Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Back to Back

by SoxDevil on Jan 30, 2008 1:52 PM EST in Open Thread

On April 22rd, 2007, the Red Sox hit back to back to back to back home runs against the New York Yankees. This is #6 on Over the Monster's Top 10 of 2007 list

Back to Back to Back to Back home runs.
(Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis)

April 22nd, 2007.

The Fenway Faithful were treated to an event never before witnessed in Fenway Park's 96 historic years: back to back to back to back home runs. It was only the 5th time in Major League history that four consecutive taters were knocked out of the park and it was all the sweeter coming against our arch-rivals, the New York Yankees.

The Red Sox were trailing the New York Yankees 3-0 with rookie hurler Chase Wright on the mound. With two outs and nobody on base, Manny Ramirez stepped to the plate. Manny slumped well into the 2007 season and there was no sense that this was the beginning of a memorable moment. Nevertheless, MBM saw a 2-1 pitch to his liking and sent it far over the wall in left-center for his 2nd bomb of the season.

Manny Ramirez hits the 1st of 4 consecutive Red Sox home runs

This, folks, is the sweetest swing in baseball
(AP Photo)

J.D. Drew strolled over to home plate. He had been punched out in the first, leaving two men on. With the count 1-2 Drew decided to hit something other than a ground-out to 2B and launched the next pitch over the Red Sox bullpen. It was his 2nd tater of the season and 2nd in Fenway. Back to back homers for the good guys. 3-2, Yankees.

Mike Lowell, in the infancy of a career season, was up next. Lowell cranked a 1-1 pitch high and and Over The Monster. In the words of Bob Ryan, "Hello, Lansdowne Street." It was his second of the season and the 165th of his career. Following back to back to back bombs the score knotted up at 3-3.

Jason Varitek, otherwise known as Captain America, came to bat. Our captain was swinging a hot bat having gone 5-for-8 with a game-tying HR in the previous two games. Varitek didn't need to see more than one pitch. Wright's first pitch reversed course and soared Over The Monster. Sox lead, 4-3.

Jason Varitek hits the 4th of 4 consecutive Red Sox home runs

Fenway Park erupts as Varitek hits the 4th consecutive Red Sox home run
(Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis)

Bob Ryan does a little homework for me here:

The other four teams to hit four consecutive home runs were the 1961 Braves (Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock, and Frank Thomas); the 1963 Indians (Woodie Held, Pedro Ramos, Tito Francona -- yes, The Skipper's dad -- and Larry Brown); the 1964 Twins (Tony Oliva, Bob Allison, Jimmie Hall and Harmon Killebrew); and [the 2006] Dodgers (Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Russell Martin, and Marlon Anderson).

By some twist of fate, our very own J.D. "Nancy" Drew has been involved in 2 of 5 back to back to back to back home run derbies.

The Red Sox won the game 7-6, but not after some drama. The Yankees re-captured the lead, 5-4, after Jeter solo-shot and a "sacrifice" ground-out by Melky Cabrera that scored Cano. Our hero, Mike Lowell, saved the day by hitting his second home run of the night, driving home 2 runs to secure the win for the Red Sox.

I hope most of you saw this monumental feat. It's not likely to happen again any time soon. Thus concludes #6 on our Top 10 moments of 2007.

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Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

In the regular season, maybe the most fun moment I watched as it happened. Thanks for the reminder, SD.

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Jan 30, 2008 2:13 PM EST reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

I tried to find a picture of the Youk fist-pump afterwards, but came up empty. I think it was even better than the patented, intangible Jeter fist-pump.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 30, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

I had a look too - no joy. But I did stumble across this glorious editorial decision:

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Jan 30, 2008 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

F** the New York Post and f** A-Rod.

Oh well that 4 HR spree made everyone who was in the room go crazy. I would put it in my top 5 favorites of 07, along with Buccholz's no-no, Manny's walk-off in game 2 of the ALDS vs. LAAA, and I don't know what else. I'll get back to you on that.

by Schulz on Jan 30, 2008 7:07 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

That was great. Didn't it feature in the SportsCenter intro (or outro?) later in the season? I can't find that either.

by leberquesgue on Jan 31, 2008 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

Hell i saw it on an outro or intro in the last couple of months.

by Allen Chace on Jan 31, 2008 8:43 PM EST up reply actions

all i have to say is

damn this was a lot of fun to watch.

by Matzushocka on Jan 30, 2008 2:18 PM EST reply actions

Re: all i have to say is

But like me, I guess you were slightly disappointed we didn't get five in a row...

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Jan 30, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Re: all i have to say is

Eff you, Wily Mo.

(But the grand slam during that early Beckett game vs. Baltimore was pretty good.)

by Devine @ Over the Monster on Jan 30, 2008 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

This wasn't a top moment for me, largely because Chase Wright was/is/forever shall be a terrible pitcher. You could watch him pitching the first couple innings, and squirming out of trouble that he created. In the first inning he walked Lugo and Youk, before retiring the side; in the second he gave up a Wily Mo Pena walk (?!!) and a double. Wright was not pitching well, and giving up four home runs in a row, however fortuitous, was hardly beneath him. That to me diminishes the achievement.

by 0157H7 on Jan 30, 2008 9:23 PM EST reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

I couldn't help but disagree. There are terrible pitchers everywhere during any game (see examples Ortiz, Ramon and Fossum, Casey). But it's not everyday, every week, or every year that a team goes Back to back to back to back. In fact there were more no-no's this year than there were 4 back to back HR's. For rarity's sake and the pure spectacle of it puts it in my top 10. And because it was against the Yankees puts it in my top 5. Who knows, we'll probably never see that again by the Red Sox.

by Red Peltic on Jan 30, 2008 9:31 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

And it was the only time Fenway Park has seen 4 consecutive homers in 96 years. Terrible pitcher or not, it's a rare event indeed.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 31, 2008 8:59 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

Uhhhh, it's happened 5 times...EVER! It takes an incredible amount of skill and luck (or whatever) to get this many in a row, never mind who the pitcher was.

There have been like 16 or 18 perfect games by a pitcher EVER...this accomplishment is even more rare. I don't see how the competition diminishes it. It's like saying a perfect game against the Expos of old is less of a perfect game.

by Devine @ Over the Monster on Jan 31, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6,

I was in the U.S. for this game and watching the game during a dinner party hosted by the biggest Yankee fan on the West Coast. It was a sweet moment, but then Lowell cracked the 2 run shot to win it and I turned to the Yanks fan and told him that this is our year...you know what?

He replied, "it must be, because I can't believe what I just saw."

by sydneysox on Jan 30, 2008 10:58 PM EST reply actions

Re: Top 10 Moments of 2007: #6, Back to Back to Ba

Love the OTM top 10
Was watching this game in Philly when we went
back to back to back to back
and we went BEZURK!!!
Not to mention it was against the Yanks
Another destiny's child moment for sure!!!

xxCRACKxx flies the ball into the cool October night...

by mpieretti on Jan 31, 2008 12:25 PM EST reply actions