1982 NLCS Game 7
The night a dream died in the 10th, sealing St. Louis' path to the World Series.
Game 7 of the 1982 National League Championship Series stands as one of the most iconic and heartbreaking moments in Atlanta Braves history. Played on October 13, 1982, at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, this decisive matchup pitted the defending National League champion St. Louis Cardinals against the Braves, who had fought their way to the pennant race after a remarkable season. The game is forever etched in memory not for its duration or final score alone, but for the dramatic collapse of a near-certain victory and the legendary performance that defined an era.
- Date
- October 13, 1982
- Location
- Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
- Winner
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Final Score
- 6-3 (Cardinals)
- MVP
- Bruce Sutter (NLCS MVP)
- Key Moment
- Dale Murphy's home run and eventual collapse in the 10th inning
Lore & Background
In the top of the 10th inning, Dale Murphy hit a home run that gave the Braves a 3-2 lead, sending the stadium into a frenzy. Yet, in the bottom of the same inning, with two outs and runners on base, the Cardinals' Ozzie Smith delivered a game-winning single off reliever Ron Reed. The resulting collapse left Braves fans reeling, creating a narrative of 'what could have been' that resonates through decades of franchise history.
In Their Own Story
The humid October air hung heavy over Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium as the 10th inning began. Dale Murphy stepped to the plate, the weight of a city on his shoulders. The crack of his bat echoed like thunder against the stadium walls as the ball soared into the left-field stands, a moment of pure magic that silenced the Cardinals' dugout. But the joy was fleeting; seconds later, the roar turned to a collective gasp as Ozzie Smith's single rolled past the shortstop, breaking hearts and changing history in an instant.
Reader's Guide
This match is remembered for its dramatic swing from near-certain victory to devastating defeat. The Braves held a commanding lead deep into the game, only to see it evaporate in the final innings. The occasion was a winner-take-all showdown where both teams had fought through grueling series just to reach this point. What happened was a classic example of baseball's unpredictability: a home run by Murphy followed immediately by a game-winning hit from Smith. It is remembered because it highlighted the thin line between glory and heartbreak in professional sports, defining a generation of Braves fans who would have to wait many years for another pennant race.
Did You Know?
- Dale Murphy's home run in the top of the 10th was his third career playoff homer at that time.
- Bruce Sutter was named the NLCS MVP despite the Cardinals losing Game 6, as he secured wins in Games 3 and 7.
- This game marked the last time the Braves would play a Game 7 in the NLCS until 2021.
- Ozzie Smith's game-winning single was his first career playoff hit.