Ryan Zimmerman's been called "Mr. Walk-Off" for a while now, but he's closing in on the mark for the most game-winning home runs in major league history.
Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman pumps his fist after hitting a game-winning home run against the New York Yankees during their baseball game in Washington in this June 18, 2006, file photo.
(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)
AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File
Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman (center) celebrates his game-winning three-run home run with teammates at home plate in the bottom of the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Florida Marlins, Tuesday, July 4, 2006, in Washington. The Nationals won 6-4. Players also seen include, Jose Vidro, (3), Daryle Ward (31) and Marlon Byrd, (25).
(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari
Ryan Zimmerman gets congratulated by teammates after hitting the game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves on opening day March 30, 2008, at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 3-2.
(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
Ryan Zimmerman is congratulated after hitting a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Florida Marlins, Sept. 6, 2009, during a baseball game in Washington. The Nationals won 5-4.
(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari
Teammates wait to congratulate Ryan Zimmerman after hitting the game winning home run in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Nationals Park on July 6, 2010. The Nationals won the game 6-5.
(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) celebrates his game-winning three-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, July 31, 2010. The Nationals won 7-5.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Washington Nationals Ryan Zimmerman (11), throws off his helmet as he is mobbed by his teammates including Jonny Gomes (30) and Wilson Ramos (3) after hitting a walk-off grand slam to win their baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth inning at Nationals Park Aug. 20, 2011. The Nationals won 8-4.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Ryan Zimmerman is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning home run in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on July 26, 2013. Washington won the game 2-1.
(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman (11) celebrates as he runs the bases for his two-run walk-off home run during the 10th inning of an interleague game against the New York Yankees at Nationals Park May 19, 2015. The Nationals won 8-6 in 10 innings.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman (center right) celebrates his walk-off two-run home run with Michael Taylor (3), Mark Reynolds (14) and others in a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Aug. 22, 2018. The Nationals won 8-7.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON — It took a video review, but Ryan Zimmerman hit his 11th career walk-off home run Wednesday night at Nationals Park. The veteran’s two-out, two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning salvaged victory from the jaws of defeat, turning a 7-6 deficit into an 8-7 win.
While Zimmerman has been called “Mr. Walk-Off” for some time now, he’s moving closer and closer to the all-time MLB marks for game-winning blasts. Jim Thome leads all major leaguers in history with 13, white a host of current and future Hall of Famers — Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, Albert Pujols, Frank Robinson and Babe Ruth — each have 12.
Moreover, Zimmerman is now tied with Ruth, just one walk-off homer behind Mickey Mantle and Stan Musial for the most with a single club.
Here’s the list of players with the most walkoff homers for a single team all-time:
Mickey Mantle, Yankees – 12
Stan Musial, Cardinals – 12
Babe Ruth, Yankees – 11
Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals – 11
Zimmerman’s got some history to buck, though. He’s hit a walk-off shot in every season he’s played since 2006 … except for the years in which the Nationals have gone to the playoffs. That trend will continue, unless the Nats can make a late charge to the postseason.
See the full list of Zimmerman walk-off home runs in the gallery above.
