Royals’ epic win has connection to most famous Fourth of July game in MLB history
If you wanted to show a young baseball fan how dramatically the game has changed, there would be no better example than the Mets-Braves contest on July 4, 1985.
New York won 16-13 in 19 innings in a game that lasted 6 hours and 10 minutes. It was a bonkers affair that reached peak absurdity in the bottom of the 18th inning when Braves pitcher Rick Camp hit a home run to tie the game after the Mets had taken the lead.
Earlier in the game, in the 13th inning, the Mets took a lead, but Terry Harper hit a two-run home run to keep the game going.
There was no pitch clock, the extra-inning rule that puts a runner on second base didn’t exist and pitchers batted, all things differ from baseball in 2026.
That Mets’ victory is the most famous Fourth of July game in MLB history. Despite Atlanta’s loss, many refer to it as “The Rick Camp Game.”
An Associated Press story about Camp’s death in 2013 noted he came into the game with a .060 career batting average and no home runs in 167 at-bats.
“If this team needs me to hit a home run to win a game, they’re in trouble,” Camp had said, per ESPN.
“The Rick Camp Game” came up because ESPN noted a similarity between that game and the Royals’ epic 11-9 win over the Angels on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.
Jac Caglianone tied the game with a two-run homer in the ninth and Lane Thomas’ three-run blast in the 10th won it for the Royals.
“Kansas City is the first team to hit multiple game-tying or go-ahead HRs when down to their final out since the Braves vs. Mets on July 4, 1985,” ESPN said.
That’s how rare (and crazy) that Royals’ victory was on Sunday.
