4. “The Flip”
Words can’t explain how epic this play by Derek Jeter was, but we’ll try.
With two outs in the bottom of seventh in Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS, Yankees’ starter Mike Mussina was pitching a masterpiece until allowing Terrence Long to rip a ground ball down the right field line with Jeremy Giambi on first.
Shane Spencer dug the ball out of the right field corner and heaved the ball over both cutoff men as Giambi rounded third.
Just when it looked like the Oakland A’s were going to tie the game up, Jeter raced from his shortstop position, fielding the throw while his momentum carried him towards the Yankees’ dugout, and shuffled a 20-foot toss to catcher Jorge Posada to nab Giambi at the dish.
The play was not only unethically incredible, but served as a turning point in the divisional series. Entering that game, New York trailed Oakland two games to none and came back to win the series in five.
