The 2005 Houston Astros needed just about everyone on their 40-man roster to land their Wild Card berth, so it is also fitting that the heroics came from a melting pot of Astros players. The Braves were ahead 6-1 in the eighth, when Lance Berkman launched a grand slam, followed by a game-tying solo shot by Brad Ausmus in the 9th.

All that was on the line was a trip to the World Series. The starting pitchers? Merely two of the greats of their generation in Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez, who brought a combined nine Cy Young Awards into this epic showdown. The teams? Just the Red Sox and Yankees, epic rivals for decades upon decades. When they met for Game 7 of the American League Championship Series at a juiced-up Yankee Stadium on the night of October 16, it seemed impossible that the Red Sox and Yankees could live up to a game that was hyped like few others. True enough, it didn't live up to the hype. Instead, it was even better than advertised.

At five hours and 46 minutes, it is one of the longest game in postseason history -- but this Shea Stadium classic is well worth the wait. Facing elimination, the Mets hang on against the rival Braves until the 15th inning, when the bases fill up for Robin Ventura.

Game 3 in a series tied 1-1 are always critical momentum changers. Mets' starter Ron Darling was shaky early, allowing four runs in the first two innings, but settled down after that.

The Dodgers, already serious underdogs against the A's and Bash Brothers Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, are given even less of a chance with injured star Kirk Gibson on the shelf. Canseco's second-inning grand slam gives Oakland a 4-3 lead until the bottom of the ninth, when dominating closer Dennis Eckersley comes on to finish it up.

The first series in this budding postseason rivalry culminates in a see-saw affair that returns the Yankees to league preeminence. With the Royals trailing by three, George Brett blasts a clutch homer in the eighth to tie the game at six apiece.