Memory Lane

[Tredici]

RM Fox Sportsnet had a recent broadcast presenting their view of

THE TOP TEN MOMENTS IN COLORADO SPORTS HISTORY

I believe these were voted on by various members of the media and sports community. -- Not a fan vote. It was a great program to watch, whether you agreed with the choices or not. So many fun moments to remember.

I know many of our posters do not live in Colorado so a lot of this won't have much meaning. But indulge us who will recall each of these moments...

(And give me a minute to get them all posted.)

[Tredici]

Number 10 Hail Mary

On Sept 24, 1994 The Michigan Stadium scoreboard didn’t register it for the longest time.

It still showed MICHIGAN 26, COLORADO 21, even as the victorious Buffaloes rioted on the turf, It was as if the scoreboard operator was hoping someone could erase the last 6 seconds. But an awful lot happened in those ticks: Stewart threw a bomb, and Michigan’s No.1 ranking hopes exploded.

The numbers finally moved on the board, confirming No. 7 Colorado’s 27-26 comeback stunner over the fourth-ranked Wolverines on Saturday. The winning score came when Westbrook, a Detroit native, snagged a deflected 64-yard pass from Stewart in the end zone as time expired.

Scribble Stewart’s name on the page next to that of Doug Flutie, the Boston College sprite who heaved that 48-yard Hail Mary to Gerald Phalen to stun Miami, 47-45, in November 1984. But Stewart’s throw will go down as one of the longest last-play winning touchdowns in NCAA history.

Paul MeCartney the coach of the Buffs still maintains it is the most exciting play he ever experienced in his career. People forget Colorado was on their own 27 yardline. That ball took off and just kept climbing. It was simply amazing.

[Tredici]

Number 9 The Upset

Ranked Ninth in Colorado’s Best Sports Moments and Ranked 6th on ESPN’s Biggest Upset list:

The Denver Nuggets eliminate Seattle SuperSonics in 1994 NBA playoffs
The first time in NBA history an 8th seed knocks off the top seed. Most people remember the final pictures of Dikembe Motumbo laying on the floor holding the basketball over his head in celebration. Coincidentally the Nuggets current head Coach – George Karl never cares to see that image again as he was coaching the Seattle team who went down in defeat.
The Nuggets would lose their own heartbreaking Game 7 the next round to the Utah Jazz.

[Tredici]

Number 8 Mission 16W

"Mission 16W," the slogan that was stitched into Ray Bourque's baseball cap to signify the 16 wins needed to win the Stanley Cup, was completed June 9th, 2001 when a teary-eyed Bourque hoisted the 35-pound trophy after the Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils in Game 7.

Never mind that the media wrote off the team and goaltender Patrick Roy after losing the first game against Los Angeles in the second round. Never mind that the Avs lost Peter Forsberg, one of the league's best all-around players, to a spleen removal a month ago. Never mind that Roy's puck-handling blunder in Game 4 of the Finals seemed to turn the series in New Jersey's favor. And never mind that Colorado was down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series against the defending Stanley Cup champion.

To the Avalanche, it was the destination, not the journey, that truly mattered

[Beantown Bronco]

Might wanna check the math on that first one. A 64 yard pass from the 27 yard line would've landed on the 9 yard line.

[Los Broncos]

Number 9 The Upset

Ranked Ninth in Colorado’s Best Sports Moments and Ranked 6th on ESPN’s Biggest Upset list:

The Denver Nuggets eliminate Seattle SuperSonics in 1994 NBA playoffs
The first time in NBA history an 8th seed knocks off the top seed. Most people remember the final pictures of Dikembe Motumbo laying on the floor holding the basketball over his head in celebration. Coincidentally the Nuggets current head Coach – George Karl never cares to see that image again as he was coaching the Seattle team who went down in defeat.
The Nuggets would lose their own heartbreaking Game 7 the next round to the Utah Jazz.


I remember watching this series, awesome to see the sonics go down.

[Tredici]

Number 7 2000 Yards and Oh By The Way...

In 1998, Terrell Davis rushed for 2,008 yards, then the third highest rushing total in history. This performance earned him his third straight AFC rushing title, his first NFL rushing title, and his second time being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press., , Davis recorded102 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards as the Broncos beat the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII.

The Broncos established themselves as Back to Back Champions in a game where the old, Dan Reeves squared off against the new, Mike Shanahan. For one of the few times in their history the Broncos were actually the favorite going into the game and delivered a 34-19 victory.

Number 6 Orange Crush

If you were a Bronco fan in the 60’s and 70’s, few experiences will ever rival the “Orange Crush” season of fall 1977, 30 years ago. Despite lacking the perfect ending, the season was so special because it was 16 years in the making, lasted over four months, and filled the city with magic and excitement. The defense was hard hitting, opportunistic and seemingly always in the right place at the right time. They held hands in the huddle and came out convinced no one could beat them. They gave Denver a nickname and an identity. They spawned Broncomania. They taught fans what winning felt like. They were magnificent.


~~Sorry, I can't do math. I managed to only get nine posted in a count of 10...

[Tredici]

Might wanna check the math on that first one. A 64 yard pass from the 27 yard line would've landed on the 9 yard line.

He probably scrambled a bit before throwing.

[Tredici]

Number 5 Bolder Boulder

The 1990 edition of the University of Colorado football team accomplished two of the biggest "firsts" in its storied history. The Buffaloes played the nation's toughest schedule and posted an 11-1-1 record overall, with the win over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl cementing the school's first national championship.

The Buffs topped Missouri, 33-31, in their league opener amid controversey of the now famous "fifth down." CU's Charles Johnson scored the game-winning touchdown as time expired on what turned out to be fifth down. The play, created through an incredible mistake by the officiating crew, and unnoticed by Missouri game administration and virtually everyone in the stadium, tainted the CU win and hurt the Buffs image. Even though the Buffs defeated Iowa State, 28-12 the following week, Colorado had dropped back to No. 14 in the rankings though it sported a 5-1-1 record.

Colorado had the rare chance to play for the national championship a second straight year, and this time around, the Buffs made the most of their opportunity. Colorado overcame the loss of Darien Hagan and Kanavis McGhee to injuries in the first half, taking the lead for good in the third quarter in defeating the Irish 10-9. The win kicked off a wild celebration by some 20,000-plus CU fans in Miami and hundreds of thousands back home in Colorado

[SureShot]

Number 10 Hail Mary

On Sept 24, 1994 The Michigan Stadium scoreboard didn’t register it for the longest time.

It still showed MICHIGAN 26, COLORADO 21, even as the victorious Buffaloes rioted on the turf, It was as if the scoreboard operator was hoping someone could erase the last 6 seconds. But an awful lot happened in those ticks: Stewart threw a bomb, and Michigan’s No.1 ranking hopes exploded.

The numbers finally moved on the board, confirming No. 7 Colorado’s 27-26 comeback stunner over the fourth-ranked Wolverines on Saturday. The winning score came when Westbrook, a Detroit native, snagged a deflected 64-yard pass from Stewart in the end zone as time expired.

Scribble Stewart’s name on the page next to that of Doug Flutie, the Boston College sprite who heaved that 48-yard Hail Mary to Gerald Phalen to stun Miami, 47-45, in November 1984. But Stewart’s throw will go down as one of the longest last-play winning touchdowns in NCAA history.

Paul MeCartney the coach of the Buffs still maintains it is the most exciting play he ever experienced in his career. People forget Colorado was on their own 27 yardline. That ball took off and just kept climbing. It was simply amazing.

I will never forget that moment. I was going to school in AZ at the time, and had a bet with a classmate(who was from Ann Harbor). The game was not televised in our area and we were scrambling for updates. And then they cut to that last wonderful 30 seconds. What a play!

[Tredici]

Number 4 Jan. 11, 1987


It is known, simply, as "The Drive." Quarterback John Elway led the Denver Broncos back from defeat numerous times, but his performance in the AFC championship game against the Cleveland Browns topped the list of his heroics, elevating him to superstar status.

Trailing 20-13 with 5½ minutes left in the fourth quarter at Cleveland, Denver took over on its two, 98 yards away from the tying touchdown. "I suddenly flashed on something I was thinking about before the game," Elway said later. "Great quarterbacks make great plays in great games. That's what it's all about, isn't it?"

Elway made like a great quarterback, smartly passing and scrambling the Broncos down to the Browns' 14-yard line. After a nine-yard run by Elway moved the ball to the five, on third-and-one he fired a dart in the end zone to Mark Jackson with 37 seconds left. Rich Karlis' extra point tied the game.
In overtime, two Elway completions were good for 50 yards, setting up a 33-yard field goal by Karlis that gave the Broncos a 23-20 victory and sent them to the Super Bowl.

Elway accounted for 300 total yards, passing for 244 (22-of-38) and rushing for 56.

[Rohirrim]

Number 10 Hail Mary

On Sept 24, 1994 The Michigan Stadium scoreboard didn’t register it for the longest time.

It still showed MICHIGAN 26, COLORADO 21, even as the victorious Buffaloes rioted on the turf, It was as if the scoreboard operator was hoping someone could erase the last 6 seconds. But an awful lot happened in those ticks: Stewart threw a bomb, and Michigan’s No.1 ranking hopes exploded.

The numbers finally moved on the board, confirming No. 7 Colorado’s 27-26 comeback stunner over the fourth-ranked Wolverines on Saturday. The winning score came when Westbrook, a Detroit native, snagged a deflected 64-yard pass from Stewart in the end zone as time expired.

Scribble Stewart’s name on the page next to that of Doug Flutie, the Boston College sprite who heaved that 48-yard Hail Mary to Gerald Phalen to stun Miami, 47-45, in November 1984. But Stewart’s throw will go down as one of the longest last-play winning touchdowns in NCAA history.

Paul MeCartney the coach of the Buffs still maintains it is the most exciting play he ever experienced in his career. People forget Colorado was on their own 27 yardline. That ball took off and just kept climbing. It was simply amazing.

And I had the pleasure of going to work that Monday and collecting bets from three Wolverine coworkers. Sweet. Ha!

[bronco militia]

Number 10 Hail Mary

On Sept 24, 1994 The Michigan Stadium scoreboard didn’t register it for the longest time.

It still showed MICHIGAN 26, COLORADO 21, even as the victorious Buffaloes rioted on the turf, It was as if the scoreboard operator was hoping someone could erase the last 6 seconds. But an awful lot happened in those ticks: Stewart threw a bomb, and Michigan’s No.1 ranking hopes exploded.

The numbers finally moved on the board, confirming No. 7 Colorado’s 27-26 comeback stunner over the fourth-ranked Wolverines on Saturday. The winning score came when Westbrook, a Detroit native, snagged a deflected 64-yard pass from Stewart in the end zone as time expired.

Scribble Stewart’s name on the page next to that of Doug Flutie, the Boston College sprite who heaved that 48-yard Hail Mary to Gerald Phalen to stun Miami, 47-45, in November 1984. But Stewart’s throw will go down as one of the longest last-play winning touchdowns in NCAA history.

Paul MeCartney the coach of the Buffs still maintains it is the most exciting play he ever experienced in his career. People forget Colorado was on their own 27 yardline. That ball took off and just kept climbing. It was simply amazing.


Paul Mcartney coached the buffs?!?!?! I though it was Ringo!

[Tredici]

Number 3 The First Box Score

04-19-1993 Colorado Rockies vs Montreal Expos 11-4 W 1-0

Those who spent years (and in some cases decades) trying to lure a Major League franchise to Denver argued that their city was hungry for Major League Baseball. Their vision became realty when Denver was awarded a franchise in 1991, and their arguments vindicated two years later when the Rockies played their first game in front of over 80,000 fans, the largest opening day crowd in baseball history.

E Y as he became known, Eric Young the first batter stepped up to the plate and style of bombs away baseball Denver style was born.

In their first two seasons, the Rockies played to over 7.7 million fans at Mile High Stadium. They had fifty-two crowds exceed sixty-thousand and twenty-one times they exceeded seventy-thousand. This was not lost on Rockies ownership which had broken ground on Coors Field in 1991. Originally designed to accommodate forty-three thousand, they quickly redesigned the park to accommodate over fifty thousand before its 1995 opening.

The Rockies also won the first game at Coors Field on April 26, 1995, defeating the Mets 11-9 in an example of "mile high style" of baseball (mile high is not an exaggeration at Coors Field — the 20th row of the upper deck is exactly one mile above sea level).

[Beantown Bronco]

He probably scrambled a bit before throwing.

Read your first post again. He would have to throw the ball from 9 yards past, not behind, the line of scrimmage for the math to work (if it truly was the 27)....in which case it would have obviously been an illegal pass.

The line of scrimmage must have been the 36, not the 27.

[bronco militia]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?t=54911&highlight=colorado

[watermock]

Who can forget the 5th down by Colorado against Missouri?

I was screaming WTF?? Coloroado went on to get a slice of the Nationa Championship.

The "Helecopter" has to be the biggest play in Colorado history. To look at John's eyes was surreal. He barely made the first.

Another was The Duke riding off in the sunstet with the MVP trophy and the Lompardi in each fist. I don't think that has ever happened before or since.

[Clockwork Orange]

Number 3 The First Box Score

04-19-1993 Colorado Rockies vs Montreal Expos 11-4 W 1-0

Those who spent years (and in some cases decades) trying to lure a Major League franchise to Denver argued that their city was hungry for Major League Baseball. Their vision became realty when Denver was awarded a franchise in 1991, and their arguments vindicated two years later when the Rockies played their first game in front of over 80,000 fans, the largest opening day crowd in baseball history.

E Y as he became known, Eric Young the first batter stepped up to the plate and style of bombs away baseball Denver style was born.

In their first two seasons, the Rockies played to over 7.7 million fans at Mile High Stadium. They had fifty-two crowds exceed sixty-thousand and twenty-one times they exceeded seventy-thousand. This was not lost on Rockies ownership which had broken ground on Coors Field in 1991. Originally designed to accommodate forty-three thousand, they quickly redesigned the park to accommodate over fifty thousand before its 1995 opening.

The Rockies also won the first game at Coors Field on April 26, 1995, defeating the Mets 11-9 in an example of "mile high style" of baseball (mile high is not an exaggeration at Coors Field — the 20th row of the upper deck is exactly one mile above sea level).

It's sad when you think about what a love affair this city used to have with the Rockies.

Talk about killing the golden goose. :nono:

[Tredici]

Number 2 Breaking The Ice

Years of frustration melted away as Colorado sports fans finally got what they have waited so long for, a pro championship. "I've been waiting 25 years for this. It's a dream come true!" shouted a fan from his perch atop a white limousine cruising downtown Denver's Larimer Street.

Tens of thousands of celebrants flooded downtown Denver after the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup with a triple-overtime 1-0 victory over the Florida Panthers. Pedestrians in the street and heavy traffic produced instant gridlock and a cacophony of honking horns, shouting and cheering

The team wasted little time in Miami after the game ended, returning to Denver on a charter flight that arrived at Denver International Airport at 6:20 a.m. About 1,000 fans greeted the players. Team captain Joe Sakic emerged from the plane holding the 34-pound Stanley Cup aloft. Sakic, the MVP of the finals, paraded up and down the stairs to the plane waving the cup before the cheering fans, most of whom stayed up all night to witness their team's arrival.

The storybook finish for the newly acquired franchise was put together by a series of surprising chapters. Eric Lindros announces he will never play a game in Quebec City setting up one of the most improbable trades in NHL History and putting Peter Forsberg in a Nordique sweater. The team experienced on-ice success, off-ice financial failure during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 NHL season forcing then team owner Marcel Aubut to ask for a bailout from Quebec's provincial government. The bailout fell through and Aubut subsequently sold the team to a group of investors in Denver. The franchise moved to Colorado following the 1995 season, where they were renamed the Colorado Avalanche.

Mid season Patrick Roy announced he would never play another game for the Montreal Canadiens and four days later was traded to Colorado. Roy swaggered into town with promises of the Stanley Cup and like a magician delivered what had eluded Colorado sports fans. A professional sports championship.

[Tredici]

Read your first post again. He would have to throw the ball from 9 yards past, not behind, the line of scrimmage for the math to work (if it truly was the 27)....in which case it would have obviously been an illegal pass.

The line of scrimmage must have been the 36, not the 27.

I didn't do the math. Just reporting it as written. I'm certain they said the LOS was the 27. I don't know who came up with the yardage.

[-Slap-]

I didn't do the math. Just reporting it as written. I'm certain they said the LOS was the 27. I don't know who came up with the yardage.

Also, you said one of these events occured on a Tuesday and I'm sure it was a Thursday.

::)

[Beantown Bronco]

I didn't do the math. Just reporting it as written. I'm certain they said the LOS was the 27. I don't know who came up with the yardage.

In the immortal words of the Geico Cavemen, maybe RM Fox Sportsnet should do a little research. ESPN classic got it right. Only thing I can think of is maybe after the scrambling around, he ended up releasing the ball from the 27 even though the LOS was technically the 36.

http://espn.go.com/classic/s/moment010924-kordell-hailmary.html

[Clockwork Orange]

Number 2 Breaking The Ice

Years of frustration melted away as Colorado sports fans finally got what they have waited so long for, a pro championship. "I've been waiting 25 years for this. It's a dream come true!" shouted a fan from his perch atop a white limousine cruising downtown Denver's Larimer Street.

Tens of thousands of celebrants flooded downtown Denver after the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup with a triple-overtime 1-0 victory over the Florida Panthers. Pedestrians in the street and heavy traffic produced instant gridlock and a cacophony of honking horns, shouting and cheering

The team wasted little time in Miami after the game ended, returning to Denver on a charter flight that arrived at Denver International Airport at 6:20 a.m. About 1,000 fans greeted the players. Team captain Joe Sakic emerged from the plane holding the 34-pound Stanley Cup aloft. Sakic, the MVP of the finals, paraded up and down the stairs to the plane waving the cup before the cheering fans, most of whom stayed up all night to witness their team's arrival.

The storybook finish for the newly acquired franchise was put together by a series of surprising chapters. Eric Lindros announces he will never play a game in Quebec City setting up one of the most improbable trades in NHL History and putting Peter Forsberg in a Nordique sweater. The team experienced on-ice success, off-ice financial failure during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 NHL season forcing then team owner Marcel Aubut to ask for a bailout from Quebec's provincial government. The bailout fell through and Aubut subsequently sold the team to a group of investors in Denver. The franchise moved to Colorado following the 1995 season, where they were renamed the Colorado Avalanche.

Mid season Patrick Roy announced he would never play another game for the Montreal Canadiens and four days later was traded to Colorado. Roy swaggered into town with promises of the Stanley Cup and like a magician delivered what had eluded Colorado sports fans. A professional sports championship.

Interesting sidenote about that team. They won the Stanley Cup with a total team payroll of $17 million.

Ahh, you never forget your first. :)

http://northstar.colorado.net/avalanche/stephaneyelle/images/cup.jpg

[Rock Chalk]

Holy crap enough with the suspense Deb, whats #1!?

[Needa Pass Rush]

Read your first post again. He would have to throw the ball from 9 yards past, not behind, the line of scrimmage for the math to work (if it truly was the 27)....in which case it would have obviously been an illegal pass.

The line of scrimmage must have been the 36, not the 27.

Snapped from the 36, thrown from the 27. About 70 yards in the air. Take a linked peak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQsRLdhfBkw

[Tredici]

Number One THIS ONE's FOR JOHN

There could be a sub title - Wildcard Team Makes Good.

But those four words will forever encompass the most joyous moment (so far) in the hearts of the Colorado fans.

[Tredici]

And sorry.. I misnumbered so I missed Number 6. Scroll back up as I attempted to fix my inability to count....

[BroncoBuff]

Holy crap enough with the suspense Deb, whats #1!?

Think "Sikorsky" ... Uhh

[Clockwork Orange]

Number 9 The Upset

Ranked Ninth in Colorado’s Best Sports Moments and Ranked 6th on ESPN’s Biggest Upset list:

The Denver Nuggets eliminate Seattle SuperSonics in 1994 NBA playoffs
The first time in NBA history an 8th seed knocks off the top seed. Most people remember the final pictures of Dikembe Motumbo laying on the floor holding the basketball over his head in celebration. Coincidentally the Nuggets current head Coach – George Karl never cares to see that image again as he was coaching the Seattle team who went down in defeat.
The Nuggets would lose their own heartbreaking Game 7 the next round to the Utah Jazz.

That was a nice little oasis in the middle of a looong desert of futility.

[Rock Chalk]

Think "Sikorsky" ... Uhh

Man, it must suck to be wrong all the time Buff. How do you go on?

[Tredici]

The fan polls didn't necessarily agree with the moments chosen on this special. I think they re-broadcast it every now and then so watch for it. It's great to watch with a lot of former players, coaches, etc. adding some of the narratives to the memories.

I'm sure each of us have our own favorites. I have to include University of Northen Colorado's Back to Back National Championships somewhere on my list. Because my nephew was on that team and I still have the VCR tape where he says hi to me on National TV when the camera was on him after his interception in their first Championship...

[B-Love]

Putting the first Rockies game and the Kordell play vs Michigan ahead of 1977 Broncomania is just anger inducing.

Great list though.

Here in New York, they black out the show on Direct TV whenever it is on. Why??

I get alot of other Regional Sports Net shows, but the block this one out on Channel 645 for some reason.

[SureShot]

Think "Sikorsky" ... Uhh

Igor?

[BroncoBuff]

Man, it must suck to be wrong all the time Buff. How do you go on?

Actually I was right - but two minutes late.

Sikorsky=helicopter=SBXXXII=This One's forJohn ... hello?




Alec? Hello?

[Rock Chalk]

Actually I was right - but two minutes late.

Sikorsky=helicopter=SBXXXII=This One's forJohn ... hello?




Alec? Hello?

No, you were wrong. You said the moment was the helicopter spin.

And the moment picked was when Bowlen said "This One's For John".

I mean, I knew you were retarded, just didnt think you'd allow me to point it out to everyone.

[BroncoBuff]

Well, they're called "moments," but if you've taken the time to read the descriptions, "moment" is metaphorical, sir. Some of the "moments" encompass entire seasons, games, or even simple visual metaphors like a box score.

Just because you didn't understand the clue doesn't mean it was wrong, sir.

Next time wait before you jump please, to make sure you "get it." ::)

[CBF1]

Man I must be old... I remember all 10 :(

Thanks for taking the time to post this Tred!

[BroncoBuff]

I mean, I knew you were retarded, just didnt think you'd allow me to point it out to everyone.
Now you listen to me, young man.

If you don't be nice, I'll remove you from my MySpace Friends' place of honor between these two:
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/4800/alecxh0.jpg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALEC


www.MySpace.com/caseyrockstar

[bronco militia]

lmao

[CBF1]

Buff... LMAO, you are one sick puppy.

Maybe you and Alec should go to family therapy :)

[bendog]

I can't believe the Ron Lyle v. Gerry "the bleeder" Quarry didn't make the list.

[BroncoBuff]

Actually, the 1985 NBA West Conference Finals should be in there - Nuggets vs. Lakers. Game 4 at McNichols was unforgettable ... loudest crowd ever .... 5 lead changes and 6 timeouts in the last 60 seconds - James Worthy won it on a tip-in. Had Bill Hanzlik picked up the ball, the series wouldda been tied 2-2, and the Lakers wouldda been in deep trouble. Hard to imagine now, but we were that close to the NBA Finals against Bird, McHale, Ainge, DJ and the Chief.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1985.html



My TOP TEN:

1. Sikorsky (all of the moments that day)
2. 1977 AFC Title Game (New Year's Day 78 actually)
3. 1991 Orange Bowl - Colorado Buffaloes National Champions
4. 1998 13-0 run, 2000 yards for TD
5. Game 4, 1985 NBA West Conference Finals
6. Uwe Krupp slapshot winning first Stanley Cup (2 a.m.)
7. The Drive
8. Borque 16w
9. Nuggets Upset Sonics
10 Every other Bronco and Buff moment ever ...

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Now you listen to me, young man.

If you don't be nice, I'll remove you from my MySpace Friends' place of honor between these two:
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/4800/alecxh0.jpg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALEC


www.MySpace.com/caseyrockstar

LOL :rofl:

[Tredici]

Actually, the 1985 NBA West Conference Finals should be in there - Nuggets vs. Lakers. Game 4 at McNichols was unforgettable ... loudest crowd ever .... 5 lead changes and 6 timeouts in the last 60 seconds - James Worthy won it on a tip-in. Had Bill Hanzlik picked up the ball, the series wouldda been tied 2-2, and the Lakers wouldda been in deep trouble. Hard to imagine now, but we were that close to the NBA Finals against Bird, McHale, Ainge, DJ and the Chief.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1985.html



My TOP TEN:

1. Sikorsky (all of the moments that day)
2. 1977 AFC Title Game (New Year's Day 78 actually)
3. 1991 Orange Bowl - Colorado Buffaloes National Champions
4. 1998 13-0 run, 2000 yards for TD
5. Game 4, 1985 NBA West Conference Finals
6. Uwe Krupp slapshot winning first Stanley Cup (2 a.m.)
7. The Drive
8. Borque 16w
9. Nuggets Upset Sonics
10 Every other Bronco and Buff moment ever ...

Is the 85 series against the Lakers the same one where Alex English broke his hand? That hurt.

[Clockwork Orange]

Is the 85 series against the Lakers the same one where Alex English broke his hand? That hurt.

Yes, I remember them giving him shots on the bench to numb it a couple of times.

[BroncoBuff]

Is the 85 series against the Lakers the same one where Alex English broke his hand? That hurt.

yes ... I had forgotten that. He might have broken it in that Game 4, I think maybe right before halftme. That was the first year with Lever, Natt and Cooper - and without Kiki.

[gunns]

Number One THIS ONE's FOR JOHN

There could be a sub title - Wildcard Team Makes Good.

But those four words will forever encompass the most joyous moment (so far) in the hearts of the Colorado fans.

I realize this is about Colorado sports but that moment was the most joyous for all Bronco fans.

And within that greatest moment, mine was when Mobley knocked down that 4th down pass and John realized.

[Tredici]

I realize this is about Colorado sports but that moment was the most joyous for all Bronco fans.

And within that greatest moment, mine was when Mobley knocked down that 4th down pass and John realized.

Agree. -- On both accounts.

[Clockwork Orange]

This could spawn all kinds of interesting discussion, so let me ask this question. Is Terrell Davis' 2008 yard, 23 TD (21 rushing, 2 receiving) regular season in which he won the rushing title and was named league MVP, combined with his 468 yards & 3 TD's in the playoffs, the greatest individual season ever turned in by a player in Denver sports history?

The only one I can think of that ranks up there is Joe Sakic in the 2000-01 season. Sakic scored 54 goals, notched 64 assists for 118 points (this in the old clutch & grab NHL, mind you), won the Hart Trophy (league MVP), Pearson Award (MVP as voted on by the players), Lady Byng Trophy (Sportsmanship), was a finalist for the Selke Trophy (best defensive forward), was the leagues leading scorer in the playoffs with 26 points in 21 games despite playing more than half of the playoffs with a separated shoulder and led the team to the Stanley Cup.

Anyone else got a nomination?

[-Slap-]

I couldn't really say where it ranks in Colorado sports history, but Todd Helton's 2000 season was about as good as any in baseball history.

He led the National League in these categories in 2000:


Batting Average .372


Hits 216


RBI 147


Doubles 59


Total Bases 405


Slugging Percentage .692


On Base Percentage .463


OPS 1.162


Extra Base Hits 103


Runs Created 189


Helton was second in the league in Runs Scored with 138 and seventh in homers with 42.

He walked 103 times and only struck out 61 times.

He had very little lineup protection that year. Larry Walker struggled through an injury plagued half season. Warning Track Jeff Cirillo and Porcelain Jeffrey Hammonds were the best hitters around Helton on most days.

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Park/1138/photos/photo-toddheltoncatch.jpg

[Clockwork Orange]

Good call. I'll add Larry Walker's 1997 NL MVP season to the mix. His league ranks in parentheses.


.366 batting average (2nd)

49 home runs (1st)

130 RBI's (3rd)

143 runs scored (2nd)

.452 on base percentage (1st)

.720 slugging percentance (1st)

1.172 OPS (1st)

208 hits (2nd)

409 total bases (1st)

46 doubles (3rd)

33 stolen bases (7th)

181 runs created (1st)

99 extra base hits (1st)


He also won one of his seven Gold Gloves that year.

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2004/scorecard/08/03/truth.rumor/p1_walker_larry.jpg

[-Slap-]

Good call. I'll add Larry Walker's 1997 NL MVP season to the mix. His league ranks in parentheses.


.366 batting average (2nd)

49 home runs (1st)

130 RBI's (3rd)

143 runs scored (2nd)

.452 on base percentage (1st)

.720 slugging percentance (1st)

1.172 OPS (1st)

208 hits (2nd)

409 total bases (1st)

46 doubles (3rd)

33 stolen bases (7th)

181 runs created (1st)

99 extra base hits (1st)


He also won one of his seven Gold Gloves that year.

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2004/scorecard/08/03/truth.rumor/p1_walker_larry.jpg

Great call. Walker's three year run from 97-99 would be arguably the greatest stretch of sustained excellence in the last 50 years, if he could have only been on the field more.

Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB SH SF IBB HBP GDP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+-----+----+----+---+---+---+---+---+
1997 30 COL NL 153 568 143 208 46 4 49 130 33 8 78 90 .366 .452 .720 177 409 0 4 14 14 15 SS,MVP-1,AS
1998 31 COL NL 130 454 113 165 46 3 23 67 14 4 64 61 .363 .445 .630 160 286 0 2 2 4 11 MVP-17,AS
1999 32 COL NL 127 438 108 166 26 4 37 115 11 4 57 52 .379 .458 .710 162 311 0 6 8 12 12 SS,MVP-10,AS

[BroncoBuff]

This could spawn all kinds of interesting discussion, so let me ask this question. Is Terrell Davis' 2008 yard, 23 TD (21 rushing, 2 receiving) regular season in which he won the rushing title and was named league MVP, combined with his 468 yards & 3 TD's in the playoffs, the greatest individual season ever turned in by a player in Denver sports history?

The only one I can think of that ranks up there is Joe Sakic in the 2000-01 season.

I gotta go with Sakic - not just for Colorado, but All-Time team sports history: In February 2002, when the Salt Lake City Olympics ended, Joe Sakic sat atop his sport in a way no other team-sport athlete ever has:

1) Joe Sakic was CAPTAIN of the Canadian National team
2) Canada won the Olympic Hockey GOLD MEDAL
3) Joe Sakic was named MVP of the 2002 Olympic Hockey Games
. . . Astonishingly, at the very same time:
4) Joe Sakic was CAPTAIN of the Colorado Avalanche
5) Joe Sakic was the reigning Hart Trophy winner (League MVP)
6) Joe Sakic was the reigning Byng Trophy winner (Sportsmanship)
7) The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup

I can't think of a team sports athlete who has ever scaled such heights all at once - Captain of both teams - MVP of both seasons - Gold Medal and Stanley Cup - and all at the same time. Tiger might approach that kind of dominance, but never has a team sport athlete done this.

The only awards Sakic did not win were the Art Ross (most points scored - Jagr edged him by 2 points on the last weekend of regular season), and Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP - Patrick Roy edged him in that vote). So he was a close 2nd in the only two awards left that he could possibly win.

[Clockwork Orange]

1) Joe Sakic was CAPTAIN of the Canadian National team.

Not in 2002 he wasn't. Mario Lemieux was the captain of that team.

[BroncoBuff]

Actually they were co-captains!!!! And I thought twice before I ommitted the "CO"! ROFL!

I can't believe I got caught so fast! LOL




Co-Captains is close enough though...

[Clockwork Orange]

Actually they were co-captains!!!! And I thought twice before I ommitted the "CO"! ROFL!

I can't believe I got caught so fast! LOL

Co-Captains is close enough though...

Sort of. Mario was the captain and wore the C on his sweater.

Sakic, along with Steve Yzerman, Chris Pronger & Michael Peca were named the alternate captains.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2002/02/08/alternatecaptains020208.html

Your point is still valid, though. Sakic was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Olympic tournament and led Canada to their first gold medal in over 50 years.

[BroncoBuff]

Okay .... my bad.

Had TD won the Super Bowl MVP in 1998, he might be closer to Sakic. Even though his 2008 was just the 3th most yards ever, neither Barry nor the Dick even sniffed the playoffs in their 2000 seasons, much less the Super Bowl.

In the spirit of a thread I started not so long ago about Kurt Warner ... he was NFL MVP, Super Bowl winner and MVP, and had chalked up the 2nd or 3rd best QB season ever in 1999. So, despite my Bronco bonafides, Warner comes in 2nd to Sakic and ahead of TD.

As far as Walker and Helton ... those numbers are mind-boggling, but there is the point that both those seasons came before the baseballs were refrigerated. Don't wanna irritate Rockies fans unnecessarily, but, 'nuff said.

[BroncoBuff]

I just looked it up, and Jaromir Jagr beat Sakic for the Ross Trophy by THREE points, not TWO.


I am glad I got that correction in before SoCal or HEAV showed up ... :chairhit:

[Clockwork Orange]

I just looked it up, and Jaromir Jagr beat Sakic for the Ross Trophy by THREE points, not TWO.


I am glad I got that correction in before SoCal or HEAV showed up ... :chairhit:

Jagr always was something else when he felt like playing.

[SoCalBronco]

Jagr always was something else when he felt like playing.

Even though Jagr said he was "dying alive" in Pittsburgh and left on bad terms when he was eventually traded for financial reasons, he is still one of my favorite players ever.

[Clockwork Orange]

Even though Jagr said he was "dying alive" in Pittsburgh and generally went out on bad terms when he was eventually traded for financial reasons, he is still one of my favorite players ever.

He's one of the most offensively gifted players ever to lace up a pair of skates. Unfortunately, he's also a moody diva who goes through the motions sometimes.

[Clockwork Orange]

In fairness, it should also be mentioned that Sakic was the captain of the Canadian Olympic team in 2006 and will be again in 2010. :~ohyah!:

[BroncoBuff]

Is that true, or are you having one off on me?


BTW - Foppa's coming back it's rumored ... and the pp line of Forsberg-Sakic-Hejduk will reign again!

[Clockwork Orange]

Is that true, or are you having one off on me?


BTW - Foppa's coming back it's rumored ... and the pp line of Forsberg-Sakic-Hejduk will reign again!

It's true that he was the captain in 2006 and he's already talked about wanting to play in the 2010 Winter Olympics, which will be in Vancouver. I think those games will be extra special for him not only because they're in Cananda, but in his home province of British Columbia.

The way he's playing, I can see him still producing at a high level three years from now. I wouldn't bet against it.

It'd be awesome for Forsberg to have a farewell tour with the Avs. The front office should give it special consideration since it would buy back a lot of good will with the fans that's been lost the last couple of years.

[BroncoBuff]

My TOP TEN:

1. Sikorsky (all of the moments that day)
2. 1977 AFC Title Game (New Year's Day 78 actually)
3. 1991 Orange Bowl - Colorado Buffaloes National Champions
4. 1998 13-0 run, 2000 yards for TD
5. Game 4, 1985 NBA West Conference Finals
6. Uwe Krupp slapshot winning first Stanley Cup (2 a.m.)
7. The Drive
8. Borque 16w
9. Nuggets Upset Sonics
10 Every other Bronco and Buff moment ever ...

How about some commenst on these?

[broncogary]

How is hockey even a sport? It's not played with a ball.

[Donk]

Number 3 The First Box Score

04-19-1993 Colorado Rockies vs Montreal Expos 11-4 W 1-0

Those who spent years (and in some cases decades) trying to lure a Major League franchise to Denver argued that their city was hungry for Major League Baseball. Their vision became realty when Denver was awarded a franchise in 1991, and their arguments vindicated two years later when the Rockies played their first game in front of over 80,000 fans, the largest opening day crowd in baseball history.

E Y as he became known, Eric Young the first batter stepped up to the plate and style of bombs away baseball Denver style was born.

In their first two seasons, the Rockies played to over 7.7 million fans at Mile High Stadium. They had fifty-two crowds exceed sixty-thousand and twenty-one times they exceeded seventy-thousand. This was not lost on Rockies ownership which had broken ground on Coors Field in 1991. Originally designed to accommodate forty-three thousand, they quickly redesigned the park to accommodate over fifty thousand before its 1995 opening.

The Rockies also won the first game at Coors Field on April 26, 1995, defeating the Mets 11-9 in an example of "mile high style" of baseball (mile high is not an exaggeration at Coors Field — the 20th row of the upper deck is exactly one mile above sea level).

It would have ben so much better if Marvin Davis had
not have been blackballed by the NBL.

[Clockwork Orange]

Eric Young will always have that first Colorado home run, but I remember him being so bad defensively at 2nd base that his nickname was changed from EY to E4.

His son is currently a prospect in the Rockies organization. I think he's playing at A ball right right.

[Atlas]

To me that Nugget upset of the Sonics should be much higher.

What about the 1986 CU upset of Nebraska? That game was huge. It was the turning point of the program. No one has that game recorded either. It has just disappeared.

[Tredici]

You'd think Dempsey would get a mention somewhere in those great Colorado sports moments.

Or maybe Amy Van Dyken not only winning swimming gold but having great control of the spit launched toward the competitors lane....

[-Slap-]

To me that Nugget upset of the Sonics should be much higher.

What about the 1986 CU upset of Nebraska? That game was huge. It was the turning point of the program. No one has that game recorded either. It has just disappeared.

I might have that game on tape.

[Atlas]

I might have that game on tape.

Really??

[Circle Orange]

Think "Sikorsky" ... Uhh

*scratches head like doofus* Umm...when Gary Kubiak became the bronco backup? Wasn't that #1? :)

[-Slap-]

Really??

I'm going to be breaking down some boxes full of VHS in the next few weeks. I'll keep you in mind if I find that game.

[Master___Pain]

Rashaan Salaam's 1994 Heisman season is another nominee
in 11 games
2,055 Yards
24 Td's
9 Consecutive 100+ games
4 200+ yard games
317 Yards against Texas in Austin (This game was amazing, it was hotter than hell and CU just kept pounded Salaam)
186.8 yards per game

[Clockwork Orange]

Rashaan Salaam's 1994 Heisman season is another nominee
in 11 games
2,055 Yards
24 Td's
9 Consecutive 100+ games
4 200+ yard games
317 Yards against Texas in Austin (This game was amazing, it was hotter than hell and CU just kept pounded Salaam)
186.8 yards per game

Ever rush for 2000 yards......on weed?

http://chud.com/nextraimages/halfbaked5.jpg

;D

[Master___Pain]

Ever rush for 2000 yards......on weed?

http://chud.com/nextraimages/halfbaked5.jpg

;D

lol

That dude knew how to rip a bong. One of my roommates later in college lived down the hall from Rahsaan his freshmen year. My roommate supplied Rashaan that year. I think the fact that he smoked weed was the worst kept secret on campus.

All that said, he was awesome in 1994.

[Atlas]

I'm going to be breaking down some boxes full of VHS in the next few weeks. I'll keep you in mind if I find that game.
That would be cool. My defensive coach (Mr. Clapham, Rapid City Central) in high school was a huge CU fan. We were playing a game and I remember him dancing on the sideline when he heard that CU upset Nebraska. I'd mail that game to him in a heart beat if I found it.

[BroncoBuff]

Rashaan Salaam's 1994 Heisman season is another nominee
in 11 games
2,055 Yards
24 Td's
9 Consecutive 100+ games
4 200+ yard games
317 Yards against Texas in Austin (This game was amazing, it was hotter than hell and CU just kept pounded Salaam)
186.8 yards per game
You are so right! And that was the same year as the Kordell Hail Mary. I'm gonna start a detailed thread during the doldrums after the draft about how that Michigan game might have been the greatest collection of football talent ever in a single college game (don't jump the gun on me there, MP, I have a lotta data to present).

Based on how Salaam washed out (smoked out?) of the NFL, I'm thinking the Buffs O-Line deserves a very large portion of the credit for Rashaan's season and Heisman. And ... extrapolating here ... we did sign half-a-dozen first-rate road graders this year too. Maybe we should be optimistic ;D

[Master___Pain]

You are so right! And that was the same year as the Kordell Hail Mary. I'm gonna start a detailed thread during the doldrums after the draft about how that Michigan game might have been the greatest collection of football talent ever in a single college game (don't jump the gun on me there, MP, I have a lotta data to present).

Based on how Salaam washed out (smoked out?) of the NFL, I'm thinking the Buffs O-Line deserves a very large portion of the credit for Rashaan's season and Heisman. And ... extrapolating here ... we did sign half-a-dozen first-rate road graders this year too. Maybe we should be optimistic ;D

Cool, I look forward to seeing it. Go Buffs!