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Today in History: Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard clinches Giants' pennant

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 10:35 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On October 3 1951, New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson hit a walk-off, three-run home run off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca at the Polo Grounds, turning a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 victory and clinching the National League pennant for the Giants. The dramatic blast earned the nickname “Shot Heard ’Round the World.”

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Story summary

On October 3 1951, New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson hit a walk-off, three-run home run off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca at the Polo Grounds, turning a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 victory and clinching the National League pennant for the Giants. The dramatic blast earned the nickname “Shot Heard ’Round the World.”