One-Flap Down: Leonard's Clutch Homer Saves Giants

On October 4th in sports history, one significant event took place in 1987 during the National League Championship Series (NLCS) between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals. In Game 4 of the series, the Giants were trailing 2-1 and facing elimination at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

In the top of the ninth inning, with the Giants down 5-4, outfielder Jeffrey "Hac-Man" Leonard came to the plate with two outs and the tying run on second base. Leonard, known for his flamboyant personality and unique "one-flap down" home run trot, had already hit three home runs in the series, each one accompanied by his signature slow, one-arm-down trot around the bases.

Cardinals pitcher Ken Dayley, a tough left-handed reliever, was on the mound. With a 1-2 count, Dayley threw a fastball that Leonard connected with, sending a high drive deep to right field. The ball sailed over the fence for a dramatic two-run home run, giving the Giants a stunning 6-5 lead. Leonard triumphantly circled the bases with his one-flap down trot, as the Giants' dugout erupted in celebration.

The Cardinals were unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, and the Giants held on for a remarkable 6-5 victory, evening the series at 2-2. Leonard's clutch home run became known as the "One-Flap Down" home run, and it remains one of the most iconic moments in Giants franchise history.

Despite Leonard's heroics, the Giants would go on to lose the series to the Cardinals in seven games. However, Leonard's four home runs in the series earned him the NLCS Most Valuable Player Award, making him the first player from a losing team to win the award.

Jeffrey Leonard's "One-Flap Down" home run on October 4th, 1987, remains a defining moment in San Francisco Giants history and a testament to the power of a clutch performance in the face of elimination. It's a reminder that in sports, sometimes one swing of the bat can change the course of a game, a series, and even a franchise's fortunes.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI