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5 unforgettable moments from the 2016 season

Richard Rodriguez / Star-Telegram/Twitter

Baseball's 2016 season was historic and remarkable in so many ways. From individual feats to sights over a century in the making, this past year will likely never be forgotten by fans of the national pastime for so many reasons.

Here are five unforgettable moments from the 2016 baseball season.

Gordon homers for Jose

Amid unimaginable grief after the tragic death of Jose Fernandez, the Miami Marlins took to the field on Sept. 26 donning their beloved teammate's name and number. Second baseman Dee Gordon honored his best friend by taking the first pitch of the game from the right-handed box wearing Fernandez's helmet. After returning to the left side, Gordon smacked his first home run of the season, and he broke down in tears while rounding the bases. Somewhere, Jose was smiling down on his friend.

Odor punches Bautista

Jose Bautista's Blue Jays may have delivered the knockout blow in October, but Rougned Odor and the Rangers didn't go down without a fight. Still upset over Bautista's iconic bat flip during that memorable Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS, the Rangers got retaliation in May courtesy of Odor's powerful haymaker to Bautista's jaw, which touched off a massive brawl and created yet another memorable image in what's become one of MLB's most heated rivalries.

Bartolo's home run

You'll never forget where you were when Bartolo went deep. Colon - notorious for his poor hitting skills, even by pitcher's standards - improbably took San Diego's James Shields 365 feet over Petco Park's left-field wall during a game in May. At 42 years, 349 days, Colon became the oldest player to hit his first big-league homer, and it touched off an unforgettable lovefest for "Big Sexy," who'd done what Mets announcer Gary Cohen deemed as "the impossible." Not bad for a career .091/.100/.116 hitter.

Scully's final home call

After 67 years in the booth, you just knew the Dodgers would send Vin Scully off right. His final inning at Dodger Stadium was indeed a classic, and it ended with one last historic call of Charlie Culberson's 10th-inning division-clinching walk-off homer. Then, after addressing the adoring crowd, Scully serenaded us in song as a goodbye. Dodger baseball won't be the same without you, Vin.

Game 7

One of the greatest World Series Game 7s ever played will be etched in baseball lore forever. It started with a magical leadoff homer ...

... then was followed by an improbable comeback and an iconic game-tying blast ...

... and - after a tension-fueling rain delay - ended with an extra-inning rally that put 108 years of misery to rest.

Finally, the words can once again be said: The Chicago Cubs are world champions.

(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)

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