Aaron Boone's Walk-Off Homer
The walk-off that prolonged the Curse of the Bambino.
Aaron Boone hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series, off Tim Wakefield, giving the Yankees a 6–5 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
- Event
- 2003 World Series Game 3
- Date
- October 16, 2003
- Venue
- Yankee Stadium (Bronx)
- Inning
- Bottom of the 11th
- Pitcher
- Bruce Chen
- Outcome
- Walk-off Home Run / Yankees Win
- Series Result
- Yankees Won in 5 Games
Lore & Background
The New York Daily News dubbed the play the 'Curse of the Boonebino.' This home run was rated the ninth-best home run of all time on Baseball Tonight. Afterward, some Red Sox fans called Boone 'Aaron Fucking Boone,' much as they called Bucky Dent 'Bucky Fucking Dent.'
In Their Own Story
The night air was crisp over the Bronx as the lights hummed above the diamond. Silence fell over the stands, heavier than usual, holding its breath with every pitch thrown by Bruce Chen. Then came the crack of the bat, sharp and clear against the quiet stadium. For a heartbeat, the ball hung suspended in the glow, before vanishing into the darkness beyond left field. The roar that followed was not just sound; it was a release of ten innings of pressure, washing over the field like a tidal wave.
Reader's Guide
The walk-off home run occurred during Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, not the World Series.
Did You Know?
- Boone was acquired by the Yankees from the Reds on July 31, 2003, for Brandon Claussen, Charlie Manning, and cash.
- In 54 games after the trade, Boone hit .254 with a .720 OPS, six home runs and 31 RBIs.
- Boone tore his ACL in a pick-up basketball game in January 2004, leading to his release by the Yankees on February 27, 2004.
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