Bobby Thomson's 'Shot Heard 'Round the World'

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Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World" was a pivotal moment in baseball history. On October 3, 1951, Thomson hit a three-run walk-off home run off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca at the Polo Grounds in New York City. This dramatic hit secured the National League pennant for the New York Giants, capping a remarkable comeback. The Giants had trailed the Dodgers by 13 games in August but won 37 of their last 44 games to force a playoff series. The game was broadcast nationally on radio and television, reaching millions of viewers and listeners, including American servicemen abroad. The phrase "Shot Heard 'Round the World" originated from Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem "Concord Hymn," symbolizing a dramatic event. The home run remains iconic due to its timing and the intense rivalry between the Giants and Dodgers. It marked a turning point in baseball history, celebrated for its excitement and impact on the sport's narrative.