Shawn Green Hits 4 Home Runs for the Dodgers in Historic 2002 Game
Shawn Green's Historic 5 Homer Game for the Dodgers
On May 23, 2002, Shawn Green had one of the best offensive games in MLB history when he hit 4 home runs and a double for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Green's amazing performance that day against the Milwaukee Brewers resulted in 19 total bases, breaking the previous MLB record of 18 by Joe Adcock. Green's historic game was a display of incredible power hitting that is still remembered by Dodgers fans today.
Shawn Green's Baseball Career
Shawn Green was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1991 and made his MLB debut with them in 1993. He was an All-Star twice with Toronto before being traded to the Dodgers in 1999. With LA, Green put up some of the best seasons of his 15-year MLB career. In 2001, he hit 49 home runs and had 125 RBIs, coming in second in MVP voting. The next year he followed up with 42 home runs and 114 RBIs.
Green was known for his smooth left-handed swing and ability to hit for both contact and power. He was a two-time Gold Glove winner for his excellent defense in right field. Green retired in 2007 with a .283 career batting average, 328 home runs, 1070 RBIs, and over 1000 runs scored.
Leading up to Green's 5 Homer Game
Entering the game on May 23, 2002, Green was batting .285 with 13 home runs on the season so far. The Dodgers were taking on the Brewers at Miller Park in Milwaukee. While Green was known as a great hitter, nobody could have predicted the incredible display of power hitting that was about to unfold that day.
On the mound for the Brewers was starter Ben Sheets, who came into the game with a 4-3 record and 3.56 ERA. Sheets was considered one of Milwaukee's better pitchers, so Green achieving what he did against him made it even more impressive.
Green's Record-Setting Power Display
Green wasted no time in showing that he brought his A-game that day, crushing a solo home run in the top of the 1st inning to give the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead. But that was only the beginning.
In the 2nd inning, Green stepped to the plate with a runner on first. He slammed a Sheets offering deep over the center field wall for a two-run homer, his second of the game.
Remarkably, in the 4th inning Green came to bat with the bases empty and demolished another solo shot to center field. It was now clear to everyone watching that Green was locked in at the plate.
Green came up again in the 6th, this time with runners on first and second. On the first pitch from reliever Mike DeJean, Green connected for his 4th home run of the game as the ball flew deep into the left field seats. With that blast, Green set a new Dodgers franchise record with 19 total bases in a game, breaking the previous mark.
Capping Off the Historic Day
As if four home runs wasn't enough, Green added to his monster game by doubling off the wall in the 7th inning, bringing his RBI total to 7 for the day. When Green's historic performance finally ended, he was just a single shy of hitting for the cycle.
The Dodgers cruised to a 16-3 blowout victory over the Brewers thanks to Green's unbelievable power display. He shattered the previous MLB record for total bases in a game with 19 across his 4 homers and double. It was one of the greatest single game hitting performances in league history.
Green's 5 home run, 19 total base game surpassed the previous MLB record of 18 total bases shared by Joe Adcock, Gil Hodges, and Willie Stargell. For perspective, no player has matched Green's total bases record in the 20+ years since.
In the end, Green's final stat line for the game was 5-6 with 4 home runs, a double, 7 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. It was a once in a lifetime offensive performance.
Aftermath and Legacy
Green's hitting tore through the Brewers' pitching staff that day, causing Milwaukee manager Jerry Royster to quip after the game: "It was like we were throwing grapefruits up there and he was hitting them like they were grapes."
Green's 5 home run game was celebrated by Dodger fans and praised by teammates including catching Mike Piazza who called it "One of the greatest exhibitions of power hitting we'll ever see."
While some doubted the legitimacy of Green's performance due to MLB's steroid problem at the time, he never tested positive nor was directly implicated in any scandal. Looking back, most now view Green's record-breaking game as an authentic baseball feat.
20+ years later, Shawn Green's memorable offensive outburst for the Dodgers still stands as one of the most impressive single game power displays MLB has ever seen. His 5 homer, 19 total base performance remains etched in Dodgers and baseball history.
For any baseball fan, Green's historic game on May 23, 2002 is one that will be remembered forever as a remarkable day of hitting.
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Shawn Green's Historic 5 Homer Game for the Dodgers
On May 23, 2002, Shawn Green had one of the best offensive games in MLB history when he hit 4 home runs and a double for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Green's amazing performance that day against the Milwaukee Brewers resulted in 19 total bases, breaking the previous MLB record of 18 by Joe Adcock. Green's historic game was a display of incredible power hitting that is still remembered by Dodgers fans today.
Shawn Green's Baseball Career
Shawn Green was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1991 and made his MLB debut with them in 1993. He was an All-Star twice with Toronto before being traded to the Dodgers in 1999. With LA, Green put up some of the best seasons of his 15-year MLB career. In 2001, he hit 49 home runs and had 125 RBIs, coming in second in MVP voting. The next year he followed up with 42 home runs and 114 RBIs.
Green was known for his smooth left-handed swing and ability to hit for both contact and power. He was a two-time Gold Glove winner for his excellent defense in right field. Green retired in 2007 with a .283 career batting average, 328 home runs, 1070 RBIs, and over 1000 runs scored.
Leading up to Green's 5 Homer Game
Entering the game on May 23, 2002, Green was batting .285 with 13 home runs on the season so far. The Dodgers were taking on the Brewers at Miller Park in Milwaukee. While Green was known as a great hitter, nobody could have predicted the incredible display of power hitting that was about to unfold that day.
On the mound for the Brewers was starter Ben Sheets, who came into the game with a 4-3 record and 3.56 ERA. Sheets was considered one of Milwaukee's better pitchers, so Green achieving what he did against him made it even more impressive.
Green's Record-Setting Power Display
Green wasted no time in showing that he brought his A-game that day, crushing a solo home run in the top of the 1st inning to give the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead. But that was only the beginning.
In the 2nd inning, Green stepped to the plate with a runner on first. He slammed a Sheets offering deep over the center field wall for a two-run homer, his second of the game.
Remarkably, in the 4th inning Green came to bat with the bases empty and demolished another solo shot to center field. It was now clear to everyone watching that Green was locked in at the plate.
Green came up again in the 6th, this time with runners on first and second. On the first pitch from reliever Mike DeJean, Green connected for his 4th home run of the game as the ball flew deep into the left field seats. With that blast, Green set a new Dodgers franchise record with 19 total bases in a game, breaking the previous mark.
Capping Off the Historic Day
As if four home runs wasn't enough, Green added to his monster game by doubling off the wall in the 7th inning, bringing his RBI total to 7 for the day. When Green's historic performance finally ended, he was just a single shy of hitting for the cycle.
The Dodgers cruised to a 16-3 blowout victory over the Brewers thanks to Green's unbelievable power display. He shattered the previous MLB record for total bases in a game with 19 across his 4 homers and double. It was one of the greatest single game hitting performances in league history.
Green's 5 home run, 19 total base game surpassed the previous MLB record of 18 total bases shared by Joe Adcock, Gil Hodges, and Willie Stargell. For perspective, no player has matched Green's total bases record in the 20+ years since.
In the end, Green's final stat line for the game was 5-6 with 4 home runs, a double, 7 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. It was a once in a lifetime offensive performance.
Aftermath and Legacy
Green's hitting tore through the Brewers' pitching staff that day, causing Milwaukee manager Jerry Royster to quip after the game: "It was like we were throwing grapefruits up there and he was hitting them like they were grapes."
Green's 5 home run game was celebrated by Dodger fans and praised by teammates including catching Mike Piazza who called it "One of the greatest exhibitions of power hitting we'll ever see."
While some doubted the legitimacy of Green's performance due to MLB's steroid problem at the time, he never tested positive nor was directly implicated in any scandal. Looking back, most now view Green's record-breaking game as an authentic baseball feat.
20+ years later, Shawn Green's memorable offensive outburst for the Dodgers still stands as one of the most impressive single game power displays MLB has ever seen. His 5 homer, 19 total base performance remains etched in Dodgers and baseball history.
For any baseball fan, Green's historic game on May 23, 2002 is one that will be remembered forever as a remarkable day of hitting.
FAQs
How many home runs did Shawn Green hit in his historic 2002 game?
Shawn Green hit 4 home runs and had a total of 5 hits including a double in his epic offensive performance on May 23, 2002.
What was the final score of the Dodgers vs. Brewers game where Green hit 5 homers?
The Dodgers beat the Brewers 16-3 thanks to Green's incredible power display that day.
What record did Green set with his 19 total bases?
Green set a new Major League Baseball record with 19 total bases in a single game, breaking the old mark of 18 shared by other players.
Did Green hit for the cycle that game?
No, Green was just a single shy of hitting for the cycle, finishing with 4 home runs, a double, and 5 runs scored.
What pitcher did Green hit his first two home runs off of?
Green hit his first two home runs off Brewers starter Ben Sheets, who was considered one of their better pitchers at the time.