Experience the Madness of MLB’s Craziest Night

Final day of 2011 season marked by remarkable comebacks, special moments.

MLB Network, which launched on Jan. 1, 2009, is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2024. Through Friday, MLB Network will count down the top 15 moments it has covered in its history, via weeknight segments on MLB Tonight (6 p.m. ET), as well as across its social platforms. And don’t forget to catch MLB Network’s 15th Anniversary retrospective show — “MLB Network Legendary Moments” presented by Budweiser, with Greg Amsinger, Sean Casey and Harold Reynolds — scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 22.

The No. 3 moment on the countdown: The final day of the 2011 season, which saw playoff races go right down to the wire in one of the most dramatic “Game 162” days in baseball history.

(Note: This story initially ran in September 2016. All people quoted below are identified by their team/role at the time of the game.)

Look around Tropicana Field, and there’s a shrine to the history of a franchise with some memorable moments. There’s the 2008 American League Championship Series and the Matt Garza no-hitter in ’10. Wade Boggs crushing his 3,000th hit into the right-field seats.

Then there’s the one moment in 2011 that no one could have hoped for, because doing so would have gone beyond the scope of optimism.

On the last day of the regular season, the Rays and Red Sox were tied for the lone AL Wild Card spot. Tampa Bay had closed a 9 1/2-game deficit since the start of September. But that comeback seemed doomed to fade as Tampa Bay fell behind, 7-0, to the Yankees on the season’s final day, and Boston held onto a lead over last-place Baltimore. In the National League, the Cardinals completed an 8 1/2-game September comeback with an 8-0 win over the Astros and a 4-3, 13-inning Braves loss to the Phillies.

In the left-field short porch is the 162 Landing exhibit. In the team’s elevators is a photo of Evan Longoria’s arms raised high in the air, only a trip around the bases away from officially landing the Rays in the postseason. Tangible reminders to those who saw it happen, nothing short of a miracle.

Here’s an oral history of the most improbable comeback in baseball history, and the most improbable night in baseball history, told by the people who lived it.

Part 1: “Well, you had a good run at it. You gave it your best.” Three scenarios existed entering the night. The Rays lose and the Red Sox win, thus ending Tampa Bay’s season. They both lose or both win, resulting in a one-game tiebreaker. Or the Rays could clinch the playoffs with a win and a Boston loss.

The Rays allowed a first-inning run on a two-out error by second baseman Ben Zobrist…..[BUTTONS HIDDEN]