Juan Uribe And Game Four: Cementing Its Place In Dodger History

From there, the Dodgers continually gave the fans hope — only to continually let them down.

In their first eight attempts with runners in scoring position, the Dodgers failed to record a single hit.

They had a runner on second with one out in the fifth, runners at first and second with two outs in the sixth and runners at first and second with two outs in the seventh. And it’s not like the bottom of the order was up each time — they had at bats from both Hanley Ramirez and Gonzalez to no avail.

But as I alluded to earlier, the Dodgers struggles would eventually come to an end.

After the Braves took the lead in the seventh, the Dodgers’ hopes were starting to dwindle as they got deeper and deeper into the best bullpen in baseball with the bottom half of their lineup due up.

Hope was restored with a lead-off double from Yasiel Puig in the eighth, but even with a runner in scoring position I’m not sure many fans felt great about another chance to hit with runners in scoring position.

Next up was Juan Uribe, who gave bunting two tries before falling behind in the count 0-2.

And then, Uribe hit a baseball really far.

And as Uribe followed through with his knee nearly touching the ground, his bat falling to the ground and the Dodger dugout leaping out of their seats in amazement, Chavez Ravine let out a cry that was 25 seasons in the making.

25 years after Kirk Gibson — the most improbable hero, thought by many too injured to play — shocked the world, Uribe followed in his footsteps.

While not injured, Uribe has been a polarizing figure in Los Angeles up until six months ago.

In the first two seasons of a three year, $21 million deal, the 34-year old hit .204 and .191 with a combined six home runs.

As many clamored for his release, the Dodgers stuck with him — probably out of pride more than anything else — and kept Uribe around as a guy many praised as the best teammate around.

And in 2013, he rewarded them.

First, with a .278 average, incredible fielding at third and 12 home runs.

And then, last night, with the biggest home run Los Angeles has seen in 25 years.

Each time a team wins a World Series, there are moments they can look back on and think to themselves, “How did that happen?”

They’re signs that something special is going on and they’re the kind of moments that lead teams to believe their destined for greatness — that they’re capable of winning it all.

After 25 years without one of those moments, the Dodgers finally got one.

They watched the Giants hoist the trophy twice in between, but none of that matters now.

Juan Uribe hit a home run we’ll never forget.

And more importantly, the Dodgers have at least four more games to add to the memories.

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In case you missed it, here’s the home run that sent the Dodgers to the NLCS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJgp8vkSa3k