http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/index

They've limited it to the last 25 years. Any bets on how the Top Ten will shake out?

Patriots-Rams SB for sure in the top 10. Maybe SF's comeback against the Bengals i SB 23.

The Jordan shot that gets replayed constantly? (Dunno if that was an important game or not though)

I don't feel up to putting enough thought into coming up with a top 10, but I'd be willing to bet that the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team beating Russia will be #1.

(I've always wondered, if beating Russia is, in theory, the #1 greatest moment in US sports, where does actually winning the Gold medal game rank?)

Patriots-Rams SB for sure in the top 10. Maybe SF's comeback against the Bengals i SB 23.

The Jordan shot that gets replayed constantly? (Dunno if that was an important game or not though)

Jordan over the Jazz to win the World Championship would have been #2 or 3 if he didn't come out of retirement.

That would have been by far the coolest way to end the greatest career in pro sports, but of course he ruined it.

I'm not sure if Jordan's shot would have been #1 if he didn't come out of retirement (again.) However, since he did I'm fairly confident that the Miracle on Ice will be #1.

Gibson's homerun off Eck.

I think the Miracle will be #1 (it never ceases to amaze me how passionately Americans feel about that moment, considering it came in a tournament that didn't feature the best players, wasn't for the gold medal and was in a sport they don't care about).

Jordan's shot will be there. I think "wide right" will be there too. Gretzky breaking Howe's record may crack the top ten. McGwire's 62nd will definetely be there. I'm sure that, as per American sports regulations, they'll need to work in Brandi Chastain and Lance Armstrong too.

Game 6 of the '86 World Series?

I think the Miracle will be #1 (it never ceases to amaze me how passionately Americans feel about that moment, considering it came in a tournament that didn't feature the best players, wasn't for the gold medal and was in a sport they don't care about).

I think it had more to do with what was going on at the time than the actual game. With the USSR invading Afghanastan, the American economy and moral low, and the Iran Hostage Crisis. It was the first time in history that Americans actually thought that they would be worse off 5 years from now. I think the game was billed as "our way of life" vs "their way of life". As for the best players, they certainly were there for the USSR but not for the US, and I wish the Olympics would return to only allowing amateurs.

I think the game was billed as "our way of life" vs "their way of life".But was it billed that way before the game, or only after the US had won?

I guess what I'm wondering is, if the US had gone out as expected and lost 10-1, would anyone remember the game? Would Americans still be kicking themselves, or would it be like a World Cup of soccer -- lots of buildup and underdog hype, an eventual American loss, and then its forgotten.

Look at the comparable moment in Canadian history -- the Canada/USSR Summit Series in 1972. If Canada had lost that final game, I think there would still be Canadians being talked off of ledges today. Would Americans feel the same way about 1980?

(These aren't rhetorical questions... I was too young to remember the Miracle, even though I was living in the US at the time. I know we went through this when the movie came out and some FOFCers said that yes, it really was as big a deal at the time as it seems in hindsight.)

I think the Miracle will be #1 (it never ceases to amaze me how passionately Americans feel about that moment, considering it came in a tournament that didn't feature the best players, wasn't for the gold medal and was in a sport they don't care about).

Jordan's shot will be there. I think "wide right" will be there too. Gretzky breaking Howe's record may crack the top ten. McGwire's 62nd will definetely be there. I'm sure that, as per American sports regulations, they'll need to work in Brandi Chastain and Lance Armstrong too.


Sounds like someone has a bit of a inferiority complex to me.

So many memories. For me, the ones that stand out ,and are not specific to my favorite teams) include:

Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson

Villanova upsetting Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament

Scott Norwood wide right

Kirk Gibson's homerun

Joe Montana comming back on the Bengals

NC State upsetting Phi Slamma Jamma

Christian Laettner's shot to win the East? regional against Kentucky.

Dan O'Brien NOT going to the Olympics after he no-heighted in the pole vault.

Greg Louganis winning the platform diving gold after cracking his head on the platform.

Bird stealing the inbounds, I believe, and feading DJ to beat the Pistons?

Len Bias' death

Magic contracting HIV

Me hitting a last second jumper from 15 feet out on the baseline to win the AMA Torunament (8th grade division) and then getting all-tournament honors. What a feeling!

Mark McGwire passing Roger Maris for single season homeruns.

George Brett calmly disagreeing with the Umpire regarding how far up the bat a batter may apply pine tar.

Georgetown losing, and NC winning, the NCAA tournament when the G'Twon guard (last name Brown) mistok James Worthy for one of his teammates and passed the ball right to him.

Chris Webber calling timeout against NC when he didn't have one. (he walked on that play anyway)

Ralph Sampson tipping in a last second shot to send the Lakers home in the Western Conference Finals.

Gretzky's trade to the LA Kings.

Ben Johnson v. Carl Lewis

Baggio kicking the ball over the goal against Brazil

Miracle on Ice

Bill Buckner

Joe Theisman and LT on Monday night football

But was it billed that way before the game, or only after the US had won?

I guess what I'm wondering is, if the US had gone out as expected and lost 10-1, would anyone remember the game? Would Americans still be kicking themselves, or would it be like a World Cup of soccer -- lots of buildup and underdog hype, an eventual American loss, and then its forgotten.

Look at the comparable moment in Canadian history -- the Canada/USSR Summit Series in 1972. If Canada had lost that final game, I think there would still be Canadians being talked off of ledges today. Would Americans feel the same way about 1980?That's the whole point. No one thought they had any chance at all. Combine that with the political climate at the time and you have an historical moment in American sport. We boycotted Moscow and they returned the favor in LA. There was a lot of animosity during that era and definitely an Us vs. Them mentality in everything.

You also have to remember that buildup and hype wasn't the same then as it is today. That was still the era of VHF-UHF TV. So it really was an out of the blue shock. Had they lost, then it would have been just another game where the Soviet "pros" beat our amatuers.

You also have to remember that buildup and hype wasn't the same then as it is today. That was still the era of VHF-UHF TV. So it really was an out of the blue shock. Had they lost, then it would have been just another game where the Soviet "pros" beat our amatuers.I think that's probably an accurate description. And in the end, the Americans did win so the "what if's" don't really apply.

Sounds like someone has a bit of a inferiority complex to me.Not sure what you mean.

The game was a 5 ET start, and not shown live. ABC showed the game on tape at 8 ET with a ski race.

It was certainly the biggest upset in American sports since Namath in Super Bowl III.

The Soviets waxed us at MSG, 7-3, just before the games. Even without the political overtones, it was a huge upset. We beat Tretriak!

The Soviets waxed us at MSG, 7-3, just before the games. Even without the political overtones, it was a huge upset. We beat Tretriak!Just curious, how soon afterwards was the Gold Medal game? Did it get the same hype? It's funny how you never really hear as much about it.

Just curious, how soon afterwards was the Gold Medal game? Did it get the same hype? It's funny how you never really hear as much about it.

I'm sure if you asked 100 Americans who USA beat in 1980 for the Gold Medal, a vast majority would say Russia, a few would be unsure, and only a select few would give the right answer of Finland.

Similar to how many people forget that the Red Sox didn't lose the World Series when the ball went through Buckner's legs, it just got sent to a game 7.

Just curious, how soon afterwards was the Gold Medal game? Did it get the same hype? It's funny how you never really hear as much about it.

Dola...

It was two days later, on Feb. 24th. Since I wasn't alive, I can't tell you personally about the hype. But taken from the following website, you can see that the players didn't want to let the opportunity slip away.

http://espn.go.com/abcsports/wwos/80hockeyteam.html

"Basically, he walked in and told us after the Soviet game that if we lost to Finland, we would take it to our grave," said backup goalie Steve Janaszak, the only American who did not play at Lake Placid, N.Y. "There was incredible apprehension before this game. We were horrified by the thought that we'd be sitting around 10 years later and wondering how we could lose the gold medal after coming so close. Essentially, we were afraid to lose."

Similar to how many people forget that the Red Sox didn't lose the World Series when the ball went through Buckner's legs, it just got sent to a game 7.Sure. Next thing you're going to tell me that Henderson's HR off of Donnie Moore wasn't in game seven either.

Not sure what you mean.


The list is by a AMERICAN network, why take the shots unless it bothers you for some reason.

Wake up my Canadian friends, we like you guys, most Minnesotans I know are cheering for Calgary(go Leopold!) and could care less about this US and Canada thing when the teams are made up of guys from all over the place.

The list is by a AMERICAN network, why take the shots unless it bothers you for some reason.

Wake up my Canadian friends, we like you guys, most Minnesotans I know are cheering for Calgary(go Leopold!) and could care less about this US and Canada thing when the teams are made up of guys from all over the place.

Minnesota is in Canada, so of course they are cheering for a Canadian team.

Minnesota is in Canada, so of course they are cheering for a Canadian team.

No, you're thinking of North Dakota! Or Southern Saskatchewan!

The list is by a AMERICAN network, why take the shots unless it bothers you for some reason.Right. And every country has a few of those media-friendly "feel good" stories that get played up big time, even though the average sports fan really doesn't care. Because it's an American network, we'll get Armstrong and Chastain. If it was TSN's list instead of ESPN, we'd get Silken Lauman and Daniel Nestor.

No offense, Cards, but you seem to have really thin skin when it comes to this "US/Canada" thing. I'm not saying nobody feels that way, but not every mention of there being differences in how the two countries perceive things is meant to be some sort of patriotic declaration of war.

IIRC, I'm not sure that we'd medal if Finland won. Somebody I'm sure whose a bit older can correct me if I'm wrong.

While sports fans would have been bummed if Finland had won, the country as a whole would have cared less.

It would be the equvilant of Canada beating the US in men's basketball in Athens, then losing to China in the Gold Medal game. The headline would be US Loses.

Last 25 years? Hmmm....

Right. And every country has a few of those media-friendly "feel good" stories that get played up big time, even though the average sports fan really doesn't care. Because it's an American network, we'll get Armstrong and Chastain. If it was TSN's list instead of ESPN, we'd get Silken Lauman and Daniel Nestor.

No offense, Cards, but you seem to have really thin skin when it comes to this "US/Canada" thing. I'm not saying nobody feels that way, but not every mention of there being differences in how the two countries perceive things is meant to be some sort of patriotic declaration of war.

*shrug* No thin skin here, just calling a spade a spade.

henderson breaking the record for career sb?

luis gonzalez's hit to win the w.s.

jeter's play against the a's a few years ago?

bonds breaking mac's short lived record will be there before they count down to mcgwire's unforgettable moment.

ripken blasting his last A-S game homerun / becoming the iron man

the reds winning 7 in a row in '04 ;)

i am just trying to think of some not yet mentioned that will probably make the cut- 100 is a lot of moments.

I'm sure if you asked 100 Americans who USA beat in 1980 for the Gold Medal, a vast majority would say Russia, a few would be unsure, and only a select few would give the right answer of Finland.

Similar to how many people forget that the Red Sox didn't lose the World Series when the ball went through Buckner's legs, it just got sent to a game 7.

good point, as i didn't even know that about the sox series.. i figured it ended the series. heh, glad i learned that.

I don't think Rickey breaking the stolen base record should make it. If I remember correctly Nolan Ryan threw his 7th no-hitter on the same day, and at least in many places that was the bigger story of the day.

I don't think they'll have anything more on the list in baseball, because the single greatest moment in baseball history was named #100.

Also, the US didn't really play in a "Gold Medal Game" against Finland. The tournament was a round robin.

DOH!!!!! Fucking Baggio. That still pisses me off. You had to remind me, huh judicial clerk. (I was born in Italy if anyone wonders why that particular event stuck with me)

Sure. Next thing you're going to tell me that Henderson's HR off of Donnie Moore wasn't in game seven either.

Game 5. Most tragic moment in Angels history. :(

I wonder if that would make the list?

CR

DOH!!!!! Fucking Baggio. That still pisses me off. You had to remind me, huh judicial clerk. (I was born in Italy if anyone wonders why that particular event stuck with me)

So, thealmighty was born in Italy. Explains why all the popes and cardinals hang out there. ;)

I think The Miracle on Ice will be number 1, which isn't that much of a strech. However, I will say that I think #2 will be Ripkin breaking the Iron Man's consecutive game record.

Me hitting a last second jumper from 15 feet out on the baseline to win the AMA Torunament (8th grade division) and then getting all-tournament honors. What a feeling!
Number one, right there :)

How about Kerri Strugg in Atlanta?

I don't think they'll have anything more on the list in baseball, because the single greatest moment in baseball history was named #100.

Dan Gladden and Gene Larkin..... I wish I could follow baseball as much as I did in the mid-80's to early 90's..... good memories....

Me hitting a last second jumper from 15 feet out on the baseline to win the AMA Torunament (8th grade division) and then getting all-tournament honors. What a feeling!

I think you're forgetting the perfect season my intramural basketball team had my senior year, including the exciting sudden death victory (High school IM overtime :rolleyes: ), and the victory in the championship game by 21 points.

:)

I think you're forgetting the perfect season my intramural baseball team had my senior year, including the exciting sudden death victory (High school IM overtime :rolleyes: ), and the victory in the championship game by 21 points.

:)
Sudden death baseball, huh?

;)

Sudden death baseball, huh?

;)


DAMMIT! Always with the late night mistypings, forgetting the k and t.

George Brett calmly disagreeing with the Umpire regarding how far up the bat a batter may apply pine tar.
Beautiful :D

SI

Sid Bream speeding (heh) around 3rd base to barely beat Barry Bonds throw and win the NLCS, the last time that a MLB game really excited me.

I just hope they really do limit it to "moments". Joe Carter's HR is a moment. Jordan's shot is a moment. Wide-right is a moment. McGwire's 62nd HR is a moment.

"McGwire and Sosa chase Maris' HR record" is not a moment. It was two months. It's too easy to name off every abstract thing that happened in sports, I hope they don't go down that route.

I just hope they really do limit it to "moments". Joe Carter's HR is a moment. Jordan's shot is a moment. Wide-right is a moment. McGwire's 62nd HR is a moment.

"McGwire and Sosa chase Maris' HR record" is not a moment. It was two months. It's too easy to name off every abstract thing that happened in sports, I hope they don't go down that route.

In that vein, though - how many "moments" will be based on a clock striking zero? Isn't that the "moment" they will capture from the USA/USSR hockey match? Is the "moment" defined by Al Michaels's TV call?

Ripken breaking Gehrig's record is sure to be very high on the list. Even without my cynicism about lists like this, it'd be near the top, throw in the fact that ESPN broadcast the game and IIRC interviewed President Clinton in the booth during the game, among many other big names... I'm sure this will be top 5, quite possibly #2 to the miracle on ice.

Number one, right there :)

How about Kerri Strugg in Atlanta?

Kerri Strug in Atlanta may have been a great athletic achievement, but NBC manipulated the timing and explanation of her vault to make it more dramatic than it actually was (no surprise there). Many people remember that vault as the one that won the US team the gold and it did accomplish that, however, it was not the last vault of the competition. NBC merely played it as the last vault to heighten the tension and create the allegedly miraculous story of bravery.

One or two of the Browns AFC championship losses will be in the top ten or fifteen.

I'm not sure but the 90 Reds or 89 Giants series against Oakland should make the top 100.

And the 94 Strike.

The Earthquake World Series game will be one.

Mary Lou Retton's Olympic Vault, as well as Kerri Strug's Vault.

Magic Johnson retiring due to AIDS.

9/11 and its impact on sports.

Game 7 NY vs BOS ALCS
Game 6 BOS vs NYM World Series

The Bird-'Nique duel in the 4Q of game 7, BOS-ATL.

The Catch

Vinatieri's winning kicks, Part I and II.

Number one, right there :)

How about Kerri Strugg in Atlanta?

Mary Lou Retton will be way above Strugg.

This will bring out some bashing, but I don't think that Ripken's streak should be up there. I like Ripken, but I don't think it should count because he went on strike. The streak should have stopped there.

shot on ehlo?

good!

bulls win.

michael jordan saves the day.

Dr. J's layup in the '80 NBA final is moment #99.

I don't think they'll have anything more on the list in baseball, because the single greatest moment in baseball history was named #100.

Also, the US didn't really play in a "Gold Medal Game" against Finland. The tournament was a round robin.


Umm, yes the tournament was round robin, however the round robin simply decided who made the final 3 games aka the Medal Rounds. the US was the fourth seed and the USSR was the 1 seed, Finland beat Norway I believe, though I could be wrong and they were the #2 team coming in.

No one expected the US to beat russia, tetriak was god back then. Which is also why the Gold medal game was so anti-climactic, the entire world assumed the Russians would wipe out both the US and Finland/NBorway without breaking a sweat.

When we upset the Russians it was such a huge shock to all of us that it became a rallying cry for a nation who's spirit was at a serious low point.

I'd vote for that being the #1 moment in the last 25 years.

Non big four sports things coming to mind:
* Lance Armstrong's stage victory in Le Tour De France in 1995 a three days after his teammate Fabio Casartelli died in the Tour.
* Goran Ivanisevic winning Wimbledon in 2001.


My personal favorites

Bad luck story:
Too bad Dutch soccer never made it in the States, or else the 2001/2002 Amstel Cup Finale (Ajax - FC Utrecht) would be a no-brainer in the top 10 moments, with a clear offside goal in the last minute of injury time helping the Dutch equivalent of the Yankees tie the score against the Dutch equivalent of (to name something) the Bengals and claim that cup a few minute in over time on a sudden death goal.
Then Utrecht won the 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 Amstel Cups and even Dutch soccer fans have forgotten since...

Underdog Doing Well Story
Dutch 4 x 100 metres men team amazingly winning bronze at the world championships athletics in 2003 (they finished 4th, but a disqualification of the UK have them in 3rd half a year later). (So maybe this doens't belong with the others, but it sure was one of the best moments in my limited 11 years as sports-on-tv fan.

Umm, yes the tournament was round robin, however the round robin simply decided who made the final 3 games aka the Medal Rounds. the US was the fourth seed and the USSR was the 1 seed, Finland beat Norway I believe, though I could be wrong and they were the #2 team coming in.

The medal round was round robin as well. The top two teams from each group moved on, with the games between the two teams that advanced counting (the USA vs. Sweeden and USSR vs. Finland games happened in round one, but also counted in the medal round). The US would have played Finland regardless of what happened in any of the games. This is why Finland finished out of the medals, the Soviets got Silver and Sweeden got bronze.

The medal round was round robin as well. The top two teams from each group moved on, with the games between the two teams that advanced counting (the USA vs. Sweeden and USSR vs. Finland games happened in round one, but also counted in the medal round). The US would have played Finland regardless of what happened in any of the games. This is why Finland finished out of the medals, the Soviets got Silver and Sweeden got bronze.


Excellent clarification! I was unaware they did the medal round RR as well.

Umm, yes the tournament was round robin, however the round robin simply decided who made the final 3 games aka the Medal Rounds. the US was the fourth seed and the USSR was the 1 seed, Finland beat Norway I believe, though I could be wrong and they were the #2 team coming in.


Sorry, RendeR, you're incorrect. The medal round WAS a psuedo round-robin.

The top 2 teams from each group qualified for the medal round. US and Sweden from one group, and the USSR/Finland from group 2.

The kicker was, you would only play against the teams from the other group. Your result against the other team in the group that advanced would count in Round 2 as well.

[/b]
(Overall records in parentheses)
Gm W-L-T Pts GF GA
1 USA (6-0-1) 3 2-0-1 5 10 7
2 USSR (6-1-0) 3 2-1-0 4 16 8
3 Sweden (4-1-2) 3 0-1-2 2 7 14
4 Finland (3-3-1) 3 0-2-1 1 7 11
Note: Games against common opponents carried over from the preliminary round. FIRST ROUND—USA tied Sweden, 2–2, and USSR over Finland, 4–2. MEDAL ROUND—USA over USSR, 4–3, and Finland, 4–2; USSR over Sweden, 9–2; and Sweden tied Finland, 3–3.[/b]

How about the tuck rule,

the music city miracle

the catch (of course)

Kenny Rogers walking home the NLCS winning run

The Padres / Braves bench clearing brawls back in the early? 80s. ( I remember this because WTBS had such great camera coverage of the fight.)

Michael Jordan dunking from the free-throw line at the dunk contest.

mckerney's perfect season in intramural basketball his senior year, including the exciting sudden death victory (High school IM overtime ), and the victory in the championship game by 21 points. (that sudden death victory was off the hook. At least you didn't peak athletically while in the 8th grade.)

rest in peace Donnie Moore

Cal/Stanford (duh. don't know how I missed this)

I was rooting for Italy too ( I'm 1/2 Italian)

Nolan Ryan putting Robin Ventura in a headlock and giving him a whuppin (on a side note, you don't see guys charging the mound like you used to.)

Dale Earnhardt's crash at Daytona.

#98 is 9/11.

I'd thought that would be higher.