Inside The Pinstripes

Josh Donaldson Joins Exclusive Club With Walk-Off Grand Slam

Donaldson is just the third Yankee to ever hit a walk-off grand slam when New York was trailing by three runs.

Max Goodman

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NEW YORK — Josh Donaldson knew it was gone as soon as it left his bat.

With the bases loaded, down three runs in the bottom of the 10th inning on Wednesday night, the Yankees designated hitter delivered the decisive blow in a dramatic comeback victory over the Rays, a walk-off grand slam over the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium.

Donaldson's walk-off did more than just give New York an improbable win, a swing that could serve as the spark this club has been coveting during a rough stretch. The veteran's clutch homer gave him entry into an exclusive club in baseball's history books.

Only nine other players have smacked a walk-off grand slam in Yankees history. Donaldson is the first to do it since Mark Teixeira in 2016. Alex Rodriguez also accomplished the rare feat back in 2007.

This was no ordinary walk-off grand slam, though. Donaldson's long ball came with his team down three runs, just enough to give his club the lead and clinch the victory.

The 36-year-old is only the third Yankee to ever hit a walk-off grand slam with New York trailing by three runs, joining Jason Giambi (2002) and Babe Ruth (1925).

If you're curious, Wednesday's thriller was also Donaldson's 14th career walk-off plate appearance, the most by any player since he entered the league in 2010 (per ESPN Stats & Info). It was also his third walk-off of the season. He had a walk-off base hit on Opening Day against the Red Sox and a game-winning sacrifice fly against the Tigers on June 5.

It was Donaldson's eighth career walk-off homer, his first since September of 2015, part of his Most Valuable Player season with the Blue Jays.

For New York, Donaldson's grand slam gave the Yankees their 13th walk-off victory of the year, tied for the fourth-most in a single season in franchise history.

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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