'An indescribable thing': 25 years later, Jays fan recalls 'euphoria' of 2nd straight World Series win
A die-hard fan is remembering the moment 25 years ago when Joe Carter hit the winning home run to clinch the Toronto Blue Jays' second-straight World Series — a moment he celebrated at the time by joining the legendary player as he ran on the field.
"It's an indescribable thing because of the euphoria," said Richard Garner.
"First of all, it was like a war ended."
Carter, who only started wearing a Jays jersey two years prior after being traded from the San Diego Padres, delivered the monster drive that flew just beyond the left-field wall on Oct. 23, 1993.
He and his 1992-93 teammates attended a reunion dinner at Toronto's downtown Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre on Tuesday.
"All we have left are our memories," Carter told reporters during the event.
"Once you retire from the game, you look back at the game and how successful you were ... I think about it 25 years later. It still feels good."
Watch the moment Joe Carter hit a three-run homer to clinch the 1993 World Series title:
Carter hit a walk off three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth at what was then called the SkyDome — capitalizing on home-field advantage against the Philadelphia Phillies, who had led the game 6-5.
"Touch 'em all Joe! You'll never hit a bigger home run in your life," Blue Jays' radio broadcaster Tom Cheek said as Carter rounded first base.
The Jays topped the Phillies 4-2 in Game 6 to win two World Series back-to-back.
"The last thing on my mind was a home run," Carter recalled.
"[The pitcher] came with a fastball ... and that's my happy zone, that's the beware zone, and I was able to keep it fair. Lets say: 'The rest is history.'"
The SkyDome, now called the Rogers Centre, erupted as Carter jumped up and down exuberantly.
Garner, who was among 53,000 fans in the stands that late autumn evening, leapt up from his seat and into the outfield.
He ran toward the infield as Carter touched second base, he told CBC Toronto Tuesday.
"I don't have a plan," Garner recalled. "So I just kind of ran toward him."
That's when the security guards turned and sprinted toward Garner, who was leaping in unison with Carter, arms thrust high toward the sky in victory.
"It was literally divine inspiration thanks to Joe Carter and the Toronto Blue Jays," Garner said.
Security grabbed him and escorted him out of the SkyDome.
"Even the cops who had to bring me outside were like, 'Wooo,' as they were escorting me to the door," said Garner. "They went back in because they wanted to be part of it and we just went back in another door."
To this day, he says, he doesn't regret the decision.
"I'm glad I made it," he said.
