Sunday’s other home run

When 27-year-old Dodgers utility infielder Charlie Culberson hit his game-winning walk-off solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning on Sunday afternoon to clinch the franchise’s record-setting fourth consecutive National League West title, he etched his name into Dodgers lore forever. Culbie’s 397-foot shot landed in the Dodgers bullpen and landed the Dodgers into the 2016 postseason.

But did the Rome, Georgia native see himself being in this position back in spring training after being acquired by the Dodgers last November?

“I definitely thought that I would be here,” Culberson said during the postgame celebration in the Dodgers clubhouse. “I had good expectations of myself, [but] no, I never thought I’d be here … the guy in that situation to get that hit. No, I didn’t think that I would be able to do that. It doesn’t happen too often but for me to have this chance it’s great. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. And honestly, I love being able to put on this Dodger uniform.”

Although Charlie Culberson's dramatic division-winning walk off solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday may not rise to the level of Steve Finley's historic walk-off grand slam to win the NL West title in 2004,, it was nonetheless historical in its own right. Photo credit - Ron Cervenka. Click on image to view video)

Although Culberson’s dramatic division-winning walk off solo home run in the bottom of the 10th inning on Sunday may not rise to the level of Steve Finley’s historic walk-off grand slam to win the NL West title in 2004, it was nonetheless historical. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka. Click on image to view video)

As you might expect and amidst the champagne and beer-soaked celebration, Culberson’s teammates spoke very highly of him; this in spite of the fact that he has appeared in only 30 games with the Dodgers thus far this season and had only 56 at-bats before his heroic and historic blast on Sunday – his first as a Dodger.

“I didn’t say it out loud in the bullpen, but the whole game I didn’t call anything,” said an exuberant Brock Stewart. “When Charlie came up, I called it in my head. No one can attest for me because it was in my head but I cannot be more happy for that guy. He’s the nicest guy I’ve ever met – great husband, great father, great ball player. I couldn’t be more happy for him.”

But Culberson’s unlikely game-winning / division-clinching home run wasn’t the only game-changer. In fact, it never would have happened were it not for Corey Seager‘s game-saving solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to turn a 3-2 deficit against the Colorado Rockies into a 3-3 tie.

Down to their final out, Corey Seager crushed a 414-foot solo home run into the Rockies bullpen that turned a looming 2-1 loss into a 2-2 tie. (Photo credit: Ron Cervenka - Click on image to view video)

Down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Corey Seager crushed a 414-foot solo home run into the Rockies bullpen to turn a looming 3-2 loss into a 3-3 tie, thereby setting up Culberson’s date with destiny. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

“He’s Rookie of the Year, MVP, all of the above,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Seager during an exciting on-field postgame interview with SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo.

Culberson talks with reporters during the Dodgers celebration of clinching their fourth consecutive NL West title for the first time in franchise history. (Photo credit - Ron Cervenka)

Culberson talks with reporters during the Dodgers celebration of clinching their fourth consecutive NL West title. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Seager’s and Culberson’s home runs gave Sunday afternoon’s game – the final game of the regular season at Dodger Stadium – a true Hollywood ending. And while Seager and Culbie may share in Player of the Game honors, Roberts made it abundantly clear who the win was really for.

“Vin, we love you and this is for you, my friend,” Roberts said over the Dodger Stadium PA system to the Hall of Fame broadcaster. It was a fitting tribute to Scully, who is retiring after 67 glorious seasons as the voice of the Dodgers at the final home game of his brilliant career.

Although Scully’s retirement is inevitable, Dodger fans get to enjoy the greatest broadcaster of all time three more times when he calls the final three games of the regular season this coming weekend when the Dodgers face the Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco. In honor of the occasion, the Dodgers announced on Monday that Scully’s televised broadcast on Sunday, October 2, on SportsNet LA and KTLA will be simulcast in its entirety on the Dodgers flagship radio station AM 570 LA Sports. The burning question is, of course, why didn’t they do this the entire season?

Like Dave Roberts said – “Vin … We love you.”

 

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5 Responses to “Sunday’s other home run”

  1. Rob Rob says:

    That ball was CRUSHED!!!

    • CruzinBlue says:

      Seager’s ball was POWDERED, HAMMERED and LAUNCHED!

      There haven’t been many balls to have left Dodger Stadium quite that quickly!

  2. Bluenose Dodger says:

    You are right. Without Corey’s home Charlie’s most likely would never have happened. Really pleased for Charlie. Maybe a boost to his MLB prospects.

    Some home runs tend to get forgotten, like Mike Scioscia’s in the 1988 playoffs against the Mets and Doc Gooden.He set up Kirk’s home run in the twelfth inning. That game took the wind out of the Mets sails. for good.

    Gotta love Corey Seager – not only his skills, but his quiet demeanor, clean cut appearance,his Utley and Gonzalez characteristics, doing the expected and unexpected things.

  3. oldbrooklynfan says:

    I’m happy the Dodgers clinched (The homefield advantage notwithstanding), before the last 3 games with the Giants. So that means the games and listening to Scully, will be more enjoyable. Too bad the homefield advantage has to be “WON”, not like in the old days when it was scheduled in advanced no matter what the teams’ records were.

    • Respect the Rivalry says:

      Dodgers and Nats each have 6 games left. Dodgers trail by 1 after that thrashing from the Snakes, won the season series, 5-1, so only have to tie to get home field.
      Remember, last year at this time the Dodgers trailed the Mets and Mets held the tie breaker.

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