Proving the old adage "it ain't over until it's over", the following 20 endings to sporting events are among the most dramatic of all-time. Whether it's a climactic home run to cap off a wild comeback, a Hail Mary pass, or a last second buzzer-beater, these fantastic finishes still stir the juices of fans every time they are recounted. They are listed below in no particular order. Though some other worthy contenders were omitted due to space consideration, the following 20 finishes are certainly considered some of the greatest ever.
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1. Bobby Thomson's home run. In 1951, the New York Giants were trailing the Brooklyn Dodgers by 13½ games as late as August 11. However, they won the next 16 and finished the season winning a stunning 37 of 44 and ending in a flat-footed tie with Brooklyn for the National League Pennant. A best-of-three game series was then scheduled, the first game in Brooklyn and the last two at the Giants' home in the Polo Grounds. Due to the cross-town locations of the two teams, plus the bitter historical rivalry between them, there was already excitement in the air before a pitch was ever thrown.
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The Giants won the first game 3-1 and the Dodgers took the second game 10-0. In the third game, the Dodgers seemed to have the game well in hand in the bottom of the ninth, leading 4-1. The Giants scrapped together a run with two singles and a double. Trailing now 4-2 but with just one out and runners at second and third, Bobby Thomson came up hit a liner into the left-field stands just over the 315 foot marker. The resulting 5-4 Giants victory was immortalized by announcer Russ Hodges' "the Giants win the pennant!" call, and the home run itself has been called "the shot heard 'round the world".
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2. Michael Jordan's game-winner.
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4. The "Immaculate Reception".
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5. Bill Mazeroski's home run.
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6. Carlton Fisk's home run.
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7. Doug Flutie's miracle pass.
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8. Ball going through Bill Buckner's legs.
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9. Kirk Gibson's home run.
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10. Christian Laettner's last-second shot.
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11. Buffalo Bills' comeback.
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12. Dwight Clark's "catch".
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13. Jack Nicklaus 6th win at Masters.
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14. Enos Slaughter's "mad dash".
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15. The Stanford Band gets involved.
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16. John Elway's "drive".
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17. Dave Henderson pulls Red Sox from the brink.
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18. Joe Montana to John Taylor.
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19. Pete Rose bowls over Ray Fosse.
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20. Joe Carter frustrates Philadelphia.
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