Top Ten Dodger Homeruns of 2013: 1- Juan Uribe’s Jazzy Swing Gives Dodgers NLDS Win

We’ve reached the end of our Top Ten Dodger Homeruns of 2013 countdown, and number one sent Dodger fans celebrating with joy as the Boys in Blue defeated the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. Homeruns, whether solo shots, grand salamis, pinch-hit dingers, walk-off beauties, or back-to-back jacks are all exciting in their own right. Yet there is something extra special about a postseason homerun. The postseason is a world within itself, and a clutch homerun can carry with it legendary status. The most legendary Dodger homerun continues to be and most likely will always be Kirk Gibson‘s World Series homerun, but for the Dodgers in 2013 Juan Uribe played hero in Game 4 of the NLDS which sent the Dodgers on to the NLCS.

Let’s go back and take a look at the countdown so far:

10. Hanley Ramirez‘s “I See You” Bobblehead Night Tuesday, April 30, 2013

9. Matt Kemp ends his 86- at-bat homerun drought with a two-run homerun against Matt Harvey at Citi Field Wednesday April 24, 2013

8. Andre Ethier ties game 2-2 versus Mets in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-run pinch-hit homerun Wednesday, August 14, 2013

7. Hanley Ramirez and A.J. Ellis hit back-to-back homeruns in the top of the fourteenth inning to finalize a three-game sweep of the D-backs at Chase Field on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

6. Juan Uribe Hits Three Homeruns in One Game Versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday September 9, 2013.

5. Scott Van Slyke Hits Pinch-Hit Walk-Off Homerun vs. D-backs on Tuesday, September 10, 2013.

4. Yasiel Puig hits walk-off homerun in eleventh to give Dodgers win over Reds on Sunday July 28, 2013.

3. Yasiel Puig Hits First Career Grand Slam Versus Atlanta Braves on Thursday June, 6, 2013.

2. Clayton Kershaw‘s Opening Day Homerun Helps Dodgers Blank Giants 4-0 on Monday April 1, 2013.

Before we talk about the top Dodger homerun of 2013, there are a few honorable mentions I’d like to acknowledge.

Honorable Mention: Juan Uribe’s post brawl tiebreaking homerun vs. Padres Thursday April 11, 2013

Honorable Mention:  Carl Crawford three-run homerun NLDS Game 3 Sunday October 6, 2013

Then of course the Number One Dodger Homerun of 2013 was…

1. Juan Uribe’s Eighth Inning Two-Run Homerun in Game 4 of the 2013 NLDS Sends Dodgers to Championship Series Monday October 7, 2013.

Like a phoenix from the ashes, Juan Uribe became a fixture at third base, a legitimate threat with the bat, and a clubhouse leader in 2013 which almost erased the memories we had of Uribe during the past two seasons as a Dodger. Uribe, who is currently a free agent this offseason, channeled a little of his 2010 self in Game 4 of the NLDS.

The remarkable Game 4 comeback against the Braves was anchored by a six-inning short rested start by Clayton Kershaw, two homeruns by Carl Crawford, and the finale which came off the bat of Uribe in the form of a eighth inning two-run shot which ultimately gave the Dodgers the edge in Game 4 and the overall series win.

What was even more apropos was that Uribe managed to foul two bunt attempts after Don Mattingly foolishly asked Uribe to sacrifice. After the failed bunt attempts, Uribe launched a 3-2 David Carpenter pitch to left field bringing in Yasiel Puig who had doubled.

Kenley Jansen took over from there, and the dominant closer struck out the side to give the Dodgers the series win and trip to St. Louis is begin the NLCS.

Juan Uribe’s 2013 season will never be forgotten, and through all the ups and downs he never lost his focus to regain his status as an everyday player. I hope that the Dodgers re-sign Juan, if nothing else for a one-year deal. Ned Colletti called Uribe one of the best defensive third basemen in the league, and for that moment during Game 4 of the NLDS he became the most important Dodger of the series.

 Let me know if you enjoyed this series and whether you’d like to see it return for 2014!