After I read the title fo the thread, here is my first two thoughts.
1.
Jim Abbott -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Abbott This guy is a total inspiration for baseball players and any human being IMHO. To make it to the MLB as a pitcher with one arm is unbelievable. This guy deserves a lot more attention for what overcame. He'll also be at the top of my inspiration list.
2.
2004 Red Sox. Down 3-0 to the Yankeers, Dave Roberts swipes second.....you know the rest of the story.