BLASTS FROM THE PAST

Pitchers who have given up key playoff or World Series home runs, and what happened to their careers afterward:

RALPH BRANCA

* 25-year-old Brooklyn Dodger pitcher who gave up Bobby Thomson’s homer that gave the New York Giants the 1951 NL pennant

Aftermath: Pitched only 23 more games for the Dodgers before going to Detroit. Ended his career with the Yankees in 1954. Pitched one game for Dodgers in 1956.

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RALPH TERRY

* 24-year-old Yankee pitcher who gave up Bill Mazeroski’s Series-winning homer in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.

Aftermath: Terry, mainly used as a starter, went 16-3 for the Yankees in 1961 and 23-12 in 1962. He won Game 7 of the 1962 World Series and retired after the 1967 season.

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PAT DARCY

25-year-old Cincinnati Red pitcher who gave up Carlton Fisk’s game-winning homer in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.

Aftermath: Darcy, who went 11-5 with a 3.58 ERA in 1975, went 2-3 with a 6.23 ERA in 1976 and never pitched in the majors again.

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TOM NIEDENFUER

* 26-year-old Dodger pitcher who gave up three-run home run to Jack Clark in top of ninth in Game 6 of the 1985 NLCS, which gave the Cardinals the victory and the NL pennant.

Aftermath: Was traded to Baltimore in middle of 1987 season and was a mediocre relief pitcher until his retirement after the 1990 season.

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DONNIE MOORE

* 32-year-old Angel pitcher who was one strike away from putting the Angels in the World Series before giving up Dave Henderson’s tying home run in Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS.

Aftermath: Pitched only 41 more games in the majors. After failing to find another major-league job, Moore shot his wife and then killed himself on July 18, 1989.

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DENNIS ECKERSLEY

* 34-year-old Oakland A’s pitcher who gave up Kirk Gibson’s game-winning homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

Aftermath: Remained the best reliever in baseball for the next five seasons. Won Cy Young Award in 1992 and retired after the 1998 season.

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MITCH WILLIAMS

* 28-year-old Phillie pitcher who gave up Joe Carter’s Series-winning homer in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series.

Aftermath: Pitched only 371/3 more innings in the majors, going 2-7 with a 7.23 ERA.

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Researched by Houston Mitchell