So, when Shawn Green woke up this morning, do you think he had any idea he would produce one of the most legendary games in major-league history? Consider:
He become just the sixth player since 1900 to score six runs in one game (Mel Ott did it twice).
It certainly qualifies as one of the best games ever. Leaving postseason heroics out of the equation, including Green's effort here are my picks for the 10 greatest individual games ever ...
May 6, 1998: Kerry Wood fans 20
In my mind, the most dominating pitching performance of all time. No, Wood didn't pitch a no-hitter against the Astros (Ricky Gutierrez had an infield single that could have been scored an error). No, it wasn't a perfect game. But Wood's combination of 20 strikeouts (matched twice by Roger Clemens, who allowed five hits in one of his 20-K games and three hits and a run in the other, and once by Randy Johnson, who also allowed a run) and one hit is unmatched.
Sept. 7, 1993: Hard-hittin' Whiten
Mark Whiten was known more for his cannon arm than his ability, but he put it all together in the second game of a doubleheader for the Cardinals. He went 4-for-5 with a record-tying four home runs and matched Jim Bottomley's record of 12 RBI. He tied another mark with 13 RBI in the doubleheader.
Sept. 16, 1975: Rennie Stennett's seven hits
The Pittsburgh second baseman hit .300 just once in a full season in his 11-year career, but in the Pirates' 22-0 rout of the Cubs, Stennett went 7-for-7 (including two doubles and a triple) to become the only player since 1900 with seven hits in a nine-inning game. He also scored five runs and drove in two.
June 23, 1971: A Wise decision
Philadelphia's Rick Wise -- who entered Phillies' lore when he was traded for Steve Carlton after the season -- pitched a no-hitter against the Reds and also hit two home runs. He's the only pitcher to toss a no-hitter and hit two homers in the same game.
July 3, 1966: Tony Terrific
Braves pitcher Tony Cloninger pitched a complete game to beat the Giants 17-3. No big deal -- except Cloninger also hit two grand slams and set a major league record with nine RBI by a pitcher.
May 26, 1959: Almost Perfect
Pittsburgh left-hander Harvey Haddix pitched nine perfect innings against Milwaukee on this night. But the game was still 0-0. He pitched perfect ball through the 10th, 11th and 12th innings, but the game remained scoreless. The perfect game ended in the bottom of the 13th when Felix Mantilla reached on an error and Hank Aaron was intentionally walked. And when Joe Adcock hit a ball over the left-center fence, Haddix lost the game, too (Adcock passed Aaron on the basepaths, so the final score was 1-0).
May 24, 1936: Tony Terrific (part two)
Yankees second baseman Tony Lazzeri belted three home runs, including two grand slams, and a triple as he drove in an AL-record 11 runs in New York's 25-2 slaughter of the A's at Shibe Park. The day before, Lazzeri hit two homers in the second game of a doubleheader and one in the first, giving him six home runs over three games.
Sept. 16, 1924: Sunny Jim
Cardinals first baseman Jim Bottomley became the first player to drive in 12 runs in one game in St. Louis' 17-3 win over Brooklyn. Bottomley went 6-for-6 with 12 RBI, three runs, two home runs and a double.
Sept. 26, 1908: Double shutout
Pitching in the heat of one the greatest pennant races of all time, Cubs' right-hander Ed Reulbach pitched a five-hit shutout to beat the Dodgers in the first game of a doubleheader. And then he pitched the second game, and blanked the Dodgers again, this time on three hits. He's the only pitcher to toss two shutouts in one day. The Cubs would go on to beat the Giants on the final day of the season to win the pennant.
Reader suggestions
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