“And there it goes!” – Vin Scully, October 14, 1984
Fans of the Detroit Tigers will always remember October 14, 1984. It was the date that the Tigers defeated the San Diego Padres in Game Five of the World Series to win Major League Baseball’s championship for the first time in sixteen years and only the fourth time in franchise history.
Although the victory would not be completed until Detroit closer Willie Hernandez got Padres outfielder Tony Gwynn to fly out to shallow left, the outcome was essentially determined in the previous inning, when Tigers slugger Kirk Gibson launched an inside fastball from San Diego reliever (and now Hall of Famer) Rich “Goose” Gossage high into the Detroit night and deep into the Tiger Stadium rightfield stands.
To those of us who had watched the powerful Gibson over the course of his then-still-young career, the home run was one of those shots that was obviously a goner from the second of impact. Also realizing this was NBC play-by-play announcer Vin Scully, who immediately after the sound of bat on ball simply but excitedly said, “And there it goes!” The rest was silence from the broadcast booth, a perfect complement to the explosive roaring of the crowd, as Gibson strode along the bases, the ecstatic deliveryman of a three-run blow that would extend the Tigers lead to 8-4 and all but extinguish the fading hopes of the Padres.
Gibson’s helmet started to loosen amidst his enthusiastic high-fives at home plate. It popped off as he leaped with both arms raised in joy as he headed to the dugout. He noticed this, but left the helmet on the ground. Seconds later, this photo was taken by Detroit Free Press photographer Mary Schroeder, an instantaneously iconic image for all Tigers fans.
I remember seeing this photo in the Free Press the next day, though I’m not sure I saw Gibson’s gesture of triumph at the time it took place. In my excitement with the homerun, I had jumped onto my brother Keith, seemingly a foot higher than I had ever jumped. My torso was flat against his back, my head kept from the floor only by Keith’s ability to hold onto the back of my knees. By the time I had stopped my frenzied celebrating, the next batter, Detroit catcher Lance Parrish, had already struck out on three pitches. The game moved to the ninth inning and the Tigers headed towards the World Series title.
And there it goes.
