On October 23, 2001, one of the most iconic moments in baseball history occurred during Game 4 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks. In the bottom of the 10th inning, with the Yankees leading the series 2-1 and the game tied at 3-3, Diamondbacks outfielder Luis Gonzalez stepped up to the plate to face the legendary Yankees closer, Mariano Rivera.
Rivera, known for his devastating cut fastball, had been nearly untouchable throughout the postseason. However, with the bases loaded and one out, Gonzalez managed to fight off a cut fastball and lift a soft blooper over the drawn-in infield. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter made a valiant attempt to catch the ball, but it fell just beyond his reach, allowing Jay Bell to score the winning run from third base.
The crowd at Bank One Ballpark erupted as Gonzalez's teammates mobbed him in celebration. The walk-off single not only tied the series at 2-2 but also marked a turning point in the championship. The Diamondbacks would go on to win the next two games, clinching their first-ever World Series title in a thrilling Game 7 that ended with Gonzalez once again delivering the game-winning hit off Rivera.
For Gonzalez, a five-time All-Star and one of the most popular players in Diamondbacks history, this moment solidified his place in baseball lore. The image of him throwing his hands up in triumph as he rounded first base has become an enduring symbol of the Diamondbacks' improbable championship run and a testament to the unpredictable nature of America's national pastime.
