Top 10 Most Dramatic Moments in Sports History
by Mark Keller on Jul.13, 2011, under Miscellaneous
If you read my column in Thursday’s Herald-Mail, you’d already know that I disagree with ESPN’s inclusion of Abby Wambach’s goal in Sunday’s Women’s World Cup soccer match.
Dramatic? Yes. Top 10? No way.
So here is my list of the Top 10 Most Dramatic Moments in Sports History, complete with links to video clips.
10. Bill Mazeroski’s series-ending home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.
9. Christian Laettner (ugh!) seals Duke’s win over Kentucky in the 1992 NCAA Tournament.
8. Brandi Chastain scores the winning goal for the United States in the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
5. The Tennessee Titans fall one yard short of a Super Bowl victory.
4. Bills. Giants. Norwood. Wide right.
3. Kirk Gibson’s home run off Dennis Eckersley in the 1988 World Series still gives me goosebumps.
2. Carlton Fisk challenges my fanhood of the Cincinnati Reds at a very early age.
1. Nothing can ever — ever — top the Miracle On Ice.
Let me hear your thoughts …
July 14th, 2011 on 12:31 pm
I guess there could be some difference in the interpretation of “dramatic” for this top ten list. I could not begin to even provide a list like this but I think many people don’t know some of the specifics that could put this in the top ten of all time. Sure, game winning home runs, last second basketball shots, even last second goals, etc. are exciting but no one seems to mention some of the biggest factors of this game. I did not watch the game but yes heard and saw highlights from ESPN. I did however watch a replay a few nights later only to find out why this was actually dramatic. The USA team lost a player I believe due to a red card with 30 minutes to go in regulation, thus playing with a 11-10 person deficit. This would be like hockey playing a full period on a power play, has that ever happpened? Basketball playing 5 on 4 for a half, that ever happened? Baseball having to pitch like slow pitch softball, never happened. AS the game then ended in a tie, the USA team played ANOTHER 30 miutes with a one person deficit plus a few minutes of added penalty time. Can you imagine any other sport playing nearly a full game one player down? This would be the reason I would consider it to in the top 5 at least if not even #1. Every one of your top ten deals with even numbered teams, no deficits at all. There were even some very questionable calls by the ref’s for the US but in the end came out in the wash later in the game. It’s all about the WOW factor, yes, the homeruns, last second shot, etc., make the 5 second highlight reels, but the real WOW factor to this game was shown in 62 plus minutes of playing at a deficit which did not make the highlight reels, only the 3 second shot of a goal to tie the game at the 122 minute mark. If you did not watch the game, watch it, it should impress you with the effort put forth by these women to even be in the game and have a chance to win.