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Thursday, October 17, 2024 is going to go down as one of the coolest days to have been a Cleveland sports fan, thanks to the heroics of the city’s Guardians.
Regardless of how the American League Championship Series ends up going – the New York Yankees still hold a two games to one lead – the Guardians created some indelible memories for not just Cleveland sports fans, but for baseball fans in general.
From Jhonkensy Noel, who hit a massive, no-doubt, game-tying two-run homer off Yankees closer Luke Weaver with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to Andres Gimenez and Josh Naylor combining in the next half-inning to put a damper on a potential Yankees rally…
What a play!
Andrés Giménez made 12 unlikely and remote plays since last season, most in MLB.#ForTheLand | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/K1YA3a6iCO
— Inside Edge (@IE_MLB) October 18, 2024
“I was kind of surprised when I caught the ball,” Giménez said after the game. “It was really hard for me to get to it. Once I caught the ball, I was like, ‘It’s not the best angle to throw the ball, right? Just throw it.’ … Jazz was running, and he comes flying down the line. I just throw it and Naylor saved my life.”
… to David Fry launching a game-ending two-run homer to left off Yankees reliever Clay Holmes, it was a night many baseball fans, especially those with a rooting interest in the Guardians, will never forget.
DAVID FRY! BALLGAME! #WALKOFF pic.twitter.com/XzBsU8LKrR
— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2024
“Amazing game to witness,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said following the game. “That was playoff baseball. Both sides just kept coming with haymakers.”
Making the moment somehow even cooler (hard to believe, but it’s true), is that one resident of Cleveland was able to take video from his apartment window facing the Guardians’ stadium at the moment David Fry went yard. You can even faintly hear the crack of the bat before the place erupts.
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE CLEVELAND!!!@CleGuardians pic.twitter.com/pFJXq1Fghe
— Pete Marek (@PeteMarek) October 18, 2024
What a night for baseball… and the internet.
Big Christmas ft. Mariah Carey🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ONczwblL9f
— Down With The Browns Podcast (@DWTB_) October 18, 2024
Made a quick edit.
David Fry | @CleGuardians | Moneyball pic.twitter.com/hpuTcvEYJl
— Mitch Spinell (@MitchSpinell) October 18, 2024