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(More customer reviews)Two men linked together by fate: The talented but unspectacular Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca threw a baseball at the talented but unspectacular New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson at 3:58 PM on October 3, 1951, a dark and gloomy day for baseball at the Giants' Polo Grounds in upper Manhattan.
The two National League teams were the vilest of rivals and enemies, and had been so since the earliest days of the Twentieth Century. The Dodgers had squandered a 13.5 game lead to bring the season down to a three game playoff series, split between the two teams.
In the bottom of the Ninth, the Dodgers were ahead 4-1, when things unravelled for the hapless Bums. The Giants scored on a ball that sneaked through the shallow infield. The tiring Dodger ace, Big Don Newcombe, found himself facing two Giants on base and one out.
Manager Charlie Dressen decided Newk had had it, and sent Branca up against Thomson. Dodger fans shuddered, remembering that Thomson had homered off Branca two days previously.
On Branca's second pitch, Thomson connected with a spectacular shot that rocketed into the stands, shattering the Dodgers' season, taking the pennant, and making himself one half the instrument of the most famous moment in baseball.
The crack of that bat reverberated all the way around the world, thanks to the first "live feed" cross-country television cable and thanks to Armed Forces Radio, where it momentarily drowned out the Korean War. There are famous photographs of Branca weeping. There are famous photographs of Thomson kissing his bat. It is said that suicide lines formed on the Brooklyn Bridge. Branca was hanged in effigy. To this day, there are still those who curse him.
Fortunately, Thomson and Branca are fine men who have managed to prolong their shared moment into a lifetime friendship, and in goodnatured fellowship have posed for this jointly-autographed picture of a smiling "angry" Branca "choking" a grinning "horrified" Thomson, his "mortal enemy" from Manhattan.
Yes, it was a sad moment for Brooklyn Dodger fans, but it was another chapter in the wonderful odyssey that was Brooklyn baseball, and thank heaven these two gentlemen have immortalized their part in it in such a memorable and affectionate way.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Bobby Thompson and Ralph Branca Autographed "Choking" Black and White 8" x 10" Photograph (Unframed)
Enjoy this photograph featuring MLB players Bobby Thompson and Ralph Branca of the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers. A great collector's piece for all New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers fans!Bobby Thompson (New York Giants) and Ralph Branca (Brooklyn Dodgers) have BOTH personally hand signed this 8x10 B+W Photo with blue sharpie pens. This rare photo has an Authenticity Hologram on the photo, as well as, on the Real Deal Memorabilia, Inc. Certificate of Authenticity. Get The REAL DEAL!
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