet, as he always does ... steps in with that left foot.

Scully, calling the play-by-play[11] for the NBC-TV (as previously mentioned) broadcast with color commentator Joe Garagiola,[12] made repeated references to Gibson's legs, noting at one point that the batter was shaking his left leg, making it quiver, like a horse trying to get rid of a troublesome fly.

Returning to the subject of Gibson's banged-up legs during a replay, Scully joked, And, now, the only question was, could he make it around the base paths unassisted?

And, look at Eckersley—shocked to his toes!They are going wild at Dodger Stadium—no one wants to leave!As NBC showed a replay of Gibson rounding second base in his home run trot, Scully then made a point to note Eckersley's pitching performance throughout the 1988 season, to put things in perspective.

And we'll be back.CBS handled the national radio broadcast of the 1988 World Series, with Jack Buck[15] providing play-by-play and Bill White[16] as the analyst.

The third base coach, Joey Amalfitano, had to give him a little push, and all the Dodgers are 'round home plate!Buck repeated his exclamation and concluded his comments on Gibson's amazing feat with this thought: I don't believe what I just saw!

"[21] The home run was included as a finalist in a Major League Baseball contest to determine the sport's "Greatest Moment of All-Time."

NBC's pregame video for Game 2 narrated by Bob Costas included both the home run and its film counterpart.

[1] In fiction, a court struggle over the ownership of the ball was the primary plot of the June 29, 2011, episode of TNT legal drama Franklin & Bash.

Near the end of the Major League Baseball season in the fall of 2011, Chevrolet began airing commercials for their Diamond & Dream's Program, a giveaway designed to help the youth in their communities around the country.

[23] In Game 4 of the 2018 World Series between the Dodgers and the Red Sox, 30 years after that 1988 World Series walk-off home run, Eckersley (who was there covering the Red Sox as a NESN color commentator and analyst) and Gibson reunited for the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium and Gibson had a bat ready before catching Eckersley's pitch.

In addition, both Gibson's and Freeman's home runs were to right field at Dodger Stadium, in almost the same spot, and both came at 8:37 p.m. Pacific Time.