On Sunday, September 5, Brewers’ first baseman Daniel Vogelbach lifted the Milwaukee Brewers to victory over the St. Louis Cardinals with a dramatic walk-off grand slam.
Bob Uecker calling Daniel Vogelbach’s walk-off grand slam will give you goosebumps. #Brewers pic.twitter.com/znJOIw8Rqt
— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) September 5, 2021
The Vogel-Slam is certainly going to be remembered for years to come. However, is it one of the most iconic walk-offs in Brewers history? Perhaps with time, it will be; but for now, here are the five walk-off home runs we think are the best in the history of the franchise.
[pickup_prop id=”3163″]
#5- June 28, 2018: Jesus Aguilar vs. Cardinals
The Brewers’ 2018 season sure was something special. They would go onto win the NL Central and make it all the way to Game Seven of the NLCS. Another first baseman on that team, Jesus Aguilar, provided some great memories for the Brewers. Earlier in the season, Aguilar’s first home run of the year had been a walk-off home run against the Marlins. In that at-bat, he battled for eight minutes and 13 pitches before sending the Brewers home as winners.
Jesus Aguilar came through in the clutch in 2018 💪 pic.twitter.com/5p7er9PYal
— The Brew-City Army (@brewcityarmy) December 29, 2018
On June 28, the Cardinals were in town. Jack Flaherty carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but the Brewers were only trailing 1-0. In the bottom of the seventh, Aguilar broke up the no-hitter and shutout with a solo home run. With the score 1-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Aguilar hit another solo home run to give the Brewers a 2-1 victory. Check out video of both his dingers here.
#4- July 27, 1979: Cecil Cooper vs. Yankees
No video of this one, unfortunately. The story of this game would be better remembered if there were. In 1979, the Brewers hosted the New York Yankees at County Stadium. To honor legend Reggie Jackson, the Brewers even agreed to give away 50,000 “Reggie Bar” candy bars during the series.
This game, though, resulted in ejections, Yankees’ manager Billy Martin being pelted with thrown objects, and a Cecil Cooper walk-off home run. Jackson popped up in the fourth inning and threw his bat at Brewers’ pitcher Mike Caldwell. Caldwell attempted to break the bat while making his way towards Jackson. The Yankees’ slugger then grabbed Caldwell by the throat, leading to a benches-clearing brawl. The Brewers promptly canceled their giveaway.
In the bottom of the ninth, Cecil Cooper came to the plate with the scored tied. He had already slugged two home runs in the game. The Yankees had Hall of Fame pitcher Goose Gossage on the mound. Cooper smacked his third home run of the day in walk-off fashion, giving the Brewers the win in more than one sense of the word.
#3- September 6, 2009: Prince Fielder vs. Giants
One of the most iconic moments in Milwaukee Brewers history
Prince Fielder Walk Off 👑#AreYouNotEntertained pic.twitter.com/dzOGKagWc1
— IKE Brewers Podcast (@IKE_Brewers) April 15, 2020
Continuing the string of great Brewers’ first basemen to hit walk-off home runs is Prince Fielder. Milwaukee finished the season 80-82, but the young Fielder provided the Brewers with one of the most memorable celebrations in team history.
With the Brewers and Giants tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 12th inning, Fielder lined a home run to right field to give the Crew a 2-1 win. While the Brewers were not a winning team (yet), it was a young team searching for an identity. Fielder and the Brewers’ celebration helped establish them as an everyday fan’s team. Untucking shirts after a victory and celebrating without shame. Old baseball pundits hated the celebration, but it continues to live on in Milwaukee lore.
#2- May 14, 2006: Bill Hall vs. Mets
In honor of Bill Hall retiring as a Brewer, let us never forget the time when he launched a walk-off home run to win the game on Mother’s Day. A truly special moment #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/cG8tYDR04t
— IKE Brewers Podcast (@IKE_Brewers) September 5, 2019
Perhaps the most replayed walk-off home run in Brewers’ history is Bill Hall’s walk-off against the Mets. Though the Brewers were not particularly competitive in 2006, the home run came on Mother’s Day with Bill Hall’s own mother in the stands. It is routinely replayed several times every Mother’s Day on Brewers’ broadcasts.
In the back-and-forth affair, the game went into extra innings with the score tied 5-5. In the bottom of the tenth, Hall came to the plate with the promotional pink bat used to raise awareness for breast cancer. Hall’s home run gave the Brewers the win, and owner Mark Attanasio paid over $23,000 to buy the bat back in an auction and gave it to Hall’s mother.
#1- September 25, 2008: Ryan Braun vs. Pirates
Ryan Braun Walk-Off GRAND SLAM vs #Pirates in 2008
The great @BAndersonPxP on the call#ThisIsMyCrew #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/RkDMvTFI6C
— Cream City Central (@CreamCityCtral) July 18, 2019
In 2008, the Brewers snapped a 26-year playoff draught. Trading for CC Sabathia certainly helped, but entering the final week of the season, the Brewers HAD to sweep the Pittsburgh Pirates in order to put themselves in position to win the Wild Card.
On September 25, the Brewers and Pirates were tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 10th inning. After the bases were loaded, Ryan Braun crushed his first career walk-off home run to give the Brewers a much needed 5-1 victory. The Brewers then went onto to clinch their first playoff spot in 26 seasons.
Honorable Mention- Easter Sunday, 1987
What list of Brewers’ walk off home runs would not have the famous Easter Sunday walk off from 1987? An incomplete one, so we have included it here in our honorable mentions. Dale Sveum, long-time Brewers player and coach, helped the Brewers win their 12th straight game to start the season. You can watch the historic moment here.
And while you’re here for the history, check out how historic the Brewers’ pitching staff has been this year!
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherAdams14 and follow us @WiscoHeroics1 for more great content. Check out our merch page here and use promo code Wisco at check out for $1 off! To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
