This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Sandy • Bucky Dent hit another home run Saturday night.

Dent, whose three-run blast helped the New York Yankees beat Boston in a historic 1978 playoff game, was a featured guest at the Sons of Baseball banquet and auction at the South Towne Expo Center.

Sons of Baseball is a make-a-wish program for children who love the sport but suffer from life-threatening illnesses or permanent physical challenges.

"When they said it was about kids and making dreams come true, I told them, 'I'm in,'" Dent said. "… It's a great, great cause."

Dent, 64, lives in Florida. But he was more than happy to make the trip to Utah for the fundraiser.

"It's all about giving back," he said. "… We had our time in the limelight and now it's our time to give back."

Dent spent 12 years in the big leagues. He started with the Chicago White Sox but was traded to New York in 1977.

"It was a dream-come-true because I was a Mickey Mantle fan and I grew up a Yankee fan," Dent said. "I always wanted to play for the Yankees. I never thought I'd get traded from the White Sox but, when I did, I walked into the clubhouse and said, 'Wow, this is heaven.' "

During the 1978 season, the Yankees trailed the Red Sox by 14 games in the American League East before rallying to force a one-game playoff.

In the game, Boston owned a 2-0 lead in the top of the seventh inning when Dent came to the plate. He fouled the second pitch from Boston starter Mike Torrez off his foot and, in the process, cracked his bat.

Teammate Mickey Rivers sent out one of his bats as a replacement.

"Mickey said, 'Hey homie, you've got the wrong bat. This is the one,'" Dent said. "The bat boy ran it up to me … and the first pitch Torrez threw, I hit the home run."

Dent's homer cleared Fenway Park's Green Monster and gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead. They eventually won, 5-4, and advanced to the A.L. Championship Series.

"Sports is a game of moments," Dent said. "I think every kid dreams of being part of a great moment in sports. I fulfilled my dream and became part of history because it was one of the greatest games ever played. I love that I was part of it."

Dent's home run still resonates with fans of both teams.

"There's not too many days go by when a Yankee fan says, 'You made my childhood,' or a Red Sox fan says, 'You ruined my childhood,'" Dent said. "But it's all good. It was a big moment. A great game. Two great organizations playing against each other."

luhm@sltrib.com Twitter: @sluhm —

Bucky stops here

• Former World Series MVP Bucky Dent was a guest at Saturday night's Sons of Baseball banquet and auction in Sandy.

• Dent played for four Major League teams during his 12-year career. He enjoyed his most success with the New York Yankees.

• Dent hit one of baseball's most famous homers. His three-run blast helped the Yankees beat the Red Sox in a 1978 playoff game.