Yankees legend Bucky Dent makes key contribution to Game 3 vs. Red Sox

Billy Heyen

Yankees legend Bucky Dent makes key contribution to Game 3 vs. Red Sox image

Bucky Dent put the pinstripes back on Thursday night.

The New York Yankees needed some positive mojo for the decisive Game 3 of their AL Wild Card clash with the Boston Red Sox, and so they called on the legend.

Dent, on the anniversary of his famous home run to beat Boston in Fenway Park, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

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Dent's home run came on Oct. 2, 1978, 47 years ago.

The matchup then was Game 163, with the teams tied for a playoff spot and needing to play an extra game to figure it out.

The Yankees trailed 2-0 in the seventh inning when Dent stepped into the box.

He lofted a three-run home run over the Green Monster for a 3-2 lead, and the Yanks eventually held on to win 5-4.

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Dent played for the Yankees from 1977-82 (and managed them for a couple seasons), but he'd never have a more memorable moment than this one, which propelled the Yankees to a second consecutive World Series title.

And these Yankees are now hoping he's a good luck charm in the Bronx for another huge rivalry game.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle