The [YOUR NAME HERE] Game

Published Jul. 23, 2014 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

How many baseball games are named after a player?

I can think of games named after things; the Pine Tar Game, for example. There are some famous "named" home runs: The Shot Heard 'round the World, The Homer in the Gloaming, The Homer That Almost Wasn't.

But a game named after a player? I can think of just one: The Sandberg Game. And after reading this fine SABR Games Project essay, I was reminded of some things I'd completely forgotten. For example, the guy who won the game.

Nope. Not Ryne Sandberg. Dave Owen.

Dave Owen, the last position player available on the Cub bench, came on to pinch-hit. A switch-hitter, he batted left-handed against the righty Lahti. The trouble was, Owen was hitting .133 from the left side. It would not matter this day. Owen drove a single into right field, Durham scored, and just like that, the rollercoaster affair had come to an end. “CUBS WIN!” Caray shouted. “CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN! HO-LY COW! LISTEN TO THE CROWD!” After letting the noise wash over him for a few seconds, Caray declared: “I NEVER SAW A GAME LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE, AND I’VE BEEN AROUND A LONG LIFE! WHAT A VICTORY! WHAT A VICTORY! LISTEN TO THE HAND THE CUBS ARE GETTING!”

Costas, on the other hand, chose a more understated description of Owen’s hit. “That’s it!” Moments later, before cutting to a commercial, he would confess, “Can’t remember the last time I saw a better one!” Indeed, neither could many people. It was a thrilling game, an instant classic, highlighted by two unforgettable at-bats involving two future Hall of Fame players in Sutter and Sandberg.

I remembered that Sandberg hit two home runs, both of them incredibly dramatic. I'd forgotten that both homers came off Bruce Sutter, then considered the best relief pitcher in the National League.

This was NBC's Game of the Week, with Costas doing network duties and Harry Caray on the local broadcast. I'd like to think I was watching, and I do have some vague memories of Sandberg's heroics. But whether I saw them live or on ESPN that night, I haven't the foggiest idea. What I do know is that this game defined the Cubs' season until that grounder went through Leon Durham's legs. And I don't care how good you are, it's hard to get a game named after yourself.