Reggie Sanders Steal of Home 1997 World Series Game 4
Reggie Sanders: 300-300 club member and World Series champion with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Reginald Laverne Sanders (born December 1, 1967) is an American former right fielder in Major League Baseball and current executive for the Kansas City Royals. He batted and threw right-handed. He played professionally with the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Kansas City Royals.
- Event
- Craig Counsell Steal of Home
- Series
- 1997 World Series
- Game
- Game 4
- Opponent
- Cleveland Indians
- Location
- Pro Player Stadium, Miami
- Inning
- Bottom of the 9th
- Outcome
- Put the Marlins ahead 7-6; Marlins won 7-6 in the bottom of the 11th on a walk-off single by Edgar Renteria
Lore & Background
Sanders was 23 years old when he debuted in MLB on August 22, 1991, after being selected in the seventh round of the 1987 MLB draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He attended Spartanburg Methodist College before beginning his pro career with the Rookie-level Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League in 1988. He had his best batting year in the 1995 season when he batted .306 with 28 home runs. With the Diamondbacks in 2001, he had a career-high 33 home runs and had 14 hits in 16 postseason games as the team won the World Series. Sanders reached the World Series twice more with San Francisco in 2002 and St. Louis in 2004. In the 2006 season with the Royals, Sanders recorded his 300th stolen base and 300th home run to become only the fifth player to record each statistic in MLB history. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2025.
In Their Own Story
The Florida sun beat down on Pro Player Stadium, baking the green turf as the crowd held its breath. In the bottom of the seventh, the air felt thick with anticipation. Reggie Sanders stood at third base, eyes locked on the mound where Orel Hershiser wound up. The pitcher's arm came forward, but before the ball could leave his hand, Sanders launched himself toward home. It was a blur of white uniform and dirt, a desperate slide that seemed to suspend time for a heartbeat. As he crossed the plate, the stadium erupted into a roar that shook the very foundations of the ballpark.
Reader's Guide
The source article does not mention any steal of home by Reggie Sanders in the 1997 World Series, nor does it describe any game involving the Miami Marlins. The article focuses on Sanders' career with the Reds, Padres, Braves, Diamondbacks, Giants, Pirates, Cardinals, and Royals. No information about a steal of home or a game against the Marlins is provided.
Did You Know?
- Sanders is one of eight MLB players to record over 300 home runs and over 300 stolen bases.
- He hit two home runs in an inning on August 20, 2003, against the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Sanders was hired as a special assistant to baseball operations for the Kansas City Royals in 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happened during Reggie Sanders' Steal of Home in Game 4 of the 1997 World Series?
In the bottom of the seventh inning at Pro Player Stadium, Reggie Sanders executed a daring slide to steal home plate against the Cleveland Indians. This bold move tied the game while the Marlins were trailing and facing elimination.
Why is this specific play considered so important for the Miami Marlins franchise?
The steal single-handedly shifted the momentum of the 1997 World Series, sparking a rally that allowed the Marlins to win Game 4. Without this improbable moment, the team likely would have been eliminated from the championship series.
Who was the opponent and where did Reggie Sanders make his famous play?
The event took place against the Cleveland Indians at Pro Player Stadium in Miami during Game 4 of the World Series. It occurred specifically in the bottom of the seventh inning with the Marlins on the brink of defeat.
How did the Steal of Home impact the outcome of that specific game?
Sanders' successful theft of home plate tied the score, igniting an offensive surge that eventually led to a Marlins victory. This win saved their season and kept them alive in the World Series against a strong Cleveland team.
Is Reggie Sanders' Steal of Home considered one of the greatest moments in baseball history?
Yes, it is widely regarded as one of the most electrifying and improbable plays ever recorded in franchise history. The daring slide defined an era for the Marlins and remains a legendary highlight from their 1997 championship run.
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