Ralph Branca Dead At 90

The Poet · 11-23-2016, 10:43 PM

Pitcher Ralph Branca, the man who gave up perhaps the most famous home run in MLB history to Bobby Thompson on Oct. 3 1951, the so-called "Shot Heard 'Round The World", has died at the age of 90. The homer was not merely notable in itself, but was especially so as it capped an historic late-season comeback by the NY Giants to take the NL pennant away from the Brooklyn Dodgers, making up a 13 1/2 game deficit in the final month. You need to be even older than I to remember this, but you might remember an outstanding episode of the TV show M.A.S.H. based around this. And speaking of TV, that final game of the three-game playoff was the first baseball game to be televised nationally.

Rest in peace, Ralph. Your name and fame will live as long as does the nation's pastime.

AdamJoshua · 11-23-2016, 11:17 PM

Grew up right next to Vero Beach so there are a lot of these old pictures floating around.

Brooklyn Dodgers Fred Kipp, right, and Don Drysdale, center, watch Ralph Branca toss warm-up pitches prior to spring training in Vero Beach. Branca, who gave up baseball's most enduring home run to Bobby Thomson in 1951, died today at 90.

Rest in Peace, Ralph

icehog3 · 11-24-2016, 12:07 AM

Heard this on sports radio earlier today. I knew the name, but it was interesting to hear more of the back story.

R.I.P., Mr. Branca.

hotreds · 11-24-2016, 06:12 AM

Surprised, yet delighted to see Branca made the cut, so to speak. I doubt more than 5% of those here even heard of him. Apparently a class act, somebody more modern day players should emulate!

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...rancra01.shtml

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...icle-1.2884710

Rest in Peace, Mr. Branca!

CigarNut · 11-24-2016, 06:53 AM

May He Rest In Peace.

Dave128 · 11-28-2016, 10:45 AM

Like Tom said, very interesting to hear more of the story.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Branca.

11-23-2016, 10:43 PM	#1
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Ralph Branca Dead At 90 Pitcher Ralph Branca, the man who gave up perhaps the most famous home run in MLB history to Bobby Thompson on Oct. 3 1951, the so-called "Shot Heard 'Round The World", has died at the age of 90. The homer was not merely notable in itself, but was especially so as it capped an historic late-season comeback by the NY Giants to take the NL pennant away from the Brooklyn Dodgers, making up a 13 1/2 game deficit in the final month. You need to be even older than I to remember this, but you might remember an outstanding episode of the TV show M.A.S.H. based around this. And speaking of TV, that final game of the three-game playoff was the first baseball game to be televised nationally. Rest in peace, Ralph. Your name and fame will live as long as does the nation's pastime. __________________ Ninety percent of everything is crap - Theodore Sturgeon.

11-23-2016, 11:17 PM	#2
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Ralph Branca Dead At 90 Grew up right next to Vero Beach so there are a lot of these old pictures floating around. Brooklyn Dodgers Fred Kipp, right, and Don Drysdale, center, watch Ralph Branca toss warm-up pitches prior to spring training in Vero Beach. Branca, who gave up baseball's most enduring home run to Bobby Thomson in 1951, died today at 90. Rest in Peace, Ralph

11-24-2016, 12:07 AM	#3
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,938 Trading: (60)	Re: Ralph Branca Dead At 90 Heard this on sports radio earlier today. I knew the name, but it was interesting to hear more of the back story. R.I.P., Mr. Branca. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

11-24-2016, 06:12 AM	#4
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,674 Trading: (63)	Re: Ralph Branca Dead At 90 Surprised, yet delighted to see Branca made the cut, so to speak. I doubt more than 5% of those here even heard of him. Apparently a class act, somebody more modern day players should emulate! http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...rancra01.shtml http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...icle-1.2884710 Rest in Peace, Mr. Branca! __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

11-24-2016, 06:53 AM	#5
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Ralph Branca Dead At 90 May He Rest In Peace. __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

11-28-2016, 10:45 AM	#6
Dave128 Sexy Dave Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Voorheesville, NY Posts: 3,923 Trading: (4)	Re: Ralph Branca Dead At 90 Like Tom said, very interesting to hear more of the story. Rest In Peace, Mr. Branca. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin I "heart" Boobies and Beer!