- A walk-off can be achieved by the home team in the ninth inning or later.
- Over 250 walk-off grand slams have been hit in MLB history.
- The term “walk-off” was coined by Dennis Eckersley.
Walk-offs live long in the memory for baseball fans. While a walk-off can be frustrating for bettors waiting on the outcome of one of their baseball parlays, a walk-off is a dramatic moment for fans and neutrals alike.
Given how often this terminology is used in broadcasts and baseball media, it’s a good idea to learn what a walk-off is before engaging with the MLB betting markets.
What Is a Walk-off in Baseball?
A walk-off occurs when the home team takes the lead in the bottom of the ninth inning or later. As the other team does not get another chance to bat, the home team wins immediately once they have the lead.
Why Do They Call It a Walk-Off?
The term “walk-off” originated from all-time great pitcher Dennis Eckersley. Eckersley referred to no-doubt home runs where the pitchers could walk off the mound without having to look at the ball sailing over the fence.
Walk-offs are now used to describe any win achieved in the bottom of the ninth or later by the home team.
What Is a Walk-Off Grand Slam in Baseball?
A walk-off grand slam is when a home team takes the lead in the ninth inning or later via a grand slam. A grand slam is achieved when a home run is hit with players on all three bases.
Four runs are scored with a grand slam, which means a grand slam results in a walk-off if the home team is tied or trailing by one, two, or three runs in the bottom of the ninth or later.
How Rare Is a Walk-Off Grand Slam?
More than 250 walk-off grand slams have been hit since 1916. Only two have ever been recorded in the postseason, however.
For context, there have been three postseason no-hitters and 326 total since 1876, so a walk-off grand slam is considerably rarer.
What Is a Walk-Off Home Run in Major League Baseball?
A walk-off home run in Major League Baseball is a go-ahead home run hit in the bottom of the ninth inning or later by the home team.
This ends the game with the home team as winners.
