Top 30 MLB Playoff Performances Of All-Time

Darren - October 5, 2020

Top 30 MLB Playoff Performances Of All-Time

Darren - October 5, 2020

5. Babe Ruth – 1926

The first time is always the most special. That’s true in many aspects of life but it also applies perfectly to baseball. Game Four of the World Series saw Ruth become the first player to hit three home runs in a single World Series game. Ultimately, the Cardinals still won after seven games, but this remains the most memorable moment from the entire series.

The home runs came in the first, second, and sixth innings as Ruth made history. The seven-time World Series winner knew how to steal the show as his two appearances on this list convey. That’s why he’s one of the greatest of all-time. He didn’t win the series this time but he won the hearts of fans.

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4. Kirby Puckett – 1991

The Minnesota Twins have produced some great performances in their history. Puckett’s display against the Atlanta Braves was almost as good as that of his teammate Jack Morris, but more on him later. He was exceptional in Game Six of the World Series as his pitching onslaught was just too hot for the Braves to handle. Honestly, this was like a cannon breaching the walls of a fortress.

Puckett almost singlehandedly forced the series into a seventh game after an 11th-inning home run. Meanwhile, he stoles bases made incredible catches and demonstrated sheer bloody-mindedness in a game for the ages. This is up there with the best World Series of all time, but Puckett deserves as many plaudits as anybody. Baseball at its most entertaining.

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3. Josh Beckett – 2003

The 23-year-old Beckett was an unlikely hero for the Marlins in this miraculous win over the Yankees. He didn’t even expect to feature much because he had never played a postseason game on three days’ notice. But that’s exactly what happened and it was an inspired decision. Beckett put on one of the most remarkable performances in the history of professional baseball.

After an excellent game three, it looked like he had done his bit for the Marlins’ shot at glory. But he came in from the cold in Game 10 to pitch a complete shutout against the favorites. Furthermore, it was the deciding game of the series so Beckett effectively sealed the championship win for the Marlins. Fans and analysts heavily favored the Yankees before this game, but the Marlins and Beckett proved their worth.

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2. Jack Morris – 1991

Morris only played one season for the Minnesota Twins, but what a year it was. He put on one of the greatest World Series performances we’ve ever seen in a stellar win for the Twins in Game Six against the Braves. It was the second of four World Series wins for the Minnesota native but by far the most memorable.

One of just two players to win the Babe Ruth Award twice, Morris was incredible. In sum, he pitched for 10 innings in a perfect display of throwing. The 36-year-old had only played three games in the series but insisted on carrying his momentum forward. In the end, it was an inspired decision as they brought home the championship ring.

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1. Don Larsen – 1956

Larsen played a perfect game in the 1956 World Series for the New York Yankees. We’re talking about an achievement that has only ever occurred 22 times in the entire history of MLB. He threw one on the biggest stage of them all so, because of this, he deserves to be on top of this list. This was an iconic baseball moment, nevermind a playoff one.

Dodgers’ fans might not like it, but history only remembers the winners. Larsen was anonymous before Game Five but came alive when it counted. To this day, it remains the only no-hitter and perfect game ever seen in the World Series. Don’t hold your breath for another one either because there was only one other perfect game in a playoff series. This was one of the most remarkable individual performances in sporting history.

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Top 30 MLB Playoff Performances Of All-Time