On October 14, 1976 — At Yankee Stadium the New York Yankees dramatically win their 30th pennant their first American League pennant since 1964 on Chris Chambliss’ home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Mark Littell. The first baseman’s walk-off solo shot beats the Kansas City Royals in Game Five and the deciding contest of the ALCS, 7-6.

The Royals had tied the game at 6 in the 8th inning when George Brett hit a 3 run homerun off Grant Jackson.

With two down, the Royals got a single from Martinez and a walk to AL Cowens. Jim Wohlford slapped a slow grounder to Graig Nettles at third base. Nettles threw to second and umpire Joe Brinkman called Cowens out. TV replays clearly showed that it was a blown call. The Royals would have had the bases loaded and Brett coming to the plate had the correct call been made. Herzog, who did not argue the call, disagreed with Brinkman. But Herzog knew arguing the call would fall on deaf ears, and also did not want to take the chance of getting pelted with the various projectiles that were flying out of the stands.

“I had gone to home plate to congratulate him”, said Yankees’ coach Dick Howser. “I saw him rounding first, then I lost him. I caught him again between second and third, but he disappeared. I figured eventually he’d make his way around if he followed the green outline.”2

“Home plate was completely covered with people,” said Chambliss. “I wasn’t sure if I tagged it or not. I came in the clubhouse and all the players were talking about whether I got it. I wasn’t sure, so I went back out.” Nettles urged Chambliss to return to home plate to make it official. “I wanted to make sure there was no way we were going to lose it,” Nettles said.

Some quotes of this article are from SABR Games Project