By Jacob Becquey

No everyday achievement in Sports is more exciting than the homerun. With just one swing, a player can not only change the game, but the history around it. There have been some incredible home runs in the last 25 years, but how do they rank? Today, we’ll be diving back and ranking the 10 most iconic home runs of the century so far.

No. 10: Corey Seager ties Game 1, 10/27/23

In the top of the 11th, the Diamondbacks were up 5-3 on the Texas Rangers, who were looking for their first ever World Series win after years of David Freese-related heartbreak. With one man on base, Seager launched a ball deep into right for a no doubt home run, sending the stadium crazy. Not only did this homer tie this crazy game, but just moments afterwards, Adolis Garcia walked it off for a Game 1 victory.

While not the most iconic World Series homer, this Seager bomb had an amazing call and all the energy of an incredible moment. While one could argue the Garcia walk-off could easily take this spot, it wouldn’t have happened without the best Seager Bomb of all time.

No. 9: Dee Gordon’s tribute to Jose Fernandez, 9/26/16

One of the greatest regular season homers of the century, Gordon launched an absolute missile in honor of his teamate.

In 2016, Jose Fernandez tragically passed away in a boating accident, leaving his Marlin teammates in shock. On the day of his tribute, fans and players all paid their respects for Fernandez in a pre-game tribute, leaving many in tears.

Then, during the first Marlins AB of the game, Gordon hit a rocket to Right for a leadoff homer. What makes this so iconic is not only what it meant to Miami, but what i meant to Gordon, as he cried in the dugout and hugged his teammates. This is easily the most emotional homer in MLB history.

No. 8: Mike Piazza’s first homer after 9/11, 9/21/01

The other best regular season homer came just 10 days after the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. In the first Mets home game after the tragedy, the Braves held a 2-1 lead over the home team.

Then, Mike Piazza came up to bat, smashing a bomb to center field and bringing a sense of hope back to the Big Apple. Shea Stadium had never been louder, and it remains the most iconic homerun in Mets history.

No. 7: Lindor’s Grand Slam against the Yankees (Santa Maria!), 10/06/17

My personal favorite call in MLB History, the Santa Maria playoff grand slam remains the most iconic Cleveland homer in history.

Down 8-3 in the sixth inning, the Indians were looking down the barrel of a blowout at the hands of the Yankees. The only thing giving the Cleveland faithul hope was a bases-loaded AB for their star Shortstop Francisco Lindor. Lindor absolutely demolished a ball into right field, leading to a Cleveland comeback and 2-0 ALDS lead.

The call absolutely makes this one of the best homeruns of all time. “Lindor with a swing and a drive, and it’s gone! Santa Maria!” remains the best postseason call ever in my opinion.

No. 6: Travis Ishikawa wins the pennant for the Giants, 10/16/14

When most people think of the 2010’s Giants, they think of the 3 World Series Wins in 5 years or the legend of Madison Bumgarner, but many forget the absolute bomb of a walk off to lead the Giants to the World Series in the first place.

Bottom of the ninth, 2 on with one out, Michael Wacha on the mound. The Giants looked to book yet another World Series appearance in Game 5. And boom, Travis Ishikawa destroys a pitch into right, and Joe Buck declares “The Giants win the pennant!”

Not only is the call great, but the homerun itself was legendary, leading to one of the best World Series of all time.

No. 5: David Ortiz ties the game with a Grand Slam, 10/13/13

David Ortiz has had some incredible moments for the Red Sox, including a walk off homer against the Yankees in the 2004 ALCS. While that homer just barely missed the list, his other famous homer remains one of the greatest of the century.

Down 4 runs in the 8th, the Red Sox loaded the bases for Big Papi in Game 2 of the ALCS. Ortiz proceeded to smash a homer other the fence, tying the game at 5 and leading to a victory against the Tigers. The call is great, Fenway’s reaction is great, and the Tigers outfielder flipping over the fence is great. Everything about this moment is iconic.

No. 4: Jose Altuve send the Astros to the World Series, 10/19/19

Another legendary Championship Series home run, Altuve ruined the Yankees dreams with a bomb into left field.

With George Springer on first and a tie game, Altuve ended the series at Game 6 with the greatest Astros homer of all time. Not only was the pitch demolished, but it was off Adrolis Chapman, the greatest closer of the 2010’s not named Craig Kimbrel.

The call from Joe Buck, the reaction from the fans, the look on Chapman’s face, everything about this home run screams iconic. There is an argument this should be higher on the list.

No. 3: Freddie Freeman ends Game 1 in grand fashion, 10/25/24

You knew this one would be an instant classic.

The Dodgers were down 3-2 in Game 1 of the World Series against the Yankees, but were able to get 2 men on with 2 outs in the 10th. The Yankees walked Mookie Betts, leaving Freddie Freeman to decide the game. Freeman proceeded to send a ball to right field, ending the game and breaking the hearts of Yankees fans everywhere (I may just be biased against the Yankees).

The bat flip, the call, the havoc in Dodgers stadium, this was an all time home run and right up there with Kirk Gibson’s iconic walkoff in terms of the best Dodgers moments of all time. Give it 20 years and there will absolutely be an argument for this being number 1.

No. 2: Jose Bautista’s bat flip against the Rangers, 10/14/15

The 7th inning of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS may be the wildest inning ever. 3 errors, a 3 run homer, and the best bat flip of all time.

Jose Bautista absolutely demolished a pitch to right field with no doubt about it. The Rogers Center shook with excitement with possibly the greatest fan reaction in MLB history. The flip went absolutely viral, making this one of the most famous MLB moments of all time. You can even recognize the clip from just the audience reaction. Absolutely iconic.

No. 1: David Freese saves the game, 10/27/11

No matter how much I love Bautista and the Blue Jays, there’s no way this can’t be number one.

The 2011 World Series was non stop havoc, and no moment made that more clear than the ending of game 6. In the bottom of the ninth, David Freese hit a game tying triple, sending the Cardinals and Rangers into extra innings. In the bottom of the 11th, Freese hit a ball to dead center, leading to a game 6 and eventual game 7 World Series victory for the Cardinals.

The way the ball lands, the reaction of the Cardinals, the insanity at Busch Stadium, this is the greatest playoff moment of the century and possibly of MLB history. It’s all perfect, and David Freese easily deserved his World Series MVP for this moment alone.

Honorable Mentions: Juan Soto quiets the crowd in Cleveland (10/19/24), Evan Longoria sends the Rays to the playoffs (9/28/11), David Ortiz walks off the Yankees (10/18/04), Adolis Garcia walks off Game 1 (10/27/23)