Ted Berg

USA TODAY Sports

LOS ANGELES -- With a chance to even the World Series in Game 4 after their thrilling, 18-inning win early Saturday morning, the Los Angeles Dodgers welcomed back two important members of their World Series history.

FOX announcer Joe Buck, hosting a pregame ceremony on the field, first introduced longtime major league outfielder Kirk Gibson, whose dramatic, one-legged homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series set the tone for the Dodgers’ most recent championship club. But after Gibson took the mound as if to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, Buck directed him to the batter’s box as Justin Turner emerged from the home dugout to give Gibson a bat.

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Gibson left the ball on the pitcher’s mound as Buck announced the next guest.

“Please welcome back to Dodger Stadium, Dennis Eckersley,” he said as the Hall of Fame closer stepped out onto the field wearing his Oakland Athletics jersey. Eckersley allowed Gibson’s walk-off shot on Oct. 15, 1988.

Gibson took a few practice swings, then traded his bat for a catcher’s mitt and received Eckersley’s first pitch.