4. 2001 ALDS Game 3: “The Flip”
With the Yankees trailing two games to none in the 2001 ALDS, they led the Oakland A’s 1-0 in the seventh inning of Game 3.
With Mike Mussina on the hill, Terrence Long drilled the right-hander’s offering down the right field line, where Shane Spencer fielded the ball and airmailed both cutoff men. Once the throw came sailing down the first base line, it was almost a sure bet that Jeremy Giambi would score from first base to tie the game.
Not on Jeter’s watch.
The shortstop raced across the diamond, picked up the errant throw, and made an off-balance shovel flip to catcher Jorge Posada, who applied the tag.
FOX play-by-play broadcaster Thom Brennaman described the flip as “one of the most unbelievable plays you will ever see by a shortstop.” He was right.
New York won Game 3 and proceeded to win the next two elimination games back in the Bronx, stunning the Athletics and advancing to the American League Championship Series.
