2013 NLCS Game 4: Los Angeles Dodgers Need Hanley Ramirez To Continue Kirk Gibson-Like Performance

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The day was October 15, but the year was 1988. 25 years ago to this very day, the Los Angeles Dodgers watched as Kirk Gibson launched a home run of heroic and historic proportions. On the anniversary of that momentous day, the Dodgers will face off against the St. Louis Cardinals in a tight 2013 NLCS which now sits at two games to one in the Cardinals’ favor.

After Monday night’s win, the Dodgers will need to continue on their train of momentum in order to tie the series. The boost last night came from multiple players as Adrian Gonzalez broke the scoring open with his RBI double and Yasiel Puig continued it with his near home run which turned out to be a stand up triple.

Despite their bats coming alive to give the Dodgers the lead and despite Hyun-Jin Ryu’s brilliant, scoreless, seven innings pitched, I believe Hanley Ramirez was the true motivational boost which pushed the Boys in Blue to a victory. With Ramirez’s spot in the starting lineup being a game-time decision, the Dodgers were not even sure they would have their hottest bat to utilize.

Ramirez fought through the pain and played regardless of the fact that a CT scan showed he had a fractured rib. His two for four night which ended with a third run for insurance was inspiring and powerful for the Dodgers. A player coming to bat and performing despite being hobbled – sound familiar?

Ramirez certainly gave the Dodgers a Kirk Gibson-esque lift on Monday night and the team will need him to continue to inspire and perform in order to even the series at two on Tuesday night in Chavez Ravine.

Isaac Comelli is a Los Angeles Dodgers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @IsaacComelli, “Like” him on Facebook or follow him on Google.