Most Dodger fans will agree that Kirk Gibson’s epic home run in Game-1 of the 1988 World Series was one of, if not the greatest moment in Dodger history. In fact, Gibson’s home run still ranks as either the number one or the number two greatest home runs of all time depending on whose list you’re looking at. But often times overlooked in that historic moment in baseball history is the guy responsible for Gibson even coming to the plate in that situation – weak-hitting Dodgers outfielder Mike Davis, who drew a crucial walk that set the stage for Gibson’s date with destiny.

Although nowhere near as significant in Dodgers lore, current Dodgers utility infielder Justin Turner had a Mike Davis moment on Saturday night as a steady rain fell on the 53,354 hearty (and wet) souls at Dodger Stadium that was every bit as instrumental in the Dodgers 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on a Hanley Ramirez walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning.

Now granted, even though the Gibson home run gave the Dodgers a 5-4 come-from-behind win in the bottom of the ninth inning and Ramirez’s home run in the 2-2 game on Saturday night would have won the game in and of itself, but Ramirez never would have come to the plate had Turner not had one of the most selfless at bats in his six-year MLB career.

After Drew Butera grounded out a soft combacker to Cubs right-hander Blake Parker and pinch hitter Adrian Gonzalez struck out, Dee Gordon lined a single up the middle bringing the .304-hitting Turner to the plate. Gordon promptly stole second base, his 51st of the season, on the second pitch to Turner and a base hit would have won the game. But even in this potential game-winning situation, the popular redhead chose to be extremely selective instead of hacking away at the first strike he saw. In fact, it appeared that Parker was pitching around Turner to get to the .276-hitting Hanley Ramirez. Turner worked the count full without a swing and drew a walk on the sixth pitch of the at bat, a gutsy curveball in the dirt by Parker, thus bringing Ramirez to the plate.

MLB.com Gameday’s account of Justin Turner’s crucial walk.

On the second pitch he saw, another slow curveball, Ramirez smoked it into the seats in left field into the area that was once called ‘Mannywood’ for a game-winning walk-off three-run home run – the first walk-off home run in his 10-year MLB career.

Ramirez watches as his 12th inning walk-off home run lands in ‘Hanleywood.’
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Although Ramirez received all of the accolades (and a Gatorade bath) for his clutch home run, it never would have happened were it not for Justin Turner’s six-pitch walk that was reminiscent of one by Mike Davis nearly 26 years earlier.

Kudos, @redturn2.