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Red Sox: Top 10 most important home runs in team history

By Drew Athans

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 10: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox bats during the final at bat of his career during the eighth inning of game three of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians on October 10, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 10: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox bats during the final at bat of his career during the eighth inning of game three of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians on October 10, 2016 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 13: David Ortiz #34 celebrates a game-tying grand slam in the eighth inning with Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox against the Detroit Tigers during Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 13, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 13: David Ortiz #34 celebrates a game-tying grand slam in the eighth inning with Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox against the Detroit Tigers during Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 13, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

David Ortiz’ Grand Slam

The 2013 Red Sox came out of nowhere in the wake of their dismal 2012 season to win the AL East. After defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in four games in the ALDS, they matched up against the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. The Tigers boasted a fearsome rotation that included Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and their offense was anchored by Miguel Cabrera who had won the Triple Crown in 2012.

The Red Sox dropped the first game at Fenway Park 1-0 and we in danger of going down two games to none before heading to Detroit for the next three games. Losing 5-1 heading into the eighth inning, they loaded the bases with two outs when David Ortiz stepped up to the plate. Facing Joaquin Benoit who was just put into the game, Ortiz hit the first pitch into the bullpens for a grand slam.

That tied the game at five runs apiece and gave us one of the greatest baseball photos in history when Torii Hunter flipped over the fence in his attempt to catch the ball. The Red Sox went on to win the game when they scored a run in the ninth and they’d win the series in six games for their third pennant since 2004. They would go on to win the World Series in six games over the St. Louis Cardinals to cap off a magical season.

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