Indians Improbable Return - Tom Hamilton & Mike Hegan

August 5, 2001 - Indians come from a 12-run deficit to win in 11 innings.

[@TommyD1213]

116 win team blowing a 12 run, 7th inning lead. Love this era.

[@omieg89]

Craziest thing is that they were down to their final out and still trailing by 5 runs. That's why baseball is the best. Not decided by a clock.

[@shoukatsukai]

They were down to their final strike twice that inning

[@Ether-pb5gb]

not just that....but the Indians left runners on in the 7th and 8th. 3 times down to their final strike. Absolutely unbelievable.

[@Ether-pb5gb]

AND....this was against the 2001 Mariners.....THE BEST REGULAR SEASON TEAM OF ALL TIME

[@skuzad25]

Until now 🤣

[@chris818529]

So true

[@andrewkursh2234]

I will never forget this game, I was 10 years old, i'm 32 now, I remember watching it screaming with my father, To this day I have never seen another comeback quite like this, what a memory. Those fans that left were probably like damn should have stayed.

[@tbone0785]

I was going and had school the next day i think. My buddies dad was driving us home while we were listening to the comeback lol.

[@CorynthianLeather]

I love how he said "ONE of the best comebacks in TEAM history" when going back we all know this was THEE best comeback in MLB history

[@jimbutke]

This still brings tears to my eyes. I was listening with my best friend, now passed, at his house. We high fived & hugged each other like we just won the World Series. This was a magical game, magical season!!

[@933236]

Go back and watch hammy’s call of Rajai’s 8th inning WS bomb in game 7 against chapman. You will continue to cry I promise.

[@tbone0785]

The two people i went to this game with, my buddy from grade school and his dad, are both gone now too. Bittersweet.

[@clevelandcbi]

My late dad called me on my first cell phone and told me don't bother hurrying home. About an hour later: STEP ON IT I THINK WE'RE GONNA WIN lmfao.

[@Pepe_talks93]

I could listen to this every day till the end of dawn. One of the greatest moments in Cleveland sports history called by arguably one of the greatest to ever do it.

[@joehalle6911]

+Nate Miller indeed

[@NathanDinickle]

+Nate Miller No doubt about that. As a Cleveland fan, this is something I always enjoy watching or even listening to for that matter.

[@VancouverChokers]

I am not an Indian fan but I love listening to Hamilton any time. The guy is just the consummate professional. Last year's WS had two of the greatest radio guys in the game, Cubs' Pat Hughes, and Hamilton.

[@Mermully]

Tom Hamilton greatest Tribe play by play guy of all time.

[@andrewferguson4422]

dromag He's certainly fun, but I still prefer Joe Tait. (This is from Mickey Ferguson, not Andrew.)

[@DASCO2136]

+Andrew Ferguson Joe Tait is the play by play voice for the Cavs.

[@EchoCasseopia]

CruelAngel I think you meant greatest play by play commentator ever.

[@JDAbelRN]

CruelAngel I really loved the voice of Herb Score in the middle innings with legendary Harry Jones.

[@nativeamerican6025]

Hammy (is) great...when he's not on vacation during the middle of season 3 or 4 times.

[@JustinL12100]

Hegan's "ohhhh boy" is the best part lol

[@poshko4144]

There was something awesome about the way he said that lol. Almost like he could sense something really special was brewing.

[@callakracker]

Imagine if this was a World Series Game 7

[@joeyclemenza7339]

sigh..... that would've been beautiful.....

[@bossmanjack42]

RobotYoshimis glad it wasn’t

[@jaredc304]

It can't be. They're both AL teams.

[@sebastiantimm7961]

Jared Curry - hence at why he said imagine...

[@Handlethis81637]

Jared Curry it was a comment about a large comeback in game 7 of the World Series ending in a walkoff, not these two teams in particular. Also, I’ve seen two teams switch leagues in my lifetime (Brewers and Astros) so who’s to say the Indians and Mariners would always be AL teams?

[@samplott8388]

“A swing and a ground ball towards first, down the right field line into the corner. Here comes Cordero, here comes Diaz, here comes Lofton! Unbelievable, unbelievable!” This call of Vizquel’s triple with the crowd noise mixed in is so magical to hear.

[@kaatremmel3167]

I ❤❤❤ how much Tom Hamilton goes bonkers, on that call, & every single time, I hear it, I get hyper, all over again. I ❤❤❤, Tom Hamilton.

[@dopemopey]

This is why i love baseball! I grew up with this team. These men were my first idols. Super heroes on the diamond. Great memories.

[@NathanDinickle]

+mopey Grew up in Cleveland as an Indians fan, and I will die an Indians fan. Go Tribe!!!

[@jopenny8819]

I watched the ESPN Sunday Night game as a kid in the Philippines. Incredibly, the loss kept the Mariners from winning an MLB record 117th game in 2001.

[@hmhm856]

Also, the Mariners lost game 162 to the Rangers.

[@Scott_Middleton]

I remember listening to this game on the radio that night. I still can't get over Tom's call when Omar hit that triple.

[@1gallimaufry]

The lesson from this game. NEVER EVER GIVE UP! NEVER.

[@clevejae9829]

I still remember watching this game greatest comeback ever

[@TheoneandonlyEETFUK]

Imagine Twitter if Twitter existed back then

[@janetaldrich7747]

It would have been INSANE! :)

[@westsideken]

RIP Mike Hegan.

[@UntitledKirk]

This was the year the Mariners went 116-46 too.

[@EchoCasseopia]

UntitledKirk Yep. This comback kept them from 117 wins.

[@JDAbelRN]

Truly an insane game...i will never forget this comeback, what spirit and perseverance this club had.

[@ericfischer5544]

I was lucky enough to be at that game. I was ten years old and still remember it pretty well. Everyone had basically left by the seventh inning and and my mom asked me and my twin brother if we wanted to leave also. We said no, and then watched as as the Indians did the impossible. Still feel sorry for all those who left the game early, they missed one of the greatest moments in baseball history. Still miss that '01 team. Last of an era.

[@shelly1298]

I was there with my dad and son. It was the little guy's first game.

[@tbone0785]

I was in the 7th grade, my buddies dad had to work the next day. So we left in the 7th or 8th haha. We got to listen to Hammy call it on the way home though. Should have seen the look on our faces.

[@shawnadmire5309]

You and about 100,000 other people on the internet were there that night. I watched it on ESPN.

[@kmlevel]

Recently moved again and found my ticket stub from the September 10th, 2001 game against the White Sox. Kept it since it was the day before the world changed.

[@coryadkins5944]

Fun fact about that game was that it was originally scheduled as a day game but got flexed to Sunday Night Baseball. I went to that game as well because my mom worked nights and back then the whole season sold out the day tickets went on sale, so we got those because it was supposed to be a day game. We went knowing we’d probably have to leave early. We left in the 8th. I’ll never forget listening to that game on the radio and watching when we got home. Truly a once in a lifetime moment!

[@grmreaper1414]

Best comeback in mlb history hands down!!! as die hard indians fan! this was amazing. indians scored 13 runs, on i think like 18 hits in 4 innings against a really great mariners team. unbelievable!

[@godzilla0974]

I’ll always remember the look on Lou’s face. Priceless. Greatest comeback ever.

[@lcrossmk8563]

SEA-CLE 14-2: Holy shit, the Mariners are just adding to their accomplishments. They'll probably win this game unless a miracle takes place. 14-3: Well, the Indians got a run on the board, but the Mariners aren't going to be bothered by that. 14-3, bases loaded: Wow, the Indians are putting up a rally. That'll help, but the Mariners won't be affected. 14-5: Indians are starting to rock a little, but it's not much. Mariners are going to easily win. 14-6: Whoa now, I'm starting to think. Could the Indians possibly do it? Nah, they won't. They're down by 8! Just get this over with, Mariners. 14-8: Holy moly! Something is starting to happen. Wait a second. Could they really pull it off? Now I'm starting to think a little seriously. They're down by 6. 14-8, runners on 2nd and 3rd: Oh my God, could they do it. Are you kidding me? 14-9: HOLY MOLY, is it gonna happen! They're putting up a last stand here! 14-9, runners on 2nd and 3rd: HOLY SHIT! They could pull off a comeback, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! THEY WERE DOWN BY 12, AND NOW THEY"RE DOWN BY 5 AND BACK IN THE GAME! HOLY SHIT! 14-9, bases loaded: OH, MAN! They're getting CLOSER! COULD A MIRACLE HAPPEN? 14-11, bases loaded: HOLY SHIT, the tying run is at first, and A GRAND SLAM WINS IT! THEY"VE COME ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THIS THING! THE MIRACLE COULD HAPPEN! IT REALLY COULD! 14-14, runner on 3rd: HOLY MOLY, ARE YOU KIDDING ME! THEY WERE DOWN 14-2 AND THEY TIE IT ON A TRIPLE! THEY COUL D WIN THIS THING RIGHT NOW! 14-14, Jolbert Cabrera hits a single, runners on 1st and 2nd: HOLY MOLY, THIS COULD WIN IT!!! KENNY LOFTON'S COMING HOME...AND HE'S SAFE! HE'S SAFE! THE INDIANS WIN IT! THE INDIANS WIN IT! DEAD AND DURIED IN THEIR GRAVE, DOWN BY 12 RUNS, THEY COME ALL THE WAY BACK AND WIN IT!!!

[@malikayyad7109]

lcrossmk8 beautiful

[@Handlethis81637]

HOLY MOLY!!!!

[@JDAbelRN]

Nominate your second career of play by play(without expletives).

[@PipeGuy64Bit]

Wow and I thought the Indians destroying the Yankees 22-4 during that one regular season game in 2009 was insane.

[@Kul9851CC]

PipeGuy64Bit we beat them 20-0 one game

[@danielgregory3295]

That was fun, too!! Goes double for pinstripers!!😂😂

[@lcrossmk8563]

No doubt, this is the best comeback in the history of Major League Baseball. By numbers, it's tied with two other games in the early 19th century (12-run deficit), but the Indians did it against one of the best teams in baseball history. It needs all the attention it can get, even for being just a regular-season game.

[@jackdomanski6758]

Baseball existed in the early 19th century?

[@SMOgamer10]

Your profile picture makes this comment so much better

[@IAmAlpharius20]

"Best team" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@TheMothdemon]

We were down to our last strike Our last damn strike and we fought back wow i loved growing up with these amazing tribe teams

[@dwaynehoward240]

I can watch this everyday of my life.. best birthday gift ever..

[@DawgcityClev]

This is by far one of the sickest games I ever watched. It's rival is the Eric Metcalf showcase against the stinking Steelers. Just unbelievable.

[@GiuseppeGaetanoSabatelli]

I watch this video every time I'm feeling down and need some hope.

[@poshko4144]

I will never forget this game as long as I live. Still the most unbelievable baseball game I've ever seen.

[@pastorseangajda]

games like this are what formed my love for baseball. I can't wait for playoff baseball back in Cleveland.

[@jsouper2]

I will never forget this game! Watched it live, and for some reason I never turned it off. Glad I didn't!

[@ronjeremy65]

Watched this at bar on a Sunday night, place went nuts

[@jamespalumbo6346]

This one makes my eyes water...a bit! Go Tribe!!!!

[@patrickgray1438]

I was watching at my house in St Louis. I watched from the 7th inning on I was doing my school homework, closer they got the more I paid attention.

[@lcrossmk8563]

"We said in the 9th, it may take divine intervention. There'll be a lot of people wondering." Well, Tom Hamilton wasn't wrong.

[@KaleSport1]

Could you imagine if Omar woulda hit a walk off grand slam when it was 14-11 that would have been the best swing in baseball history, at least he did the next best thing, and the tribe won the game

[@collinhughes4201]

If lofton wouldve been safe at the plate in the 8th it woulda have been walked off on that triple lol crazy

[@SaxMike71]

Greatest Tribe game ever!

[@KaleSport1]

without a doubt

[@dwaynehoward240]

Day before my birthday

[@samborgensjr6456]

@@dwaynehoward240 Happy late birthday!

[@TheCountofToulouse]

I watched this all unfold and I was jumping around the room, screaming. I'll never forget what I watched this happen.

[@DrBeef216]

I flipped the F**K out when this happened. One of the greatest fist-pumping moments in Tribe history. We kept the Mariners from breaking the single season wins record!

[@jojowhite9041]

Not really. The Mariners won a MLB record of a 116 wins breaking the 1998 Yankee win total of 114 wins.

[@jll9916]

Jojo White the cubs won 116 games in 1906

[@jojowhite9041]

Jesse Lindell ...never knew that.

[@christopherrossiter2689]

Ummm, Mariners had 116 wins...that IS the record moron

[@DrBeef216]

Christopher Rossiter Yeah. I said "breaking the record". Who's the moron again? People with kindergarten level reading comprehension(like you) shouldn't even be allowed to have a KZbin account.

[@davidking7606]

Can't believe it's been 20 years since this game. I was thinking of Jim Thome last night and this game. Glad I found it. Thank you for posting this.

[@HolyMarkMcGrath]

Gotta love Tom Hamilton’s energy!

[@jonibaloney2003]

Sunday night baseball, listening in my car all the way out in Nevada, I couldn't believe what I was hearing!!! I got home and sat in my car listening to the game until they won, lol

[@mariepavlov9144]

joni baloney, on ESPN Radio that night, you would've heard Charley Steiner (PBP) & Dave Campbell (C) on the call.

[@oKacz]

Man i really miss the "INDIANS" name. Love how almost everyone still refers to them as that and wears the attire. It has so much History and memories and culture. It gives me chills watching these. Still love the club reguardless of the name though. Always will be an Indian fan at heart. GO TRIBE!!!!!

[@nativeamerican6025]

As a military brat, I remember Sunday night baseball on espn overseas.....never forget it. It kept the Mariners from setting an all time record of 117 wins in a regular season.

[@CorynthianLeather]

Incredible game. By the indians . Rename them whatever you want this Indians team was legendary

[@americanadianguy]

Hello all you Dorktown and Jon Bois viewers who will be coming here from the Mariners docuseries! This is definitely one of the greatest bits of baseball history.

[@TheJoeHindy]

It's a damn shame they didn't mention it in the documentary. Allowijg a major league tying best comeback that ended up being the reason the mariners only tied for the best record in baseball is so totally a bois Stat.

[@shoukatsukai]

Jon: "Oh, you hear the 'Oh boy' from the color commentator? That was Mike Hegan, the Seattle Pilots' only all-star ever. Baseball truly is a small world."

[@Steveoqotsa]

I’m in the UK & only started following baseball last season & for some reason got drawn towards the Indians,seeing this game I’m happy I did....I know they’re small market but I love my Tribe!!!

[@coryadkins5944]

Glad you’re a fan! Hopefully you can make it here one day and catch a game!

[@JimmyFoxhound]

Kenny and Omar.. what a duo both in the field and at the plate. It was an absolute joy watching them play! Boy do i miss that team...

[@footballbrute92]

Still gives me goosebumps

[@GabeHandle]

And that ladies and gentleman, is how you become legends.

[@TurboDropTop]

That Omar triple with the bases loaded in the 9th is one of the GOAT tom hamilton calls

[@steffanw15]

We need a 30 for 30 on this game. Greatest comeback ever

[@JRacer524]

This game will always stick with me because it happened on my 18th birthday. I watched some of it at the Bonefish Grille bar in the Cleveland area during my dinner. Then later I watched it from the 7th inning on. What a game!

[@martinezabel3332]

Living in Chicago at the time and remember watching the gm and seeing Seattle jump out to the huge lead I told myself "Cleveland can make a comeback." There was something about Jacobs Field that made the Indians seem to become supernatural at times. But yeah when Vizquel hit the triple and then seeing Lofton's reaction crossing the plate to tie it it's an image that I will never forget. Once they tied it I knew they were going to win it and they did. One of the greatest games ever!

[@TheJoeHindy]

It might have been the park a bit, but that lineup had basically 9 future HoFs or HoF candidates on it. If they could've had slightly better pitching that team would've won 2 world series in less than 5 years.

[@indiansws08]

Thank you! I was just looking for the Hamilton call of this. That "Unbelievable! Unbelievable!" call will go down as one of the highlights that always sticks with me.

[@weirdo6763]

Imagine leaving early... then seeing this on the news the next morning.

[@shoukatsukai]

4:40 Diaz: "Can you believe it?" Umpire: "No."

[@ComedyDavis]

Tom Hamilton is one of the best broadcasters working today.

[@zackbranch7191]

I was pretty young and still remember watching that whole game still gives me goosebumbs

[@davidferguson7535]

Best come back of all time

[@Rob-529]

My son had two friends that were there but left early. They didn't even turn on the radio in the car. The drive home was an hour, so when one of them walked into the house, his brother was still watching the game.

[@drsauce216]

I will never forget this game. Beautiful baseball.

[@thesupposedso]

I was 12 years old, listening to this game on the radio like I did every game back then, no cable, no need. We were quickly down by 12. I turned it off, went upstairs, saw my Dad, I told him the score. And I'll never forget, he looked me dead in the eye and said to me, "wouldn't it be something if they came back and won?" I turned it back on in the 7th and listened through to the 9th and Tom Hamilton's one and only mistake ever, screaming "the Indians win!" Even though Vizquel had merely tied it up. Didn't matter. I was jumping up and down trying not to scream. I should've screamed. But I listened to the end and heard Hammy make up for his blunder by uttering the most thoughtful line imaginable, "we said in the 9th it may take divine intervention...there'll be a lot of people wondering." Anyway, that's why I believe in God.

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

It’s games like this that you remember every detail of where you were when it happened.

[@thudia2]

I was at this game for my 13th birthday. Threw up and we left early given the score. My family still won't let me forget that I'm the reason we left early....

[@I_Am_DK_]

I was 11 when this game happened. I was with both my parents in the car and I will never forget how crazy we went in that car after the Tribe won. My love for baseball at this time was unmatchable. I really hope I get that love of the game back one day

[@jimbutke]

The Guardians are making this a great season!!! Hopefully we take care of those damn Yankees!

[@jchamber73]

Thank you for this video. I watch this a couple of times a year and it always chokes me up. There's such magic to hearing Hammy call the comeback. My favorite is Lofton's reaction as he scored the tying run.

[@lorimeyers3839]

I remember watching this whole game on ESPN. I fondly recall Joe Morgan stating in the 8th inning that, “while it’s too late for Cleveland to complete the comeback, they’ve made a valiant effort to deplete the deficit.” Thome 2 HRs. Russell Branyan with a homer. A few years later I saw Jolbert Cabrera’s broken bat barrel in Cooperstown, signed in silver ink.

[@TheBestMan77777]

I remember this, the most amazing comeback I’ve ever watched.

[@jeffhobart7484]

I remember watching this game as a kid. What an incredible comeback!

[@tylerlaforte9825]

As a Tigers fan, this was great to watch. Didn’t know about this game. Good for you, Cleveland. Love the energy 🤙🏼

[@michaelwood875]

I watched this game on TV that night...lively ball era...

[@fvocrew2589]

Best game I've ever seen 💯

[@lorimeyers3839]

I remember this fondly. I was a few days away from turning 12. Going into middle school. 9/11 occurred a month later. Best ESPN Game of the Week I’ve ever seen.

[@ricklavallee1585]

Two games stand out in my memory as being the best regular season games I ever saw, this one and Kerry Wood's 20 strikeout game vs. the Astros.

[@jerryhello]

I grew up a Mariners fan and this was one of the greatest games I've ever seen.

[@murray8378]

In those days you just never felt like you were out of the game.

[@davidwindell]

I believe that this is still the largest comeback in MLB history. At least the largest deficit after six ever overcome. Incredible game I’ll remember til the day I die.

[@peterharris6409]

Incredible. Glad I could find some decent highlights of this game. I sorta remember it but it was so long ago. Crazy crazy game

[@ConsumingCinema]

Happy 20th anniversary to this game, which to this day is the greatest sporting event I've ever witnessed live.

[@theofficialromhackdatabase731]

Got chills watching this like it was live and it was my team winning. Next to the Red Sox coming back from being down 3-0, & winning against the Yankees in the ALCS, this should be talked about right next to it.

[@LanCorleone]

I’m here because the Padres are salty with the giants for the unwritten rules of baseball, they probably forgot about this beauty. What a video

[@user-eq1wj9kf9f]

Vizquel bases clearing triple maybe Hammys best call ever, I get teary eyed and goosebumps every time I hear it

[@Salvatore1268]

Crazy trivia question The winning pitcher in this game was John Rocker

[@PurpleMan21]

Tom hasn't changed at all. He's one of the greatest we have ever seen. Love him

[@alexconnor9680]

I watch this every year. Never gets old

[@erollers]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 This is why I love baseball. This is why I love Cleveland.

[@HatersHaveOpinion1]

I Remember Watching This With My Cousin, Crazy Comeback

[@Memorex996]

I love to read the /sp/ game threads on 4chan while a game goes on. I can only imagine how crazy it would be.

[@andrewboudreau5279]

I remember watching this live. Insane!

[@michaelt4706]

This still makes me smile every time I watch it

[@darrellstewart9809]

In my eyes, the best two commentators in major-league baseball.

[@jmcieslak0]

Just looked up this game because of today's deadspin article. Holy shit.

[@Doctormad881]

20 years ago today. Thank you.

[@utoobuser101]

I still get goose bumps watching this

[@TheThaddeusThree]

Awe man this is the greatest thing,

[@Xzei]

"Those that remain..." I was there. Just a kid

[@staidenofanarchy]

That ball four at 3:50 that kept the whole game alive kinda looks like a strike. I might be wrong, and the ump is only human, but I think that was a bit of a blown call. Still a great comeback, you calls to go your way to do something like this in any sport.

[@gilbertdennis4872]

Its now 20 years since this, written on August 5, 2021