I was there that night. I had spent the entire game up until that point in the pavilion level, standing room, on the first base side, looking directly at the monster. I had an exam the next day, so I was feeling pretty pissy that I had spent so much time and money on the complete no-show to that point. Between the 7th and 8th innings I switched to standing room on the third base side pavilion level. I remember the whole inning I was thinking just get Ortiz up with a chance to do some damage, because I had zero doubt that he would make something happen. It felt like everyone there that night felt the same. The first split second after he hit that, I was a bit disappointed because after all the anticipation, on the very first pitch he "only" hit a low bullet that was a double in the gap at best and, to my eye, looked like it was headed for Hunter's glove. It quickly became apparent how hard it was hit, it hooked a bit, and I saw it land clearly out of Hunter's reach and I screamed and hugged several strangers.
In addition to several sentiments expressed above, I will say that my opinion of Joe Buck changed that night. I'd never heard him express such genuine, spontaneous emotion before. Just the opposite of what he'd been up to that point. Great call.
I don't dislike Buck like most do, but this call is the best I've heard from him imo. Listening to him yell tie game is the only time I've heard him calling something and thought "yea he's just as stunned as I am."
I would pick the Victorino slam over this one to be honest. It basically clinched the penant.
Not only did that one clinch the pennant, but if Victorino doesn't get anything done there, they're likely headed to Game 7 facing Verlander. I was just relieved he got it in the air for a sac fly to tie the game, forget the fact that it carried out.