As the decade winds down to its final moments, Big League Stew is reflecting on the biggest baseball moments of the 2000s. Next up are the top playoff and record-breaking home runs from 2000-09, an up-for-debate list we created by taking each blast's history, impact and moment into account. Please note that we'll be doing a separate list of big regular season home runs — think Mike Piazza and Glenallen Hill — in December.  

1. Barry Bonds(notes) hits No. 756, passing Hank Aaron for all-time lead — Aug. 7, 2007

When Bonds launched a pitch from Washington's Mike Bascik deep into the San Francisco night, he did more than just start a lottery ticket free-for-all in the bleachers of AT&T Park. The home run ended Hank Aaron's 12,173-day run atop the career homers list and provided the climactic moment in a saga that spanned several years and introduced the world to BALCO, Greg Anderson, Victor Conte, the cream and the clear.

Though many still want to attach an asterisk to his final total of 762 or recognize Hammerin' Hank as the rightful record holder, there's no doubt that Bonds' homer made the biggest impact upon baseball since 2000. Not only did it break arguably the sport's greatest mark, it made baseball fans explore weighty topics like ego, greed, race, truth, loyalty, nostalgia and idolatry. You may not agree with this selection, but even Time has to tab the controversial for Man of the Year when it's unpopular, yet still completely warranted.

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2. Boone's homer crushes Red Sox, sends Yankees to World Series — Oct. 16, 2003

It seemed like the Yankees' reign — and the Red Sox misfortune — would never end when a little third baseman led off the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 7 with a home run off Tim Wakefield(notes). The homer clinched the sixth Yankee pennant in eight years and gut-punched the hopes of New England, which was dreaming of a World Series bid only three innings earlier with Pedro Martinez(notes) on the mound. There's no disputing this place as it was the only Game 7 walkoff of the decade, but in a weird twist it would prove to be the Yankees' final big highlight until the 2009 championship was clinched. Boone hurt himself in a pickup basketball during the ensuing offseason and was replaced by a fella named Alex Rodriguez(notes); Boston would win two titles before New York won another.

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3. Albert Pujols(notes) hits moon shot off Brad Lidge(notes) in 2005 NLCS — Oct. 17, 2005 

If you hadn't watched this one live, it'd be hard to believe that a three-run home run in Game 5 of the '05 NLCS could be ranked this high, especially when the Cardinals were eliminated in Game 6. But those who bore witness to Pujols' home run will still be talking about it 50 years from now. The hit was equal parts majesty (it hit near the train tracks atop Minute Maid Park) and devastation (Astros fans were one strike away from getting to celebrate the franchise's first World Series berth at home) and it still causes most fans to curse in amazement upon seeing the replay. The ball traveled so high and far that even the Astros made a joke to Lidge that they could see it outside their plane windows on the flight after the game. Quite simply a Hall of Fame moment for a Hall of Fame player. 

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4. Scott Podsednik(notes) walks off the White Sox in Game 2 — Oct. 23, 2005  

Paul Konerko(notes) made a lot of Chicago memories with a grand slam against the Astros earlier in the game and Geoff Blum(notes) made himself the answer to a trivia question with a 14th-inning homer a couple of days later. Still, the Sports Illustrated cover went to Scott Podsednik for his unlikely walkoff off Lidge — talk about your horrible weeks — in the bottom of the ninth inning. Pods did not hit a home run during the regular season — he hit one in the ALDS against Boston —but his fly to right field put the White Sox in the driver's seat for their first World Series title since World War I. 

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5. Barry Bonds sets single season record with 73rd home run — Oct. 7, 2001

A number of factors contributed to the apathy that America aimed toward Bonds' march to the single season home run mark in 2001. The summer of Big Mac and Sammy had occurred only three years earlier, Bonds was not an embraceable superstar and a large amount of his home runs were being hit when half of America was already asleep. The tragic events of 9/11 then pushed the chase to an understandable trivial spot and Bonds' final home run received such a relatively small amount of attention that one wonders if the Dodgers' Dennis Springer even remembers where he was when No. 73 was hit.*

There's an argument to be made that Bonds' season — which occurred as more fans were becoming wiser to PED use — ended baseball's "chicks dig the long ball" phase. Even still, this home run rewrote a line in the history book and set the bar that all future home run hitters will take a run at. *Springer was on the mound at AT&T Park 

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6. Derek Jeter(notes) becomes Mr. November in 2001 World Series — Nov. 1, 2001

Game 4 of the 2001 World Series started on Halloween night, but the calendar had already turned to November when Derek Jeter provided one of the defining moments in his career. With Byung-Hyun Kim(notes) well past his expiration date on the mound, Jeter pushed the Arizona reliever's 61st pitch of the night over the short right field porch in old Yankee Stadium. The home run touched off a huge celebration in the Bronx, crushed Kim in the first of two straight games and evened the best World Series of the decade at two games apiece.

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7. David Ortiz(notes) keeps Red Sox alive in 2004 ALCS  — Oct. 17, 2004

David Ortiz hitting a game winning two-run homer off Paul Quantrill in the bottom of the 12th inning seemed like a "well at least the Red Sox won one"-type moment when it happened in Game 4 of that soon-to-be-legendary 2004 ALCS against the Yankees.

Of course, it actually turned out to be the equivalent of the movie monster opening his eye.

Well, no. The foreboding eye opening was probably caused by Dave Roberts(notes) stealing second while Big Papi's home run was more like Boston turning into Hulk Hogan and resisting the last slap to the face before launching into the routine leading to the big boot and leg drop. 

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Not every memorable postseason home run has to happen in the bottom of the ninth in the seventh game of the World Series. A good example would be Magglio Ordonez's mammoth three-run homer off a "pretty nasty Huston Street pitch." The blast completed an ALCS sweep of Oakland and sent hometown Detroit fans to their first Fall Classic since 1984.   

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9. Alex Gonzalez wins Game 4 with 12th inning leadoff — Oct. 22, 2003

Here's the toughest debate we had on the list: Because he played for the Marlins, no one seems to remember Alex Gonzalez roping a Jeff Weaver(notes) pitch over the left field wall at Pro Player Stadium for a 12th inning win over the Yankees in Game 4. But Gonzalez's homer is only one of 14 walkoffs in World Series history, so how are we going to include Jeter's and Podsednik's but exclude the one from A-Gone? The Marlins would go onto win the next two games to win the franchise's second World Series and if the teams (and shortstops) were reversed, you can bet people would insist this home run to be ranked much, much higher. 

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10. Chris Burke(notes) ends longest game in postseason history with walkoff — Oct. 9, 2005

It was the game that wouldn't end. The Astros and Braves battled for 17 1/2 innings with Atlanta putting off elimination as long as possible and Roger Clemens(notes) coming out of the bullpen to pitch three innings of relief. Then, with one out in the bottom of the 18th inning, Chris Burke roped a pitch from Joey Devine(notes) into the left field Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid Park. The homer sent Houston to its second straight NLCS and, eventually, the first World Series in franchise history. The Braves, meanwhile, haven't been back to the playoffs. 

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Just missed: Yadier Molina(notes) helps the Cards in 2006 NLCS Game 7, Matt Stairs(notes) downs Dodgers in 2008 NLCS Game 4, BIG homers from Mark Teixeira(notes), Hideki Matsui(notes) and A-Rod in 2009 World Series, Chase Utley(notes) ties Reggie Jackson's mark in '09, A-Rod becomes fastest player to 500th, Griffey passes 600, Scott Brosius victimizes Kim in '01 World Series Game 5, Jim Thome(notes) hits a monster shot in 2008 AL Central tiebreaker, Big Papi resurrects Red Sox against Rays in '08 ALCS and sweeps the Angels with walkoff in '04, Shane Victorino's(notes) grand slam off CC in '08 NLDS, Manny Ramirez(notes) walkoff against Angels in 2007 ALDS, Jeff Kent(notes) and Jim Edmonds(notes) hit walkoffs in back-to-back games in 2004 NLCS, Alfonso Soriano(notes) hits walkoff against Seattle in 2001 ALCS

Like we said, we'll be doing a regular season home run post, but what big homers do you remember from the 2000s?

Welcome to 'Duk's Dozen, a streamlined selection of 12 morning-fresh links and items to start your baseball day. It welcomes your email submissions and tips here or via Twitter. 

1. First the Chicago Tribune gives some legs to a SoxNet report that the White Sox, Angels and Padres have discussed a three-way deal that would send Adrian Gonzalez(notes) to Chicago and Paul Konerko(notes) to Anaheim ... Chicago Tribune
2. ... then Sun-Times beat writer Joe Cowley blasts the Tribune on Twitter for advancing the possibility, which he reported had already been shot down in early October. Who said the Windy City newspaper war was lifeless? Twitter
3. Now baseball's owners are taking over the O'Hare Hilton for a few meetings. MLB
4. Is there any doubt Derek Jeter(notes) will be named SI's Sportsman of the Year? Bugs & Cranks
5. CC Sabathia(notes) has achieved a lot, but he's still waiting to join the Black Aces. Bronx Baseball Daily
6. The Mets are intrigued by the possibility of overpaying Joel Pineiro(notes). MLBTR
7. Why Tim Lincecum(notes) should be announced as the NL Cy Young on Thursday. McCovey Chronicles
8. Anyone want a guaranteed World Series berth? Eric Hinske(notes) is a free agent again. FanGraphs
9. At what price should the Cubs consider trading for Curtis Granderson(notes)? Desipio
10. Pondering the possibilities of the Tigers moving Miguel Cabrera(notes). Bless You Boys
11. The 10 best Baseball-Reference sponsorships. Baseball Junk Drawer
12. Shane Victorino(notes) wore shorts to his wedding? Of course he did. It was in Hawaii. The 700 Level

Welcome to 'Duk's Dozen, a streamlined selection of 12 morning-fresh links and items to start your baseball day. It welcomes your email submissions and tips here or via Twitter. 

1. Joe Torre and the Dodgers are "talking about" a contract extension past 2010. LA Times
2. Eric Stephen likes the stability a longer Torre tenure would bring. True Blue LA
3. Rick Morrissey has a lot of hate in his heart for the New York Yankees. Chicago Tribune
4. So long, Pete Happy? The Phillies have declined their option on 3B Pedro Feliz(notes). Inquirer
5. The Phils could be eyeing Chone Figgins(notes), one of the Angels 83 free agents. MLB
6. Tim Dierkes ranks the top 50 free agents so we don't have to. MLB Trade Rumors
7. Here's a great picture of the Afghan Little League. BBTF
8. R.J. isn't kidding. This really is the definitive what-to-do-with-Carl-Crawford post. DRaysBay
9. Ian C. considers the possibility of J.J. Putz(notes) in a Tigers uniform. Bless You Boys
10. Mets fan sees available Brett Myers(notes), says thanks but no thanks. Amazin' Avenue
11. Match made in heaven #1: Jon Gosselin will be attending Shane Victorino's(notes) wedding. The 700 Level
12. Match made in heaven #2: I talk World Series with Dan Levy. On The DL Podcast

PHILADELPHIA — When he finally emerged from the postgame showers, Shane Victorino(notes) acted like he was surprised to see a media crowd gathered around his locker. 

"Two thumbs up, everyone," the Phillies center fielder said while lifting a Philadelphia UFC shirt over his head. "That's all you need to know. No broke, no fracture."  

That, of course, was the diagnosis everyone had been waiting to hear from the Phillie himself, even though he kept insisting it was not much of a story. 

But the truth is that anyone who watched the Phillies' 8-6 victory over the Yankees in Monday night's Game 5 knew that the status of Victorino's right index finger — as well as the perseverance of the player attached to it — would be a hot topic.

Victorino was hit square on the digit by A.J. Burnett(notes) in the first inning and fell to the ground in considerable pain. He stayed in the game, though, and came around to score on Chase Utley's(notes) three-run home run (above), which occurred on the next pitch from Burnett. Victorino clearly favored the finger over the next few innings, shaking it vigorously before catching an Alex Rodriguez(notes) fly ball to center and then ducking into the clubhouse for X-rays during the Phillies' extended at-bat during the third inning. 

"It got stiffer as the game went on, but throwing was fine," Victorino said after an 0-for-3 night that ended when he was lifted for Ben Francisco(notes) in the eighth. "Hitting was a little different, a little tough. I couldn't find my grip.

"That's no excuse for me stinking it up at the plate, but everything's fine."

Victorino kept his right hand in his pocket for most of the postgame interview, but briefly revealed the finger's swelling when asked by reporters. He said the off day on Tuesday should give it time to heal and that he should be good to go for Wednesday's Game 6.

In a strange coincidence, it was Burnett who shattered Jayson Werth's wrist in spring training a few years back. Also, any thoughts that the HBP was a revenge measure for all the A-Rod peltings this season should have expired after considering that Jimmy Rollins(notes) had just led off the inning with a single and Burnett was pitching with an early 1-0 lead.

"A.J. looked at me when I got to first base and said 'my bad.' " Victorino said. "It was no retaliation, I'll tell you that much."  

Score and situation: Phillies 8, Yankees 6  New York leads series 3-2

Leading lad: Chase Utley(notes), is there anything you can't do? Utley homered twice, giving him five in the Series to tie Reggie Jackson's 32-year-old record. Reggie can still be Mr. October however; three of Utley's homers have come in November. Utley also has seven career homers in the World Series; only Duke Snider, with 11, has more in a career among NL players. Utley is hitting .333 in the series, but has yet to single. His other hit in 18 at-bats was a double.

Head hangers: Somewhat predictably, A.J. Burnett(notes) wasn't as sharp as he was in Game 2. Pitching with three days of rest, he allowed six runs, four hits and four walks in two-plus innings.

Phil Coke(notes), whose job it is to get out lefties, allowed solo homers to lefties Utley and Raul Ibanez(notes) in the bottom of the seventh, giving Philly insurance it would need.

Key play: With Alex Rodriguez(notes) on deck as the potential tying run in the ninth, Derek Jeter(notes) grounded into a double play to kill the Yankees rally against closer Ryan Madson(notes).

Key stat: X-rays on Shane Victorino's(notes) hand were negative for a break, which gives the Phillies a huge break for the rest of the Series.

What they're talking about: It's hard to second-guess manager Joe Girardi for using Burnett instead of, say, Chad Gaudin(notes). Gaudin tossed one inning in the ALCS on Oct. 20, but hasn't started a game since Sept. 3. Even the mighty Yankees lack pitching depth.

What they're saying:

"It's cool. It's pretty surreal. I'm glad we got the win tonight. We're going back to Yankee Stadium." — Chase Utley

What's next: A rested Pedro Martinez(notes), who lost Game 2, gets one more crack at the Yankees in the Bronx at 7:57 ET on Wednesday night. Andy Pettitte(notes), the winningest pitcher in postseason history, probably goes for the Yanks with three days of rest.

But it wasn't until Saturday night's Game 3 that the old lefty from Texas helped New York's cause with his bat, hitting a tying RBI single off Cole Hamels(notes) in the fifth inning of the Yankees' 8-5 win over the Phillies.

The hit and ensuing run that Pettitte scored on a Johnny Damon(notes) double put the pitcher in line for his 17th postseason victory. His one knock was one more than Shane Victorino(notes), Chase Utley(notes), Ryan Howard(notes) and Raul Ibanez(notes) had combined.

Said Pettitte after the game:

"(With) runners in scoring position, I'm going to be a little bit more aggressive. I wasn't taking — I just saw a ball up in the zone, so I'm not trying to hit a home run, I'm trying to slap the ball around, and fortunately enough I got a ball up in the zone, and I was able to slap it back up the middle.

"I was joking with a few of the guys, I've got a few World Series knocks now, and now I've got an RBI, so pretty happy about that."

Pettitte's only other World Series hit came in 2001 off Randy Johnson(notes), but that Game 6 had a much different outcome. Though he had a single to left off the Big Unit, Pettitte only lasted two innings, giving up seven hits and six runs in a clinching attempt.

Contrast that to Saturday night, when not only did Pettitte get his first postseason RBI, he also got through some early struggles to help give the Yankees a 2-1 series lead. (When discussing his effort in Game 3 Pettitte used the world "grind" four times during his postgame press conference.)

Derek Jeter(notes) later joked with the home plate umpire that the Yankees would never hear the end of the RBI single from Pettitte, but at least he'll have some material to shut his friend up. Pettitte's crawl home from second on Damon's double took forever and Jeter was hot on his tail for the final 90 feet until home plate.  

"I have no wheels at all. I know that. I am very slow. I mean, very slow. And the first thing Derek said was, 'I almost caught you.'"