October 14, 1985: "Go Crazy Folks!!! Go Crazy!!!"

On October 14, 1985, Ozzie Smith hit one of the most memorable home runs in the history of the Cardinals organization in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Dodgers. The Cards struck first with two runs in the first inning when Fernando Valenzuela issued a pair of walks before Tommy Herr connected with a double that both runners. Then,in the fourth the Dodgers tied things when they got to Bob Forsch for a couple of runs. The Cardinals bullpen took over for Forsch during the rough inning and Ken Dayley, Todd Worrell, and Jeff Lahti pitched a combined shutout the rest of the way. On the other side of the diamond Valenzuela was able to get over his rough first inning and was lights out until he was replaced by Niedenfuer in the ninth with the score still knotted at 2. After the Dodgers closer retired Willie McGee with a pop out to begin the inning, the Cardinals defensive wizard came to the dish with an extra base hit in mind. The switch hitting Smith stepped into the box hitting from the left side. Hardly known for his power, he had never hit a home run from that side of the plate in 3,002 at-bats, that was about to change. Ozzie pounced on a a 1-2 pitch that can only be described by the legendary Jack Buck's call; "Smith corks one into right down the line. It may go!! Go Crazy Folks!!! Go Crazy!!! It's a home run, and the Cardinals have won the game by the score of 3-2 on a home run by The Wizard!!! Go Crazy!!!" You gotta love it. The win put the Cardinals one game away from winning the National League Pennant and would set up for another very memorable game in Los Angeles just two days later. Stay Tuned.

Watch the historic shot here: http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=13062871

Here's the box score: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN198510140.shtml