During the late 1990’s/Early 2000’s New York Mets fans had the pleasure of watching Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves break our hearts time and time again. It got so bad that Chipper Jones named his son “Shea” (after Shea Stadium) because he loved playing against the Mets in New York so much.

Fast forward to 2007 and 2008. In spring training 2007 Jimmy Rollins made the prediction that dispite all the talent the Mets had, the Philadelphia Phillies were the team to beat and they would be the ones that would win the NL East. Well, he backed up his prediction. Not only did the Phillies win the NL East, Jimmy Rollins went on to have the best season of his career, winning the National League MVP while the Mets choked and had one of the biggest season ending collapses in MLB history.

This season was no different. The Mets struggled down the stretch again, the Phillies went on to win the NL East for the second straight year on the last day of the season, rolled through the playoffs and won the World Series. It didn’t stop there. As most baseball fans know, during the parade to celebrate the Phillies victory, Rollins took time out to take another jab at the Mets. Rollins mentioned Johan Santana and stated “”It takes more than one player to bring home a championship.”

Personally, I wonder why Rollins is concerned about the Mets when he should be more focused on celebrating the fact that his team are World Series champions. Nevertheless, Rollins comments will definately add fuel to the fire for one of the most heated rivalries in baseball and in 2009 you can be sure that the chants of “Larry…Larry” will not compare to the roaring boos that Rollins will hear at CitiField in 2009.

There are plenty of great World Series moments. In no particular order, here are five that come to top of mind when I think about the World Series. Note: These are moments that I have actually seen (watched on TV) in my 32 years of existence.

Joe Carter:

“Touch em all Joe. You’ll Never hit a bigger homerun in your life!” — Tom Cheek 

Joe Carters game winning, series winning homerun in game 6 of the 1993 World Series. A moment that every kid dreams of growing up as a baseball fan. Joe Carter made his dream a reality in 1993.

Kirk Gibson:

“I don’t believe what I just saw” — Jack Buck
Kirk Gibson’s game winning homerun in game one of the 1988 World Series helped the LA Dodgers to one of the biggest upsets in World Series History. They went on the beat the mighty Oakland A’s four games to one.

Jesse Orosco: 

As a New York Mets fan, there aren’t too many more memorable moments that you can put ahead of the Mets winning the series in 1986 over the Boston Redsox’s. And for all Mets fans, the lasting memory is that final out when Jesse Orosco throws his glove high in the air!

Josh Beckett:

One of the best single game World Series pitching performances ever. 2003, game six and Josh Beckett goes out there and throws a complete game, five hit shutout in Yankee Stadium, helping the Florida Marlins win the championship.

Kirby Puckett:

“And we’ll see you tomorrow night!” — Jack Buck. 

Puckett’s 11th inning homerun helped the Minnesota Twins win the 1991 World Series over the Atlanta Braves in seven games.

What are some of your memorable moments?