Postgame reaction from @BenVerlander after the incredible Field of Dreams game tonight!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
(Sponsored by @Hyundai) pic.twitter.com/cgLI8b6fzw
MLB Field of Dreams Game: White Sox beat Yankees as Tim Anderson hits last of eight homers into Iowa corn
MLB built it, and the Yankees and White Sox came and put on a show Thursday night
The Chicago White Sox defeated the New York Yankees, 9-8, on Thursday evening in Major League Baseball's Field of Dreams Game, played at the movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. The White Sox and Yankees combined to crush eight homers over the fence and into the Iowa corn. Tim Anderson got the last laugh, hitting a two-run walk-off off of Zack Britton in the ninth inning.
The White Sox jumped ahead early and were able to pad and sustain their lead throughout the night, in what proved to be a homer-friendly environment. The win improved the White Sox's record to 68-48 on the season, while the Yankees' loss dropped them to 63-52.
Below, you'll find five takeaways from the night's game, as well as our complete live blog coverage.
1. Yankees rally late, but Anderson walks it off
Although the Yankees trailed 7-4 with two outs in the top of the ninth, they nevertheless forced a bottom of the ninth. First, Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer to cut the White Sox's lead to one. Judge's home run, his second of the game, also gave him five runs batted in on the evening. After Joey Gallo walked, Giancarlo Stanton then launched a two-run home-run off Liam Hendriks that momentarily completed the comeback, giving the Yankees an 8-7 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Hendriks came into the evening with a 2.40 ERA and 26 saves in 31 opportunities. Obviously those numbers will look worse come Friday morning.
It proved to be a moot point, as Anderson hit a walk-off two-run home run during the bottom of the ninth off Britton to give the White Sox the victory. Take a look:
A #walkoff into the corn at #MLBatFieldofDreams.
— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2021
Couldn't write a better script. pic.twitter.com/D3I6yyzDPW
2. Abreu moves into tie for third on franchise HR list
White Sox's first baseman José Abreu opened the night's scoring with a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.
"The first home run in MLB history in Iowa belongs to José Abreu." 💥
— ESPN (@espn) August 12, 2021
(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/YVDEA8cq34
Abreu's home run had greater significance than within the context of Thursday's game; it was his 221st career home run in the majors and with the White Sox, moving him into a tie for third place on the franchise leaderboard with Harold Baines.
Abreu will surely surpass Baines in the coming days. After that, he'll have to wait some time before he can improve his standing: second place belongs to Paul Konerko, who homered 432 times with the White Sox, while first place is occupied by -- who else? -- Frank Thomas, with 448 home runs.
Abreu, it should be noted, is signed through the 2022 season, so he'll have time to close the gap between himself and Konerko.
3. Jiménez continues hot streak
White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez missed most of the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in spring training. He made his seasonal debut on July 26, and he's since proven that he can shake off the rust quickly.
He came into Thursday's game hitting .289/.319/.711 with five home runs. He then delivered his sixth home run and his 15th, 16th, and 17th runs batted in.
Oppo corn taco. #MLBatFieldofDreams pic.twitter.com/ojNHdDGREK
— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2021
Jiménez's next home run will give him seven on the year, or half as many as he had in 55 contests last season.
4. Heaney's home-run problems continue
Veteran left-hander Andrew Heaney has now made three starts for the Yankees since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in July. He's been plagued by home-run issues throughout.
Heaney entered the night having allowed 10 hits in his first 10 innings in pinstripes, with five of those clearing the fence. On Thursday, he yielded five hits, with three of them leaving the park. It stands to reason that Heaney won't continue to give up home runs at this rate, but the Yankees have to be nearing the point where they reconsider his role on their pitching staff.
That's not ideal considering that the Yankees traded for Heaney in part to stabilize the back of their rotation.
5. Aesthetics were a highlight
Whether or not you're a fan of the movie, it was certainly a change of pace to see rows of corn in the outfield. Furthermore, the Yankees and White Sox both wore throwback uniforms to add to the setting's nostalgic vibes.
Is this heaven? #MLBatFieldofDreams pic.twitter.com/UzAIYtW40i
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 12, 2021
It's to be seen if Major League Baseball makes the Field of Dreams Game a permanent annual occurrence (Rob Manfred did confirm the game will be back in 2022, however), but there's enough aesthetic difference to make it instantly recognizable on highlight reels. It's possible that MLB could use more special attraction-like events as it attempts to regain popularity; at minimum, it could use more weeknight regular-season contests that are broadcast on over-the-air networks.
Live updates
Goodnight from Iowa ⚾️👋 pic.twitter.com/tTFsOlp0vZ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
We're going to be (Field of) Dreaming about this one for a while. pic.twitter.com/amuquhLwHn
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
These guys showed up and showed out in Iowa 🔥🌽 pic.twitter.com/1a4SBAvLNv
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
The perfect ending 🙌#MLBatFieldofDreams ⚾️🌽 pic.twitter.com/RJpD9J9tcx
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
Don't sleep on TA7. 😤 pic.twitter.com/Tk48URmIiu
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
Ok yup this is one of the coolest videos we've ever seen.@whitesox | @TimAnderson7 pic.twitter.com/0M5FXHekzg
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
Following tonight’s “Field of Dreams” Game vs. the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox returned infielder Danny Mendick to Class AAA Charlotte.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
WHAT A GAME. SOX WIN! pic.twitter.com/v55EypWNYU
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
This team does not quit! #ChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/192LoViOX7
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
TA7. DID. THAT. pic.twitter.com/LHHkfPXqt8
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
"We never gave up. We never gave up."@The_bigbaby74 joined @Ken_Rosenthal after the @whitesox win at the Field of Dreams! pic.twitter.com/9AikE2SqWh
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
That was simply one of the most incredible nights of baseball ever 🔥#MLBatFieldofDreams pic.twitter.com/DJmBuOmIMf
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
WHAT A DREAM. Tim Anderson walks it off! pic.twitter.com/0GDXW91uKg
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
THE MAN OF THE HOUR!@TimAnderson7 joins Tom Verducci after his walk-off homer! @whitesox pic.twitter.com/A8iRpchDOs
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
A FIELD OF DREAMS IT WAS!✨
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
TIM ANDERSON WINS IT FOR THE @whitesox!!! pic.twitter.com/kkX4sRcgN6
AHHHHHHHHHH!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
SOX WIN! A HOLLYWOOD ENDING! pic.twitter.com/Ldq6ttaSsG
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
FINAL: White Sox 9, Yankees 8.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 13, 2021
TIM ANDERSON!
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
*loud noises*
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
Yankees dugout was HYPED after that go-ahead Stanton smash pic.twitter.com/plnzG3VtPi
Maybe this is heaven… pic.twitter.com/X01NOCIAi6
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 13, 2021
THAT BALL IS GONE! STANTON SMASH!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
Yankees take the lead!! WOW. 😮 pic.twitter.com/2LBy8FAqds
GIANCARLO pic.twitter.com/TrSpTnDphC
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 13, 2021
Corn on the clobbered. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/nwQmuYjCiN
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 13, 2021
ALL RISE AGAIN!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 13, 2021
Aaron Judge with his 2nd HR of the night to make it a 1-run game! pic.twitter.com/S64IJRXmuK
Decided to visit the corn again. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/yBt03nhnJP
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 13, 2021
Adam Engel left the game with right groin tightness. He is day-to-day.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 13, 2021
.@Kimbrel46 in the throwbacks >>> pic.twitter.com/0Bn7XsjyQu
— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2021