
DYERSVILLE, IOWA — The diamond where the movie “Field of Dreams” was filmed was a long relay throw away.
So of course Thursday’s Field of Dreams game featuring the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees was going to end in dramatic fashion.
Tim Anderson provided the heroics, hitting a walk-off, two-run home run into the cornfield beyond the right-field wall with one out in the bottom of the ninth to give the Sox a 9-8 victory — a thrilling game that would amaze Ray Kinsella.
“It was our first time here in the Field of Dreams and to be able to make a memory like this is definitely leaving a mark,” Anderson said. “The fans came to see a show and we gave them a show. (Thursday) was an exciting night and it was fun.”
Like any good movie script, there were unexpected plot turns and a heart-pounding finish, complete with fireworks going off in the distance.
Many players were in line for the starring role.
Anderson’s homer was the fourth for the Sox and the eighth of the night.
Sox first baseman José Abreu hit a solo home run in the first. Right fielder Aaron Judge hit a three-run homer in the top of third for the Yankees, only to watch Sox left fielder Eloy Jiménez hit a three-run blast over his head as part of a four-run bottom of the third.
Seby Zavala hit a two-run homer in the fourth, giving the Sox what felt like an insurmountable 7-3 lead, especially with their bullpen depth.
Turns out, the movie was far from over.
Brett Gardner hit a solo home run in the fifth. That was the warmup act for the stunning ninth.
Judge hit a two-out, two-run homer off Sox closer Liam Hendriks to get the Yankees within a run. And Giancarlo Stanton put the Yankees ahead with another two-run homer.
“That was awesome,” Stanton said. “I couldn’t see out there to tell if it went over or if (left fielder Leury García) hit the wall and it was still in play. When I realized it went over, it was an awesome moment for me that I could put the team up and in a good spot.”
But Anderson and the Sox weren’t ready for the credits to run yet.
“I knew it wasn’t over,” Anderson said. “The game is never over. They had to get three outs.”
With one out, Zack Britton threw two quick strikes to Zavala. The catcher battled back and drew a walk.
Up stepped the All-Star Anderson, who enjoys performing on the big stage. He didn’t keep the crowd of 7,832 waiting, hitting the first pitch for the game-winning homer.
“Once he walked (Zavala) I knew there was a chance to start something real,” Anderson said. “Being able to walk off was a special moment.”
Fireworks went off as Anderson circled the bases and his teammates gathered around home plate to celebrate.
“It was so cool, man,” Anderson said. “Seeing the team yell. Seeing my teammates excited for me.
“I was telling everybody let’s go home. We got the win. That’s what we came to do.”
Anderson went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs.
“What a leader,” said Miguel Cairo, who stepped in to manage the Sox with Tony La Russa missing the game to attend his brother-in-law’s funeral. “He came through today. He carried us. That was awesome.”
“He certainly likes playing in this kind of environment,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s established himself as an All-Star caliber player at shortstop in this league and obviously hurt us (Thursday).”
Anderson said he hasn’t watched “Field of Dreams.” Turns out, he’s pretty good at coming up with a Hollywood ending of his own.
“I might see it, I don’t know,” Anderson said. “But I gave everybody a memory tonight. Just come here and leave a mark is definitely a great accomplishment for me. I’m thankful for that moment.”
The night started with players from both teams following actor Kevin Costner onto the diamond after walking through a cornfield in right field. The night ended with a ball landing close to that area.
“I still can’t believe it,” Jiménez said. “That was amazing. We never give up, and you see the result (at the end of) the game. That was a message for everybody.”
The first-place Sox have had a different player step up almost every night, whether it’s a rookie or veteran. Anderson relished Thursday, but knows there are more scenes to come.
“It shows that we can be dangerous all the way through,” Anderson said. “You have to go through that lineup four or five times and that’s tough to do. If we keep fighting and keep pushing and keep being good teammates, we have a chance to do something real special.”
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