Most Memorable Green Monster Home Runs: Carlton Fisk, Bucky Dent & More at Fenway Park originally appeared on NESN.
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NESN’s “Monster Week” is back May 26-28! Tune in and follow along all week for wall-to-wall coverage inspired by Fenway Park’s iconic Green Monster, complete with a full game broadcast from atop the wall, exclusive camera angles, live reporting from inside the structure and Monster-focused features and interviews.
Standing at 37 feet tall and more than 200 feet wide, the Green Monster has swallowed up plenty of hard hits that would be home runs in other stadiums. However, Fenway Park’s massive wall has also served as the backdrop for a few legendary dingers.
Let’s look back at some of the most memorable home runs in Green Monster history, from walk-off bombs to record-breaking blasts.
Most memorable Green Monster home runs
Carlton Fisk (1975 World Series, Game 6 vs. Reds)
“If it stays fair…”
In Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, Fisk smacked a pitch down the line and drilled the left-field foul pole, giving the Red Sox a 7-6 victory.
Boston lost to Cincinnati in Game 7 of the World Series, but Fisk waving his arms to make sure the ball went fair in the bottom of the 12th inning is an unforgettable moment.
Bucky Dent (1978 AL East tiebreaker vs. Yankees)
In a winner-take-all tiebreaker between the Red Sox and Yankees, New York shortstop Bucky Dent fouled a pitch off his foot before hitting a dramatic three-run homer in the seventh inning.
The ball just barely cleared the Green Monster, propelling the Yankees to a 5-4 victory and breaking the hearts of Red Sox fans. No wonder they call him Bucky “Bleeping” Dent.
1999 Home Run Derby
Fenway Park was the perfect spot for the 1999 Home Run Derby, which featured Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa just one year after they chased down Roger Maris’ single-season home run record.
While Ken Griffey Jr. won his second consecutive Home Run Derby, McGwire provided plenty of entertainment in the first round with 13 home runs, setting a new Derby record for a single round.
Manny Ramirez (2001 vs. Blue Jays)
In his first season with the Red Sox, Ramirez offered a glimpse of what Boston fans would witness for years to come, absolutely crushing a couple of pitches against the Blue Jays.
Manny Ramirez (2007 ALDS, Game 2 vs. Angels)
In Game 2 of the 2007 ALDS, Francisco Rodriguez was on the mound in the bottom ninth inning with Ramirez at the plate. Against an elite closer, Ramirez sent a ball over the Green Monster, giving the Red Sox a 2-0 series lead.
Boston went on to sweep the Angels and ultimately win the 2007 World Series.
Shane Victorino (2013 ALCS, Game 6 vs. Tigers)
Victorino was the hero in Game 6 of the 2013 ALCS.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Victorino crushed a grand slam over the Green Monster, giving the Red Sox a lead that they would not relinquish. After eliminating Detroit, Boston defeated St. Louis in the 2013 World Series.