Branca, who gave up legendary homer, dies at 90
Ralph Branca, who tossed the ball Bobby Thomson hit in 1951 for Major League Baseball's iconic "Shot Heard Round the World" home run, died Wednesday at age 90.
Branca's pitch led to Thomson's three-run homer in the ninth inning that gave the New York Giants a 5-4 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers in a playoff game at the Polo Grounds, costing Brooklyn the 1951 National League pennant and a trip to the World Series.
Grainy black and white television footage of the event remains a US sports classic, as was radio broadcaster Russ Hodges' repeatedly screaming, "The Giants win the pennant!" as Thomson rounded the bases while Branca walked off the mound.
Former major league manager Bobby Valentine, Branca's son-in-law, announced the death, which came at a New York nursing home.
Writing on Twitter, Valentine called Branca "One of the greatest guys to ever throw a pitch or sing a song."
"In his 91st year on Earth he left us with the same dignity and grace that defined his everyday on earth. He will be truly missed!!!"
Major League Baseball commissioner Robert Manfred called Branca "a true gentleman who earned universal respect in the game he loved and served so well."
"Ralph's participation in the 'Shot Heard Round the World' was eclipsed by the grace and sportsmanship he demonstrated following one of the game's signature moments," Manfred said.
"He is better remembered for his dedication to the members of the baseball community. He was an inspiration to so many of us."
Branca played 12 seasons in the major leagues, going 88-58 with a 3.79 earned-run average. He spent 11 seasons with the Dodgers while also pitching for Detroit and the New York Yankees.
Thomson and Branca became friends over their linked moment in baseball lore, appearing together often until Thomson died in 2010.