Jason Kipnis Reflects on Near Walk-Off Home Run in 2016 World Series Game 7
Ten years after the 2016 World Series, former Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis reflected on a pivotal moment during Game 7 against the Chicago Cubs. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with the score tied at six, Kipnis hit a ball off closer Aroldis Chapman that appeared to be a potential walk-off home run from certain camera angles. However, the ball landed just foul along the right-field line. During a recent team reunion, Kipnis admitted that the outcome hinged on mere inches, specifically regarding where the ball made contact with his bat. He explained that catching the pitch slightly deeper in the zone might have kept the ball fair. Despite the visual illusion of a home run on television broadcasts, Kipnis noted that excessive side spin prevented it from staying in play. This moment remains one of the most significant "what ifs" in Cleveland sports history, symbolizing how close the franchise came to ending its championship drought before eventually winning in 2016. The article highlights Kipnis's retrospective analysis and the lingering emotional impact on fans.
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