The 10 Greatest World Series Game 7s

The Chicago Cubs erased a 3–1 deficit to force a Game 7 with the Cleveland Indians and ended a 108-year title drought with their 8-7 victory in the 10th inning, easily placing it among the greatest games in baseball history.

The 10 Greatest World Series Game 7s

Cubs-Indians (2016)

Charlie Riedel/AP

Ending more than a century of flops, futility and frustration, the Cubs won their first title since 1908, outlasting the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in 10 innings of a Game 7 thriller. All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman blew a three-run lead for Chicago with two outs in the eighth when Rajai Davis hit a tying home run. But the Cubs, after tormenting their fans one more time, came right back after a 17-minute rain delay before the top of the 10th. Ben Zobrist (named World Series MVP) hit an RBI double and Miguel Montero singled home a run to make it 8-6. Davis then delivered an RBI single with two outs in the bottom half of the 10th, but Mike Montgomery closed it out for Chicago.

Diamondbacks-Yankees (2001)

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The best postseason closer in baseball was holding a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. Nevermind what the dandy D-Back duo of Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson had done earlier. The Yanks looked like a lock. But Mariano Rivera got himself in trouble, and Luis Gonzalez won the game 3-2 with a bases-loaded bloop single over a drawn-in shortstop Derek Jeter. Johnson got the win in relief.

Marlins-Indians (1997)

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Craig Counsell came home with the winning run in the bottom of the 11th on Edgar Renteria's solid base hit to center, giving the Marlins a 3-2 win and a World Series title only five years into their existence.

Twins-Braves (1991)

Heinz Kluetmeier

Minnesota's Jack Morris and the Braves' John Smoltz, Mike Stanton and Alejandro Pena locked up in a scoreless duel. The Twins' Gene Larkin singled home Dan Gladden with the winning run with one out in the bottom of the 10th to give Minnesota its second World Series title in five seasons.

Dodgers-Twins (1965)

Neil Leifer

After throwing a shutout in Game 5, Hall of Fame left-hander Sandy Koufax returned on two days rest and did it again, striking out 10 to win the clincher 2-0.

Yankees-Giants (1962)

AP

Ralph Terry, the goat of the 1960 Game 7 loss to the Pirates, was on the mound again in the ninth, but this time he came out a winner as Giants slugger Willie McCovey lined out to to second baseman Bobby Richardson for the final out of the 1-0 game.

Pirates-Yankees (1960)

AP

Bill Mazeroski opened the bottom of the ninth with a home run off Ralph Terry of the Yankees to give the Pirates a 10-9 victory and the World Series in seven games.

Dodgers-Yankees (1955)

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Johnny Podres became a Brooklyn legend when he pitched the Dodgers to their first World Series title. Podres went 9-10 in the regular season before beating the crosstown Yankees in Games 3 and 7, the latter a 2-0 shutout at Yankee Stadium.

Cardinals-Red Sox (1946)

AP

Boston shortstop Johnny Pesky hesitated before throwing home, and Enos Slaughter scored all the way from first base on an eighth-inning double by Harry "The Hat" Walker to give the Cards a 4-3 victory.

Senators-Giants (1924)

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The Nats (as the Washington Senators were commonly known then) were destined and won 4-3 in 12 innings, but not without the help of two key errors and two bad-hop hits that jumped over the head of third basemen Freddie Lindstrom. Player/manager Bucky Harris (pictured) knocked in three of the Senators four runs. Pitching in relief, Hall of Famer Walter Johnson got the win.